After Grant Wahl died Saturday while covering the men’s World Cup in Qatar, U.S. women’s national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn joined the chorus celebrating the life of the prominent U.S. soccer journalist.

As the news of Wahl’s death spread, reactions from around the sports world began to pour in, including from the women’s soccer community. Wahl, 48, was a vocal proponent for the women’s game throughout his career, and Sauerbrunn called him “one of the originals who helped drive our game forward.”

“The soccer community lost a real one today,” she wrote. “Grant Wahl never shied away from asking the tough questions, the right questions, the ones that got to the heart of the matter. He will be greatly missed.”

The soccer community lost a real one today. And for women’s soccer, one of the originals who helped drive our game forward. Grant Wahl never shied away from asking the tough questions, the right questions, the ones that got to the heart of the matter. He will be greatly missed.

— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) December 10, 2022

USWNT great Abby Wambach called Wahl’s death “heartbreaking for me for so many reasons.”

Ahead of the 2015 World Cup, which was Wambach’s fourth and last with the USWNT, Wahl profiled the star for Sports Illustrated.

“Grant Wahl and soccer are inextricably linked,” Wambach wrote. “I have looked to Grant and his work for decades. The soccer story here in the US has Grant’s name all over it. We will miss you Grant and we can’t stop thinking about your family.”

This is heartbreaking for me for so many reasons. Grant Wahl and soccer are inextricably linked. I have looked to Grant and his work for decades. The soccer story here in the US has Grant’s name all over it. We will miss you Grant and we can’t stop thinking about your family. https://t.co/Hv56lLgzxP

— Abby Wambach (@AbbyWambach) December 10, 2022

Looking at the women’s game, Wahl covered just about every single one of the United States’ best.

In 2010, he wrote a story chronicling Mia Hamm’s activities in retirement. In a social media post mourning Wahl, Hamm called him “one of the best.”

He also wrote about the incredible backstory behind Carli Lloyd’s hat trick for the USWNT at the 2015 World Cup final — and the shot that completed it.

Lloyd, who spent time in Qatar in the last several weeks covering the World Cup with Fox Sports, was “completely shocked” when she heard of his passing, she wrote.

“My heart goes out to his wife, family, friends and the soccer community. Truly heartbreaking,” she added.

Learned of Grant Wahl’s passing while I was at the Sixers game. Completely shocked. My heart goes out to his wife, family, friends and the soccer community. Truly heartbreaking.

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) December 10, 2022

Julie Foudy, who like Lloyd played for the USWNT and then joined the media ranks, said she was “still trying to process this.”

“Grant Wahl not only elevated the game here in the US [thanks] to his coverage, he loved the game and knew its power was transformational,” Foudy wrote.

Ahhh, still trying to process this all… we lost one of our greats today. Grant Wahl not only elevated the game here in the US thx to his coverage, he LOVED the game & knew it’s power was transformational… much more than Xs and Os, than wins and losses. RIP Grant. 🙏❤️

— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) December 10, 2022

USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe, who Wahl once called a “reporter’s dream,” wrote that his death is “devastating.”

“All love to his family and loved ones,” she wrote.

Ali Krieger, another star player for the U.S., called him an “inspiration” to the soccer community and “anyone who was lucky enough to meet him.”

I’m so saddened by the news of @GrantWahl .. I’m sending all my love and strength to his family and friends. He was such an inspiration to our soccer community and anyone who was lucky enough to meet him.❤️

— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) December 10, 2022

The NWSL offered its “most sincere condolences” to Wahl’s family and friends.

“We are heartbroken by the news of Grant Wahl’s death,” the NWSL said in a statement. “His commitment to sharing the stories of our beautiful game was unmatched, but more importantly, his integrity, thoughtfulness and kindness were central to the way he lived.”

Adding to the statement, commissioner Jessica Berman recalled Wahl taking the time to make sure she felt welcome to women’s soccer.

“He was a special person,” she wrote.

Kansas City Current owner Chris Long said he and wife Angie “are devastated.” The two had known Grant for more than 30 years, he wrote, and the Current “wouldn’t exist” without his insight.

“He was our first call. He is a legend,” Long wrote. “His words were always insightful, honest, powerful but his actions made all of our lives better.”

Other NWSL clubs also issued statements.

“Grant brought the best of what soccer can be to the public,” the North Carolina Courage said in a statement. “His high-level journalism and passion were instrumental in the growth of our sport in this country. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and friends as the entire soccer community mourns this heartbreaking loss.”

Courage head coach Sean Nahas “always heard great things” about Wahl, he wrote.

“He was one who showed a passion for the sport and the people in it in his writing and a true fan of the game,” he added.

Extremely sad news. I did not know @GrantWahl personally but always heard great things about him. He was one who showed a passion for the sport and the people in it in his writing and a true fan of the game. Condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. https://t.co/mLHBW8fKPn

— Sean Nahas (@NahasSean) December 10, 2022

Angel City FC was “devastated” by the news, the club said in its statement.

“Grant Wahl’s contribution to the soccer community, especially women’s soccer, cannot be measured,” the club said. “The beautiful game is better because of him. Grant will be incredibly missed.”

We are devasted by this news. Grant Wahl's contribution to the soccer community, especially women's soccer, cannot be measured. The beautiful game is better because of him. Grant will be incredibly missed. https://t.co/DGRP6U1wsy

— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) December 10, 2022

Sydney Leroux also expressed appreciation for Wahl, who “cared so deeply about women’s soccer and our soccer community.”

Heartbroken by the news of Grant Wahl. He cared so deeply about women’s soccer and our soccer community. I’m in shock.

— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) December 10, 2022

Racing Lousiville forward Jessica McDonald called Wahl’s death “such sad news.”

“He had such a huge impact on the women’s game,” she wrote. “He is very much so appreciated for that and advocating for what he believed in. May he rest in peace. Praying for his family.”

Portland Thorns and Canadian national team forward Janine Beckie called the news “horrific and heartbreaking.”

“A lot of speculation about the reason, I pray this comes to light,” she wrote. “I am at a loss for words, thinking of his family, friends & community in the media. Genuinely heartbroken.”

Absolutely horrific and heartbreaking news about Grant Wahl. A lot of speculation about the reason, I pray this comes to light. I am at a loss for words, thinking of his family, friends & community in the media. Genuinely heartbroken. 💔

— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) December 10, 2022

In addition to advocating for the women’s game, Wahl was outspoken about human rights issues. He made headlines earlier in the 2022 World Cup for wearing a pride t-shirt to the United States’ opener. He was detained by Qatari officials and later released.

Tennis star Billie Jean King applauded Wahl’s work in advocating for the LGBTQ community and women’s soccer.

“Heartbreaking to hear of the death of Grant Wahl,” she wrote. “A talented journalist, Grant was an advocate for the LGBTQ community & a prominent voice for women’s soccer.

“He used his platform to elevate those whose stories needed telling.”

Heartbreaking to hear of the death of Grant Wahl.

A talented journalist, Grant was an advocate for the LGBTQ community & a prominent voice for women's soccer.

He used his platform to elevate those whose stories needed telling.

Prayers for his family. https://t.co/mv9tWxOv5s

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 10, 2022

Cameron Brink already has her rookie of the year pick for the upcoming WNBA season, and it’s Indiana-bound star Caitlin Clark. 

In the latest edition of Kelley on the Street, host Kelley O'Hara caught up with Brink in New York hours before the Stanford phenom went No. 2 overall to the Los Angeles Sparks at the 2024 WNBA Draft. When O’Hara asked who would win the WNBA's rookie of the year, she answered without pause.

"Caitlin Clark," she said, while a fan commented that she thought Brink would take home the award. Brink later added that the extra foul granted to WNBA players will be "good for me."

"I hope it’s me," Charisma Osborne, who was later drafted by the Phoenix Mercury, said when asked her ROY prediction. "But, I don’t know — we’ll see."

Watch more of Kelley on the Street:

Maria Sanchez issued a statement on Thursday, confirming recent reports that she has requested a trade from the Houston Dash. 

In it, she revealed that the club has been aware of the request "since late March."

"This has all taken a toll and isn’t an easy thing to talk about, but I want to confirm that I’ve requested an immediate trade," she wrote. "My expectations and reasons have been clear. I trust that my current club’s management will honor my decision in a timely manner and proceed with accepting a trade."

"I’m eager to refocus and dive back into what I love most: playing football," she concluded.

Thank you, everyone, for the outpouring of kindness and support. pic.twitter.com/gcnN7dhCJU

— Maria Sanchez (@Maria17_7) April 19, 2024

Reports of Sanchez's trade request first surfaced on ESPN last week, and were later confirmed by multiple sources. 

In December of last year, Sanchez signed a three-year contract with the Dash valued at $1.5 million including bonuses and an option year. It was the largest contract in NWSL history at the time — a figure that would be eclipsed by multiple contracts in the following months. 

Sanchez spent the offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning that Houston could match any other team's offer to retain her rights. Should the Dash trade Sanchez, her current contract terms would remain intact, limiting potential buyers to teams able to afford to take on an inking of that size.

The Dash has yet to address the trade, instead reiterating to ESPN that Sanchez is "under contract, a choice she made in free agency at the end of 2023." 

Both the NWSL trade window and transfer window close tonight, April 19th, at 12 a.m. ET. The window will stay closed through the next 11 regular season games, reopening on August 1st, 2024.

The four-time league champion Seattle Storm unveiled their new practice facility on Thursday, with Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel dubbing Interbay's Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance the team’s "new home."

"It's just such a special space," Brummel told Fox 13 Seattle. "I think when the players get here, it's gonna be overwhelming."

The sprawling 50,000-square-foot, $64 million property is just the second designated practice facility to be designed and built expressly for a WNBA team, with the Storm further noting that 85% of all design and engineering team members involved in the project's construction were women and people of color. The finished product holds two professional indoor courts, two 3x3 outdoor courts, a state-of-the-art locker room, and players' lounge, plus designated areas for strength and conditioning, kitchen, dining, and nutrition, and recovery. 

"This facility reflects our commitment to providing our athletes an exceptional environment that supports their growth, health, and performance," said Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder in an official team release. "It’s built for women, by women, embodying our dedication to leading the way in professional women’s sports."

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For their part, the team can't wait to make the faciilty their own.

"It's amazing," Storm guard Jewell Loyd told Fox 13. "Not having to drive everywhere around, knowing you have access anytime of the day to get into the gym, to workout." 

Head coach Noelle Quinn said she predicts the team is "never going to leave this building."

"Which is a good thing for me," she continued. "You talk about having an edge in performance. We want our athletes to not only perform on the court, but get whatever they need."

All of the Storm's staff and operations will now live under one roof, and the team also has plans to launch a youth basketball program operating out of the building.

The Caitlin Clark effect is quickly making its mark on the big leagues, as WNBA host teams around the country rush to upgrade their Fever games to larger arenas in order to accommodate surging ticket sales.

With Clark mere weeks away from her Indiana Fever debut, both the Las Vegas Aces and Washington Mystics have officially relocated their scheduled home games with head coach Christie Sides' squad. On Thursday, the Mystics became the latest to adjust their plans, moving their June 7th matchup from Entertainment & Sports Arena in Southwest DC to the more centrally located — and much larger — Capital One Arena "due to unprecedented demand."

The Mystics home court's capacity taps out at 4,200, while Capital One Arena — home to the Wizards, Capitals, and Georgetown Hoya's Men's Basketball — can fit nearly five times that crowd at some 20,000 spectators.

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"The move to Capital One Arena will allow for additional fans in the stands as well as premium hospitality options, including Suites and the all-new all-inclusive courtside Hennessy Lofts," the team announced via Thursday's press release.

The Aces were one of the first teams to switch venues, aiming to take on the Indiana Fever in front of as many as 20,000 fans inside T-Mobile Arena on July 2nd. That’s a sizable a boost from their home venue, which holds just 12,000.

For those still planning to face the Fever in their home arenas, ticket prices have skyrocketed. Previously scheduled construction has already forced the LA Sparks to relocate their first five games — including their May 24th clash with the Fever — to Long Beach State's Walter Pyramid. The temporary venue is quite the downsize, holding just 4,000 in comparison to Crypto.com Arena's near-19,000. As of Friday, the get-in price for that game started around $400.

Despite fans launching a Change.org petition urging relocation, the Chicago Sky say they're unable to move their June 23rd Fever meeting from Wintrust Arena's 10,000-seat facility to the 23,500-seat United Center due to a concert. Tickets for that game start around $325 as of Friday.