Manchester United has a chance to bounce back from their first 2025/26 UEFA Women's Champions League defeat — a 5-2 rout at the hands of Wolfsburg last month — as the UWCL league phase continues with a series of exciting matchups this week.
"The Wolfsburg game, we gave away too many simple goals," Manchester United manager Marc Skinner said on Friday. "That's something we need to fix."
The Champions League debutantes have another difficult opponent waiting for them in their fifth league-phase match on Wednesday, when the Red Devils will contend with eight-time European champions OL Lyonnes, who have yet to suffer a loss in this season's competition.
That said, the return of USWNT goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce to the European competition will bolster United this week, with the 29-year-old officially available to play as she continues recovering from a fractured eye socket that kept her out of the final US training camp of 2025.
While Manchester United and their Wednesday opponent OL Lyonnes have all-but-guaranteed themselves at least a playoff spot in the 2025/26 UWCL knockout rounds, other top sides like the reigning six-time WSL champions Chelsea and current Champions League title-holders Arsenal chase them in the standings.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal face intriguing matchups during this week's UWCL competition, as the Gunners play Dutch club Twente on Tuesday before the Blues take on Italian side Roma on Wednesday.
How to watch this week's 2025/26 Champions League action
The fifth matchday of the 2025/26 UWCL league phase kicks off with Austria's St. Pölten against Italy's Juventus at 12:45 PM ET on Tuesday, with Arsenal taking the pitch against Twente at 3 PM ET.
Both Manchester United's clash with OL Lyonnes and Chelsea's bout with Roma will begin at 3 PM ET on Wednesday.
All 2025/26 Champions League matches will stream live on Paramount+.
The 2025 NWSL season more than delivered, raising stakes and fueling drama both on and off the field.
From Spirit star Trinity Rodman's goal-scoring injury return to Kansas City's history Shield victory, the year was defined by ups and downs, resilience and growth, and myriad milestones. Investment reached new heights, kicked off by Denver's 2026 expansion team bid and Naomi Girma's million-dollar transfer — a global first for women's soccer.
Off the pitch, the work continued. The year saw a $5 million settlement addressing past misconduct and the introduction of the league's first prospect combine. As for in-game action, the Challenge Cup, Euros, and playoff race additionally showcased the league's unrivaled parity.
This month-by-month review recaps all the unforgettable highlights that made the 2025 NWSL season yet another a defining chapter for the league.
January: Denver lands record bid for 2026 NWSL expansion team
In January, the NWSL approved Denver's bid to become the league's 16th franchise, set to begin play in 2026. The deal came with a then-record $110 million price tag, at the time highest-ever in US professional women's sports. Led by Rob Cohen and Mellody Hobson, the ownership group announced plans to build a dedicated stadium, highlighting the league's financial growth and commitment to expansion.
Runner up: San Diego's Naomi Girma signs with Chelsea in record $1.1 million transfer deal
Wave defender Naomi Girma kicked off the year by transferring to reigning WSL champions Chelsea FC in a historic deal. The transfer fee was a record-breaking $1.1 million, becoming the first in women's soccer history to cross the million-dollar mark. It became a new benchmark for player valuation, further solidifying the competitive tension between the NWSL and European clubs.
February: NWSL raises salary cap ahead of 2025 season kick-off
In February, the NWSL significantly raised team spending in accordance with the most recent league CBA. The salary cap shot up to $3.3 million for a 22-to-26 player roster, supplemented by a new revenue-sharing mechanism. This increase — featuring planned growth over five years — aimed to up player compensation and better compete with European clubs after the league's first full season of unrestricted free agency.
Runner up: NWSL reaches $5 million settlement over abuse investigation
Earlier, the NWSL reached a $5 million settlement to compensate players impacted by the league's historic cultural issues. The result of a joint multi-year investigation by state Attorneys General, the settlement signaled a renewed commitment to accountability, and paved the way for reforms enhancing player safety and welfare.
March: Washington Spirit win the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup in penalties
The Spirit claimed their second trophy in March, winning the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup over reigning NWSL champions Orlando. The final ended 1-1 in regulation after Washington equalized behind a free kick goal from Colombia star Leicy Santos — the second-ever direct free kick goal in NWSL final history. It then moved to penalty kicks. That's when Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury made the difference, securing a penalty save before Tara McKeown converted a shot for the 4-2 win.
Runner up: Boston NWSL expansion team rebrands to Boston Legacy FC
Following public criticism of their initial rollout, Boston's NWSL expansion team — formerly BOSNation — officially rebranded to Boston Legacy FC in March. The new name drew on New England's rich history and women's soccer ties, while also incorporating fan feedback and community connection.
April: Trinity Rodman steps away from Washington Spirit to rehab injury
Washington's Trinity Rodman was ruled out indefinitely in April, stepping away from the team to focus on rehabbing a lingering back injury. Rodman had struggled with the issue since 2021, opting to prioritize recovery in hopes of returning before the season's end. Her absence was a blow to the Spirit, bringing up questions about her future with the team and long-term load management.
Runner up: NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman says league could rival NFL in size
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman made a bold statement in April, saying the league could one day rival the NFL's 32-team field. The prediction highlighted the NWSL's financial rise, exploding fanbase, and eye toward global dominance while underlining its goal to become a major US player. The league welcomed its 17th team in Atlanta in November, with their eyes reportedly on an 18-team setup by 2028.
May: Savy King's medical emergency stirs up player welfare concerns
In May, Angel City FC defender Savy King collapsed mid-match in a regular season game against the Utah Royals. She required 10 minutes of on-field medical attention before being stretchered off, later undergoing surgery for a heart abnormality. The incident sparked criticism after officials decided the game would resume, leading the NWSLPA to demand protocol changes requiring suspension whenever life-saving measures are needed.
Runner up: Gotham wins inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup
Gotham won May's inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup, with the victory automatically punching their ticket to the upcoming FIFA Women's Champions Cup. The continental win brought a new international trophy to the NWSL, elevating the league's profile while subsequently setting the stage for Gotham's eventual 2025 NWSL championship.
June: Coach Jonatan Giraldez departs Washington Spirit for Lyonnes in midseason shakeup
Heads turned in June when Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez left the NWSL midseason to take over French side — and fellow Michele Kang-owned operation — OL Lyonnes. Giráldez, who joined the Spirit after success with FC Barcelona, was immediately succeeded by assistant coach and 2024 interim Adrián González. The move raised questions about Kang's multi-team ownership, and the billionaire's plans for her global company, Kynisca Sports International.
Runner up: San Diego Wave honors Alex Morgan with jersey retirement ceremony
The San Diego Wave honored club icon and USWNT legend Alex Morgan with a June jersey retirement ceremony. The event recognized Morgan's pivotal role in the 2022 expansion team's success, plus her lasting impact on US soccer. Her retirement marked the conclusion of a celebrated career, leaving a legacy of championships and advocacy for women's sports athletes.
July: NWSL stars light up 2025 Women's Euros
As the NWSL pressed pause, several league players headed to Switzerland for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Representing Spain, Gotham's Esther González finished as the tournament's top scorer, earning the Golden Boot award for her four goals and leading Spain to a second-place finish. Seattle's Jess Fishlock captained Wales through their major tournament debut. Fishlock eventually made history by scoring their first-ever Euros goal — while also becoming the oldest goalscorer in tournament history.
San Diego's Delphine Cascarino provided an attacking force for France, with two goals and two assists, including a Goal of the Tournament nominee against the Netherlands. Washington newcomer Sofia Cantore tallied three assists for Italy, playing a pivotal role in her team's underdog journey.
Germany and Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger played quarterfinal hero against France, with nine saves and two penalty blocks to help her team advance. Finally, Berger's partner and Gotham teammate Jess Carter linked up with Spirit standout Esme Morgan to fuel England all the way to back-to-back Euros titles.
August: Spirit striker Trinity Rodman scores game-winner in return from injury
In an emotional return to play, Washington superstar Trinity Rodman scored the game-winning goal against Portland in August. Subbing in late in the match, Rodman fired home the stoppage-time strike to lift the Spirit over the Thorns 2-1. The dramatic contribution cemented Rodman's comeback after four months spent away from the team nursing a lingering back injury.
Runner up: Bay FC sets NWSL attendance record at San Francisco's Oracle Park
Washington defeated Bay FC 3-2 at San Francisco's Oracle Park in August — but the real headline came from the record-breaking 40,091-strong crowd, setting a new single-game NWSL attendance benchmark. That number shattered the previous NWSL high of 35,038, set the previous year at Chicago's Wrigley Field. Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya called it "a historic moment," praising both the quality of play and the atmosphere. Spirit coach Adrián González echoed the sentiment, saying the setup and the fans made the match "something unique."
September: Kansas City Current win 2025 NWSL Shield in record fashion
Kansas City won the 2025 NWSL Shield on September 20th after a 2-0 victory over Seattle, clinching the title faster than any prior NWSL team. The victory solidified the Current's No. 1 playoff seed and home-field advantage, officially rendering them the winningest team in NWSL history. It additionally capped a dominant season that included a record nine-match shutout streak and 14 clean sheets behind Goalkeeper of the Year Lorena.
Runner up: NWSL announces first-ever prospect combine
Concurrently, the NWSL unveiled a major new initiative in September. The league replaced the CBA-abolished college draft with the league's first-ever prospect combine. The event is intended to create a more streamlined player evaluation pathway, while better preparing college athletes for the pros and enhancing talent acquisition across the NWSL.
October: Angel City stars Christen Press and Ali Riley announce pro soccer retirements
Angel City lost two titans in October, as captain Ali Riley and USWNT legend Christen Press announced they were hanging up their boots. First-ever ACFC captain Riley retired after overcoming a chronic nerve injury that sidelined her for much of 2024. Two-time World Champion Press also concluded her decorated run after struggling with knee injuries throughout her career.
Runner up: Houston ends Kansas City's 2025 NWSL unbeaten streak as Temwa Chawinga exits with injury
The Houston Dash ended the Kansas City Current's unbeaten streak in a hard-fought October 18th match. The victory, however, was overshadowed by star Kansas City forward — and 2025 NWSL Golden Boot winner — Temwa Chawinga's early exit. Chawinga's availability became an instant concern for the league-leaders as they headed into the final weeks of the regular season. The fears proved correct, as she had to sit out Kansas City's shocking quarterfinal loss in the playoffs.
November: Rose Lavelle fuels Gotham's 2025 NWSL Championship win
No. 8 Gotham lifted the 2025 NWSL trophy, pulling off a final upset over No. 2 Washington to win a second championship in three years — once again as the lowest seed. Gotham's defense held court, limiting Washington to zero shots on target and setting their attack up to seize opportunities. A second-half ankle knock saw Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt leave Washington down a player as she sought sideline treatment. Gotham's NWSL Final MVP Rose Lavelle subsequently broke the deadlock with the Spirit in disarray, launching an 80th-minute strike to secure the 1-0 victory — and her first league title.
Runner up: Racing Louisville clinches first-ever NWSL playoff appearance
On November 2nd's Decision Day, Racing Louisville clinched a franchise-first trip to the NWSL playoffs. As the No. 7 seed, Louisville set a new club record with 37 points and 10 wins on the season. While their run ended in a quarterfinal loss to Washington, the appearance marked a significant milestone after four consecutive 9th-place finishes. The team's achievement earned manager Bev Yanez 2025 Coach of the Year at the league's end-of-season awards.
Reigning UEFA Women's Champions League winners Arsenal suffered a setback on Wednesday, falling 3-2 to German side Bayern Munich after a second-half collapse led to three unanswered goals.
The Gunners are now 1-2 in league phase play, landing them in 11th place with three opening-round matches remaining.
"It's not good enough. We don't want to concede three goals in one half in the Champions League," Arsenal manager Renée Slegers said postgame. "It's everything. It's keeping the ball, making better decisions on the ball in their half to keep the ball there for longer, because it was very transitional."
A bright spot for Arsenal came via an opening goal from USWNT defender Emily Fox — one of a few US-centric Champions League boosts this week.
USWNT forward Catarina Macario notched a brace in Chelsea FC's 6-0 drubbing of St. Pölten on Tuesday, a match that also handed USWNT defender Naomi Girma her 2025/26 Champions League debut with the Blues.
Tuesday's clash also saw Chelsea captain Sam Kerr find the back of the net twice, as the Australia standout made her first start in 692 days.
Now halfway through league-phase play, only Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, and Manchester United remain perfect with a trio of wins, with Champions League matches resuming on November 19th.
Malawi made women's soccer history on Tuesday, qualifying for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time in program history — and giving sister duo Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga the chance to shine on the global stage in 2026.
The Scorchers advanced through the second qualifying round with a 2-0 second-leg win over Angola on Tuesday, with defensive midfielder Faith Chinzimu's late brace securing the aggregate advantage to win the round.
Malawi now joins Cape Verde as the two debutantes to clinch spots in the expanded 16-team 2026 tournament.
Even more, the Scorchers' breakthrough will give two of soccer's biggest club stars their biggest platform yet, as sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga gear up for the first major international tournament of their decorated careers.
While 29-year-old OL Lyonnes forward Tabitha participated in this week's WAFCON qualifying round, 27-year-old Kansas City Current striker Temwa sat out after the 2024 NWSL MVP suffered an adductor strain in her club's 1-0 upset loss to the Houston Dash on October 18th.
"It means more opportunities and great exposure to both older and upcoming players. It is a continental platform to bring football dreams alive," Tabitha told BBC Sport Africa this week.
The 2026 WAFCON tournament will see the Chawinga sisters and Malawi contend with powerhouses like host nation Morocco and reigning 10-time champion Nigeria when the continental competition kicks off on March 17th.
As the 2025/26 European club season shifts into full gear, a spike in ACL injuries is shedding new light on the increasingly dense women's soccer calendar.
Germany and Bayern Munich star Lena Oberdorf ruptured her right ACL during her club's Bundesliga match on Sunday, just weeks after the 23-year-old midfielder returned to play from rehabbing the same injury — in the same right knee.
"To now face a second such setback is incredibly hard," said Bayern Munich director of women's football Bianca Rech. "We are fully by Lena's side, will support her as best we can in her recovery and be there for her in every way."
Oberdorf is far from alone, with over 20 ACL injuries impacting multiple women's soccer leagues across the world in just the last three months.
Arsenal goalkeeper and Austrian international Manuela Zinsberger went down with an ACL tear during the Gunners' 2025/26 Champions League match last week, joining standouts like midfielder Sarah Zadrizil (Bayern Munich/Austria), striker Sophie Román Haug (Liverpool/Norway), forward Liana Joseph (OL Lyonnes/France), and midfielder Maite Oroz (Tottenham/Spain) on the injury's mounting hit list.
ACL injuries have long plagued the women's game, with FIFPRO recently developing the Project ACL research initiative to investigate and alleviate the issue.
Champions League newcomer Manchester United is on a roll, becoming the only 2025/26 league phase club to post two straight clean sheets while tallying six points through the first two UWCL matches.
USWNT goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce played Manchester United hero in the 1-0 Champions League shutout against Atlético Madrid on Thursday, notching five saves as both teams became shorthanded due to offsetting red cards.
"Phallon and her experiences in England have really taken her game up a notch," US national team boss Emma Hayes told reporters after dropping this month's USWNT roster earlier this week. "I really noticed she's playing like a player that has gone through the various levels."
Elsewhere on Thursday, reigning Champions League winners Arsenal shook off their 2025/26 opening loss to OL Lyonnes by claiming a 2-0 win over Portuguese side Benfica, with goals from Alessia Russo and Beth Mead sealing the deal for the Gunners.
Only five teams finished the European competition's opening pair of league-phase matches with all six points, with three-time title-winning titan Barcelona topping the UWCL table with a +10 goal differential.
Champions League play will continue next month, with the 18 contenders returning to the 2025/26 UWCL pitch for their third league-phase clashes on November 11th and 12th.
Two rising US stars made their European marks this week, as both OL Lyonnes midfielder Lily Yohannes and Chelsea FC forward Alyssa Thompson registered their first-ever UWCL goals in the second week of 2025/26 Champions League play on Wednesday — mere hours after earning call-ups to October's USWNT roster.
First, Yohannes launched a 57-yard screamer in the 51st minute of the French club's 3-0 win over Austrian side St. Pölten, with the 18-year-old helping lift Lyonnes over the competition after spotting the keeper out of her goal.
Later on Wednesday afternoon, recent WSL addition Thompson piled onto the Blues' eventual 4-0 thrashing of Paris FC, firing in her debut Champions League goal off a low cross from England mainstay Kiera Walsh.
"She brings a lot of speed up front," Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said of Thompson. "She also is a player who is really comfortable on the ball."
How to watch 2025/26 Champions League action on Thursday
The second matchday of the 2025/26 UWCL league phase continues on Thursday, as WSL side Manchester United — anchored by USWNT goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce — faces Spanish club Atlético Madrid at 12:45 PM ET before reigning champion Arsenal looks to bounce back from their Champions League opening loss by defeating Portugal's Benfica at 3 PM ET.
All 2025/26 Champions League matches will air live on Paramount+.
The 2025/26 UEFA Women's Champions League action returns on Wednesday, kicking off another week of league-phase play as WSL titans Chelsea search for their first UWCL win of the season.
The Blues settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw with FC Twente last week, despite outshooting the Dutch club 20-9 while holding 65% of possession.
"When I analyze the games, I think we are creating a lot, which is the most important thing," said Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor. "But the most difficult thing in football is to score goals. We need to stay confident and keep trying."
"Sometimes, when you're able to be clinical, you kill the opposition’s hope a bit sooner," Bompastor continued, hoping to supercharge the Blues' offense ahead of their Wednesday afternoon clash with French side Paris FC.
Other UWCL heavy hitters will also feature on Wednesday's pitch, as Barcelona, Wolfsburg and OL Lyonnes all look to continue their winning ways after major victories in last week's opening slate.
The rest of the 18-club league phase will conclude the second matchday on Thursday, when fellow WSL powerhouses Manchester United and defending Champions League winners Arsenal return to the UWCL pitch.
How to watch Chelsea vs. Paris FC in Champions League play
Chelsea will host Paris FC in London for their second league phase match at 3 PM ET on Wednesday.
All 2025/26 Champions League matches will air live on Paramount+.
OL Lyonnes scored some UEFA Champions League revenge on Tuesday, upending reigning UWCL champs Arsenal 2-1 in the powerhouse pair's 2025/26 league phase opener in London.
In a rematch of last season's Champions League semifinal, Haiti international Melchie Dumornay sealed the OL Lyonnes result with a first-half brace for the French titans, quickly countering Arsenal forward Alessia Russo's seventh-minute strike.
"Errors happen from time to time, but if they happen too often, of course, there's something there," noted Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers, referencing the defensive mistakes that led to both OL Lyonnes goals. "Sometimes it's intangible or hard to put your finger on because it's a mixture of things."
"We won't get too high [or] too low in this situation," the Gunners manager continued, adding "the team went through hard times last year as well, and then we ended the season on a high with an amazing achievement in the Champions League."
OL Lyonnes weren't the only opening-day league phase victors, as Juventus took down Benfica 2-1 while 2024/25 runners-up Barcelona demolished Bundesliga side Bayern Munich 7-1 behind a pair of braces from attackers Ewa Pajor and Clàudia Pina.
Unlike previous iterations, the 2025/26 Champions League format does not include first-round rematches, with each team facing six different opponents before advancing to the knockouts.
How to watch 2025/26 Champions League games
UWCL league phase opening matches conclude with five games on Wednesday, with WSL winners Chelsea FC kicking off the action against Dutch side FC Twente at 12:45 PM ET.
All 2025/26 Champions League matches will air live on Paramount+.
The 2025/26 UEFA Women's Champions League begins anew this week, as the European club competition kicks off its first-ever league phase with a blockbuster lineup.
Italian powerhouse Juventus sets the stage against Portugal's Benfica early Tuesday afternoon, before reigning champs Arsenal start their title defense against eight-time winners OL Lyonnes while 2023/24 champs Barcelona face Bundesliga standout Bayern Munich.
"Winning last year hasn't changed that mindset one bit," Arsenal and USWNT defender Emily Fox said this week. "We know that any team on their day is dangerous and, especially with the new format this season, it's not going to be easy."
The debut format Fox refers to replaces the previous group-stage setup, with the new league phase seeing all 18 clubs playing six matches each — three at home and three away — against six different opponents.
While the league phase will eliminate the bottom six teams, the top four finishers will automatically qualify for next spring's quarterfinal round.
As for the 5th- through 12th-place clubs, they must battle in a two-legged knockout playoff round next February in order to punch their quarterfinal tickets.
How to watch the 2025/26 Champions League matches
The league phase of the 2025/26 Champions League campaign opens on Tuesday when Juventus takes on Benfica at 12:45 PM ET.
Arsenal vs. OL Lyonnes and Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich will then snag the spotlight at 3 PM ET.
All UWCL matches will air live on Paramount+.