We are officially halfway through the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season — congratulations to Gotham FC on the club’s second-ever league championship. In the summer transfer window, teams will be busy with trades and signings across the league.
Keep up with all the summer signings and deals with our 2026 NWSL Summer Transfer Tracker. Where applicable, we’ll also provide insight into what’s happening to give you the deeper context you expect from The Equalizer, leaders in women’s soccer coverage since 2009.
This runs in reverse chronological order, so scroll down to catch up.
Chicago Stars signs Spanish defender Leila Ouahabi through 2028
(June 16, 2026) Chicago Stars FC announced the signing of Spanish international defender Leila Ouahabi to a three-year contract, through the 2028 NWSL season. Ouahabi is coming off a four-year stint at Manchester City, where she helped the club win the Women’s Super League 2025-26 title. That same season, Manchester City were also FA Cup champions. Ouahabi has also won a UEFA Champions League title, and five Primera División titles, with FC Barcelona. She has made 66 senior international appearances for Spain.
Portland Thorns ‘activates’ Marie Müller’s 2027 option
(June 16, 2026) The Portland Thorns announced the “activation” of the 2027 option for defender Marie Müller. The German international has made eight starts in 11 appearances for the Thorns in 2026. In 2024, Müller made 20 starts in 25 appearances. She missed the 2025 season with an ACL injury.
NC Courage extends midfielder Shinomi Koyama through 2029
(June 12, 2026) The North Carolina Courage have announced a contract extension, through the 2029 NWSL season, for midfielder Shinomi Koyama. Previously, Koyama inked a contract through the 2027 NWSL season. The Japanese international has started 27 of 36 appearances through the 2025 and 2026 NWSL seasons, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
San Diego Wave sign Spanish goalkeeper Sandra Paños through 2028
(June 10, 2026) San Diego Wave FC announced the signing of Spanish international goalkeeper, Sandra Paños, through the 2028 NWSL season. The former FC Barcelona goalkeeper is a three-time UEFA Champions League winner and five-time Primera División winner with Barcelona. She recently won the 2026 Liga MX Femenil Clausura title with Club América, where she made 72 appearances since joining the club in 2024.
Angel City signs goalkeeper Faith Nguyen through 2026
(June 10, 2026) Angel City FC announced that goalkeeper Faith Nguyen has been extended through the 2026 NWSL season. Nguyen, who is coming off a collegiate career at Texas Tech, originally signed a six-month contract in January. In 41 collegiate appearances, Nguyen earned 19 clean sheets and posted a 27-7-7 record. She has yet to make her NWSL debut with Angel City FC.
Portland Thorns extend Renee Lyles and Jennie Immethun
(June 9, 2026) The Portland Thorns announced contract extensions for midfielder Renee Lyles and defender Jennie Immethun. Lyles has signed through the 2026 NWSL season, while Immethun has been extended through July 2026. Both players are in their rookie season and joined the club after attending preseason as non-roster invitees. Lyles featured collegiately for Clemson University, while Immethun spent her time with UCLA.
NC Courage extend Ivy Younce through 2026
(June 9, 2026) The North Carolina Courage have announced a contract extension, through the 2026 NWSL season, for defender Ivy Younce. The defender formerly signed a short-term contract through June. Younce has appeared in four matches, totaling 25 minutes. Younce is a former North Carolina Courage Academy player, and featured collegiately for Liberty University.
Houston Dash extend midfielder Maggie Graham through 2029
(June 5, 2026) The Houston Dash announced the contract extension of midfielder Maggie Graham to a “multi-year” deal, through the 2029 NWSL season. Graham has made 27 starts in 32 appearances for the Dash since joining the club in 2025. In 2026, she has has started 11 of her 12 appearances, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
Houston Dash extend loan of defender Rebeca with Dux Logroño through June 2027
(June 2, 2026) The Houston Dash announced that defender Rebeca will remain on loan with Dux Logroño in Spain through June 2027. Both teams agreed to the loan details. Rebeca joined the Dash in 2025, and only featured in club friendlies, not official NWSL competition. In Spain, Rebeca has earned 24 starts in 26 appearances, including one goal.
NC Courage, Cortnee Vine agree to “mutual” contract termination
(June 2, 2026) The North Carolina Courage and forward Cortnee Vine have agreed to a “mutual contract termination,” according to the club. Vine was with the Courage from 2024-26. Previously, she featured for the Brisbane Roar (2015-17), Newcastle Jets (2017-19), Western Sydney Wanderers (2019-20) and Sydney FC (2020-24), all in Australia. She won a W-League Premiership three times with Sydney and a W-League Championship in 2022-23.
Kansas City announced Kyra Carusa’s recalling to HB Køge
(June 2, 2026) The Kansas City Current announced that forward Kyra Carusa has officially been recalled to HB Køge Women in Denmark. The Irish international featured for the Swans from 2020-23, rejoining the team in January 2026 after stints with the London City Lionesses and San Diego Wave. She joined Kansas City on loan during the 2026 preseason and appeared in four matches this season.
NC Courage place Sydney Schmidt on SEI List
(May 26, 2026) The North Carolina Courage announced that defender Sydney Schmidt has been placed on the league’s Season Ending Injury List (SEI List) with an ACL tear. The injury occurred “during a training session ahead of the Courage’s match against Racing Louisville.”
Boston Legacy “activates” Laís Araújo’s 2027 contract option
(May 20, 2026) Boston Legacy announced that the club has “activated” the contract option for the 2027 NWSL season for defender Laís Araújo. She originally signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2027, as a free agent. She previously featured for Benfica in Portugal, Famalicão in Portugal and Madrid CFF in Spain. Araújo formerly featured for the Brazilian U-20 national team.
Kansas City extend defender Laney Rouse through 2028
(May 14, 2026) The Kansas City Current announced a contract extension for defender Laney Rouse through the 2028 NWSL season, with a club option for 2029. Rouse has made five starts in eight appearances for the Current this season, as of June 16, 2026. She made her debut against Seattle on March 25.
