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Should USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski be on the hot seat?

Vlatko Andonovski and the USWNT lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2017. (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

In sports, perfection is a double-edged sword. It’s the ultimate goal, one that teams work toward every day. But once it’s reached, anything less is seen as a failure.

That’s where Vlatko Andonovski and the U.S. women’s national soccer team find themselves right now.

The squad has been so good, and for so long, that missteps are seen as catastrophic causes for concern. So when the United States recorded back-to-back losses this week for the first time since 2017, hands began to hover over the panic button.

Don’t push it yet, USWNT fans.

But feel free to keep hovering.

The USWNT lost 2-1 to England and then 2-0 to Spain in friendly matches, their first back-to-back losses in over five years – which, while jarring, is not too big of a deal. Let’s start with the obvious: These were friendlies. Sure, especially against England, there were bragging rights to be had, but the point of these matches is to figure out what works and what doesn’t in preparation for the World Cup, which is still nine months away.

So the losses themselves aren’t the issue. What I’m worried about is whether or not Andonovski, who took the helm after the 2019 World Cup, is actually learning anything of value from them. If the USWNT is losing while also failing to iron out a roster that works, that’s a problem.

Fifteen players were unavailable for selection for the European trip, something Andonovski made sure to mention during a press conference leading into Tuesday’s match against Spain.

But in a way, the roster limitations provided a good opportunity for Andonovski and company to get a feel for how other players can help or hurt the team going forward.

Several of the missing players, including Alex Morgan, Mallory Pugh and Catarina Macario, are locks for the roster when the team heads to Australia and New Zealand next July, so there’s less need to see them in action. Instead, less established players could make their cases.

Against England, Trinity Rodman’s would-be goal was called back, but her ability to cover serious ground and impact nearly every part of the field was on full display. We got a glimpse of a Rodman and Sophia Smith partnership that looks promising – something Smith said she was excited about – but Andonovski didn’t explore that much further. Rodman got her second start against Spain, but was subbed out at halftime before the pair could get anything going.

And when Rodman went out, Ashley Hatch came in. Those two are an elite duo for the Washington Spirit, so why not test how they would play together on the national team? Andonovski, though, rarely has done so.

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Trinity Rodman's first-half goal was called back for offsides in the USWNT's 2-1 loss to England. (David Rogers/Getty Images)

Then there’s youngster Alyssa Thompson. Andonovski is easing her into the senior team, he says. But playing her in the final minutes of two games in which the team is trailing doesn’t seem like a fair chance for her to get her feet wet, or for the staff to see if she fits in on the roster.

Also against England, in a match featuring defensive mistakes aplenty, 22-year-old Naomi Girma stood out as a difference maker on the back line. Her decision-making, awareness, speed and physicality have made her a popular player among fans. So it seemed to make sense that Andonovski would explore which players gel alongside her. Instead, Girma didn’t see the field against Spain.

The list of personnel questions goes on but can be summarized simply: The losses don’t concern me. What does concern me is whether or not those losses are being used for the team to learn and grow. I’m not in practice sessions, nor privy to Andonovski’s thoughts – but from the outside, it doesn’t seem like those questions are being answered.

It’s also important to acknowledge the overall atmosphere surrounding the team. The Sally Yates report rocked the NWSL, and in turn the USWNT. Hearts and minds were heavy, so players (and coaches) being off their game is understandable.

As spectators, it’s easy to say that players should be able to put those things aside. And there is a fair argument that Spain is going through something similar, and that squad managed to defeat the USWNT with its second-string unit.

Still, the Yates report brought to the forefront some horrible, heartbreaking stuff. And frankly, it’s much more important than two soccer matches.

The status of the USWNT, of Andonovski and of his job should become much clearer next month, when FIFA’s second-ranked team, Germany, comes to town. If the USWNT – who remains No. 1 for now – comes away with two wins, and if the answers to a few roster questions become clearer, then Andonovski likely will remain safe in his post.

But if the USWNT loses twice against Germany, then it may be time to stop hovering over the panic button and actually push it.

Top Tennis Stars Crash Out of Wimbledon in the First Round

US tennis star Coco Gauff reacts to her 2025 Wimbledon first-round loss to Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska.
World No. 2 Coco Gauff fell to Ukraine's unseeded Dayana Yastremska in the first round of 2025 Wimbledon on Tuesday. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

The grass court chaos of Wimbledon didn't disappoint this week, as the unpredictable surface claimed more than one surprise victim in the 2025 Grand Slam's first round.

A full 10 of the London tournament's 32 seeded players fell in the competition's first round, including four of the WTA's Top 10: World No. 2 Coco Gauff, No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 6 Qinwen Zheng, and No. 9 Paula Badosa.

"I should just play no tournaments, get no wins, then roll into Wimbledon, and maybe I'll have better results," US star Pegula joked after her two-set Tuesday loss to Italy's No. 116 Elisabetta Cocciaretto, referencing her recent wins.

Gauff's short Wimbledon outing also represented a new challenge for the 21-year-old standout, as the top-ranked US tennis player struggled to bounce back after winning the 2025 French Open last month.

"I feel like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards," Gauff told ESPN. "So I didn’t feel like I had enough time to celebrate and also get back into it."

The upsets continued as Wimbledon entered its second round on Wednesday morning, claiming several more seeded players like world No. 5 Jasmine Paolini and No. 15 Diana Shnaider, though both No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and unseeded fan favorite Naomi Osaka cruised into the Slam's third round on two-set wins.

No. 8 Madison Keys now leads the US contingent, with fellow US contender No. 12 Amanda Anisimova joining the 2025 Australian Open champion in snagging their own two-set, second-round victories on Wednesday.

How to watch the 2025 Wimbledon Championships

Second-round play at the 2025 Wimbledon women's singles tournament continues on Thursday, as seven US players — including No. 10 Emma Navarro and No. 28 Sofia Kenin — look to advance to the competition's third round.

Live continuous coverage of the London Grand Slam airs on ESPN.

USWNT Faces Rivals Canada in Final Summer Friendly

USWNT players Alyssa Thompson and Sam Meza eye the ball during a June 2025 training camp.
The USWNT will face Canada in their final summer friendly on Wednesday. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

The world No. 1 USWNT will close out their summer international break against a familiar foe on Wednesday night, facing North American rival No. 8 Canada for the first time this year.

"It's never friendly, you know? It's always like a final," US midfielder Sam Coffey told media earlier this week. "We all know each other super well."

"I'm really excited to be a part of it again for our younger, newer players," she continued. "I think it's going to be a huge learning opportunity on what representing this crest means."

The Northern neighbors are the USWNT's most frequent opponent, with the US entering the pair's 67th meeting with a 53-4-9 all-time record against Canada.

Wednesday's matchup will also mark Canada's first US clash under new head coach Casey Stoney, who joined the team in January following her abrupt June 2024 dismissal by the NWSL's San Diego Wave FC.

As for US boss Emma Hayes, she'll be looking for yet another refreshed set of starters on Wednesday after swapping out all 11 players between the team's two friendlies against Ireland last week.

"It's a testament to players and staff alike that we can rotate to different groups like we did last game, and everybody's understanding [the tactics] to varying degrees," Hayes said on Tuesday.

With months to go before the next USWNT camp in October, Wednesday's showdown serves as the last chance for bubble players to prove their worth, all while the team aims to cap the summer window with a big win over their longtime rivals.

How to watch the USWNT vs. Canada on Wednesday

The USWNT will cap their three-friendly summer break against Canada at 7:30 PM ET in Washington, DC.

Live coverage of the clash will air on TNT.

Indiana Upsets Minnesota, Wins WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Without Clark

The Indiana Fever celebrate and lift the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup trophy.
The Indiana Fever upset the Minnesota Lynx to win the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Indiana Fever lifted their first trophy since 2012 on Tuesday night, winning the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup with a 74-59 upset victory over reigning Cup champs Minnesota — all while injured star guard Caitlin Clark watched from the sidelines.

To snag the win, Indiana leaned on balanced scoring, with forward Natasha Howard's 16-point, 12-rebound double-double leading the Fever's five double-digit shooters.

At the same time, the Fever employed a shutdown defense, limiting the Lynx to their lowest point total of the season.

Beyond the $500,000 payout, Tuesday's win gives the 8-8 Fever a momentum boost as the team continues contending with both high-profile departures and the limited availability of their floor general.

"We have a resilient group, you know?" Indiana head coach Stephanie White said after the game. "They're tough, mentally and physically, they pull for one another. I'm just really proud."

"It felt good to get a win under gut-check circumstances," echoed guard Kelsey Mitchell. "To have so much going on and still stay consistently for each other, it was beautiful. It felt really amazing."

As for the league-leading Lynx, the Commissioner's Cup loss won't impact Minnesota's regular-season WNBA standings — and they’ll hope to build on the learnings from last night's ego blow.

Minnesota also has a bit of history one their side, as the last two Commissioner's Cup runners-up went on to win the WNBA Championship in the same year.

"We have to take this game to heart and learn from the mistakes we made, the way we showed up, the way we prepared, and make sure we don't do it again," said Lynx center Alanna Smith.

How to watch the Indiana Fever, Minnesota Lynx this week

Neither 2025 Commissioner's Cup contender will have much time to reflect on Tuesday's game, as both Indiana and Minnesota will dive back into regular-season WNBA play on Thursday.

The Fever will host the Las Vegas Aces at 7 PM ET, airing on Prime, before the Washington Mystics visit the Lynx at 8 PM ET, with live coverage on WNBA League Pass.

Indiana Fever Guard Sophie Cunningham Sounds Off on WNBA Expansion

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham speaks to reporters before the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup final.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham expressed concern about the new WNBA expansion cities. (David Dow /NBAE via Getty Images)

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham turned heads on Tuesday, criticizing the latest WNBA expansion plans in light of ongoing WNBPA CBA negotiations.

Cunningham drew ire from some fans after expressing skepticism about the WNBA awarding expansion teams to Detroit and Cleveland over other possible cities, while also suggesting that the league might be growing too quickly.

"You want to listen to your players, too. Where do they want to play?" she told reporters ahead of Indiana's Commissioner's Cup win. "I'm not so sure what the thought process is there, but at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you're not expanding our league too fast."

"It's kind of a hard decision-making situation. But man, I don't know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland]."

Elsewhere, Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally also voiced her expansion concerns on Tuesday, calling on the WNBA to keep player support at the forefront when adding expansion teams.

"We really have to put an emphasis on the players that are in our league right now," she told reporters. "Maybe focus on the teams that find excuses continuously to lack investment in their players before we focus on adding more to the grain of people that can't really be sustained."

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