The Continental Clásico Is Back 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

Plus, Trinity Rodman is training again!

July 01, 2025

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

I am still coming down from our TWG Live! in Washington D.C. last night. It was such an incredible show with Becky and Rog, plus guests Casey Stoney, Tara McKeown, Georgia Amoore, and Sonia Citron. As I head back to Vermont this morning, I’m feeling so grateful for this community of people who love soccer as much as we do here at The Women’s Game… and even more grateful that we have one more USWNT game to watch this week! The U.S. are taking on Canada tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. ET and I’ll be going live with Canadian legend, Steph Labbe, right at the final whistle. Join us on TWG’s YouTube channel!

After that, we’re pivoting to cover the Euros for the rest of July. To start us off, we released a Euros preview pod last Friday with Anita Asante which got me excited about England… but also Germany! Make sure to give that a listen if you haven’t yet. We’ve also got Lionesses midfielder, Georgia Stanway, coming on Friendlies this week to preview the tournament as England kick off their first game on Saturday.

We have such an unbelievable roster of talent joining us for our Euros coverage… including USWNTers Crystal Dunn and Lindsey Heaps. I have all of the Euros games on my calendar and I’m looking forward to a month of exciting and competitive international soccer. Stay tuned for our coverage and send me an email with your predictions!

Also: WE HAVE A DISCORD NOW! We have launched The Women's Game channel within the Men in Blazers Media Network Discord server as a place for 24/7/365 discussion about the topics that matter, players we care most about and the teams that rightly (or wrongly) affect our mood on a daily basis. Yes, bring your memes and hot takes, but also book recommendations, thrifting finds and everything in between. Best yet, interact with members of the TWG staff including SAM MEWIS - who will be hosting an AMA tomorrow, Wednesday, July 2 at 2 p.m. ET. We can't wait to see you all there - hit THIS LINK to join now!

Thank you all so much for being here!

Love,

Sam

USWNT vs. Ireland: Two Wins for the U.S., Rose Lavelle Returns, and Lynn Biyendolo Wears the Captain’s Band 🇺🇸 🇮🇪

The U.S. women’s national team beat Ireland 4-0 twice in a row this past week, with goals from seven different players and five debuts. With Europe-based players resting, and other pivotal members of the team absent due to injury or pregnancy, Emma Hayes continued to trial new names as she whittles down the team that will take on World Cup qualifying this autumn. After making 11 changes to the starting lineup from match to match, Hayes has officially debuted 24 players and gone with 36 different starters in 2025 alone (that’s equal to the historic record set in 2000 and 2001).  

Though she only played a few minutes in Cincinnati (running out before a joyous crowd in her home city, following infectious chants of “WE WANT ROSE!” which her teammates took part in), the return of Rose Lavelle after ankle surgery was a jubilant storyline in both games. In Colorado, Lavelle started and scored, after assisting Houston defender Avery Patterson in the opening goal.

  • Sam’s Take 🗣️: This made me so happy! There is truly nobody like Rose. Her return is so critical for this team as they build towards 2027. Seeing her take the field in her hometown always moves me. Cincinnati forever <3

Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson also came off the bench in the second friendly, but scored a goal in both games. TWG’s podcast co-host extraordinaire Lynn Biyendolo wore the captain’s band for the first time in Cincinnati, and fittingly, scored a goal. Sam Coffey also wrote her name in the scoresheet in Colorado, while both Yazmeen Ryan and Izzy Rodriguez knocked home the first USWNT goals of their careers in Ohio too.

Next Up: Canada 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

The USWNT play our neighbors to the north Wednesday evening in Washington D.C. (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV), marking the first time they’ll face the 2020 Olympic gold medalists with former San Diego boss and England captain Casey Stoney as head coach. Canada is the second-most frequent opponent of the U.S. (behind China), and every test between them is a riveting battle of tactics, tenacity and skill. In 2024, the two North American giants met twice during knockout competitions, with each game finishing 2-2 in regulation and decided by penalty shootout (the U.S. won both tests). 

  • Sam’s Take 🗣️: Alyssa Naeher was the focal point in our games against Canada last year, stepping up huge during both of these penalty shootouts. Whoever starts in goal tomorrow for the U.S. could find themselves with a true test on their hands and an opportunity to make their case for why they belong in goal.

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The Euros Start Tomorrow 🇪🇺🏆

The Tournament Favorites 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 🇳🇱 🇩🇪

Despite some pre-tournament turmoil as impactful veterans exited the team for varied reasons (Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Fran Kirby), the reigning champions of Europe, England, are poised to be contenders again. Their first hurdle, though, will be navigating a group of death of near unfathomable proportions. Beyond the Lionesses, Group D contains two other potential title-winners in France and the Netherlands, as well as a strong Welsh team that’s making their international tournament debut.

Spain has yet to leave their mark on this tournament (despite a semifinal finish in 1997, their most recent results include three consecutive quarter-final exits from 2013-2022), but with multiple Ballon d’Or winners and a squad brimming with talent from Champions League runners-up Barcelona, the reigning champions of the world are also favorites to claim this summer’s trophy in Switzerland. Germany, who won the 2024 bronze medal, will contend with a young squad that could challenge for the title as well. 

The Dark Horses 🇸🇪 🇳🇴

Sweden enters this tournament as strong as they’ve ever been, and certainly have the talent in their squad to win their first international trophy. They’ll begin their campaign in Group C, though, which puts them in the path of a team from the deadliest of all death groups (Group D) in the first knockout game. Norway are another side that’s certainly got the skill to do damage, though they’ve struggled in recent years to turn that talent into tournament results.

  • Sam’s Take 🗣️: I spoke with Norway captain Ada Hegerberg earlier this year, check out that interview ahead of the tournament here.

How to Watch the Games 📺

FOX has the rights to this year’s tournament, which takes place from July 2-27, and will broadcast games across FOX, FS1 and FS2 for fans watching from the United States. Fans from around the world can locate their viewing options here. 

More: Emma Hayes wrote for The Guardian, ‘Euro 2025 is sure to showcase just how far women’s football has come.’

WAFCON 2025: Africa’s Top Tourney Returns 🌍🏆

The Tournament Favorites 🇳🇬 🇲🇦 🇿🇲 🇿🇦

The nine-time champions of Africa, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, will be on the hunt to reclaim their title in Morocco, after placing fourth in the last edition. The team enters the tournament with Texas-born manager Randy Waldrum, who also coached them in the 2023 World Cup, where they made a mark after progressing out of their group ahead of Canada and Ireland. They tied Euro 2025 contenders Portugal 0-0 in a recent friendly, which exhibited the skill of Chiamaka Nnadozie, who’s been named Africa’s best goalkeeper in back-to-back years (and signed for English WSL team Brighton & Hove Albion last week).

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses placed second in 2022, which they also hosted, and have only gained experience in major tournaments since then. At the 2023 World Cup, the Moroccan squad beat Colombia and South Korea to progress out of Group H ahead of Germany and South Korea. Fans can expect the Moroccans to challenge for the trophy while playing at home again this summer. Zambia took the third-place prize in 2022, marking their best-ever finish, and are riding into the tournament with multiple players now playing in NWSL, including Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda and Bay FC’s Rachel Kundananji. The Copper Queens could be contenders in this edition, as will the reigning title holders, South Africa, who claimed their first trophy in 2022.   

The Dark Horses 🇬🇭

Ghana have historically been among the strongest teams in this tournament, though they’ve fallen short of their historic results in recent editions and they lost 3-1 to Nigeria in a pre-tournament tune-up on Sunday. 

How to Watch the Games 📺

This year’s tournament sees 12 teams compete for the title from July 5-26. Fans can watch the games on the tournament’s website, CAFONLINE.com, as well as on FIFA+.

More Beautiful Football Around the World 🌍

Norway 0-2 Sweden 🇳🇴 🇸🇪

Two-time European champions Norway lost to the 1984 champions, Sweden, in a pre-tournament tuneup in Oslo. Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius—who scored the Gunners’ game-winning goal against Barcelona in this year’s UEFA Champions League Final—netted the first of two goals for the Swedes, while 27-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Filippa Angeldal was responsible for the second. 

Australia 3-0 Slovenia & Australia 1-1 Slovenia 🇦🇺 🇸🇮

In the first of two friendlies against FIFA’s No. 38-ranked Slovenia, the No. 15-ranked Matildas secured a 3-0 victory in Perth. In Joe Montemurro’s first match as head coach, 33-year-old Melbourne Victory forward Emily Gielnik scored in the third minute to ensure the home side had the lead throughout, but victory remained uncertain until the Matildas added two more in the final minutes of the game. A few days later, they drew Slovenia 1-1 with a lone goal from 36-year-old Canberra United FC striker Michelle Heyman.

Spain 3-1 Japan 🇪🇸 🇯🇵

Utah Royals forward and 2025 SheBelieves Cup MVP Mina Tanaka scored the lone goal for Nadeshiko Japan in a 3-1 loss against La Roja. Barcelona teammates Vicky López and Cláudia Pina notched Spain's first goals, which gave them the 2-1 lead after they’d fallen behind, while Real Madrid forward Athenea del Castillo came off the bench to make it three. 

France 3-2 Brazil 🇫🇷 🇧🇷

The reigning Olympic silver-medalists scored twice within the first 12 minutes (with goals from Atlético Madrid midfielder Luany and Manchester City’s Kerolin), and maintained a 2-0 lead for most of the first half, while outshooting the hosts 20 to 12 (10 to five on target) overall. But PSG midfielder Grace Geyoro scored a brace of goals on either side of the half to level the score, and her PSG teammate, striker Marie Antoinette Katoto, knocked home a match-winner in the 76th minute. 

More: France’s Grace Geyoro: ‘We must look England straight in the eyes’

England 7-0 Jamaica 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇯🇲

The Lionesses beat the Reggae Girlz 7-0 in their final tuneup before this summer’s title defense in Switzerland. Goals came from six different players, with 25-year-old Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone collecting a brace. 

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Upcoming Matches Worth Setting Reminders for 📺

Spain vs. Portugal (Thursday, 3 p.m. ET, FOX/Disney+) 🇪🇸 🇵🇹

The reigning World Cup champions, Spain, will start their quest for a first Euros title against their neighbors Portugal, who are appearing in their fourth major international competition (and third-straight Euros, after departing in the group stage the past two editions). 

France vs. England (Saturday, 3 p.m ET, FOX/Disney+) 🇫🇷 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

The reigning champions of Europe, England, start their title-defending campaign against Les Bleues, who are hoping to contend for their first international trophy. 

Morocco vs. Zambia (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, Fubo/CAFONLINE.com) 🇲🇦 🇿🇲

This year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) begins with tournament hosts, Morocco, facing off against the Copper Queens. NWSL fans will be plenty familiar with multiple players in Saturday’s match, as Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji and Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda are sure to feature for Zambia. 

🥤 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 🗞️

  • Boston Legacy FC have their first head coach in 36-year-old Portuguese manager Filipa Patão. She led Benfica to five league titles during her five years there, and is set to manage the NWSL’s 15th club in their inaugural season. 

  • American businesswoman Michele Kang has made another massive move. As the owner of three women’s clubs (OL Lyonnes, Washington Spirit, London City Lionesses), she has been named the president of OL Lyonnes’ men’s team, Lyon, as well. 

  • In September, San Diego Wave will retire the iconic No. 13 for former striker and minority owner Alex Morgan. Morgan was a star for the USWNT, where she scored 123 goals in 224 career appearances, but was also a mainstay of NWSL over the course of 11 years playing for teams across the nation before retiring with the San Diego Wave. In 2022, Morgan won the NWSL Golden Boot after scoring 15 goals in 17 games for the expansion club during its inaugural season. 

  • TRINITY RODMAN IS BACK RUNNING. The 23-year-old star for Washington Spirit and the USWNT posted a video of herself during a training session. Emma Hayes recently told reporters that she expects Rodman to be back playing some time in July. 

  • USWNT two-time World Cup champion and two-time gold medalist, Tobin Heath, is the only woman on FIFA’s technical study group during this summer’s men’s Club World Cup. On her experience, Heath said, “I am by far the most experienced winner, as a player, in that room.” The inaugural women’s Club World Cup is scheduled to launch in 2028, with Gotham as the first of two teams from Concacaf to qualify, after winning the Concacaf W Champions Cup this May.

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome back to our weekly trivia game!

This week’s question: Since 1984, five European countries have won the continent’s top competition, now called the UEFA Women’s Euros. What are those five countries?

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

Last week’s answer: ‘Emily Fox from America’ was recently in Italy, resting up and vacationing after a Champions League-winning season at Arsenal, and so was her Gunners teammate, Ireland captain Katie McCabe. But one well-known Irish midfielder, born in Cork as the youngest of nine kids, suited up against the United States last week. That would be Denise O'Sullivan.

This week’s winner is Dave Parsons, and thanks to everyone who responded.

Good Reads 👩‍💻

Moment of Joy 🤸

Peyton writes: Hello Sam, Lynn, and Becky,

First off, I just want to say thank you for putting together such an amazing podcast. I’ve been an avid listener since Snacks.

I was at the USA vs. Ireland game on Thursday and had the opportunity to take pictures with Lynn and Becky (see the attached, I was the 30-year-old asking for pictures among all the teenage girls lol). Both pictures meant so much to me - I’ve had an ACL repair and bilateral (hip) labral repairs since 2022 and now I’m pregnant (also due in October!). 

Listening to the podcast was so healing for me during my recoveries, especially getting to hear how you guys handle (and also struggle with) having multiple injuries. It made me feel so much less alone. And being an adult no longer playing soccer, it made me feel like I was part of a team again. Now being pregnant, I’m going through a whole other set of mental and physical changes - especially to my body and my ability to be my “athletic self.” I appreciate so much Becky opening up about her experience and sharing her journey on the pod.

You guys are amazing and I’m wishing you all the best! Hopefully I’ll get a chance to take a pic with Sam someday! 

Peyton N.

Former #18, Women’s Game/Good Vibes fan

Sam writes: Hi Peyton! 

Thank you so much for writing in. The crowd in Colorado looked electric! I really appreciate you sharing your story and I am glad the podcast is able to help in some small way. You’ll always be a part of the TWG team! Thanks again for listening and congrats on your pregnancy!

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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