Leilanni Nesbeth is Out in Chicago, And the NWSL Player Carousel is Spinning Faster Than Ever

Hold onto your scarves, Seattle! Just when you thought the sports world might slow down for a second, the NWSL hits us with another big move. Leilanni Nesbeth, the talented player for the Chicago Stars, is officially parting ways with the club. Yeah, you heard that right, they've mutually agreed to go their separate ways. It feels like every day a new name is on the move, and this one just dropped on June 30, 2026. This NWSL season is already proving to be a wild ride, and this latest news out of Chicago is yet another reminder that the league's landscape is shifting under our feet at warp speed.

Chicago's Latest Exit Signals Big Changes

The news about Leilanni Nesbeth and the Chicago Stars isn't some quiet whisper, it's another clear bell ringing in a busy NWSL transfer market. The club and Nesbeth have mutually agreed to part ways following the expiration of her contract. While there aren't a ton of details on what's next for Nesbeth, this move alone keeps the entire league on its toes. Every departure, every signing, it all adds up, creating a domino effect across the NWSL. For Chicago, it means a fresh look, a new strategy. For the rest of the league, it's another piece of the puzzle moving into place, or out of it.

The NWSL Never Sleeps, And Neither Do the Transfers

Seriously, has any other league seen this much player movement lately? Nesbeth's departure is just the latest in a flurry of activity that has the NWSL

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buzzing. We just saw Sam Kerr sign with Gotham FC, which is massive. Then, Gotham FC even took down the Kansas City Current 2-0 in the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup. On the flip side, some big names are locking in, like two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga, who signed an extension with Kansas City Current through 2029. It's not just new signings and extensions either. Ally Sentnor, a USWNT forward, signed a three-year contract extension through 2029 with Angel City FC, following reports of her trade to them earlier in June. Emily Sonnett, another USWNT defender, also inked a two-year extension with Gotham FC. We've got international talent joining the mix with Serbian International Miljana Ivanović signing with the Houston Dash. Even the goalkeepers are on the move, with Kansas City Current signing Kaylin Williams-Mosier to a short-term contract. And just like Nesbeth, we've seen other mutual contract terminations, like Colombia International defender Daniela Arias and San Diego Wave. Plus, there's been big news for club leadership too, with Kate Cohen named interim technical consultant for the Chicago Stars. It's truly non-stop! What does all this mean? The NWSL is a league in constant motion, with teams retooling, players finding new homes, and the competitive balance being challenged every single day. This constant player carousel keeps us guessing, keeps us on the edge of our seats, and makes every single game feel like it has massive implications. Get ready, because this NWSL season is far from settled, and there's definitely more wildness to come.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.