The NSWL Is So Back 🤩

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

The NWSL is back from international break with a BANG! This past weekend, we saw Rose Lavelle on the field, Savy King in the stands, and Trinity Rodman back in DC. Probably the best three things to happen to us all this year.

In other good news, I hosted a live show in Vermont on Friday night to highlight my local soccer club, Vermont Green FC, ahead of a big week here! I’m coaching the women’s team in two exhibition games, and I wanted to bring TWG to my Vermont community and in turn, bring Vermont to our national audience. It was a really incredible night and I am so happy that I got to share what I love so much about Vermont. Check out the live show on our YouTube channel on Wednesday.

I’m busy coaching this week, but don’t worry, we still have our normal podcast schedule for you all! Good Vibes with Becky Sauerbrunn drops on Tuesday and a great interview with USWNT and North Carolina Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy comes out on Thursday. Plus, if you’re interested in my coaching journey, check out our games on Vermont Green’s YouTube channel on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET and Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. Also, follow along with Vermont Green on social – Coach Mewis content is coming your way!

Thank you all so much for being here.

Love,
Sam

NWSL Weekend 11: KC Current Reign Supreme 📊

Gotham 1-2 Kansas City Current

First-place Kansas City is still the team to beat, as their 2-1 win against Gotham in New Jersey made it four wins in their last four games. The USWNT’s 22-year-old forward Michelle Cooper, who just collected two more caps for the U.S., took just three minutes to score. Minutes later, Malawian forward Temwa Chawinga added a second, marking her seventh goal of the season. Chawinga is now tied with Orlando’s Barbra Banda and Gotham’s Esther in the Golden Boot race. Gotham had their chances (including goals called back from Emily Sonnett and Esther), but collected their third straight regular season loss in the defeat. The return of Rose Lavelle should brighten Gotham’s spirits though, as the USWNT midfield maestro made her 2025 season debut after being sidelined with an ankle injury since December. 

San Diego Wave 1-2 Seattle Reign 

Fifth-place Seattle put a stop to fourth-place San Diego’s six-game undefeated run with a 2-1 win in SoCal. Laura Harvey fielded a rotated lineup featuring lots of youth who delivered the goods in a statement victory. Reign’s 23-year-old midfielder Sally Menti scored her first career goal in her first start, and after French phenom Delphine Cascarino equalized for San Diego, 19-year-old Emeri Adames notched the match-winner for Seattle with another stunning strike. 

Washington Spirit 3-1 North Carolina Courage

Spanish manager Jonatan Giráldez officially departs his role with Washington Spirit after one final win at home at Audi Field. The former manager of Barcelona will now head back to Europe to manage European giants Lyonnes, who are also owned by Spirit owner Michelle Kang. Trinity Rodman was in DC but not in the team, as the third-place side continued to show their quality in depth. Gift Monday scored her fourth goal of the year and Brittany Ratcliffe collected a goal and an assist, while nodding to the service from Casey Krueger in her goal: “I’m sure ya’ll know Casey, all she does is serve dimes.” North Carolina ended the weekend in 11th place with a second straight loss, as they continue to look for their spark this season.

A Strong Start to USWNT Summer 🇺🇸 

Emma Hayes’ gold-medal squad started their summer campaign with two back-to-back wins against China and Jamaica. From May 31 to June 3, the team took a Midwest tour through Minneapolis and STL as they made more debuts (32-year-old Kansas City veteran Lo’eau LaBonta and Orlando defender Kerry Abello), worked on scoring goals (they notched seven total from five different players), and kept clean sheets with Phallon Tullis–Joyce in the net. (Importantly, they also celebrated the career of the irreplaceable Becky Sauerbrunn. Even France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry joined in). 

Those clean sheet caps for Tullis-Joyce mark just her second and third start and cap for the USWNT (and second and third clean sheet), as well as the first time since Alyssa Naeher’s retirement that Emma Hayes has started the same keeper in back-to-back games. Emma Hayes is whittling down her core squad, and it seems Tullis-Joyce may have made a claim on the starting keeper role. 

After a productive window, players have returned to rest or league play, depending on which club they’re at, as the U.S. team looks forward to playing the Republic of Ireland in two friendlies on June 26 and 29, then meet their Concacaf rivals Canada in Washington DC on July 2. 

More: What we learned about USWNT depth from wins against China, Jamaica

📬 Enjoying The Women’s Game? Check out our other MiB newsletters here.

Elsewhere in the Football World 🌍

UEFA Women’s Nations League 🇪🇺

On the final matchday of the group, Spain and Sweden secured their spots in the final four, joining France and Germany (who qualified in previous rounds) after topping their group with wins against England and Denmark. The semi-final matchups will see Germany play France, while Spain faces Sweden, in a two-legged contest this October. 

Spain 2-1 England

Things started strong for the Lionesses, who took the initial lead after Arsenal star Alessia Russo (fresh off a Champions League victory against Barcelona) opened the scoring. But Clàudia Pina responded twice just 10 minutes apart in the second half to seal a first-place finish in Group 3 for La Roja.

Sweden 6-1 Denmark

Group 4’s Scandinavian powers were tied on points heading into the final matchday (with Italy close behind them), but Sweden secured a statement 6-1 victory to maintain their hold on first place. Arsenal’s Champions League savior, Stina Blackstenius (who subbed into the Champions League Final and scored the game-winning goal minutes later), scored a hat-trick in the win, starting with a goal in the first minute. 

International Friendlies 🏟️

Brazil 2-1 Japan

The reigning silver medalists beat a strong Nadeshiko Japan squad a second time in two straight friendlies. Brighton forward Kiko Seike (who finished this past WSL Season with six goals and four assists for the Seagulls) scored again for Japan, but 19-year-old Corinthians striker Jhonson delivered a decisive late goal for As Canarinhas. 

Canada 3-1 Haiti

Canada also collected a second straight win in their set of friendlies against Haiti. Roma forward Evelyne Viens scored a brace for the Canadians, while 2024 Concacaf Player of the Year and Lyon midfielder Melchie Dumorney scored once for Haiti from the penalty spot.

The Women’s Game x Men in Blazers LIVE! In Washington, D.C., presented by Allstate 🏛️

The Women’s Game is coming to D.C.! Join USWNT legend and World Cup winner Sam Mewis alongside her Good Vibes FC co-host (and World Cup-winning teammate) Becky Sauerbrunn and Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett to celebrate one of soccer’s greatest rivalries, USA vs. Canada, ahead of the Allstate Continental Classico. Sam, Becky, and Rog will welcome football icons to D.C.’s historic Howard Theater as they revel in the past, present, and future of these two storied women’s programs. So join us for what is sure to be a magical night ahead of an unforgettable matchup.

Get your tickets now 🎟️

Upcoming Matches Worth Setting Reminders for 📺

USL Super League Final: Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock)

The inaugural season of the USA’s second top-flight league, the USL Super League, comes to a close with a final battle between Floridian foes Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale. Tampa Bay finished second in the regular season, but defeated third-place Dallas Trinity FC to secure their spot in the Championship, while fourth-place Fort Lauderdale United FC upset the first-place regular season finishers Carolina Ascent 2-1 with a late goal to advance.

• Sam’s Take 🗣️: I'm feeling really excited about this! After chatting with USL Super League player, Amber Brooks, on Good Vibes last week, I'm excited to see the fanfare around the championship match. Amber reminded me that while the Super League is still in its infancy, it's providing so many more opportunities for players to play professional soccer.

NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. Washington Spirit (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+)

Third-place Washington Spirit will play their first game with former interim boss Adrián González back in charge, as they head to Portland to play the sixth-place Thorns. Portland were undefeated in four games (two wins, two draws) before falling 1-0 to Bay FC this past weekend, and will be looking to turn things around at home against the Spirit.

🥤 Olipop power everything we do here at The Women’s Game. You can use code TWG20 for 20% off your first order at drinkolipop.com/TWG20.

News and Notes 🗞️

• Euro 2025 is looming closer and participating nations are starting to drop their squads. France unleashed theirs with a new twist, having their men’s team announce the players. Big fans of Les Bleues will note a few legendary names missing: longtime captain Wendie Renard and co-captain Eugénie Le Sommer are both absent, in addition to veteran San Diego Wave midfielder Kenza Dali. 

• England’s Lionesses also confirmed their roster for this summer’s title defense in Switzerland. The squad is rife with elite talent, but comes after a week of seeming upheaval as multiple stalwarts of the team retired or withdrew. That includes Millie Bright, who just completed a surgery, as well as retirements for Mary Earps and Fran Kirby. Still, Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman insists ‘there is no crisis’ before Euro 2025.  

  • Sam's Take 🗣️: Despite all the missing talent, the Euros are still looking to be the highlight of my summer calendar. We're busy scheduling interviews with top players ahead of the tournament, and booking world class co-hosts for our coverage. Plus, have you seen the East Coast game times? Elite.

• The draw for this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Morocco took place, and the U.S. is set to compete in Group C with China, Ecuador and Norway. 

• The Sports Bra is expanding, again! The Portland original—which features only women’s sports—is opening locations in Boston, Indianapolis, Vegas and St. Louis.

  • Sam's Take 🗣️: I'm so excited for this! I got to visit Rough and Tumble in Seattle a few weeks ago, and I cannot wait for more fans to have the opportunity to gather in spaces designed by and for women's sports fans. Good luck to the owner, Jenny Nguyen, and huge shoutout to Alexis Ohanian for believing in women's sports so passionately... and continuing to back that belief with investment.

• Boston Legacy FC, who are set to join the league next season, unveiled their new crest this past weekend. It features an eight-feathered swan designed by Matthew Wolff, with each representing one of the eight original NWSL teams.

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome back to our weekly trivia game!

This week’s question: Canada won the 2025 Concacaf U-20 Championship over the weekend, after defeating the United States 1-0 in the semi-final and Mexico 3-2 in the final. Canada’s victory marks their third Concacaf U-20 Championship title. The United States, conversely, has won seven titles, but not since what year?

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

Last week’s answer: Earlier this month, 39-year-old Brazilian legend and Orlando Pride veteran Marta came out of retirement from the international game. Nine months since announcing her departure, the six-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year made two more appearances for Brazil over the past week, which means she now has 204 caps in her incredible career.

This week’s winner is Becky Peterson, and thanks to everyone who responded.

Good Reads 👩‍💻

• From Joey Lynch in The Guardian, ‘Football Australia get right coach in Joe Montemurro, but why did it take so long?’

• From Jeff Kassouf on ESPN, ‘NWSL MVP tracker: Can Thompson keep up with Debinha, Cascarino & co.?’

• From Tom Garry, also in The Guardian, ‘Bright has made a brave decision. But are England doing enough to support their stars?’

Moment of Joy 🤸

Brooke writes: Hey Sam!

A couple of weeks ago, you mentioned how you may be the biggest NWSL fan with the jerseys you have recently received. I just wanted to let you know that you have some competition for that title.

I have included pictures of all 45 of my jerseys. I have at least one for every team that has ever been in the NWSL…and then some.

The main reason for why I decided to collect jerseys was to support the league. I watched a little bit of the WPS before it folded, and I was sad that I didn’t have anything to remember that league by. So now I’m trying to do my part in supporting the league, teams, and players with this collection.

Sometimes, I wish I would have picked an item that was a little cheaper and easier to store, but it’s really fun to see how the styles have changed over the years.

I’m sure I’ll be adding a few more Utah jerseys this year. And I’ll definitely be adding Boston and Denver next year!

Brooke

Sam writes: Brooke! You definitely have me beat. I am so impressed and I love your dedication to supporting the league. I hope you have a really big closet.

Sam

📝 Want to be featured in next week’s TWG newsletter? Send Sam an email! All your questions, comments, and dog (or wedding) photos can be sent to [email protected]

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