Huge TWG news – ”Teaming Up with Becky Sauerbrunn” is back! Becky’s first episode of 2026 features an absolute dream guest: USWNT Head Coach, Emma Hayes. I am loving Becky’s approach to this show and am so excited to see Emma and the USWNT in action this week against Japan. Make sure to catch the new episode here! 📺

“Good Vibes” with Becky is out today, and we’ll hear from USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey on “Friendlies” this Thursday. My conversation with Sam was really moving. We spoke about her transition to Manchester and her experience playing with City, as well as the responsibility we all have to critique our nation when it can do better. I’m so excited for this interview to be out in the world and so grateful to Sam for her thoughtfulness and perspective. 🌎

We’re also gearing up for the big international window which kicks off this Saturday. After all three USWNT matches, we’ll be going live with some of our favorite co-hosts. Plus, head over to the TWG store – we’ve dropped brand‑new merch in tons of fresh colors, perfect for the upcoming games. 🧢

Keep your eyes peeled on our socials this week  – Kristie and Jagger are coming to visit and we may share a few fun moments together! We’ll be celebrating Jagger’s first birthday and hopefully training my dog Chester to be gentle. 🐶

Thank you all so much for being here! 🫶

Love,
Sam

P.S. – They say never meet your heroes unless, of course, it’s Marta.

P.P.S. – Yours truly WON the Women’s March Madness bracket challenge 🏀 thanks to the UCLA Bruins whose victory shot us ahead of Good Game with Sarah Spain and a bunch of the other women’s sports pods. I’m trying to be humble but HANDS IN THE AIR and a huge congrats to the Bruins! 🙌

“They’re champions of Asia. They're easily one of the best teams in the world. What a great test for us.” –Emma Hayes on facing Japan

Three friendlies, one formidable opponent, and USWNT stars are back in camp!

With the first USWNT match against Japan this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET, fans have every reason to be excited. Sophia Wilson, one‑third of the iconic “Triple Espresso” front line that powered the U.S. to Olympic gold in 2024, returns to the roster for the first time in 17 months after welcoming her daughter Gigi. And stalwart centerback Tierna Davidson makes her long‑awaited comeback, rejoining the team after a 13‑month recovery from an ACL tear.

These matches come just over a year after the USWNT’s 2–1 loss to Japan in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup finale. Japan arrives fresh off winning the 2026 Asian Cup in which they outscored opponents 29–1 and defeated the Matildas 1–0 before 74,397 fans at Stadium Australia. As Hayes continues shaping her roster ahead of the 2027 World Cup, this window doubles as an opportunity for rising talents like Gisele Thompson, Avery Patterson, and Olivia Moultrie to make their case to book their ticket to Brazil.

Join Sam and former Angel City captain Ali Riley on TWG’s YouTube right at the final whistle as they break down all the action.

More: Ahead of her USWNT return, Sophia Wilson spoke about drawing inspiration from trailblazing moms like Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn.

“She’s just someone that you gain confidence from. We definitely want to ease her back in, but it was so great to have her out there.” –USWNT midfielder Ally Sentnor on teammate Temwa Chawinga

Kansas City Current 🩵 2-1 Gotham FC 🦇

With the welcome news of the NWSL’s two-time MVP, Temwa Chawinga, back in the Kansas City squad for the first time this year, last season’s most dynamic attack finally looked like itself again. While Gotham may have converted first with Jaedyn Shaw breaking their three-game scoring drought, KC equalized on the counter with a long-range pass from Croix Bethune to Michelle Cooper who sent in a gorgeous cross, which Debinha converted for her first goal of the year. To put KC ahead, USWNT midfielder Ally Sentnor picked out Cooper, who buried a pinpoint finish into the far corner. Maybe, just maybe, KC is back…

Bay FC 🌉 0-2 Washington Spirit 💛

In a weekend of firsts, the Spirit finally secured their first victory of the year at PayPal Park. After three-straight ties and a loss to the Portland Thorns in their home opener, Washington kept a second-straight clean sheet, thanks to a gritty performance from centerback Tara Rudd, who remarkably was able to continue following a head collision with her teammate Lucia Di Guglielmo (reminds us of another tough-as-nails USWNT defender). At the other end, the Spirit racked up 10 shots on target. A deflected own goal put Washington in front, and Gift Monday finished things off with her first of the season to seal the win.

Orlando Pride 💜 2-1 Angel City 😇

Meanwhile, Angel City suffered their first defeat of the year after falling 2-1 to the 2024 NWSL Champions Friday night in Florida. ACFC’s Emily Sams, who was drafted by the Pride in 2023, faced off against her former side for the first time, while captain Sarah Gorden delivered a standout performance, keeping Orlando striker Barbra Banda locked down for the duration of the game. The Pride finally broke through when Haley McCutcheon opened the scoring late. And despite Gisele Thompson’s 92nd‑minute strike giving Angel City hope, McCutcheon stole the show, scoring a scrappy second goal to secure all three points.

“It’s disappointing that at this stage of the Champions League that it overshadows the actual quality of the game.” – Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh

🚨 Refereeing Woes Eclipse Chelsea-Arsenal 1-0 Thriller

It was always destined to be a fiery showdown between Chelsea and Arsenal. The headlines should have been about the brilliant tactical battle on display, Chelsea’s extraordinary push to overturn a 3–1 deficit, and the world‑class saves from Daphne van Domselaar, who shut down both a Sam Kerr breakaway and a power-header from Sjoeke Nüsken to keep Arsenal in front and help them progress to the UWCL semifinal. 

While Nüsken did eventually pull one back for the Blues in stoppage time, it was instantly overshadowed in the 95th minute by Arsenal’s Katie McCabe pulling USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson back by the hair. Astonishingly, McCabe escaped without so much as a foul, while Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was shown two yellows and ejected from the match.

Post-game, Bompastor blasted the refereeing, while McCabe insisted that she had been “reaching for the shirt,” not Thompson’s hair. Intentional or otherwise, the moment highlights ongoing concerns about officiating in the women’s game, the broader issue of player safety and how standards need to be raised.

More: Missing out on UWCL silverware yet again, Chelsea’s loss underscores the need for a summer reset as big names are expected to depart the club.

👹 Manchester United Crash Out in 2-1 Defeat to Bayern

After narrowly succumbing to Bayern Munich in the first leg, United traveled to Germany, looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit. Melvine Malard, the team’s top scorer across all competitions, brought the Red Devils level in the 11th minute by pouncing on a defensive error and finishing a superb ball in behind from Jayde Riviere. But with fatigue setting in, Bayern’s captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir restored their lead off a corner in the 80th minute and Linda Dallmann clenched the win with a stunning half-volley, ending United’s comeback hopes.

More: Coach Marc Skinner has called for greater investment from the Manchester United hierarchy to compete on multiple fronts following the team’s quarterfinal exit in their first‑ever UWCL campaign.

🦁 Olympique Lyonnais Bounce Back, Beating Wolfsburg 4-0

After trailing 1-0 in the first leg, the eight-time European champions toppled Wolfsburg and will now play Arsenal in a rematch of last year’s semi-final. USWNT star Lily Yohannes, who made history as the youngest player to score in a UWCL quarterfinals or later rounds since the 2012-2013 season, kickstarted the comeback, with a 16th-minute equalizer. Despite dominating, Lyon could not capitalize until the 102nd minute, but once they did, the floodgates opened with Melchie Dumornay, Damaris Egurrola, and Tabitha Chawinga all scoring in extra time. USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps played a pivotal role for Lyon and became the first American to make 50 UWCL appearances.

🪄 Barcelona Electrify Camp Nou, Surging Past Madrid 6-0 

On a historic night, playing in front of a sold-out crowd that marked the highest attendance this season at Camp Nou, the three-time champions reached their eighth successive UWCL semi-final. Who else but Alexia Putellas to open the scoring in her 500th club appearance? She also became the first Spanish player to tally 30 UWCL goals. Reflecting on these milestones, she said, "I have no words to describe the feeling right now. It's been magical.” Norwegian wonder Caroline Graham Hansen added a brace, while Irene Paredes, Ewa Pajor, and Esmee Brugts each chipped in a goal to punch their ticket to the semifinals and set up a blockbuster showdown with Bayern Munich.

USWNT 🇺🇸 vs. Japan 🇯🇵 (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV/HBOMax)

The U.S. continues its World Cup preparation in San Jose, Calif. with stars Sophia Wilson, Tierna Davidson, and Michelle Cooper back in the fold against a disciplined, possession‑heavy Japan side. Expect a high‑tempo matchup and a good test for the U.S. backline.

Malawi 🇲🇼 vs. Australia 🇦🇺 (Saturday, 7 a.m. ET, DAZN)

Following a heartbreaking defeat in the Asian Cup final, the Matildas will look to regroup. With key leaders like Katrina Gorry and Steph Catley unavailable, Australia is expected to lean on captain Sam Kerr, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, as well as emerging talent, including Jessika Nash and Isabel Gomez returning to international duty and Leticia McKenna who received her first senior call-up.

Canada 🇨🇦 vs. Zambia 🇿🇲 (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, DAZN)

Despite NWSL star Racheal Kundananji ruled out due to injury, the Copper Queens will use this match-up against Canada (with Arsenal’s Olivia Smith back in the squad) to sharpen their form ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Brazil 🇧🇷 vs. South Korea 🇰🇷 (Saturday, 9:30 p.m. ET, DAZN)

With a roster featuring seven NWSL stars, including Ludmila, Angelina, and Lorena, Brazil will look to build momentum leading into the 2027 World Cup after winning the Copa America tournament last summer.

This week’s question: In last year’s UWCL semifinal meeting between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes, the Gunners secured a come-from-behind win in the second leg, beating the eight-time champions 4-1 in France. After an early own goal, which players scored Arsenal’s next three?

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

Last week’s answer: Last week we asked which English player has the all-time record for most UEFA Women's Champions League goals, and we stumped you all!

The correct answer is Brighton star and former England international Fran Kirby, who has scored a total of 21 goals in the UWCL.

Kelly writes: Hey Women's Game!

I don't have a question for you all, but just wanted to write in to tell you how much you inspire not only future-athletes, but women working in media as well. Sam, as you made your transition from your playing career into the media landscape, I was figuring out what I wanted to do in college. I landed on behind-the-scenes sports broadcasting.

I looked up to this strong group of women and decided I could be brave enough to enter a male-dominated medium that needed more female representation. Plus I LOVED the broadcast crew! I now freelance for the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox. I operate the camera, or will be in the control room technical directing, operating graphics, or editing footage. Last week, I was asked to work the two Stars games we hosted on Northwestern's campus. For me, it was my dream actualizing.

Your group of teammates inspire girls not only on the pitch, but off of it as well. I just want to thank you for that. I hope to see you all do a broadcast or live show in Chicago one day!

A true Chicago hot dog,
Kelly Jankowski

Sam writes: Hi Kelly, I’m so glad that you worked up the courage to join the world of sports broadcasting! With the incredible growth of women’s sports, you couldn't have picked a more exciting time, and knowing that the team here at TWG have even played a small part in your journey is amazing.

Freelancing for some of Chicago’s biggest teams takes talent, drive, and real belief in yourself. And I’m so glad you were able to cover the Stars! With Alyssa Naeher doing what she does best and being unreal in goal, Jameese Joseph emerging as one of the brightest young forwards on the USWNT (she just guested on the pod!), and Mal Swanson expected back in 2026, I’m really rooting for the Stars this season. 

Chicago is such a phenomenal sports city, and I hope we get the chance to bring a live show there soon. You couldn’t ask for a better training ground. Congrats on everything you’ve accomplished so far – and keep going! The industry is better with you in it. <3 

Love, 
Sam

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