I am happy to report that I officially have World Cup fever! 🔥 It almost brought me to tears to see our USMNT win their opening match on Friday and celebrate with such unbridled joy and togetherness. I was surprised to realize how invested I was and how emotional I felt. I realized that since my injury and retirement, I’ve protected myself from the highs and lows of the game by maintaining some distance emotionally. The World Cup somehow has the power to break that down and remind me that feeling something about the game is actually the best part. 💫

And the summer of soccer is only getting started. We have three new episodes for you this week at The Women’s Game, including a special “Good Vibes” out today with me and Becky, featuring the organization Where Football Lives where we explore how this World Cup is creating important conversations around climate change and sports. Then tomorrow, we’re joined by Lindsey Heaps on “The Captain” to recap her USWNT camp in Brazil and experiences at the USMNT’s opening game in L.A. Finally, on Thursday we’re catching up with Canadian and Chicago Stars striker Jordyn Huitema about her summer plans (she just launched a new skincare line!) and Canada’s preparations for next summer’s women’s World Cup. 🇨🇦🏟️

Meanwhile, Men in Blazers’ Great American Road Trip is in full force for this summer’s World Cup, with Rog going from host city to host city for free pre-match shows with special guests. On Thursday, June 25, Rog welcomes Lindsey at Union Station in L.A. and then on Saturday, June 27, I’ll be the one jumping up on stage with him at Spruce Street Harbor Park in Philly to talk shop. I’d love to see some of you there in person. The first show last week looks like it was so much fun, and I cannot wait to join! 😎

Love,
Sam

P.S. Mariah’s Christmas album is to the holidays what this Latina artist’s catalog is to the World Cup. We don’t make the rules. 🎶

P.P.S. The ‘99ers film just wrapped and the cast has fully discovered the truth about soccer girl tan lines. A rite of passage, unfortunately. 😅

Scotland international and Angel City forward Claire Emslie joins us for a candid conversation about football, family and life beyond the pitch.

Brazil 🇧🇷 0-1 USWNT 🇺🇸

After losing to As Canarinhas in São Paulo, the USWNT showed their fighting spirit in a scrappy second “friendly” that culminated in their first win in Brazil since 1997. While battling in front of a raucous crowd of 55,744, the U.S. squad displayed resilience and composure in a 1-0 win in Fortaleza, which coach Emma Hayes described as, “an experience I will never forget.” Following a first-half stalemate, Sophia Wilson fought off two defenders in the 63rd minute to unleash a low strike, which ricocheted off Brazilian defender Isabela into the back of the net. The officials officially labeled it an own goal, but Wilson did all the heavy lifting, so we’re chalking it up to a second goal in as many games. 😉

In the pantheon of chaotic USWNT matches, this one will go down in the books, featuring no less than eight red cards (four for Brazil players and four for staff, including head coach Arthur Elias), as well as 15 yellow cards. Shockingly, Trinity Rodman was not one of them, which she was quick to point out. Overwhelmed by Brazil’s physicality in their first meeting, the USWNT responded, matching their opponent’s strength and intensity – aided by Hayes’ roster selection of forward Michelle Cooper and defenders Avery Patterson and Kennedy Wesley. Despite a string of hard challenges and stoppages that kept the USWNT from finding any real rhythm, they maintained their emotional control, and when called for, occasionally dabbled in the dark arts, like when Bia Zaneratto shoved Emily Sonnett in the back and the experienced defender sold the moment just enough without retaliating. The foul earned the Brazilian forward a second yellow and an ejection from the game. 

The game ended in controversy with police in riot gear enlisted to defend match officials, Brazil legend Marta accusing the head referee of making herself “the main figure of the match,” and players trading barbs on social media.

While this window gave us a few answers and some surprises (who knew Cooper could play right back?), it also left us with more questions to chew on:

1. Who is the USWNT’s first-choice goalkeeper?

The honest answer: there isn’t one, and that’s becoming harder to ignore. Hayes has continued rotating her keepers and stressed the need to prepare multiple players, but with Phallon Tullis‑Joyce sidelined this camp, the picture hasn’t gotten any clearer. Claudia Dickey and Mandy McGlynn both earned starts, but with the World Cup inching closer, the absence of a defined No. 1 isn’t just a talking point. Developing chemistry with the backline takes time, and the U.S. is running short on it.

2. Where are our prime‑age midfielders – and why no minutes for Bethune?

The absence of Sam Coffey, who is recovering from knee surgery, was impossible to ignore this camp. Without her leadership and defensive organization, the group looked disjointed and exposed vs. Brazil—leading to the stark realization that the U.S. has almost no midfielders in their prime years. There’s a decade age gap between rising stars—Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, Olivia Moultrie, Jaedyn Shaw—and veterans Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps. Adding a player in their prime would lend some vital steadiness to the squad.

Then there’s the Croix Bethune question – the star midfielder didn’t see game time in either friendly. Was Hayes protecting her from a bruising Brazil side, or signaling that she’s not central to her long-term plans? Either way, it raises eyebrows a year out from the World Cup.

3. How can the USWNT be more clinical in front of goal?

Even with the sense of pride of winning away in Brazil, there was also a whiff of relief. Throughout the match, the USWNT had clear-cut chances they failed to convert, including Wilson’s point-blank shot in front of goal (saved by the big, outstretched paw of Brazilian and KC Current keeper Lorena) and Moultrie’s breakaway-shot that pinged off the post. As qualifiers approach this fall, the U.S. will need to learn how to finish their chances against strong opponents who won’t be as forgiving.

What better time than this mid-season break to take stock of the first half of the season. From Trinity Rodman and Catarina Macario’s record-breaking signings, to USWNT Captain Lindsey Heaps announcing her return stateside this summer, to the debuts of Boston Legacy and Denver Summit, to Columbus announced as the NWSL’s 18th franchise, there’s been no shortage of watershed moments in 2026.    

TWG is handing out our Mid‑Season NWSL Awards, including Best Rookie (Lia Godfrey, who’s thrived her first season in San Diego) and the Brick Wall Award for best defending (Kate Del Fava’s been so impressive holding down the backline for Utah). We’re also spotlighting the Best Comeback, Most Irreplaceable Player, Standout Award, and more. Explore the full list to see who made the cut and then write to us at [email protected] to let us know your picks!

The June international window saw six teams—two from the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL) and four from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)—clinch their spots in the 2027 World Cup. Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss:

CONMEBOL 

South America’s inaugural Women’s Nations League concluded this month and served as official qualification. With Brazil absent (the hosts have an automatic spot), Colombia finished first (resulting in star forward Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid) showing off her dance moves as the 2023 World Cup quarter-finalists prepare to run it back), and Argentina placed second to clinch roles in next summer’s historic event—the first women’s edition in South America. 💃

Ecuador and Venezuela kept their World Cup hopes alive as they finished third and fourth to book places in the interconfederation playoffs. The moment hit especially hard for Venezuela’s captain Deyna Castellanos (Portland Thorns), who buried a crucial equalizer to pull her side level with Argentina 1-1. If Venezuela makes it through the playoffs, it would be the nation’s first-ever World Cup appearance for either the men’s or women’s sides. 🥹

UEFA 

Germany were the first UEFA team to secure their spot in the 2027 World Cup after topping their group in UEFA Nations League. Denmark, France and Spain also sealed their spots with first-place finishes, securing automatic qualification. While Denmark beat Serbia 4-1 and Spain trounced Iceland 6-1, in Grenoble, Les Bleues had to fend off the formidable Republic of Ireland, resulting in a 1-0 win. The Girls in Green could have qualified directly with a win, but their hopes were dashed after a moment of pure brilliance from France’s Melvine Malard (Manchester United), who capitalized off a corner with a wonder of a bicycle kick to secure all three points. 🤯

In a field more competitive than ever, a host of elite teams will head to the UEFA playoffs to snag their spot. That includes back-to-back Euro champions England, who finished second behind Spain, as well as Euro 2025 semi-finalists Italy. Those take place over the course of two international windows commencing this October. Learn more about how this all works.

USMNT 🇺🇲 vs. Australia 🇦🇺 (Friday, 3 p.m. ET, FOX/Telemundo)

After an exhilarating start to the World Cup in which they dismantled Paraguay 4-1 in L.A., the USMNT will next meet Australia’s Socceroos (sadly, not the Man-tildas or Matil-dudes), fresh off a 2-0 upset against Türkiye. Standout players from down under included goal scorer Nestory Irankunda and goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who broke the Australian record for saves in a FIFA World Cup match in his debut. The real question is whether the Americans can sustain this form against such a disciplined Australian defense.

COMING SOON:

The NWSL Challenge Cup: Gotham FC 🏆 vs. KC Current 🛡️ (June 26, 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video)

Next week in Columbus, Ohio (just named the home of the latest NWSL expansion side), the 2026 Challenge Cup will see reigning NWSL Champions Gotham FC take on last year’s record-setting Shield winners, Kansas City Current. Fifth-place Gotham and sixth-place Kansas City both had slow starts to the season, but began to find their footing ahead of the break. A trophy lift could do wonders for their momentum when the NWSL season resumes.

This week’s question:

We’ll select a winner and reach out to make sure you receive your TWG patch.

Last week’s answer: In Australia’s triumphant penalty shootout over France at the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, which Matilda scored the game-winning goal? And the answer was Cortnee Vine, who converted the final spot kick, catapulting her country to its first-ever World Cup semifinal.

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

Edber writes: Hi, Sam! OG long-time listener – but believe it or not – first-time emailing TWG! My soccer IQ was literally built brick-by-brick by The Women's Game. Very grateful for y'all.

So, I'm asking this question in the context of June 9's Brazil-USA match and just the different approaches that each team's respective head coach took in dealing with the rough challenges on the field. It got me thinking about good coaches in women's soccer and I'd like to ask – why aren't there more NWSL GOATs that coach?! 

I feel like awesome and smart folks like yourself, Becky, Ali Riley, Kelley O Hara, and so many more would be amazing coaches. I hope this question isn't too obscure and maybe as a non-soccer player... I could be missing something obvious. Thank you! 

Best regards, 
Edber from Los Angeles, Calif.

Sam writes: Hi Edber, Thanks for being an OG listener and writing in to The Women’s Game! First off, after watching the Brazil vs. USWNT matches, I am very grateful that we have a coach like Emma Hayes who is so grounded and always keeps a level head. It’s important to model that for players even during friendlies, so when major tournaments roll around, the team will be able to shut out the noise (literally and figuratively) and focus on what they can control—no matter the opponent, the crowd, or whether calls go our way. 

We’re also seeing more women player-turned-coaches than ever before, from the Canada national team’s Casey Stoney to Racing Louisville’s Bev Yanez. I also had a blast coaching Vermont Green over the past few years. That said, there is a lot of pressure and high expectations put on coaches, so it’s not for everyone. I hope we have more former players hired as head and assistant coaches for the NWSL, WSL and national teams (FIFA’s new regulations will hopefully help) and more infrastructure and support for these pathways. But most of all, I hope players hanging up their boots choose what’s right for them—whether it’s coaching, refereeing, broadcasting, or something else that keeps them connected to the beautiful game. <3

Love,
Sam

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