Happy Tuesday, TWG readers! 

You know when you are so obsessed with a TV show that you don’t want to do anything except watch it? And like eating and sleeping come second? That’s what I’m experiencing right now with The Traitors. EVERYONE recommended this show to me and I was reluctant, but I’m locked in now. So excuse me if this note is short - you know where I’m rushing off to.

Otherwise, TWG is in marathon mode trying to keep up with this USWNT, who are heading into the SheBelieves Cup final tomorrow night against Japan. We’ll be going live right at the final whistle with Angel City defender, Ali Riley, and it’s going to be a late one. Get your naps in today, folks, and join us on TWG’s Youtube channel for a TWG After Dark to hopefully celebrate Emily Sonnett’s eighth title.

In the meantime, there’s an all new Good Vibes FC dropping today with Becky Sauerbrunn. Plus, catch up on Friendlies with Lindsey Heaps and get ready for an all new interview with Crystal Dunn, dropping on Thursday! Thank you all for being here!

Faithfully,
Sam

SheBelieves Cup Comes Down to Final Match 🏆 🇺🇸 🇯🇵

The U.S. Women’s National Team won their first two games of the 10th SheBelieves Cup. With just one game to go, Emma Hayes and the reigning gold-medalists will look to defend their title against Japan this week. Nadeshiko Japan provided a tough test for the U.S. at last summer’s Olympics, and opened their tournament with two big wins as they beat Australia 4-0 and Colombia 4-1. 

You can catch the final match on Wednesday, Feb. 26 in San Diego (10:30 p.m. ET, TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock). In the meantime, here’s how the U.S. got here:

USA 2 - 0 Colombia 🇺🇲🇨🇴

• Feb. 21 in Houston, Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor scored in the USA’s opening 2–0 win against Colombia. Macario’s goal was her first for the U.S. in two years and 340 days, as the 2022 SheBelieves Cup MVP makes a momentous return to the tournament after working back from injury. 21-year-old Ally Sentnor (who was named U.S. Soccer’s 2024 Young Female Player of the Year) scored a trademark rocket, as the Utah Royals rookie translates her impressive club and U20 team play to the senior level.

• That’s not the only thing to celebrate from matchday one: Emma Hayes debuted three new players (Tara McKeown, Gisele Thompson, and Michelle Cooper), and the team celebrated 100 caps for Emily Sonnett. 

More: Sam breaks down the USA’s win against Colombia with newly-retired goalkeeper extraordinaire, Alyssa Naeher.

Also: Last week, Sam spoke with Lindsey Heaps (née Horan) about Emma Hayes’ compliments regarding her leadership during the Olympics in Paris, and much more. 

USA 2 - 1 Australia 🇺🇲🇦🇺

• Sunday evening in Glendale, Arizona, the U.S. played their second game of the tournament against Australia, beating the Matildas 2-1. Lynn Biyendolo opened the scoring just 41 seconds into the game with her 22nd goal for the Stars and Stripes. (Lynn’s husband Marley might be the only Australian that celebrated).

• 22-year-old Kansas City forward Michelle Cooper subbed into the game and made it 2-0 in the 68th minute, marking her first goal in her second appearance for the U.S.. As Emma Hayes continues to prioritize developing a broader talent pool, the U.S. manager made eleven changes to the starting lineup, which was the youngest USWNT starting XI since 2001 and included 19-year-old Claire Hutton’s debut. 

More: Sam went live at the final whistle to break down the win against Australia.

🥤 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.

Elsewhere in the Football World 🌍

Pinatar Cup in Spain 🇨🇦🇲🇽🇨🇳🇹🇼

• Casey Stoney’s first competitive match in charge of Canada was a 1-1 tie with China in the Pinatar Cup on Feb. 19. Saturday, Canada faced fellow-Concacaf side Mexico (who beat Chinese Taipei 4-0 in their first game), and beat them 2-0 with goals from Lyon center back Vanessa Gilles and winger Adriana Leon (her second of the tournament).

More: Casey Stoney earns draw in first match as Canada coach.

Also: San Diego Wave sign Adriana Leon from Aston Villa.

UEFA Women’s Nations League 🇪🇺

Matchday one of the group phase took place on Friday across Europe, with matchday two scheduled for today:

• The reigning Nations League title holders, Spain, beat Belgium 3-2 thanks to Christina Martín-Prieto’s 96th-minute goal. 🇪🇸🇧🇪

• France, who placed second behind Spain in 2024, opened the tournament with a 1-0 win against Norway thanks to a goal from PSG striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto. 🇫🇷🇪🇸

• England, the reigning EURO champions, drew 1-1 with Portugal as they prepare to defend their trophy in Switzerland this summer. Arsenal striker Alessia Russo scored for the Lionesses, while 22-year-old Barcelona talent Kika Nazareth came off the bench to equalize with a beautiful goal for As Navegadoras. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇵🇹

More: England have lots to work on but Sarina Wiegman not concerned.

Also: UEFA Women’s Nations League: key dates and format explained.

International Matches Aplenty ⚽︎

• 73 NWSL players representing 26 countries played games across the world during the international break. Zambian forwards Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride) and Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC) faced off against NWSL’s 2024 MVP Temwa Chawinga, as Zambia played Malawi in back-to-back friendlies. In Saturday’s test, Zambia won 2-0 with a goal from Bay FC’s Kundananji. 🇿🇲🇲🇼

GOOD VIBES FC MERCH IS HERE 🤩🎁

The Good Vibes keep getting better…

THE GOOD VIBES MERCH IS HERE 🥳 and you can gear up like Sam, Becky, and Lynn right now.

Celebrate every laugh, hug, and cheer with the ultimate Good Vibes FC collection in our Limited Edition collaboration with one of our favorite brands, HOMAGE, so you know they’re SUPER soft.

SHOP GOOD VIBES FC GEAR NOW

P.S.: You can get free shipping on your MiB shop order over $75. Just use code “BLAZER75” at checkout 😊

📧 Enjoying The Women’s Game? Check out our other newsletters.

News & Notes 🗞️

• Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain’s Football Federation, was found guilty of sexual assault by the Spanish Court for kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s 2023 World Cup win. 

• NWSL’s 16th club, set to debut in Denver, is calling on fans for input on their new name. Now through Feb. 26, you can vote on the six proposed options: Denver FC, Denver Peak FC, Denver Gold FC, Denver Elevate FC, Colorado 14ers FC, and Colorado Summit FC. 

Parting Shots 🥃

“My favorite training partner. Excited for what’s to come.” — 21-year-old Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson posted to social media with a heartfelt message for her sister, 19-year-old Angel City right back Gisele Thompson, who made her official USWNT debut against Colombia.

Good Reads 📚

• From Madalitso Wills Kateta in The Guardian, ‘From dusty pitches to football stardom: the rise of the Chawinga sisters’

• From Madeline Kenney in The New York Post, ‘WNBA’s stifling draft rules need to change with the times’

• From Anne Peterson in The AP, ‘Would-be pro soccer players navigate NWSL futures without a draft’

• From Melanie Anzidei in The Athletic, ‘Crystal Dunn opens up about leaving NWSL for PSG’

Moment of Joy 🤸

Meaghan and Katie write: Hello!!

My sister Katie and I are huge fans of the pod! Today she told me to go listen to the pod, knowing it would be special to me, and it was! Sam, you were talking about your favorite memory from playing with your sister and you talked about playing in Hartford, CT in the torrential rain. Katie and I were there watching that game and it is one of my favorite fan memories with my sister! 

It was torrential rain - like we were all just in a full bath the whole time. I had my hair in a Becky braid and were just embracing the rain while we shouted and cheered for you both. Some young girls next to us were Sam's biggest fans and asked us for help cheering for "Tower of Power" and "Sammy Banana." We were sitting in the section below your parents, so we were cheering and shouting to you while you waved at your parents. We have a video of you two standing in the downpour and being so excited to see your parents and wave to them. 

Becky, I was shouting and screaming for you as you walked by and my sister captured a video of me shouting hi to you and then being in full awe and shock that you looked at me and smiled and waved in response. 

I just loved that this was a favorite memory for Sam with her sister since it is a favorite memory for me and my sister. 

Thanks for reading and for hosting such a great podcast! 

Meaghan & Katie

Sam writes: Meaghan and Katie-

These pictures make me so happy and bring back even more good memories from this day. I feel so touched that you, as sisters, got so much out of that game because it truly was such a special moment for my family and me. Memories with your sister are among the most precious, and I hope you both have plans to go to lots more games together in the near future.

Thanks for sharing <3

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 womensgamemib@meninblazers.com

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