Previewing the second half of the 2025 NWSL season

The GIST: Footy fans, rejoice — a Bend It Like Beckham sequel is confirmed and the NWSL is finally back after a month-long international break. Life is good. And with that, here are the biggest storylines heading into the second half of the season.

🏆 The champions return: A slew of NWSL players are back stateside with shiny new hardware and hopes of maintaining that winning momentum. UEFA Women’s Euro champ and world No. 5 England boasted three NWSL players: defender Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), defender Jess Carter (NJ/NY Gotham FC), and backup goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride).

• Elsewhere, No. 36 Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title wouldn’t have been possible without forwards Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC) and Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash).

• But international duties aren’t over for everyone: There are nine (!!!) NWSL players in tomorrow’s Copa América Femenina final between No. 4 Brazil and No. 18 Colombia, which kicks off at 5 p.m. ET.

🥇 The Golden Boot race is on: The race to become the NWSL’s top scorer is almost as tight as the jam-packed team standings. Gotham forward Esther González leads the charge with 10 goals, fresh off her own Euro Golden Boot win, but Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga (8 goals) and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda (8 goals) are hot on her heels.

📺 This weekend’s must-watch match — Portland Thorns vs. Washington Spirit: Sitting fifth and fourth in the standings, respectively, these star-studded squads pack a punch. One thing that’s undecided? Whether Spirit forward Trinity Rodman will make her long-awaited return from injury. Tune in on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC in the U.S. or TSN in Canada to find out.