It finally became official on Wednesday. Sam Coffey is headed to Europe to play for Manchester United.
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There had long been speculation about Coffey’s future in the NWSL. She reportedly nixed an offer from Chelsea early last year. Then ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf reported that Man City was interested, with a transfer fee that would be in the $800,000 range with possible add-ons.
Coffey signed a deal through 2029. The Thorns posted a video message from the midfielder.
“For as long as I’ve kicked a ball, I’ve always dreamed of playing professional soccer in Europe, and it’s something I simply have to pursue. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t go try,” Coffey said in the video.
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The move fueled the ongoing discussion around whether the NWSL’s salary cap is hindering teams when it comes to attracting and retaining elite talent.
That debate was amplified when the NWSLPA announced it was filing a grievance over the High Impact Player mechanism, which allows teams to go as much as $1 million over the cap for players who meet certain criteria.
The HIP mechanism was the league’s answer to the debate, even though there were simpler options on the table, like raising the salary cap. The criteria were met with concern by the players’ union because they used metrics that would seemingly exclude some players, including those from Latin American or African countries, who don’t get the same international attention as their European counterparts.
The NWSLPA maintains that the HIP rule was implemented without bargaining and, therefore, is in violation of the CBA and federal law. The union demands immediate rescission of the rune.
“This was a unilateral decision by the league to change how a player’s fair market value is evaluated. We agree that increasing investment in player compensation is necessary to remain competitive in the global labor market. The solution is straightforward and collectively bargained by raising the salary cap. What the League cannot do is invent a parallel pay system outside the salary cap that was never negotiated, then limit access to compensation through league-controlled criteria that excludes some players,” said Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSLPA, in a statement.
The NWSL, in turn, released the following statement:
“It is critical to the growth and health of the NWSL that its teams have the ability to compete on the international stage for talent with the biggest soccer clubs in the world. The HIP Rule is a targeted mechanism that unlocks compensation for all players across the roster while giving NWSL teams the ability to sign athletes who exhibit the world-leading skill and ability to raise the competitive and commercial profile of the league. We disagree with the NWSLPA’s assertions challenging the NWSL’s ability to implement the HIP Rule. The NWSL has fully complied with the CBA and federal law and we will defend those positions in our collectively-bargained grievance process.”
It certainly doesn’t appear that the issue will be resolved any time soon. There is also an NWSLPA grievance concerning the league’s handling of the proposed contract between Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit. Rodman, meanwhile, remains without a team for now.
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US Soccer awards announced
Rose Lavelle and Lilly Reale earned U.S. Soccer’s top player awards for 2025.
Lavelle was the women’s Player of the Year, after appearing in six national team matches with three goals and three assists after returning to the team following ankle surgery that sidelined her for the first half of the year.
Lavelle, 30, also scored six goals with two assists during the regular season with Gotham. She scored the team’s lone goal in a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit for the NWSL championship, winning the game’s Most Valuable Player award.
Gotham defender Lilly Reale was named the Young Player of the Year. The 22-year-old played in all 26 of Gotham’s regular-season matches and started the club’s three playoff games. She earned her first senior national team call-up in June after playing for the United States at the youth level.
The NWSL schedule is here!
The 2026 NWSL season will begin on March 13, with each club playing 30 regular-season matches, 15 home and 15 away.
There will be 220 matches broadcast via the league’s partners, CBS, Prime, ESPN and ION, including all seven playoff matches and the Challenge Cup.
The NWSL will take a break from June 1-28 because of the CBA-mandated break from June 8-14 and the men’s World Cup. The league restarts on July 3 following the conclusion of the World Cup group stage.
A couple of key dates include June 26, when Gotham plays the Kansas City Current in the Challenge Cup, July 10-15, which is Rivalry Week, and Nov. 1, which will be Decision Day. The league championship will be played Nov. 21.
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LINKS!
The timeline for Temwa Chawinga’s return to the Current from injury is unclear.
Denise O’Sullivan is headed to Liverpool
Story on Denver Summit coach Nick Cushing
All for XI has a roundup of player movement in the NWSL
Columbus will host the Challenge Cup
The Equalizer on what Sam Coffey’s move means for the NWSL
ESPN grades the players’ moves in the January window
Jonathan Tannenwald takes a big-picture look at the salary cap and Trinity Rodman
Sports Business Journal on the rise of multi-team ownership
Arsenal tops Deloitte’s top revenues list
Nice story on Van de Donk making her London City debut.
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