Where the pitch meets the runway ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Edition #46 • Mar 08, 2026

TOGETHER WITH

Happy International Women's Day!

Welcome to The Group Chat, where sports and culture meet and mingle.

The NWSL has a major opportunity: With the FIFA men's World Cup taking place on North American soil this summer, soccer is about to have a moment this side of the Atlantic.The league aims to leverage its considerable momentum and stake a claim in mainstream sports culture.

Already popular among football diehards, the NWSL is working overtime to attract new fans and refine its cultural identity. Draw them in with talent, pizazz, and personality, then make them a fan of the game for life — a familiar women's sports playbook.
As we wait for the league's 13th season to kick off on Friday (March 13th, BTW), we're chatting about the NWSL players using fashion, in particular, to propel the league into its iconic era. Let's kick it.

The NWSL Stakes Its Claim

We'd be remiss not to mention the WNBA when it comes to player fashion and league identity — tunnel 'fits and couture crossovers are central to the W's image. Now, NWSL players are getting in the game, too, helping the league become a fashion hot spot while they're at it.

That said, the league's tunnel 'fit evolution is a bit hamstrung by, well, lack of tunnels — many teams' stadiums don't have the built-in runway of basketball arenas. But league and team socials spotlight players' arrival looks with Drip Checks every chance they get.

The NWSL's emphasis on fashion helps distinguish it from other leagues in a cutthroat international soccer market. Tunnel 'fits aren't as much of a thing for the Chelseas and PSGs of the world — the NWSL's fashionable reputation sets it apart just as much as its trademark gritty, physical style of play on the pitch, and that can go a long way in attracting talent.

Spotlighting style brings new eyes to the game. It captures the attention of nontraditional fans whose interest is piqued by fashion content and helps devotees feel like they better know the players — historically a priority for women's sports fans.

TOGETHER WITH Nike

⚽ A must-see drip drop

Source: Nike

👀 Speaking of the NWSL and style, have you seen the league's latest kit drop? Nike truly outdid themselves with this year's release, dropping a mix of classic tributes and audacious new eye-catchers. Some superlatives:

🌱 Coolest homage: NC Courage. Not only is this blue beauty gorgeous from afar, but up close, you see the flowery designs are actually venus fly traps, which are native to North Carolina…and famously badass.
‼️ Boldest update: Washington Spirit. Nike completely reimagined the 2025 runners-up's kits, shifting from highlighter yellow to a pink-and-blue paint-splatter style that evokes the city's famous cherry blossoms.
🩷 Best details: San Diego Wave FC. Their color scheme is undefeated, and the colorful trim on the collar and sleeves is simply stunning. No notes.

Check out the entire collection, then cop your club's colors in time for next week's season start. Footy, meet fashion.

The GIST's List Your NWSL season start-er pack
	1.	The full NWSL schedule Bookmark this link so you never miss a match. The action airs across lots of different platforms, so this will be your most-visited website for the next eight months.
	2.	Soccer kit styling tips from Melissa Ortiz Your soccer style sensei.
	3.	A Meg Linehan news alert The go-to source for breaking news about the beautiful game.
	4.	Your team's 2026 kit This year's Nike collection is so fresh and so clean. The perfect way to rep your club in style.* *P.S. This is a sponsored post. Cheers.

The real driving force behind the NWSL's culture and style bonafides? The superstars who eat down every time they step out, commanding the admiration and attention of footy fans and fashionistas alike.

There's a long list of NWSL alum known for their style (see: Megan Rapinoe and Christen Press), but let's spotlight a few active players putting the league on the map in the ever-growing intersection of sports and culture.

🦇 Midge Purce, Gotham FC: Purce is the multi-hyphenate of all multi-hyphenates, and her fashion side quests are equally as impressive. From repping high-fashion labels at New York Fashion Week to walking the runway for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Show and the red carpet at the ESPYs, she operates at the highest levels of sport and style.

Midge Purce poses at New York Fashion Week.

Source: @100purcent/Instagram

🌊 Croix Bethune, Kansas City Current: Bethune's 'fits are fan faves around The GIST HQ. Her style is fun and playful but detail-oriented: The accessories, jewelry, and hair are always on point. She went from the Washington Spirit to the Current in last month's blockbuster trade, so we'll be watching to see how she makes a splash in a hot new market.

Source: @croixbethune/Instagram.

🌸 Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit: One look at Rodman's announcement of her history-making contract in Harper's Bazaar and you know the NWSL's It Girl takes fashion seriously. She's the face of the league this season, and she's making it count on and off the pitch.

Source: GQ

TOGETHER WITH Nike

Source: Nike

‼️ From setting the tone to establishing identity, there's a lot riding on the two NWSL expansion teams' inaugural kits…and wow, did Nike deliver. From Denver Summit FC's nature-inspired color blocking to Boston Legacy FC's daring green look, it's a strong and stylish start for the new ~~kids~~ kits on the block.

Whether you're jumping on the expansion team bandwagon or rooting for your ride-or-die, snagging one (or two!) of these gorgeous jerseys is the most fashionable way to show your support. Kickoff can't come soon enough.

	Speaking of style…
✨ We're looking to collaborate with a queer designer on this year's Pride merch, and we want to discover talent from our community. Know a designer whose work deserves the spotlight (or is it you)? Drop their information here. Your pick could help design The GIST's next Pride drop.

⭐ Michelle Alozie, Chicago Stars FC: Alozie's looks are the stuff of legend — she consistently makes the lists of eye-catching arrival 'fits across sports, women's and men's. She's a favorite of friend of The GIST and soccer style icon Melissa Ortiz, so you know she's a must-watch this season.

Source: @alozieee/Instagram

🦇 Jaedyn Shaw, Gotham FC: Voted the league's best-dressed player of 2025, 21-year-old Shaw is the queen of Gen Z style. She works with stylists like friend of The GIST Sydney Bordonaro to create her iconic looks and has landed brand deals with the likes of E.l.f. and Coach. She knows that representation matters, and she never, ever misses.

Jaedyn Shaw wears an outfit honoring her Vietnamese heritage.

Source: CBS17.

👋 Kenza Dali, San Diego Wave: The French midfielder isn't super well-known Stateside...yet. But she is always impeccable on the 'fit front — classic French chic? Check. An homage to Michael Jordan? Check. A seemingly bottomless collection of the freshest kicks in the game? Check, check, check.

Source: @dalikenza/Instagram

	At The GIST HQ What (else) We're Loving
👏 Cheering: Along with these multi-sport athletes. 📺 Gossiping: About Ohio's spiciest singles. 👟 Enjoying: That sh!t. 🚶 Getting: Those steps in thanks to our new office obsession.