The USWNT are 8x SheBelieves Cup Champions and Emily Sonnett is still my hero. They won all three games this international window, and I feel like we learned a lot about the team. If you missed any of the games, I went live after all three and you can check out those live reaction shows on YouTube for anything you may have missed. My big takeaways: Lily Yohannes is the real deal, we have some great depth in the player pool, and we’re learning to balance patience with urgency. LFG! 🇺🇸

I’m heading to Boston for The Women’s Game LIVE! tonight at the House of Blues where we’ll be telling the story of how women’s professional soccer found its way back to Boston thanks to the Boston Legacy. The show is being put on by our great friends at New Balance, and I cannot wait to see you there. If you can’t join us in person, join us on YouTube! The show will be streaming live at 7:30 p.m. ET. ☘️

The NWSL kicks off this weekend, and TWG is the best place to find coverage of all the games and the biggest storylines. I’ll be heading back to Boston for the Legacy’s home opener on Saturday, and I’ll take you with me via our Instagram stories. In the meantime, get ready for opening weekend with “Good Vibes” today with NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, and “Friendlies” with Croix Bethune on Thursday! 📺

Lastly, we have new merch in tons of new colors perfect for the upcoming matches, so head over to the TWG shop now to check it all out. ✨

Thank you all so much for being here!

Love,
Sam

PS - In honor of International Women’s Day, we celebrate all the powerful women who inspire us on and off the pitch. 🫶

“It is our objective to be the best league in the world and we’re trying to attract the best players.”

Ahead of the NWSL opener this weekend, check out this interview with NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman

“I’m really proud of the way the team rallied in the second half and how we came up with a win in a tough game.” – Naomi Girma

Last Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, the USWNT beat their neighbors to the north 1-0 with a goal off a half-volley from rising star Ally Sentnor. Hat tip to the inimitable pride of Ohio, Rose Lavelle, for the assist, which was one of six chances created against Canada, matching a career high. Emma Hayes rotated 10 new players into the starting XI and brought on six subs, including Ohio native Emma Sears, in a thrilling match, which saw the hosts launch 18 shots with 64% of possession, though they only clocked four shots on target.

Then, on Saturday in New Jersey, the USWNT secured their eighth SheBelieves Cup trophy with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Colombia. Las Cafeteras dealt the United States another tough physical contest, but the team kept their composure, and clinched victory thanks to Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson’s stunning strike in the 82nd minute. And in what’s starting to feel like a tradition in and of itself, Gotham defender Emily Sonnett won her eighth title (SonnettBelieves, anyone?), anchoring the backline against Canada and Colombia.

The four-time World Cup champions also celebrated the storied career of New Jersey native Tobin Heath, whose accolades for the USWNT include 181 caps, 36 goals, 42 assists, two World Cups trophies and three Olympic medals (two gold and a bronze). Check out some of Heath’s most iconic moments for the USWNT.

"We're chasing championships and raising the standard, and I can't wait to keep doing that with my teammates and the best fans in the NWSL."
– Trinity Rodman

This Friday in Washington D.C., the Spirit host three-time NWSL champions Portland Thorns in the first match of the year (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video), settling an early re-match of last season’s playoff semifinal (Washington Spirit won 2-0). Portland arrive under new leadership, hiring former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Robert Vilahamn, last week as their new head coach. And, while it might not be in a U.S. jersey, with Sophia Wilson officially available for selection, hopeful fans may wonder if we’ll see two-thirds of Triple Espresso back on the field for the first time since the Paris Olympics. 

Then on Saturday, two league debutantes play their first official games:

🗓️ Explore the full NWSL schedule of all the games to look forward to this season.

“It's been a long time away from playing any football. I’m incredibly grateful to be here.”
– Mary Fowler following her first appearance for the Matildas in 328 days

This evening in Australia, the final games of the group stage wrap up as Japan plays Vietnam and India plays Chinese Taipei (both at 5 a.m. ET). With eight squads bound for the quarterfinals, teams are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2027 Brazil World Cup. Catch up on the highlights and check out one of the marquee fixtures still to come:

🇦🇺 Australia Wrap Group Stages Before a Record Crowd

The Matildas officially made it out of the group after beating Iran’s Lionesses with four goals – including a clinical finish from Mary Fowler returning from an ACL tear. They then battled South Korea to a 3-3 draw in front of 60,279 fans – the largest crowd in Women’s Asian Cup history – with Alanna Kennedy scoring a brace, and Sam Kerr notching her second goal of the tournament.

🇮🇷 Iran Exits as Concern Surrounding Players Intensifies

Iran’s Lionesses competed in their second-ever Women’s Asian Cup as war erupted in their homeland and criticism intensified after several players chose not to sing the national anthem. After losing to the Philippines in their final group match, they’re due to return to Iran amidst concerns for their safety and reports that five athletes have since defected and applied for asylum.

🗓️ Quarterfinals: Australia 🇦🇺 vs. North Korea 🇰🇵 (Thursday, 6 a.m. ET, YouTube)

The Matildas will be counting on the home crowd in Perth (Sam Kerr’s hometown) to help propel them, as they aim for the Asian Cup trophy and an official World Cup berth. North Korea, whose impressive youth national team results have yet to fully translate at the senior level, are hoping to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2011.

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers Bring the Drama 🏆

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Delayed Until Summer ⏰

After weeks of uncertainty, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the largest women’s football tournament on the continent and an official World Cup qualifying event, has been postponed until July 25. The announcement came just 12 days prior to kick-off in Morocco, leaving national teams frustrated by the lack of planning and logistical chaos.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England’s WSL is back in action this weekend after a monthlong break for the FA Cup and international play. Manchester City have an eight-point lead at the top of the table while a massive relegation test awaits last-placed Leicester City and second-to-last placed Liverpool (Sunday, 7:55 a.m. ET).

🏆 The London Football Awards unveiled this year’s winners, naming USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson the 2026 Young Player of the Year. She is the leading goal scorer for Chelsea in the WSL and has racked up six goals and one assist in 14 WSL matches.

🎙️ TWG’s very own Sam Mewis was recently featured on NPR’s Planet Money podcast, discussing the impact of the NWSL’s decision in 2024 to eliminate the draft and how it dovetails with tanking in the NBA.

📍Columbus, Ohio not only just hosted the USWNT, but also could be the homebase for an NWSL expansion team, with the Haslam Sports Group announcing a serious push to become the NWSL’s 18th franchise.

🍿 Netflix’s new movie celebrating the iconic ‘99ers has confirmed six additional actors who have been cast to play USWNT icons Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry, Michelle Akers, Carla Overbeck, Kristine Lilly, and Joy Fawcett.

This week’s question: The USWNT won the inaugural SheBelieves Cup in 2016, defeating Germany 2-1 on the final matchday to place ahead of them in the standings. Who scored the goals for the USWNT?

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

Last week’s answer: Arsenal and Ireland star Katie McCabe scored her 2023 World Cup Olimpico against Canada.

Congrats to Don Butts, who was the first person to respond with the correct answer. Don, the patch is on its way! 💌

Blaze writes: Hey guys! Huge fan! I just wanted to say how amazing it was to watch the USWNT come to Columbus and play in the new stadium! Not only did we win but my night was made when I got to meet Becky after her broadcast and have her sign my Snacks hat! And then listening to the live post game show with Sam and Lynn they mentioned Snacks so shout out to where it all started! Love listening to you guys! I’ll need to get a Good Vibes FC hat too now!

Thanks!
Blaze

-

Sam writes: Hi Blaze, So excited you made it out to the SheBelieves match in Columbus and got to see the USWNT play – what a night! I’m glad you were able to meet Reeba after the game and get your Snacks hat signed. I love that Lynn and I’ve been able to keep the Snacks legacy alive through our friendship and our coverage at TWG. Thanks for the kind words and for listening! Hope that hat has a long, proud life, and a Good Vibes FC one would be great to add to the mix.

Thanks for writing in! <3

Love,
Sam

📝 Want to be featured in next week’s TWG newsletter? Send Sam an email! All your questions, comments, and roast chicken recipes can be sent to [email protected]

🙌 If you’re enjoying TWG, we’d love an assist. Forward this email or share this URL with a friend, family member, or fellow football fan.

📧 First time with us? Sign up here to get next week’s newsletter sent straight to your inbox, and be sure to check out our other newsletters too.

Every day, 4.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news fix. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture — all in a brief 5-minute email. No spin. No slant. Just clarity.

Join for free today!