The National Women’s Soccer League witnessed a surge in transfer activity as the roster freeze deadline passed on Thursday, with teams making strategic moves to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2026 postseason.
In a notable transaction, Racheal Kundananji, a key figure for Bay FC, made a surprising switch to Chicago, ranked 16th in the league. The Zambian forward, who joined Bay FC in 2024 for a record $788,000, was transferred for $700,000. Chicago’s Chief Soccer Officer, Vlatko Andonovski, praised Kundananji as a “proven goal scorer and a fierce competitor,” expressing enthusiasm about the addition to the Stars’ roster.
Late-Season Transfers Shake Up Contenders
Meanwhile, Boston, currently 13th in the standings, bolstered their attacking options by acquiring forward Gift Monday from the third-ranked Washington. The deal involved a transfer fee of $500,000 allocated through the league’s transfer threshold funds, signaling Boston’s intent to enhance their offensive threat as the season progresses.
Adding to the reshuffle, Spanish defender Leila Ouahabi made a swift move from Chicago to the league leaders, Gotham, only months after signing with the Stars in June. This transfer underscores the dynamic nature of roster adjustments in the final stages before the postseason roster lock.