As the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season ramps up next month, U.S. Women’s National Team players continue to make headlines.
The Kansas City Current acquired midfielder Croix Bethune from the Washington Spirit earlier this week, while also agreeing to transfer midfielder Claire Hutton to Bay FC. The Current sent $1 million in intra-league transfer and allocation funds for Bethune, and the deal for Hutton was $1.1 million, one of the highest transfer fees between two NWSL clubs.
Bethune and Hutton were both a part of the USWNT January wins over Paraguay and Chile. Bethune recorded her first international goal and assist over the two matches and Hutton wore the captain’s armband for the first time against Paraguay, becoming, at 20 years old, one of the youngest USWNT players to do so in the modern history of the team.
Bethune was selected third overall out of the University of Georgia in the 2024 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit, where she tallied five goals and 10 assists to earn the 2024 Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year awards. After returning from injury in April 2025, she helped the Spirit make its second consecutive appearance in the NWSL Championship. Bethune made her USWNT debut in July 2024 and was a part of the 2024 Olympic gold medal team, seeing time in one match in France.
“I am incredibly grateful and excited to officially join the Kansas City Current family,” said Bethune. “It is an honor to represent a club that exemplifies relentless energy, togetherness and a world-class commitment to elevating women’s sports.”
Hutton began her professional career in 2024 with Kansas City when she was just 17 years old. She started 22 of her 25 appearances and recorded two assists during the 2025 season that saw the club lift the NWSL Shield and set league records in wins (21) and points (65). Hutton represented the U.S. Youth National Team in multiple age groups before making her senior international debut in February 2025.
“Bay FC is a club with real ambition, and that is a big part of why this move feels right for me,” said Hutton. “I’m excited to join a group that pushes each other every day as we compete at the highest level while winning championships”.
Bethune and Hutton are the latest U.S. players on the move within the NWSL this offseason. Angel City FC acquired defender Emily Sams last month from Orlando Pride, while goalkeeper Casey Murphy signed with expansion club Boston Legacy FC after five seasons with North Carolina Courage. As for inter-league transfers, expansion side Denver Summit FC signed Ayo Oke from Liga MX Femenil club Pachuca and USWNT captain and Colorado native Lindsey Heaps will return to the U.S. this summer after five highly successful seasons for OL Lyonnes of the French Première Ligue.
USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey was also in transfer news last month when she departed Portland Thorns FC to join Manchester City of the Women’s Super League.
| Player |
2025 Team |
2026 Team |
| Ayo Oke |
Pachuca |
Denver Summit FC |
| Casey Murphy |
North Carolina Courage |
Boston Legacy FC |
| Claire Hutton |
Kansas City Current |
Bay FC |
| Croix Bethune |
Washington Spirit |
Kansas City Current |
| Emily Sams |
Orlando Pride |
Angel City FC |
| Lindsey Heaps |
OL Lyonnes |
Denver Summit FC |
| Sam Coffey |
Portland Thorns FC |
Manchester City FC |
