We’ve got two more weekends of postseason play before the 2022 NWSL calendar officially closes for the season, but it’s never too early to speculate about the league’s first free agency period.

NWSL players won the rights to free agency as part of the league’s first collective bargaining agreement, ratified before the 2022 season. Those with six years of service became unrestricted free agents on Aug. 26, though the official courting process likely won’t begin until the season ends.

While more intricate free agency opportunities will come in 2023, the rules this year are relatively simple: If you’ve played in the league for six years and are out of a contract, you can look wherever you want. On Monday, an independent arbitrator ruled in favor of the NWSL Players Association, adding 22 more players to the list of free agents and casting aside team options that had plagued the league in the past.

By nature of how long an NWSL player must compete to be eligible for free agency, many athletes on the list are core pieces of their current clubs. Not everyone will be looking to make a move, but here are 10 of the most intriguing names available.

Debinha, North Carolina Courage

Debinha is one of the biggest stars who might be inclined to make a jump. The midfielder has already won three NWSL Shields and two championships as part of the Courage, and she might want to test the waters as North Carolina maneuvers through a strategic rebuild.

She won’t lack for offers. As an attacking generator whose defensive work rate is underrated, Debinha can be one of the best players in the world in the right situation.

Most of Chicago’s midfield

The Red Stars have a whopping seven players eligible for free agency in the defense, midfield and attack. As more stories of off-field dysfunction at the club continue to emerge, a number of Chicago lifers could look for new landing spots in 2022.

The midfield trio of Danny Colaprico, Morgan Gautrat and Vanessa DiBernardo stand out, not only because of their years of service in Chicago (DiBernardo and Colaprico have never played elsewhere,) but also because they are the glue that holds the Red Stars’ formation together.

Tobin Heath, OL Reign

Heath’s status is particularly intriguing since the attacker could go in almost any direction as she works her way back onto the pitch. Heath’s short-term contract with OL Reign this season proved indicative of the last few years of her career: She is incredibly effective when she’s on the field, but injuries continue to hamper her production.

One of the biggest stars in women’s soccer, Heath has only ever played on the West Coast. It seems possible that one of the California clubs will be interested in offering her a one-year deal, pending Heath’s recovery from knee surgery in the offseason.

Julie Ertz, Angel City FC

If a return to professional soccer is imminent for the two-time World Cup champion, this free agency period will be telling. The midfielder hasn’t appeared on the field since the Tokyo Olympics and hasn’t played club soccer since May 2021, after suffering a knee injury and then going on maternity leave.

Angel City acquired Ertz’s rights in a trade with Chicago last December that also brought Sarah Gorden to Los Angeles, but that proved to be more of a hopeful attempt at calling her up to the squad. Now, they’ll have to see if she’s inclined to return to the sport at all.

Marta, Orlando Pride

Marta has been out of the public consciousness this season as she rehabs from an ACL tear, but never count out one of the legends of the game. For the Orlando Pride, Marta’s free agency comes at an interesting time.

You would assume that her resume and leadership ability would make her club of the last six years eager to re-sign the forward. But Orlando is in the middle of a substantial rebuild, having moved many of their most prominent stars last offseason. The club might have different goals in mind than in past years and encourage Marta to explore free agency as a result.

Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Barnes, OL Reign

You’re not fooling me. Depending on their fitness and desire to return for another season, Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Barnes are not playing anywhere other than Seattle next year.

Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns

See above. Barring a shocking opening of a team in Vancouver prior to the 2023 regular season, Sinclair will stay in Portland.

Ifeoma Onumonu, NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham had a rough go of it in the 2022 regular season, finishing at the bottom of the league table. They’ll almost certainly have to make some tough roster decisions in the coming months, and a player of Onumonu’s talent might be looking for a more stable situation.

Onumonu can play on the wing or in the middle of the attack. After three seasons with Gotham, the 28-year-old might be inclined to field calls from more established coaches to take her game to the next level as she prepares to represent Nigeria at the 2023 World Cup.

Kristen Edmonds, Kansas City Current

Edmonds has had one of the most consistent seasons of her professional career in 2022, steadying the Current’s backline as they make a run to their first semifinal.

There are a number of NWSL teams that could use a seasoned defender, including Gotham FC. And as a New Jersey native, Edmonds is in a position to make a money move off a contract year. Edmonds has found a home in Kansas City, but the pull to seize a new opportunity might be too strong to pass up.

Abby Smith, Portland Thorns

Perhaps flying a bit under the radar, Thorns backup goalkeeper Abby Smith might look for a club where she can compete for a starting job. Bella Bixby has all but sealed her place as the Thorns starter for the foreseeable future.

Smith has a wealth of NWSL experience and a track record that deserves a look from teams in need of a veteran presence between the sticks. Smith would be on any expansion team’s shortlist, but maybe the move comes a year early.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

The 2025 Wimbledon Championships wrapped its second round on Thursday, with the grass court Grand Slam seeing just 15 of the tournament's 32 seeded players advance to the Friday and Saturday's third round.

A full half of the WTA's Top 10 players did not survive the week, with 2024 Wimbledon finalist and world No. 5 Jasmine Paolini joining four first-round star exits by falling to unseeded Kamilla Rakhimova in a three-set, second-round battle on Wednesday.

At the same time, unseeded fan favorites like Japan's No. 53 Naomi Osaka and England's own No. 40 Emma Raducanu secured third-round spots at the London Slam, joining top surviving contenders like No. 4 Iga Świątek and defending Wimbledon champion No. 16 Barbora Krejčíková.

Notably, a full five US players managed to move ahead, tied for the largest national contingent still standing at the tournament.

Led by 2025 Australian Open champion No. 8 Madison Keys, the US group also includes No. 10 Emma Navarro and No. 12 Amanda Anisimova, as well as unseeded players No. 54 Danielle Collins and No. 55 Hailey Baptiste.

With matches against Świątek and No. 7 Mirra Andreeva, respectively, Collins and Baptiste have a tough third round ahead — though Navarro's battle against the 2024 champ Krejčíková arguably headlines Saturday's slate.

How to watch Wimbledon this weekend

While world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is still holding strong in the dwindling field, this year's Wimbledon play is proving that the London Slam is anyone's to take, as the grass court humbles even the sport's top stars.

Expect the twists and turns to continue as tennis's best battle for spots in Sunday's Round of 16.

Round-of-32 Wimbledon play kicks off at 6 AM ET on Friday, with live continuous coverage of the tournament airing on ESPN.

The 2025 European Championship is officially underway, as Euro action kicked off with a group-stage upset on Wednesday.

Though the 2025 UEFA tournament's opener was a sweltering affair amid a European heat wave, world No. 26 Finland prevailed, earning a 1-0 upset win over No. 14 Iceland in Group A.

Finnish winger Katariina Kosola played hero, curling in the winning goal in the match's 70th minute — just 12 minutes after Iceland midfielder Hildur Antonsdóttir picked up the competition's first red card.

"The result is important for our confidence," Kosola said after Finland's first major tournament win since the 2009 Euro. "It was the kind of goal I have been practicing a lot."

"It's terrible to lose and we feel frustrated," said Iceland head coach Thorsteinn Halldórsson. "It is an even group and we knew Finland were good, but our first half wasn't good enough."

Elsewhere, No. 16 Norway closed out Wednesday's slate on top of Group A, taking three points by defeating host No. 23 Switzerland in day's second match.

Led by captain and 2018 Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg — who pulled the match even with a second-half strike — Norway battled to a 2-1 comeback win, despite the Swiss side outshooting and out-possessing the Norwegians.

How to watch this week's 2025 Euro action

Group B steals the 2025 Euro spotlight on Thursday.

While No. 13 Italy snagged a 1-0 opening win over No. 20 Belgium to kick off the day, 2023 World Cup champions and tournament favorite No. 2 Spain will face No. 22 Portugal at 3 PM ET.

Friday's Group C slate will pit No. 12 Denmark against No. 6 Sweden at 12 PM ET, before No. 3 Germany contends with No. 27 Poland at 3 PM ET.

Closing out the first group-stage matches will be arguably the toughest draw of the 2025 Euro pool.

Saturday's Group D slate features major tournament debutants No. 30 Wales against the No. 11 Netherlands at 12 PM ET, with No. 10 France taking on defending champions No. 5 England to cap the day at 3 PM ET.

Live coverage of 2025 Euro matches will air across Fox Sports platforms.

The world No. 1 USWNT ruled the pitch on Wednesday night, shutting out North American rivals No. 8 Canada 3-0 to finish the international window on a high note.

Catching the Canada backline sleeping, US midfielder Sam Coffey opened the scoring at the 17-minute mark before 19-year-old Claire Hutton claimed her first-ever USWNT goal by heading in a Rose Lavelle corner kick in the game's 36th minute.

Houston Dash forward Yazmeen Ryan then padded the US tally in the waning minutes of the match, finding the back of the net just eight minutes after subbing onto the field.

View this post on Instagram

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

Despite fielding a young roster, the US overpowered a veteran-heavy Canada side in almost every category, topping their Northern neighbors in shots, shots on target, possession, and — most notably — set pieces.

Canada ultimately couldn't match the game's mental pace or physical battle, as the USWNT scored all three goals off dead ball situations — a free kick, a corner kick, and a throw-in.

"It's not about the opponent," US head coach Emma Hayes said after the match. "It's about what we do, and I felt that was extremely dominant."

With Wednesday's contributions, the USWNT finishes the summer window with 11 goals scored across the three friendlies — and zero goals conceded.

The US now enters an extended break before reconvening for another as-yet-unannounced friendly series in October — but players will be expected to perform in the meantime.

"I said to the players in the end in the huddle, if you want to compete to win the biggest things, it's not what you do here that matters," said Hayes. "It's what you do when you go back to your club."

The 2025 WNBA regular season returns on Thursday night, with teams at the top of the league standings looking to prove their mettle against close competition across the long holiday weekend.

The No. 5 Seattle Storm have arguably the toughest weekend assignments, taking on the No. 4 Atlanta Dream on Friday before tackling the No. 3 New York Liberty on Sunday.

Four middle-of-the-pack teams will look to close in on a double-digit season win tally while the league's frontrunners strive to maintain their advantage in this weekend's slate:

• No. 7 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 8 Indiana Fever, Thursday at 7 PM ET (Prime): Though still without star Caitlin Clark, the Fever hope to harness their 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup victory momentum against an Aces side tied with Indiana with an 8-8 season record.

• No. 5 Seattle Storm vs. No. 4 Atlanta Dream, Thursday at 7:30 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): Seattle will look to make strides against a strong Atlanta side while putting last Sunday's stinging 84-57 loss to up-and-comer Golden State in their rearview.

• No. 6 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 1 Minnesota Lynx, Saturday at 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The rising Valkyries must face a Lynx side hunting redemption, as the league-leaders look to bounce back from their stifling Tuesday Commissioner's Cup upset loss.

• No. 5 Seattle Storm vs. No. 3 New York Liberty, Sunday at 1 PM ET (CBS): With injured Liberty center Jonquel Jones still sidelined, the Seattle Storm will have a chance to steal a weekend game against the reigning champs, as New York struggles to re-find their footing.

With the 2025 WNBA All-Star break looming, early top performers must keep standards high if they want to hold the line when the season crosses the midway point.