Rachael Palmer

USWNT to host Italy in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale in final friendlies of 2025 The U.S. women’s national team announced that, for the first time since 2011, the federation will host Italy in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The duo of matches will be the final friendlies of...

🇺🇸 The #USWNT is hosting Italy in Florida to close out the 2025 calendar year!

It's the first meeting between the two sides since 2011!

🇮🇹 Italy is coming off a semifinal appearance at the EURO Tournament this summer.

✍️: @rachaelkpalmer.bsky.social

equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/15/u...

Sarah Schupansky reflects on her standout rookie season so far 'The relationships that I’m building here and the players that I’m getting to make these moments with, that means more to me than anything on the field.'

"Any minute I get on the field I’m going to appreciate and make the most of it."

And she most certainly has. Recently, I got to chat with former Pitt women's soccer and current Gotham FC forward, Sarah Schupansky for The Equalizer about her rookie season!

equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/09/s...

Story by me!

Gorgeous evening for a doubleheader! Up first on the ACC Network is Pitt women's soccer vs. Ohio University. See the link below to watch if you're not in the stands!

Jason Earle and myself on the call tonight! 🎙️⚽️

📺: www.espn.com/watch/player...

The KC Current traded for a rising star last week. They want you to know it Why new arrival Ally Sentnor and the Kansas City Current are a perfect fit: “This was a big one for us.”

Why the ambitions of Ally Sentnor and the Kansas City Current make them a perfect match. #KCBaby
www.kansascity.com/sports/socce...

It's been a long time (long time) We shouldn't have left you without a dope beat (Jenna's Sources Newsletter) to step to!

New from Jenna’s Sources: I’ve got the definitive word form Rose Lavelle on whether Gotham/Spirit is a true rivalry.

Plus: notes on the international break, last week’s game, keys to the upcoming match, and JCA talks about Esther/AKB award nominations.

jennassources.substack.com/p/its-been-a...

So then what was up with the shady as frick press conference!!!

This!!!!

Here's the thing about transparency. You don't have to give the whole truth, right. Especially if there's other parties involved. However, when you say "multitude of factors" over 10 times and refuse to give ANY transparent information...

Yeah, the speculation is going to continue.

Not sure why it was so combative. Had to know what ever question was going to be so I would have assumed they'd be more prepared in how they responded.

It's also OK to say our legal council has advised we not answer questions of that nature as things are ongoing.

Comms at this point is answering more questions than Bowley himself, to say they won’t be answering further questions about internal processes leading to Nahas’s firing.

Nor tactical approach to the game, actually.

Glad someone said it, especially @meglinehan.com.

That press conference — and I'm speaking as both a journalist and PR professional with my 9-5 — was a disaster and quite frankly embarrassing.

Also... no need for any of the hostility that was displayed. No reason at all.

Thrilled to back on the mic for Pitt women’s soccer for my SIXTH season! 🎙️

Hard to believe six years ago Coach Randy Waldrum asked me if I wanted to be one of the voices of this team. It's an honor every season and I can't wait for the big games I get to call with wonderful people!

We are SO back!

It's Tuesday. It's Futbol W on ESPN+

Spirit and England fans: Defender, European champion and noted No. 1 Jacksonville Jaguars fan Esme Morgan joins us tonight for the big interview, plus we break down all the latest in the #NWSL.

8:30 pm ET on ESPN+

🔗 www.espn.com/espnplus/cat...

Two days after announcing his departure from the Chicago Stars, Masaki Hemmi has joined Lexington SC as its next coach in the USL Super League.

📰 Two days after announcing his departure from the Chicago Stars, Masaki Hemmi has joined Lexington SC as its next coach in the USL Super League, writes @rachaelkpalmer.bsky.social.

➡️: equalizersoccer.com/quick-update...

📸: Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images

A look at the opening goal from Emily Graeca, courtesy of @rachaelkpalmer.bsky.social!

A huge turning point in this game, largely dominated by the Riveters to this point.

#ForTheW

Esther González is being rewarded for her 🔥 start to the #NWSL season, signing an extension, through 2027, with Gotham FC.

➡️: equalizersoccer.com/quick-update...

✍️: @rachaelkpalmer.bsky.social

NWSL parity strikes again in 0-0 draw for Gotham FC and Chicago Stars A quiet night for Esther, and a clean sheet for Gotham FC who now sits in third in the NWSL standings

Gotham FC quintupled Chicago’s xG (1.01-0.23) and outshot the Stars (14-4) but couldn’t find a breakthrough.

More from me on tonight’s scoreless draw for #GothamFC

jennassources.substack.com/p/nwsl-parit...

NWSL submits application to U.S. Soccer for Division II league The league, which will begin with eight teams, will begin play in 2026.

As first reported by @pcattry.bsky.social this morning, the #NWSL has filed an application with U.S. Soccer to form a Division II league, centered on development. The league will look to kick off in 2026 with eight teams.

✍️: @rachaelkriger.bsky.social

equalizersoccer.com/2025/04/25/n...

Lauren and Jrue Holiday join North Carolina Courage ownership group The former NWSL champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist will also serve as an ambassador and advisor to the club.

Earlier today, North Carolina announced that former #NWSL champion and #USWNT gold medalist Lauren Holiday, along with her husband Jrue, have joined the club's ownership group, writes @rachaelkriger.bsky.social.

Lauren will also serve as an advisor & ambassador.

equalizersoccer.com/2025/04/23/l...

Angel City FC has hired Alexander Straus to become the club's next head coach!

The Norwegian coach has been the manager of Bayern Munich for thee last three seasons. Bayern is currently leading the Frauen-Bundesliga title race.

➡️: equalizersoccer.com/2025/04/17/a...

✍️: @rachaelkriger.bsky.social

This is... something else.

Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast: Is Pittsburgh now on a fast track to women's pro soccer and more burning questions with Rachael Kriger Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s Rachael Kriger, who also contributes to Equalizer Soccer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and serves as color commentator for Pitt women’s soccer match broadcasts, joins John Krysinsky...

Thanks @rachaelkriger.bsky.social
for joining me on the latest Sounding Off on Soccer pod to discuss a number of topics relating to Women’s soccer as this is shaping up to be a transformative year in growth of women’s game in Pittsburgh

pittsburghsoccernow.com/2025/02/26/s...

My latest for The Equalizer!

I spoke w/ #USLSuperLeague president Amanda Vandervort about the league's fall slate, construction projects and expansion.

Thank you to Amanda for the great chat! Big thank you to Lisa Padan for getting everything set up!

➡️ equalizersoccer.com/2025/02/16/i...

USWNT coach Emma Hayes wants to change women’s soccer. Here’s how. Hayes has unveiled 'The WNT Way' blueprint for looking at everything through a

Emma Hayes has a plan to create a better long-term future for women's soccer, and it goes well beyond the #USWNT winning. It's about changing the system to view everything through a female lens and eliminate male biases, she said. She presented the high-level view to a few of us this week.

Pitt forward Samiah Phiri signs pro contract with FC Nantes of France's Première Ligue | Pittsburgh Soccer Now Pitt forward Samiah Phiri signed a professional contract with FC Nantes team officials announced Tuesday afternoon. The club, which began in 2012 is based in Nantes, France and competes in the Premièr...

Forward Samiah Phiri -- one of Pitt women's soccer team's top scorers in previous three years -- has signed with FC Nantes of France's Première Ligue

Phiri is the fourth Pitt player to sign a pro contact this offseason

#H2P

📸: @rachaelkriger.bsky.social

pittsburghsoccernow.com/2025/02/05/p...

Averbuch West: ‘Outside narratives’ contrast with ‘deep confidence’ in Gotham’s future Comments from several major offseason departures suggest issues at NJ/NY, but Gotham's GM says that isn't the case

📰 Comments from several major offseason departures suggest issues at NJ/NY, but Gotham’s GM Yael Averbuch West says that isn’t the case.

✍️: @rachaelkriger.bsky.social

equalizersoccer.com/2025/02/03/y...

✈️ Crystal Dunn is off to Paris! 🇫🇷

The #USWNT World Cup champion has signed a 2.5 year deal with Paris Saint-Germain, two days after Gotham FC announced they mutually parted ways with the three-time NWSL champion.

➡️: equalizersoccer.com/2025/01/31/c...

✍️: @rachaelkriger.bsky.social

She can also serve as a FWD, definitely but Washington is pretty much handled there, unless someone decides to leave. I would be shocked if they tried her as a DF, but it wouldn't be the worst idea if they tested her as a winger. She's really fast. Hardly broke a sweat running around the midfield.

As for international, can't say much about that. She has been a consistent starter under Randy Waldrum as the Nigerian coach, but he's not with Nigeria anymore. Intrigued to see how she's utilized with a new coach that isn't her college coach, as well.

I was super impressed with her last year. She took some time to recover from the Olympics before jumping into the season, and she was solid in ACC play. The Spirit signing puzzles me because of the crowded midfield. But Deb is a super good all-around midfielder. All goals came in ACC play in '24.