We're back! ESPN's expert voting panel of coaches, GMs and journalists ranked the top women's soccer players of 2025: www.espn.com/soccer/story... Try to guess which #USWNT players made the list. Good luck!

well PHEW

Richards stretchered off in Carabao Cup match. Not a good week for the #usmnt. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Wouldn't have predicted this one in a million years. Yet here we are.

Full story on the #NWSL announcing the new High Impact Player rule we've been reporting... and the NWSLPA reaffirming its opposition to it, from @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

I think the next logical step for the NWSLPA is that they file a grievance over the implementation of this rule. This would obviously be separate from the grievance they already filed over Trinity Rodman's proposed contract with the Spirit being rejected by the #NWSL.

Statement from the NWSLPA. The union is definitely not on board with the new High Impact Player Rule. #NWSL

What's still unclear is the extent to which the NWSLPA is on board with this. Beyond the union's past opposition to this rule, the league having "exercised its discretion" and being in "consultation" hints that there is still some disagreement between the two parties. #NWSL

According to Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, #usmnt midfielder Tyler Adams is out for up to three months with a torn MCL in this left knee. This puts Adams' participation in the March international window in doubt. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

BREAKING: The NWSLPA opposes the #NWSL's proposed "High Impact Player" rule. PA exec. dir. Meghann Burke tells @espn.com that the NWSL is controlling and interfering with which players can access a certain pot of funds. The PA's proposal is to raise the cap by $1M, the proposed "HIP" amount. MORE:

In this week's In-Form XI... ✳️ Adams' latest injury ✳️ Jedi's return ✳️ Pepi making his case ✳️ Plus more on McKennie, Tillman and Agyemang. #usmnt www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Antonee Robinson back in the lineup for Fulham in its Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle United. Good to see him recover well from his 90-minute stint last weekend. #usmnt

Toluca's 12th Liga MX title reshapes discussion of Mexico's biggest clubs www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Not only does Antonee Robinson make his first start of the season for Fulham, but he goes the distance in a 3-2 win. Now comes the all important recovery, but huge news for the #usmnt.

SOURCES: The #NWSL board has voted to approve a new star player fund—internally called "High Impact Player"—to allow teams to spend up to $1M over the cap with a much smaller cap hit for players who meet criteria. Crucially: A change affecting the cap requires NWSLPA consultation. On @espn.com:

This week's In-Form XI focusing on: ✳️ Pulisic ✳️ Sargent ✳️ Banks ✳️ Plus Balogun makes history, and McKennie wins over another Juve manager. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

The #usmnt will play Senegal in Charlotte, N.C. in its penultimate pre-World Cup tuneup. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

NEWS: The #NWSL board is voting on a proposal that would allow teams to pay top players beyond the current salary cap but with limits, w/the hope that it's a solution for Trinity Rodman and other stars. Proposal still needs to pass. Details (so far) on @espn.com 👇

I wrote about the birth and the death of the Group of Death: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Sources: Talks between the USL and the USL Players Association on a new CBA for players in the USL Championship are continuing. As part of this, the USL has proposed a set of minimum salaries for the new Division I league scheduled to begin play in 2028. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Whoa. Christian Pulisic enters Milan's match against Torino as a sub and scores less than a minute after coming on to level the game at 2-2. Impressive. #usmnt

Never seen a team in MLS that punishes mistakes as ruthlessly as #InterMiami. Of course, no MLS team has had a player like Messi, but still, it's mind boggling. #MLSCup

Édier Ocampo's own goal is the 4th own goal scored in an MLS Cup final and first since George John's decisive own goal in extra time that decided the 2010 MLS Cup in favor of the Colorado Rapids against FC Dallas. Most people outside of Colorado have tried to banish that game from their memory.

Also if you’re looking for how to feel about the USMNT group and their opponents, @espnbillc.bsky.social, @cesarhfutbol.bsky.social, @lizzybecherano.bsky.social and @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social break it down game by game and gut-check the tournament: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

FIFA's chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger, has defended the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams. #usmnt #FIFA www.espn.com/soccer/story...

When in D.C. …

Well that's distressing. Johnny Cardoso forced off in the 14th minute in Atletico Madrid's match with Barcelona. Looked like his left foot got inadvertently stepped on earlier. #usmnt

From waaaaay downtown. BANG! #usmnt

"It starts with a vision: Who do you want to be?" How San Diego FC went from expansion afterthought to MLS Cup contender www.espn.com/soccer/story...

A #usmnt Big Board before your smorgasbord. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Let's try this one more time. FIFA announced its plans for the World Cup draw, including who the U.S. might play and in what order. #FIFA #usmnt www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Can confirm that Celtic is finalizing a deal to hire Wilfried Nancy to be the club's next manager. Formal contact with the Columbus Crew has been made. Looks like the runway is clear for Nancy to depart. #Crew96 www.espn.com/soccer/story...

BREAKING: A class action lawsuit filed by fans who were impacted by the chaos at the 2024 Copa America final has been settled. Defendants Concacaf, COMNEBOL, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC will pay upwards of $14 million to those fans affected. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Steve Cangialosi with a great line. "They're pounding on the door like Nicholson in 'The Shining'." Still chuckling over that one. #MLSCupPlayoffs

Hagglund with a giveaway, and then you can see the dominos start to fall ending with Silvetti crossing for Messi to nod home. Cincinnati mistakes getting punished at both ends of the field. #MLSCup #FCCincy #InterMiami

AC Milan prevail 1-0 over Inter in the Derby della Madonnina courtesy of a 54th minute goal by Christian Pulisic. Pulisic went 78 minutes in the match, & had the crucial tally, converting a rebound from Alexis Saelemaekers' shot. U.S. fans will be happy to see Pulisic back on the scoresheet. #usmnt

“The brutal beauty of our game.” What a night in Vancouver: www.mlssoccer.com/playoffs/202...

The Futbol W post-game show wrapping the #NWSL Championship last night, including Rose Lavelle and Juan Carlos Amoroso reacting to Gotham's victory 👇 www.espn.com/watch?id=044...

Gotham's season was up/down, but the highs brought trophies: First Concacaf and now the #NWSL Championship, a 2nd in 3 years. This is team has mastered the art of knockout soccer, rising to the occasion in big moments. Rose Lavelle did that on Saturday.

The emotions overflowed for Trinity Rodman following the Washington Spirit's 1-0 defeat to Gotham FC in the #NWSL Championship final. Tears were shed, as she said she "definitely underperformed." Obviously more to the defeat than her performance, but it still cut deep. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Q:”How often do you smoke cigars?” Midge Purce: “Only in championships.” #NWSL

FT: Gotham 1-0 Washington. Lavelle the hero in a tight, tight match. Amoros' sub of Bruninha for Reale played a huge part in the result. Not only did Kouassi not have much influence thereafter, but Bruninha assisted on the game-winner. Rodman just didn't look anything close to full strength. #NWSL

Goal Gotham! Rose Lavelle with the clinical finish after Bruninha's low centering feed found her at the top of the box. Big uphill climb for the Spirit now. #NWSL

Reale, already on a yellow, losing the battle with Kouassi, and fouls her again. Spirit should keep hitting that side. #NWSL

Trinity Rodman entering the match for Sofia Cantore. Thought Gonzalez might wait longer to bring her on, but he's going for it. #NWSL.

Chants of "Free D.C." going up from the Spirit fans. #NWSL

HT: Gotham 0-0 Washington. Half fizzled out in terms of chances after some early aggression by Gotham. Half got increasingly physical as well, but neither side could create a clear opening. Going to take something special (or a huge mistake) for either team to find a breakthrough. #NWSL

Anthem time, #NWSL style.

Here are the starting lineups for the #NWSL final. As expected, Rodman on the bench for the Spirit.