NWSL received eight misconduct complaints between February and July

The NWSL has received eight different complaints about misconduct across at least four different clubs this year, according to documents the league submitted to the attorneys general of Illinois, Washington, D.C. and New York.

The documents, first reported by Defector, include five total complaints of sexual misconduct, and two each of sexual harassment and retaliation.

Following a years-long investigation of player abuse in the NWSL, the league reached a landmark settlement with its players in 2025.

As part of the settlement, the NWSL was required to submit reports to the three attorneys general every six months for a period of three years. Those biannual submissions must include updates on how the league is implementing the settlement’s recommendations, as well as a summary of any complaints.

The eight complaints were received between February 1 and July 31 of this year.

In the report, the claims are heavily redacted, making it unclear which teams or individuals were involved, as well as the resolutions of any resulting investigations.

USA TODAY Sports has reached out to both the NWSL and its players’ association for comment. This article will be updated with any response.

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March 25: Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save on a shot by Denver Summit FC’s Melissa Kossler during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Denver Summit won the game, 2-0.

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March 25: The Washington Spirit’s Esme Morgan (24) heads the ball against the Utah Royals at Audi Field. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

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March 21: The North Carolina Courage’s Riley Jackson (right) fights for the ball against Gotham FC’s Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

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March 21: Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the game, 3-0.

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The settlement in 2025 was the culmination of a years-long process for the NWSL, which started in 2021 with a wave of devastating reports of systematic abuse throughout the league.

The misconduct involved was widespread and varied. Multiple coaches were found to have engaged in sexual coercion, while other coaches and general managers were found to have engaged in verbal abuse, harassment and racist and anti-Semitic statements.

U.S. Soccer hired former U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates in 2021 to do an independent investigation into abuse and sexual misconduct in women’s soccer. Her report in 2022 detailed a widespread abusive culture across the league.

In the aftermath of the report, multiple clubs changed ownership while several coaches and executives were either fired or resigned. Many were subsequently banned for life from the NWSL.