All Scores

‘Read the game’: Why the NWSL championship will be won in the midfield

Washington’s Ashley Sanchez and Chicago’s Sarah Woldmoe battle for the ball during a regular season game. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — When a truly excellent midfield controls the flow of a soccer game, their contributions can be so subtle as to be easily overlooked. For the midfields of the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars, the lack of recognition is undercut by the internal understanding that they are the backbone of their teams.

The Red Stars have made an unlikely run to the final behind the smothering holding play of Morgan Gautrat and Sarah Woldmoe, with assistance from Danny Colaprico and Vanessa DiBernardo, the team’s No. 10. The Spirit have relied on the vision and veteran calm of Andi Sullivan, the technical ability of Dorian Bailey and the tirelessness of Ashley Sanchez.

Fans across the league are familiar with the end product: Golden Boot winner Ashley Hatch and Rookie of the Year Trinity Rodman have Washington soaring in the postseason, and Katie Johnson’s wonder strike allowed the Red Stars to sit on a lead in the semifinal and stifle the Portland Thorns into submission.

But how does the ball get into those spaces, and what happens when momentum swings the other way? What is it actually like in the trenches of an NWSL midfield?

In many ways, the midfields of the teams meeting in Saturday’s NWSL championship game have more similarities than they do differences. The players’ communication is constant, and mostly occurs when the unit is moving defensively rather than with the ball.

“The communication is straightforward: left, right, check your shoulder,” says Woldmoe, Chicago’s deepest-lying midfielder. “It’s not anything out of the ordinary or super special or anything like that. But it is, I would say, constant. It is nonstop. We definitely do hear each other, definitely do rely on each other.”

As the architect connecting the Spirit’s defense to their attack, Sullivan is a bit more vocal.

“I feel like I constantly am running my mouth, and for me, that’s both selfish and team-oriented,” she says. “Because I feel like it helps the team stay organized and see things that they might not have seen, but also helps me just get in flow. And I feel like if I make a mistake, I also rely on my communication to get me back into the flow of the game. It’s almost like I’m narrating.”

Communication is essential to any midfield moving as a cohesive unit, but the speed of play in the transition-heavy NWSL forces even the best midfielders to rely on instinct in the moment.

“If you’ve gotten the ball and you’re trying to think, you’re too late,” says Gautrat, who has become Chicago’s engine in possession and the key ball winner. “The best midfielders are thinking about what they’re going to do with [the ball] before they get it. And if you don’t, a lot of times either, one, you have to play backwards or, two, you get the ball taken from you.”

Both Woldmoe and Sullivan say they’re constantly working to read the game that’s unfolding in front of them.

“It’s more reading and instinctual. But then obviously, you’re updating that information as the game goes on,” Sullivan says.

“Read the game,” echoes Woldmoe. “It depends where the ball is, depends where we each are in that situation.”

“I feel like a lot of times, it’s important for us to know what’s around us all the time, 360 [degrees],” Gautrat concludes. “And taking your touch where the pressure isn’t coming from, which is tough because a lot of times, pressure’s coming from multiple sides.”

Sometimes, that pressure comes in the form of a crunching tackle all too common in the NWSL. Players on both sides are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to disrupt play, understanding that anything less than full commitment could actually result in injury.

“I feel like that’s also something that you have to train yourself not to think about, and just do,” says Colaprico, who stepped in to defend from an advanced position in the win over Portland. “Otherwise, you’re going to really hurt yourself or hurt the other person.”

Bailey, known for being calm on the ball under pressure, would rather avoid contact but isn’t afraid of it. “Sometimes it’s maybe just playing a little smarter instead of going to be so physical, so finding a way to maybe avoid contact once or twice, not every time,” she says with a laugh. “Sometimes you’ve got to hit someone.”

Every player at Thursday’s media day described the midfield as a battle that can often seem chaotic. But the tactics behind each rotational shift come with point-perfect intentions. If either team commits numbers forward, they have to be ready to immediately fall back into shape once an attack breaks down, looking to disrupt again and find their next chance.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into the midfield,” says Gautrat. “There’s the timing, and those [moments] are the ones that make the game and the teams tight.”

Chicago center back Tierna Davidson cites the protection of Seam Two, the area between the zones in and in front of Chicago’s 18-yard box, as the key to the Red Stars’ defensive scheme. With the dual No. 6s in front, Chicago’s center backs can fall back into space, making it hard for their opponents to penetrate straight down the middle (an area that Washington is known for attacking).

“That’s a space that attackers love to get into. That’s a space that a No. 9 or a No. 10 loves to get into,” Davidson says. “[They] turn and face and then dribble at us, and slip through balls to take shots, and it’s a very dangerous part of the field.”

img
Andi Sullivan serves as the main link between the Spirit's defense and attack. (Daniel Bartel/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

With that area of the pitch covered, the Red Stars can match numbers elsewhere in the midfield and push teams outside to try to beat them on the flanks, where they also feel comfortable defending. As Gautrat puts it, “If you kind of take each other out of the game, then that just comes about. Who can do something on both ends that is special?”

Chicago’s midfield also has many years of experience playing together, which allows them a certain amount of fluidity when they do get to push forward.

Washington matches Chicago’s defensive organization with an emphasis on intention in possession.

“I feel like the more that midfield touches the ball, the easier my job is,” says Washington forward Ashley Hatch. “I feel like that was a piece that has been missing in the past couple years. We’ve always been good at keeping the ball, but keeping it with the purpose of keeping it and moving forward.”

The head coaches of both teams feel strongly that their midfields are well-balanced and can quickly list the reasons why. Chicago manager Rory Dames credits Gautrat’s ability to escape pressure with the ball, Woldmoe’s willingness to try 12-yard style passes, Dibernardo’s penetrating passes forward and Colaprico’s long-ball distribution. Washington interim head coach Kris Ward notes that Sullivan can place a pass from anywhere on the field, Bailey can turn away from pressure and dribble into open space and Sanchez has an awareness combined with a brashness that surprises defenders.

Both teams pride themselves on a sense of intuitive defensive rotation no matter the personnel, a tactic that can easily go awry if a person isn’t tracking off-the-ball movements. All too often in the NWSL, when one team struggles against the other, people point to the attacking team not executing properly. The more accurate reason, however, lies somewhere in between offensive execution and full-team defending off the ball.

Focusing less on the ball and more on the spaces in between is something the Spirit have been working on consistently since their mid-season managerial change.

“I mean, that’s defending, right?” says Spirit outside back Kelley O’Hara. “Obviously, the ball is what’s going to score the goal. But if you’re able to deter the other team from getting into the spaces that are dangerous, there’s less of a chance.”

Washington and Chicago each believe that constant work rate off of the ball is what sets them apart from their opponents, and they’re committed to settling into the grind of the championship match. But within that organization, they’ll also look to attack in transition and be smart with their timing.

“I think our attacking half has been unreal at taking those moments and knowing when to keep it and when to go,” says Washington center back Emily Sonnett.

“Also, I think our defensive [mindset], being able to handle knowing that they’re gonna sit and they’re gonna sit, and they’re gonna take those chances, those moments, and us being really organized,” adds O’Hara.

“Counter the counter,” Sonnett interjects.

“I think something that we’ve done better recently is just focusing on those countermeasures,” Sullivan says. “So when people are attacking, how can we eliminate their ability to get out and win it back higher? That’s something that I enjoy thinking about from that defensive mid position. Just thinking, what’s their way out?”

Just as it’s been for Washington and Chicago all season, the championship game will come down to who wins in the trenches. The Spirit will do everything they can to surgically remove Chicago’s control over the final, but the Red Stars are equally ready to battle for one another. Whoever executes that game plan better will most likely walk away with the franchise’s first title.

“We’ve learned, every single game this year, that you don’t just win by chance. You don’t just win by luck,” Woldmoe says. “You have to grind, you have to be disciplined, you have to be willing to get stuck in.”

For Colaprico, the strategy is simple: “When you see someone’s down, pick them back up, and keep everyone going for a full ninety minutes.”

Claire Watkins is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports covering soccer and the NWSL. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

2025 WNBA Season Tips Off with Action-Packed Friday Lineup

The Golden State Valkyries and LA Sparks tip off a 2025 WNBA preseason game.
The Valkyries play their first-ever official league game in Friday's 2025 WNBA season tip-off. (Supriya Limaye/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The 2025 WNBA season is finally here, with Friday's official tip-off leading an opening weekend full of tough competition and simmering storylines.

The reigning champion New York Liberty enter as odds-on favorites, but results are nearly impossible to predict after a very active offseason across the league.

This weekend's slate features new builds, regional rivalries, and plenty of fresh faces as top 2025 draft picks log their first pro minutes.

  • Minnesota Lynx vs. Dallas Wings, Friday at 7:30 PM ET (ION): This year's No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers makes her official WNBA debut as revamped Dallas tests itself against a Minnesota team still stinging over last year's title loss.
  • Los Angeles Sparks vs. Golden State Valkyries, Friday at 10 PM ET (ION): The Valkyries play their first-ever regular-season game, looking to form an identity against downstate rivals LA, led by new Sparks addition Kelsey Plum.
  • Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty, Saturday at 1 PM ET (ABC): The 2023 champs meet the 2024 title-winners in a heavyweight clash that sees 2024 MVP A'ja Wilson take on a confident New York team led by guard Sabrina Ionescu.
  • Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever, Saturday at 3 PM ET (ABC): Last year's rookie headliners Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese meet again in Indiana, with the regional rivals relying on both incoming vets and young cores to write their next chapters.

Packed with great matchups, this weekend is the ideal tip-off for a 2025 season that promises to be a wild ride — no matter which WNBA team you follow.

No. 1 Kansas City Faces No. 2 Orlando in Top-Table NWSL Weekend Match

Orlando's Marta dribbles the ball past Kansas City's Nichelle Prince during the 2024 NWSL semifinals.
Orlando ousted Kansas City in the 2024 NWSL semifinals. (Dustin Markland/Getty Images)

The NWSL is back in action this weekend with a top-table match, a bicoastal battle, and some middle-of-the-pack clashes as the 2025 season enters its ninth matchday.

Parity is riding high these days, with just three points dividing the No. 1 Kansas City Current and No. 3 Washington Spirit in the NWSL standings — while only three more separate the No. 4 San Diego Wave from the No. 8 Seattle Reign.

With competition remaining tough as nails, don't expect much more daylight between teams following this weekend's tense lineup:

  • No. 7 Gotham FC vs. No. 4 San Diego Wave, Friday at 7:30 PM ET (NWSL+): Coming off a two-game winless streak, Gotham is still searching for consistency as they take on a confident San Diego side that hasn't lost in four games.
  • No. 9 Racing Louisville vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign, Friday at 7:30 PM ET (NWSL+): All tied up with 11 points each, Seattle will look to hold off Louisville as Racing continues to hunt the club's first-ever playoff berth.
  • No. 2 Orlando Pride vs. No. 1 Kansas City Current, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): There's little love lost between these NWSL titans, as the reigning champion Pride takes on hosting duties in an attempt to leapfrog current top-dog Kansas City in Friday's marquee match.

In a season dominated by topsy-turvy results, the pressure to secure points week-over-week weighs heaviest on the teams who know they have the talent to rise above the rest.

Esther Extends Gotham Contract Amid MVP-Quality NWSL Season

Gotham forward Esther celebrates a goal during a 2025 NWSL match.
Gotham FC's Esther currently leads the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot race. (Hannah Foslien/NWSL via Getty Images)

This season's NWSL Golden Boot leader Esther González is sticking with Gotham, with the Spanish international extending her contract with the NJ/NY club through 2027.

After helping Gotham to a first-ever NWSL championship in 2023, González earned the league's Best XI Second Team honors last year before launching a red-hot campaign this season.

The 2023 World Cup winner has tallied seven goals in nine games for Gotham in 2025, showcasing a blistering rush of form that has her sitting two goals ahead of the next Golden Boot race contender.

"Above all, it's about how I've felt during these two and a half years with Gotham FC," González said in Thursday's team announcement. "Continuing to be happy both on and off the field is really important. To keep enjoying myself and representing Gotham's colors, which I truly identify with, is something really incredible."

Gotham's continued investment underlines the 32-year-old's case for 2025 MVP candidacy, as award frontrunners start to emerge one-third of the way through the 2025 NWSL season.

González leads the NWSL in shots on target while sitting fourth in expected goals per 90 minutes, with her scoring outpacing many of her peers.

Other players crafting strong 2025 NWSL MVP resumes include Kansas City's 2024 MVP Temwa Chawinga and comeback star Debinha, Angel City wunderkind Alyssa Thompson, and Orlando sharpshooter Barbra Banda.

FA Cup Finalist Chelsea FC Heads to Wembley with Historic Treble in Sight

Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze heads the game-winning goal past Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce in a 2025 WSL match.
Chelsea will aim for the domestic treble in Sunday's 2025 FA Cup final. (Molly Darlington - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Following a dominant 2024/25 campaign, Chelsea FC will look to cap their historic run by completing a domestic treble on Sunday, when they'll battle Manchester United for a third season trophy in the 2025 FA Cup final.

After securing the 2024/25 League Cup in March amidst an unbeaten run to a sixth-straight WSL title, the Blues will close out their season against the league's third-place finishers, the Red Devils, in London's iconic Wembley Stadium.

Should Chelsea secure the 2025 FA Cup, they will add a second domestic treble to their resume after clinching their first trio of trophies in the 2020/21 season. This time, however, they could do so in undefeated fashion.

"We are in a really good place, just the fact that we won the league being unbeaten," said first-year Blues manager Sonia Bompastor. "To end the season with an FA Cup final at Wembley against Man United is maybe the perfect way to end the season."

The 2023/24 Manchester United team and staff celebrate their first-ever FA Cup championship.
Manchester United seeks to defend their 2024 FA Cup title. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Manchester United hunts second straight FA Cup trophy

Standing between Chelsea and the treble are 2024 FA Cup champions Manchester United, who will take aim at their only trophy of the season partly behind the play of 2024/25 WSL Golden Glove winner and USWNT goalkeeper prospect Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Man United enter as the game's undisputed underdogs, having dropped both their WSL regular-season matches against Chelsea in narrow 1-0 defeats.

Even more, the Red Devils must overcome a particular tough stretch of play, facing more than a month without a victory on their schedule.

Man United's last win was their 2-0 FA Cup semifinal victory over Manchester City on April 13th, with the Red Devils suffering a pair of losses and recording two draws to close out WSL play.

That said, United has experience downing the Blues on the FA Cup stage, ousting Chelsea from last year's semifinals en route to a club-first FA title.

Remarking that Manchester United "are a really strong team," Bompastor pointed out that the Red Devils "don't concede a lot of goals, and we need to remember that."

"You only get the trophy if you win, so we need to make sure going into the game we have the best preparation and we perform on the day."

How to watch Chelsea play Manchester United at the FA Cup final

The 2025 FA Cup final between Chelsea FC and Manchester United will kick off at 8:30 AM ET on Sunday.

Live coverage of the match will begin at 8:20 AM ET on ESPN+.

Start your morning off right with Just Women’s Sports’ free, 5x-a-week newsletter.