NSWL Clubs

High school sophomore Chloe Ricketts became the youngest player in the National Women’s Soccer League history on Thursday when she signed with the Washington Spirit. Ricketts signed a three-year contract with an option to extend for a fourth year in 2026.

The record for youngest NWSL player was previously held by Olivia Moultrie who signed with the Portland Thorns when she was 15 years and 286 days old. At the time of Ricketts’ signing, she was 15 years and 283 days old.

It didn't make much sense when EA Sports announced that women's club soccer was coming to FIFA 23 before launching with only the Women's Super League (England) and Division 1 Féminine (France) while omitting the National Women's Soccer League, but that's reportedly about to be remedied with a free March update ahead of the league's new season.

LOS ANGELES — Angel City FC on Thursday selected 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson with the first pick of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) draft, making the Los Angeles native the first player in league history drafted directly out of high school.

"Alyssa Thompson, for us, is a phenom and generational player," said Angel City general manager Angela Hucles Mangano.

"She's a player who can make an immediate impact, but she's also young and can develop and look to be a player that we're building a future off of, too."

OL Reign re-signed captain and USWNT icon Megan Rapinoe through the 2023 NWSL season.

The deal was announced Wednesday, the 10th anniversary of her joining the club as an original member in 2013. Financial terms were not disclosed.

OL Reign Re-Signs Forward Megan Rapinoe Through 2023 Season

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will become a part owner of a third sports franchise in Kansas City.

Mahomes is joining his wife, Brittany, as part of the ownership group of the Kansas City Current, the National Women's Soccer League team announced Tuesday. Brittany Mahomes already was part of the ownership group alongside Angie and Chris Long.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has handed lifetime bans to four former coaches and fined the Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns $1.5 million and $1 million respectively, part of sweeping sanctions from a misconduct inquiry.

An independent investigator brought in by U.S. Soccer found last year that abuse and misconduct "had become systemic" in the NWSL.

National Women's Soccer League MVP Sophia Smith was voted the 2022 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, the sport's governing body said on Friday, after scoring 11 goals for the national team last year.

TFW @beckysauerbrunn crashes your Zoom to break the Player of the Year news

Congrats @sophsssmith! pic.twitter.com/YzdbEUPm4O

The United States women’s national team is preparing for two January friendlies in New Zealand against the Football Ferns. USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski released the 24-player roster for the friendlies on Thursday and some fans were surprised to not see star player Mallory Pugh on the list.

What those fans didn’t realize was that a Mal Pugh name change had taken place since the last time the U.S. played. In December the Chicago Red Stars forward married Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.

The National Women's Soccer League intends to add a team and is looking at finalists Boston, Tampa and San Francisco as prospective expansion cities, Sportico reported.

The highest bidder has placed a bid for "well over $40 million" to secure a franchise, per the report.