- The Forty-One Life
- Posts
- NWSL Lands in Atlanta, MLS Switches Seasons and Preds with Petals
NWSL Lands in Atlanta, MLS Switches Seasons and Preds with Petals
Your Weekly Digest of Soccer, Style, and Culture Across the CONCACAF Region
Welcome to Edition 61 of The Forty-One Life. This week we take a closer look at how Megan Reyes became one of the most important storytellers in the CONCACAF space. MLS is making a global pivot with a fall-to-spring calendar at last. Atlanta is officially getting an NWSL team. Portland Hearts of Pine is celebrating a historic first season with a coffee table book for the culture. And adidas teams up with Football Gal on a Predator drop stitched with her signature floral flair. Plus hurricane relief resources, November events, and more from around the game.
Help us grow by forwarding to a friend, or if someone forwarded this to you, please subscribe!
THE 41 LIST
How Megan Reyes Became One of the Most Important Soccer Voices In the Concacaf Region
We caught up with 2025 41 List honoree, Content Creator, Host and Documentarian Megan Reyes to explore her Filipino roots, her rise in soccer media, her acclaimed documentary on Philippine football, and her vision for shaping the cultural impact of the 2026 World Cup.
MOVES
Major League Soccer is flipping to the European calendar in 2027
MLS is stepping into a new era. Beginning in the summer of 2027, the league will officially shift to a fall-to-spring schedule, aligning with the global football calendar for the first time. This change includes a winter break to navigate cold-weather markets and international windows. The move positions MLS closer to the rhythm of the world’s top leagues, opens the door for better player movement and competitive flow, and signals a long-term play to elevate the league’s place in the global game.
MORE MOVES
MLS is leveling up its visibility for 2026. Starting next season, every MLS match will be available to all Apple TV+ subscribers in the United States, no add-on required.
With Liga MX already a top-viewed league in the U.S. and a massive Mexican-American fan base, the region’s soccer-investment window is opening wide.
ON THE PITCH
Atlanta is awarded the 17th NWSL Franchise
The NWSL is coming to The A! The league has awarded its newest expansion club to Arthur M. Blank and AMB Sports and Entertainment, with the team set to kick off in 2028. Home matches will be played at Mercedes Benz Stadium with a planned capacity of about 28,000, and a new training facility is on the way.
The project also includes an NWSL Foundation focused on women’s athlete health and performance. Club branding is still in the works, with local supporters set to shape the identity.
MORE ON THE PITCH
The Portland Cherry Bombs FC, a new women’s pre-professional soccer club in Portland, Oregon, will make its debut in May 2026. The team channels the city’s punk rock “riot grrrl” legacy, embracing bold branding, community roots and a player-first ethos. While venue and schedule are still under wraps, season-ticket deposits are already live.
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME // FEATURED
More Than a Game: Building Legacy and the Future of Women’s Soccer
Kerri-Ann Worthen has dedicated her life to soccer, from playing youth ball coming up in Stone Mountain, Ga to pursuing her college dreams at Spelman and transitioning into coaching and grassroots work.
She shares her journey with us, and what she hopes for the future of the Women’s game in Atlanta.
MORE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Where others exploit football to stoke already volatile societal tensions, the newly elected New York City mayor is using it to rebuild trust and belonging.
ART
Portland Hearts of Pine commemorate their first season with new Coffee Table Book
Portland Hearts of Pine is dropping a 250-plus page book capturing the club’s rise from launch to its breakout inaugural season. The project is built with Glory Studio and blends photography, writing, and artwork from contributors inside and around the club. It highlights everything that pushed Hearts of Pine into the national conversation, from record-setting crowds and global kit coverage to the story behind supporter traditions like “The Ballad of the 20th of Maine” and the handmade Man of the Match buoys. With features from writers like Amy Bass and Nina MacLaughlin and a look at the community that shaped the club, the book serves as a full snapshot of how Maine’s grassroots side built momentum on and off the pitch. Pre-orders are live now.
BOOTS
Adidas links up with Football Gal for a special edition of its Predator boot
Credit: Adidas
adidas has teamed up with The Football Gal (aka designer &-artist Diana Al Shammari) to create a special-edition drop of the iconic adidas Predator boot. The design plays on bold heritage and craft: a clean white upper, gradient Three Stripes in red/pink, and hand-embroidered floral motifs inspired by Spanish carnations. On the heel you’ll find The Football Gal script and flawless detail work throughout. A global roster of players including Pau Cubarsí, Jules Koundé and Aitana Bonmatí are set to wear the boots starting November 4 2025
COMMUNITY
Hurricane Relief Efforts for Jamaica and Haiti
We’re sharing ways for you to lend your support to those affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and Haiti.
LOS ANGELES
ATLANTA
Donation Drive for essentials, hygiene products and baby supplies
Amazon Registry
In-person Donation Dropoff:
True Beauty 6681 Jonesboro Road, Suite 113, Morrow, Ga
ATL 4 Haiti
Dropoff Sundays | 1:30p - 6:30p
5238 Royal Woods Parkway, Suite 150, Tucker Ga
EVENTS
Upcoming Events For November
ATLANTA
Soccer in the Streets Annual Footy Ball Gala
Saturday Nov 15th
Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers Final and Hurricane relief drive
Tuesday Nov 18th | 11a - 3p
Rock Steady
907 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
RECOMMENDED READING
|
GOOD FOLLOWS
@walkgoodla - Jamaican-Owned wellness non-profit organizing hurricane relief efforts in LA and across the country