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Lets begin with some breaking information: Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya is stepping down from his function after a disappointing second season. Extra context right here.

Now, on to our recurrently scheduled Full Time:

Ought to NWSL fear about one other U.S. gamers exit? Alex Morgans pink pre-wrap Chicagos surge continues

Lets begin with being rational

Thompsons consequential Chelsea transfer

Alyssa Thompsons surprising million-dollar switch from Angel Metropolis to Chelsea was one of many greatest strikes of the summer season. The 20-year-old signed a five-year contract with the Womens Tremendous League membership simply half-hour earlier than the switch deadline closed Thursday evening.

The deal for the rising, versatile U.S. womens nationwide crew participant was initially valued at just below $1.3 million, with some sources now figuring out that determine as being nearer to $1.45 million earlier than add-ons.

Thompsons arrival comes on the good time for Chelsea, as Cerys Jones writes:

She is a right-footed left winger recognized for her pace and growing output as a objective scorer.

Thompsons prolonged contract is a positive signal the membership has long-term ambitions for her, particularly with left-winger Guro Reitens contract expiring on the finish of the season.

In the meantime, stateside, the transfer marks one other USWNT departure positive to boost alarm for the NWSL and Angel Metropolis, leaving us questioning whether or not the league will ever revisit its wage cap to maintain one other massive star from leaving (extra on that in a sec).

Angel Metropolis was positive to level out that the transfer drew a file exit charge a glass-half-full method. And we additionally cant overlook that probably the most profitable deal this summer season was for a participant coming into the league.

Melanie Anzidei

Will we see extra U.S. stars transfer overseas?

Gamers together with Naomi Girma, Lindsey Heaps, Emily Fox and Lily Yohannes are already abroad, and Thompson possible wont be the final to affix them.

Whereas there are a lot of causes to go overseas and typically its only a private choice, as talked about by Alex Morgan to ESPN final week one blaring sign is coming from the NWSL guidelines and laws guide and its wage cap. Jeff Rueter explains additional:

It isnt precisely what the youngsters imply after they say no cap, however the phrase is changing into a standard a part of NWSL followers vocabulary.

Thompson is now not at Angel Metropolis, becoming a member of Chelsea half a 12 months after Girma headed to London from the San Diego Wave. Gamers are trying on the complete bundle as they plot steps of their profession, and when the home league places a cap on their doable earnings, the attract of the UEFA Womens Champions League turns into even more durable to disregard.

If the league needs its most marketable gamers to stay round, it could have to revisit the knowledge of getting a wage cap.

Copying Englands lack of a wage cap may not be the reply for the NWSL, although, which additionally needs to keep up its aggressive steadiness. Only some groups in England are at present spending massive.

Jeff suggests one doable answer is for the NWSL to take a web page from MLS guide with the designated participant rule. It might permit groups to spend as a lot as they like in switch charges and wages on as much as three star gamers, who every hit the cap at a hard and fast price (in MLS its $743,750 in 2025, or 12.5 p.c of the cap).

Regardless of the answer, a more durable take a look at lies forward with each Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson reaching the tip of their contracts this 12 months.

Meet the opposite Thompson sister

That headline doesnt do Gisele Thompson justice within the slightest. The Angel Metropolis proper again is an up-and-coming participant for each the NWSL membership and the U.S. nationwide crew. On Friday, hours after Chelsea introduced the signing of her sister, Angel Metropolis shared that they’d signed the youthful Thompson to a brand new deal by means of 2029. Giseles resume is lots spectacular:

Since becoming a member of ACFC for the 2024 season, she has made 31 whole regular-season appearances 15 in 2024 and 16 this season.

She leads the membership with 4 assists this 12 months.

The Thompson sisters had been the primary excessive schoolers to signal a reputation, picture and likeness cope with Nike.

With Gisele only a 12 months youthful than Alyssa, the sisters have maintained an in depth bond on and off the sector. Alyssa assisted Giseles first NWSL objective earlier this 12 months in opposition to the Washington Spirit in a 4-3 win, changing into the primary siblings in league historical past to mix for a objective.

The duo additionally made historical past because the third pair of sisters referred to as as much as the USWNTs senior roster. Gisele has 4 caps with the U.S. squad, together with 90 minutes in a pleasant in opposition to Colombia final April.

Chelsea had curiosity in each Thompson sisters, and whereas they’re a drive collectively, it will have been a vital blow to Angel Metropolis to see two L.A. natives depart in the identical window. Now its time for each sisters to navigate the uncharted.

The San Diego Wave gave Alex Morgan one other sendoff Sunday, nearly precisely a 12 months after she left the sector for the final time, retiring her iconic No. 13 in entrance of a packed home. That closed one chapter of her profession, however the 36-year-olds different trademark, the pink pre-wrap headband, stays very a lot alive.

Asli Pelit spoke to Morgan and the pre-wrap firm she partnered with to see how the easy hair accent grew to become her signature look. It began small:

In school, Morgan slipped on pink pre-wrap as a nod to her future mother-in-law, who was battling breast most cancers. The colour caught, and so did the look. U.S. teammates wore pre-wrap in each shade, however pink belonged to Morgan.

That little strip of froth additionally doubled as Morgans enterprise blueprint. In 2012, earlier than she was the worldwide star we all know now, she went to Mueller Sports activities, the Wisconsin firm that invented pre-wrap for soccer gamers ankles, and pitched a partnership. They stated sure. Morgans face ended up on the packaging, and her first deal grew to become one among her longest-running ones, going till final 12 months when she stopped taking part in.

So sure, the No. 13 jersey is up within the rafters now. However the pink headband? Thatll at all times be within the sport.

Chicagos turnaround

The Chicago Stars are probably the most enjoyable crew within the NWSL proper now. Theyve been unbeaten because the summer season break, goalie Alyssa Naeher scored a late equalizer and Ludmila has backflipped into the Golden Boot race with six targets within the final 4 matches. Regardless of all of the adjustments round them throughout this era (theyve cycled by means of two interim coaches), Chicago has been in keeping with the enjoyable, and I respect that.

On Sunday, they broke of their future long-term residence at Northwesterns Martin Stadium (which began with free pilates) with a extremely entertaining 5-2 victory over the Orlando Satisfaction that featured one more Ludmila objective and a great thing about a set piece from Sam Staab. But it surely was Ludmilas help to Bea Franklin that had us hitting repeat. In the event that they hold this up, they might crash the get together on the finish of the season.

Tamerra Griffin

Be trustworthy: Youre not shocked Chelsea continued their reign with a 2-1 win over Manchester Metropolis on Friday, are you? Or that Arsenal additionally picked up the place they left off, welcoming the London Metropolis Lionesses to the WSL with an emphatic 4-1 victory? So far as top-table contenders this season, its possible coming all the way down to these two, barring any surprises by Manchester United or Metropolis.

However I wager you didnt have a 20-year-old Spanish worldwide making her WSL debut with a hatty for Everton in opposition to Liverpool this weekend. Ornella Vignola made positive her identify and Evertons broke by means of the opposite headlines together with her Sunday exploits. As if dropping at Anfield didnt sting sufficient for Liverpool, their former star participant, Olivia Smith, helped carry Arsenal to a win by the identical scoreline. It was a screamer, too.

As for the USWNT contingent within the WSL: Chelseas Cat Macario recorded her first help of the season two minutes after subbing onto the pitch within the second half, and Phallon Tullis-Joyce earned her first shutout in Uniteds 4-0 win over Leicester.

Tamerra Griffin

Corridor of Fame speech: Sue Chicken accepted her induction into the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame on Sunday and delightfully famous: As for skilled soccer gamers I didnt turn into one, however I scored one. You may watch the complete speech right here.

Getting youthful: It was simply over every week in the past that 16-year-old KK Ream grew to become the youngest NWSL objective scorer by 52 days, and now Rhea Moore has claimed the title of youngest objective scorer in any womens skilled match in U.S. historical past. The 15-year-old scored for Dallas Trinity in opposition to Sporting Jax within the Gainbridge Tremendous League this weekend.

Lacking the second: As weve talked about, there are a number of USWNT gamers in England proper now, in addition to a crew owned by Michele Kang. The timing appears excellent for an inflow of WSL followers from the States. Sadly, no official announcement about tips on how to watch the league within the U.S. was made forward of the opening match between Chelsea and Man Metropolis. ESPN+ aired the sport and can proceed to take action this season, however you needed to dig to search out that out. It has us questioning: Is the WSL lacking its American second?

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(High picture: Chris Lee / Chelsea FC)

This text initially appeared in The Athletic.

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Years in the past, when Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax had been on the prime of the Dodgers pitching rotation, Drysdale missed a recreation to take care of some private enterprise. Koufax pitched a no-hitter that day.

When advised in regards to the achievement, Drysdale had one query: Did he win?

The Dodgers had been three outs away from a mixed no-hitter Monday, then needed to dangle on for a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies.

It was the second time in three days the Dodgers took a no-hitter into the ninth. They misplaced the opposite one.

Tyler Glasnow was good over seven no-hit innings, placing out 11. Reliever Blake Treinen pitched an ideal eighth earlier than Ryan Ritter broke up the no-hitter by lining Tanner Scotts third pitch to left area for a double. The ball appeared catchable off the bat, however left fielder Alex Name turned the unsuitable manner, costing him any likelihood to make a play.

Learn extra: Max Muncy is again, and he hopes to assist treatment what ails the Dodgers

Scott then retired the aspect on two groundouts and a liner to 3rd baseman Max Muncy.

Mookie Betts tiebreaking two-run single within the seventh propelled the Dodgers to their eightieth win of the season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one out away from a no-hitter in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday when he gave up a house run to Jackson Holliday.

Yamamoto was pulled after 112 pitches and the bullpen gave up three extra runs in a 4-3 Dodgers loss.

Glasnow left after 105 pitches. He walked two. It was the second straight begin through which Glasnow hadn’t given up successful by way of at the very least six innings.

Glasnow (2-3) struck out the aspect within the first though he wanted 18 pitches to do it and once more within the sixth. In between, he gave up a second-inning run on Jordan Becks leadoff stroll, a stolen base and two lengthy outs, the second Kyle Farmers sacrifice fly to the left-field wall.

But for 5 innings Colorado starter Chase Dollander (2-12, 6.43 ERA) was nearly nearly as good. The Dodgers didnt get their first baserunner till the third inning and didnt have successful till the fifth, when Michael Conforto led off with a single to left.

Dollander confronted simply three batters over the minimal earlier than leaving with an obvious harm after strolling Ben Rortvedt to start out the sixth. Reliever Juan Mejia got here on to stroll the primary batter he confronted. Two at-bats later, Freddie Freeman bounced a high-hopper over first baseman Kyle Farmer and down the right-field line for a tying double.

Learn extra: Why the Dodgers arent altering their slumping bullpen hierarchy but

However Mejia escaped additional injury when he bought Conforto to floor out with the bases loaded. Nonetheless, the one run was extra offense than the Dodgers gave Glasnow in his final two begins. Coming into Monday, the Dodgers averaged simply 3½ runs of help in Glasnow’s 14 earlier begins, lowest for any Dodger starter.

Within the seventh, Rockies reliever Angel Chivilli hit Andy Pages with a pitch with one out and after Rortvedt popped out, Ohtani doubled to proper, sending Pages to 3rd.

Betts adopted with a two-out, two-strike single, extending his streak of reaching base safely to 14 video games.

Join extra Dodgers information with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the beginning of every sequence.

This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Instances.

CHICAGO — Good day J.J. McCarthy. And welcome again to the Minnesota Vikings protection.

The group’s new period at quarterback started with a rousing comeback victory over its NFC North rival in a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears.

And for as a lot consideration as McCarthy’s debut will generate — it was the Vikings’ protection that saved it within the recreation whereas the offense struggled.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams accomplished his first 10 passes as Chicago took a 10-3 lead within the second quarter, however the Bears offense didn’t rating once more till 2:02 remained within the fourth quarter.

McCarthy accounted for 3 touchdowns within the fourth quarter, together with passes of 13 to Justin Jefferson and 27 yards to Aaron Jones Sr., and his 14-yard scramble within the fourth quarter put the Vikings up by 10 an accounted for the ultimate margin.

Listed here are crucial issues to know from Monday evening for each groups:

What to make of the QB efficiency: If you happen to drew up an inexpensive however optimistic projection of how McCarthy’s first NFL begin would go, this might be it. He regarded frenetic within the first half, altering performs continuously and looking out unsettled within the pocket. An interception returned for a landing within the third quarter appeared to finish the sport. However McCarthy, who’s now 64-3 in video games he has began since his sophomore 12 months in school, settled down within the second half. The takeaway after his first begin? McCarthy is a winner.

Pattern to observe: The Vikings constructed the concept of their working recreation to assist McCarthy transition into his position, and it spurred the Vikings throughout their second-half run. Newcomer Jordan Mason managed solely 14 yards within the first half however his exhausting working broke the Bears after halftime, and he completed with 63 yards on 12 carries. Mason’s emergence coincided with the Vikings’ first two landing drives.

Stat to know: The Vikings’ offense wanted assist in the primary half after accumulating solely 80 yards and 4 first downs, and kicker Will Reichard got here to the rescue. His 59-yard discipline purpose simply earlier than halftime tied a Soldier Area report, a notable achievement given the traditionally unhealthy climate and discipline circumstances in Chicago, and was the second-longest in Vikings historical past. Minnesota’s report is 61 yards by Greg Joseph, transformed indoors at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in 2022. — Kevin Seifert

Subsequent recreation: vs. Atlanta Falcons (8:20 p.m. ET, Sept. 14)

For practically three full quarters, the Ben Johnson period regarded like it will start by placing the “usual Bears” moniker to mattress. Chicago started its season opener at Soldier Area with a landing and constructed a double-digit lead late within the third quarter behind a stout defensive efficiency.

However missed alternatives to distance themselves from the Vikings proved expensive. After rattling quarterback McCarthy in his NFL debut, the Bears protection struggled to comprise a Vikings offense that scored 21 unanswered factors within the fourth quarter to wrestle the lead away from the Bears.

Monday evening was Chicago’s fourth loss within the final 4 seasons when getting into the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead. That’s twice as many as some other group over that span.

For a group making an attempt to go away the atrocities of final season prior to now, the identical points proceed to be an issue.

Turning level: The Bears noticed the 17-6 lead they constructed after Nahshon Wright’s pick-six waste away throughout a stretch that started late within the third quarter. Williams was flagged for intentional grounding with Chicago at Minnesota’s 34-yard line. Two performs later, Cairo Santos’ 50-yard discipline purpose try went extensive proper. The Vikings then scored on back-to-back possessions to take the lead.

Wasted momentum: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen despatched the home on third-and-8 early within the third quarter with the Vikings in discipline purpose vary. The seven rushers rattled McCarthy into throwing an interception, which resulted within the first defensive/particular groups landing of the 2025 season. Wright jumped Justin Jefferson’s route and ran again a 74-yard pick-six to offer Chicago a 17-6 lead. It’s the second straight season opener the place the Bears broke open the sport with a pick-six.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Caleb Williams’ 10 straight completions to start out the sport was the longest streak by a Bears quarterback to start out a season opener since 1978 and probably the most consecutive completions in his NFL profession. However issues modified dramatically within the second half. He completed 20 of 34 for 191 yards and scored a dashing TD and passing TD. His passer score was 84.3 and he was sacked twice.

Troubling development: The Bears have been flagged 12 instances and racked up 127 penalty yards. Pre-snap penalties have been a difficulty all through coaching camp and a development the Bears couldn’t buck after 4 false begins within the first half. Two defensive move interference calls led to factors for Minnesota — a 31-yard discipline purpose and the Vikings go-ahead landing. — Courtney Cronin

Subsequent recreation: at Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET, Sept. 14)