When Portland Thorns players take the field on Sunday, it will be the first time they have done so since the Oct. 3 release of the Sally Yates report on systemic abuse in the NWSL. And players are taking note.

The Thorns were one of three teams at the center of the report, which detailed U.S. Soccer’s yearlong investigation into cases of sexual assault and coercion, emotional abuse, verbal abuse and failure by officials to stop it. In the aftermath, players have been left to deal with the fallout while also playing out the rest of the NWSL season.

Among the changes, Portland owner Merritt Paulson stepped down as the club’s CEO as calls have increased for him to sell the team as the No. 2 seed Thorns prepare to host the San Diego Wave in the semifinals on Sunday.

“The Yates investigation I think shed a lot of light on the issues and problems that have existed in the NWSL for its entire existence,” Thorns defender Crystal Dunn told reporters Saturday. “It was hard for players to see what was written in the investigation. As players, a lot of times it’s very difficult for us to be able to do our job and find joy and passion in doing that when so much around us takes away from that light.”

Dunn added that, since the beginning of the season, Thorns players have focused on leaning on one another to get through the challenges. Portland first came under scrutiny last year, when a report in The Athletic detailed allegations of sexual coercion and emotional abuse by former Thorns head coach Paul Riley and the Thorns’ failure to report it, allowing Riley to coach in the NWSL for another six seasons.

Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn said Saturday that the players have learned to compartmentalize “bad things that have happened” as they focus on competing for their first NWSL championship since 2017.

“We’re really flying right now on the field,” she said. “I’m expecting it to be quite supportive and energetic and lively and with that support from the fans, we’ll feel it on the field. I’m absolutely sure that we will. Hopefully we can put on a performance that makes everyone proud of us.”

For Dunn, who returned in September after giving birth to son Marcel, it’s been about taking it day by day. She noted that the heaviness of the situation has made it difficult for her to continue to be the positive one in the locker room as she has at times found herself to be burnt out. It’s in those times that she, like others, has been leaning on her teammates for support.

“Some days are easier than others,” she said. “As women, we have been very skilled in compartmentalizing. We are very good at being able to balance a whole lot of things. This is one of those really challenging tasks that we’ve been given, which is embracing what’s going on in the league and trying to be a part of that change, but at the same time understanding that we can’t solve all the problems.”

In the aftermath of the report, players like Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby have pleaded with fans to continue to turn out in support. The team has sold nearly 20,000 tickets for the semifinal game at Providence Park, Sauerbrunn said.

“I’m just excited, hopefully for a full stadium, for our fans to be loud, cheering for us because it’s been a long season,” said forward Sophia Smith. “We’ve gone through a lot of stuff. I think these are the things that we look forward to. The positive things and the exciting things that we have and the fans make that for us. They make it the best place to play in.

“I think everyone’s just excited to have a stadium full of fans who are supporting us and allowing us to come out and do what we love to do.”

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."