USWNT Goes for Sweep Against Brazil 🇺🇸🇧🇷

Plus, some huge World Cup news.

April 08, 2025

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

The USWNT is back to their winning ways! On Saturday’s altcast, Rog and I watched the U.S. beat Brazil 2-0 thanks to goals from Trinity Rodman and Lindsey Heaps. We were joined by some amazing guests, including Uzo Aduba, Lo LaBonta, and Lynn Biyendolo, to watch the game in real time on TruTV and MAX… it was so much fun! And seeing the U.S. get the win in a very physical and fast-paced game was even better. We’ve got a rematch tonight and I’m expecting another really exciting game, so mark your calendars to watch the game at 10:30 p.m. ET, and then join Ali Riley and me on our YouTube channel at 12:30 a.m. ET for a TWG Live!

ii. While we wait for the U.S. to play again, don’t miss yesterday’s episode of Good Vibes FC with Lynn. We reviewed the Brazil game and chatted about the 2031 World Cup bid. Also, check out my interview with Yazmeen Ryan that dropped last week. Yaz subbed into the game for the U.S. on Saturday night and looked really great, so I’m hoping to see her get some more minutes in round two. Finally, we’ve got an interview with the USWNT’s Jaedyn Shaw coming out on Thursday! 

iii. I’m getting so excited for Good Vibes FC Live! Presented by OLIPOP, which is NEXT WEEK in Seattle on April 16. I can’t wait to see Lynn and Becky in person and revel in the Cascadia Rivalry matchup between the Seattle Reign and Portland Thorns next Friday, April 18. This will be my third NWSL game this season… am I the NWSL’s biggest superfan? Let me know how many games you’ve been to – send me an email at [email protected].

Thank you all so much for being here!

Love,
Sam

Back-to-Back Battles with Brazil: the U.S. Wins First of Two Tests in California 🇺🇲🇧🇷

USA 2-0 Brazil 

Saturday’s gold medal rematch between the United States and Brazil was a historic affair as North and South America’s top-ranked teams played the first-ever women’s football match at SoFi Stadium in front of 32,303 fans. It took Trinity Rodman just five minutes to remind viewers why she’s an irreplaceable talent in the U.S. front line. In her first appearance since the 2024 Olympics—where the 22-year-old Washington Spirit star scored three of the USA’s 12 goals—Rodman returned to her starting role on the right wing, and gave the USWNT an early advantage as she slotted home a tone-setting goal (below) with the assist from L.A.-native and Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson. U.S. captain Lindsey Heaps made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, which she put away with a thunderous strike in the 66th minute, after 17-year-old Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes entered the match and immediately drew a foul in the box. 

Rodman’s roaring return wasn’t the only notable change in Saturday’s starting lineup. Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce got her first start, first cap, and first clean sheet for the USWNT, after making six essential saves. In England, Tullis-Joyce has impressed since earning a starting role for third-place Manchester United, and currently has the highest save percentage (87.5%) of any keeper in England’s top-flight WSL. Twenty-two-year-old Houston Dash rookie Avery Patterson also subbed into the match for Arsenal right back Emily Fox in the 88th minute, becoming the 17th player to earn her USWNT debut under Emma Hayes. Listen to Sam recall her own debut as it happened. 

USA vs. Brazil (Tuesday, April 8, 10:30 p.m. ET, TBS)

Tuesday’s re-match provides Emma Hayes the opportunity to rotate players and test her depth as the two teams meet again, this time in San Jose. It also provides the unique opportunity to continue perfecting their game plan against a high-quality opponent. Saturday, the team took 16 shots with 12 on target, but scored twice (including once from the penalty spot). While the USWNT’s attacking lines focus on execution in the final third, Hayes may work with her defensive structure to prevent Brazil from accruing chances; As Canarinhas fired off 15 shots (though just six on target), requiring a strong showing from Tullis-Joyce to keep a clean sheet.

🥤 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.

Around the World 🌍

In Europe, the UEFA Nations League rolls on as teams compete for first place in their respective groups, which is the only way to qualify for the finals. Matchday four of six takes place today, and League A’s four groups are locked in tough battles after last week’s results: 

England 5-0 Belgium 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇧🇪

England’s Lionesses (who placed second to the Netherlands in the last edition, which kept them from progressing to the finals and appearing in last summer’s Olympics) moved to first place in Group Three after trouncing Belgium 5-0 in Bristol. Goals came from five different players in a comprehensive performance for Sarina Wiegman’s squad, who are building momentum after beating Spain two months back. The two sides meet again this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. ET in Belgium where the home side will look to rebound against the mighty Lionesses.

Portugal 2-4 Spain 🇵🇹🇪🇸

Elsewhere in Group Three, Spain beat Portugal 4-2 on the road in a scrappy back-and-forth battle that saw Portuguese goalkeeper Inês Pereira make four saves to limit La Roja’s 20 shots and six big chances. Second-place Spain now trail England by one point with three matches to go, as they prepare to play Portugal a second time today at 1 p.m. ET.

Japan 1-1 Colombia 🇯🇵🇨🇴

Elsewhere, Japan, who beat the USWNT in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup this past March, drew with Colombia in a friendly at Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka on Sunday. Leicester City midfielder/forward Karla Torres scored for Las Cafeteras in the 35th minute to give the visitors the advantage. But the home side drew level in second-half stoppage time from the penalty spot, with a goal from Urawa Red Ladies defender Hana Takahashi.

USA and UK to Likely Host ‘31 & ‘35 World Cups 🇺🇲🇬🇧

With the 2027 World Cup set to take place in Brazil, FIFA has announced the likely hosts for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments. With bids due last Saturday, both editions have received just one approach each, meaning the 2031 hosts will (most likely) be the United States, and four years later, the 2035 tourney will head to the UK.

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Matches Worth Faking a Meeting For 📺

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayern München (Saturday, 8 a.m. ET, DAZN) 🇩🇪

Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga has seen four teams battle for supremacy this year. At the moment, title holders Bayern Munich are in first place with a six-point advantage. But they’ll face a tough test this Saturday with only four games remaining, as they play second-place Eintracht Frankfurt away from home. 

San Diego Wave vs. Kansas City Current (Saturday, 10 p.m. ET, ION) 🌊⭐️

Kansas City Current are tearing into 2025 with all the swagger they brought in 2024, already setting themselves apart from the pack as one of the top teams. San Diego struggled last season, but they’ve started strong in the new campaign, and they gave the first-place Orlando Pride a tough challenge before the international break. This should be an interesting test, for both teams. 

Seattle Reign vs. Orlando Pride (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ION) 👑 ⛲️

Like San Diego, Seattle disappointed in 2024, but is looking strong at the start of the new season. They picked up their first loss before the international break against Angel City, and now head home for a big test against reigning champions Orlando.

News & Notes 🗞️

  • More USWNT matches on deck: the U.S. and Canada will face off July 2 in Washington D.C. The two most recent meetings between the North American rivals took place in 2024, with both games decided by penalties after finishing 2-2 in regulation. Between now and then, the USWNT are set to play Brazil, China, and the Republic of Ireland, with the Allstate Continental Clásico between the U.S. and Canada closing out a three-match window, after back-to-back tests against Ireland in late June. 🇺🇸

  • Another NWSL landmark: On March 29, Orlando Pride beat San Diego Wave 2-1 in Orlando. The match set a new record as the most-watched NWSL match in ESPN history with 357,000 viewers. 📺

  • Recently-retired U.S. legend Alex Morgan gave birth to her second child, baby boy Enzo, last week. Morgan announced the birth on Instagram with the caption, “Soaking it all up right now. Welcome to the world baby Enzo.” 💞

What’s the Story? 🗣️ USWNT’s Yazmeen Ryan on Her First International Cap 🇺🇸 

Sam Mewis: Your first cap, you looked super prepared. It was a friendly with Iceland. Afterwards, I remember this video, your old Portland Thorns teammate Lindsey Heaps got emotional giving you your first cap game ball. How surreal did all of that feel? Like, what do you remember feeling in that moment? 

Yazmeen Ryan: Yeah, I mean, this is what I'd been dreaming of, this is what I've been thinking about from the beginning. I remember thinking at the time when I was at Portland, Lindsey left the year after I got there. But I remember thinking, “The next time I play with you will be on the national team.” I set that goal for myself and I wish I would have said it (out loud) because then it would've hit that much harder. Even a player like Soph (Wilson), when I left Portland, said, “I'll see you on the national team.” It was just so fulfilling, I was so proud of myself, and then with Lindsey being able to present me the first cap ball, it all started with playing with players like her. So, yeah, it was really special.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube, or listen to the complete interview here.

Good Reads 📚

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome to our new weekly trivia game, we’re thrilled you could join us.

This week’s question: The last time the U.S. and Brazil played one another (before this past weekend), the USWNT won 1-0 with a goal from Mallory Swanson to clinch their fifth gold medal in program history. Early in the game, Brazil scored a goal that was called off. Which Brazilian player scored it?

Respond to this email with your answer and we’ll send one lucky correct responder a coveted TWG patch. Good luck!

Moments of Joy 🤸

Katy and Emily write: Hi Sammy, Becky, and Lynn,

I wanted to share our good vibe of the week! On Saturday morning, I proposed to my girlfriend, Emily (she said “Yes!”), and on Saturday night, we went to back the Thorns and support Becky at her celebration match! Although the game ended 0-0, we liked what we saw from the “rebuilding” Thorns. My girlfriend fiancé and I are avid TWG listeners and love you all dearly (even Lynn, although she plays for S**ttl* R**gn now). 

Cheers!!

Katy & Emily

Sam writes: Congratulations Katy and Emily! So happy for you and thanks for sharing! Love, 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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