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How Canada’s Kailen Sheridan defied the odds to make first Olympics

(ISI Photos)

Kailen Sheridan went days with her phone by her side but no phone call, at least not the one she was hoping for. With the deadline approaching for Canadian women’s national soccer team coach Bev Priestman to name her roster for the Olympics, Sheridan and others in Team Canada’s player pool waited with anticipation.

Sheridan watched as her Gotham FC teammate, Evelyne Viens, received the call that she would make her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

Still Sheridan waited, but with a quiet confidence.

As Sheridan rode the Gotham team bus to the airport in late June, surrounded by teammates, her phone finally rang. It was Priestman. After sharing formalities with the coach, Sheridan broke into a smile. Her teammates began to make celebratory noises, barely loud enough for Priestman to hear.

Once Sheridan ended the call, the group exploded into screams of joy. Sheridan used her hands to cover her face, overwhelmed with emotion over her first selection to Canada’s Olympic team.

Sheridan had been to the Olympics before, as a 20-year-old alternate for Team Canada in Rio five years earlier. But this was a validation of her journey, and the culmination of a dream she’d had since watching the national team with her parents as a young girl growing up in Whitby, Ont.

“Being an alternate gave me an understanding of how incredible this opportunity is,” Sheridan says. “It lit a fire for me. I wanted the next step up and to achieve that childhood dream of playing in the Olympics, being on the podium and hearing your national anthem.”

Given what Sheridan went through in the months leading up to her selection, a situation that threatened this very opportunity, the feeling was even sweeter.

***

Kailen Sheridan’s Olympics journey accelerated at the SheBelieves Cup in Orlando, Fla. in February.

A banner year with Gotham, her NWSL club, and a spot on Canada’s Olympic team were Sheridan’s goals entering 2021. And Canada’s game against the United States in the annual spring tournament presented her with a prime opportunity.

Starting at goalkeeper against the No. 1 team in the world, Sheridan warmed up with intention and lined up between the goalposts ahead of kickoff, ready to make an early case for the Olympics.

Just a few minutes into the game, however, all of the goals she’d set for herself were suddenly in jeopardy.

Sheridan felt a tweak in her right leg not long after the opening whistle. And after passing the ball to her teammate in the seventh minute, she went down, knowing something wasn’t right. Her teammates helped her up as she walked gingerly toward the sideline.

An MRI revealed that Sheridan had torn her right quad off the bone with a four-centimeter retraction.

As Sheridan recalls it now, the various opinions from doctors caused a severe emotional burden, with her dream of making the Olympics hanging in the balance. After a discussion with her team, Sheridan opted to have surgery.

“I was really struggling and, mentally, it was a hard time for me,” Sheridan says. “I was doing the right things and it was taken away, which emotionally impacted me a lot.

“I have a mental coach with Canada and a sports psychologist with Gotham. Once the decision was made of what we were going to do, they kept telling me, ‘You need to have a strategic plan and keep making these little benchmarks.’ That was super helpful, especially on the days where I was a mental mess. I had a chance to recover and I needed that confidence from them.”

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Sheridan has been one of the bright spots on Gotham FC, formerly Sky Blue, in recent years. (Ashley Intile / Gotham FC)

On March 1, Sheridan underwent the procedure to repair her right quad. Before she went into surgery, Sheridan drew the five Olympic rings and wrote on her hand the number of days she understood it would take her to recover — 98.

Only two days after surgery, Sheridan was back to training, performing light workouts and catching balls. Three weeks out from her procedure, she posted a video of herself running on a treadmill. As she worked with her physiotherapist and trainer in Philadelphia, Sheridan began recovering at an exponential rate.

But even she admits that her competitive fire needed to be reined in at times for the sake of her health.

“My physio said, ‘It’s been a week, slow down,’” Sheridan says. “I was really lucky to have the people that I had, the staff, the doctors, my team at Gotham. They were really supportive.”

Sheridan’s determination to get back on the field did not surprise Eddie Radwanski, her former college coach with the Clemson Tigers. Radwanski recalled a game against Virginia Tech in 2015 when Sheridan broke a bone in her wrist and kept playing. She was out for two weeks after that but remained a supportive teammate. Her competitiveness inspired her teammates and translated to on-field success, including an ACC Championship in 2016.

“Kailen supporting her teammates epitomized what she brought to the team and why it was so special,” Radwanski says. “They rooted for each other. They were there for one another. They sincerely loved each other.”

Sheridan’s approach hasn’t changed in the pros.

Dan Ball, the goalkeeper coach for Gotham FC, worked with Sheridan to help her get back into playing form. During a practice before the regular season, five weeks after surgery, Ball launched a ball to the top corner of the net. Sheridan dived across to make the save. At that moment, Ball knew she wasn’t just looking to return early, but to return as a better player than she was before.

“I looked at the conditioning coach with eyes wide open,” Ball says. “Not many people could do what she did so close to her surgery. She is beyond elite.”

Sheridan appeared in five games for Gotham during the first half of the season. She allowed just two goals and is third in the NWSL with 27 saves, one of which against the Portland Thorns was voted the Save of the Week.

Away from the field, Sheridan never changed. She is a source of entertainment for her teammates with her dancing and singing. Having a goalkeeper who provides youthful energy, and is the anchor of defense on the field, has been critical for Gotham FC’s morale.

“She’s a big presence,” says Gotham FC head coach Freya Coombe. “She’s funny, she’s always got a little dance move, and she’s a great mom to her dog, Koda. Kailen is very driven and helps drive the standards of the team forward.”

***

Before leaving for Tokyo on July 8, Sheridan and her teammates spent two weeks in training camp in Irvine, Calif. The practices gave Sheridan a chance to reunite with her Canadian teammates and compete with veteran Stephanie Labbé for the starting goalkeeper spot.

Team breakfasts highlight how unified the team is, Sheridan said. But once the players hit the field, the competitive switch turns on.

“We develop those incredible relationships with each other where we can poke fun away from the pitch,” Sheridan says. “Our competitive edge is what is going to bring us that grit and passion on the field, and even off the field playing board games. That’s what it will take to get us to the top of the podium.”

Sheridan’s teammates are quick to praise her and her value to the roster.

“If I want to be the best striker, I have to train against the best keeper,” Viens says. “When I score against Kailen, I know it’s a good goal against most keepers. When I don’t, it gives me a chance to work with her to see how I can improve.”

“We get spoiled because Kailen is up for ‘Save of the Week’ pretty much every week, so it isn’t a surprise anymore,” says Canadian forward Janine Beckie. “She’s got a great personality, very bubbly and bright, and it translates into her explosive game, which is exciting to watch.”

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Sheridan has been competing for the starting goalkeeper spot at the Olympics. (Canada Soccer)

Priestman has yet to name a starting goalkeeper, with Canada’s Olympic opener set for Wednesday against the host nation of Japan. Group games against Chile and England will follow. The fact that Sheridan is on the team and vying for the top spot, given where she was five months ago, is worthy of commendation.

Instead of the 98 days she wrote on her hand pre-surgery, Sheridan required 75.

The Olympics will look and feel different, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, no fans in the stands and a plethora of daily health protocols. Sheridan will enjoy the moment regardless, focusing on the task at hand and cherishing the opportunity to grow into Canada’s goalkeeper of the future.

“This injury has pushed me to be better off the field, and being on this team will push me to be better on the field, setting the standard for future generations of players to come,” Sheridan says. “There’s definitely people looking at us, expecting things and looking up to us, not only to be inspired but to know that being a professional women’s soccer player is a viable option now. If you really work hard, are determined and stay true to your dreams, then you can do this.”

USC’s Aaliyah Gayles Opens Up About Her Journey Back to Basketball

USC Basketball - Aaliyah Gayles

As part of our 1-v-1 video series, USC’s India Otto sat down to interview her teammate Aaliyah Gayles. Here are five things to know from our conversation with the redshirt freshman guard from Las Vegas.

#1 Aaliyah suffered from a near-death act of violence in 2022.

The incident taught her a lot about herself and the support around her. “[USC] Coach Lindsay [Gottlieb] was one of the first people to fly out there and come see me. That means a lot to me off the court.” 

#2 Her favorite USC memory is when she surprised her teammates after getting out of the hospital.

She left her walker at the door to show she was on the road to returning to the court. “That was my favorite memory because it was family. It was my first time being able to walk to you guys and see you practice.”

#3 There's a reason she wears #3.

#3 was her grandpa’s favorite number and a golden number in her life. Plus, AG3 has a nice ring to it. 

#4 She has a list of basketball GOAT’s:

Candace Parker, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Cason Wallace.

#5 There have been many celebrity appearances at USC’s games over the years, especially this season.

Aaliyah’s favorites include Will Ferrell, Kehlani, and Saweetie. And she hopes Lil Durk will come to watch a game soon.

Watch the full conversation on the Just Women’s Sports YouTube channel.

Gotham, USWNT forward Midge Purce out with ACL tear

(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Midge Purce announced on Wednesday that she has torn her ACL. 

The Gotham FC and USWNT forward went down with the injury on Sunday during Gotham’s 1-0 win after tweaking it earlier in the game. Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós did not have any immediate updates following the match, with further evaluation revealing the tear. 

“It’s a reality I’m still struggling with and has left me with not too much to say,” Purce wrote in a statement on social media. “I’m heartbroken to no longer be available for my season with Gotham FC or for Olympic selection with the USWNT – know I’m rooting for you both all year long. 

“Though you may not see it, I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on the field.”

Purce is just the latest women's soccer star to tear her ACL, and joins USWNT teammate Mia Fishel in having torn her ACL in the last couple of months. Other notable players include Catarina Macario and Christen Press, with Macario only just returning to the USWNT lineup after tearing hers in 2022. 

International stars such as Alexia Putellas, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson have also suffered ACL tears. 

Purce’s injury caused Amorós to call out the international schedule, which has been a growing point of concern as more players fall victim to injuries and the playing schedule becomes more packed. Kansas City’s Debinha suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s opening game, while both Lynn Williams and Rose Lavelle have yet to play for Gotham due to injuries picked up during the W Gold Cup. 

“We lost Midge during the game which for me is a bittersweet flavor,” Amorós told reporters after Sunday’s game. “By the way, it’s another player that came from the Gold Cup. Last week, it was Debinha. We are paying the consequences of a tournament that shouldn’t have happened.”

“We’re talking about protecting the players, [who shouldn’t] go to play an international competition after one week of preseason,” Amorós continued. “We’ve seen the consequences now. We’ve got Rose, Lynn, last week it was Debinha in Kansas [City] and now we have Midge. From my experience, the clubs are going to keep paying for that competition."

In her statement, Purce said that “so many friends, teammates and even players I’ve only ever competed against” reached out to offer support. 

“I am so blessed,” she wrote. “Your messages have meant so much to me throughout this process, you have consoled what, for a moment, felt inconsolable. Thank you for reminding me that our football world is not only full with incredibly talent but also, incredible kindness.”

Lauren Jackson included on Australia Olympics roster

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Lauren Jackson of Australia celebrates with team mates after playing her final Opals game during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 3rd place match between Canada and Australia at Sydney Superdome, on October 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Lauren Jackson has come out of retirement once again to compete for a spot on Australia’s Olympic roster. 

Jackson was included on the 26-player roster named by coach Sandy Brondello on Tuesday that will take part in training camps, tours and games in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. The roster will eventually be whittled down to just 12 players selected from the 26 named on Tuesday.

Jackson helped Australia qualify for the Olympics with a win over Germany in February. After that, she announced her retirement, revealing that she struggled to spend so much time away from her two young children. 

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported that Jackson and the basketball federation had come to an agreement in which they would help cover costs for her children to travel with the team for training camps and the Olympics. 

She’s largely expected to make the Opals’ Olympic roster. 

"It's always an exciting time to announce an Olympic squad and I congratulate all the athletes," Opals coach Sandy Brondello said. "They all know what it means to play for Australia and they all want the opportunity to represent their country at an Olympics. Our squad is full of exceptional talent and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult."

At the 2022 FIBA World Cup, Jackson helped Australia win a bronze medal with 30 points against Canada. She had previously retired in 2016 due to knee injuries, but slowly made a return in a domestic Australian league the last few years.

Jackson has won four Olympic medals, including three consecutive silver medals starting with Sydney in 2000 when she was a teenager. 

First two rounds of NCAA tournament boast record attendance, viewership

(David K Purdy/Getty Images)

The first two rounds of the women’s NCAA tournament broke attendance and viewership records set just last year – and it wasn’t even close. 

The NCAA announced on Tuesday that attendance for the first two rounds of the tournament was more than 292,000 – up from last year’s record, when almost 232,000 fans attended the first two rounds.

Among the host sites, Iowa had the biggest crowds with nearly 29,000 fans packing Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the first and second rounds. 

"We expected the historic success and quality of play and high level of competition from the regular season would carry through into March Madness. Our championship is again delivering," NCAA vice president of women's basketball Lynn Holzman said in a statement. "Record crowds, ratings, incredible performances and evolving storylines will continue to make the next two weeks a must-see for fans across the world."

And for those that couldn’t attend the sold-out Iowa games, they watched on television. Monday’s matchup between Iowa and West Virginia drew 4.9 million viewers, setting a record for a women’s D-I tournament game prior to the Final Four. 

It is also the third most watched tournament game in the last 20 years, behind last year’s national championship between LSU and Iowa (9.92 million) and Iowa’s Final Four win over South Carolina (5.6 million).

Iowa’s game against Holy Cross in the first round drew 3.23 million viewers. 

But it wasn’t just Iowa drawing big viewership. ESPN’s five games on Monday averaged 2.25 million viewers. UConn and Syracuse drew 2.05 million viewers while LSU and Middle Tennessee on ABC drew 2.01 million viewers on Sunday. 

The full, 16-game slate for the second round averaged 1.4 million viewers – a 121% increase from last year and the highest average ever for the second round.

The full tournament so far is averaging 812,000 viewers per game, a 108% increase from last year.

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