Emily Olsen
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emilytholsen.bsky.social
Emily Olsen
@emilytholsen.bsky.social
3.1K followers 230 following 12 posts
Head of Global Women’s Soccer The Athletic | Before: USA TODAY Sports and SiriusXM FC
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Reposted by Emily Olsen
theathletic.com
Crystal Dunn is one of the most versatile players in American soccer history. Her career will, and should, be remembered as such.

Her retirement at 33 should also serve as a reminder of those who failed her.

✍️ @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
February 5, 2026 at 1:10 PM
emilytholsen.bsky.social
As my D.C. journo colleagues/friends have pointed out, Trinity Rodman's record deal wouldn't have happened without the Spirit community.

While sports continue to be dictated by balance sheets, it's a nice reminder of where women's soccer's soul lies. @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Trinity Rodman could have left the NWSL. The Spirit made it impossible to leave
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
theolloydhughes.bsky.social
"I can assure you...this is one of the most significant deals in the history of Paraguayan women’s football."

🇵🇾 NEW: I spoke to the president of Club Olimpia in Paraguay to get the latest on Claudia Martinez's imminent move to #NWSL.

📝 @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Washington Spirit finalizing deal for Claudia Martinez, says Club Olimpia president
“The conversations are very advanced. We are currently in the contract-drafting stage,” Rodrigo Nogués told The Athletic.
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
meglinehan.com
“It will be even more special and full circle going back to Portland with my daughter.”

Sophia Wilson is officially back with the Thorns for 2026. I spoke with her in an exclusive for @theathletic.com on her decision to stay in Portland, a place she calls home.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
USWNT’s Sophia Wilson returns home to Portland for 2026 season: ‘I miss playing in Providence Park’
The U.S. forward said the comfort of returning to Portland is what she needed following the birth of her daughter.
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
realbachscore.bsky.social
💰 FIFA released 2026 World Cup prize money amounts, which is relevant to the USWNT.

Why? Because it and the USMNT agreed in their current CBA to share all their World Cup prize money:
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
meglinehan.com
"Guys. I was a Marine, okay? I got 200 people out of Afghanistan to Australia. I know a thing or two about visas and immigration."

— Haley Carter, with a smile, responding to a question on the Spirit's roster construction and the number of international players from @ellabrockway.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
theathletic.com
BREAKING: The NWSL is awarding its 17th franchise to Atlanta and will join the league for a record expansion fee of $165 million, sources tell The Athletic.

Details: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
jasondcsoccer.bsky.social
INBOX: @nwslplayers.bsky.social statement "condemning attacks on players."
Screencap of text that reads as follows: Asheville, N.C. - Today, NWSL Players Association Issues Statement Condemning Attacks on Players: "We stand firmly with all our members - including, and especially, the African women who have been targeted by divisive and demeaning rhetoric. Every NWSL Player was assigned female at birth. Every NWSL Player has earned her place in the women’s game, and those whose eligibility is being questioned have already competed on the world’s biggest stages: the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup. Our league is better because they play in it. The NWSL Players Association’s strength has always been its clarity of purpose: to confront the real threats to women in sport - underinvestment, lack of media attention, abuse, exploitation, and the constant pressure to look or behave a certain way. We know how to meet the challenges we face as a collective, and we reject any effort to undermine our shared strength. This week should be about what’s happening on the field - the start of the NWSL Playoffs, as Orlando faces Seattle on Friday night at 8pm on Amazon Prime - not about those exploiting manufactured controversies for attention and financial gain. If you want to keep women’s sports safe, invest in the women who make them possible - their dignity, their rights, and their joy."
November 4, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
jeffkassouf.bsky.social
Trinity Rodman injury update per Washington Spirit head coach Adrian Gonzalez. #USWNT #NWSL

MCL sprain, no timetable on return. Gonzalez: “We are going to take this day by day. Every player is completely different.”
“The results that we got are the best scenario. Obviously, an injury is not always a good situation. It’s not as bad as it could be. She’s starting now the rehab. She has an MCL sprain. It’s not too big, too much, but we need to see how she’s doing today, start the rehab today, and try to support her in this situation.”
October 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
emilytholsen.bsky.social
An update on Trinity Rodman's injury:

The USWNT and Spirit forward's initial scans on Thursday showed a positive long-term prognosis, according to sources.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Trinity Rodman to miss USWNT camp with injury, hopeful for return before end of NWSL season
Rodman is set for a three-week rehabilitation process before a reevaluation of the right knee injury
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
meganferinga.bsky.social
Jess Park is very good at football. Apparently the only way to stop her is by kicking a football into her face, That’s after coming off the bench + scoring two goals. Given the freedom to invert, to carry the ball, to roam, Park is thriving. Man Utd are better for it. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
Jess Park’s sparkling cameo proves she is already integral to Manchester United
The brace against Everton from the bench was emblematic of Park’s transformation into one of the league’s most valuable attacking threats
www.nytimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
theathletic.com
NEWS: Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Angel City to sign United States international Alyssa Thompson, sources tell The Athletic.

The Women's Super League club will pay just under £1 million for Thompson, who has already agreed a five-year contract.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
September 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
nytimes.com
From @theathletic.com: Alex Morgan is one of the most financially successful women’s soccer players - and it all began with a simple pink headband. nyti.ms/3JL9YFa
A photo of Alex Morgan in a USA soccer jersey and a thin pink headband. A quote from John Cayer, the president of Mueller Sports, about Morgan’s signature pink headband: “She set a trend, a trend that’s continued until now.”
September 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
theathletic.com
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman threatened to fine the Kansas City Current after a disagreement over extreme heat procedures that delayed a match against Orlando Pride roughly three and a half hours, sources told The Athletic.
August 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
theathletic.com
NEWS: OL Lyonnes have expressed serious interest in 18-year-old Ajax and U.S. women’s national team midfielder Lily Yohannes, according to multiple sources.

More details: www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
June 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
emilytholsen.bsky.social
Get aboard because we aren’t standing still for long.

Welcome to The Athletic’s women’s soccer team @aslipelit.bsky.social and @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social

@theathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...
Meet our new global women’s soccer team: Welcome Asli Pelit Basker and Tamerra Griffin
The Athletic's women's soccer team is expanding. Meet our two new writers
www.nytimes.com
March 31, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Emily Olsen
artbutmakeitsports.bsky.social
Virgin Mary, Vietnamese Catholic Martyrs Church in Sacramento, 2005, 📸 via @PFTCommenter
January 13, 2025 at 2:22 AM
emilytholsen.bsky.social
I guess I'm officially on here now. Excited to share that I'm moving into the role of Head of Global Women's Soccer at @theathletic.bsky.social.

I'll spare you the corporate speak, but I look forward to growing our coverage and community alike. www.nytco.com/press/promot...
Promotions for Meg Linehan and Emily Olsen | The New York Times Company
www.nytco.com
December 18, 2024 at 11:42 PM