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Jeff Kassouf

@jeffkassouf

Lead NWSL + USWNT writer at ESPN. Founder of The Equalizer. Covering women's soccer since 2009.

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Latest posts by Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf

Preview
Boston Legacy debut vs. Gotham FC opens 2026 NWSL season on ABC and ESPN networks The 2026 season of NWSL on ABC and ESPN presented by Ally will kick off on Saturday, March 14, at 12:30 p.m. ET with a marquee matchup as Boston Legacy, one of the league’s two newest clubs, makes its...

There's A LOT planned for the #NWSL on ESPN, as is laid out in this link.πŸ‘‡

I'll beat the drum again: Futbol W is on ESPN+ every Tuesday (8:30p ET), a WEEKLY, IN-STUDIO commitment to in-depth league coverage on top of games. Plus daily digital coverage with a national scope. ✍️

06.03.2026 21:19 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
close up photo of sophia looking towards the camera over her left shoulder with a ball placed on her shoulder. A huge title says ACTIVATED and in smaller text "removed from maternity leave"

close up photo of sophia looking towards the camera over her left shoulder with a ball placed on her shoulder. A huge title says ACTIVATED and in smaller text "removed from maternity leave"

the defense's worst nightmare is back 😈 πŸ‘‘

USWNT star forward Sophia Wilson is available for selection against C.F. Monterrey tomorrow and has been removed from the maternity leave list ahead of the 2026 season.

05.03.2026 20:13 πŸ‘ 132 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 4

Logo talk + retro praise + Whalers GOATed is up my alley

05.03.2026 16:24 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Emma Hayes' USWNT vision for 2027 World Cup is becoming clear After so much experimentation, how the USWNT will look under Emma Hayes at the 2027 Women's World Cup is becoming evident.

The #USWNT's 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday was imperfect yet relatively comfortable. More than anything, it was a sign of depth and maturation in real time for a team moving on from experimentation and toward refinement for the World Cup.

05.03.2026 03:36 πŸ‘ 31 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Emma Hayes' USWNT vision for 2027 World Cup is becoming clear After so much experimentation, how the USWNT will look under Emma Hayes at the 2027 Women's World Cup is becoming evident.

The #USWNT's 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday was imperfect yet relatively comfortable. More than anything, it was a sign of depth and maturation in real time for a team moving on from experimentation and toward refinement for the World Cup.

05.03.2026 03:36 πŸ‘ 31 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

FULL TIME: #USWNT 1, Canada 0

Ally Sentnor's second-half goal holds up as the winner on the second matchday of the SheBelieves Cup.

05.03.2026 01:39 πŸ‘ 30 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Ally Sentnor puts the #USWNT up 1-0. It's a carbon copy of the corner kick from the first half, but this one went in: Lavelle outswinging to Sentnor at the PK spot. Canada must be frustrated to let that happen twice - and get scored on the one that actually skipped through several players.

05.03.2026 01:02 πŸ‘ 24 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Ups and downs in the first half there. Canada nearly pounced on a couple of early giveaways from the #USWNT. The final pass and decision wasn't there for the U.S. for long stretches -- but if they are looking for positives, there were still a couple of high xG opportunities. 0-0 at the half.

05.03.2026 00:39 πŸ‘ 25 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Rodman starts, and it's a big opportunity for several players in a strong #USWNT lineup v Canada.

04.03.2026 23:04 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The Portland Thorns have confirmed the hiring of Robert Vilahamn as head coach, pending receipt of his visa. The Thorns open the #NWSL season on March 13 in D.C.

04.03.2026 16:24 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The neverending winter continues (new chapter: ice). Bring on spring, please!

04.03.2026 15:33 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Futbol W is live at 8:30 pm ET -- soon! -- on ESPN+ with Cristina Alexander and Ali Krieger. #USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps joins from camp. Tune in!

04.03.2026 01:17 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Utah Royals sign Mexico forward Kiana Palacios from AmΓ©rica Utah Royals have signed Mexico international forward Kiana Palacios from Liga MX Femenil side Club AmΓ©rica, the NWSL team announced on Tuesday.

Mexico international forward Kiana Palacios to Utah Royals FC is official, a week-plus after Club AmΓ©rica announced her departure. It's a transfer, and a significant one for the #NWSL club: $800K fee, a source tells ESPN.

03.03.2026 20:15 πŸ‘ 22 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

#USWNT coach Emma Hayes said she had a conversation with forward Emma Sears this week and told Sears:

β€œ'If the World Cup was tomorrow, you’d be one of the first players coming from the bench in my opinion.' … She’s a fighter and she’s not going away.”

03.03.2026 19:05 πŸ‘ 26 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

#USWNT injury updates from Emma Hayes to start today's press conference:

"Trinity Rodman is fine and training today."

Defender Lilly Reale has a foot injury and has left training camp to return to Gotham FC.

03.03.2026 18:53 πŸ‘ 47 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 5
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#NWSL NEWS: Gotham FC has transferred Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho to San Diego Wave FC for $175,000 in transfer funds.

02.03.2026 18:06 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Emma Hayes sees growth in USWNT since Portugal loss United States coach Emma Hayes said she was pleased with her team's emotional control in a "scrappy" 2-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday to open the 2026 SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee.

#USWNT head coach Emma Hayes referenced October's loss to Portugal several times in crediting her team's emotional control in a 2-0 win over Argentina on Sunday, saying she saw progress. It was a "scrappy" game that included a late apparent injury to Trinity Rodman (Hayes had no update postgame).

02.03.2026 01:51 πŸ‘ 26 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Portland Thorns hire ex-Tottenham coach Robert Vilahamn - sources The Portland Thorns have hired Robert Vilahamn as head coach, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN, after a lengthy search.

SOURCES: Ex-Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn is set to be named the new head coach of the Portland Thorns, who open their new #NWSL season in less than two weeks. The Thorns looked inside the NWSL as well and ultimately went with Vilahamn.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

28.02.2026 23:10 πŸ‘ 38 πŸ” 15 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 37
Preview
Browns, Crew ownership group exploring Columbus NWSL expansion A prospective ownership group from Columbus, Ohio, led by the Haslam family, is seriously exploring a National Women's Soccer League expansion franchise, the group confirmed to ESPN.

BREAKING: An investor group headed by Haslam Sports Group, owners of the Columbus Crew, is exploring the possible acquisition of an #NWSL expansion franchise. #Crew96 With ESPN colleague @jeffkassouf.bsky.social ...

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

27.02.2026 18:58 πŸ‘ 37 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 12
Preview
Browns, Crew ownership group exploring Columbus NWSL expansion A prospective ownership group from Columbus, Ohio, led by the Haslam family, is seriously exploring a National Women's Soccer League expansion franchise, the group confirmed to ESPN.

SOURCES: The Haslam family, of Browns/Crew/Bucks ownership, is leading a group that is seriously exploring bringing an #NWSL expansion team to Columbus, Ohio.

Story on @espn.com w/ @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social:

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

27.02.2026 19:02 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 11
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Nike and the #NWSL have unveiled new kits for each of the 16 teams. There's fun to be had over what looks good or bad, but two notes that point to progress:

- Third kits for the first time in league history
- Plenty of detail + variation for a league that once wore red, white + blue stock t-shirts

26.02.2026 15:53 πŸ‘ 25 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 5
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Our shebelieves cup, presented by VISA, roster is officially here‼️

ℹ️ ussoc.cr/sbc2026

17.02.2026 16:04 πŸ‘ 95 πŸ” 20 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 12
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Savy King is set for a return to Angel City FC!

King was placed on the season-ending injury list after suffering a cardiac event during a match in May 2025. She is cleared to play ACFC's preseason exhibitions at the Coachella Valley Invitational.

➑️ equalizersoccer.com/quick-update...

14.02.2026 22:46 πŸ‘ 32 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Sources: Chelsea's Macario closing on San Diego Wave move San Diego Wave FC are the front-runners to sign Chelsea forward Catarina Macario, multiple sources have told ESPN.

BREAKING: Sources confirm to @espn.com that San Diego Wave are frontrunners to sign #USWNT star Catarina Macario. Nothing's signed but talks have advanced. Macario lived in SD as a kid after moving from Brazil. A desire to be closer to home + experience #NWSL are believed to be significant factors.

13.02.2026 14:51 πŸ‘ 57 πŸ” 18 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 26
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The first Boston Legacy FC kit has arrived ahead of the team's inaugural #NWSL season and folks, that colorway is sharp.

13.02.2026 12:11 πŸ‘ 39 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 7
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With two of the #NWSL's brightest young stars on the move β€” Claire Hutton to Bay FC and Croix Bethune to KC Current β€” Jenna Pel dove into the massive price tags and evolving landscape of player movement for EQZ subscribers.

πŸ”— equalizersoccer.com/2026/02/11/b...

12.02.2026 18:47 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Yesterday brought the massive news that Claire Hutton was traded to Bay FC while Croix Bethune was sent to the Kansas City Current. For EQZ subscribers, Blair Newman broke down how each trade could benefit the players' new #NWSL team.

πŸ”’ equalizersoccer.com/2026/02/11/b...

12.02.2026 18:41 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Sources: USWNT's Croix Bethune moving from Spirit to Current United States midfielder Croix Bethune has joined the Kansas City Current, and USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton has joined Bay FC, in a pair of separate seven-figure moves, multiple sources have confirm...

BREAKING: Sources confirm that two rising #USWNT star midfielders are changing #NWSL teams in two major intra-league transfers

🚨 Croix Bethune ➑️ to KC Current (Spirit get $1M total fee)

🚨 Claire Hutton to Bay FC (KC gets $1.1M total fee)

More on @espn.com πŸ‘‡

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

11.02.2026 21:05 πŸ‘ 71 πŸ” 14 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 69
Preview
Road to $1M paydays: How WNBA salaries evolved with each CBA For the first time, a $1 million base salary is expected in the new WNBA CBA, and the cap could see a 230% increase.

Coming up for water after today's flurry of NBA trades to link my story on how the WNBA salary cap has evolved over time and how NBA and NWSL history put the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement proposal in context: www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

05.02.2026 00:19 πŸ‘ 39 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

PSA: Taking some time off in February to recharge for the year/season ahead. Posting this in case you haven't already heard from me or you (whoever you are) come looking here. I'll be around intermittently with news but won't be back to the full grind until March 1. Stay warm πŸ₯ΆβœŒοΈ

02.02.2026 21:07 πŸ‘ 38 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0