The NWSL 2021 Best XI teams, presented by Mastercard, have officially dropped.

It’s the first time the league has presented a Best XI First and Second teams, recognizing the top 22 players in the league.

As part of Mastercard’s partnership with the NWSL and in celebration of the Best XI and Best XI Second Team, athletes will receive a cash bonus for their achievements this season.

This season's best 🤩

Your @Mastercard Best XI's for 2021 ⤵️

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 17, 2021

“Congratulations to all of the winners represented on this year’s Best XI teams. The skill, determination and resilience on the field of play this season was absolutely inspiring to watch,” NWSL interim CEO Marla Messing said in a league release. “I’d also like to thank Mastercard for investing in NWSL players, and for helping to lead the way as we continue to build a league as exceptional as the players on the pitch.”

“We’re excited to honor these extraordinary players with this well deserved recognition,” said Alison Giordano, VP, Global Sponsorships, Mastercard.

“Unlocking the potential in every person across all parts of their life — this is what Priceless is all about. Because a world that works better for women creates limitless possibilities for us all.”

During the press conference leading up to the championship game, Mastercard’s junior reporter Kayla Klaus was able to pose questions to her favorite players and coaches from both teams and to Messing.

“We’re thrilled to create opportunities for young passionate women like Kayla — she and young women are our future,” Giordano added.

OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham FC lead the way on the First Team with three players apiece. The 2021 NWSL MVP Jess Fishlock is featured on the First Team alongside Defender of the Year Caprice Dydasco. The Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman is the lone rookie on the First Team, while Racing Louisville’s Emily Fox is featured on the Second Team.

The Best XI First Team and Best XI Second Team were based on a weighted voting scale comprised of players (50%), owners/GMs/coaches (20%), media (20%) and fans (10%).

2021 Best XI First Team

• Kailen Sheridan, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Caprice Dydasco, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Alana Cook, OL Reign
• Sarah Gorden, Chicago Red Stars
• Carson Pickett, North Carolina Courage
• Angela Salem, Portland Thorns FC
• Eugenie Le Sommer, OL Reign
• Jessica Fishlock, OL Reign
• Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit
• Margaret Purce, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit

2021 Best XI Second Team

• Bella Bixby, Portland Thorns FC
• Emily Fox, Racing Louisville FC
• Sofia Huerta, OL Reign
• Meghan Klingenberg, Portland Thorns FC
• Emily Menges, Portland Thorns FC
• Mallory Pugh, Chicago Red Stars
• Rachel Daly, Houston Dash
• Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC
• Bethany Balcer, OL Reign
• Ifeoma Onumonu, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Sydney Leroux, Orlando Pride

The 2027 Women's World Cup is taking shape, as FIFA introduced the tournament's official branding at a ceremony in host country Brazil on Sunday.

The first-ever iteration of the tournament in South America will adopt the slogan "GO EPIC," an imperative that "calls on fans everywhere to be part of an unforgettable adventure."

Additionally, the branding of the competition's 10th edition includes a sonic identity "inspired by Brazilian rhythms, samba-infused percussion, and Afro-Brazilian heritage."

"Brazil lives and breathes football, and you can feel the excitement here about welcoming the world and hosting a historic event," said FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the governing body's launch event in the famed Copacabana neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. "You can also feel something even more powerful, as this country is fully committed to making this a watershed moment for the women's game."

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The logo pays homage to the Brazilian flag as well as the shape of a soccer pitch, with the design featuring a letter W and its inversion, a letter M — uniting the English words "women" and "world" with their Portuguese counterparts "mulheres" and "mundo."

"Football is about love and Brazil loves football," said Brazil soccer legend Marta, the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, in a video message at Sunday's event. "Our country is ready to embrace the women's game with pride, emotion and belief."

Calling her country's hosting duties "a dream come true," fellow Brazil icon Formiga — the only athlete, man or woman, to compete in seven World Cups — said Sunday that "2027 will be about opening doors. This World Cup will show girls everywhere they belong on the biggest stage."

The US is flooding the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open, with half of eight women still standing in the Grand Slam representing the United States.

World No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, No. 6 Jessica Pegula, and No. 27 Iva Jović all advanced from the weekend's fourth round, joining No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Świątek, No. 5 Elena Rybakina, and No. 12 Elina Svitolina in Monday and Tuesday's quarterfinals.

"I'm just trusting the level that I have been able to put out and hopefully that will be enough," 18-year-old Jović said as she gears up for her Monday night clash with Sabalenka — a two-time winner (2023, 2024) of the Melbourne Slam.

Pegula's success, meanwhile, came at the expense of her US teammate and the reigning Australian Open champion, No. 9 Madison Keys, whom she ousted in straight sets in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Even more, Pegula's quarterfinal matchup will again feature friendly fire as she takes on Anisimova on Tuesday night.

"Sucks that one American has to go out in the quarterfinals," Anisimova said. "Jess is such a great player, so I'm sure it's going to be a great battle."

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open quarterfinals

The Australian Open quarterfinals start at 7:30 PM ET on Monday, when No. 27 Jović takes on No. 1 Sabalenka before No. 3 Gauff's 3 AM ET Tuesday matchup with No. 12 Svitolina.

No. 6 Pegula's clash with No. 4 Anisimova, as well as No. 5 Rybakina vs. No. 2 Świątek will close out the quarterfinals early Wednesday morning.

All matches from the Melbourne Slam air live across ESPN platforms.

No. 2 South Carolina shut down No. 5 Vanderbilt in Sunday's top-tier NCAA basketball clash, ending the Commodores' undefeated 2025/26 season by handing the Nashville visitors a 103-74 defeat.

Senior guard Ta'Niya Latson led South Carolina with 21 points, as five Gamecocks finished in the double-digits to offset Vanderbilt star sophomore Mikayla Blakes's 23-point night.

"I'm really impressed that we played connected basketball on both ends," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said following the bounce-back win. "I'm happy we responded to our [Thursday] loss."

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The results could significantly impact the SEC standings, where No. 17 Tennessee currently sits in the lead — though six ranked conference opponents, including South Carolina, stand between the Vols and their regular-season finale vs. Vanderbilt.

"We didn't operate the way I know my team can operate," said Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph. "It doesn't get any easier.... This is the SEC."

"There just wasn't an answer today," Ralph continued. "There's a lot we can take from it, but it also doesn't negate the fact that we've been really good up to this point."

How to watch Vanderbilt, South Carolina in action this week

Both teams return to the NCAA court on Thursday, when the No. 5 Commodores will seek redemption against No. 18 Ole Miss at 7:30 PM ET before the No. 2 Gamecocks battle unranked Auburn at 9 PM ET.

Both matchups will air live on the SEC Network.

The No. 2 USWNT is stacking their 2026 dance card, as US Soccer announced three spring friendlies against No. 8 Japan on Saturday.

The series will kick off in San Jose, California, on Saturday, April 11th, before moving to Seattle on Tuesday, April 14th, with the teams closing out the trio of friendlies in Commerce City, Colorado, on Friday, April 17th.

"Playing the same opponent three times is unusual but it presents a great challenge and a chance to test ourselves against a top-quality opponent," said USWNT manager Emma Hayes in the federation's Saturday statement.

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The friendlies will follow the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, with the US set to face No. 30 Argentina, No. 10 Canada, and No. 20 Colombia starting on Sunday, March 1st.

The USWNT last met Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup Final in San Diego, with the Nadeshiko beating the tournament hosts 2-1 — the second Japan victory over the US in their 42 all-time meetings.

"Japan is one of the best teams in the world," Hayes continued. "I'm a big admirer of how they play and I have tremendous respect for their team."

Notably, April's second friendly will see the USWNT return to Seattle for the first time since 2017, with Lumen Field swapping artificial turf for natural grass ahead of this summer's 2026 Men's World Cup.

How to buy tickets to USWNT vs. Japan friendlies

While ticket presales began on Monday morning, general sales for all three April friendlies will begin at 10 AM local venue time on Thursday.