The USWNT suffered their first loss under manager Emma Hayes on Wednesday, falling 2-1 to No. 8 Japan and ceding the SheBelieves Cup title for the first time since 2019.

Only needing a draw to lift the trophy thanks to a goal differential, Japan's Yūka Momiki opened scoring almost immediately. Momiki capitalized on a scramble in the USWNT penalty area to give the Nadeshiko a 1-0 lead in the game's second minute.

With that goal, Japan became the only team to ever score in the first two minutes of a match against the USWNT twice, after first doing so at the 2024 SheBelieves Cup.

The 14th minute saw the USWNT draw level behind attacker Ally Sentnor’s second tournament goal, before Japan defender Tōko Koga slotted in game-winner shortly after subbing into the second half.

After leading Japan to their first-ever SheBelieves Cup title, Utah Royals forward Mina Tanaka's four goals earned her the tournament's Best Player award.

In her post-game remarks, Hayes called the tournament winners "without question one of the best teams in the world, with players that are extremely well played-in together."

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Hayes's strategy remains unshaken by first USWNT loss

While the US walked away defeated, Hayes remains adamant that prioritizing player pool evaluation and showcasing less experienced players over winning at all costs will pay off in the long run.

"You’re comparing Hasegawa to a 17-year-old for us," Hayes told broadcaster TBS after the match, referencing 28-year-old world-renowned Japan and Manchester City defensive midfielder Yui Hasegawa. "Let’s have some perspective. I think it’s important to be calm in this moment."

"It's okay to be disappointed — I told the players that," she added. "It’s really important to remember moments like this and the learnings that we take from it… [You] learn the most important things when you play a top-class opponent. I’d rather do that now than much later."

The USWNT is now 15-1-2 under Hayes, who officially took the reins in May 2024. Unlike her early rosters, who immediately — and successfully — contended for Olympic gold, Hayes is now executing on her public commitment to develop young players.

Any loss stings for the world’s No. 1 team, but Hayes's strategy should reap longterm gains. To her point, it's better to test tomorrow's players now, rather than bank on them instantaneously leveling up on the 2027 World Cup pitch.

In partnership with sportswear giant Nike, the NWSL dropped a slate of fresh kit designs on Thursday morning, with sleek collars, understated patterns, centered crests, and other detailing highlighting the league's 2025 jerseys.

After last year's league-wide jersey reset, the NWSL is now entering the second year of its collaboration with Nike, with all 14 teams debuting at least one new jersey this season.

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Notably, each matchday jersey will again feature the Ally Financial logo on the left sleeve, as the bank continues its investment in women's soccer as the NWSL's official banking partner.

Along with each club's new kits, the NWSL has also updated its goalkeeper uniforms league-wide, with 2025 keeper jerseys coming in bright green, blue, and yellow colorways.

Additionally, this season's kits for 2024 expansion team Bay FC will feature the club's full branding for the first time. The squad's primary jersey employs a deep navy obsidian base with poppy red accents — colors chosen to represent strength, confidence, and boldness.

"This suite of jerseys, featuring bold designs, vibrant colors and accompanying lifestyle products like the anthem jacket, represent another key step in growing the NWSL’s footprint within the global marketplace," NWSL VP of consumer products Katie Eaton said in the league's press release.

"As we continue to elevate our product offerings, we’re focused on blending sport and lifestyle in ways that authentically connect with players and fans alike."

To that end, the NWSL's online shop includes full customization for the first time ever, allowing fans to feature any of the league's 2025 athletes on their new kits.

Where to buy the new 2025 NWSL jerseys

Alongside Thursday's jersey unveilings, the NWSL concurrently released the refreshed kits and other 2025 merchandise for fans to purchase in advance of the league's season kick-off on March 14th.

All jerseys for the NWSL's 14 clubs are currently available online and at select retailers.

After a highly competitive 2024/25 NCAA basketball season, regular-season conference champions will be crowned this weekend — an accolade that comes with coveted No. 1 seeding in conference tournaments as teams eye March’s national stage.

In the SEC, the fate of two top contenders is coming down to the wire, as No. 1 Texas and No. 6 South Carolina sit in a dead heat ahead of their final two regular-season games.

Tied 13-1 in conference play with 1-1 head-to-head records, both teams will split the regular-season title should they win-out their final matchups — forcing conference commissioner Greg Sankey to literally flip a coin to determine which elite squad receives the SEC tournament’s No. 1 seed.

Who deserves to be the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament if both squads win out? ⬇️

(h/t @MattDowellTV) pic.twitter.com/83Vk0uVm5y

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Of course, conference realignment may have played a role in the SEC’s current conundrum. Imbalanced schedules seem to have created unexpected crowding at the top of the conference table.

"I think we could have thought a little bit more ahead of this situation, knowing that we were bringing a Texas and an Oklahoma into the SEC," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said earlier this week.

"[Texas will] probably want us to drop a game," the three-time national champion coach joked. "I hope they drop a game, too — take it out of the commissioner's hands."

While photo finishes can be exciting, a coin toss in this scenario could ultimately serve as a catalyzing force for teams to harness some revenge on March's tournament courts.

How to watch Texas and South Carolina basketball in the SEC this week

Both top-ranked teams will shoot to dominate the court on Thursday night, with No. 1 Texas visiting unranked Mississippi State at 7:30 PM ET, with live coverage on SECN+.

Subsequently, No. 6 South Carolina will take on unranked Ole Miss at 9 PM ET, airing live on ESPN.

Thursday night wins would set Texas up to close out the 2024/25 NCAA basketball season by hosting unranked Florida at 2 PM ET on Sunday. At the same time, No. 15 Kentucky will visit South Carolina for their regular-season finale. 

As the 2025 NWSL season nears, clubs are already racking up serious injuries with both preseason training and the concurrent FIFA international break now underway.

Portland announced a trio of roster losses on Wednesday, naming forward Morgan Weaver, defender Nicole Payne, and defender Marie Müller to the season-ending injury list.

Regional rival Seattle also made a tough announcement, sharing that veteran forward Veronica Latsko suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during the second half of the Reign's 1-0 preseason win over Bay FC at the Coachella Valley Invitational on February 16th.

"We’re absolutely gutted for Veronica," said Reign head coach Laura Harvey in the team's statement. "She has proven over her career to be resilient, diligent and hard working on the pitch, we know how much preparation she had put in for this season."

"While this is a tough setback, we have no doubt she’ll attack her recovery with the same determination and resilience she brings to the pitch every day. Our entire club will be behind her every step of the way."

Research gap persists as athletes continue suffering injuries

Injuries can be difficult to avoid as players ramp up their fitness ahead of the NWSL's March 14th Kickoff weekend, especially as athletes balance heavy workloads with the lack of preventative injury research specific to women.

Payne and Müller both went down with right ACL tears — Payne during the Thorns' 2-1 preseason loss to Angel City on February 16th and Müller while in training camp with Germany on February 19th — an all-too-common occurrence in among women’s footballers.

Weaver also suffered a preseason right knee knock in January, re-injuring the same knee she had surgery on last May.

All in all, while injuries are a part of the game, the sport's growing professionalization has exposed a gap in research and resources — particularly on the women’s pitch. As parity continues to rise worldwide, fending off another injury epidemic continues to be front of mind for both players and staff.

As the 2025 Final Four nears, the NCAA, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, University of South Florida, and ESPN jointly announced more details about the blockbuster basketball event on Tuesday.

The national Division I semifinals will descend upon Women’s Final Four host Tampa for the fourth time on Friday, April 4th, with the two games set to tip off at 7 PM ET and 9:30 PM ET. Both semis will air live on ESPN.

Then on Sunday, April 6th, the 2025 NCAA Championship game will begin at 3 PM ET, with ABC providing live coverage for the third year in a row.

"As we continue to build every year on the success of the women's basketball championship, we're thrilled that Tampa will host this year's Women's Final Four for a record fourth time," remarked NCAA VP of women's basketball Lynn Holzman in the governing body's Tuesday announcement.

Fan events return to bolster 2025 Final Four weekend

In addition to the Final Four matchups, the first weekend in April will also see the return of fan events like Tourney Town, the Super Saturday Concert, Party on the Plaza, and more.

"Our championship campus has transformed since the last time we hosted in 2019," said Tampa Bay Sports Commission executive director Rob Higgins. "We have a compact and walkable footprint ideal for this championship, and we can’t wait to roll out the red carpet for the student-athletes and fans."

Additionally, the NCAA is partnering with other sponsors and local leaders to positively impact the Tampa community through various initiatives in the lead-up to and throughout the 2025 Final Four weekend. These efforts include refurbishing an indoor court at a local rec center, further bolstering a local mentoring program, and sponsoring a literacy challenge in area elementary schools.

"The true legacy of the Women's Final Four goes far beyond the games — it's about the lasting impact on our community," Tampa Bay Local Organizing Committee executive director Claire Lessinger said about the NCAA's community initiatives.

"We create opportunities that inspire the next generation, foster inclusivity and leave a meaningful footprint in Tampa Bay. This event isn't just about celebrating elite basketball; it's about building a lasting connection between sport and community."