Reign legend Jess Fishlock announces retirement Last Reign original will hang up her boots at the end her 14th NWSL season

Jess Fishlock, the last remaining Reign original, announced that she will retire at the end of the 2026 NWSL season. @munson-bella.bsky.social looks back on the Seattle legend’s legacy.

➡️ equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/21/r...

Field is set for Concacaf W Championship A look at how each of the eight teams competing in the Concacaf W Championship qualified for the tournament

The field is set for the Concacaf W Championships in fall 2026! @rachaelkpalmer.bsky.social explains how each of the eight qualifying teams made it:

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/20/f...

Lauletta’s XI: To flip or not to flip? That is the question Fans, like the ones pictured below, would be subject to more cold-weather games, among other changes, if the schedule flip vote passes.

The NWSL owners are set to vote on whether or not to flip the schedule to run from late summer to spring.

@thedanlauletta.bsky.social has reasons why this is, and isn't a good idea:

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/20/l...

Hayes’ cooking lessons pay off in USWNT-Japan series finale The American defenders brought the dessert head coach Emma Hayes was hoping for in 3-0 victory

Emma Hayes' #USWNT squad found the perfect mix of recipe and execution Friday night with a 3-0 win in the Japan series finale. A combination of veterans and a few younger players delivered the dessert Hayes was looking for.

Defenders and experience shine in 3-0 USWNT win over Japan Centerback Kennedy Wesley assists and scores while veteran attack improves offense

#USWNT head coach Emma Hayes started more of her veterans Friday night, and it showed in improved offense. But the unexpected star of the 3-0 victory over Japan was centerback Kennedy Wesley, who assisted the first goal and scored the third.

Tactics Talk: Analyzing Boston’s reasons to be positive Starting fast was always going to be a tough task for the Boston Legacy. Not only are they a new team within the National Women’s Soccer League, but they are a relatively unproven one featuring very f...

My latest looks at Boston's reasons to be positive, for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/16/t...

NWSL Transfer Tracker: NWSL Offseason (2025-26) With the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season coming to a close — congratulations to Gotham FC on the club’s second-ever league championship — teams across the league are making moves. This offs...

Jaelin Howell (Gotham FC) and Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit) both inked three-year deals with their clubs this morning.

equalizersoccer.com/2025/11/24/n...

USWNT offense struggles, showing youthful inexperience in front of record Seattle crowd Hayes: 'If we're solely looking at the result ... we lost. But you can't look at it like that when you're trying to develop players to be prepared for the highest level

The #USWNT lost in front of a record crowd that came out despite miserable weather, but at this point, head coach Emma Hayes is focused on developing and gaining experience for her young players to reach the highest level.

@munson-bella.bsky.social reports from Seattle ⤵️

Young, rotated USWNT squad falls one-nil to Japan SEATTLE — U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes put out a younger and less experienced lineup in her team’s second test against Japan, and it was reflected in the 0-1 loss. Japan scored fir...

#USWNT head coach Emma Hayes made 11 changes to the starting lineup that beat Japan 2-1 on Sunday in the national team's Tuesday return to Seattle and saw her young team lose 0-1 but gain experience.

US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker abruptly departs for role with Saudi Arabia The move comes two months before the Men's World Cup on home soil; Crocker oversaw both USMNT and USWNT

Just two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker announced his departure for a similar role in Saudi Arabia.

Read the news here:

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/14/u...

#USWNT head coach Emma Hayes had to hold off on starting her MD-1 press conference to say hi to the legend Crystal Dunn 👑

A Seattle Reign reunion between head coach Laura Harvey, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett with the #USWNT in town 🥹

U.S. victory over Japan demonstrates growth at the highest level Hayes: 'It's the test we want, and I'm so happy to have it'

ICYMI, check out our coverage from this weekend's international friendly between the @uswnt.ussoccer.com and the Japan Women's National Team!

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/12/u...

U.S. victory over Japan demonstrates growth at the highest level Hayes: 'It's the test we want, and I'm so happy to have it'

Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps not only anchored the USWNT's victory over Japan on Saturday, but they helped demonstrate the national team's growth over the past 12 months.

Subscribers can read our in-depth thoughts on yesterday's friendly here:

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/12/u...

Starting lineup of US veterans beats Japan 2-1 Lavelle and Heaps helped bring the USWNT its first 10-game winning streak since 2023

Japan is always a challenger, but the US prevailed in a 2-1 win.

Read our quick recap of today's friendly at the link!

#USAvJAP 🇺🇸🇯🇵⚽️⭐️

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/11/s...

FULL TIME: 2-1 US in Saturday's #USAvJAP match.

The USWNT may be looking youthful these days, but veterans Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps held it down.

Two more matches between these two teams this week!

And in the 61st minute, Riko Ueki gets Japan on the board.

It had been 866 minutes since the USWNT gave up a goal.

2-1 #USAvJAP 🇺🇸🇯🇵

The captain makes it 2-0 for the US! 🇺🇸⚽️⭐️

And on her 100th start for the USWNT, Rose Lavelle puts the USA on the board! 🤩

Lavelle has now had a goal or assist in 7 of her last 8 starts for the national team 🫡

1-0 US #USAvJAP 🇺🇸🇯🇵

Today's starting lineups!

#USAvJAP

⚽️ Anatomy of a Goal
🥅 Tactics Talk
1️⃣1️⃣ Lauletta's XI
🗣️ Talking Points

These are weekly, analytical columns we supply every week of the #NWSL season at The Equalizer. Subscribe today for comprehensive women's soccer coverage TODAY!

equalizersoccer.com/subscribe/

Talking Points: Wave rolls on and Chawinga returns In Matchweek 4 of the National Women’s Soccer League, the Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave, and Houston Dash pick up hard-earned points while Racing Louisville continues to drop them. Temwa Chawinga lifts the Kansas City Current to an important win, and when will the goals finally come for Gotham? As the league pauses for two […]

This week in the NWSL, Chawinga returned and Kiki Van Zanten bagged her second brace. Orlando, San Diego, Kansas City, and Houston picked up hard-earned points while Louisville and Gotham continue to drop them.

@jennapel.bsky.social's Talking Points are here:

🔒 equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/09/t...

Tactics Talk: How can Portland get the best out of Wilson, Turner and Tordin? Turner has scored three goals, Tordin has scored two goals.

The Portland Thorns have scored eight goals so far this #NWSL season, thanks to performances from Reilyn Turner, Pietra Tordin & Sophia Wilson.

As @secondball.bsky.social writes, Thorns coach Robert Vilahamn wants more from his strikers.

🔐 Subscribe to read!

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/08/t...

Anatomy of a Goal: Croix Bethune switches the point of attack You never know where a goal is going to come from. The Kansas City Current’s equalizer on Saturday began with a throw-in, was unlocked through one sublime pass that switched the point of attack and fi...

In this week's Anatomy of a Goal, @thedanlauletta.bsky.social takes a look at the build-up from Croix Bethune and the finish from Debinha, from Kansas City's win over Gotham FC.

🔐 Subscribe to EQZ Extra to read the latest analysis!

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/08/a...

Lauletta’s XI: Riding the Wave, PKs galore and Alyssa Naeher to the bench Updates from around the league after an action-packed fourth week in the NWSL

Our @thedanlauletta.bsky.social's NWSL week 4 hot takes are out!

🌊 San Diego keeps riding the wave
🦢Boston still searching for that first point
⚽Penalty kicks galore!

Check it out at the link:

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/06/l...

Spirit roll past Bay FC 2–0 for first win of the season An own goal, and a second from Gift Monday secured Washington's first win of the 2026 campaign.

The Spirit finally got their win on Sunday. Read about the game here:

equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/06/s...

Spokane scoring magic runs out for Reign But defense holds strong in scoreless draw against Denver, wrapping up Seattle's three-game 'home' stretch in Eastern Washington

The Reign wrapped up their three-game ‘home’ stand in Spokane Saturday night with a scoreless draw against Denver. Though the offensive form that saw them score five goals in two games was absent, the defense stepped up to secure the point, @munson-bella.bsky.social reports from Spokane.

Laura Harvey and THE cooler

Go time for Seattle Reign and Denver Summit!

Greetings from Spokane for Seattle Reign vs Denver Summit!

Here early the descriptions of a small, intimate stadium definitely ring true.