JWS Staff
Feb 11, 2025
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes droppedher 23-playerrosterfor February's 2025 SheBelieves Cup on Tuesday, showcasing a lineup that centers both the team's immediate future and Hayes's long-term strategy.
For their upcoming matches against No. 8 Japan, No. 15 Australia, and No. 21 Colombia in the 10th edition of the annual US-hosted tournament, the world No. 1 USWNT will be without several superstar veterans.
Absences include midfielder Rose Lavelle, who is still recovering from an offseason ankle surgery, and center-back stalwart Naomi Girma, who is working back from a calf injury.
The team will also miss the 'Triple Espresso' frontline trio of Sophia Wilson (née Smith), Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman. Rodman has yet to return to international play since earning gold at the Paris Olympics.
Roster allows young USWNT players to level up
The roster represents Hayes's first group for friendly competition since early December, as the US begins the long journey of preparing for their next major tournament: the 2027 World Cup.
For Hayes, the aforementioned injuries and absences offer an opportunity to bolster the team's depth by giving young players experience against top international teams.
"There's no point in me sitting in two and a half years time and saying actually, if there was an injury to key players, have I prepared the entire playing pool adequately?" Hayes said on Tuesday.
"We are facing three excellent teams with three very different styles and the tournament will be a great test to see who can perform against world-class players, but to see that, we need to give them opportunities," she explained in the US Soccer press release.
Fresh faces to join USWNT vets at 2025 SheBelieves Cup
To that end, the upcoming camp includes 10 players with fewer than five senior team appearances. Four of those players are uncapped,including midfielder Claire Hutton, forward Michelle Cooper, and defenders Gisele Thompson and Tara McKeown. All four impressed Hayes during her January camps and all have experience in youth level World Cups.
"I want to see what they look like within the WNT setup to determine, do they have the necessary qualities right now to be in the WNT, or do they go back to the Futures [camp] come April," said Hayes.
On the other hand, the 2025 SheBelieves Cup roster does include 12 members of the 2024 Olympic squad, including captain Lindsey Heaps (née Horan), Crystal Dunn, and Emily Sonnett — the only players on Hayes's February lineup with more than 100 caps.
Also notably back in USWNT action is midfielder Catarina Macario, who has returned to form with her club, Chelsea FC, after an ongoing knee injury forced her to withdraw from last summer's Olympic roster.
Ultimately, the US is in the experimental stage of the long preparation for the 2027 World Cup, complete with the risks and rewards that accompany long-term roster development.
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See Also2025 SheBelieves Cup: Full TV schedule, streaming options and how to watch for free2025 SheBelieves Cup: Colombia roster announced — Three NWSL players called up, no Manuela VanegasSheBelieves Cup 2025: USWNT roster, key matchups and how to watchUSWNT Releases 2025 SheBelieves Cup Schedule, Teams
The USWNT's February roster
- Goalkeepers:Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)
- Defenders:Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City)
- Midfielders:Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyonnais), Claire Hutton (KC Current), Jaedyn Shaw (NC Courage), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
- Forwards:Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (KC Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City)
How to watch the USWNT at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup
The No. 1 USWNT will first face No. 21 Colombia at 8 PM ET on Thursday, February 20th, before battling No. 15 Australia at 5 PM ET on Sunday, February 23rd.
They will complete their 2025 SheBelieves Cup play against No. 8 Japan at 10:30 PM ET on Wednesday, February 26th.
All of the tournament's USWNT matches will air live onTBS.
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Claire Watkins
Feb 21, 2025
The Portland Thorns inked a multiyear sponsorship deal with home security company Ring this week, marking the most lucrative jersey partnership in NWSL history.
While exact terms were not disclosed, sources confirm that the sum surpasses Bay FC's $2.6 million per-year contract with Sutton Health, as well as Gotham FC's similarly undisclosed Dove sponsorship, reported as a league record last week.
"Working with Ring goes beyond logo placement— it's about deepening our connection with fans and enhancing their experience," said Lisa Bhathal Merage, governor of Portland Thorns and Portland WNBA, in a team release.
"Ring's vision aligns perfectly with our mission to bring fans closer to the team and the game. This collaboration provides unprecedented access and strengthens the bond between our players, fans, and city while continually elevating the fan experience.”
In addition to jersey placement, Amazon-owned Ring will also feature on Portland's cold-weather jackets and media backdrops. Ring also plans to engage in several community initiatives.
Brand partnership deals surge in value across the NWSL
NWSL branding deals are skyrocketing in value, with Gotham FC announcing the a then-record back-of-jersey deal in league history with Dove just last week.
Angel City broke the previous front-of-jersey value record in 2022, as their partnership with DoorDash reportedly brought in over $10 million over the course of a five-year deal.
The race to the top doesn’t stop on the field, as brands increasingly buy into the vision of women’s sports with evaluations skyrocketing and visibility higher than ever.
JWS Staff
Feb 21, 2025
The WNBA’s 14th franchiseis gearing up for its 2026 debut, with theToronto Tempointroducing former WNBA and NCAA star Monica Wright Rogers as their inaugural general manager on Thursday.
A two-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx and three-time collegiate All-American at Virginia, Wright Rogers’s resume lists coaching and front office stints at both the college and pro level. She most recently served as the Phoenix Mercury’s assistant general manager.
“The unique combination of experience that Monica will bring to this team is incredible. She’s a proven champion who understands the game from so many different perspectives,” said Toronto Tempo president Teresa Resch in a team release.
“And she’s so much more than the collection of her experiences. Monica is an incredible relationship-builder with a sharp eye for talent who embodies everything we want the Toronto Tempo to stand for: she’s warm, welcoming, smart, driven and fiercely competitive. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board.”
Wright Rogers adds WNBA experience to Toronto expansion team
The WNBA announced its first-ever expansion into Canada in May 2024.
An investment group led by Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum and his Kilmer Sports Ventures filed the WNBA expansion bid. Tanenbaum also chairsMaple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, Argos, and Marlies.
Tanenbaum originally explored an expansion team via MLSE, but was turned down by other members of the board.
Wright Rogers will lead basketball operations for the Tempo, including hiring a head coach and building out the inaugural roster.
“The excitement about this team, and around women's sports in general in Canada right now is palpable,” Wright Rogers said. “To have the opportunity to play such a key role in building this team in this country at this moment is an honour”
“Sports fans around the world should keep an eye on us,” she added.
Claire Watkins
Feb 21, 2025
Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball tips off another round of doubleheaders tonight, as the offseason league paves a path toward its first-everpostseason with an Unrivaled playoffs push.
Unrivaled is entering its fifth week of play, with three weeks remaining in the regular season. And as just four of the league’s six teams will advance to the March 16th Unrivaled playoffs, notching late wins could make all the difference for squads shooting for a postseason boost.
After slow starts, the Mist and Phantom BC currently sit one game beneath playoffs contention— but they’ll both have an opportunity to make up ground this weekend.
In the event of any final regular-season ties, Unrivaled will subsequently determine playoff seeding first by head-to-head records, followed by point differentials.
Offseason league announces end-of-season awards
The league also announced plans for its end-of-season awards, which will include MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and both first and second-team honors.
A combination of media, Unrivaled coaches and players, and a fan vote will decide the winners.
Voters can now nominate three Unrivaled MVPs online, ranking them in order of preference. Voting closes on Tuesday, March 11th at 3 PM ET, with the winners announced shortly thereafter.
How to watch Unrivaled 3×3 playoffs push this Weekend
The Mist take on fourth-place Vinyl BC tonight at 8:15 PM ET, live onTNT, before Phantom BC squares off against Vinyl BC on Saturday at 7 PM ET, with live coverage onTruTV.
JWS Staff
Feb 21, 2025
The USWNT hit the ground runningon Thursday, taking down Colombia 2-0 to kick off the 2025 SheBelieves Cup with a bang.
Catarina Macarioopened the scoringin the 33rd minute with her first international goal in almost three years, before 21-year-old Ally Sentnor put the game out of reach at the 60-minute mark with her first-ever international tally.
"Everybody is super happy, super proud, and I'm sure everybody back at Chelsea is too," US head coach Emma Hayessaidof Macario’s strike, as the forward continues her long return from injury.
USWNT rookies show out
Hayes’s decision to feature less experienced players in the match paid off, with the winning side bolstered by numerous first caps, starts, and ascreamer of a goalfor the world No. 1 team.
In just her third cap and first start for the senior national team, Sentnor's efforts earned her praise from Hayes, who called the young attacker's performance "tenacious on both sides of the wall."
Also excelling in her first USWNT start was 17-year-oldLily Yohannes, who lofted the ball forward in pursuit of Macario’s opening goal and stood out as the most creative passer within a US midfield that completed over 500 passes.
"She'sreally switched onand someone who understands the importance of doing everything for the team and for that I really admire her,"Hayessaid after the match.
Hayes also continued her efforts to mint new USWNT players with a trio of first caps in Thursday's match. While forward Michelle Cooper and defender Gisele Thompson snagged their first USWNT minutes as late substitutes, center-back Tara McKeown grabbed a starting spot, then capitalized on the opportunity by registering an assist to set up Sentnor's jaw-dropping goal.
Hayes has emphasized the need for the USWNT to develop its future, but Thursday’s performance showed that the future might be closer than originally expected — especially considering thebig namesmissing from this window’s USWNT roster.
Sonnett celebrates 100th USWNT cap
Alongside all the noteworthy firsts, the USWNT also had the chance to celebrate its veteran leadership on Thursday.
Prior to the match, the team honored Emily Sonnett for her100th cap before the versatile defender captained the squad as a starting center-back on the night.
Notably, Sonnett's USWNT tenure includes competing in all 10 iterations of the SheBelieves Cup — more than any other player.
USWNT to face Australia in second SheBelieves match
Now sitting in second in the SheBelieves Cupstandings, the USWNT trails only Japan due to goal differential after the Nadeshiko toppled Australia 4-0 on Thursday afternoon.
The struggling Matildas, who failed to register a single shot on goal against Japan, must now face the seven-time SheBelieves champion USWNT in Arizona on Sunday —a team Australia has only defeated once in the pair's 35 all-time meetings.
The last time the teams met, the US defeated the Matildas 2-1 in the final group stage match of the2024 Olympics to advance to the quarterfinals.
This time out, expect heavy roster rotation from Hayes's squad as players look to stay healthy for their club seasons, with some still ramping up to full fitness before the 2025 NWSL season.
How to watch the USWNT vs. Australia in the SheBelieves Cup
The USWNT kicks off against Australia in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup at 5 PM ET on Sunday, with live coverage onTBS,Max, andPeacock.
