In this week’s women’s soccer news, Bay FC made history; Barbra Banda has been ruled out for the season; the Orlando Pride signed Lizbeth Ovalle; and more!
High of the Week
Bay FC’s home match against the Washington Spirit this weekend was one they’ll always remember. With 40,091 fans in attendance, the match not only broke an NWSL attendance record but also became the highest attended women’s professional league sporting event in the United States. The game was held at Oracle Park, which is the home of the MLB’s San Francisco Giants. The club and marketing team for Bay FC knocked it out of the park, and it was a special day for the NWSL and women’s sports as a whole.
It wasn’t the first time that an NWSL team has played at an MLB stadium, with the Chicago Stars playing at Wrigley Field in 2024.
The game didn’t go Bay’s way, but it was an exciting matchup. The Spirit came out dominating, scoring three first-half goals, one of which was Croix Bethune’s first goal of the season. It looked like the Spirit were going to run away with it, but Bay was able to get a goal back in stoppage time of the first half to give the home team a little momentum. Bay found the back of the net again at the start of the second half, but ultimately came up short in their comeback with the Spirit taking a 3-2 win.
Low of the Week
Unfortunately, the Orlando Pride did give an update on Barbra Banda’s injury, and it wasn’t good news. The forward was placed on the season-ending injury list after suffering a hip adductor injury in the Pride’s match against the Kansas City Current. It’s a big blow for the Pride, who are looking to win their second straight NWSL Championship this season, and now they’ll have to do it without their leading goal scorer. Through 16 games this season, Banda had eight goals. She broke onto the NWSL scene in 2024 when she led the Pride to their first NWSL Championship and had an impressive 17 goals in 25 games.
The Chicago Stars got some bad injury news this week as well, with Shea Groom being ruled out for the season. The forward suffered a broken leg in Chicago’s game against the Seattle Reign this week. She also posted an update on Instagram stating that she suffered from a blood clot due to the injury as well. We’re wishing both players a quick recovery!
News of the Week
The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced its finalists for the Class of 2026, and Tobin Heath, Samantha Mewis, and Heather O’Reilly, all of whom became eligible for the ballot this year, have been selected as finalists. Other players like Stephanie Lopez Cox, Amy Rodriguez, Lorrie Fair, Tiffany Roberts, and Aly Wagner are eligible as well. The 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to be held on May 1.
Transfer of the Week
Orlando Pride made a splash this week when they announced the signing of Mexican international Lizbeth Ovalle from Tigres UANL Femenil for a record transfer fee of $1.5 million. So far in 2025, there have been three players signed on transfer fees of over $1 million: Naomi Girma ($1.1 million), Olivia Smith ($1.3 million), and now Ovalle.
Ovalle had been with Tigres since 2017, appearing in over 280 games for the club and scoring 133 goals, the most in club history. She earned her first cap for the senior Mexican Women’s National Team in 2018 and has 18 goals in 64 caps. She could make her first appearance for the Pride when they host Gotham FC on August 29.
Team of the Week
Chicago had a tough schedule with two games in just three days. On Monday, they traveled to Seattle to take on the Reign, where they fell behind early with Seattle scoring twice in the first half and then at the beginning of the second to lead 3-0. Chicago didn’t give up, though, and they fought their way back, scoring three goals in the last 20 minutes of the match to salvage a point on the road.
Then on Friday, they hosted the North Carolina Courage and once again fell behind, this time early in the second half. North Carolina scored three unanswered, and it looked like they were on their way to three points, but Chicago had other thoughts. Ludmila scored a hat-trick in 10 minutes to tie the score at three and earn the Stars another point.
The highlight from both of Chicago’s comebacks, though, has to be Alyssa Naeher scoring her first NWSL goal in her 200th appearance.
Return of the Week
Ali Riley returned to Angel City’s active roster after missing a lot of time due to a chronic leg injury. Riley was placed on the season-ending injury list halfway through the 2024 season, and there was a time when she wasn’t sure if she would be able to return to the field. She was suffering from a chronic leg injury. It’s wonderful to see Riley back on the field for Angel City.
Player of the Week
Ludmila has to be the player of the week after she scored the fastest hat trick in NWSL history in Chicago’s comeback against the North Carolina Courage. It took her just 10 minutes to score three goals and tie the game up for the Stars. She put together a really impressive performance that was fun to watch. So far on the season, she’s scored eight goals for Chicago.
Goal of the Week
Taliah Brooks scored an impressive goal for Memphis in their match against Kennesaw State. Memphis earned a free kick outside the box that was put into the air in front of the goal and Brooks was able to get in the air and hit a backheel into the back of the net. Memphis went on to win the game 7-0.
