The GIST

A preview of the 2025 NWSL season

Before the first whistle blows, here’s a look at what’s to come on and off the pitch during the NWSL’s 13th season. Let’s kick it.

March 14, 2025

Defending league champion Orlando Pride to face Washington Spirit in Challenge Cup

⚽

It’s time for the sixth edition of the NWSL Challenge Cup, the ceremonial season start that’s now celebrated with a one-game showdown between the top two teams from the season prior. Sit tight — the regular-season NWSL kickoff is one week away, but tonight’s 8 p.m. ET game is the season appetizer you don’t want to miss. Pass the nachos.

March 07, 2025

A deep dive into the new NWSL CBA and women’s pro soccer landscape in North America

⚽

The 2025 NWSL season is less than two months away, and this offseason has already been perhaps the most dramatic ever. The college draft is gone and free agents have more, well, agency than ever before. It’s all because of the league’s landmark 2024 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that went into effect last July and granted significant power to the players.

January 26, 2025

USWNT veteran Becky Sauerbrunn retires from professional soccer

⚽

USWNT veteran defender and former captain Becky Sauerbrunn is retiring from pro soccer, effective immediately, she announced yesterday. To celebrate the queen of consistent defense, here’s a look at her legendary career by the numbers. Not not crying.

December 18, 2024

Saudi Arabia awarded 2034 FIFA men’s World Cup despite history of human rights abuses

⚽

While trying to distance themselves from a reputation of bribery and corruption, international soccer’s governing body FIFA is once again drawing significant flack after a controversial decision regarding the 2034 men’s World Cup (WC) tournament. Let’s dive in.

December 13, 2024

USWNT veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher retires from international play

⚽

The No. 1 USWNT is back in the spotlight this week, gearing up for Saturday’s friendly against No. 2 England. But ahead of the first leg of the Americans’ Euro tour, veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher announced her upcoming retirement from the international game. *sobs*

November 27, 2024

No. 1 seed Orlando Pride clinch first NWSL Championship

⚽

As you read, the No. 1 seed Orlando Pride won their first-ever NWSL Championship on Saturday, topping the No. 2 seed Washington Spirit 1–0 in the final — a perfect ending to their near-perfect season.

November 25, 2024

Sports News

No. 1 seed Orlando Pride and No. 2 seed Washington Spirit compete for 2024 NWSL Championship

⚽

November 22, 2024

It all comes down to this: the No. 1 seed Orlando Pride face the No. 2 Washington Spirit for the NWSL Championship tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, just one year after both squads missed out on the postseason entirely. Before the opening whistle blows at CPKC Stadium, here’s how these teams stack up in the quest for the Tiffany trophy.

Read Full Story

The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #447

Eat chalk: How every No. 1 seed made it to the men’s Final Four

April 01, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Eat chalk: How every No. 1 seed made it to the men’s Final Four

March Madness, meet April reality check.

Sorry, Cinderella — this year, the men’s March Madness tourney is straight chalk, with all four top seeds advancing to the Final Four after last weekend’s Elite Eight showdowns. But how did we really get here? On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss how the transfer portal and NIL created a Final Four chalkfest. May the best teams win.

This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart business buying. Amazon Business offers a one-stop shop for all of your business needs, helping companies of all shapes and sizes simplify their purchasing process. Learn more by checking out business.amazon.com today.