When news of Sam Mewis signing with Manchester City broke back in August, it sent NWSL fans everywhere into a frenzy. In only three seasons with the North Carolina Courage, Mewis had proven herself a highly valuable asset, clocking a grand total of 5,121 minutes of playing time, scoring 14 goals and assisting 11 since 2017.

Still skeptical about her lethality in the midfield? Mewis has the hardware to back it – in her first season with the Courage, she was named to the NWSL Best XI and was a finalist for the NWSL Most Valuable Player Award. Since Mewis’ arrival with the team, the Courage have won three consecutive NWSL Shields in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and most recently were the victors of back-to-back NWSL championships in 2018 and 2019.

Cheers @TheNCCourage fans! We love you! Thanks for the celebration, @budweiserusa. ???? pic.twitter.com/u1leOaiuo4

— Samantha Mewis (@sammymewy) November 2, 2019

Mewis’ stats with the Courage are certainly impressive, and her time with the USWNT has been likewise dominant. In 67 appearances for her country, Mewis has 18 goals, two of which were in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, and 6 assists. Most importantly, she was hoisting the World Cup trophy with her teammates a little over a year ago, sealing her status as a world champion in her fifth season as a professional player… and at only 27 years old.

Sam Mewis and Abby Dahlkemper have only been professional for 5 seasons. In that time they’ve played in 4 NWSL Championship Finals, won three NWSL titles and a won a World Cup.
Both have gone onto become, in my mind, world class in their respective positions too.
Not bad! pic.twitter.com/yc4sah4rtr

— Kieran Theivam (Tayvam) ???????? (@KiersTheivam) October 27, 2019

In terms of Mewis’ move to the Women’s Super League, there had been speculation back in July that Mewis and fellow USWNT teammate Rose Lavelle were headed to Manchester City following the NWSL Challenge Cup. On July 23rd, Meg Linehan, a staff writer at The Athletic, reported that Sam Mewis had already signed with Man. City while Lavelle was still weighing an offer from the club. The headline gained traction immediately and was met with a mixture of shock, excitement, and disbelief, particularly from fans of the North Carolina Courage and the Washington Spirit.

Sources: #USWNT/#NWSL's Sam Mewis signed, Rose Lavelle weighing an offer from Manchester City Women.

New at @TheAthleticSCCR https://t.co/YWvxliHYfH

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) July 23, 2020

A few weeks later, on August 10th, Mewis’ signing was confirmed by multiple sources, Mewis herself included. In a statement to the North Carolina Courage team, staff, and fans, she wrote, “I have grown so much with this team thanks to the constant challenges from the staff, the love and dedication from my teammates, and the unwavering support from our fans. I’m forever indebted to this club for showing me what it takes to win consistently, and I hope that I’ve demonstrated my gratitude over the years,” Mewis continued, “North Carolina will always have a piece of my heart, and I’m hoping there will be an opportunity to return whenever my time in Manchester concludes.”

To @TheNCCourage - my teammates, the staff, our incredible fans - thank you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0O2L3N5C2K

— Samantha Mewis (@sammymewy) August 10, 2020

GET READY! Welcome to City, @sammymewy! ????

???? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/YTpVzXOTFm

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 10, 2020

As you might guess, Mewis’ arrival in the UK was met with monstrous expectations. Would her talents transfer over to her new team? How long would it take for her to find her “groove” in the Man. City lineup? Would she become an integral part of their midfield? Thus far, the answer has been a resounding “yes.” Beginning as early as a pre-season friendly against Everton, in which Mewis scored a goal and recorded two assists in only 45 minutes of play, the American has left quite an early impression.

Watch the full highlights of @sammymewy's debut with -- and first goal for -- Man City here! ????

Mewis featured for 45 minutes in a 4-1 friendly win vs. Everton and also notched two assists ????#ManCity #USWNT pic.twitter.com/Plwi49R1hS

— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) August 23, 2020

With the regular season now well underway, Mewis has continued to exceed the hype, notching two goals for her new club in only five appearances. One of those goals? A game-winner against Arsenal to send Man. City into the Women’s FA Cup Final, of course.

#USWNT's Sam Mewis is on the board for Man City Women! A go-ahead goal in the Women's FA Cup semifinals vs. Arsenal, no less

(via @VitalityWFACup) pic.twitter.com/s3BKKhSz38

— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) October 1, 2020

The question is no longer whether Mewis can be an impact player in the FA Women’s Super League. Already, she’s proven to have not missed a step in her transition across the pond. What remains to be seen is if she can carry her new club when it counts the most and add to the the Blues’ already extensive trophy case. Mewis will get her first chance this weekend: tune in this Sunday as Manchester City takes on Everton in the FA Cup Final at 9:30am EST.

Sunday marks a HUGE day as @ManCityWomen contend for another @VitalityFWA Cup ????????

Here's how we got here! ????

Tune in at 9:30 am ET / 6:30 am PT on Sunday, Nov. 1

????????: ESPN+
????????: @BarclaysFAWSL player#ManCity pic.twitter.com/Wm4sLr8DXW

— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) October 29, 2020

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE FA WSL:

 

November 7th:

Manchester City vs. Bristol City @ 10:00 a.m. EST

November 8th:

Chelsea vs. Everton @ 7:00 a.m. EST

Manchester United vs. Arsenal @ 7:00 a.m. EST

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Aston Villa @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Birmingham City vs. West Ham United @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Tottenham vs. Reading FC @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Team USA's U-20 World Cup​ run has come to an end after Wednesday's 1-0 semifinal loss to tournament favorites North Korea (DPRK).

The result marks the U-20 USWNT's best showing since their 2016's fourth-place finish, when they similarly fell to DPRK in the semis before the North Korean side advanced to win the Cup.

DPRK outshot the US 18-7 last night, but 17-year-old Choe Il-Son was the lone player to find the back of the net, securing the eventual game-winner in the 22nd minute. With five goals on the tournament so far, Choe is now in a three-way tie atop the competition's Golden Boot race.

Japan tops the Netherlands in second semifinal

While the US gave DPRK arguably their toughest match of the World Cup, Japan overwhelmed the Dutch with their attacking prowess last night, outshooting the Netherlands' 24-1 to notch the 2-0 win.

Notably, both goals by "the Young Nadeshiko" were scored by North Carolina Courage midfielder Manaka Matsukubo, the only NWSL player on Japan's roster.

Where to watch the U-20 World Cup final and third-place match

On Saturday, the US will battle the Netherlands for third-place hardware, with live coverage on Fox Soccer Plus.

Then on Sunday, the World Cup championship match will mirror March's U-20 Asian Cup final, where DPRK forced six-time champs Japan to relinquish the title for the first time since 2013. The final will air live on FS2.

Should DPRK emerge victorious on Sunday, they'll join the US and Germany as the only nations with three U-20 World Championships.

San Diego attacker María Sánchez lit up Snapdragon Stadium last night, leading the Wave to a 3-2 home victory over Portland in Concacaf W Champions Cup play. 

Goals from Sophia Smith​ and rookie Reilyn Turner gave Portland a 2-0 lead entering the 67th minute, but Sánchez’s hat trick — which included two converted penalty kicks — secured San Diego's dramatic comeback win.

Calling Sánchez "an incredible human being...[who's] a pleasure to coach," Wave boss Landon Donovan told the post-match press corps that his entire team was "awesome" last night. "To go down two goals and just continue to believe and keep playing and putting them under pressure was awesome. I'm just really proud of them."

Portland Thorns' team woes continue

Last night's result — though not counted toward the NWSL season — marked Portland's fifth straight loss against league opponents. The sixth-place Thorns have yet to earn a point on the NWSL table since returning from the Olympic break.

When asked about the usually dominant Thorns’ recent downfall, Portland's new permanent head coach Rob Gale said "We need to get healthy bodies available for 90 minutes."

With forward Morgan Weaver on limited minutes as she works back to full form following a May knee surgery, and Smith joining her in being pulled at halftime last night with what Gale called "some lower body problems," Portland's attack suffered in the tilt.

That said, the lopsided affair also saw mental errors, with the Thorns scrambling for possession and excessively fouling — mistakes Portland hopes to eliminate before hosting San Diego in NWSL play in nine days.

Where to watch Concacaf W Champions Cup group play tonight

Halfway through the international club tournament’s four-match group stage, the Wave now leads Group B while Portland sits in third. The top two teams in each group will advance to May’s semifinals.

As for the third NWSL team competing for the inaugural Cup, Group A's Gotham FC will host Liga MX club Monterrey in their second group match at 7 PM ET tonight, with live coverage on the CBS Golazo Network.

"Let's just say A'ja has been in her bag all season, like there's really not a player that can stop her," WNBA icon Lisa Leslie said in the debut episode of Just Women's Sports' weekly digital series Fast Friends with Kelley O'Hara and Lisa Leslie.

"This is what I love about A'ja Wilson: A'ja has gotten better, significantly better, every single season."

Coming off the success of JWS's Olympic commentary show The Gold Standard, Fast Friends features two legendary athletes serving up insider insights and unique takes on the biggest stories in women's sports.

In today's episode, O'Hara and Leslie cover A'ja Wilson's historic season, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's rookie campaigns, Alex Morgan's recent retirement, and the NWSL MVP race.

Subscribe to Just Women's Sports on YouTube to never miss an episode.

On Wednesday morning, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the WNBA would be adding a 15th team to its roster, with the league awarding Portland, Oregon its own expansion franchise.

Portland joins Golden State and Toronto as the latest WNBA additions, as the league capitalizes on this season's surging popularity. Golden State will begin play next season, with Toronto and Portland set to tip off in 2026.

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The Rose City was an obvious choice to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who said, "Portland has been an epicenter of the women’s sports movement and is home to a passionate community of basketball fans."

Notably, this is not Portland's first WNBA team. The city originally hosted the Fire, which competed for three seasons before folding in 2002.

The expansion team will be primarily owned by the Bhathal family, who also recently purchased the NWSL's Portland Thorns.

A'ja Wilson adds WNBA rebound record to 2024 stats

Aces superstar A'ja Wilson added yet another feat to her 2024 WNBA MVP campaign on Tuesday, breaking sidelined Chicago rookie Angel Reese's single-season rebounds record in Las Vegas's 85-72 win over Seattle.

Wilson, who didn't know she'd claimed the record until asked about it in the post-game press conference, reacted with nonchalance. "That's cool," she told reporters. "I don't hunt rebounds, so it's not something that's always on my mind... I'm focused on putting the ball in the hoop."

Her explanation had head coach Becky Hammon visibly rolling her eyes, saying she's had to remind Wilson that "the other half of [her] job is to freaking rebound."

Ultimately, Wilson acknowledged that the record is "a blessing," saying "this league is tough, so if my name can be in the record books in some sort of way, it's a blessing."

Rebound record is Wilson's third WNBA feat in one week

Wilson's written her name in the WNBA record books three times in the last six days. Her latest rebound accomplishment comes just two days after Wilson became the first-ever WNBA player to score 1,000+ points in one season, and less than one week after she shattered the league's single-season scoring record.

Tuesday's win also handed the defending back-to-back champion Aces at least the fourth playoff seed. That top-four spot secures them home court advantage for their first postseason round.