All Scores

NWSL kits for 2022: Ranking the styles from worst to best

Apr 17, 2022; Seattle, WA, USA; Angel City FC defender Ali Riley (5) passes the ball against OL Reign at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

As the NWSL season nears its halfway point, we all have one question on our minds: Which team has the freshest fit? Just Women’s Sports breaks it down with our 2022 kit rankings.

Every club but one has introduced at least one new kit this season. Those new unis join the league’s already robust roster of on-field looks, including those of NJ/NY Gotham FC, who stood pat for 2022 with the home and away kits they introduced at the start of last season.

Orlando Pride launched the Luna kit into orbit, while Racing Louisville released a newly-minted away kit of their own.

Expansion team Angel City FC started strong with a double dose of football fashion, and you can get to know the club and its captain Ali Riley on the new season of Riley’s Off the Ball podcast, which premieres Tuesday.

Where did each team land? Check out the full rankings:

12. Washington Spirit

The reigning NWSL champions, the Washington Spirit unveiled their 10th anniversary kit ahead of the season, but the look left a lot to be desired.

While the classic blue jersey looks lovely on the pitch, the commemorative kit lacks the creativity other clubs have incorporated into their designs. The star above the crest, which designates Washington’s champion status, deserves to feature on a splashier uniform.

11. San Diego Wave FC

The Wave’s inaugural kit is relatively straightforward: a solid blue top with a thumbprint design on the sleeves. Pink numbers provide a pop of color on the otherwise subdued jersey.

The expansion club’s vibrant sunset crest shows potential, but the uniform falls short of the vivid wave graphic.

10. Portland Thorns FC

The Thorns employed a minimal look for their 2022 home kits, which feature a horizontal thorn design running across the jersey. While black as the primary color brings drama, the design combined with the sponsor placement feels disjointed.

The club committed to the minimalist look for their away kits as well, just as early aughts maximalism is coming back into style. The all-white uniform, while crisp, is a bit too bare. The subtle details — an embossed Thorns FC wordmark down the sides, red and black piping on the sleeves — are admirable but are hard to make out from a distance.

9. North Carolina Courage

A subtle gradient highlights the Courage’s colors on the tops of the club’s 2022 kits. While the execution of the red-to-blue fade is impressive, the shading is not the most cutting-edge choice.

8. Orlando Pride

Orlando’s primary jersey, released last season, features an arresting purple and black celestial design.

The Pride’s Luna kit continues the space motif but doesn’t reach the same heights. The graphic element — a depiction of the moon’s surface — is compelling, and the commitment to the Ad Astra theme is commendable, but the primarily white jersey combined with the grey numbers leaves the back of the kit hard to read on the pitch.

7. Kansas City Current

Kansas City’s new Electric away kit isn’t as charged as the name would have you believe. While the teal accents on the primarily white jersey are an inspired choice, the top needs more color than the side paneling offers. The club also opted to pair the top with white shorts and teal socks when the uniform would benefit from red or teal shorts to really stand out.

The club’s red primary kits are emblazoned with teal piping for an eye-catching look. The red shorts, though, feature not teal but white piping down the sides, a baffling and mismatched choice.

6. NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC kept their designs from 2021, with a solid black look bisected by a light blue diagonal sash for their home matches. The pattern is unlike any other in the NWSL as the club elevates a classic soccer uniform configuration.

Gotham FC’s away kits employ the same motif on white jerseys, with the blue accent popping on the minimalist look.

Bonus points for the Statue of Liberty crest!

5. Houston Dash

The Dash get an A for creativity, opting for a daring interpretation of Houston’s flag for their City of Fútbol alternate kit. Stars adorn the front of the jersey, embellished with a wavefront pattern that evokes a retro feel. Perhaps the kits are a bit too busy, but they make a splash.

Houston opted to keep a classic orange kit for home matches, a look that has become undeniably associated with the Dash.

4. Chicago Red Stars

The Red Stars honor their city, the birthplace of the skyscraper, with their new kits. Adorned with a geometric blue pattern, the mostly-white jersey is inspired by the city’s skyline.

The four red stars on the jersey’s shoulders bring together the harmonious uniform, balancing out the contained front graphic.

3. OL Reign

OL Reign’s 2022 Honor kit is a classic look with an intentional twist.

White with a blue and red vertical stripe, the kit features the names of Reign players who have represented the team since its debut in 2013. The sponsor logo and player names are meticulously placed, ensuring aesthetic balance, while the tribute adds a palpable weight to the uniform.

2. Racing Louisville FC

Racing Louisville’s Mint kit is a breath of fresh air, providing the league with a welcome burst of color. While the kit could do with even more mint, the fleur de lis printed top is complemented well by the solid mint shorts. The club’s purple accents tie the pastel uniform together.

Louisville opted to keep their striking 2021 home kit, a black jersey emblazoned with purple flowers.

1. Angel City FC

Sol rosa palm trees: Does any more need to be said? The large pink and black print across the away kit is a daring choice for an NWSL club, and it pays off.

In the same vein as the Mint jersey, the top could be elevated with even more color — but that could come in due time for the new club. The solid pink shorts are a welcome addition to the playful away uniform, pulling together the exuberant kit.

The club’s home jersey, while more understated, features an art deco pattern that solidifies ACFC as the fashion leaders of the league.

Denver Summit FC Hires Former Manchester City Boss Nick Cushing as Head Coach

Manchester City interim manager Nick Cushing before the UEFA Women's Champions League, quarter-final, second leg match at Stamford Bridge, London.
Denver Summit coach hire Nick Cushing most recently coached WSL side Manchester City. (Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)

Denver Summit FC has a coach, tapping former Manchester City manager Nick Cushing to serve as the NWSL expansion club’s inaugural leader this week.

The hiring subsequently rounds out the team's front office build, with Denver coach Cushing joining president Jen Millet and GM Curt Johnson ahead of the team’s 2026 kick-off.

Denver is also stocking its player roster. The team signed Orland Pride star Ally Watt earlier this week, with Watt also expected to join the Summit in 2026.

"Denver Summit FC’s commitment to building a world-class soccer organization really inspired me," said Cushing in a team statement. "We have a passionate, committed fanbase and we have to put a team on the field that replicates that."

"Our team will play an attacking form of the game that excites our stadium and makes things difficult for our opponents," he continued. "We want to create a winning team as well as a great experience for all of Colorado."

Cushing most recently acted as Man City’s interim manager after the WSL side fired coach Gareth Taylor in March, returning to helm the team he coached to six major trophies from 2013-2020.

"In order to be successful right away, you need people that have experienced environments like this, have built organizations, and have had success," said Curt Johnson, Denver Summit FC general manager.

"Nick brings world-class experience, a passion for player development, and a tactical vision that will excite Summit supporters. He’s won major trophies and is the right leader to guide us into our first season and beyond."

French Cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt Wins Record-Breaking Tour de France Femmes

France cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt celebrates her 2025 Tour de France Femmes victory.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt is the first French winner of the men's or women’s Tour de France since 1985. (Szymon Gruchalski/Getty Images)

The 2025 Tour de France Femmes came in hot, as Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt crossed the finish line to become the race’s first French winner in 36 years — all in front of a record audience.

Cyclist Jeannie Longo was the most recent Frenchwoman to win the race back in 1989, though then it called the Tour de France Feminin. No French athletes has won the men's Tour de France since 1985 champion Bernard Hinault.

This year's Tour de France Femmes drew a total of 25.7 million French viewers across linear and digital platforms, up 33.6% from 2024 to make this year’s edition the most-watched in event history.

An average of 4.4 million French viewers tuned in on Sunday to see Ferrand-Prévôt clinch the yellow jersey in the final stage of the race.

After picking up a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Ferrand-Prévot also became the first woman to win the Tour and the Paris-Roubaix cycling race in the same calendar year.

"I came back on the road after my Olympic title and I said I will try to win the Tour de France in the next three years," said Ferrand-Prevot after Sunday's finish.

"My teammates worked super hard for me all week long. I just want to say thank you and congrats to them, to my entire team."

The Tour de France Femmes was resurrected in 2022 after a 33-year suspension, with interest in the women’s cycling event soaring ever since.

WNBA Teams Shake Up Rosters as Midseason Trade Deadline Looms

Washington Mystics star Brittney Sykes plays defense during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Washington Mystics traded leading scorer Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm on Wednesday. (Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)

The clock is ticking down toward the WNBA trade deadline, as teams around the league evaluate their rosters and make midseason moves ahead of Thursday's 3 PM ET final whistle.

The No. 10 Washington Mystics made the most recent transactional splash, sending leading scorer Brittney Sykes to the No. 6 Seattle Storm on Tuesday.

In return, Washington received forward Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke, and a 2026 first-round draft pick — though the Mystics immediately waived Cooke as well as center Sika Koné.

Teams now have a little more than 24 hours to decide if they’re stocking up for the postseason or punting this year's potential to shore up future prospects.

Though the WNBA trade deadline has historically been less dramatic than other leagues thanks to hard salary caps and roster limitations, ramped-up expansion and the promise of a new CBA appear to be greasing the wheels this year.

While not every title contender has roster room to spare, teams in line for the lottery will likely look to clean house this week.

To that end, Washington may still be dealing: 2024 No. 6 overall draft pick Aaliyah Edwards played just seven minutes for the Mystics in their 78-64 loss to the No. 11 Chicago Sky on Tuesday, sparking rumors of another potential big trade.

As for the last-place Connecticut Sun, guard Marina Mabrey could serve as a last-minute asset after the team initially denied Mabrey's offseason trade request.

Las Vegas Aces Fight For Consistency Ahead of Golden State Clash

Las Vegas stars A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kierstan Bell, and Jackie Young celebrate during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Las Vegas Aces sit at No. 7 in the WNBA standings despite A'ja Wilson averaging 21.3 points per game. (David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Wednesday night's WNBA action pits the No. 7 Las Vegas Aces against the No. 8 Golden State Valkyries — two teams locked in an unexpected dead heat as midseason momentum continues to narrow the WNBA standings.

Separated by just half a game, the Aces will take on the host Valkyries in a rematch of Sunday's 101-71 blowout win for Las Vegas.

Despite 2024 WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson's top-tier league stats, the 2023 champs have struggled to find consistency this season — exemplified by Saturday's 53-point loss to the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx.

"One thing I did do is send a message to them, and just say if you weren't embarrassed from [the Lynx loss], then don't come into this gym," Wilson said in response. "It's not always going to be just the stars — it's going to take all of us."

On the other side, new WNBA addition Golden State still has a serious shot at becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their debut year, and they'll look to come back swinging after Sunday's lopsided loss.

Downing the Aces isn't a foreign concept for the 2025 debutants, who blasted Las Vegas 95-68 in June.

Golden State's not-so-secret weapon could make a difference in this rematch, as the Valkyries home crowd will try to make "Ballhalla" as rowdy as possible for the visiting Aces.

How to watch Las Vegas vs. Golden State on Wednesday

The No. 7 Aces will tip off against the No. 8 Valkyries at 10 PM ET on Wednesday, with live coverage airing on NBA TV.

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