The 2026–27 Women’s Super League has opened with defending champions Manchester City in front, Chelsea and a surprising Tottenham chasing, and Alexia Putellas now playing her club soccer in London. For young players, the best part is not the table: it is the chance to watch elite players solve problems with skill, and then take those ideas to the backyard or the practice field.
The 2026–27 WSL Season So Far
This is a bigger league than before. The WSL expanded from 12 to 14 teams this season, so each club now plays 26 matches between the opening weekend of September 4, 2026 and the final day on May 22, 2027. Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic came up from WSL 2, according to this season guide published by Yahoo Sports.
Manchester City enter as champions. Last season they won their first league title since 2016 under first-year head coach Andree Jeglertz, ending Chelsea’s run of six straight titles, as Just Women’s Sports reported. City have started the defense perfectly, winning all four September league games against Birmingham, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Charlton.
The biggest result of the opening month came on September 27, when Chelsea beat Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. That win ended Arsenal’s 20-game unbeaten run in the league and left them seven points off the pace after four games. Tottenham have been the early surprise: unbeaten through four matches, second in the table and the league’s top scorers with 15 goals in September. All of this is as of early October 2026, with a long season still ahead.
Players to Watch, and the Skills Behind Their Success
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw (Manchester City)
Shaw led the league with four goals in September and is chasing a fourth straight Golden Boot, according to Manchester City. What makes her worth studying is variety. Against Aston Villa she set up Mary Fowler for one goal and then scored late with what reports described as a deft dink over the goalkeeper. A tall, powerful striker who also finishes with soft touches shows young forwards that there is more than one way to score.
What to watch for: how she reads the goalkeeper’s position before choosing power or placement, and how she holds off defenders with her body before turning or laying the ball off.
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
Hemp passed 200 appearances for City this season and scored twice against Liverpool in September. She is one of the best 1v1 wingers in the world: direct, quick over the first few steps and willing to attack the defender again and again. Watch her body feints and change of pace when she isolates a full back.
Alexia Putellas (London City Lionesses)
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner joined London City from Barcelona and captained them to a 2-1 win over Manchester United in her WSL debut on September 5. Afterward she spoke honestly about adapting to a new league: “It’s a physical league,” she said, adding, “The ball always moves faster than the legs so we’re going to try to improve that kind of thing.” That second line is a perfect lesson for young midfielders. Putellas plays with her head up, scans before the ball arrives and lets the pass do the running.
Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)
The American forward scored the winner against Arsenal by following up when Keira Walsh’s shot was parried, finishing from close range. It was not a highlight-reel goal, and that is the point. Great attackers expect rebounds. Young players who keep moving toward goal after a teammate shoots will score goals that others never see coming.
Signe Gaupset and Victoria Pelova (Tottenham Hotspur)
Spurs have two of the most exciting attackers in the league. Midfielder Signe Gaupset led the WSL with three assists and 18 chances created in September, and Tottenham say she became the youngest player in WSL history to create eight chances in a single match, against Aston Villa. Forward Victoria Pelova scored four goals in September, including back-to-back braces against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, mixing long-range strikes with close-range finishes.
What to watch for: Gaupset’s habit of receiving on the half-turn so she can play forward quickly, and Pelova’s timing when she arrives in the box.
Danielle van de Donk (London City Lionesses)
The Dutch midfielder scored in the debut win over Manchester United and was nominated for the WSL’s September Player of the Month. She is a great model for energetic, attacking midfield play: constant movement, quick combinations and a willingness to shoot.
Lessons for Girls and Youth Coaches
Watching a match with purpose is a skill in itself. Instead of following the ball for 90 minutes, pick one player and one theme. Here are a few ideas.
- Scan count: Watch Putellas or Gaupset for five minutes and count how often they look over their shoulder before receiving. Then try to beat that number in your next game.
- 1v1 moments: Watch Hemp every time she faces a defender. Which move does she use? Does she go inside or outside? Write it down and practice that move.
- Finishing choices: Watch Shaw’s shots. Is it power, placement or a chip? Why did she choose it?
- Follow the shot: Watch Thompson after a teammate shoots. Does she stop, or does she attack the rebound?
A 20-Minute “Watch It, Then Do It” Session
- Ball mastery warm-up (5 minutes): Each player has a ball in a grid. Practice sole rolls, inside-outside touches and quick changes of direction, keeping eyes up between touches.
- 1v1 to goal (8 minutes): Attacker starts on the wing and goes at a defender. Encourage players to use one move learned from watching a WSL winger, such as a step-over, a scissors or a body feint. For more ideas, see our guide to Coerver soccer moves to beat any opponent.
- Finish and follow (7 minutes): Two attackers against a goalkeeper. One shoots from the edge of the box, the other must sprint in for the rebound every time. Rotate roles.
This mix reflects the Coerver Coaching approach: ball mastery first, then the confidence to take players on 1v1, then applying it in game-like moments. For a related habit that helps young midfielders play like Putellas, read about playing the way you are facing, and for a look at an American star who blends creativity with work rate, see how to play like Rose Lavelle.
Why the WSL Matters for Young U.S. Players
The WSL features a growing number of Americans, including Thompson at Chelsea, and many games are easy to find online. The league also mixes styles: the power and directness of English teams, Spanish possession play brought by players like Putellas, and Scandinavian and Dutch technical midfielders. For a young player, watching a range of styles builds a bigger picture of what good soccer can look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the defending WSL champions?
Manchester City won the 2025–26 Women’s Super League, their first league title since 2016, and they won all four of their league games in September 2026.
How many teams are in the WSL in 2026–27?
Fourteen. The league expanded from 12 teams, with Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic promoted, so each club plays 26 matches.
How can young players learn from watching the WSL?
Pick one player and one skill per viewing, such as scanning, 1v1 moves or finishing choices. Take notes, then practice that skill in your next session so watching turns into improving.
Want to pull off moves like these?
Coerver Moves breaks down the 1v1 moves the world’s best players use, step by step on video, so you can practise them at home and use them in games.
