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Tuesday, June 30, 2026
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Nesbeth Departs Chicago Stars FC after Mutual Agreement
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Bermudian international midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth has mutually agreed to part ways with National Women's Soccer League side Chicago Stars FC ahead of the expiration of her contract.
The 24-year-old, whose agreement was due to run until the end of the 2026 season, is now free to negotiate with other clubs as she seeks fresh career opportunities.
Nesbeth leaves an indelible mark on the domestic American game, having arrived in Illinois as a highly rated tenth-overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft following a stellar, two-time NCAA championship-winning collegiate career with the Florida State Seminoles.
Upon making her professional debut, she created history by becoming the first-ever Bermudian native to feature in the NWSL. During her two-and-a-half seasons with the Stars, the midfielder accumulated 1,275 minutes on the pitch across 33 first-team appearances, recording one goal and one assist.
In an emotional farewell statement, Nesbeth expressed deep gratitude for her stint in the Windy City:
"Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart. This team brought my biggest dream to life, and I will always be grateful for the lessons, the challenges, the laughs, and the unimaginable growth.
"I want to thank the club for this amazing opportunity, my teammates for pushing me to be my best every day, and the fans for their unwavering support over the years."
Chicago Stars FC club president Karen Leetzow paid tribute to the midfielder's impact both on and off the hardwood: “We're grateful for everything that Leilanni has brought to the club during her seasons in Chicago. She has shown the utmost dedication to our club and the Chicago community and we wish her all the best and continued success in her next opportunity.”
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Monday, June 29, 2026
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Lady Zebras Presented Women's Division Trophy
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The dominant forces of Bermuda’s domestic game were officially recognized as the invincible PHC Lady Zebras lifted the Bermuda Football Association’s Women’s Division League Cup.
The silverware was presented during a celebratory ceremony at the Clyde Best Center of Excellence, putting the golden seal on a flawless domestic campaign.
There was little doubt where the trophy would be heading this year, but the manner of PHC's triumph will live long in the history books. The Lady Zebras marched through the entire league season completely undefeated, blowing away all before them with a ruthless combination of attacking flair and defensive iron.
Their unblemished record cements their status as the undisputed benchmark of women's football on the island, leaving rival clubs searching for answers ahead of next season.
It was only fitting that the presentation took place at the facility named after Bermuda's ultimate footballing pioneer, Clyde Best.
As the players stepped up to hoist the League Cup, the atmosphere reflected a squad that knows it has achieved something truly historic. With a perfect season now locked inside the trophy cabinet, the challenge for this phenomenal Lady Zebras outfit will be maintaining these dizzying standards in the campaigns to come.
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Saturday, June 27, 2026
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Christopher's FH Hafnarfjörður Battle to a Draw Against Valur
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FH Hafnarfjörður Women maintained their resolute form in the Besta deild kvenna, grinding out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a dangerous Valur Women side.
With Bermudian international forward Nia Christopher leading the line and asking constant questions of the opposition backline, FH showed immense tactical discipline to secure a vital point on the road.
FH could not have dreamed of a better start, catching the hosts cold in the opening exchanges.
Just three minutes into the contest, the visitors manufactured a brilliant attacking sequence down the flank. The ball fell perfectly into the path of Ida Hermannsdottir, who kept her composure to rifle a clinical effort past the Valur goalkeeper to hand FH an instant 1-0 advantage.
The early breakthrough completely altered the dynamic of the match, forcing Valur to abandon their cautious approach and commit numbers forward in search of an immediate response. FH's defensive unit, anchored by disciplined tracking from Christopher out wide, initially held firm under intense pressure.
The home side's persistence finally paid off late in the first half. In the 38th minute, Nadia Atladottir found a pocket of space inside the penalty area, latching onto a precise cross to slot home the equalizer and level the score at 1-1 heading into the dressing rooms.
The second half turned into a grueling, tactical chess match. Both managers turned to their benches to inject fresh energy, but neither side could find the clinical edge needed to break the deadlock. Christopher continued to pose a distinct counter-attacking threat with her electric pace, forcing the Valur center-backs into several desperate tracking tackles.
Ultimately, the points were shared as the final whistle blew, a result that reflects the fiercely competitive nature of the Icelandic top flight. FH will take immense confidence from the performance as they look ahead to their next domestic fixture.
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Friday, June 26, 2026
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Lady Trojans’ Lowe-Darrell Strike Settles Five-Goal Thriller
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Bermuda Under 17 National Academy 2 Somerset Lady Trojans 3
A dramatic sixty-ninth minute winner from Symira Lowe-Darrell ensured the Somerset Lady Trojans emerged victorious from a breathless five-goal encounter against the Bermuda Under-17 National Academy.
The senior Somerset side looked to be cruising toward a comfortable evening after establishing a commanding two-goal cushion before the halftime interval, only to be completely pegged back by a fierce second-half resurgence from the island's brightest young prospects.
The experienced Lady Trojans asserted their authority early on at Bernard Park, breaking the deadlock in the thirty-fourth minute through a clinical finish from Aaliyah Simons. Somerset continued to dictate the tempo of the match, pressing high up the pitch and starving the academy side of time on the ball.
The relentless pressure paid off just two minutes before the break. In the forty-third minute, Zhakhari Turner capitalized on a fine attacking sequence to double Somerset's advantage, leaving the senior side firmly in control as they headed into the dressing rooms.
Whatever tactical adjustments were made by the National Academy coaches at halftime completely transformed the dynamic of the match, as a spirited fightback turned the contest completely on its head within a five-minute window.
The deficit was halved in the sixtieth minute when Daley Outerbridge found space in the penalty area to beat the Somerset goalkeeper. Rejuvenated by the breakthrough, the Under-17 contingent continued to pour forward, and their perseverance was rewarded just five minutes later. In the sixty-fifth minute, Filipa Duarte completed the dramatic comeback, firing home a spectacular equalizer to level the score at two goals apiece.
With the momentum firmly against them, the veteran Lady Trojans flexed their senior credentials to weather the storm. The decisive moment arrived in the sixty-ninth minute when Lowe-Darrell showed immense composure in the final third, turning her defender to strike the match-winner and secure a hard-fought maximum-points victory.
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Thursday, June 25, 2026
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Wells & Luton Learn Vertu Trophy Opponents
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Nahki Wells and his Vertu Trophy holders Luton Town teammates have been drawn with Ipswich Town U21s, Colchester United and Peterborough United, who became the first side to defend the trophy in 2025.
Luton themselves overcame fellow 'Hatters' Stockport County 3-1 at Wembley in last season's final.
Sheffield Wednesday, under new ownership, are back in the competition after two seasons in the Championship.
Henrik Pedersen's side are in the same group as Sunderland U21s, Salford and Accrington Stanley.
Relegated Oxford United will face Tottenham Hotspur U21s, Cheltenham, and Exeter City.
The third relegated Championship team, Leicester City, will compete in this competition for the first time since their last spell in the third tier in 2008-2009.
New Foxes boss Russell Martin will see his side up against Fulham U21s, Stevenage and Walsall.
York City, who returned to the English Football League as National League champions, will face Newcastle United U21s, Bradford City and Rotherham.
National League play-off winners Rochdale are rewarded with matches against Liverpool U21s, Huddersfield and Doncaster Rovers.
The 64 clubs have been split into groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the knockout phase.
Manchester City U21s are in a group with Port Vale, Chesterfield and Mansfield.
Manchester United withdrew from this season's EFL Trophy and National League Cup earlier this week.
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