Manchester City are enjoying their return after the international break, but could be set to allow a Pep Guardiola signing to leave the club despite the player in question only joining mere months ago.

Manchester City summer signings make instant impact

The transfer window has been and gone, leaving Manchester City hopeful they can start to build momentum as they look to reclaim the Premier League title from Liverpool.

Last weekend’s resounding victory over Manchester United will have restored belief after back-to-back top-flight defeats, and the introduction of Gianluigi Donnarumma to the fold has certainly provided an elevated level of assurance within the Citizens’ backline.

Impressing with his gigantic figure between the sticks, Peter Schmeichel admitted to Premier League Productions that he even tried to convince the Manchester City stopper to move to Old Trafford before his transfer to the blue side of the city materialised.

He said, detailing a previous encounter when he was at Paris Saint-Germain: “I asked my first question and he started to answer in Italian, and I had no clue! Over the last season I kept saying to him, ‘We want you at Man United.

“I did. So I went to him, ‘What are you doing here? You should be in the other goal (for United),’ but he said, ‘I’m very, very happy here.’ He showed it, he gave it to the team today, didn’t he.”

Man City plan offer to sign £87m star who Pep thinks can be key with Foden

The Citizens are looking to make a statement in the January window.

BySean Markus Clifford Sep 12, 2025

Little did Schmeichel know that Donnarumma would immediately be installed as Guardiola’s number one, but there are always ramifications that come with new signings being made.

Now, the Citizens could be willing to offload one of their summer additions in a surprise move that will shock many supporters.

James Trafford could make Man City loan exit

According to TBR, Man City could allow James Trafford to leave on loan in January to help keep his hopes of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad alive, given Donnarumma has become Guardiola’s preferred stopper.

The £50,000 per week earner has fallen down the pecking order, something that is further complicated by Stefan Ortega remaining at the club, and he could be permitted a temporary exit after joining for £27 million from Burnley.

Trafford, who himself is open to a loan move away, has started three of Manchester City’s opening four Premier League matches, keeping a clean sheet against Wolverhampton Wanderers, followed by less convincing performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Nevertheless, he is a fine talent who also courted attention from Newcastle United during the summer before settling on a move back to the club where it all started.

Now, he needs minutes to keep his hopes of being under contention with England alive, and he is unlikely to be short of suitors once the January window opens.

Liverpool have become the cream of the crop in the Premier League and may look to put their status to good use as they battle to land a talented midfield operator.

Liverpool signing Alexander Isak speaks out on move

Without a doubt, Alexander Isak’s £125 million move to Liverpool from Newcastle United became the story of the transfer window, albeit opinions differed on the way he handed the situation.

In the end, the Sweden international made the move to Anfield and may be in contention for a debut this weekend against Burnley as the Premier League table begins to take shape.

Speaking about his decision to leave the North East, Isak made it clear that not everyone has the correct picture of how his departure unfolded across the summer.

He explained via Swedish media: “It’s clear that not everyone has the whole picture, but that’s something for another day. That’s part of football.

“I can’t control everything that is said or written but I’m glad I became a Liverpool player. That’s what I wanted and I’m happy about that. There is a lot to discuss, and it can be discussed for a long time. It has been educational, and I’m happy with the final result.”

Despite spending over £400 million during the summer, Liverpool still have plenty of capital left to play with before PSR threatens their capacity to invest, signifying that January could be a big month for Arne Slot.

With that in mind, it will come as no surprise to hear the Reds are now leading the race to sign an energetic midfielder who could add another dimension to their engine room.

Liverpool leading race to sign Angelo Stiller

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are leading the race to sign Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller alongside Arsenal and could look to make a move for the Germany international, given he will have a £34.6 million release clause in his contract in 2026.

Intriguingly, his current employers may be able to buy out the stipulation for a fee of £1.7 million, something that could force the Reds, and the Gunners, into a rethink.

The Reds see Stiller ‘as a long-term addition to their hard working engine room, with his versatility and ball-playing ability aligning with their high-pressing philosophy’.

Liverpool struck gold on star whose value has risen £35m since Klopp left

Arne Slot has turned this player into one of Liverpool’s key men.

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Labelled a “breakout star” by Ben Mattinson, the 24-year-old lived up to that description last term, registering an impressive four goals and 11 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions.

Per Fotmob, Stiller has continued his excellent form in the Bundesliga circa 2025/26, retaining a pass accuracy of 93.3% and reaching his intended target 153 times.

Ryan Gravenberch has been a fantastic asset to Liverpool, but competition for places in a side looking to claim major honours is something that cannot be understated.

The Reds may have to wait to land Stiller, though there is no doubt he would be a shrewd signing at Anfield.

In the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, Royals tried just five bowlers against Titans, and no one apart from Jofra Archer made a mark

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-20252:07

Jaffer: Quality of RR’s squad after auction is questionable

Getting the team balance right has been a concern for Rajasthan Royals (RR) from the start of IPL 2025. Against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Wednesday night, the problem was that they didn’t give themselves a proper sixth bowling option. Or, at any rate, they didn’t throw the ball to the part-timers, Riyan Parag among them, despite Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma proving expensive, going at well over ten an over. RR “had to have a sixth bowling option,” Sanjay Bangar said after watching GT put up 217 for 6 and run out 58-run victors.”A wonderful wicket to bat on and the ball was coming on nicely. There was a little bit of pace and bounce which Jofra [Archer] exploited really well – [he was] the standout bowler,” Bangar said on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut show. “But apart from him, just felt that Rajasthan Royals had to have a sixth bowling option to take a little bit of pressure away from the other bowlers. In such batting-friendly conditions, you certainly felt they were under the pump.”RR were without Wanindu Hasaranga for the game after he opted out owing to personal reasons. That was a blow, though his replacement, Fazalhaq Farooqi, went at 9.50, not bad in the circumstances. Archer was the most economical, at 7.50, despite bowling the 18th over. Crucially, no wickets fell between 2.1 and 9.6, that’s almost seven overs, and then again for 5.4 overs after that.Related

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Samson fined INR 24 lakh for RR's second over-rate offence

“I think they missed Hasaranga, somebody who could take wickets in the middle overs,” Wasim Jaffer said. “Theekshana, even though he took a couple of wickets [2 for 54], didn’t look like [he was] putting any pressure. He and Tushar [2 for 53] went for 50-plus, that cost them more than 100 runs in those eight overs.”If RR failed to get more wickets in the middle overs, the platform set as a result meant GT could go big at the end – they got 18, 13, 11, 14 and 16 in the last five.”We could have, maybe, given about 20 runs less, but I think they batted well. They had better partnerships than what we did. That’s why they got a total which was big,” Sairaj Bahutule, RR’s spin-bowling coach, said at the press conference. “T20 is a format where sometimes the execution doesn’t go the way you want it to. Obviously they had plans, but the execution didn’t happen the way they wanted.”The last few overs, the death overs, we could have done a bit better.”After RR’s second game of the season, there were questions around the wisdom of playing with exactly six batters despite the Impact Player rule. Parag was the captain then, and Sanju Samson was restricted as a batter because of his finger injury. After their last game, the win over Punjab Kings (PBKS), though, it seemed like, with all systems go, they were getting close to the perfect combination.1:10

Bangar: Royals missed a sixth bowling option

That, curiously, is something GT aren’t even after. For them, flexibility is everything. “No one has a role,” assistant coach Parthiv Patel said, and anything can happen depending on how the pitch and other conditions look.”For our team, it’s about knowing the situation, understanding the conditions, and we felt we might need a fourth seamer in the second innings [so Kulwant Khejroliya came in as Impact Sub],” Parthiv said. “We are flexible as a team. We react to the conditions we see in front of us.”And then comes the execution.”Especially on a wicket like this, I thought every bowler came in and executed their plans really well. Obviously [Mohammed] Siraj is bowling really well; Prasidh Krishna has been phenomenal throughout the tournament; [R] Sai Kishore is probably the best spinner in this tournament, the way he has been bowling, how brave he is, bowling in difficult conditions.3:43

How can Rajasthan Royals get their team balance right?

“So after every game, you see a different bowler stepping up. Bowlers win you games. Obviously batters set it up.”Which didn’t happen for RR. Though, on the bright side, Archer has continued to sparkle after a terrible start to the tournament.”T20 is a game where you’re bound to make mistakes, and [if you] minimise your mistakes, you’ll be in a better position,” Bahutule said. “After that first game, he worked hand in hand with Shane Bond [the fast-bowling coach] and understood a few aspects about his bowling, and the way he has got back is purely due to his understanding of where he needs to improve, where are the areas, the lengths, the lines he needs to get better [at].”He’s a world-class bowler and obviously understood his areas of concern and he rectified it and he’s bowling in the best rhythm we have seen him.”

Fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has earned a maiden Test call-up while Taskin Ahmed’s injury has forced him out of the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe in Sylhet from April 20. Taskin is rehabilitating for a left Achilles tendon issue, with Tanzim getting in as a like-for-like replacement.The BCB has also given a break to Litton Das to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He is part of Karachi Kings in the league which begins on April 11.Taskin and Litton were part of the two-Test series against West Indies, which was Bangladesh’s last Test assignment in late November 2024. Those returning to the side include regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the Tests against West Indies due to injuries.Offspinner Nayeem Hasan is also in the 15-member squad, apart from fast bowlers Khaled Ahmed and Tanzim. There was, however, no place for Shahadat Hossain and Shoriful Islam, who featured in the West Indies Tests, as well as Hasan Murad.”We have formed the Test team with our best possible players,” chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said. “We are returning to Tests after four months. We have Tests against Sri Lanka in June and we haven’t really done that well in home Tests in the last 12 months. This is why we are refraining from experimenting in this Test series.”Taskin Ahmed is currently rehabilitating for a left Achilles tendon issue•Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh are also monitoring Ebadot Hossain’s progress, who has returned to competitive cricket this season after a long injury layoff.”Tanzim has shown promise in the white-ball sides,” Ashraf said. “He has shown hunger and ability to take wickets. He has earned his place in the side. We are still observing Ebadot Hossain. We have a lot of cricket coming up, so those who are missing out from the first Test, have no reason to worry.”The Bangladesh side will undertake a ten-day training camp in Sylhet ahead of the first Test. Zimbabwe are slated to arrive in the country on April 15.

Bangladesh’s squad for first Test against Zimbabwe

Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a reunion with former fan favourite Cristiano Ronaldo. The Red Devils have been left with a £100 million ($135m) financial hole to fill after missing out on European qualification for 2025-26. It has been suggested that glamorous midweek friendlies could be arranged in a bid to raise much-needed funds, with one of those potentially seeing Ruben Amorim’s side line up against Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.

GettyRonaldo left Man Utd in 2022 & now plays in Saudi Pro League

Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, who has taken in two spells at Old Trafford over the course of his record-shattering career, is among those to represent Al-Nassr. The evergreen 40-year-old has committed to a new two-year contract in the Middle East that will take him beyond his 42nd birthday.

Ronaldo last severed ties with United in November 2022 when seeing his contract torn up. A falling out with then Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag led to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner becoming a free agent. He will, however, always be held in high regard by United supporters after helping them to Premier League and Champions League titles during Sir Alex Ferguson’s iconic reign.

AdvertisementNo documentary but glamour friendlies planned

It could be that his path crosses with the Red Devils again during the 2025-26 campaign. According to , Al-Nassr are one of the friendly opponents being considered by United. It is claimed that the Premier League giants are “holding early-stage talks with stakeholders while looking into possible dates and opponents”. Amorim’s side have plenty of gaps in their schedule having also suffered a humbling Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby.

Failure to qualify for Europe has cost United around £100m, while co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sees £750m ($1bn) worth of debt weighing heavy on the Red Devils. It is reported that the opportunity to take part in a money-spinning “fly-on-the-wall documentary”, which “could have earned them millions” has been shunned. Alternative ways to make money are now being explored.

Getty ImagesRatcliffe on trying to get Man Utd back on track

Ratcliffe has previously told of efforts to steady United’s ship on and off the field, with a long-term project being overseen in Manchester: “I didn't expect it to be a walk in the park. It's quite tough sometimes reading the press, obviously. But in a way I'd rather the press had a go at me than Ruben the coach. You know I suppose I've stood out there and said 'we can make Manchester United great again' so people are entitled to their opinions. In my view are on the trajectory I thought we would be on. We are in the process of change at the moment.

“We put a new management team in place. We didn't get that all right at the beginning, obviously. But today I think we have a really good management team in place. We are dealing with the financial issues in the club, because the club has got financial issues and we need to address those. Then we need to move on to the squad, recruitment, data analysis and those types of things. So we are on the path we anticipated we would be on.”

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Ronaldo & warm weather training: Man Utd's plan

The Sun has previously reported on how the likes of AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Lazio and Sevilla – four other leading clubs that have no European football on their agenda this season – have been sounded out regarding potential friendly dates. The plan is for said contests to take place in surroundings that would allow for warm weather training to be taken in – while Amorim and Co also work on building stronger bonds between underperforming players.

Saudi Arabia would fit the bill for United, especially if Ronaldo is involved. There would be plenty of interest in a meeting between the Portuguese GOAT and his former employers. United now need to determine whether a suitable date on their calendar can be found, with Al-Nassr also having to agree to a fixture that would be worked into a packed schedule that already sees them chasing down major honours in domestic and continental competition.

Manchester United once had a Zinedine Zidane-esque midfielder, who legendary Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes compared to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard.

Man Utd looking to sign new midfielder in January

After missing out on a new central midfielder during the 2025 summer transfer window, Man United have set their sights on signing one in January, and a number of potential targets have already been identified.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Carlos Baleba

Brighton

£115m

Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace

£50m+

Conor Gallagher

Atletico Madrid

£45m

Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest

Unknown

There are clear indications that Ruben Amorim needs to bolster his options in the engine room, with Scholes suggesting Bruno Fernandes isn’t cut out to be a central midfielder, while also singling Casemiro out for criticism.

The 50-year-old said: “Fernandes [and Casemiro], they’re the two he’s [Amorim] going with, and Fernandes for me, he’s someone who fills in as a midfielder, he might get away with it for one, two or three games. He’s not got the discipline to be a central midfield player.”

“Bringing two No.10s (Cunha and Mbeumo) was that really necessary? You think you’ve got Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo can do that.”

Related Man Utd now eyeing January move for "unbelievable" £47m Baleba alternative

The Red Devils are looking to sign a central midfielder, who could be perfect for Ruben Amorim.

Posts 1 ByDominic Lund Sep 10, 2025

Having arguably gotten their priorities wrong in the summer, United look poised to make a move for a new central midfielder this winter, and they will be hoping the new signing can eclipse Paul Pogba’s achievements, with the Frenchman leaving on a free back in 2022.

Pogba’s career at United didn’t pan out the way anyone was hoping, but he received extremely high praise not long after returning to Old Trafford, with Gianluigi Buffon saying:

Scholes was also a keen admirer of the central midfielder, saying:

Pogba had the talent to be an all-time great

The 32-year-old’s time at Old Trafford was by no means a complete failure, having won two EFL Cups and the 2016-17 Europa League, but there is no doubt that the midfielder didn’t manage to hit the heights expected of him.

Given how highly the 91-time France international was rated by Scholes and Buffon, he had the ability to become an all-time great for Man United, but things didn’t work out that way, arguably due to his attitude, which Graeme Souness regularly criticised.

Souness said: “Paul Pogba plays for himself, it’s all about how cool he looks, showing us how clever he is. I reckon Pogba’s only in the team to maintain his transfer value until United can sell him, because he doesn’t merit his place for any other reason.”

With Pogba’s doping ban over, the former United man arguably has one last chance to get his career back on track, having now signed for AS Monaco on a two-year deal.

Tottenham Hotspur’s final signing of the summer transfer window, striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG, is poised to make his imminent Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday.

The Frenchman’s versatility will be invaluable for Thomas Frank, with Kolo Muani able to play on both the right and left-hand side, though it appears he’ll most likely be used as an alternative to centre-forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

The latter didn’t play in Spurs’ 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth prior to the international break due to a niggling ankle problem, and while Frank suggested that Solanke could be back this weekend, it is definitely wise to have another option up top considering Richarlison’s fitness issues last season.

Kolo Muani has played the vast majority of his 269 total senior appearances as a striker, and there is reason for supporters to be excited by his arrival.

During his best-ever campaign to date in 2022/2023, the 26-year-old racked up an impressive 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, and this stellar form earned him a £76.4 million move to Ligue 1 heavyweights PSG.

While it hasn’t worked out for him in the French capital, Kolo Muani’s head-turning loan move to Juventus last term, where he managed 10 goals and three assists in 22 outings, showcases a player of serious attacking quality.

On the international stage, Kolo Muani has always maintained the faith of Didier Deschamps, even amidst his PSG exile, with the forward bagging semi-final goals against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and Spain in Euro 2024.

The former Nantes sensation has also been a long-time target for the Lilywhites. Tottenham attempted to agree a deal for Kolo Muani in January before his switch to Juve, and ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was personally pushing for him in the winter, according to club insider Paul O’Keefe.

Now, the Spurs recruitment team have got their man, but unfortunately for Frank, there is no option to buy Kolo Muani at the end of his loan spell if he manages to pull up trees in north London.

This is seen as quite an ‘un-Spurs like’ condition of the Kolo Muani deal, and pundit John Wenham has fired a warning to Tottenham over agreeing to a straight loan.

Tottenham sent Randal Kolo Muani warning as "frustrating" claim made

Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham says thatTottenham are taking a “risk” by just signing Kolo Muani on a dry temporary deal, calling it a “frustrating” development and explaining that other sides could outbid them next year.

While there is an argument that Tottenham face not being able to hold on to Kolo Muani, the fact he’s arrived at N17 for essentially zero cost for the entire season is still a big boost for Frank.

Spurs need strength in depth if they’re to finish in the top four and contend for major trophies, and Kolo Muani is exactly the calibre of player to help them do this.

First half into IPL 2025, GT have won five out of seven games, with Mohammed Siraj being among their top performers

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Apr-20254:39

Finch: Gujarat Titans are the team to beat

After winning the IPL in their first season in 2022, and then finishing as runners-up next year, Gujarat Titans (GT) finished eighth in 2024. Last year, GT were being led by Shubman Gill after Hardik Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians, and managed only five wins in 14 games. This time, Gill has led GT to as many wins in half the number of matches. Seven games into IPL 2025, GT are table-toppers with ten points.Vikram Solanki, their director of cricket, believes Gill has “lots to learn” as a captain, but that he’s growing and has been “quite brilliant”.”The connections that he’s formed with his bowling group – we saw that last year actually. He’s grown into the role from one game to the next,” Solanki said ahead of GT’s next fixture, against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Monday. “He’s sort of developing as a captain – developing his captaincy style – which is very good to see…”Related

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“He’s got quite an experienced bowling attack to lean on as well, which is obviously very helpful. But he continues to go from strength to strength as far as his captaincy is concerned.”Among the bowlers at Gill’s disposal is the quick Mohammed Siraj, who has 11 wickets in seven games this season. He is GT’s joint second-highest wicket-taker so far, and has returned to form after being dropped by India for the Champions Trophy just before the IPL. Solanki highlighted the “big influence” which Ashish Nehra, GT’s head coach, has had on Siraj.”They obviously have a very good connection, but I don’t want, for a second, to take away from all of the hard work that Siraj has done also,” Solanki said. “Of course, he has all of the support of all of the coaches, and there is no doubt that Ashish has been a big influence. But we must also acknowledge the work that Siraj has done and respect that.”Solanki said that there was “no better coach” than Nehra when it came to instilling confidence in players. But while mentioning that, he also spoke of Siraj overcoming the disappointment of missing out on the Champions Trophy, a tournament which India went on to win undefeated.”It just seems as though we’ve got a guy that has something to prove,” Solanki said of Siraj. “I’m sure he was disappointed, but he’s channelled that disappointment in working hard, and, I suppose, having a real thought about what he wants to do. He’s got a great coach in Ashish Nehra helping him as far as his performance is concerned. Long may that connection continue and long may Siraj continue to thrive.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A janela de transferências fechou e agora os clubes que disputam o Campeonato Brasileiro estão buscando jogadores livres no mercado da bola. Mas até quando vai esse prazo para os atletas atuarem no torneio nacional? O Lance! responde.

Vasco acerta retorno de Rossi, Luis Enrique cogita deixar PSG… O Dia do Mercado!

Os clubes podem inscrever jogadores no Campeonato Brasileiro até o dia 25 de agosto. Além disso, caso queiram substituir algum integrante, as equipes ainda têm até o dia 15 de setembro para trocar no máximo oito atletas.

Jogadores livres no mercado após fechamento da janela de transferências

Ou seja, apesar da janela estar fechada, a movimentação no mercado da bola não deve parar. Alguns bons jogadores estão sem clube, como o goleiro De Gea, o zagueiro Sergio Ramos, os meias Payet e Roberto Pereyra, os atacantes Adama Traoré, Aleis Sánchez, entre outros nomes.

The NWSL has granted Commissioner Jessica Berman a three-year contract extension, keeping her in charge through the 2028 season. Berman’s initial four-year deal, signed in 2022, was set to expire after the current season. The extension comes after months of deliberation among league ownership, and puts her in position to lead into new phases.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Leadership for NWSL’s next growth phase

  Berman’s extension ensures continuity at the helm of the NWSL as the league prepares for its next chapter. Since her appointment following Lisa Baird’s resignation, Berman has overseen rapid expansion, increased media revenue, and record attendance growth.

  The extension positions her to guide the league through upcoming media rights deals and the integration of new franchises, including two – Boston and Denver – set to debut in 2026.

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• Expansion and revenue growth

  Under Berman’s guidance, the NWSL has added four new franchises, with fees exceeding $215 million. Franchise valuations have soared, highlighted by Angel City’s $250 million valuation in 2024. Domestic media rights revenue has grown to approximately $60 million annually through partnerships with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and Scripps Sports, with a new streaming deal with Victory+ beginning next season.

  Average attendance rose 42 percent from 2022 to 2024, reaching a record 11,235 fans per game last year.

• NWSL eyes cultural breakthrough

  Speaking about the league’s long-term vision, Berman outlined her ambition to position the league as a defining force in American sports culture. With the 2031 horizon in mind, Berman emphasized the unique opportunity for women’s soccer to expand its influence beyond the pitch.

  “There is a huge opportunity between now and 2031,” Berman told The Athletic. “The NWSL has the benefit of being synonymous with greatness in the U.S in a global sport like soccer, which is so dominated by men and their narrative. There’s a lot we can do to penetrate the cultural zeitgeist that exists at the intersection of America and soccer.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Confidence amid challenges

  The decision to extend Berman’s contract reflects the league’s confidence in her ability to navigate the NWSL’s continued growth despite internal challenges.

  While questions remain about executive stability and competition with European leagues, Berman’s track record of expanding the league’s footprint, increasing revenue, and elevating attendance has earned her industry recognition.