For two years in a row, the Las Vegas Aces have ended the WNBA season as champions. Yet only after the Aces’ second title did Kelsey Plum finally allow herself to reflect on the accomplishment.

“I feel like for the first time in my career, I really have allowed it to soak in,” Plum told Just Women’s Sports.

That catharsis showed in the raucous celebrations after Las Vegas became the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002. From a parade down the Strip to a personalized concert invitation from Usher, the Aces did not hold back in sharing their joy.

“We have a lot of fun together,” Plum said. “And I think that’s why people really love watching us play, because that kind of permeates onto the court.

“I’m not going to lie, it was a long year for everyone, not just collectively but individually. And so I think that people let loose a little bit when we finally won, which, to me, I wasn’t mad at. I thought it was awesome.”

To reach that point, the Aces first had to do battle with the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals. And while both teams sniped at each other after the series, Plum called the attention and the rivalry “great for the game.” In particular, she pointed to the buy-in from both franchises, which paid off on the court.

“The incredible investment that both franchises have made have just put the W in a different place,” she said. “And I think that it’s really just elevated the league overall. And that’s the biggest win out of all of it.”

After the WNBA Finals and ensuing celebrations, Plum faced a quick turnaround for USA Basketball’s fall training camp, which is being held from Nov. 7-9 in Atlanta. The 40-game WNBA season and deep playoff run presented what she called a “brutal” challenge.

“So I think it’s done a number on my body,” she said. “At the same time, USA Basketball is very important to me. We’ve been training for this since — shoot, I mean, forever, it feels like.”

Plum won Olympic gold as part of Team USA’s 3×3 team at the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo. Now, she is primed to compete for a roster spot on the traditional 5×5 team for the 2024 Games in Paris.

After the USA Basketball camp, Plum will turn her attention to the rest of the offseason. And her competitive streak will come in handy as she partners with DICK’S Sporting Goods for their Holiday Shopping Sprint.

One lucky winner will team up with Plum for a frantic three-minute, $5,000 shopping spree. Plum remembers trips to DICK’S with her father for Spalding TF-1000 basketballs, but she’ll let her teammate lay out the shopping list this holiday season.

“I’m just a soldier in this fight, so whatever they tell me, whether that’s socks, shoes — now I will say, I’m not going to grab anything but Under Armour shoes,” said Plum, who inked a deal with that brand in 2022. “So if they want something else, I can’t help them with that. But everything else, I got them.

“I’m going to wear the best shoes I’ve got, I’m going to be hydrated. I’m taking this very, very, very seriously. … We’re not leaving anything on the table.”

The U.S. women’s national team has been on the hunt for its next head coach.

From OL Reign’s Laura Harvey to Australia’s Tony Gustavsson, the rumor mill has been buzzing with names. But after a three-month search, Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes seems primed to take the job.

Just Women’s Sports has been keeping track of the conversations surrounding the search for Vlatko Andonovski’s replacement. Check back here for the latest.

Nov. 4: Chelsea’s Emma Hayes in line for USWNT opening

Emma Hayes is set to become the next head coach of the U.S. women’s national team, according to multiple reports.

The 47-year-old from England is stepping down as Chelsea head coach at the end of the Women’s Super League season. While the Women’s Super League season does not end until May 2024, Hayes could join the USWNT during international breaks over the next seven months before stepping into the role full-time at the conclusion of the season, Backheeled reported.

Hayes joined Chelsea as head coach in 2012. In her 11 seasons with the club, not including the 2023-24 season, she has won six league titles, five FA Cups, two FA League Cups and one Community Shield.

Oct. 27: OL Reign’s Harvey, Australia’s Gustavsson and Juventus’ Montemurro top shortlist

U.S. Soccer has whittled down its candidate pool, with three names atop the shortlist, The Athletic reported Friday.

OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey, Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson and Juventus women’s head coach Joe Montemurro are the leading contenders, though each comes with pros and cons.

Oct. 23: Becky Sauerbrunn: USWNT is ‘getting closer’ to hire

The 38-year-old defender spoke with reporters about the coaching search ahead of the USWNT’s October friendlies.

“I have been involved a little bit, but just kind of updated periodically about where they are in the process,” Sauerbrunn said. “I don’t know names of candidates or anything like that, but I was aware of when candidates were being flown in for interviews and that sort of thing.

“We’re getting close and I think that they’ve got a few candidates that they’re very excited about. But for the most part, it’s just been process and knowing where we are in the process.”

Sept. 29: Lorne Donaldson parts ways with Jamaica

Donaldson, who led Jamaica to the knockout round for the first time at the 2023 World Cup, is parting ways with the team, the Jamaica Football Federation announced Friday.

“After an extended discussion, both parties came to an agreement that the contract would not be renewed,” the JFF wrote on social media. Donaldson’s contract is set to expire on Sept. 30.

While Donaldson has not been linked to the USWNT opening, his name has popped up as an intriguing candidate. He coached USWNT star forwards Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson during their youth careers in Colorado.

Sept. 24: U.S. Soccer has ‘unbelievably diverse pool’ of candidates

U.S. Soccer has gathered “an unbelievably diversity pool exciting candidates” for the USWNT head coaching position, sporting director Matt Crocker said. He also reaffirmed that the federation is “on track — comfortably on track — to be in a position to have the head coach in place and ready to support the team from that early December camp.”

The diversity in the candidate pool extends to gender, ethnicity and experience levels, which puts the USWNT in position to find the best person for the job, Crocker said.

“I feel really excited about the coaches that we have that are interested in the role, which I think is a great indication of how highly this role is considered across the world game,” he said. “My job has been from the start: Go and find us the best candidate in the world.”

Crocker also is having discussions with USWNT players about what they want to see in the next head coach. He has talked to roughly half of the team so far, and he plans to speak with “every single player,” he said.

Sept. 12: U.S. Soccer lays out timeline for hire

U.S. Soccer is hoping to hire the next head coach of the USWNT by December, sporting director Matt Crocker told TNT.

Interim head coach Twila Kilgore will remain in her position for the team’s September friendlies against South Africa and its October friendlies against Colombia.

“Twila will pick up the September and the October camps with the staff,” he said. “And you know, in an ideal world, we’d like to be in a position for the December camp to have the new head coach in place.”

For Crocker, the ability to make tactical changes on the fly is an important attribute for the next coach. He also wants the USWNT head coach to be a hands-on presence within U.S. Soccer, including at its Chicago headquarters.

Sept. 6: Mia Hamm offers decisive ‘no’ on USWNT job

The USWNT legend shut down any discussion of her name in connection with the opening, saying she does not have the “bandwidth” or “patience” for the job.

“I’m not the coaching type,” she told TODAY.com when asked if she would want to lead the team. Hamm joins several other players in turning the conversation toward more experienced coaching candidates.

Aug. 21: Carli Lloyd calls herself ‘definite no’ for USWNT opening

Several former USWNT players weighed in on their own credentials for the USWNT head coaching job.

Lloyd called herself “a definite no” given her lack of coaching licenses and experience. Brandi Chastain also said she is “not ready” this time around, but she said she would “love to lead this national team some time in the future.”

Former goalkeeper Briana Scurry did not throw her hat into the ring as a head coaching candidate. But when asked if she would be up for a position with U.S. Soccer, Scurry did not say no. “I would definitely consider it,” she told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

All of the above players also offered their take on what they want to see in the next head coach, as have current USWNT players, including Christen Press, Tobin Heath and Andi Sullivan.

“You need somebody, a leader, with a keen understanding of the system that is going to be played, how to implement the system, and which players are best for the system,” Heath said. “That doesn’t mean: Who are the best players? Who’s scoring the most goals? Who’s everyone talking about? It’s not that at all.”

Aug. 19: Casey Stoney remains ‘very happy’ with San Diego Wave

The San Diego Wave head coach joked about being floated as a candidate because of her gender amid a debate over whether the next USWNT head coach should be a woman. But she didn’t offer much beyond that, only saying that she is happy in her current role with the Wave.

“I think there’s people that will go into that role and do very well,” she said. “I’m very happy where I am. I’m at a club that’s building something very special. I’m invested in my players and I will stay invested in my players.”

Aug. 19: Australia’s Tony Gustavsson downplays rumors

A former USWNT assistant under Jill Ellis, Gustavsson led the Matildas to the 2023 World Cup semifinal in their home country. And in the immediate aftermath of the tournament, he seemed committed to the future of the Australia program, though that could change if the USWNT comes calling.

“I don’t see this as an end of a journey. I see it as the beginning of a journey,” he said after Australia’s loss to Sweden in the third-place match. “But I also want to be very clear that I want to see investment now. I really do. I want to see investment and I mean like real investment that we’re serious about what we do.”

Gustavsson is under contract with Football Australia until the end of Australia’s 2024 Olympics run, but Ellis tabbed him as a “strong candidate” for the USWNT opening.

Aug. 18: Sarina Wiegman has ‘no plans to leave’ England

The 53-year-old Netherlands native led England to the World Cup final, where the Lionesses lost 1-0 to Spain. When asked about the USWNT job, she reiterated the details of her current contract.

“I have a contract until 2025,” Wiegman said. “I’m really enjoying my job, and I have the impression that people still like me doing that job. I have no plans to leave.”

The English Football Association plans to reject any approaches from rival countries interested in the manager, CEO Mark Bullingham said.

Aug. 16: Lluís Cortés linked to USWNT opening

The former head coach of FC Barcelona Femení, he is stepping down as coach of the Ukrainian women’s national team at the end of August upon the expiration of his contract. He had been in conversations with some NWSL clubs, per The Athletic, but Relevo has reported that he also had been contacted by U.S. Soccer.

Aug. 7: Laura Harvey: USWNT head coach is ‘top job in the world’

Even before Andonovski’s resignation, the OL Reign head coach was asked about a potential USWNT opening. She was on the shortlist for the job in 2019 before Andonovski was selected as Ellis’ successor, and she worked as a head coach at the developmental levels while also serving as an assistant coach to the senior team in 2020 and 2021.

And while she called the OL Reign her priority, she also labeled the USWNT head coaching position as “probably the top job in the world.”

“I enjoyed my time at U.S. Soccer. That’s no doubt,” she said. “The U.S. women’s national team is probably the top job in the world, if not a top three job in the world. That’s just reality. And if my name is anywhere near it, then that’s an honor.”

Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby opened up about her struggle with suicidal thoughts in the aftermath of her father’s death by suicide in November 2021.

Bixby shared her story Wednesday on social media platform X. The 27-year-old described her “feelings of grief, and sadness, and anxiety, and dread” after her father’s passing, and how those led to suicidal ideation.

While she was scared to share her thoughts with her family and friends, she soon realized that she “needed to tell someone.”

“The day I told someone, I felt so much more strength to endure it,” she wrote. “I was able to separate myself from those thoughts and push back. I was afraid that speaking about it would give it more power and make it real. But speaking about was the salvation.”

For a while, Bixby remained hesitant to share her experience “in a more public way,” but with Thursday marking her father’s 66th birthday, she decided: “It’s time.”

“I’m sharing this because if I can help one person realize that they need to tell somebody now, even if it’s passive suicidal ideation, it will be worth it,” she wrote. “… Please, tell someone. Your life is worth living, even if your brain is telling you otherwise.”

For anyone looking to help her in commemorating her father’s life and in advocating for suicide prevention, Bixby encouraged donations to The Trevor Project, Mission22, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Oregon chapter, the Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs or the Oregon Wildlife Foundation.

Note: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Ashley Sanchez’s World Cup experience did not match her expectations.

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski had laid out her role with the U.S. women’s national team ahead of the tournament, she said. But the 24-year-old midfielder did not receive any playing time across the USWNT’s four matches in Australia and New Zealand.

“Let’s just say the role (I was told I would fill) was not what I played,” she told the Washington Post on Wednesday.

Sanchez played in all eight USWNT matches in 2023 ahead of the World Cup, averaging 50 minutes per match. But at the World Cup, the attacking midfielder found herself supplanted in the depth chart, first by USWNT newcomer Savannah DeMelo and then by defender Emily Sonnett.

While Sanchez declined to elaborate on her World Cup playing time, she made a statement in her NWSL return with the Washington Spirit, scoring 40 seconds after she subbed into Saturday’s match.

“Revenge mode was coming,” Spirit head coach Mark Parsons said. “It came really quick, and I think that helps. Being involved, she’s now feeling good.”

While Parsons said he understands that Sanchez would not have fit in every USWNT formation, he does believe she would have been an asset to the game plan for some of the matches.

“There were at least a couple of games, tactically, that’s Sanchez,” Parsons said. “And some games would have been harder for Sanchez.”

The Spirit sent four players to the World Cup with the USWNT. Aubrey Kingsbury, a backup goalkeeper for the U.S. but a starter for the Spirit, also made her NWSL return Saturday. Trinity Rodman and Andi Sullivan, each of whom played significant minutes at the World Cup, received additional time off due to their workload, but both were happy to see Sanchez find her groove.

“I jumped off the couch and started screaming,” Rodman said of Sanchez’s goal. “That was so sick. I saw it coming from a mile away, as soon as she started dribbling up the field. I was like, ‘Yep, she’s back.’”

FIFA has become the latest to address Spain’s World Cup controversy. The world governing body for soccer has opened disciplinary proceedings against Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales due to his forced kiss of star Jenni Hermoso.

His actions at the World Cup final “may constitute violations” of FIFA’s disciplinary code, per a FIFA statement released Thursday. After the match, which saw Spain claim its first title with a 1-0 win over England, Rubiales grabbed his crotch in celebration, then kissed Hermoso during the trophy ceremony.

“The FIFA disciplinary committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter,” the statement read. “FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behavior to the contrary.”

FIFA’s disciplinary code allows punishments to be handed out for “violating the basic rules of decent conduct” or “insulting a natural or legal person in any way, especially by using offensive gestures, signs or language.”

While Hermoso initially downplayed the incident, the 33-year-old midfielder reportedly refused to appear alongside Rubiales in his apology video, despite requests from Rubiales and Spain head coach Jorge Vilda. On Wednesday, she called for action in a statement released in conjunction with her agency and the Spanish players’ union.

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s acting prime minister, said Rubiales’ apology “wasn’t sufficient,” and another Spanish government official called on Rubiales to resign. Liga F, Spain’s professional women’s soccer league, also called for his resignation.

“One of the greatest feats in the history of Spanish sport was sullied by the embarrassing behavior of the highest representative of Spanish football,” Liga F said in a statement released Wednesday.

Atlético de Madrid became the fourth Spanish soccer club to call for Rubiales’ resignation Thursday, joining Getafe, Real Sociedad and Osasuna.

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has set an emergency meeting for Friday. While a source told The Athletic that Rubiales had no intention to step down, a report from Spanish newspaper MARCA said he now is considering it amid the growing tide of backlash.

Spain’s professional women’s soccer league is calling for the resignation of national soccer federation president Luis Rubiales after his forced kiss of star Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup, referring to the incident as “an unprecedented international embarrassment.”

“One of the greatest feats in the history of Spanish sport was sullied by the embarrassing behavior of the highest representative of Spanish football,” Liga F said in a statement released Wednesday.

Liga F has filed a complaint against Rubiales with Spain’s National Sports Council demanding his removal from his position. In its statement, the league referred to his actions — including not just the kiss but also his celebratory crotch grab and his subsequent dismissal of the complaints against him — as “inadmissible and disgusting.”

To refuse a change in leadership, according to Liga F’s statement, “would be a humiliation for all women and the biggest defeat of Spanish sport and our country.”

Spain claimed its first Women’s World Cup title with a 1-0 win against England in Sunday’s tournament final, but its victory has been overshadowed by the fallout from Rubiales’ post-match kiss of Hermoso.

Hermoso initially downplayed the incident, both in a statement written by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) and in a radio interview, calling it “just a small thing.” But the 33-year-old midfielder reportedly refused to appear alongside Rubiales in his apology video, despite requests from Rubiales and Vilda, and she called for action in a statement on Wednesday.

“My union, FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency, TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter,” Hermoso said.

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s acting prime minister, said Rubiales’ apology “wasn’t sufficient.” Yolanda Díaz, the acting second deputy prime minister, called on the RFEF chief to resign. And voices across women’s soccer — including USWNT veteran Megan Rapinoe, Sweden captain Caroline Seger and San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney — have condemned Rubiales’ actions.

FUTPRO, the union for Spanish women’s players, also issued a statement Wednesday, saying it would assess “the most appropriate actions to take” in response to the incident in conjunction with Hermoso’s agency.

The U.S. women’s national team bowed out early at the 2023 World Cup. But the 2024 Olympics are just around the corner, and Sam Mewis expects the USWNT to contend for the gold medal.

The 30-year-old midfielder starred at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but has not appeared for the USWNT since then due to a lingering knee injury. After a second surgery on her knee in January, she is taking her recovery “one day at a time,” and she still wants to return to the pitch, she told GOAL in July.

The USWNT would benefit from a healthy Sam Mewis at the Paris Games, with the women’s tournament set to kick off on July 25, 2024, in France. And while Mewis did not address her own recovery, she expressed optimism in the USWNT’s chances on Just Women’s Sports‘ World Cup podcast “The 91st.”

“We have a lot of young players. Some players that have been injured who could be back,” she said. “So I am really excited to see the U.S. have this quick turnaround. What we can do to come back and be a contender in just a year?”

Mewis identified several other teams — in addition to World Cup champion Spain — that could make a run at the gold medal. Take Sweden, who finished in third place at the World Cup but has been knocking at the door of a championship for years.

“Sweden has been at the top for a bunch of tournaments in a row,” she said. “My gosh, they had such an incredible tournament and to just see it slip away from them was really disappointing.”

England and Japan also impressed her with their play, as did up-and-comers Nigeria and Colombia, “who pushed further than people maybe expected,” she noted.

While her USWNT teammate Midge Purce poked fun at Mewis for choosing too many teams as possible contenders, Mewis said she remains content to be “a diplomat” as she evaluates the field for next year’s tournament.

For U.S. women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe, Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss of World Cup star Jenni Hermoso laid bare the systemic issues faced by women’s soccer players.

“What kind of upside-down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating, Jenni has to be physically assaulted by this guy,” Rapinoe said Monday in an interview with The Atlantic.

The kiss, which occurred in the middle of the World Cup trophy ceremony, came after Rubiales grabbed his crotch in celebration of Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the tournament final. Both actions signaled “such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man,” Rapinoe said.

Add those actions on top of Spanish players’ dispute with their federation and their complaints about the management style of head coach Jorge Vilda.

“It made me think about how much we are required to endure,” said Rapinoe, reflecting on the kiss and on Spain’s situation as a whole. She added of the strife within the national team: “Maybe that was something that galvanized them, but you shouldn’t have to have that.”

Indeed, Rubiales’ kiss of Hermoso and the ensuing uproar has overshadowed Spain’s first Women’s World Cup victory.

Hermoso downplayed the incident, both in a statement written by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) and in a radio interview, calling it “just a small thing.” But the 33-year-old midfielder reportedly refused to appear alongside Rubiales in his apology video, despite requests from Rubiales and Vilda.

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s acting prime minister, said Rubiales’ apology “wasn’t sufficient.” Yolanda Díaz, the acting second deputy prime minister, called on the RFEF chief to resign.

And Rapinoe is far from the only voice from the soccer world to condemn Rubiales’ actions. Sweden captain Caroline Seger called the incident “horrible and unacceptable,” while San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney noted: “Would he kiss a male player like this? This is not OK.”

The U.S. women’s national team did not set its players up for success heading into the 2023 World Cup, captain Lindsey Horan said.

The 29-year-old midfielder reflected on the USWNT’s World Cup run in conversation with Christen Press and Tobin Heath, her teammates on the 2019 title-winning team. During that tournament, the coaching staff prepared players to come up big in the biggest moments. But that did not happen in 2023, Horan said on “The RE-CAP Show.”

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned after the USWNT’s Round of 16 exit. While Horan did not mention him by name, she did share what she wants to ask his successor.

“(How do you plan on) getting the best out of your team without overcomplicating everything? Because I could talk about the last four-year cycle, and we don’t need to get into every single thing, but that’s not what we did,” she said. “We did not get the best out of every single individual. I don’t think everyone was fully prepared.”

Horan did not absolve the players of guilt, noting that any lack of preparation falls on their shoulders as well. She also shared her individual regrets, saying she has asked herself constantly in the weeks following the tournament: “What more could I have done to help the team?”

As the captain, Horan had taken it upon herself to mentor the younger players, particularly Sophia Smith, as they dealt with the pressures of their first World Cup.

“Could I have done more to help those players? Because I don’t think we got the absolute best out of some of them because of the way that we were set up,” she said, referencing the structure put in place heading into the tournament as a potential limiting factor.

Still, Press and Heath, who sat out this year’s tournament with injuries, praised Horan for her leadership.

“I think that you shined in an environment where there was very little light,” Press said. “And I think that you can have a lot of peace with how you carried the team through that tournament.”

Just one minute after entering the Portland Thorns’ match Sunday in her return from the World Cup, Sophia Smith found the back of the net.

The 23-year-old forward scored two goals in the U.S. women’s national team’s World Cup opener, but she was held scoreless through the rest of the tournament. After kicking off the tournament with a 3-0 win against Vietnam, the USWNT managed just one goal in its next three games, contributing to its historically early exit.

So in her first game back with the Thorns, the NWSL scoring leader and reigning MVP wanted to get back into form.

“Honestly, I miss scoring goals,” Smith said after the game. “So I was just really hungry for a goal.”

Smith’s goal in the 69th minute ended up being the game-winner for Portland in a 2-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage. She had come off the bench in the 68th minute, and her quick strike echoed that of USWNT teammate Ashley Sanchez, who scored less than one minute into her NWSL return.

With Sunday’s win, the Thorns leapfrogged the Courage, jumping into first place in the NWSL standings with 28 points. The Courage sit in second place with 26 points and six matches remaining in the regular season.

Portland played one player down for most of the match after defender Kelli Hubly received a red card in the 17th minute. North Carolina took the lead on a Tyler Lussi goal off the ensuing free kick, but Portland’s Hannah Betfort tied the score later in the first half off an assist from Olivia Moultrie.

“I knew how important it was to get this win, and the team had put in so much work before I came in,” Smith said. “Hannah (Betfort) scoring a sick f–king goal, excuse my language, but we don’t want that to not be a difference-maker in a game. We want that goal to be remembered and stand out at all times. And that’s what happens when you win. So that was important to me.

“I watched my teammates work their butts off the whole game, and I knew that I wanted to come in and help put the game away to reward everyone for the work that they did.”