USWNT's Favorite Opponent Returns 🇺🇸🇮🇪

Plus, everything to know about Euros 2025.

June 24, 2025

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

We’re reluctantly saying, “See you soon” to the NWSL as this was the last weekend of games until August 1. The league is on a long international break with Kansas City eight points clear of Orlando at the top of the table, Esther Gonzalez leading the Golden Boot race with 10 goals, and San Diego insisting that their days of turmoil are over. It’s been a whirlwind first half of the season, marked perhaps most notably by rookies like Riley Tiernan, Lilly Reale, Maddie Dahlien, Sarah Schupansky, and Jordyn Bugg. Many of these NWSL teams will play friendly matches over the summer break, while some of the star players will be at the Euros, AFCON, or Copa America. 

Here at TWG, we’re shifting gears this week to the USWNT games against Ireland and Canada before we start our Euros coverage. Good Vibes with Becky Sauerbrunn drops today and then Friendlies with Claire Hutton drops on Thursday. Later Thursday evening, we’ll be going live after the USWNT game with Meghan Klingenberg. Then on Friday, we’re sneaking in a Euros preview pod with Lioness and Arsenal legend Anita Asanta, who gives us her expert opinion on the top teams heading to Switzerland this summer. It’s a jam-packed week so make sure you’re following along with TWG on the podcast feed and our social channels!

I had a dream Vermont weekend that included lake swimming, a baseball game, multiple maple creemees, and lots of dogs. I can’t believe the summer is just getting started! So many activities to do, so much soccer to watch, and all my TWG friends to share it with!

Thank you all so much for being here!

Love,

Sam

USWNT Prepare for Two Battles with Ireland 🇺🇸 🇮🇪

The 25-Player Training Camp Roster ✅

While 23 players will suit up for each upcoming friendly, the USA’s manager extraordinaire, Emma Hayes, named a 25-player training camp roster that includes 24 NWSL players plus Chelsea’s record-setting center-back, Naomi Girma. After a busy year, Hayes opted to give the team’s European-based players a rest over their offseason. The much-deserved sight of recent Champions League winner ‘Emily Fox from America’ (as Arsenal fans like to serenade the gold medal-winning right back) is now ‘Emily Fox in Italy.’ 

Gotham midfielder, heroine of Cincinnati, and friend to all bulldogs Rose Lavelle headlines the names in camp after ankle surgery and the accompanying rehab kept her away from the team. Hayes on the impact of Lavelle’s return: “First of all, her personality and the character in the locker room has been sorely missed the past six months. She is supremely gifted as a football player.” NWSL’s 2024 Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune is also back for the first time since the Olympics. And continuing the theme of the year, Hayes named six uncapped players and four first-time call-ups in a roster where 76% of the players have fewer than 10 caps. 

  • Sam's Take 🗣️: I was pumped to see Gotham's Lilly Reale called up for this camp. She's had a great start to her season as a rookie and has really stood out to me on both sides of the ball. Plus, it feels like Emma Hayes' search for depth at outside back is still ongoing. This is a great test for all the newcomers to step up and try to get some minutes in one of these three games.

The U.S. Look to Continue Their Winning Streak Against the Irish 💪🏼

On Thursday in Commerce City, Colo. (9 p.m. ET, TBS/Max) and Sunday, June 29 in Cincinnati (3 p.m. ET, TNT/Max), the U.S. will face Ireland in back-to-back friendlies, before heading to D.C. to play Canada on July 2. The U.S. have won all 15 of their meetings against the Irish, with their most recent rendezvous coming in April 2023 when the two sides played in consecutive friendlies in Texas and Missouri.

NWSL Matchday 13: The Mid-Season Check-In 📊

We are now officially midway through the 2025 NWSL season. After a CBA-mandated breather, followed by a break for major international tournaments in Europe and South America, the league will resume the first weekend of August. Halfway through the year, Kansas City remain dominant, while reigning champs Orlando picked up another loss and finished the weekend in second. You can view the full NWSL table here.

Racing Louisville 2-0 Orlando Pride

Louisville’s 27-year-old goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer made seven seismic saves to clinch a clean sheet in a statement win over the reigning champs. With that, Louisville heads into the summer break in incredible form: five of their six total wins in 2025 have come in their last seven games. Orlando got seven shots on target but were slightly unlucky in yet another defeat, which is their fourth loss of the year and already two more than their total number of defeats in 2024. 

Gotham 2-1 Bay FC

Gotham came from behind to beat Bay FC 2-1 on a hot summer evening in New Jersey, in a momentous match that featured the return of Rose Lavelle to their starting lineup for the first time in 2025, and some big-game moments from their European talents. German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made four key saves, limiting the visitors as they outshot the hosts. And Spanish striker Esther scored her 10th goal of the season to finish the weekend on top of the Golden Boot race by two goals. Bay FC had a valiant performance and were slightly unlucky to fall short in their second straight loss, after leading the game early thanks to Penelope Hocking’s fourth goal of the year.

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More Great Football from Around the World 🌍

France 5-0 Belgium 🇫🇷 🇧🇪

Euro 2025 contenders are starting to tuneup for one of the summer’s biggest events, which sets off on July 2 in Switzerland. France are searching for their first international trophy, while Belgium hope to build on two strong showings in their third appearance at the Euros. In Friday’s friendly between the two sides, Les Bleues sent five goals past their neighbors, featuring a hat-trick from 24-year-old Manchester United forward Melvine Malard, and now looked poised for a big summer.

Portugal 0-0 Nigeria 🇵🇹 🇳🇬

U.S. fans may not fondly remember a 0-0 draw against Portugal of their own (which saw them place second in Group E of the 2023 World Cup). But Nigeria’s Super Falcons had a strong performance in Lisbon yesterday, as they held off the hosts in a tune-up friendly before this summer’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Texas-born manager Randy Waldrum is hoping to lead Nigeria to their 10th program title, while Portugal are practicing for their third Euros appearance, where they aim to make it out of the group stage for the first time. Their first match of Group B sets them up against the reigning World Cup champions, Spain.

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. on June 30! 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 sports icons to D.C.’s historic Howard Theatre at 7:30 p.m., including Canada manager Casey Stoney and Washington Mystic Georgia Amoore. Come and have a pint with us and revel in all that is good about life and football. Tickets are available here. 🎟️

Upcoming Matches Worth Setting Reminders for 📺

Spain vs. Japan (Friday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Mexico/Disney+ Premium Mexico) 🇪🇸 🇯🇵

The reigning World Cup champions will prepare for their Euros run with an enticing test against Nadashiko Japan, who they lost to in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup (the only team to beat the eventual champions). La Roja collected their first major international trophy at that World Cup, and have their eye on their first Euros prize after losing 2-1 to the reigning title holders, England, in the last edition. 

France vs. Brazil (Friday, 3:10 p.m. ET, Disney+ Premium Caribbean & Mexico) 🇫🇷 🇧🇷

After a blistering defeat of the Belgians, Les Bleues continue to test their mettle with a battle against the top team in South America, and the reigning silver medalists, Brazil. As Canarinhas will also be prepping for a major tournament, as they battle the French ahead of this summer’s Copa America in Ecuador, where the eight-time reigning champions are looking to defend their title. 

England vs. Jamaica (Sunday, 12 p.m. ET, ITV1/STV in UK) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇯🇲

The Lionesses have been making headlines in recent weeks as a few of their big-name players retired from international football, or removed themselves from this summer’s title-defending tournament, following news of their roles in the roster. The team’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman insists all is well, as the defending champions of Europe head to Switzerland hoping to do it again. They’ll play Jamaica this Sunday as one of their final pre-tournament tests. 

  • Sam's Take 🗣️: Next week, we're catching up with Georgia Stanway, the Lioness midfielder who fought her way back from injury this spring in time to make the Euros roster. Stay tuned for her interview and lots more on the England roster changes this summer!

Australia vs. Slovenia (Thursday, 7 a.m. ET, Paramount+) 🇦🇺 🇸🇮

With Joe Montemurro officially confirmed as permanent head-coach, the Matildas open a four-match window against Slovenia, who they’ll face twice in the coming week before back-to-back tests against Panama. Slovenia topped League B Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League, beating Ireland on goal differential, and will provide an intriguing test for Australia, who’ll compete with an interesting mix of talent while still missing a number of veterans.

Mexico vs. Colombia (Friday, 9:45 p.m. ET, ViX) 🇲🇽 🇨🇴

El Tri Femenil is set to face Las Cafeteras this Friday evening, as the Colombians prepare for next month’s Copa America Feminina, South America’s biggest tournament. In the last five meetings between the two sides (stretching back to a 1-1 draw at the 2015 World Cup), they’ve drawn twice, Colombia has won twice, and Mexico has won once. Catalina Usme scored the game-deciding goal in a 1-0 victory for Las Cafeteras the last time they met in April of last year.

🥤 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 🗞️

  • While the senior team gathers for friendlies against Ireland and Canada, the U.S. U-23 squad is also getting together in Denver where they will train concurrently with the USWNT. Emma Hayes and her staff will be there to observe training, and the U-23s will attend the USWNT’s first friendly against Ireland in Colorado. The U-23 roster for this window includes 19 NWSL players, four collegiate athletes and one player from Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil. 

  • England’s top-flight WSL is expanding from 12 to 14 teams in the 2026/27 season. Here’s a look at what that means.

  • USWNT and NWSL veteran Meghan Klingenberg announced her retirement from the game on social media, letting the public know that she’s, “Now available for charity matches, Sunday brunches and pool parties… preferably all in the same day.” Klingenberg leaves behind a mighty legacy at the club and international level, having collected a multitude of honors, including winning the 2015 World Cup and multiple NWSL Championships with her longtime club, the Portland Thorns. 

  • Newly-promoted English club, London City Lionesses, are making moves ahead of their upcoming WSL season as 33-year-old Dutch midfielder Daniëlle von de Donk departs eight-time UWCL champions Lyon to sign for the English club. 

    • Sam's Take 🗣️: Huge signing for London City! This was such a great move. DVDD will bring so much experience and leadership to this club who will need to count on their veterans if they want to compete at the next level. I love that she’s returning to London and continuing to push herself with new environments and new challenges.

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome back to our weekly trivia game!

This week’s question: ‘Emily Fox from America’ is in Italy, resting up and vacationing after a Champions League winning season at Arsenal, and so is her Gunners teammate, Ireland captain Katie McCabe. But one well-known Irish midfielder, born in Cork as the youngest of nine kids, will be present to play against the United States. Who is that midfielder?

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

Last week’s answer: Emma Hayes recently dropped the USWNT squad that will play Ireland in back-to-back friendlies later this week. What retired star scored a goal in her 100th cap against Ireland in 2016? That would be the one and only Alex Morgan.

This week’s winner is Laura Davis, and thanks to everyone who responded.

Moment of Joy 🤸

Meghan writes: Hi Sam, 

I just wanted to write to you to tell you how touching your Vermont Green Live episode was. I really appreciated your vulnerability and honesty in struggling to accept your retirement and finding value in another part of yourself. I also love that on the podcast, you are so honest in saying how hard it is to hear about the national team singing along together on the bus or playing songs in the locker room. I think last week you said you were really happy for Lynn getting to do that and that you "got there really quickly," which I thought was funny and so honest - of course you miss it and wish you could still be part of it in that way, and I think that is really helpful for other players at all levels to hear. I think you bring such a wonderful perspective, in that you can hold two emotions at once: fiercely missing what you loved but also throwing yourself fully into new experiences, people, and endeavors. I've been a follower since the Snacks days, and I have been so impressed at how you've developed in this role (becoming Sammy Media) and the obvious talent you have for connecting with others. You should definitely look up the definition of "earnestness" because Becky is right; your earnestness makes it easy for listeners to connect with you as an athlete, but also as a person who just loves this game. You are an incredible role model (especially to Avery!). You have built an incredible thing at The Women's Game and you should be so proud of yourself. Just wanted to pass that along as a big fan of all that you do - I look forward to your episodes every week!

Best of luck in your role with the Vermont Green!

Kate in Philadelphia (but fellow New Englander)

Sam writes: Kate! Wow. Making me emotional over here! In all seriousness, thank you for these kind words. I am so grateful I have The Women’s Game as an outlet to stay connected to the game and to fans like you. Thank you for listening and for writing in!

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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