By OkayGoal 
In this week’s women’s soccer news, the Queens Classic was a success; the USWNT announced two new friendlies; Gotham signed Denise O’Sullivan; and more!
High of the Week
The Queens Classic set a New York City attendance record for a women’s sporting event with 42,175 fans in attendance. The match was also the largest crowd in Gotham’s team history. It was a really cool environment at Citi Field in Queens, and if it’s any indication of the crowds that Gotham might bring in when they move to their new home in Queens in 2028, it’s a huge success. The match was the second highest attendance in NWSL history sitting behind the 63,004 that were in attendance for the Denver Summit’s inaugural home opener.
Gotham got to celebrate three points as well, thanks to the game-winning goal from Rose Lavelle in the 37th minute. It was Gotham’s second straight win as they look to climb up the NWSL standings. On Saturday, they extended their winning streak to three games with a dramatic come-from-behind win against the Seattle Reign. Gotham currently sits tied for first place with 30 points.
The Queens game was a special moment for women’s soccer as a whole, and these matches at baseball fields that have become a part of the NWSL are fun ways to attract fans who otherwise may not come out to a game.
Low of the Week
Racing Louisville hasn’t won a game since May 8th; they’ve struggled to complete games, and that happened again this week against the Houston Dash. They had lost five straight, and they looked like they were in a good position to earn three points this week and get over the hump. Kayla Fischer found the back of the net in the 19th minute, and it was the club’s first goal since May 23rd. Defensively, they were able to keep the Dash at bay for the entire match, and they were just minutes away from three points when the Dash were able to score the game-tying goal thanks to Kat Rader. It was a tough blow to Racing, who are just trying to get results, but they can’t seem to find the elusive win. It’s been a difficult season for this club. Last season made their first-ever playoff appearance, and this season, they sit in last place. Racing has to figure out a way to finish games, and they need someone to step up and be a consistent goal scorer.
News of the Week
The next batch of USWNT friendlies has been announced, and it’s an exciting series against Spain. The USWNT will face off against the reigning World Cup champions and current top-ranked team on October 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., and then again on October 13 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. It’ll be just the second time that Spain travels to the United States to play the USWNT, with the first being back in 2020. The most recent meeting between these two teams was in 2022 when Spain came away with a 2-0 win. It’s a huge test for this American squad that’s trying to get ready for World Cup qualifiers that are in November and the 2027 Women’s World Cup that is fast approaching. Playing these top teams will help this squad see where they’re at in their preparation and will serve as a great learning experience, no matter if they win or lose. Head coach Emma Hayes has put a big emphasis on playing the top teams this year, with previous series against Brazil and Japan.
Transfer of the Week
Denise O’Sullivan is back in the NWSL, but this time she’ll be suiting up for Gotham. It’s the third team she’s represented in the NWSL after starting her career in the league with the Houston Dash, and then she really made a name for herself with the North Carolina Courage. She was terrific in the midfield for the Courage from 2017 to 2025. She made 155 appearances for North Carolina, and all but eight of those appearances were starts. With the Courage, she helped the club win two NWSL Championships, three NWSL Shields, and two NWSL Challenge Cups. O’Sullivan joined Liverpool at the beginning of 2026 and made nine appearances for the club. She made history for Liverpool as the most expensive transfer in club history, with the club paying around $400,000 for the midfielder.
She joins Gotham on an initial one year loan deal but with an obligation for a permanent transfer. The midfielder made her debut for Gotham when she subbed on during their win against the Reign.
Signing of the Week
The Portland Thorns got a massive contract extension by resigning midfielder Jessie Fleming through 2028. Fleming has been massive for the Thorns since joining the club in 2024, and she’s especially been huge since the club lost Sam Coffey to Manchester City. She’s made 65 appearances for the Thorns, and she’s become a player who is sort of the glue for the club on the field. She’s also the team captain, wearing the armband. Off the field, she’s become a leader as well, and keeping her in Portland had to have been a priority for their front office. Fleming has a ton of experience at the club level and the international level with Canada, as she’s been with the senior team since 2013. She was just 15 years old when she made her senior debut and has since made 157 appearances for her country. Her leadership skills shine on the international stage as well, and in 2024, she became the captain of the Canadian Women’s National Team.
Goal of the Week
Rose Lavelle scored one incredible goal for Gotham in their rivalry match against the Washington Spirit on Wednesday. The goal ended up being the game winner and capped off an incredible day for Gotham at Citi Field. Rose showed some individual brilliance when Jaelin Howell tapped the ball to her, and Lavelle was able to nutmeg a defender and perfectly strike the ball to go over the goalkeeper and into the side of the net. She also scored another incredible goal that was the game-winner in their match against the Reign on Saturday.
Return of the Week
Sam Kerr is back in the NWSL. She made her debut for Gotham this week during their Queens Classic matchup against the Washington Spirit. Kerr came off the bench in that one, as she has only had a few training sessions with the team. You could hear the roar of the crowd as Kerr subbed on, and the forward being back in the NWSL is huge for Gotham and the league as a whole. Kerr returns to the NWSL for the first time since 2019, and she’s back with the club where she really made a name for herself when it was called Sky Blue FC. When she got in the game, she had an immediate impact on the offense, and she was able to create some chances. It won’t be long before we see her name get on the scoresheet.
Player of the Week
Karlie Lema has been terrific for Bay FC this season, and she was an instrumental part in their 3-0 win over the North Carolina Courage. The 23-year-old scored a brace in just three minutes. It was her fourth goal in three games, and she’s been important for Bay, turning around their season with a three-game unbeaten streak since the summer break. They’ll need to keep getting three points each week if they want to try to make a run for the playoffs.