The NWSL regular season wrapped and the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team’s record-breaking FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup run came to an end. Here’s a look at key moments across the U.S. Soccer landscape from last week.
NWSL Decision Day finalizes playoff picture
The 2026 NWSL regular season came to a close as Seattle Reign FC secured the eighth and final playoff spot on an action-packed Decision Day on Sunday. Defender Jordyn Bugg scored the game-winner in Seattle's 1-0 victory over Orlando to earn the team’s ninth postseason appearance.
The backheel, the finish, just 🤩 https://t.co/mtMSki9G25
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) November 1, 2026
Gotham FC officially clinched the No. 1 seed and its first NWSL Shield with a 2-0 win against the Utah Royals as midfielder Jaedyn Shaw scored her 11th goal of the season. Also getting on the scoresheet were forwards Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson, who are both heading to the postseason with the Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns, respectively. Wilson’s 15 goals were the third-most in the league, with Rodman tied for fourth with 12 goals. Ashley Sanchez won the Golden Boot with a record-tying 20 goals, though the North Carolina Courage narrowly missed the postseason.
View the 2026 NWSL Playoffs bracket and first-round schedule here.
Emma Hayes named to SBJ’s Power Players
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes was named to the Sports Business Journal’s Power Players: Innovators in Women’s Sports. The 2026 edition of Power Players focuses on women leaders who are innovating amid change and are continuing to drive the business of women’s sports forward.
MNT hot scoring streak continues
One week after seven MNT players found the back of the net, five more continued the scoring streak. Two players who made their USMNT debuts last month scored as Cole Campbell finished an incredible overhead kick to put the exclamation point on SV Elversberg’s 4-1 win on Friday. In MLS, Julian Hall got on the end of a through ball from MNT teammate Adri Mehmeti to open the scoring for Red Bull New York on Sunday.
Returning from injury after a month away was forward Ricardo Pepi, who had a goal and an assist off the bench in PSV Eindhoven’s 7-0 win on Saturday. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter also had two goal contributions in Middlesbrough’s 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic, pocketing a goal and an assist. Forward Christian Pulisic scored for AC Milan for the second week in a row, just four minutes into the 3-1 win over rival Inter in the Derby della Madonnina.
U-17 WNT ends World Cup run in the quarterfinals
The U.S. U-17 WNT put together an incredible performance against Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take down the two-time champions, 2-1, in a match where Spain held over 70% of possession and outshot the Americans 20-4. Forwards Deus Stanislaus and Maddie DiMaria capitalized on the USA’s first two shots of the game and the defense held on for the first U.S. victory over Spain in a FIFA Youth Women’s World Cup since 2004.
Maddie DiMaria strikes again! ✨ @USYNT | #U17WWC https://t.co/yy2SKaM0sL
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 31, 2026
The team’s run came to an end at the hands of another multi-time champion, Korea DPR, as the U.S. fell 3-0 in the quarterfinals. DiMaria finished the tournament with 12 goals and concluded her U-17 WNT career with 24 goals in 23 caps.
U-15 GNT wins 4 Nations Tournament in Mexico
The U.S. Under-15 Girls’ National Team won all three of its matches last week at the 4 Nations Tournament in Mexico City to win the title. Forward Fifi Garcia led the way with six goals and scored in all three matches, including a hat trick in the 3-2 win over hosts Mexico to clinch the trophy.