All Scores

Becky Sauerbrunn wants NWSL leaders who ‘failed the players’ to go

Sauerbrunn, a USWNT veteran and captain, has also played for the Thorns since 2020. (Lewis Gettier/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Becky Sauerbrunn’s words poured out with poise and clarity.

No, she is not OK. And no, her U.S. women’s national team and NWSL teammates are not OK.

Sauerbrunn addressed members of the media on a Zoom call Tuesday afternoon from London, where the USWNT is training ahead of Friday’s highly anticipated international friendly against England. But instead of talking about how the team is preparing to face the reigning Euro champions on the field, Sauerbrunn spoke at length about the Sally Yates report on abuse in the NWSL, which has the soccer community reeling after its release Monday.

Sauerbrunn, nearing the end of a lengthy professional soccer career during which concerns voiced by players were widely ignored, wants change. And she wants it now.

“We are horrified and heartbroken and exhausted and really, really angry,” Sauerbrunn said. “We are angry that it took a third party investigation. We are angry that it took an article in The Athletic and the Washington Post and numerous others. We are angry that it took over 200 people sharing their trauma to get to this point right now.”

On Monday, the full report on the independent investigation commissioned by U.S. Soccer and overseen by Yates was released, revealing systemic emotional abuse, verbal abuse and sexual misconduct within the NWSL. But Sauerbrunn’s teammates and friends have been reporting wrongdoing for years, with no repercussions for abusers within the league.

“For so long, this has always fallen on the players to demand change,” Sauerbrunn said. “And that is because the people in authority and decision-making positions have repeatedly failed to protect us and they have failed to hold themselves and each other accountable.”

Sauerbrunn, who plays for the Portland Thorns, one of the teams Yates said did not fully cooperate with the investigation, wasn’t afraid to call out her own team as well as every other coach and organization that has enabled abuse.

“It is my opinion that every owner and executive and U.S. Soccer official who has repeatedly failed the players and failed to protect the players, who have hidden behind legalities and have not participated fully in these investigations, should be gone,” she said. “And at the bare minimum, the recommendations that are in the Sally Yates report should be immediately implemented by U.S. Soccer and by the league.”

The Thorns, the Chicago Red Stars and Racing Louisville were all cited in the report as not having cooperated fully with the investigation. The report also focused on three coaches accused of misconduct when at the helm of those clubs — Paul Riley, Christy Holly and Rory Dames.

Of the three organizations, only the Thorns have released a statement regarding the investigation. JWS reached out for statements from the Red Stars and Racing Louisville but has yet to receive a reply.

Thorns owner and CEO Merritt Paulson said he would recuse himself from all decisions related to the club until the NWSL and NWSL Players Association’s joint investigation is complete in November.

”I cannot apologize enough for our role in a gross systemic failure to protect player safety and the missteps we made in 2015,” Paulson said in a statement released prior to Sauerbrunn’s press conference. “I am truly sorry. Given the Thorns are about to enter the NWSL Playoffs, I have told the NWSL that I will be removing myself effective today from all Thorns-related decision making until the joint investigation, which we are fully cooperating with, is released.”

At no point in the statement did Paulson address the claims that the Thorns organization did not fully cooperate with the Yates investigation.

“My hope is that the joint investigation that is coming out will have recommendations for discipline,” Sauerbrunn said. “I hope that U.S. Soccer and whatever ability they have, whether it’s enforcing sanctions or what not, if teams aren’t complying to any recommendations like the Sally Yates report has put forth, that there will be punishments. But honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know if I have faith or not.”

Sauerbrunn’s uneasiness comes after years of NWSL players not being heard and the understanding that abusive behavior in women’s professional soccer, according to the Yates report, is rooted in youth soccer.

“My hope is that protocols and policies are put in place that parents and children feel comfortable reporting when situations are not right,” Sauerbrunn said. “And my hope is that each and every one of those players can grow up in a situation where their coaches aren’t belittling them or sexually harassing or coercing them, and that they get to enjoy the game and learn what great things that game can provide.”

Enjoying the game is something that Sauerbrunn, a 14-year USWNT veteran defender, wants to do as well. But right now, less than a year removed from the 2023 Women’s World Cup, it’s difficult, she says.

Difficult, but more important than ever.

“I love the game of soccer,” she said. “I want to be passionate and I want to play. We need to bring that joy and accessibility back to the game. And so for me, it’s finding that joy again with my teammates, and not allowing anyone to take that away from me, like it’s been taken away from so many people.”

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.

Start your morning off right with Just Women’s Sports’ free, 5x-a-week newsletter.