Lots to learn from the USWNT’s first win of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup. There were two beautiful goals from Lindsey Heaps and Jaedyn Shaw to secure the 2-0 victory, but a lot of room to grow for the young lineup. This tournament really mirrors what a World Cup is like with a quick turnaround between games, so I am looking forward to Wednesday’s matchup against Canada. I think we’ll see Emma Hayes’ best available lineup, or close to it. 🇺🇸

If you want more on Sunday night’s game, head over to TWG’s YouTube channel and watch Meghan Klingenberg and I break down the win. Lynn Biyendolo is also joining me on “Good Vibes” today to chat about it more, preview the rest of the tournament, and even start chatting NWSL. Plus, you can check out my recent interview with USWNT attacker, Olivia Moultrie, which drops on Thursday. 📺

We’ve got a busy couple of weeks here at TWG between SheBelieves coverage, our Boston live show next week, and the NWSL kicking off in just 10 days! I’d love to hear from you if you have questions for us or guests you’d like to see on the show. Send me an email at [email protected] or call the Banana Phone at 855-611-4050. 🙌

Also, there are currently six open roles here at MiB across our social media, partnerships, creative strategy, and video production teams – including one focused on TWG! We want to work with great people, join us. 🫵

Lastly, we have new merch in tons of new colors perfect for the upcoming matches, so head over to the TWG shop now to check it all out. ✨

Thank you all so much for being here!

Love,
Sam

PS - Washington Spirit players attempted to draw the shape of DC over the weekend and the attempts were all fantastic. 👌

Sunday in Nashville, the 11th annual SheBelieves Cup set off with wins for Canada and the USWNT. 

🇨🇦 After a difficult 2025, the Canadians started the tournament with a laudable 4-1 win against 2023 World Cup quarter-finalists Colombia. (Is there anything more reliable than a Vanessa Gilles header off a set piece?)

🇺🇸 A few hours later, Emma Hayes (who acquired some location-specific attire ahead of the game) fielded a young and rotated crew against Argentina. Ahead of the game, Hayes once again emphasized the importance of depth for the squad. In a 2-0 win, captain Lindsey Heaps provided the first goal (her third in the SheBelieves Cup and 39th for the USWNT) and recent Gotham NWSL champion Jaedyn Shaw secured the second.

Next up: While Colombia and Argentina settle the stakes as South America’s tournament representatives, North American rivals Canada and the USWNT are scheduled to meet tomorrow in Columbus (6:45 p.m. ET, TBS/HBO Max/Peacock).

📬 Enjoying TWG? Check out our other MiB newsletters:

🐦‍⬛ The Raven: Our thrice-weekly newsletter where we preview the biggest matches around the world (and tell you where/how to watch them) and recap our favorite football moments from throughout the week.

🔍 The Correspondent: Rory Smith’s thoughts on the world of soccer, culture, food, and how they all connect – every Thursday.

🇺🇸 USMNT Only: Your regular update on the most important topics in the U.S. men’s game, all leading up to this summer’s World Cup.

Australia 🇦🇺 1-0 Philippines 🇵🇭

Playing in her hometown of Perth, Sam Kerr’s 14th-minute goal (which is her first international goal in two years, and her 70th for the Matildas) was enough to secure all three points against the Philippines, who are seeking their second-ever (and second-straight) World Cup appearance.

More: Why the 2026 Asian Cup feels career-defining for Sam Kerr

Also: From World Cup euphoria to Olympic despair: how did the Matildas get here?

South Korea 🇰🇷 3-0 Iran 🇮🇷

Elsewhere in Australia’s Group A, Iran suffered a three-goal defeat to South Korea, who are the Asian Football Confederation’s fifth-highest ranked team, and qualified for the past three World Cups. Iran’s Lionesses (appearing in just their second-ever Asian Cup) are competing to make history with their first-ever World Cup berth amid difficult circumstances with war erupting in their homeland. TWG has their thoughts with all people, particularly the girls and women of Iran, affected by this violence. Their next match is against the hosts on Thursday at 4 a.m. ET on Paramount+.

More: Iran women’s national team: ‘let’s just focus’ on Asian Cup

European WC qualifying officially starts today. In the first phase, UEFA’s 16 top-ranked teams are split into four groups of four, with the first-place winner of each group qualifying automatically. Lower-ranked finishers will seek a ticket to Brazil through the playoffs.

Ukraine 🇺🇦 vs. England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (TODAY, 12 p.m. ET, Paramount+)

Taking place in Türkiye, the 2023 World Cup runner-up and reigning (back-to-back) Euro winners, England, start their qualification campaign against Ukraine, who’ve yet to appear in a World Cup. The Lionesses are heavy favorites here, especially as Ukraine are unable to play any home games (today’s test in Antalya counts as their home venue). But England’s path to first place is hardly clear with reigning world champions Spain also competing in their group. La Roja battle against Iceland today at 1 p.m. ET.

Italy 🇮🇹 vs. Sweden 🇸🇪 (TODAY, 12:15 p.m. ET, Paramount+)

Italy had a stunning summer at the Euros last year in Switzerland, only falling to eventual winners, England, in the semifinal. They start their World Cup qualification campaign against Sweden, who’ve yet to claim a major international trophy despite decades of impressive runs (though they’ve thwarted multiple USWNT trophy campaigns in the process, including at the last World Cup in Australia).

The 14th NWSL regular season is just 10 days away. With the new year, we’ve got new kits, and Sports Illustrated ranked their favorite drops. Speaking of kits, 2027 NWSL expansion side, Atlanta, has made history with a seven-year Aflac deal as their front-of-kit sponsor.

Elsewhere, ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf reports that ex-Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn is taking over as head coach at three-time NWSL champions Portland Thorns. 

And one season after the Washington Spirit signed the first Italian player in NWSL history with Sofia Cantore, the league is getting another Italian star. This time, it’s 35-year-old Cristiana Girelli, the all-time top scorer in Italian women’s club football, joining Bay FC from Juventus.

This week’s question: Recently, Sam spoke with Ireland captain Katie McCabe on the podcast. Naturally, they discussed the Arsenal star’s 2023 World Cup Olimpico. Who did she score it against?

Respond to this email (or reply here) for a chance to win a coveted TWG patch.

Last week’s answer: Mikaela Shiffrin, who is an investor in one of NWSL’s two new clubs this season, Denver Summit FC, took home a gold medal in Alpine Skiing at this year’s Winter Olympics.

Congrats to Karen Marroletti, who was the first person to respond with the correct answer. Karen, the patch is on its way! 💌

Liz writes: Hi Sam!

I saw you at the Boston Legacy FC jersey reveal last night (great event— such a cool vibe and venue!) and decided not to add myself to the very enthusiastic crowd forming around you — but I still wanted to say hi. So here’s a slightly calmer, inbox version.

I’m a huge women’s soccer fan — but funnily enough, I actually became a Sammy Media fan first and a Sam-the-tower-of-power fan second. I grew up playing, but wasn’t really exposed to the USWNT or progressional women’s soccer until adulthood. I got hooked on your content after listening to Men in Blazers World Cup coverage in 2023 and following you to Snacks and The Women’s Game from there.

I know you’ve been open about the difficulty of retiring and strangeness of navigating post-playing-career identity. For what it’s worth, I’m someone who found you in this later chapter, and you’re absolutely crushing it. Such a darn natural. 

I have a three-month-old who really only naps while I’m walking, so we do endless loops around the neighborhood with your pods in my headphones. TWG has become the soundtrack to this sweet little season of life. 

Also, you once mentioned Grays Hall on a pod years ago. I live one block away and it’s our favorite spot ever!

Just wanted to say hi and thanks for all the great content. Thank you for everything you’re building!

Much love,
Loyal Hotdog Liz

-

Liz! First off, so glad you identify as a loyal hot dog. The hot dog army is growing. Secondly, I am so happy you wrote in! The Boston event was the best and I had so much fun. I can’t wait for Boston’s first match so soon!

Thank you for these kind words. I’m so glad you find joy in the podcast and it means a lot to me that you shared this. ❤️

Sam

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