By OkayGoal 
In this week’s news, Arsenal were crowned the Champions of Europe; Alanna Cook suffered a season-ending injury; Boston Legacy FC announced their home for the 2026 season; and more!
High of the Week
Arsenal completed the upset to lift the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy. The Gunners are a perfect 2-0 in Champions League finals with their first win coming in 2007.
They walked into the match as heavy underdogs against Barcelona who were looking to win their third straight UWCL trophy. Barcelona controlled the game with 68% of possession and 20 shots but Arsenal weathered the storm and seized their opportunity thanks to Stina Blackstenius who became the hero in the 75th minute. Beth Meade was able to send a ball through quite a few Barcelona defenders to a waiting Blackstenius who made no mistake with the ball and sent it into the back of the net. It was a magical moment for Blackstenius and Arsenal completing their underdog fairytale.
Arsenal underwent a midseason coaching change that led to a lot of success for the club this season. In October, Jonas Eidevall resigned from his position as head coach, and the club appointed Renee Slegers who led the club on an impressive run which included defeating Real Madrid in the Quarterfinals and Lyon in the semifinals to reach their first final and trophy in 18 years.
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. THE ONLY IN THE LAND ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6HELAUEn23
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
Low of the Week
It was a tough week for injury news. The Kansas City Current announced that defender Alana Cook suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus against the Orlando Pride ending her 2025 season. It’s a tough break for Cook who has been very consistent for the Current this season and has found herself back in the USWNT player pool. In that game, the Current also lost Debinha to injury but they expect that she’ll return to the field this season.
It was also announced that Utah Royals defender Alex Loera suffered yet another ACL tear. Loera had just returned to the field after missing the 2024 season due to an ACL tear as well.
We’re with you every step of the way 🩵
We have placed defender @_alana_cook on the season-ending injury list after suffering a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus. She will immediately begin the recovery process. pic.twitter.com/XZBZWUyUqu
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 22, 2025
News of the Week
Boston Legacy FC have their head coach for their 2026 inaugural season. The club has hired Filipa Patão who has been the head coach for Benfica according to Jeff Kassouf and ESPN. She has been with Benfica since 2020 where she has led them to five straight Campeonato Nacional Feminino titles.
The club also confirmed this week that they will play their first season at Gillette Stadium before moving to a permanent stadium in 2027. The stadium is the current home of the New England Revolution in the MLS and the New England Patriots in the NFL. For soccer games, the stadium has a capacity of 20,000.
The first chapter begins here. pic.twitter.com/cqmzWONpDJ
— Boston Legacy FC (@NWSLBoston) May 21, 2025
Team of the Week
The San Diego Wave have come to play this season and they picked up an impressive 5-2 win over the North Carolina Courage this week. It’s a Wave club record for goals scored in a match and extended their unbeaten streak to six games. San Diego currently sits in second place with a 6-2-2 record and is playing an entertaining style of soccer. They’re proving to be a dangerous team and one to watch for sure.
DOUBTERS? WAVE ‘EM GOOD BYE 👋 pic.twitter.com/YxyOg3P2Tp
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) May 26, 2025
Win of the Week
NJ/NY Gotham made history this week by winning the first-ever CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup defeating Club Tigres Femenil. Their lone goal came from a missed penalty kick attempt that deflected back to Esther Gonzalez who made no mistake with the second chance. With the win Gotham secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and the 2028 FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.
Woke up like: 🏆
Starting the week off like una campeona // a champion 🦾 pic.twitter.com/I1qjNopgk7
— Gotham FC (@GothamFC) May 26, 2025
Signing of the Week
Angel City announced the signing of Sveindís Jónsdóttir from Wolfsburg. The 23-year-old Icelandic international had spent the last four years with Wolfsburg where she made 58 appearances and scored 12 goals during her time. She’s also a member of the Iceland senior team where she’s made 48 appearances and scored 12 goals since earning her first cap in 2020.
Get to know Sveindís Jónsdóttir! https://t.co/ncVt0nUR4D pic.twitter.com/uQk4j5kOGP
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 21, 2025
Player of the Week
Barbra Banda scored the first hat trick of the 2025 NWSL season in the Orlando Pride’s 3-1 win over the Utah Royals. She scored all three goals in the first half and two of them came just a minute apart. Banda is tied for the most goals so far this season with seven in 10 matches.
SHE’S ON FIRE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6x6zv5pJsv
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) May 24, 2025
Goal of the Week
Shea Groom returned to the score sheet this weekend for the first time in three years and netted her first goal with the Chicago Stars. The forward has struggled with injuries the last few seasons so it was nice to see Groom back scoring. The goal came off of a set piece with Sam Staab sending the cross in and Groom heading the ball into the back of the net.
Heads up play? Literally.
Shea’s first goal as a Star & it’s a beauty 😍🌟 Not to mention a dime from Sam Staab! pic.twitter.com/BaKLXMX8BZ
— Chicago Stars FC (@theChicagoStars) May 25, 2025
What To Look Forward To
The USWNT is back in action and the roster announcement came with some exciting news as Lo’eau LaBonta earned her first call-up to the senior USWNT. LaBonta has been in terrific form for the Kansas City Current and it has been recognized with Emma Hayes rewarding the midfielder with a call-up. If she does earn her first cap she’ll become the oldest player to debut for the team at 32 years old. The USWNT faces off against China on May 31 and Jamaica on June 3.
TRIPLE THREAT FOR COUNTRY 🇺🇸@ClaireHutton112, @L0momma and @michelle1cooper have been called up with the @USWNT 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dGhKfZYyyG
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 20, 2025
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