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Dash acting coach Sarah Lowdon strikes a chord with her players

(Maria Lysaker/USA TODAY Sports)

The Houston Dash have found their stride. Over a month since finishing at the bottom of the Central Division standings in the NWSL Challenge Cup, and dropping their first regular season game against the first-place San Diego Wave, the Dash take a four-game unbeaten streak into Friday’s matchup with the Orlando Pride.

The results have all come under acting head coach Sarah Lowdon, who assumed the role after James Clarkson was suspended in late April based on initial findings in a joint investigation by the NWSL and NWSL Players’ Association.

During her three and a half weeks in charge, Lowdon has simply tried to “be what the team needs.” In some instances, that’s meant instilling positivity in the players; in others, it’s meant demanding a higher standard. Overall, she prioritizes a collaborative, open-door policy approach — if a player or staff member has a suggestion, she listens — and it’s led to two wins and two draws for the Dash.

“I think she’s done an amazing job,” said defender Ally Prisock. “She definitely didn’t sign up for this, but she’s taken the head coaching job and just run with it, really. I think she just does a really good job with communicating and she’s a really good leader, so I respect her a lot and I think she’s a great coach.”

This isn’t Lowdon’s first stint with the Dash. She rejoined the club in April after serving as an assistant coach from 2014-16. In between, the Newcastle, England native and former McNeese State midfielder was a volunteer assistant coach with the Penn State women’s soccer team.

When Lowdon first took over as acting head coach, she was focused on maintaining control as she adjusted to the new responsibilities. Now that she has a clearer understanding of her role and ability to delegate, she’s developed more of a routine.

“It’s been a transition, for sure,” Lowdon said. “It’s been obviously kind of a whirlwind, but I think in the end, I’m just trying to be here for the players and the staff and give them what they need to be successful. And that’s kind of what I’ve tried to do, is just be that person that they can come to.”

“It was a very difficult role for her to step into, but she stepped up to the plate and she’s been brilliant,” star forward Rachel Daly said after scoring the equalizer in Houston’s 1-1 draw with the North Carolina Courage on Sunday. “We couldn’t have asked for any more from her and the staff.”

On the field, Lowdon has placed a heavy emphasis on team defense, running film sessions in training to get their three-player backline on the same page. She’s preached the value of effort over talent, and the players have bought in. With goalkeeper Jane Campbell as the last line of defense, Houston is tied for the NWSL lead with three goals against in five games.

When the Dash host the Pride on Friday, it will be just their third home contest after three straight games on the road. Spending over two weeks away from home instilled a resilient attitude within the group that’s now translating into results.

After a disappointing finish in 2021, when the Dash failed to make their first NWSL playoff appearance with a 1-0 loss on the last day of the regular season, Lowdon is working to right the ship and infuse the team with a new energy.

“In terms of the dirty work, we’ve kind of built this gritty identity, but at the end of the day it’s just a concept,” Lowdon said. “We’re trying to define what that actually looks like on the field … We’ve kind of had to manufacture our mentality sometimes. At the end of the day, we’ve doubled our talent and it’s paying off.”

Jessa Braun is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports covering the NWSL and USWNT. Follow her on Twitter @jessabraun.

ESPN Expands NWSL Media Deal to 33 Matches Next Season

A view of the Bay FC home pitch from the corner flag before a 2025 NWSL match.
The NWSL will expand its footprint across ESPN networks for the 2026 season. (Al Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

The NWSL is expanding its footprint across ESPN, with the broadcaster signing on to carry 16 additional regular-season games in both the 2026 and 2027 seasons, upping the platform's total to 33 matches per year.

ESPN will also introduce a season-long "Match of the Week" centerpiece series, as well as live coverage of NWSL Decision Day, when eight concurrent matches will close out the season on the same day. 

"The NWSL showcases some of the best athletes in the world," ESPN EVP of programming and acquisitions Rosalyn Durant said in a press release. "We are proud to increase our commitment on ABC and ESPN, and to further elevate women's sports and the athlete stories."

This media rights extension builds on the league's ongoing blockbuster four-year, $240 million TV deal with ESPN, adding inventory for the final two seasons of the November 2023 agreement.

The deal expansion comes in light of the league's significant growth this season, with the NWSL seeing gains across both attendance and viewership, including a 72% year-over-year ratings rise on ESPN.

"This supplemental agreement underscores the growing demand for women's soccer and ensures our players and clubs receive the visibility they deserve on some of the most prominent sports platforms," said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman in a statement.

Reebok Drops Angel Reese 1 Signature Sneaker in 3 Colorways

WNBA star Angel Reese poses holding her signature Reebok shoe in the colorway "Mebounds."
Reebok will drop the first signature shoe of WNBA star Angel Reese on Thursday. (Reebok)

The 2025 WNBA season is over for Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, but the 23-year-old star is still making headlines, with Reebok set to drop her signature Angel Reese 1 sneakers on Thursday.

The Angel Reese 1 is a cornerstone of Reebok's re-entry into the basketball market, with the sportswear giant engineering the signature shoe for on-court performance by including features like responsive cushioning and added upper support.

Inspired by the brand's classic Mobius line, the shoes will hit the shelves in three colorways — an iridescent white "Diamond Dust," a bold pink "Mebounds," and a black and white "Receipts Ready" — with Reese's personal logo incorporated into the design.

Reese first signed with Reebok as an NIL athlete at LSU in 2023, a little over six months after winning the NCAA championship with the Tigers.

This week's rollout follows the July sneak peek of the signature sneakers worn by Reese on the cover of NBA 2K26's WNBA Edition.

"This isn't just a shoe, it's my style, my story, and my stamp on the game," Reese said in Reebok's press release. "I wanted to design a basketball shoe that elevates performance, innovation, style, and creative expression, all at once."

"Reebok and I built something that's true to who I am, and I hope it pushes others to stand in their power too."

How to buy the Angel Reese 1 Reebok sneakers

All three colorways of the Angel Reese 1 sneakers will be available for a retail price of $120 beginning at 10 AM ET on Thursday at Reebok.com as well as in select stores.

Liberty Star Breanna Stewart Questionable as New York Aims for 1st-Round Playoff Sweep

An emotional Breanna Stewart sits on the bench after the New York Liberty star was injured in Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs.
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart exited Sunday's Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs with a left knee injury. (Aryanna Frank/Getty Images)

No. 5 New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart isn't letting Sunday's left knee knock take her off the 2025 WNBA Playoffs court, with the forward planning to compete in Game 2 against the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night.

An emotional Stewart finished Game 1 on the bench, going down with a knee injury in overtime of the Liberty's 76-69 upset win over the Mercury on Sunday.

"What I felt in that moment scared me more than anything," Stewart told reporters on Wednesday morning.

A Monday MRI revealed a sprained MCL, and though the two-time WNBA MVP did not practice on Tuesday, she participated in the team's Wednesday shootaround and said her pain had diminished to a three out of 10.

"[As long as] I don't wake up from my nap and feel like s—t," said Stewart, "I'm willing to take that [chance of re-injury] because I want to be out with my team, and they told me that structurally everything looks OK."

Even when the game-day status for Stewart was still unknown, New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello promised that the defending champions would give their star "as much time as we can."

"We know what's at stake," Brondello told reporters on Tuesday. "We don't want to go back to Phoenix [for Game 3], but they're going to come in hungry."

Stewart echoed that sentiment on Wednesday morning, saying "We want to finish it here. Not having to go back to Phoenix is our main priority."

How to watch the Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty in Game 2

No. 5 New York will look to oust No. 4 Phoenix from the 2025 WNBA Playoffs with a first-round sweep on Wednesday night, when the Liberty host the Mercury for Game 2 at 8 PM ET.

The matchup will air live on ESPN.

Track Star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Breaks US 40-Meter Semis Record

US star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone runs in the 400-meter semifinals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a new US record in her 400-meter semifinal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. (Christian Petersen/Getty Image)

Star sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is reaching new heights, setting a new US record for the 400-meter race in the event's Tuesday semifinals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The four-time Olympic gold medalist finished the flat event in 48.29 seconds, shaving more than 0.40 seconds off the previous US record of 48.70 seconds set by track legend Sanya Richards-Ross in 2006.

Both her personal best and the fastest time in the world for that event this year, McLaughlin-Levrone's performance also makes her the seventh-fastest woman of all time in the 400-meter dash — elevating expectations that she could challenge the long-standing world record of 47.60 seconds, set by then-East German sprinter Marita Koch in 1985.

Known for her dominance in the 400-meter hurdles, the 26-year-old made the decision to focus on the flat 400-meter event ahead of this year's competition. 

"I definitely wasn't expecting that time," she said afterwards. "It just shows the fitness is there. I'm excited for the finals and grateful to have taken down a record by an amazing woman."

How to watch McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400-meter final

McLaughlin-Levrone will take aim at the 2025 World Athletics Championships' 400-meter podium — and, perhaps, another record time — during the event's final on Thursday.

The US star will race against 2024 Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and silver medalist Salwa Eid Naser when the final begins at 9:24 AM ET.

Live coverage will air on USA Network.

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