Kielbj

#12 Utah Royals Key additions: Narumi Miura (CM), Miyabi Moriya (LB), Madison Hammond (DM), Courtney Brown (MF), Dayana Pierre-Louis (AM/FW), Kiana Palacios (FW) Key departures: Claudia Zornoza (CM), Aisha Solorzano (ST) I really wanted to put Utah higher than 13th. Readers of my 2025 recaps will know that I spent much of 2025 in a love-hate relationship with the Royals. An emotionally damaging partnership, some would say. A lot of broken trust between us. Because of that broken trust –I'd...

As the last embers of a chaotic-even-by-NWSL-standards offseason fade, our 2026 season preview series rises from the ashes left behind by league commish Jessica Berman burning the last shreds of her dignity in the flames of open war with the NWSLPA. Who's to say whether Berman's approval rating or that lede is in worse shape. I'm rusty too! Anyhow, after an offseason that included NWSL agents appearing on Good Morning America, multiple devastated fanbases, far too many emoji teases, and...

Thorns flash, run out of gas yet again Portland's first half against the Pride on Friday was one of their better halves of the entire season. Against an Orlando side who, for all their recent flaws, have retained much of their defensive structure, Portland's 4-3-3 consistently found gaps in behind Orlando's fullbacks. The now-infamous Hina Sugita trade has severely depleted a Thorns roster already about as shallow as a kid's pool behind the trio of Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming, and Olivia...