In this week’s women’s soccer news, Sam Kerr is back in the NWSL with Gotham; the North Carolina Courage are losing a key player; the Chicago Stars got a huge win; and more!
High of the Week
The biggest news of the week is certainly the fact that Sam Kerr is back in the NWSL. She returns to the city where she had her breakout season for years ago by signing with Gotham FC. Kerr signed a contract with Gotham through the 2030 season. When the club was still Sky Blue, Kerr made 40 appearances and scored 28 goals. During her last season with Sky Blue in 2017, she scored 17 goals and won the Golden Boot and MVP award. During her first stint in the NWSL between 2013-19, she played for the Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC, and the Chicago Red Stars. During that time, she won three straight Golden Boot awards and two MVP awards. Despite not playing in the league for seven years, she is still the all-time regular-season leading scorer with 78 goals.
After the 2020 season, Kerr joined Chelsea to play in the WSL. During her six years there, she scored 116 goals in all competitions, which tied her for the most in club history with Fran Kirby. She won back-to-back Golden Boot awards with the Blues as well. While with the club, she helped them win five WSL titles.
She’s just as accomplished on the international stage as well with Australia. She’s scored 75 goals in 139 appearances since making her debut for the senior team in 2009.
Kerr will be eligible to make her Gotham debut on July 15th, which is when Gotham will host the Washington Spirit in the Queens Classic at Citi Field.
Low of the Week
The North Carolina Courage are on the losing end of transfer news this week. The club announced that midfielder Manaka Matsukubo would be leaving and joining Chelsea on a five year contract. Losing a young star like Manaka, who has been tremendous for the Courage since joining, is a huge blow. For Manaka, though, it’s a great opportunity to continue to evolve her career. In 2023, Manaka joined the Courage on a loan before signing a permanent contract with the club in 2024. Last season, she was named the NWSL Midfielder of the Year after scoring eleven goals. So far this season, she has already scored five goals and tallied four assists in just nine games. For Chelsea, it’s a huge signing, and if she can continue the form she’s been in for the Courage, she’ll be a star for The Blues.
Thank you for making magic in Courage Country, Manaka 🪄
We’ve agreed to transfer of midfielder Manaka Matsukubo to Chelsea F.C. of the Women’s Super League. Wishing you luck, Manaka! pic.twitter.com/NXg1FTnhX4
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) July 3, 2026
News of the Week
England midfielder Georgia Stanway is making her return to the WSL. Stanway signed with Arsenal through 2029 with the option for a fourth year. It’s a big signing for Arsenal, who have lost some key players this offseason, like Katie McCabe and Beth Mead. Stanway had previously spent four years with Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga, during which time she made 128 appearances for the club. While with Bayern, she helped the club win four consecutive league titles. Before she joined the German club, she spent seven years with Manchester City. She’s a very experienced player, and they’ll need that in their midfield, especially next season.
Player of the Week
Ashley Sanchez has been absolutely terrific for the North Carolina Courage this season, and she continued her form in the Courage’s 3-1 win over the Seattle Reign. She scored her second brace of the season with a goal in the 22nd minute and then another in the 71st to add a little bit of a cushion for North Carolina. On the season, Sanchez has nine goals in 12 games. Her nine goals put her only behind Barbra Banda in the Golden Boot race. If Sanchez keeps this form up, the Courage are going to be a dangerous team going into the second half of the season. Sanchez is playing her way back onto the USWNT roster, and she’s going to make it really hard for Emma Hayes not to give her a call-up during the next camp.
Assist of the Week
Leicy Santos played a beautiful ball to Trinity Rodman to open the scoring for the Washington Spirit in their 2-1 win over the Houston Dash. From their own side of the field, Santos played a perfectly placed long ball into the running stride of Rodman, who then kept her composure and sent the ball into the back of the net.
Win of the Week
The Chicago Stars got a massive win this weekend in their first game back from the summer break. They got an impressive 3-2 victory over the Utah Royals, who were on a 10-game unbeaten streak. It was Chicago’s fourth win of the season in 13 games so far. Jordyn Huitema got the scoring started in the 20th minute, but just before halftime, Utah leveled the score thanks to Cloé Lacasse. In the 54th minute, Utah took the lead thanks to a converted penalty kick. Chicago didn’t give up, and they found the equalizer thanks to a Sam Staab free kick in the 59th minute. Huitema came up huge for Chicago again at the end of the match when she scored the game-winner. It was Huitema’s first goals of the season for Chicago, and they proved to be big ones. The forward joined the Stars just before the start of the 2026 regular season.
Goal of the Week
Sam Staab scored a beauty of a free kick for the Chicago Stars in their win against the Utah Royals. The ball was placed a good bit outside of the box in the middle of the field. Staab was able to hit it well and send it blasting past the outstretched hands of Mandy McGlynn and into the top corner. It was a very well-placed kick from the defender.
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