Trinity Rodman Returns to the Pitch 🤩

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

So much happened in the women’s soccer world this weekend, including Brazil’s Copa América Feminina victory over Colombia and the return of the NWSL. When headlines from the weekend include the names Marta and Trinity Rodman, you know there’s a lot to talk about! Keep reading for a rundown of everything that happened on the field as we transition from the summer of soccer into the second half of the NWSL season.

I’m breaking everything down with Lynn Biyendolo on today’s episode of Good Vibes FC, and then we have one more special interview with ACFC’s Riley Tiernan dropping on Thursday, thanks to our friends at Ally. Riley and I spoke about being little sisters, long-distance aunts, and Jersey Shore fans. She was awesome to chat with and I am excited for you all to get to know her better! 

I’m heading to NYC this week to “work” AKA hang out with Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett onstage at Racket NYC on Thursday night. TWG has a live show and we’ll be highlighting all things NWSL rivalries, especially the big Gotham vs. Spirit game on Saturday. Also joining us are Katie Nolan, Jess Carter, Ann Katrin Berger, and potentially a few more surprise guests. There are very limited tickets left, so make sure to grab yours and we’ll see you there!

Love,
Sam

NWSL Matchday 14: Trinity Rodman Is BACK, Baby! 🤩

Washington Spirit 2-1 Portland Thorns

Appearing in her first NWSL match since April 12, USWNT star forward Trinity Rodman thrilled the home crowd in Washington D.C. with a stoppage-time match winner against Portland Thorns. The 23-year-old talent returned to the field after taking four months to rehab a chronic back injury, and has now scored the most stoppage-time match winners in NWSL history. Look at what it means to Trin 💙.

• Sam's Take 🗣️: Trinity was visibly emotional after this goal, and in her post-game interview said the rehab was one of the hardest things she's been through. The NWSL, and the soccer world in general, is a much better place with Trin happy, healthy, and on the field scoring bangers. I am so happy for her that she did what was best for her body, took some time away, and can now play at a high level again.

With the win, the formerly fifth-place Spirit finished the weekend in third ahead of next weekend's meeting with eighth-place Gotham. Portland maintained their hold on the sixth spot and will look to recover at home against their Cascadian rivals, Seattle.

Seattle Reign 2-0 Angel City FC

Speaking of Seattle, the Reign started the second half of their season with a strong performance against Angel City, and finished the weekend in fifth place after going undefeated in their last four games. Fresh off Wales’ first major international tournament appearance, Welsh veteran Jess Fishlock (who netted a historic goal for the Dragons in the Euros’ group of death) opened the scoring before an own goal made it two.

• Sam's Take 🗣️: Jess Fishlock is such a gift to the NWSL. After an exhausting Euros campaign, she's back for Seattle and leading the charge to the playoffs. Jess actually just sat down with me to share Wales' journey at the Euros - catch that interview next Thursday on Friendlies!

U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, who started two of the USA’s three summer friendlies, was essential to victory as she made a seismic six saves to secure the win. Angel City had more chances to score than the scoreline showed, but they finished the weekend in 11th place, with five losses from their last six games, and their last win on May 9. 

More: San Diego-born striker Mia Fishel made her NWSL debut in the 81st minute of Seattle’s 2-0 win against Angel City. After signing with Seattle this summer, the 24-year-old American is appearing in NWSL for the first time, having previously made waves in Mexico (scoring 38 goals in 48 appearances for Tigres) and winning the domestic treble with Chelsea last season.

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

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🇺🇸 USMNT Only: Your weekly digest featuring the biggest stories in the U.S. men’s game, all leading up to next year’s World Cup.

Brazil Win Copa América Femenina AGAIN 🇧🇷🏆

Saturday in Quito, South America’s indomitable As Canarinhas came from behind three times in a wild Copa América final that saw the Brazilians win a remarkable ninth trophy in the tournament’s 10th edition. Despite their defeat, Colombia’s Las Cafeteras displayed dazzling skill as they battled for their first title, and played with the lead for most of the match (this free-kick goal in the 115th minute from Washington Spirit’s Leicy Santos is worth a watch). 

But the inimitable force of 39-year-old veteran legend Marta (who re-emerged from international retirement in May) stole victory from their hands. The late substitute star scored a miraculous 96th-minute equalizer and a second goal in extra time, helping send this trophy bout to penalties.

• Sam's Take 🗣️: Marta, please don't ever leave us!

At the end of a footballing summer rife with penalty kick drama, the Brazilians won the shootout 5-4 in a back-and-forth that required sudden death. Colombia’s heartbreak came after a laudable performance, but in the words of Marta’s teammate Kerolin: “I played with the greatest of all time.”

More: Marta’s late heroics lead Brazil to ninth Copa América Femenina title

Also: Copa America final: Conmebol needs to pick up pace after Euro 2025 success

🥤 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.

The Women's Game LIVE in NYC This Week 🗽 

Join Sam Mewis for The Women’s Game Live! presented by Ally THIS THURSDAY, August 7 at Racket NYC featuring special guests Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, England's EUROS Champion Jess Carter, standout goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, and the incredible Katie Nolan. It’ll be a night celebrating the rising stakes of one of the NWSL’s fiercest East Coast rivalries: Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit. The history. The stars. The storylines. All live on stage.

🎟️ Only a few tickets left, grab yours before they’re gone!

📺 Can’t make it to be with us in NYC? YOU’RE IN LUCK: we’ll be live-streaming the show starting at 7:30pm on The Women’s Game YouTube channel. Come be with us — in person or virtually.

News and Notes 🗞️

• FOX Sports has reported a record-setting number of stateside viewers for this summer’s Euros. A whopping 1.35 million viewers tuned in for the final between England and Spain, which is a 53% increase from the 2022 final. Viewership across the tournament averaged 478,000 across all networks, a 97% increase from 2022. 

• Former Canada boss Bev Priestman has a new job. The 39-year-old English manager returns to the game after a year-long suspension due to Canada’s “spygate” scandal unearthed during the 2024 Olympics. Priestman will take charge of New Zealand side Wellington Phoenix.

• Afghanistan Women’s Refugee Team is closer to their dream, as the FIFA-approved team began a search for talent in Sydney this week. The team aims to play friendlies by the end of the year as they return Afghanistan women’s football to the international stage.

We’re in the Thick of Good Vibes FC Summer 😎

If you’re like us, then you know there's no better way to strut your stuff in everyday life than by bringing the good vibes with you. That’s where the Good Vibes FC tote bag comes into play. It’s jumbo-sized, built with natural heavy cotton for durability, and brightens up any room. GET YOURS HERE, along with a full line of GVFC merch (hats for those sunny days anyone?). SHOP NOW. 🔥

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome back to our weekly trivia game!

This week’s question: Marta collected her fourth continental trophy in Saturday’s wild win against Colombia. What year did the legend from Dois Riachos win her first?

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

Last week’s answer: In 2022, Esther González scored one goal during La Roja’s Euro run, which came against that year’s host country and this year’s champions, England.

This week’s winner is Jen Hand. Thanks to everyone who replied!

Good Reads 👩‍💻

• From Julia Andersen and Issy Ronald on CNN, ‘Euro 2025: Women’s soccer is enjoying a historic moment. But progress is uneven’

• From Jeff Kassouf on ESPN, ‘USWNT debutants ranked: All 24 players with first caps under Emma Hayes’

• From Michael Cox in The Athletic, ‘Five tactical themes that defined Euro 2025’

Moment of Joy 🤸

Krista writes: Hi Sam, Lynn, Becky, & co.,

First, thanks so much for all that you have done with The Women's Game over the last few years. You have reconnected me in a whole new way with the game that I played and reffed as a kid but drifted away from at college. You all have kept me entertained through many long hours alone in the laboratory at work and motivated me to start running and lifting when my schedule allows!

The other day while I was coming home from a run near the Boston Museum of Science, I saw my new favorite Duck Tours duck (unseating the pride duck with rainbow stripes), advertising Boston Legacy FC! Here is "Espla Nadia" in all her glory:

To see the NWSL on something so Bostonian feels like the first tangible sign that we're really getting a team here! 2026 season, here we come!

Hope you're all staying cool and having a fantastic summer 😎

All the best,

Krista from Boston

Sam writes: Krista! I love that we're keeping you company in the lab. I have been loving the Legacy's swan… but I gotta say I am also a huge fan of the duck. As a Bostonian myself, there is truly nothing cooler than knowing we finally have our own NWSL duck and this team will be taking the city by storm, land, AND sea. Seeing the Legacy logo and colors around the city DOES make it feel real. I really hope and believe that the city of Boston will embrace and celebrate the new team. I can’t wait to go to a game! 

Thank you for sharing the "Espla Nadia" with me, Krista!

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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