A WAFCON stunner, and what’s next. Plus: NWSL Golden Boot race picks up

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Now Playing: Welcome back, ‘Ted Lasso’

America’s preeminent coaching export, Ted Lasso, is back for a new season of the eponymous hit Apple TV show. And this time, he’s coaching Richmond’s new women’s soccer team.

For those who have not watched the first episode of Season 4, I am about to share a small (inconsequential to the plot) spoiler. Scroll fast if you must, but I don’t think it’s necessary. NWSL fans will recognize one of the backdrops in the opening episode, which includes a game at CPKC Stadium, home of the Current, and the league’s first stadium built specifically for a professional women’s soccer club.

The choice, as Asli Pelit writes, reflects not only the show’s new storyline but also the sport’s changing reality. She spoke to Current owners Angie and Chris Long about sharing their facilities and love of Kansas City with the cast. They even had a small cameo.

“It makes us really proud to have created something that can evoke so much joy,” Chris Long said of his stadium, which will now be seen in millions of additional homes.

Women’s soccer doesn’t need the series, per se, but “Ted Lasso” can show the rest of the world what it has become.

Be sure to follow along here because, over the next 10 weeks, Asli will watch closely to see whether Hollywood gets it right.

Before we get to some news, a quick poll: Are you excited about the new season of  “Ted Lasso”? Let us know in the comments.

First Looks

Fresh start: A month before the WSL season starts, Manchester United parted ways with head coach Marc Skinner after five years. But the move was not solely because of results. The split comes amid frustrations over a lack of spending on player signings. Now, the team has welcomed former Scottish Women’s Premier League coach Eva Olid, 40, to lead the youth movement. Interestingly enough, she has spent some time in Houston, too. Get to know the new WSL coach.

Long journey: During the Asian Cup earlier this year in Australia, many Iranian women’s players were faced with the tough choice to either defect or return to a warzone. Five months later, two members of that team, labeled “wartime traitors” back home, have become Australian citizens.

Keep watching: We’ve mentioned it before, but Fox’s World Cup reign is over. The departure symbolizes opportunity, even more so now that the women’s and men’s tournaments are sold separately. With the responsibility to usher in a new era with the 2027 Women’s World Cup, is Netflix up for the challenge?

Introducing Lucia Kendall: The 22-year-old went from playing in the fourth tier of English football to getting an unexpected call from national team head coach Sarina Wiegman. Get to know England’s rising goal scorer and a key part of Aston Villa’s plans next season.