FootyPop: Atlanta Reveals Name and Crest For NWSL Expansion Side

In this week’s women’s soccer news, Ashley Sanchez is back with the USWNT; Atlanta’s new NWSL team has a name and crest; Rose Lavelle is staying with Gotham; and more!

High of the Week

The USWNT roster for their October friendlies against Spain has been announced, and it’s no surprise that Ashley Sanchez has made her return to the national team. The roster features 26 players, with three of the 26 earning their first call-up to the senior team.

Ashley Sanchez has been having an incredible season, so it was only a matter of time before we saw her back in the USWNT conversation. She played herself back on this roster, and if she continues with this form, it’ll be difficult for Emma Hayes to keep Sanchez off the World Cup roster next year. Sanchez has scored 20 goals in 26 games for the North Carolina Courage and is one goal away from breaking the single-season scoring record for the NWSL with three regular season games to go for North Carolina.

Three NWSL players earned their first call-ups this time, and those are Trinity Byars, Evelyn Shores, and Pietra Tordin. All three have been having very good seasons and are deserving of the chance to earn their first caps. Tordin has been Portland’s best player all season with eight goals and nine assists in 27 games. Byars has 10 goals for her San Diego Wave team that secured a playoff spot this weekend. Shores has seven assists in her standout second season with Angel City.

News of the Week

The NWSL’s newest expansion team officially has a name and crest, the club announced this week. They’ll be called Atlanta City FC, and their primary colors are Atlanta red and Georgia peach. The crest features a dogwood tree, a phoenix that’s the focus of the design, and the letter A built into the phoenix as a nod to the city of Atlanta. The combination of everything is a really cool crest that combines the history of the city and modern style. The color combination also works well because it stands out from other clubs already in the league. Atlanta will begin play in 2028.

Signing of the Week

Gotham announced this week that they’ve signed midfielder Rose Lavelle to a contract extension through 2029. Lavelle has been in the NWSL since 2017, when she was drafted by the then Boston Breakers with the first overall pick but was only with the club for a season because the organization folded. She then spent two seasons with the Washington Spirit before being traded to the Seattle Reign in 2020. Ahead of the 2024 season, she joined Gotham as a free agent and has been a key player for the club’s success. With Gotham, she’s appeared in 69 matches and scored 18 goals. In 2025, she played a huge part in helping Gotham win the NWSL Championship, with Lavelle scoring the game-winning goal.

For the 2026 season so far, she’s appeared in 22 games, scored four goals, and tallied two assists for a Gotham club that looks to be on its way to winning the NWSL Shield.

Win of the Week

Boston Legacy got a huge win over the Portland Thorns in a wild match. The game started off badly for the Thorns when Sophia Wilson got sent off with a straight red card off a hair pull, leaving Portland a man down in the 22nd minute. Boston got two quick goals just before halftime, within four minutes of each other from Alba Caño and Sarah Schupansky. Then Portland answered with two goals of their own in the second half from Pietra Tordin and Shae Harvey. Boston wasn’t done, though, with Amanda Gutierres scoring a brace in the last 5 minutes to give the Legacy the big win.

Return of the Week

For the first time in a little over a year, Savannah DeMelo took the field for Racing Louisville. On September 14, 2025, DeMelo suffered a medical emergency when she collapsed during a game. It was recently revealed that she suffered from an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia, and for a while she wasn’t sure that she would be able to play professionally anymore. It was a special moment to see the midfielder make her return for Racing and do it at home in front of her home fans.

Player of the Week

Debinha scored a hat trick for the Kansas City Current in their dominating 5-1 win over Bay FC. All three of the midfielder’s goals came in the second half, scoring in the 46th, 53rd, and 75th minutes. It was her second career hat trick. This season, Debinha has eight goals for the Current. It was a much-needed statement win for this Current team that is fighting for playoff positioning. Right now, they sit in fifth place with 44 points.

Save of the Week

Mina Tanaka made a crucial goal-line save to help the Utah Royals earn a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville. Racing sent the ball into the box, and they were able to get a head on it and send the ball on target, but Tanaka was in the right place to head it away and save the goal.

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS