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Emily Fox helped Arsenal make a winning start, while Chelsea and Manchester United hit early bumps as USWNT stars returned to club duty across England and France.

It may have felt like a long wait, but the new club season is finally under way for the U.S. Women's National Team players based in England and France. After just one weekend, there is already plenty to unpack: a familiar powerhouse in Lyon, an Arsenal side that looks as strong as ever, and a Chelsea team still facing questions about what this season of transition could hold.

For Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma, the opening fixture was an early sign that Chelsea will not have things all their own way. The Blues controlled the game against Aston Villa but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw, with Thompson starting out wide and Girma remaining an unused substitute. At the same time, Emily Fox and Arsenal opened their season looking ready to lay down a marker.

Elsewhere in England, the first weekend produced mixed results. Phallon Tullis-Joyce started in goal as Manchester United went down 2-1, while a fit-again Sam Coffey came off the bench to help defending champions Manchester City claim a 3-1 victory over Birmingham City.

In France, Lily Yohannes took over the American mantle at OL Lyonnes after Lindsey Heaps left for Denver Summit FC. Now the club's only USWNT representative, Yohannes started and played an important part in Saturday's commanding 7-1 win over Fleury.

With the opening weekend completed, GOAL takes a look at how the USWNT stars began their club campaigns in England and France.

Thompson faces greater expectations in Chelsea's new era

For all of Chelsea's control, the opening weekend delivered a familiar reminder: domination means little if chances are not converted. Aston Villa's late equaliser left the Blues with a 1-1 draw and an irritating start to the new season. Alyssa Thompson was named in the starting XI and got into some promising scoring positions, but she could not apply the finishing touch.

Chelsea will need more from her in her second year. With Millie Bright, Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr no longer there, there is both space and pressure for Thompson to step into a bigger role. She laid down a strong platform in her debut season, finishing as the team's top scorer in the league with seven goals. The challenge now is to push on from there as the side around her changes.

Her standing with the USWNT also appears more secure as qualifiers approach. Thompson has made her mark on the right wing, scoring four goals for the Americans and strengthening her claim for a squad place. The next step at Chelsea is turning those dangerous moments into the goals her side requires.

Coffey is back

For Sam Coffey, the opening weekend was mainly about returning to the pitch. After a knee injury ended her previous WSL campaign early and kept her out of the USWNT's June friendlies, the midfielder was back in action in Manchester City's 3-1 win against Birmingham City.

Coffey replaced Laura Blindkilde Brown in the 73rd minute, marking an encouraging step after a disrupted beginning to her spell in England. She moved to City from the Portland Thorns midway through last season and gradually settled into her midfield role as the club chased the WSL title. Now fully fit, she has the opportunity to build further on that base.

Her comeback is also a boost for Emma Hayes. Coffey's absence left the USWNT without a reliable holding midfield option against Brazil. Simply getting back on the field is the first step; rediscovering her rhythm could place her back at the centre of Hayes' plans.

Emily Fox and the Gunners make a strong start

Emily Fox is the sort of player who very rarely turns in a poor performance. Whether she is in an Arsenal shirt or playing for the USWNT, there is a consistency to her game that teammates can rely on. Sunday's season opener provided another example of that.

Fox started in her familiar full-back role and helped the Gunners collect all three points in a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Arsenal held a high line, which put them in good positions to win the ball back and make use of their numbers in transition.

Since joining Arsenal in 2024, Fox has developed into a reliable figure at both ends of the pitch, balancing her defensive duties with the licence to get forward. It was not the most eye-catching opening weekend performance, but that is part of what makes Fox so valuable: she does not need to dominate the spotlight to influence the game.

Tough opening for Tullis-Joyce and Manchester United

It did not take long for Phallon Tullis-Joyce's first WSL match of the season to become difficult. Although she made a few early saves, the Manchester United goalkeeper was caught out of position in the eighth minute as Alanna Kennedy headed in from a corner for London City Lionesses.

United's defensive mistakes hurt them again in the 82nd minute, when slack marking inside the box allowed Daniëlle van de Donk the space to produce a clever finish behind her back. The 2-1 loss left Tullis-Joyce and United with plenty to sort out after an opening weekend that did not go in their favour.

For Tullis-Joyce, this season also has significance beyond Manchester. She is in the running for the USWNT's No. 1 spot, but her footwork and distribution are still areas that need improvement as she tries to earn Emma Hayes' confidence. A strong season with United would strengthen her case. Proving she can be as trustworthy with the ball at her feet as she is in making saves could be the difference between a starting place and a spot on the bench.