Megan Oyster is a defender for the Houston Dash of the NSWL, who just last week returned to training for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Oyster spoke with Just Women’s Sports about what it was like to be back on the field, how the Dash are keeping players safe, and what happens next.  

The Dash are officially the first team back in training. What has that process been like and how has it been communicated to the players? 

It’s definitely been a whirlwind. The league has broken up our schedule and our timeline into phases, which I think has really helped all of us with our mindset. The communication has come mainly from the NWSLPA. They’ve done a phenomenal job keeping us in the loop. As players, we’re just trying to take everything day by day. There’s phases that we have to go through, and right now we’re in phase 1B, which just means individual training and being able to get back out to the facility. Mentally and emotionally it’s definitely been a lot of ups and downs, because we still really don’t know what’s going to happen next. But our team, and the girls around the league that I’ve spoken to, are all on the same page. We’re just trying to stay focused, trying to stay sharp, and doing all that we can to just stay sane. We still don’t know if there’s going to be a season, so we just have to take it day by day and wait for the next phase to be implemented. Keep communicating with each other, and just make sure that everyone’s kind of doing their part and staying with it.

What was that first practice back like? How was safety enforced? 

It was pretty crazy. I’m very thankful that they opened the fields for us, because quality field space has been really tough to find. Going into practice, we had to wear a mask. We got our temperature checks before we took the field. Everything’s six feet apart, obviously. All of the different fields at our training grounds have been sectioned off into different quadrants. I was on field 5B and could only be in that quadrant. If players are roommates, they can share a quadrant, but otherwise we’re not even allowed to pass to each other. It’s all really regulated, and we know we have to follow the protocols for safety measures.

And the club is really strict, too. It’s not like, “Oh, hey, we’re going to look the other way. Do you whatever you’re going to.” There’s actual people, like field marshals, watching our workouts and making sure we’re staying in our quadrants. And then after training the Dash and Dynamo equipment managers go around to wipe down all the goals with sanitizer. It’s really, really intense. They’re not messing around.

Yeah, today was a really good day ????⚽️#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/HP7Si1hPES

— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) May 7, 2020

How would you describe the team’s overall reaction to being back on the field? 

It was tough to be next to each other and not be able to play with one another, but I think everyone was just really excited to be out on the field. It’s kind of a weird feeling, but to see your teammates doing what they do behind the scenes in their own homes, working extremely hard, setting up technical drills to work on their game, and to up their game, and shooting, and sprinting, and doing agility drills just to stay sharp — It was really inspiring. And it was really cool just to know that we’re all in it together and that we’re all working towards the same goal.

Were there any moments of frustration or were you just happy to be back? 

There are definitely moments. When you’re sectioned into your own quadrant and you look to the right and left and you see your teammates right there but you’re not allowed to pass them a ball — that doesn’t really make sense. I know that this is what has to happen right now, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t moments of frustration. But obviously the whole world is going through this, so what are you going to do? It’s easy to lose perspective, but it quickly comes back.

I’m actually really impressed. This is a huge organizational effort on behalf of the club. 

Totally. The club is really mindful about the protocols that have to be followed, and I think they’re setting the tone for the rest of the league. Because obviously everyone wants to play and everyone wants to get back out there. But if we’re going to do it we have to do it the right way. We can’t take any shortcuts when peoples’ health is at stake. There can’t be anyone going behind the scenes and doing things that aren’t sanitary or not taking it seriously. And right now the club is taking it very seriously and I really appreciate it.

⚽️⚽️⚽️ #DashOn pic.twitter.com/tP0P7EGsea

— Megan Oyster (@MeganOyster) May 6, 2020

Things are opening up in Texas, but, for example, in New Jersey they’re still under shelter in place. What do you think that means for the league? 

Yeah, Chicago’s in the same boat. Portland, Seattle, they’re all still under stay at home orders. I mean, it’s going to take a long time. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I can’t predict the future, because no one really knows. But, again, I think the league is doing all they can for us as players to give us the resources that we need to stay ready, and stay prepared for whenever this is over. I feel very thankful to be able to be a step ahead, but I think it’s just going to take time for the league to come together.

Do you think a May 16th start for preseason is realistic or ambitious? 

I think it’s pretty ambitious, I’m not going to lie. They leave a huge window, though, for the preseason start date. That’s been a big improvement for the NWSL. In the past they’ve been quick to say, “This is the date, this is what’s going to happen.” And then, you have that expectation and then you’re let down when it doesn’t. I think this time going around, they’ve been very cautious of that. There’s a giant window for an actual start date. May 16th is there and that’s the goal, but we obviously know that things can change and it’s not just about us. It’s about our country and about making sure that everything is safe. It’s not just our specific city.

How have you mentally dealt with all the uncertainty? You’ve basically been asked to stay ready for weeks on end training by yourself, even though there’s still a chance the season won’t happen. That can’t be fun. 

Honestly, I see it two ways. I mean, yes, it does suck big time. We were all in top shape, ready to go for preseason. I was finally ramped up, all the way ready, had the first week of preseason under my belt, and then quarantine started. And that’s been its own journey. But I’m good, honestly. I’ve stayed busy. Like a lot of people, during that first week I was kind of intrigued, like, this is new, I get to stay home and just kind of chill. Then week two goes by and it’s like, “Wow, this is real. We’re going to be here for a bit.” Then after those two weeks I gave myself a bit of rest and settled into a routine. I’m just treating this as a new normal and trying to make the most of it, trying to see the positive in each day. I work with Athletes for Hope, which is a nonprofit, and have been spending a lot of my time doing that.

These workouts have also kept me sane and motivated. Yes, the situation sucks, but having these workouts during the day means I have something to look forward to because I know that I’m making myself better. And knowing that your teammates are also doing it and that we’re in it together helps a lot. It’s really hard to stay fit and stay ready, and to go through all these ups and downs, but to know that you’re not the only one is definitely helpful.

There’s talk that the NWSL could be the first league back. What are your thoughts on that? 

I’m very hopeful. I’m not going to lie. I’m hesitant to say for sure that our league will have a season, but I think that if we do what we need to do, not only within our league, but as a country, I think we can rally and bring this together. I know that all of the girls in the league, not just myself, not just the Dash, are going to be extremely excited whenever any kind of soccer opens up. It’s going to be extremely competitive, just because of how long we’ve waited. We’re ramping up and if you release us, we’ll be ready.

USWNT stalwart Alex Morgan will miss at least one week of NWSL action after suffering a left ankle knock in her last club appearance, Wave manager Casey Stoney said on Thursday.

Morgan was helped off the field after rolling her ankle in the later stages of the Wave’s 1-0 loss to the Orlando Pride last weekend, despite the San Diego side being out of available substitutes.

“She's got an ankle injury and she's out for this weekend, and then it'll be week by week from there,” Stoney said, confirming that Morgan’s been ruled out for Saturday’s showdown with NWSL newcomer Bay FC.

View this post on Instagram

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

Depending on its severity, Morgan’s ankle issue might have larger ramifications than missing a few weeks of NSWL play. Morgan was added to the team's Gold Cup roster after an ACL injury sidelined young striker Mia Fishel, and she's since made a number of USWNT starts in the team's Gold Cup and SheBelieves wins. A long-term injury could potentially derail the center forward’s Olympic plans.

With her return timeline uncertain, it's possible the injury could also impact Morgan's ability to participate in new head coach Emma Hayes' first U.S. friendlies in June and July.

Morgan's injury concerns aren't uncommon in the U.S. player pool, but add a sense of urgency as Hayes eyes the NWSL for top-performing players in the upcoming weeks. Gotham's Tierna Davidson and Rose Lavelle have also been dealing with injuries: Lavelle has yet to appear for Gotham, while Davidson exited last weekend's match early with a hamstring injury.

Gotham has yet to issue an update concerning Davidson's status.

This week, legendary Brazilian superstar Marta announced that she’ll retire from the national team at the end of 2024.

In an interview with CNN Esportes published Thursday, the iconic footballer confirmed that she would be hanging up her boots regardless of whether or not she ends up making Brazil's 18-player roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

“If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team,” she said. “There is no longer Marta in the national team as an athlete from 2025 onwards.”

Marta will retire as a giant of the women's game, having appeared in five Olympics and multiple World Cups. When discussing her retirement, she stressed confidence in the rising generation of Brazilian players, noting that she was, “very calm about this, because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes." 

The statement echoes back to a plea she made during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup after Brazil lost to France 2-1 in the Round of 16. “It's wanting more. It's training more. It's taking care of yourself more. It's being ready to play 90 plus 30 minutes. This is what I ask of the girls,” she said then, addressing the young players following in her footsteps. 

In 2023, she signaled a farewell to World Cup competition with the same sentiment, telling media, “We ask the new generation to continue where we left off.”

If selected for the 2024 Olympic team, Marta has a shot at extending her own consecutive-scoring record with the ability to score in an unbelievable sixth-straight Olympic Games. She currently stands as Brazil’s top goalscorer, racking up 116 career goals in 175 matches, as well as the leading goalscorer in any World Cup, women’s or men’s, with 17 to her name. 

Marta will continue to play for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride through at least the end of 2024. The longtime forward and club captain has already contributed to multiple goals this season.

U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday that the USWNT will play their last home game on July 16th in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

The 2024 Send-Off Match against Costa Rica will take place at Washington, DC’s Audi Field — home to both the Washington Spirit and DC United — at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 16th. The friendly rounds out a four-game Olympic run-up campaign under incoming head coach Emma Hayes’ side, with the last two set to feature the finalized 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team roster.

View this post on Instagram

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

Hayes will appear on the USWNT sideline for the first time this June, helming the team as they embark on a two-game series against Korea Republic hosted by Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on June 1st followed by Allianz Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 4th. 

The team is then scheduled to meet a talented Mexico squad on July 13th at Gotham FC’s Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, where the Olympic-bound lineup will attempt to rewrite February’s shocking 2-0 loss to El Tri Femenil in the group stages of this year’s Concacaf W Gold Cup. And while clear roster favorites have emerged from both of this year’s Gold Cup and SheBelives Cup rosters, a spate of recent and recurring injuries means making it to the Olympics is still largely anyone’s game.

Broadcast and streaming channels for the USWNT's final July 16th friendly at Audi Field include TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, and Peacock.

The USA Basketball Women's National Team is still considering Caitlin Clark for a spot on the Paris Olympics squad, says selection committee chair Jennifer Rizzotti. 

On Monday, Rizzotti told the AP that the committee will be evaluating the college phenom’s Olympic prospects by keeping a close eye on her first few weeks of WNBA play with Indiana.

The move is somewhat unconventional. While Clark was invited to participate in the 14-player national team training camp held earlier this month — the last camp before Team USA’s roster drops — she was unable to attend due to it coinciding with Iowa’s trip to the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

View this post on Instagram

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

Judging by the immense talent spread throughout the league in what might be their most hyped season to date, competition for a piece of the Olympic pie could be fiercer than ever before.

"You always want to introduce new players into the pool whether it's for now or the future," said Rizzotti. "We stick to our principles of talent, obviously, positional fit, loyalty and experience. It's got to be a combination of an entire body of work. It's still not going to be fair to some people."

Of course, Clark isn’t the first rookie the committee has made exceptions for. Coming off an exceptional college season that saw her averaging 19.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for UConn, Breanna Stewart was tapped to represent the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil less than two weeks after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Seattle Storm. Eight years prior, fellow No. 1 pick Candace Parker punched her ticket to the 2008 Games in Beijing just two weeks after making her first appearance for the L.A. Sparks.

In the lead-up to Paris’ Opening Ceremony on July 26th, USA Basketball Women’s National Team is scheduled to play a pair of exhibition games. They'll first go up against the WNBA's finest at the July 20th WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix before facing Germany in London on July 23rd.

While an official roster announcement date hasn’t yet been issued, players won’t find out if they’ve made this year’s Olympic cut until at least June 1st.