It might have been her first U.S. women’s national team appearance, but M.A. Vignola was ready for it.

The 25-year-old defender made her USWNT debut in front of her hometown crowd Thursday in Cincinnati, playing the entire second half of the 3-0 win against South Africa. A former standout at the university of Tennessee, her college head coach Joe Kirt said it was exciting to see her debut for her country.

“M.A.’s been through a lot and to see her come out at the end of it and make an appearance to go represent her country is – she’s always had that ability, but it’s really special,” Kirt said. “So excited for her and what she’s put in. Her journey hasn’t always been a straight line, but she’s continued to excel and manage whatever comes her way. To have this opportunity at home, so, so excited for her and proud of her for the player and person she’s become.”

This could be the first appearance of many for Vignola. After the match, interim head coach Twila Kilgore said the defender had come into training camp ready to compete.

“How awesome is it to get M.A. her first cap in her home city where the crowd’s been amazing?” she said. “It’s just an incredible moment with her to actually see how well she took on the opportunity.

“She was gonna be in a good spot, just because of how she came in, ready to play. There’s things that we will work on moving forward, but even from her very first touch of the game, just being willing to settle it. We’re just really pleased. She’s going to have a good opportunity moving forward here to just build on her first cap.”

The biggest thing Vignola has worked on in the last year is her mental game, honing her ability to remain cool, calm and collected. While she felt the pressure of debuting for the USWNT, it did not rattle her.

“It’s just another game, but it was a little bit more pressure tonight,” Vignola said. “Wearing the crest is a big thing. And I felt a little bit heavy, but in a good way. Knowing that this is just the first and I’m ready to take on more as we go.”

For Vignola, getting to experience her first USWNT camp has been a “whirlwind of emotions.” That included getting to experience her first appearance with Julie Ertz, who was making her last. The two played together for Angel City early this season, as Ertz signed with the NWSL club this summer ahead of the World Cup.

Vignola said that it was both a “surreal” and “lucky” moment being able to see Ertz in the USWNT environment, and to share her first cap with Ertz as she retires.

As for making her first USWNT appearance in her hometown, Vignola said after the match that she hadn’t quite had time to process the emotions that came with it.

“I couldn’t overthink, I just came in with high expectations for myself, but also ready to learn and to take the notes of people like Julie, Megan (Rapinoe) and Alex (Morgan),” she said. “Having those people around me was something that I’ve dreamed of and it’s happening and in my home city, you can’t say any more than that.”

Just Women’s Sports (JWS), the leading multimedia platform dedicated exclusively to women's sports, today announced the continuation of its partnership with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for the fourth consecutive year as an official digital media partner.

Just Women’s Sports has secured the rights to distribute official NWSL game highlights for the ongoing season as the league returns from its summer break and the playoff push begins. 

From its launch, JWS has been a go-to platform for NWSL fans. Last year, the platform drove 172 million social impressions across its NWSL content, while also hosting a live show at the NWSL Championship as well as the official NWSL Championship Weekend party. 

Just Women’s Sports’ studio show Sports Are Fun! is hosted by NWSL alum and two-time NWSL champion Kelley O’Hara, with guests including Gotham FC star Midge Purce and recent NWSL vets Merritt Mathias and Darien Jenkins. 

"Throughout the NWSL’s partnership with Just Women’s Sports, our joint efforts in amplifying and elevating female athletes while inspiring fans have been a major driver in the growth of women’s sports," said NWSL director of media partnerships Servi Barrientos. "The sky is the limit as we continue to build on this momentum to reach fans in new ways and elevate our league."

"Covering the NWSL is core to our mission at Just Women’s Sports," said JWS founder and CEO Haley Rosen.

"The league’s growth has been incredible, and there’s still so much more to go. Being able to share these highlights with our next-gen audience is key to serving our fans and growing this league." 

Young USWNT standout Ally Sentnor is on the move in the NWSL, exiting the last-place Utah Royals in a midseason trade to the league-leading Kansas City Current on Friday.

According to ESPN, Utah received a record-$600,000 transfer fee in return, as well as a future sell-on fee and performance add-ons in lieu of players.

"Thank you to the Royals for drafting this small town girl, and giving me the opportunity to start a lifelong dream of playing professional soccer," Sentnor said in a statement.

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The 2024 NWSL No. 1 draft pick scored three goals in her rookie season, and has one goal and one assist in her 13 matches starting for Utah in 2025.

Friday's deal now sends the 21-year-old Sentnor to the very top of the NWSL table, as the 2024 Young US Player of the Year gears up for a cultural reset — and a reunion with best friend Claire Hutton — as part of the NWSL-leading attack in Kansas City.

"Ally is a dynamic player who's tenacious on both sides of the ball and will be yet another threat on our roster," Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski said in the club's announcement. "She's a fun and exciting player to watch. Ally has continued to elevate her game year after year, and we're eager for her to make her mark in Kansas City."

Olympic hurdles legend Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is making strides on the flat track, winning the 400-meter race at this weekend's 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships to book a spot representing Team USA at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Following her winning finish just two-tenths of a second shy of the US record of 48.70, McLaughlin-Levrone is fast closing in on the mark set by track icon Sanya Richards-Ross in 2006.

Notably, the four-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion opted to skip her signature 400-meter hurdles to focus on the 400-meter flat event, choosing to sit out her career-making race in order to chase a new goal.

"This is a challenge — I want to challenge myself," McLaughlin-Levrone explained. "I felt like this year, I wanted to step out of the box and really push myself in a different way."

"I think this year, and this event, has taught me patience," McLaughlin-Levrone said following her Saturday win. "I've learned a lot about myself…. Every day it's stepping on the track, being the best I can be, figuring out a race that is very foreign to me, and taking on new challenges and being comfortable doing it."

The newly minted US 400-meter champion will next hunt the event's world title at next month's 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo — the city where McLaughlin-Levrone earned her first two Olympic gold medals.

"That's a very daunting task in and of itself," she said about competing in the 400-meter race at Worlds. "It's a very competitive field.... I want to make sure I can give my all."

World No. 4 Brazil lifted the Copa América Femenina trophy for a record-extending ninth time on Saturday, winning the 2025 final by topping No. 18 Colombia in penalties after the Conmebol titans finished extra time in a hard-fought 4-4 draw.

Drama ran through the final from start to finish, as Colombia took aim at a first-ever continental title by snagging the lead three times — forcing Brazil to trail for the first time in a Copa América match since 2014.

The physical, often chippy game saw Colombian defender Jorelyn Carabalí narrowly avoid a red card in first-half stoppage time after head-butting Brazil forward Gio Garbelini in the box — the most egregious of the match's combined 36 fouls and eight yellow cards.

While several players on both teams had star turns, Brazil legend and tournament MVP Marta shone the brightest, keeping hopes alive for the defending champs by using the last kick in regulation to net a long-range equalizer that sent the final into extra time at a 3-3 draw.

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The second-half sub then handed Brazil their first lead of the match, masterfully tapping in the squad's fourth goal in the 105th minute — though fellow NWSL star Leicy Santos bent in a stellar 115th-minute free kick to keep Colombia in contention.

An NWSL player also reigned supreme in the ensuing seven-round penalty shootout, as Brazil goalkeeper Lorena blocked Carabalí's sudden-death shot to seal the championship win.

With the 2025 Copa América now in their trophy case, Brazil is eyeing their next major tournament appearance as hosts of the 2027 World Cup, though 39-year-old Marta's future with the team remains uncertain.