Swish Happens Here: No Rest for the Weary and From Community to Controversy
The bright lights of WNBA All-Star weekend have come and gone as the second half of the 2025 season kicked off this week. From the No. 2 Liberty in the […]
Dear readers, I have wonderful news for you. This is the last column I am writing before the NWSL season kicks off again. The next edition of this column will be me talking about the games that happened over the weekend, and I am very, very excited about it. I’ve missed this silly little league, and the Summer of Soccer only fed into that longing.
We got a flurry of a finish from both the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, and the Women’s Euros on Sunday, leaving us with only the Women’s Copa América Femenina to watch before the NWSL season picks up again. By the time you read this, we will know one of the semifinal teams for Copa, as well as the 5th place winner, which will represent CONMEBOL in the Pan American Games next year. Copa is also serving as an Olympic qualifier for South America, with the winner and runner up automatically qualifying for the 2028 tournament, the first with 16 nations competing.
Since we’re winding down, and back up, let’s take a trip around women’s soccer for the summer.
Naija No Dey Carry Last
Credit: WAFCON
Much has been made of Nigeria’s loosening grip on the African continent. Banyana Banyana were the reigning WAFCON champions, and upstart nations Morocco and Zambia have joined the conversation as some of the best teams from Africa. Nigeria, whose biggest battle recently has been with their own federation, talked very little leading up to this edition of WAFCON, but the objective was clear. They came to Morocco to reclaim a title they feel is theirs, and with nine titles to their name prior to WAFCON 2024, their feelings were valid. In their first tournament under new head coach Justin Madugu, Nigeria only dropped two points in a draw against Algeria in their last group match and did not concede a goal at all until the semifinal and did not concede a goal in the run of play until the WAFCON final against Morocco.
In said final, Nigeria went down 2-0 to the host nation Morocco in under 25 minutes and held on to keep it from being worse as the halftime whistle blew. Nigeria had a better defensive shape in the second half, but it wasn’t until the 60-minute substitutions of Jennifer Echegini and Rinsola Babajide that Nigeria’s attack began to flourish. Nigeria scored two goals in seven minutes to tie the match at 2-2, and Jennifer Echegini became the hero when she scored off an assist from breakout star Esther Okoronkwo, who also scored Nigeria’s first goal of the match. Nigeria closed out the match for 3-2 victory and were scheduled to continue their celebrations on Monday in Nigeria, including a parade for the winners.
They’ll have little time to celebrate, as the next edition of WAFCON is next year and, once again, is in Morocco. That iteration will act as the World Cup qualifiers for the CAF, with the top four nations automatically qualifying for Brazil 2027. For now, Nigeria is back at the top of the mountain, and they feel great.
Second verse, same as the first
Credit: UEFA
Stop me if you’re heard this before, the Lionesses win the Euros in a penalty kick shootout, with the winning penalty scored by Chloe Kelly. England defeated Spain in their second penalty shootout of the Euro knockout stages and have played all knockout matches through extra time. England did it the hard way, with a little luck and a lot of
grit, and maybe a bit of help from their opponents. England’s depth proved to be a difference maker, with Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly, and young player of the tournament
Michelle Ageymang coming off the bench to score important goals and assists for the Lionesses, often in the waning minutes of matches. You can call them the Cardiac Cats instead of the Lionesses after this tournament, because they saved it for late and refused to die.
The Spanish side played well in spurts in the final, but they struggled to convent on their 22 shots. They had as many shots on target as England, with England only having 8 shots total. Additionally, England led for roughly one minute during their knockout stage matches, but it did not matter in the end, as they are back-to-back Euros champions. This makes them the first nation since Germany to win the title back-to-back, and the only nation besides Germany and Norway to win the title more than once. England is surely partying after their win, and they’ll get a bit of a break before they return to action in October in the Women’s Nation’s League, where they will be joined by France, Germany, and Spain in the semifinals of that tournament. It may not have been pretty, but it did come home again for England.
It’s coming home…to the NWSL
THE CHAMPIONS OF AFRICA 🇳🇬🏆
Congratulations, Michelle Alozie and Asisat Oshoala!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 27, 2025 at 12:33 AM
With WAFCON and the Euros now over, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the NWSL players who are now continental champions. For the Super Falcons of Nigeria,
Asisat Oshoala of Bay FC and tournament Best XI player Michelle Alozie of the Houston Dash will return to play as WAFCON champions. Esme Morgan of the Washington Spirit, Jess Carter of Gotham FC, and Anna Moorehouse of the Orlando Pride will all be returning to their teams as champions, after they celebrate and rest, and will be thrust into the NWSL playoff race, as well as the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League, making for a packed schedule for the champions. There are so many players and matches to watch as the league returns. In addition to those named, I’m going to take a crack at a few things to key on this weekend.
What to watch this weekend
Racing Louisville vs Kansas City Current – Friday, August 1 st at 8:00 PM EST
The best team in the NWSL is the Kansas City Current. Fresh off of their Teal Cup win over the summer, they’ll be looking to continue their momentum against Racing
Louisville, who ended the first half of their season with a convincing win over the Orlando Pride. Louisville will want to take points from this match, as they have the
hardest first four matches in the league. After this, they play Orlando, Washington DC, and San Diego, all on the road. That’s four matches against the top four teams, in four weeks. We’ll know a lot more about Racing at the end of August for sure.
Kansas City has a bit of cushion in the standings, and one of the best attacks in football. They should also be getting MVP candidate Debinha back from injury in the coming months, which will only make their attack more dynamic. Let’s see what happens during NWSL After Dark.
Player to watch: Taylor Flint for Racing Louisville.
Flint is a tall and physical player, who can progress the ball with ease in the Racing midfield. Additionally, she can hit a rocket from distance on occasion. Racing may need some of her magic to get points against a complete Kansas City team.
Credit: NWSL
Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns – Sunday, August 3 rd at 12:30 PM EST
This matchup of two current playoff teams always produces fun matches. Trinity Rodman has returned to the Washington Spirit to train, though we do not know her
status for this match. The Spirit will likely be missing Esme Morgan, who will need a short rest after the Euros, and Leicy Santos, who is currently playing in Copa with
Colombia. With new signing Sofia Cantore yet to arrive in market, and striker Ashley Hatch announcing her pregnancy that will keep her out the rest of this season, DC will be a bit thin in attack, but they should still give Portland a game. Thorns rookie Pietra Tordin is the reigning Rookie of the Month, and has stepped up in the absence of Caiya Hanks, providing goals for the team when they need them. It should be a great showdown for your Sunday morning viewing.
Player to watch: Hina Sugita for the Portland Thorns.
Hina Sugita missed a chunk of last season due to injury, and Portland struggled to create and find balance in the
midfield. She’s been back and healthy for the team this year, and it’s no coincidence that they currently occupy a playoff spot. She is the creative engine of the team, and her ability to play make centrally, and to find the correct final pass, has made goal scoring easier for Portland’s young, attacking players. A player that can score, she has worked more as a facilitator this season, and the Thorns will need her to be one again to counter Croix Bethune in DC’s midfield. It should be a lovely battle of creative
midfielders.
Credit: NWSL
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Sylvia Bullock is 1/2 of Shea Butter FC and the world’s foremost Christen Press and Crystal Dunn truther. She’ll be covering the NWSL every week for Fearless SC. You can find her on BlueSky at Southern Sylvs.
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