Crystal Dunn is going to be a mom.

The USWNT and Portland Thorns star announced on Thursday that she and husband Pierre Soubrier are expecting a baby due in May 2022.

Dunn has been a member of the USWNT since 2013 and a member of the Portland Thorns since 2020. She met Soubrier when she was playing for the Washington Spirit, and the two were married in 2018. Soubrier is now the head athletic trainer for the Thorns.

The baby will be joining an already somewhat large family, as the Soubrier’s have five chickens and three cats.

Upon the USWNT roster for the Australia friendlies being announced, coach Vlatko Andonovski announced that both Dunn and Christen Press had “decided to take off until the end of this year,” resulting in their absences from the team over the past few camps.

Dunn is also currently in the midst of the NWSL postseason, with the Portland Thorns set to face off against the Chicago Red Stars in the semis on Sunday.

Christen Press is opening up about her journey as a professional athlete, calling it “painfully imperfect” in a recent reflection piece on re-inc.

The U.S. women’s national team star says her path to the top of her sport, though difficult at times, made her a better person.

“Could you imagine watching your teammate score a game winning goal to put you into a final and feeling…jealous?” Press writes. “I can. That’s scarcity. And as a young professional, my mood as well as my potential was ruled by this mindset.”

The forward adds that the mindset that plagued her early on in her career has changed over the years.

“While cultivating my competitive strengths where I saw others had weaknesses, I ended up developing skills that helped me balance out the group around me, keeping my teams collectively strong across skill sets,” she writes.

“I was inadvertently helping the team be better all along. And having the best team helped me become the best individual.”

Now, Press says she can comfortable celebrate others’ accomplishments as much as her own.

“Could you imagine watching your life partner work for years, finally get a promotion, and feeling the joy as if it were happening to you?” she writes. “I can. That’s abundance.”

Press, who will make her debut with NWSL expansion club Angel City FC in her hometown of Los Angeles next season, wants that mindset and joy to extend to the community and the world.

“I can imagine how much more love, joy, celebration, and success we’d all have if we did that with every person every single day,” she writes, calling it “abundance.”

“I believe that we are all infinitely intertwined.”

Tina Charles has had a lengthy and storied professional basketball career, having been selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft and playing consistently overseas since 2011.

Of all her years playing, one season abroad stands out for Charles — her time in Istanbul, Turkey, during the 2011-2012 offseason.

“One of my favorite years was playing for Galatasaray,” Charles told USWNT star Kelley O’Hara on the Just Women’s Sports podcast. “I was able to play with Ticha Penicheiro, Epiphanny Prince, Sylvia Fowles, and Diana [Taurasi].”

Sharing the court with Taurasi, in particular, served as a turning point for Charles in her career. Charles had just graduated from UConn in 2010 as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Taurasi previously won three NCAA titles at UConn from 2002-2004.

“Being able to play alongside Diana for that length of time, for a full season, I want to say that’s what changed everything for me.”

Charles equates Taurasi’s relentless attitude to that of the late Kobe Bryant, a friend of Taurasi’s, saying she has that “Mamba Mentality.”

“To see how she approached the game — who Diana is in the WNBA is the same way how she is overseas, which is just a killer,” said Charles. “The way she practiced hard all the time, how accountable she was for her teammates, and calling us out on what we weren’t doing.”

Playing alongside Taurasi, Charles says, was “very rewarding” for her and her evolution as a player. In 2012, Charles was named the MVP of the WNBA in just her second professional season.

Charles’ time abroad wasn’t all work though — the WNBA star says she and her teammates had some fun too.

“Being able to go to brunch, having our own car, being able to go to dinner, just hang out,” Charles recalls of her downtime with Taurasi and other teammates in Turkey.

Listen to Charles share more stories from her prolific career in the WNBA and abroad on the Just Women’s Sports podcast.

USWNT legends paid tribute on Tuesday as one of their own, Carli Lloyd, appeared in her final international game.

Lloyd has had a storied career alongside storied players, who penned their gratitude to Lloyd for all she had done for the USWNT and U.S. soccer.

Brandi Chastain thanked Lloyd “for sharing your impeccable career full of skill, unapologetic desire and care for the USA crest!”

Mia Hamm, who sits one ahead of Lloyd on the all-time leading goal scorers list, congratulated her on a “historic career.”

“You have raised the standards for all,” she wrote.

Kristine Lilly shared a throwback featuring Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe, congratulating Lloyd on “a great career.”

Heather O’Reilly said Lloyd “earned” the right to enjoy her last game “with grit and focus and FIRE in your soul.”

“Have faith and peace that those around you will carry on that flame now because you showed them how,” she continued. “The team will forever be better because you were on it!”

Lloyd retired from the USWNT as the second-most capped player in team history with 316 appearances (behind Kristine Lilly’s 354). She is best known for showing up on the biggest stage, having scored the game-winning goals in two Olympics and her iconic hat trick in the 2015 World Cup Final.

Paige Bueckers continues to rake in the preseason honors, being named a preseason Associated Press All-American on Tuesday.

Bueckers was the one unanimous selection from the 29-member national media panel that selects the AP Top 25 each week.

Joining Bueckers on the five-player team are Caitlin Clark of Iowa, Aliyah Boston of South Carolina, NaLyssa Smith of Baylor and Rhyne Howard of Kentucky. Both Boston and Howard were on the preseason team last year.

After helping UConn reach the Final Four, Bueckers was the first freshman to be named AP Player of the Year. In her first season at UConn she averaged 20 points, 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds.

“Paige is Paige,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “Paige is better than she was last year. Paige is a little more comfortable than she was last year. She’s not as hesitant to take shots as she was last year.”

Clark, meanwhile, becomes the first preseason All-American in Iowa’s history. Last season, she averaged an NCAA-best 26.6 points alongside seven assists and six rebounds per game.

All five players were featured last spring on the AP All-America teams. Buecker, Boston, Howard and Smith all made first team while Clark was featured on the second team.

Some might find sharing a livelihood with a spouse overwhelming, but not Ashlyn Harris. Ali Krieger and Harris are not only wives but also teammates, holding down the backline for the Orlando Pride.

“I love the fact that I get to spend so much time with my wife. She is literally my homie,” said Harris on the latest episode of Off The Ball with Ali Riley.

“I can spend all day with her and get up the next day and want to do it all over again.”

The Pride captain went on to say that she loves having Krieger, her “ride or die,” with her 24/7.

Since welcoming baby Sloane, the couple’s first child, back in February, the dynamic in the house has shifted slightly.

“I just have a totally different purpose now. Sloane comes first, she’s the priority.”

Harris says she used to approach life “very, very selfishly,” but becoming a parent has changed things.

“Even in my relationship, my soccer came first, and my body came first, and my sleep came first, and all those types of selfish needs to get me to the next level and then to keep me there,” said Harris, “Now that Sloane is here, all that “s**t is out the door.”

Now, after games, Harris says all she cares about is reuniting with Sloane.

“When you come home after a game, she doesn’t care if you won or lost. She wants to see her mom happy and dancing around and singing ‘wheels on the bus.’

“That’s my new joy in life to make my family and my daughter happy.”

Watch the full episode of Off The Ball with Ali Riley below.

The NCAA’s ruling allowing students to profit off their name, image, and likeness (NIL) has opened up a lucrative new world for college athletes. As brands and agencies move to embrace NIL opportunities, several female athletes are well-positioned to take advantage of the new policy.

These are the Top 10 in line for a payday:

1. Paige Bueckers, University of Connecticut

@paigebueckers

Paige Bueckers has been making headlines since high school, and after a dominant freshman year at UConn, the basketball star is now a household name. With 906,000 followers on Instagram and a strong national profile boosted by a memorable appearance at the ESPYs, Bueckers is one of the most popular college athletes in America today. Singing with Wassermann Media Group, a Los Angeles-based sports marketing and talent company, Bueckers is likely to leverage her platform for lucrative NIL deals, with some estimates predicting the basketball star could make $1 million a year in partnerships and endorsements.

2. Suni Lee, Auburn University

@sunisalee

Suni Lee was the breakout star of the Tokyo Olympics after winning individual gold in women’s gymnastics and capturing the world’s attention. Lee’s Olympic success earned her a spot competing on this season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, only elevating her growing profile. Now at the Auburn University, Lee is set to benefit the most from NIL deals due to her rising fame (and 1.6 million Instagram followers).

3. Hailey Van Lith, University of Louisville

@haileyvanlith

Haley Van Lith had a strong debut season for Louisville, leading the women’s basketball team to an Elite Eight appearance and the ACC Championship game while earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. The breakout Louisville star also boasts a sizeable social media following, including 703,000 fans on Instagram, making her a true beneficiary of NIL changes. In August, Lith signed with Octagon, a talent management agency, embracing the potential for forthcoming partnerships and endorsements.

4. Cameron Brink, Stanford University

@cameronbrink22

Cameron Brink is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable athletes in college basketball after helping Stanford take home the NCAA 2021 Women’s Basketball Championship in her freshman year. Off the court, Brink is a savvy social media influencer, with 160,000 followers on Instagram and a series of brand deals. The Stanford star is among a growing group of young athletes to sign with Wasserman, adding to her NIL earnings potential.

5. Sarah Fuller, Vanderbilt University

@sarah_f27

Last year, Sarah Fuller made NCAA football history, becoming the first woman to play and score in a Power Five football game as a kicker for the Vanderbilt University football team. She’s a uniquely marketable talent who has also signed with Wasserman, leveraging her 146,000 Instagram followers. She currently plays goalkeeper for North Texas as a graduate soccer transfer.

6. Sedona Prince, Oregon University

@sedona._

Sedona Prince is not afraid to speak up. Last year, Oregon’s power-forward and center took the sports world by storm after highlighting the weight room disparities between the women’s and men’s 2021 NCAA basketball tournaments. Now, the basketball star boasts a loyal social media following on both Instagram and TikTok, making Prince one of college’s most marketable athletes.

7. Haley Jones, Stanford University

@haley.jonesss

Haley Jones is one of the most talented college basketball players on the court today, having led Stanford to a 2021 NCAA Championship while being named the MOP of the Final Four. Her impressive run to a national title catapulted Jones to prominence, with the basketball star throwing out the first pitch at a San Francisco Giants game over the summer. Jones’s on-court success, combined with her charisma off the court, makes her a compelling and viable college sports figure.

8. Caitlin Clark, University of Iowa

@caitlinclark22

Caitlin Clark is lighting up the court for Iowa basketball and Team USA, leading the U.S. Under-19 squad to a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup in August. As one of college basketball’s top talents and scorers, Clark will likely be a magnet for NIL deals, something the Iowa star has expressed interest in. “As a female college athlete, valuable opportunities could come in our college career that may not be given at a professional level, especially with the support of female athletics we have here in the state of Iowa.”

9. Zia Cooke, University of South Carolina

@z.loading_

University of South Carolina basketball guard Zia Cooke is one of the first athletes to take advantage of the NIL rulings, inking a deal with Bojangles and putting on a for-profit basketball camp in her hometown of Toledo, OH. With 196,000 followers on Instagram, Cooke’s NIL profile is likely to continue to grow.

10. Kaila Novak, UCLA

@kailanovak_

Kaila Novak, the UCLA soccer star, had a breakout 2020 season, earning her stripes as a Pac-12 All-Freshman honoree. The sophomore also has a significant social media following, including 131,000 followers on Instagram, where she promotes specific brands, including nate, a shopping app.

A door in Wintrust Arena reportedly needs replacing after the Phoenix Mercury lost in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. According to eyewitness reports from The Next Hoops, Diana Taurasi took out her frustration with the loss on the door to the visiting locker room.

Photos show the door severely cracked through the middle, which reportedly came from Taurasi slamming the door multiple times. The WNBA and Phoenix Mercury have yet to provide a comment.

In addition to the door incident, Taurasi and the rest of the Phoenix Mercury declined to talk to the media after the season-ending loss. Head coach Sandy Brondello did speak with the media.

Many were quick to point out that Taurasi took the time to congratulate every single player on the Chicago Sky team after the game. Finals MVP Kahleah Copper said she had “so much respect” for Taurasi on Monday.

Alex Morgan is ready for her daughter Charlie to hit the soccer pitch. The Orlando Pride forward sat down with Ali Riley for the season premiere of Off the Ball, telling Riley she is looking forward to shuttling Charlie to and from soccer practice.

When asked about her favorite memories from her own childhood, Morgan cites all the sports she played.

“Growing up… [my favorite part was] just having soccer games and all different sports. Going from basketball practice to soccer practice and having our parents shuttle us around.

“I’m excited for that.”

When it comes to following in her soccer footsteps, however, Morgan is taking a no-pressure approach to Charlie’s career.

“I think Charlie’s going to be really into all different sports, and so I’m looking forward to just being mom on the sidelines and not too serious.”

Watch the latest installment of Off the Ball for more on Morgan’s life as a new mom and her journey returning to the field.

You can learn more about Alex Morgan’s return to play after giving birth to daughter Charlie by listening to her appearance on the Just Women’s Sports podcast.

Megan Rapinoe is in top form at 36 years old and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Just this summer, the soccer legend scored two goals against Australia to help the national team win bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

The USWNT star reveals that her remarkable career longevity is thanks in large part to her fiancée Sue Bird.

Rapinoe stopped by the Snacks podcast to talk with teammates Lynn Williams and Sam Mewis about the diet and exercise changes she made at age 30 when Bird walked into her life.

“I feel like that’s kind of just about the time where your body just kind of changes anyways,” says Rapinoe about the end of her 20s, when she was coming off her third ACL tear.

“You go the first part of your career, and you can kind of just do what you’re doing… but then there comes this time where you need to change something or you just get old really fast.”

That’s when future WNBA Hall of Famer Sue Bird entered the picture.

“I got really lucky because I met Sue, and Sue is five years older than me, and she kind of went through this period.”

As part of her own return from injury, Bird had implemented a new diet and exercise regime.

“Of course, I was smitten, in love, and I was like, ‘I’ll just pretty much do whatever Sue’s doing,'” remembers Rapinoe.

At the time, Rapinoe was also getting considerably less playing time with the national team after kneeling in support of Colin Kaepernick.

“I was a little on the outs with Jill [Ellis] and the National Team because of the whole kneeling situation. They didn’t really take well to that.”

Because she wasn’t being invited into national team camp, Rapinoe had a lot more time to experiment with her diet and exercise.

“I was just like working out and eating the way Sue did,” says Rapinoe, “It wasn’t like I drastically changed everything, but it was more what I was eating and when.”

The diet switch-up included “Sue’s famous breakfast sandwich,” which consists of an english muffin, over hard eggs, onions, and sauteed spinach. It also meant cutting out a lot of carbs, especially earlier in the day.

Even with the strict diet in place, Rapinoe says she still finds time for charcuterie boards, wine, pizza, and fried chicken every now and again, saying “You can’t drive yourself nuts” if you get too obsessed with your diet.

Listen to the full conversation with Rapinoe for more on her historic career and her life with Bird here.