On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Saturday's match at Wrigley Field between the host Chicago Red Stars and Bay FC set a league attendance record.
The announced crowd of 35,038 fans broke the previous NWSL mark of 34,130, set when Megan Rapinoe played her final home match for the Seattle Reign in October 2023.
"On behalf of the Red Stars, I would like to thank all fans and every person who helped us welcome this record-breaking crowd to Wrigley Field," Chicago Red Stars president Karen Leetzow said.
"Chicago has truly shown the country what's possible when we level the playing field with a centrally located stadium that is easy to access, and give these world-class athletes the support they deserve. Our club could not be prouder to call Chicago home tonight.
"This historic match is not just momentous for the Red Stars, but for the NWSL and the future of women's professional soccer. Tonight, Chicago proved once again that fans are hungry to witness the intense level of competition that exists on the pitch every week in the NWSL and around the world."
Bay FC defeated the Red Stars 2-1 in the first professional women's sporting event in 80 years at Chicago's historic ballpark, home of the Cubs.
The Red Stars draw only 4,848 fans per match at their normal home venue in Bridgeview, Ill., the lowest average in the league.
More must-reads:
- Red Stars Lose 2-1 to Bay FC at Wrigley Field, Break NWSL Attendance Record
- Three takeaways from new USWNT coach Emma Hayes' first games
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
'Medical will take place on Friday' – Fabrizio Romano confirms Chelsea deal for 'teenage sensation'
Rodrigo De Paul's Inter Miami Move Ignites Controversy Over MLS Rulebook
Inter Miami seems closer than ever in its pursuit of Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. The Atletico Madrid star has been on the team's radar for a while, and the ongoing transfer window could see the club finally get their man. According to reports, the club have already reached an agreement with the player over a 4-year contract that will see him reunite alongside fellow Argentine and best friend Lionel Messi. The Herons have reportedly tabled a $15 million offer for De Paul to Atletico and are confident of finalising the deal in the coming weeks. While De Paul's addition is sure to benefit Inter Miami, some experts have used the transfer as an opportunity to raise concerns over Major League Soccer's existing salary cap and contract rules. Gomez labels Major League Soccer rules stupid Former USMNT legend Herculez Gomez touched down on Inter Miami's potential signing of Rodrigo De Paul in his latest appearance on ESPN Futbol Americas. Gomez while discussing the transfer claimed, Major League Soccer needs to change with growing times and a change in their rules could allow other teams to witness similar success like Inter Miami. Gomez stated, "This is a team that has been publicly punished for breaking laws by Major League Soccer. Now, I'm not saying that they are breaking laws. I'm saying allow teams to spend. Allow these teams to get better. Remove some of these stupid mechanisms. We saw what Inter Miami was before the World Cup and now they have surprised all of us." The former American star isn't the first person to question Major League Soccer's strict financial rules. Many experts believe the league needs to be more lenient with their wage cap and salary rules in an attempt to help the league grow similar to some of the top leagues in the world. While the financial regulations to bring an even contest on the field, attracting top players to this side of the world needs a hefty paycheck. With Lionel Messi currently standing tall as the face of the league, this could be the perfect oppurtunity for the organisers to draw other top names to America to ensure maintaining the league's popularity.
Biggest impact of Josh Naylor trade may still be to come
While the Seattle Mariners landed an impact bat on Thursday night, their trade for Josh Naylor has also likely impacted the entire upcoming MLB trade deadline. On Thursday, Seattle sent a pair of top pitching prospects to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Naylor, with left-hander Brandyn Garcia (ranked as Seattle's 13th-best prospect by MLB.com) and right-hander Ashton Izzi (ranked as Seattle's 16th-best prospect by the same rankings) heading to the desert. Knowing what the Diamondbacks received in exchange for Naylor could well set the market for what is to come between now and the conclusion of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. (Eastern) on July 31. The 28-year-old first baseman was ranked by The Athletic as the 17th-best trade candidate likely to be available, but ranked behind just one other first baseman (Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn, who was slotted in at 16th). If Naylor brought in a pair of pitching prospects, including Garcia, who has appeared in two games this season for Seattle, the Diamondbacks could be salivating over what third baseman Eugenio Suarez and his 36 home runs could bring in return. All MLB teams who will be buying or selling at this year's trade deadline have had the first price bar set for them with the Naylor deal. Now it will be fascinating to see what comes next, especially knowing that Naylor will be a free agent at the end of this season. If Seattle gave up two pitching prospects for a player who could be a late-season rental only, imagine what the Minnesota Twins may be able to recoup for starting pitcher Joe Ryan (under team control through the 2027 season) or the Boston Red Sox might get back for outfielder Jarren Duran, who won't be a free agent until the 2029 campaign. While Naylor may not be the biggest move to come during this span before the trade deadline comes to a close, his deal could be the one that establishes selling prices for the trades that are to come. With so few MLB teams expected to be outright sellers, the price for available talent was expected to be high. We learned on Thursday night with the Naylor swap just how high those prices may go.
Dodgers Predicted to Acquire $4.175 Million All-Star, Gold Glove Outfielder in Blockbuster Trade
If any team around the league is set to strike a blockbuster deal ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, it's the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the defending champions are expected to make a splash this summer, there's uncertainty as to where LA will look to upgrade the roster. The Dodgers could quite frankly use additions in several areas of the roster, including the bullpen, starting rotation, and lineup. Tanner Scott's ongoing struggles has stirred speculation that the front office will add a reliever this summer. Additionally, Scott and Michael Kopech are both injured, which leaves the bullpen short two high-leverage arms. Beyond the bullpen, the Dodgers are still missing two staples of their rotation in Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki. However, both pitchers appear to be headed for a return to the team down the stretch. Therefore, ESPN insider David Schoenfield believes the Dodgers will look to acquire an outfielder and a leadoff hitter in Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians. "The reasoning here: Michael Conforto just hasn't worked out," Schoenfield writes. "The Dodgers have given him 300 plate appearances and he's hitting under .200, plus he's not a good left fielder. They could also use a leadoff hitter. They just moved Mookie Betts there in front of Shohei Ohtani, looking to get Betts going, but Betts just hasn't been an offensive force in 2025 and shouldn't be hitting at the top of a lineup right now. Kwan would fix both issues and give them a nice OBP guy in front of Ohtani while providing a major defensive upgrade." While the Dodgers have been linked to Kwan, it remains to be seen whether the Guardians are willing to part ways with the Gold Glover. ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel gave just a 20 percent chance that Kwan would be traded. The All-Star outfielder is under team control through 2027, and is due $4.1 million this season. The Dodgers could send a large haul of prospects to Cleveland, as the organization has one of the best farm systems in MLB. However, the Dodgers are reportedly unwilling to move top prospects such as Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland.
Raiders have whiffed on every recent major free-agent signing
The Las Vegas Raiders released defensive lineman Christian Wilkins on Thursday over a dispute regarding his recovery from a foot injury. The move comes just one year after he signed a massive four-year, $110M contract in free agency. Even worse, It continues what has been a disturbing trend of the Raiders completely whiffing on every major free-agent signing they have made since relocating from Oakland to Las Vegas prior to the 2020 season. Of the four highest-paid outside free agents they have made in the five years since that move, only one of them played more than one season with the Raiders before being let go, and none of them played more than two seasons. There is always a risk with free agency because you never truly know how a player is going to fit onto a new team, into a new system and how they will play until they actually put on the pads and start doing it. It's not uncommon for some of those big moves to end in disappointment. The concern for the Raiders is that all of their recent big moves have ended in disappointment, and it's a big part of why the team has had just one winning seasons over the past five seasons. Las Vegas mostly stayed out of the big-ticket free agent game this offseason, but still made some significant moves to change the organization. Along with hiring head coach Pete Carroll, they also acquired quarterback Geno Smith to provide some stability at a position that has been a consistent mess over the past few years. Carroll and the Raiders have big expectations this season, but the roster still has a lot of holes. The release of Wilkins on Thursday only adds another one that they may not have been expecting.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
