Something had to change for the U.S. women’s national team.

They went into halftime of their World Cup group-stage game against the Netherlands on Thursday down just one goal, but it felt like a disastrous end to the first 45 minutes. The Americans started strong, with a chance from Savannah DeMelo in the box drifting just wide of the net.

After that, the energy shifted.

A breakdown in the midfield in the 16th minute led to wide open space for the Netherlands to work with. After multiple attempts to clear the ball, the U.S. couldn’t withstand the pressure and Jill Roord netted the game’s first goal.

NETHERLANDS STRIKES FIRST 🇳🇱

Jill Roord fires it into the bottom corner of the net! pic.twitter.com/E3eWRb3GmL

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023

It was the only shot the Netherland’s had on target all game, but it stung. Suddenly, the U.S. looked passive, and for the rest of the half, the Dutch remained in control.

So when they went into the locker room at halftime, the USWNT knew they’d have to emerge as a different team.

Sophia Smith switched her hair from a braid to a bun. Vlatko Andonovski subbed DeMelo out in favor of Rose Lavelle. And from the halftime commentary box, USWNT legend Carli Lloyd called for more effort.

She got it in the second half, along with fire, anger and a “don’t mess with me” goal from Lindsey Horan that changed the energy on the field and saved the U.S. a point in a 1-1 draw.

The captain told Goal.com before the World Cup that she expected chatter from Lyon teammate and Dutch midfielder Danielle van de Donk.

“You get trash talk every single day from Dan van de Donk,” Horan said in the interview. “And once we play them, you’ll see it. She’ll be coming for my ankles like every single play, so watch out for that. That will be fun.”

But when it happened on Thursday in New Zealand, “fun” wasn’t the word that came to mind. After a physical, penalty-riddled first half, Van de Donk challenged Horan near the goal, and the U.S. midfielder took issue with the contact. The two exchanged words, and eventually, one of the referees brought them together to try to make nice.

Horan wasn’t having it. And as teammate Trinity Rodman brushed synthetic grass off Horan’s forehead — stuck there after her fall — Horan continued to talk with animated displeasure.

“I don’t think you ever want to get me mad, because I don’t react in a good way,” Horan told reporters after the game. “Usually I just go and I want something more. I want to win more. I want to score more. I want to do more for my team.

“So that moment, that little tackle — big tackle — changed a shift in my head because I want to do everything for my team and to win these games.”

Her reaction, aided by a pep talk from U.S. veteran Julie Ertz, was exactly what her team needed. It was also the best form of revenge in sports.

A U.S. corner kick snaked into the box and Horan charged forward, heading the ball past Dutch keeper Daphne van Domselaar.

LINDSEY HORAN SENDS THE ULTIMATE MESSAGE 🇺🇸

THE @USWNT HAS LEVELED IT 🤫 pic.twitter.com/IV7hnG4CyK

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023

Horan proudly grabbed the top of her jersey and pulled the United States logo into view as she celebrated the game-tying goal. It was everything the USWNT needed in that moment.

“She wanted it so bad, and you could tell,” Rodman told FOX Sports after the game. “There was the trash talk, and then she scored. She was amped, and that energy spread to the entire team.”

“It’s a really good example of the leader that she (is),” Andonovski said, praising the way Horan’s response rubbed off on her younger teammates.

“She gets fouled, kicked, hurt, and obviously it’s a very difficult moment. And instead of crying about it, she just goes and makes a statement and basically shows everyone the direction that the game is going to take.”

From there, the U.S. regained control of the match. They recorded 18 shots to five from the Netherlands, failing to put another in the back of the net despite multiple chances, including an Alex Morgan goal called back for offsides. With the draw, the USWNT received a much-needed point that keeps them at the top of Group E and all but ensures they make it out of the group stage.

They have Horan to thank for that.

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the newly reported indefinite absence of NWSL star Trinity Rodman from the Washington Spirit, with the 22-year-old attacker rehabbing an ongoing back injury that could reshape the prospects of both the Spirit and the USWNT.

Calling her "the face of the NWSL," Watkins details the Spirit star's long-term back injury, which has led Rodman to seek treatment with a team doctor in London — all while acknowledging that she doesn't think her "back will ever be 100%."

Watkins digs into the potential contributing factors to Rodman's current injury status, including the USWNT's heavy use of the forward during the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning run in Paris — and whether the team will make different decisions going forward due to the fallout on players like Rodman.

"I'm really curious if [USWNT manager Emma] Hayes and her coaching staff will adjust the way they approach strikers in the future, or forwards in the future, or rotation — or if this is just one of those many stories of a player giving it all for the United States and living with the consequences," says Watkins.

As for Washington, Watkins note that — in the wake of copious injuries — the Spirit is still finding ways to win, with club owner Michele Kang and the coaching staff shrewdly managing the depleted roster.

"I think they would be a juggernaut if they were healthy, but they can win pretty, they can win ugly," notes Watkins.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

'An NWSL breaking point'

Watkins also points out that she thinks Rodman's choice to seek treatment in London could be significant, as the forward is currently in a contract year.

With multiple NWSL standouts recently defecting to European clubs, Watkins argues that the US league is hitting a "breaking point" when it comes to retaining top players.

"I am just really, really curious if, by the end of this season, this situation has led Rodman back to the Spirit or if this is the beginning of a player having to progress forward in a different environment," Watkins sums up.

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

There's a traffic jam in the middle of the NWSL standings, with this weekend's slate bound to create some distance among mid-table teams jockeying to break free from the pack.

Between rising underdogs and top-dog rivalries, expect the 2025 NWSL season's sixth matchday to leave it all on the field:

• No. 2 Orlando Pride vs. No. 6 Angel City, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): With both teams coming off demoralizing losses last weekend, the 2024 NWSL champs will fight to bounce back against the LA upstarts in Friday's marquee matchup.

• No. 10 Houston Dash vs. No. 11 Utah Royals, Friday at 8 PM ET (NWSL+): Tied up at four points apiece, the pair of struggling teams just below playoff contention on the NWSL table will battle for a boost above the cutoff line as the recently sold Royals take a trip to Texas on Friday.

• No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 4 Gotham FC, Saturday at 1 PM ET (CBS): This week's top-table showdown features two injury-struck East Coast rivals getting rowdy at Audi — can Gotham turn things around or will Washington keep persevering?

• No. 9 Bay FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign, Saturday at 10 PM ET (ION): Seattle holds a slim tie-break over Bay FC as both teams hug the playoff line, with the Reign looking to build on last week’s Cascadia Clash victory over Portland.

This weekend has the potential to divide the contenders from the pretenders, while the league's top three clubs continue to hold court over the rest of the field.

Saturday's soccer lineup underlines a brewing East Coast rivalry, as the Washington Spirit hosts Gotham FC for the first time since knocking the Bats out of the 2024 NWSL semifinals.

"Just playing against them, you feel that fire," Spirit forward Makenna Morris told JWS this week, with Washington's Audi Field anticipating a large crowd for Saturday's match.

Both clubs know each other well, with 2021 NWSL champions Washington and 2023 trophy-winners Gotham seeing a number of big-name players migrating between New York and DC in recent years.

After finishing 2024 in the league's top four, both teams continue to lurk near the top of NWSL table this season, cementing the idea that the best rivalries blossom between winning sides.

"The [team] that poses the most challenge to you, it just makes you want to beat them so bad," said Washington midfielder Gabby Carle.

"You hate to play them because they're good, but you also love it because it's so competitive," echoed Morris.

Ultimately, familiarity is breeding healthy resentment between two of the NWSL's winningest sides, providing a little extra incentive to secure all three points in this weekend’s matchup.

How to watch NWSL rivals Washington vs. Gotham this weekend

The Spirit will host East Coast rival Gotham at 1 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage of the 2024 NWSL semifinals rematch airing on CBS.

As the 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) wraps up its two-leg semifinals on Sunday, the English teams still in the running find themselves on the brink of elimination from Europe's most prestigious club competition.

Facing a 4-1 deficit against reigning champs Barcelona, Chelsea will aim to close the gap — and keep their historic quadruple hopes alive — at home this weekend.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will try to overcome a more manageable 2-1 deficit against eight-time Champions League winners Lyon, traveling to France to keep their UWCL campaign alive.

An English side hasn't won the UWCL since 2007, when Arsenal took home the WSL's lone European championship trophy.

"Huge respect for their history and what they have been doing and producing in the Champions League, in Europe," Arsenal manager Renée Slegers said of Lyon. "I think they're still a very strong side."

"Subconsciously, you always have that thing when you fall short, like last year," said Lyon midfielder and USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps, reflecting back on last season’s title loss to Barcelona. "You lose a game, you lose a tournament – the feeling is there until you're back in the the games that can fix that feeling."

How to watch the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals

Sunday's second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals kicks off with Chelsea vs. Barcelona at 9 AM ET, before Arsenal faces Lyon at 12 PM ET.

Both matches will air live on DAZN.