I am in full-on recovery mode after my trip to Australia for Kristie and Sam’s wedding, but it was worth every second! The wedding was so beautiful. Hearing my sister make such heartfelt vows to the person she loves was really special and, yes, I cried. From the venue to the food to the dancing, I had the best time ever and I’m so overjoyed for Kristie and my new sister. I can’t wait to recap the whole thing on an episode of “Mewis Squared” very soon! 🫶

Outside of the wedding, Australia is one of my favorite places in the whole world. We stayed in Fremantle and in Perth, had time at the beach, the pub, the coffee shops… the weather was unbelievable and time with family was so much fun. As always, the best part was coming home to the dogs, who were spoiled over Christmas as they stayed with my mother-in-law. 🐶

TWG is back at it this week, refreshed from the holiday break and excited about all that 2026 has in store for us. We’ll kick off the year right with some big WSL matchups this weekend and undoubtedly some transfer news as the window is now open. There are also two interviews coming out this week with Stephanie McCaffrey and Ally Watt, so be on the lookout for those! 📺

Thanks, as always, for being on this ride with us!

Love,
Sam

PS - Please enjoy this extremely cute moment that shows how important it is to stick together off and ON the field. 🥹

📬 Enjoying The Women’s Game? Check out our other MiB newsletters:

🐦‍⬛ The Raven: Our Monday and Friday newsletter where we preview the biggest matches around the world (and tell you where/how to watch them) and recap our favorite football moments from the weekend.

🔍 The Correspondent: Rory Smith’s thoughts on the world of soccer, culture, food, and how they all connect – every Thursday.

🇺🇸 USMNT Only: Your regular update on the most important topics in the U.S. men’s game, all leading up to this year’s World Cup.

After a month-long winter intermission, England’s top-flight football league returns with the second half of its season. Ahead of matchday 12, Manchester City remains top of the standings with a six-point lead over second-placed Chelsea.

Here are a few marquee matchups to keep an eye on:

Arsenal vs. Manchester United (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)

The third-placed reigning champions of Europe, Arsenal, host fourth-placed Manchester United in a sizzling Saturday contest to start the new year. With just one point separating them in the standings, United head into 2026 with a brand new German striker (Hello, Lea Schüller) and some continental momentum behind them, as the Red Devils prepare for their first-ever Champions League knockout appearance in February, after finishing their first UWCL appearance in sixth out of 16 teams in the league phase.

Chelsea vs. West Ham (Sunday, 7 a.m. ET, ESPN+)

The Blues also start the year at home, hosting an 11th-placed West Ham side that’s scrapping for points. Last year’s treble winners are starting 2026 in second place of the WSL standings and six points behind Manchester City, but they’re still in the running for all three trophies. After Sunday’s action, they’ll turn to a fourth-round FA Cup meeting with Crystal Palace. The weekend after that? A League Cup semi-final clash with top-of-the-table Man City. 

Manchester City vs. Everton (Sunday, 7 a.m. ET, ESPN+)

The league leaders will start their 2026 campaign against 10th-placed Everton, who pulled off a massive 1-0 upset against Chelsea on Dec. 7. City hasn’t lost a game in any competition since Sept. 5, but will need to stay focused to keep their first-placed claim going.

Our shiny new store is fully stocked with brand new apparel for all your favorite shows at TWG! Come check it out.

In the waning days of 2025, the NWSL confirmed its latest salary update: the High Impact Player (HIP) rule. Starting July 1, all teams will have $1 million to spend outside of the pre-existing salary cap. This money can either be spent on a singular standout player, or divided between a spate of stars.

Inspired by the league’s high-profile desire to keep Washington Spirit and USWNT star Trinity Rodman stateside, criteria for this new rule caters to players from anywhere in the world that meet certain standards. Those indicators include substantial minutes with the USWNT, a top-30 Ballon d’Or ranking, and global recognition in yearly rankings via outlets like The Guardian or ESPN FC.

More: From Louisa Thomas in The New Yorker, ‘Can Professional Women’s Soccer in the U.S. Keep Up with the Global Market?’

🥤 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.

This week’s question: The reigning Coupe de France title holders are Paris FC, who collected their second trophy last season. Of the 24 editions, which team has the most titles, and how many do they have?

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

Last week’s answer: The first player to reach 100 goals in England’s WSL was Viv Miedema.

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

Amber writes: Dear Sam,

I wanted to reach out and send a massive THANK YOU for everything you’ve done—and continue to do—for the Women’s Game. Like so many others, I LOVED watching you play and I’ve been a loyal listener of “Good Vibes” and “Friendlies.” Your insight and humor make me love the game even more! It has been so fun listening to the podcast with my family. They have truly come to love women's soccer. 

I felt a deep connection to your journey when you announced your retirement. I stopped playing soccer 20 years ago due to a knee injury of my own, and I resonate with what it’s like to navigate that transition. Over the last two decades, I’ve tried to fill that competitive void with a bit of everything: triathlons, gardening, and even swimming across lakes (thankfully avoiding flesh eating parasites)!

Now, in 2026, my life looks a little different—I spend my time watching “Survivor” with my doodle by my side and, most importantly, I’ve found my way back to the pitch coaching a girls’ club team. Seeing your influence on the game today reminds me why I fell in love with it in the first place, and it’s a perspective I try to pass on to my players every day. You truly are a force for good in this sport.

Thank you for the "Good Vibes" and for being such a bright light for players, former players, and fans alike.

Best,
Amber

Sam writes: Amber, thank you! So sorry to hear that you went through a similar experience with your knee, but I am so glad you have found joy in other ways. Your players are lucky to have you as a coach!

Sending so much 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 [email protected]