We closed out last week with what felt like some season-defining wins and losses in the NWSL. Houston took down the league leaders, while Gotham got a statement 3-0 win on the road in Tacoma. Upstart Louisville, meanwhile, got their own 3-0 win and dominated a struggling Chicago side. 

Now comes the tough part. With the Olympics around the corner and the NWSL not taking a break, many of the league’s top teams will have to find a way to survive without their best players. 

Heading into what could be the most chaotic part of the season, here’s how I see the league today:

10. Kansas City — 

It looked like KC was about to get their first win of the season against the Spirit. It didn’t happen. Ashley Sanchez tied the game in the 72’, and then Trinity Rodman delivered the stoppage-time clincher. This Kansas City team is in a bad place, but I think their first win is coming sooner than later.

9. Chicago Red Stars — 

Needless to say, a 3-0 loss to Louisville FC is not how Chicago wanted to end their week. For a team stacked with USWNT talent, especially at the back, these results are reason enough to sound the alarm in Chicago. I’m interested to see how this team fares without their stars come the Olympics. It may be a much-needed reset for the group.

8. OL Reign (-2)

Oof. That 3-0 loss to Gotham WAS NOT IT. I want to give the Reign the benefit of the doubt and say that their new signings need some time to acclimate, but they’re going to want to accelerate that timeline. Yes it’s early, but the gap between the top group and the bottom is slowly starting to widen.

7. Racing Louisville — 

It’s hard not to root for this team! Ebony Salmon is the real deal, and her style of play fits perfectly with this league. The way she teams up with Yuki and Savannah McCaskill… *chef’s kiss.*

6. Houston Dash (+2)

A 2-1 win over the league leaders was exactly what the Dash needed to right the ship on what has been a rocky start to the year. I think we can all agree that the Maria Sanchez loan was far too short, but nonetheless, it paid off and give Houston the edge in the #SpaceRace.

5. Gotham FC — 

The top 5 of this list are near impossible to rank, and it was made that much harder after Gotham stormed into Tacoma and executed counter attacks that will give the Reign backline nightmares. I know I have them listed as fifth currently, but I’m calling it now: Gotham FC will make the playoffs this season.

4. Portland Thorns (-2)

After their loss to the Courage, the Thorns now have 3 losses in 7 games. They look dominant in their wins but haven’t been able to find any kind of momentum in their three losses. At their best, they’re unstoppable. But that “best” isn’t quite consistent enough yet, especially on the road.

3. Washington Spirit — 

The Spirit keep grinding out late wins and draws. A Trinity Rodman stoppage time masterpiece keeps them near the top of the table. You simply can’t doubt a team that finds ways to win, even when the games on the whole aren’t the prettiest.

2. NC Courage (+2)

The Courage continue to climb behind a three-win week that saw Lynn Williams go on an absolute tear, scoring four goals in the latter two games. Since her reunion with Sam Mewis, the Courage have once again looked like championship contenders if not the favorites. 

1. Orlando Pride — 

The Pride keep the top spot despite closing out a three-game week with a loss. They went on the road to Houston (who hadn’t played a midweek game) and still made it close. There was some general sloppiness on the goals conceded, but we will give the Pride a pass with the week they had. All eyes will be on their Sunday matchup with the NC Courage to see how they rebound.

Stanford University reached a settlement with the parents of Katie Meyer, ending a wrongful death lawsuit filed after the former Cardinal soccer star’s death by suicide in March 2022. The agreement caps more than three years of legal proceedings regarding the university’s disciplinary actions.

Steven and Gina Meyer filed suit in late 2022, alleging that Stanford’s actions "negligently and recklessly" contributed their daughter’s distress. The legal challenge focused a late-night disciplinary notice sent to the 22-year-old goalkeeper that "contained threatening language regarding sanctions and potential 'removal from the university.'"

The notice was addressing an incident in which Meyer allegedly spilled coffee on a football player accused of sexually assaulting her teammate.

While the financial terms remain confidential, the settlement closes a high-profile case that drew national attention to student-athlete mental health. The Meyer family argued that Stanford failed to provide adequate support or a safe environment after initiating the high-stakes case.

Before her death, Katie Meyer was a standout athlete who captained Stanford to the 2019 NCAA championship. Following her passing, her parents founded Katie’s Save, an initiative advocating for Katie Meyer’s Law supporting students facing university policy violation allegations. The policy allows students to designate a trusted adult to notify during any disciplinary or mental health crisis.

Stanford pens joint statement addressing Katie Meyer settlement

In Monday’s joint statement, Stanford agreed to "adopt the principles" of Katie Meyer’s Law. Additionally, they plan to launch a new initiative dedicated to student-athlete mental health and establish a scholarship in Meyer’s name. Sanford women's soccer will also retire Meyer's no. 19 jersey.

"While Katie’s passing remains devastating and tragic, the memory of her accomplishments and the uplifting influence she had on those who knew her lives on," the statement reads.

"Stanford and the Meyer family believe that working together on these initiatives will both honor Katie’s indelible legacy and help current and future students in meaningful ways."

While the university did not publicly admit liability, the case prompted widespread action regarding student disciplinary processes and mental health.

Team USA is coming in hot, releasing their full 232-player 2026 Olympic roster as the largest US contingent in history gears up for February's Winter Games in Italy.

"Right and left, we have just so many people able to get on the podium at these Games," said speed skater Erin Jackson, as she gears up to defend her 500-meter gold medal in her third Olympic appearance. "I'm really excited."

Between the men's and women's events, 98 of the participating US athletes are returning Olympians, including 33 previous podium finishers — 18 of them gold medalists.

Even more, seven members of Team USA are entering their fifth Winter Games, including decorated alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, hockey captain Hilary Knight, snowboarder Faye Thelen, and bobsled teammates Kaillie Armbruster Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor.

"I think my age is a big advantage actually," Vonn told reporters. "I have been in that start gate more than anyone else that's in the starting gate."

Meanwhile, the 134 fresh faces will look to have an immediate impact on the Olympic medal table for Team USA, including athletes like 20-year-old Stanford soccer defender and US cross-country skiier Sammy Smith and 15-year-old halfpipe freestyle skiier Abby Winterberger — the youngest member of the 2026 US roster.

How to watch Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kick off in Italy on February 6th, though a few events — including curling and women's hockey — will get underway on February 4th and 5th.

Full live coverage of the 2026 Olympic Games will air in the US across NBC platforms.

The world No. 2 USWNT returns to action on Tuesday night, taking the pitch for the first time in Santa Barbara, California, to close out the team's January friendlies against No. 47 Chile.

Tuesday also marks the final match before US manager Emma Hayes begins narrowing her player pool ahead of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup in March, with competition mounting in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup qualifiers in November.

"I have a really good idea of the pool," Hayes told reporters prior to Tuesday's friendly. "I know which group of players we're going to be building around."

With a roster comprised entirely of NWSL players, Hayes will also be managing fitness as the team gears up for their second game in four days.

"One thing I have almost agreed to do, knowing where the players are at this stage of the season with their NWSL club, is to not start a player for two games," Hayes said.

"I'm putting together a whole new lineup," she continued. "Which itself will bring another set of challenges, whether that be first caps, whether that will be inexperience, [or] collectively playing together."

Three January call-ups remain uncapped, as North Carolina Courage midfielder Riley Jackson, Denver Summit defender Ayo Oke, and Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz look to make Tuesday night's starting XI.

How to watch the USWNT vs. Chile

The No. 2 USWNT will close out their January friendlies against No. 47 Chile at 10 PM ET on Tuesday, with live coverage airing on TBS.

WNBA star Breanna Stewart is making her voice heard, with the New York Liberty forward launching her Syracuse-focused Breanna Stewart Foundation one day after protesting Saturday's ICE shooting in Minneapolis on the Unrivaled 3×3 court.

First acknowledging the platform that basketball gave her, the Unrivaled co-founder said in her Monday social media post "my responsibility goes far beyond the game."

"This foundation starts where I'm from, Syracuse, and grows through New York because real impact has to begin at home," Stewart explained.

In partnership with Athletes for Impact, the Breanna Stewart Foundation aims to build "long-term, sustainable systems for women and youth in the community" to combat poverty through initiatives like healthcare services, education and mentoring opportunities, and sports programs.

The news came after Stewart held up a hand-written sign reading "Abolish ICE" during Sunday's Unrivaled introductions, with the Mist BC star calling attention to this month's fatal shootings at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.

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"I wanted to have a simple message of 'Abolish ICE,' which means having policies to uplift families and communities instead of fueling fear and violence," Stewart said after Mist BC's win.

"All day yesterday, I was just disgusted from everything that you see on Instagram and in the news," she added. "It's scary.... You see it splitting up families and dissecting communities.... It's the worst in all ways."

"We're so fueled by hate right now instead of love."