It’s moving month in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Let’s, for a moment, put the as-yet unofficial Gotham signing of Sam Kerr aside. This week saw a bunch of moves across the league, and Angel City was the most active.
Angel City gets in gear
On Wednesday, Angel City sent midfielder Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC for $520,000 in intra-league transfer fees and allocation funds. Still just 19 years old, Fuller joined Angel City in 2024 and has two goals and two assists so far this season.
“I am so grateful for my teammates who created such a great environment and took me under their wing. It has helped me be the best version of myself on and off the field,” Fuller said in a statement released by Angel City.
She also left a heartfelt message on Instagram.
But that wasn’t only move the club made that day. Angel City also parted ways with head coach Alex Straus after only a little more than a year on the job.
Straus was hired in April 2025 after a stint with Bayern Munich’s women. Assistant coach Leif Gunnar Smerud will lead the club in the interim while a search is conducted for a new head coach.
Then, on Friday, Angel City acquired Ally Sentnor from the Kansas City Current in exchange for $850,000 in intraleague transfer funds.
Sentnor was the top pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft by the Utah Royals. She was traded to the Current last August for $600,000 in intraleague transfer funds, then a league record.
So far, Sentnor has two goals and two assists in 12 games.
“KC, Thank you! Even though it was for a short time, I am incredibly grateful to have experienced the passion, community, and love surrounding this team. Playing for you all in CPKC was a blessing. I am going to miss this group and city but honored to have been able to be a part of something special,” Sentnor posted on social media.
Angel City opened the season with three wins, then won just one of their next eight, falling to 12th in the standings.
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Reale heads home
In one of the other big moves of the week, Gotham traded defender Lilly Reale to the Boston Legacy in exchange for $350,000 in allocation funds and a $50,000 intraleague transfer fee. Boston is Reale’s hometown.
Gotham, of course, is the rumored landing spot for Sam Kerr, who is returning to the NWSL after six years with Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL). The Athletic broke the news that the two sides were close to a deal earlier this week.
Because Kerr departed Chelsea at the end of the WSL season, there will be no transfer fee involved. And the move brings Kerr’s NWSL career full circle: She last played for Sky Blue, which has since become Gotham.
Kerr, 32, won the WSL Golden Boot twice. She scored 116 goals in all competitions, matching Fran Kirby as Chelsea’s all-time top scorer. Chelsea won won five WSL titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups during Kerr’s tenure with the club.
(Note from Annie: Because I’m writing this early Sunday morning from Vancouver, B.C., the signing may become official on Monday morning! Just saying! I’ll be sleeping after a late night with New Zealand and Egypt.)
LINKS!
The Equalizer has a transfer tracker
Anumita Jain at the IX Soccer looks at what every every NWSL needs this summer
ESPN confirmed the Sam Kerr to Gotham story
Spain’s Salma Paralluelo rejects offer from Chelsea
ESPN sets Women’s Sports Sunday lineup
A look at the greatest moments in Canadian Soccer history, which rightfully includes the women.
Great story here on a girls’ team from Sudan from AP
Didn’t realize that Jezebel still existed, but here’s an interesting story on Nettie Honeyball.
CNN talked to Emma Hayes about the growth of soccer in America
Adidas has embraced Trinity Rodman as the US face of its men’s World Cup marketing.
Oh, and finally, Rodman sporting a perfect blond bob
Soccer: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer
Tennis: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer
Basketball: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports
Softball: Maren Angus-Coombs, @Maren-Angus, The IX Sports
Golf: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports
Hockey: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden
Gymnastics: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer
