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Christen Press, Tobin Heath make public appearance at ESPYs

Christen Press and Tobin Heath attend the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

United States women’s national team stars Tobin Heath and Christen Press walked the ESPYs red carpet together Wednesday night — and broke the internet in the process.

The duo, dressed by Gucci, held pinkies as they made their way into ESPN’s annual sports award show.

Press posted a series of photos of herself and Heath together and called for “more women’s sports” in the caption. Heath also posted a photo with Press, with the caption “fun n fun.”

A relationship between the two athletes has been long speculated, but they have not yet commented on the topic. The duo teamed up with Manchester United for the 2020-21 season before Press departed for Angel City FC and Heath for Arsenal. Heath has since returned to the NWSL with OL Reign.

Last month, Heath appeared to come out for the first time, sharing photos of a painting she created with block letters spelling out “I am gay.” The artwork, titled “Out Now,” was sold at auction in June but will be on display at the Museum of Women in New York through Dec. 23.

LPGA Star Nelly Korda Finishes Second at US Women’s Open

US golf star Nelly Korda plays a shot at the 2025 US Women's Open.
Nelly Korda finished the 2025 US Women's Open tied for second place. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

World No. 1 Nelly Korda clocked her best finish of the 2025 season at this weekend's US Women's Open, tying Japan's No. 14 Rio Takeda for second place as the decorated US golfer continues to hunt her first LPGA Tour win of the year.

"When you come so close and you kind of feel that adrenaline coming down 18, the one thing that you want to do is hold the trophy at the end of the day," Korda said afterwards. "And I'm not."

That said, Korda's second-place finish marks her best showing yet at the US Women's Open, and a significant boost from last year's edition in which she failed to make the cut following an 80-stroke opening round.

"To have that showing last year definitely put a dagger into my heart, but that's just golf," the 26-year-old said after the tournament. "You're going to lose more than you win a majority of the time."

"I feel like I actually learn a lot about myself and my game and where I need to improve playing the US Women's Open because it does test every part of your game," Korda added.

Sweden's Maja Stark lifts the 2025 US Women's Open trophy.
Maja Stark won the 2025 US Women's Open with a two-stroke lead. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Stark, Cooper climb leaderboard at US Women's Open

While the second-place finish earned Korda and Takeda each a check for $1,052,621, it was Sweden's No. 6 Maja Stark whose two-shot lead had her walking away with both her first career major trophy and the $2.4 million winner’s purse — the largest payday in the sport.

"It feels so surreal, and it felt like it was so far away just a couple of weeks ago," said the 25-year-old after claiming the title.

Notably, another US golfer walked away with a large paycheck, as world No. 155 Hailee Cooper finished the tournament tied for seventh to take home $358,004.

The 25-year-old, who competes on the developmental Epson Tour in hopes of earning LPGA membership, banked just under $50,000 in her 2025 play before becoming the second-best US finisher in the 2025 US Women's Open on Sunday — Cooper's first-ever LPGA Tour event as a pro.

"I walked out and [the officials] go, 'So you want to see the money?'" Cooper said about her Top 10 finish. "I walked up and I immediately started crying when I saw the numbers. I'm like, 'Oh, gosh, there are six of them.'"

"It's life changing for sure," she explained. "It makes professional golf a lot easier financially now, so it will be really nice."

‘The Late Sub’ Breaks Down USWNT Roster Cuts and Call-Ups Ahead of China PR Friendly

Attacking midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta looks on during a 2025 USWNT training camp.
Lo'eau LaBonta earned her first USWNT call-up at age 32. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins discusses the importance of the current international window for the USWNT and digs into the players who did and did not make head coach Emma Hayes's latest 24-athlete roster.

Watkins begins with those not invited to this week's senior team camp, with Hayes using the concurrent U23 camp as a "minor league" for athletes who "need a little bit more development or need to be in a different training situation or have different leadership structures."

Watkins specifically digs into the placement of midfielder Korbin Albert and forwards Jaedyn Shaw and Mia Fishel with the U23 squad, as well as the overall omission of goalkeeper Jane Campbell.

Honing in on Albert, Watkins calls her U23 spot a demotion, saying "It's wild to me that someone who started the [2024] Olympic gold-medal match for the USWNT is now playing for the U23s when the senior team is in session."

"I think we're stuck in this question of, 'is she good enough or is she not?'" explains Watkins, noting that "Albert isn't giving [Hayes] those all-around performances that validate that roster spot when there are other players that could be given a look."

In contrast, Watkins backs Hayes's decisions to place the versatile Shaw and Fishel — who's still regaining form from a 2024 ACL tear — with the youth team.

Calling her "the player truly out in the cold here," Watkins worries that 30-year-old Campbell might be facing an "always the bridesmaid, never the bride of the US goalkeeper cycle," with Hayes opting for a largely untested trio of Mandy McGlynn, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and Claudia Dickey as she continues seeking retired star Alyssa Naeher's replacement.

First-time USWNT call-up Kerry Abello defends Lily Yohannes while head coach Emma Hayes watches during training camp.
Stellar NWSL play earned Orlando defender Kerry Abello a first USWNT nod. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Top NWSL play fuels USWNT roster call-ups

The uncapped Dickey, says Watkins, is one of the players reaping the benefits of Hayes's developmental roster movements.

"She is statistically one of the highest performing goalkeepers in the NWSL this season," notes Watkins about the Seattle Reign starter. "The numbers do not lie. She is one of the best pure shot-stoppers in the league this year, if not the best."

Also snagging a shot at the senior team thanks to stellar NWSL play are Orlando Pride standout and "Swiss Army knife defender" Kerry Abello, Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie, and Kansas City Current captain Lo'eau LaBonta.

LaBonta, who headlined this USWNT roster by earning her first-ever call-up at age 32, is a versatile midfielder with, according to Watkins, a "really, really strong" mentality as well as a "wonderful locker room presence."

Citing Hayes's previous comments about the age of certain players causing her to seek younger athletes, Watkins wonders if LaBonta's call-up isn't simply a long-overdue reward for years of top professional play, and instead, perhaps, a sign that Hayes is "learning that you need a little bit of both [youth and experience]."

"I think [LaBonta's] going to make herself hard to drop," states Watkins. "With 2027 only two years away, I'm not betting against LaBonta. She's going into this camp looking for more call-ups. This is not just a 'job well done' situation for her."

Finally, Watkins mentions that many younger players, like Kansas City's Michelle Cooper and Claire Hutton, and Utah's Ally Sentnor, are back in the mix "because they're playing too well for the U23s. They've been put into senior team camp and they've swam — they have not sunk."

Summer friendlies serve as senior team try-outs

The stakes are high for the 24 athletes in this USWNT camp, with small windows to impress Hayes while facing two tough opponents in the upcoming days: May 31st's clash with China PR and a June 3rd date with Jamaica's Reggae Girlz.

"Who's going to be able to elevate their game even if they don't have a ton of experience?," asks Watkins. "It's up to the senior call-ups to make those players that are in the U23s harder to call back in. And those players in the U23s are going to probably have to show new sides of themselves to get back into the fold."

"This is the Emma Hayes system. And I cannot wait to say who says, 'Nope. This is not just a pat on the back. You're not dropping me.'"

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women's Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

USWNT Takes the Pitch in Saturday Friendly Against China PR

Catarina Macario and Lily Yohannes smile and pose as they walk into a USWNT training session.
Macario and Yohannes will likely feature in Saturday's USWNT friendly against China PR. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

The world No. 1 USWNT is back in action on Saturday, taking on No. 17 China PR in the first of two early summer friendlies as head coach Emma Hayes continues evaluating talent across the 24-player roster.

"We have two different types of opponents ahead of us, so we'll have to be creative in breaking down those teams in different ways," Hayes told reporters earlier this month.

With an average of just 30.7 caps per player, this international window is an opportunity for NWSL favorites to prove their national team value — though the USWNT will be without one up-and-comer: Due to a minor hip injury, Angel City defender Gisele Thompson departed camp on Thursday, with Hayes opting not to replace the 19-year-old in the lineup.

Fresh faces to take on a familiar foe

The US has faced China PR a total of 60 times — more than any country other than No. 7 Canada. China also boasts the second-most US defeats with nine, though they haven't upended the USWNT since 2015.

In total, the USWNT boasts a 38-9-13 all-time record against their longtime rival, including arguably the team's most famous victory: the history-making penalty-kick win in the 1999 World Cup final at the Rose Bowl.

That said, the teams haven't squared off since December 2023 — some six months before Hayes took the helm.

"We have new faces, we have experience, we have veterans, we have young players. I think we're a really amazing blend of all of the above," said midfielder Sam Coffey this week. "I think more than anything, the common denominator in everyone here is just a hunger to get better."

How to watch the USWNT vs. China PR friendly match

The USWNT kicks off against China PR at 5:30 PM ET on Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Live coverage of the match will air on TBS.

LA parks Star Kelsey Plum Returns to Las Vegas in High-Stakes WNBA Weekend

LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum lines up a free throw during a 2025 WNBA game.
LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum will face her former team in Las Vegas on Friday. (Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)

Friday's WNBA action promises to bring the heat, delivering a major homecoming for new LA star Kelsey Plum as well as strategic veteran moves and rookies looking to right the ship while newly revamped teams continue to gel.

In the wake of significant offseason movement, the 2025 WNBA season is all about striking a balance between developing young talent and leveraging seasoned stars as former franchise players take on very familiar opponents.

Veteran-heavy teams will shoot to manage workloads this weekend, as powerhouse squads juggle shifting lineups while those that trailed last year fight to rise up the WNBA standings.

Highlighting the Friday night slate are a trio of games, all airing on ION:

  • No. 1 New York Liberty (5-0) vs. No. 7 Washington Mystics (3-3), 7:30 PM ET: The reigning champion Liberty managed to eke out an 82-77 win over 2025 expansion side Golden State without injured stars Jonquel Jones and Nyara Sabally on Thursday — but can they hold off a Mystics team punching above their weight behind standout rookie duo Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen?
  • No. 10 Los Angeles Sparks (2-4) vs. No. 6 Las Vegas Aces (2-2), 10 PM ET: Sparks guard Kelsey Plum will face her former teammates for the first time on Friday, taking on a Las Vegas side searching for redemption after Seattle spoiled Aces guard Jewell Loyd's own homecoming in last weekend's WNBA action.
  • No. 2 Minnesota Lynx (5-0) vs. No. 3 Phoenix Mercury (4-1), 10 PM ET: Two of the league's top performers will hit the court in Arizona, as perennial MVP candidates Napheesa Collier and Alyssa Thomas go head-to-head for the first time in 2025.

A few teams have already faced adversity this year, but even more have settled into the grind as the longest-ever WNBA season rolls into June.

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