NWSL

Legendary United States women’s national team midfielder Sam Mewis has announced her retirement from professional soccer at 31 years old.

Mewis, who won the World Cup with the USWNT in 2019, said that her prolonged knee injury is the reason for hanging up her boots.

The initial knee injury took place in 2017 and was a serious issue with her knee cartilage. She battled through the injury and competed in the 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympics, but needed another surgery in January 2023.

United States women’s national team and San Diego Wave center back Naomi Girma was a brick wall in defense last year and has deservedly been named the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Girma is the first pure defender to win the award in its 39-year history. 

Naomi Girma Player of the Year award

If there’s one NWSL team name we weren’t the biggest fans of it was “OL Reign.” That won’t be an issue anymore as an OL Reign rebrand will see the club revert to their roots with a name change to Seattle Reign FC and a revamped crest.

OL Reign rebrand

National Women’s Soccer League champions Gotham FC are the talk of free agency. The Bats have their eyes set on several high-profile players and have so far confirmed the signings of two USWNT stars.

Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson are the first two players set to take their talents to the east coast for the 2024 season.

Gotham FC announced the signing of Dunn on New Year’s Eve and then revealed Davidson as a new player on Tuesday.

Gotham FC signings

United States women’s national team midfielder and 2023 NWSL Champion Kristie Mewis is taking her talents to London as she leaves Gotham FC to join Women’s Super League (WSL) side West Ham United.

Mewis and Gotham FC mutually parted ways as the 32-year-old will face an entirely new challenge with West Ham who face a relegation battle. The Hammers sit second from last in the WSL table, have one win from 10 games and have the fewest goals scored in the league with eight.

Kristie Mewis West Ham transfer

Gotham FC are the talk of NWSL free agency as the reigning league champs are in advanced talks with multiple big names. This latest era of Gotham FC free agency could be one for the books.

No free agents have officially signed yet, but the Bats are in contact with the likes of Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson.

Gotham FC free agency targets

Angel City FC signed 18-year-old defender Gisele Thompson through the 2025 NWSL season.

The deal announced Thursday includes an option for 2026 for the Los Angeles native, who becomes the youngest player ever to sign with the club.

Thompson is currently a senior at Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City, Calif. She is the younger sister of Angel City's 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, Alyssa Thompson.

Megan Rapinoe is on her path to recovery after tearing her Achilles tendon in the NWSL Championship game. The OL Reign forward’s injury was devastating for her fans and former teammates like USWNT star Christen Press who says she cried when it happened.

On an episode of “THE RE-CAP Show” featuring Press and Tobin Heath, the Angel City forward admitted that she teared up when Rapinoe went down injured.

Spain and Gotham FC striker Esther González had an amazing 2023 calendar year as she won the World Cup with Spain and scored the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship on Saturday.