The U.S. women’s national team wrapped up another successful international window this week. The 2022 Concacaf champions swept their two-game friendly series against Nigeria, 4-0 on Saturday and 2-1 on Tuesday.

While head coach Vlatko Andonovski primarily stuck with his starting rotation from the Concacaf W Championship, several less experienced USWNT players did get opportunities to show what they can do. Most players who were newcomers in November — like Emily Fox, Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Ashley Hatch and Ashley Sanchez — have surpassed 10 caps and seem more locked into their roles at this point. But for the seven players who have fewer than 10 caps, it can be harder to tell.

Four got to see the field against Nigeria, two didn’t but have been in the environment before, and one attended camp for the first time.

The FIFA World Cup is less than a year away, and spots on the roster are limited. Here’s where Just Women’s Sports believes the newer players currently stand.

Casey Murphy, goalkeeper (9 caps)

With seven starts in 2022, Murphy has been locked in since her jaw-dropping debut against Australia in November 2021. She started three of five matches at the Concacaf championship in July, including the semifinal against Costa Rica. Against Nigeria, the North Carolina Courage keeper started the second match Tuesday, and although the 2-1 result snapped the USWNT’s nine-game shutout streak, she played a role in keeping that streak alive in the first place, recording seven shutouts in her previous eight caps. Murphy is here to stay.

Sam Coffey, midfielder (1 cap)

Defensive midfielder Sam Coffey played the full 90 minutes in her first cap with the USWNT on Tuesday. In the absence of Julie Ertz, Andonovski has been rotating different players into the six, including Andi Sullivan, Jaelin Howell and Lindsey Horan. Starting the Concacaf championship against Canada in July, Sullivan is the preferred defensive midfielder of the group.

The No. 2 spot is still up in the air, and if Andonovski chooses to bring a backup next summer, Coffey definitely made a case for herself on Tuesday. Her 82 percent passing accuracy with the Portland Thorns this season shined through on the international stage, with the 23-year-old sending dangerous balls into the attacking third and opening up the field with her positioning off the ball.

Sam Coffey’s meteoric rise from Penn State attacking midfielder to starting for the USWNT at dm in the matter of a few years is truly wild pic.twitter.com/UGp4GTZhTH

— Claire Watkins (@ScoutRipley) September 6, 2022

Naomi Girma, defender (7 caps)

After sitting for the first game against Nigeria, Naomi Girma played the full 90 on Tuesday alongside fellow center back Alana Cook. As always, the No. 1 NWSL draft pick showed her composure on the ball. Andonovski describes her as a calculated defender who knows exactly when to attack the space in front of her and when to hold back. On Tuesday, she demonstrated that boldness, taking the ball herself when she didn’t risk jeopardizing the defensive third.

Andonovski believes Cook, with nine more caps, is “slightly ahead” of the NWSL rookie, but he acknowledges that Girma is making big strides. The USWNT roster will usually feature three center backs, and if Andonovski prioritizes the veteran leadership of Becky Sauerbrunn and Tierna Davidson for the World Cup, he would probably include Cook over Girma at this point. But a lot can change in a year, and anyone who watches San Diego Wave FC knows how well Girma can meet a challenge.

August is @naomi_girma's third time in the @NWSL best XI.

This year.

As a rookie. pic.twitter.com/ilY20yYZSd

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) September 7, 2022

Hailie Mace, defender (5 caps)

Hailie Mace was one of two players on the September roster who had never played an international match under Andonovski before the friendlies against Nigeria. Andonovski said last week that it’s difficult to evaluate new players after just one camp. Mace saw the field in both games, subbing in for Emily Fox in the second halves to earn her fourth and fifth caps.

Two appearances could be interpreted as a good sign, but the first rotation was made to give Fox a break before the second game, and Fox came out of the second match after receiving a hit to the head. Mace was called in to replace veteran defender Kelley O’Hara while she’s sidelined with an injury. Although Mace put in two solid performances, playing dangerous through balls and making good tackles, she’ll likely continue to serve as a replacement player, at least for the next couple of camps. 

Aubrey Kingsbury, goalkeeper (1 cap)

Aubrey Kingsbury seems locked into the roster for now, but in the third goalkeeper spot behind Alyssa Naeher and Casey Murphy. She’s appeared in every camp this year, including the Concacaf tournament, but the Washington Spirit keeper still has only one cap with the USWNT. It was surprising that she didn’t get any time against Nigeria this week. A friendly — especially at her home field in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday — would have been a good opportunity for Kingsbury to get comfortable in a USWNT game setting.

Savannah DeMelo, midfielder (0 caps)

Attending her first USWNT camp, the Racing Louisville midfielder didn’t see the field in either match against Nigeria. It isn’t uncommon for Andonovski to sit players in their first camp, with the intention of easing them into the environment. Although the NWSL rookie has arguably been Louisville’s best player this season, tallying three goals and an assist, it’s not likely that will translate into her getting a spot on the World Cup roster. The USWNT midfield is a tough space to crack into right now, and with players like Crystal Dunn and Sam Mewis on the road to return, the center of the park is about to get even more competitive.

Taylor Kornieck, midfielder (5 caps)

The San Diego Wave midfielder joined the USWNT for the second time this year after helping them win the Concacaf championship in July, though she didn’t see any time against Nigeria. Now that Kornieck been in camp for the June friendlies, the Concacaf tournament and the September window, the coaching staff should have what they need to decide whether she’ll stick around. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she did. She already has a goal with the national team and has built-in chemistry with forward and San Diego teammate Alex Morgan.

Jessa Braun is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports covering the NWSL and USWNT. Follow her on Twitter @jessabraun.

The host of the 2022 Men's World Cup is back in the headlines, with Middle East nation Qatar reportedly in talks with FIFA to house the inaugural Women's Club World Cup in January 2028.

Despite recent gains on the men's side, the Qatar women’s national team is currently unranked due to a lack of official matches — founded in 2009, the squad has not competed in any official capacity in 12 years.

The lack of support for the nation's women's team is unsurprising given Qatar's concerning human rights record — one that the soccer world has long called into question, particularly concerning the treatment of women, migrants, and the LGBTQIA+ population.

The reported aim to host the 2028 Women's Club World Cup would constitute another example of Qatar sportswashing those international human rights concerns using the country's close relationship with the international soccer governing body — one bolstered by the fact that FIFA president Gianni Infantino resides in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Despite this week's reports, FIFA said they have yet to receive a formal bid for its first-ever women's club competition.

With 16 teams expected to compete from January 5th through 30th, 2028, European clubs are already bracing for calendar disruptions thanks to the Women's Club World Cup's winter kick-off.

At least five teams from Europe and two each from Asia, Africa, South America, and North America will compete, with the remaining three clubs determined by a 2027 qualifying tournament.

US Figure Skating is hoping to make Olympic history this year, naming powerhouse trio Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito to the official 2026 Winter Games roster on Sunday as Team USA aims to end a 20-year medal drought in Milan next month.

Glenn earned her spot after winning her third-straight national title on Friday, with reigning world champion Liu and 18-year-old 2024 Worlds runner-up Levito chasing her onto the 2026 US Figure Skating Championships podium.

"Just so grateful. That was terrifying," Glenn said after her win. "And I had to skate after two incredible ladies brought down the house."

Liu is the only US women's singles skater returning with Olympic experience — at just 16 years old, she took sixth place in Beijing — but the group's national podium tally adds to Team USA's renewed confidence.

"All we've got to do, is do our job," said 26-year-old Glenn. "I think the US ladies have come so, so far in the last two decades that if all three of us do our jobs in Milan, then more than likely someone's going to be up there [on the Olympic podium]."

How to watch the 2026 Olympic figure skating competition

While the US women will first take the ice in the team competition on February 6th and 8th, the trio will begin contending for individual glory by skating their short programs at 12:45 PM ET on February 17th, airing live on USA Network.

The 2026 Olympic podium will then be finalized in the free skate competition at 1 PM ET on February 19th, with live coverage on NBC.

Incoming Denver Summit FC rookie Jasmine Aikey capped her Stanford career by earning the top honor in NCAA women's soccer, lifting the 2025 MAC Hermann Trophy last Friday.

Aikey is now the sixth Cardinal to win the award, joining fellow alums and USWNT standouts like Kelley O'Hara (2009), Christen Press (2010), Catarina Macario (2018, 2019), and Andi Sullivan (2017).

"I am so happy that Jasmine's hard work and dedication paid off, as she is one of the most talented and competitive student-athletes I have ever coached," said Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe in the school's Friday announcement.

The 20-year-old topped both Stanford and the ACC in goals scored this season with 21, tallying 11 assists as she led the Cardinal to both the 2025 ACC Championship and last month's College Cup Final.

Even more, her dominant season saw Aikey claim the 2025 MAC Hermann Award over fellow finalists and ACC stars Jordynn Dudley, a junior forward for reigning NCAA champion Florida State, and Izzy Engle, a Notre Dame sophomore attacker and the 2025 ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

With her Friday win, Aikey also made history as just the second student-athlete to win both the Hermann Trophy and the Academic All-America Team Member of the Year, joining Portland alum and international soccer's all-time leading scorer, Canada legend Christine Sinclair.

The forward won't be resting on her laurels for long, however, with Aikey now gearing up for next month's NWSL preseason after signing a two-year deal to join 2026 expansion side Denver Summit last Thursday.

"I'm ready to get to work and help set the standard in Denver," remarked the newly minted pro in a club statement.

As top tennis talents turn toward the 2026 Australian Open, this week's WTA rankings refresh hints at the drama to come as the year's first Grand Slam nears.

Following her strong 2026 United Cup showing against world No. 2 Iga Świątek, Team USA favorite Coco Gauff jumped to No. 3, leapfrogging fellow US star No. 4 Amanda Anisimova along the way.

Meanwhile, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys hit a slight skid, falling two spots to No. 9 after unwavering No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ousted her from last week's Brisbane Open quarterfinals.

Sabalenka aside, Switzerland's No. 10 Belinda Bencic might have the hottest hand heading into Melbourne, busting into the Top 10 after winning all five of her 2026 United Cup singles matches — including a dominant three-set victory over Poland's Świątek.

Bencic also made history in this week's rankings update, becoming the first returning mother to crack the WTA's top tier since US tennis icon Serena Williams did so in 2021.

"I think it's been a huge goal, maybe a huge ride after the whole comeback, to come back and prove this to myself, that it's possible," Bencic said this week.

How to watch top WTA ranked tennis players this week

Next up for the WTA rankings' elite will be the record-breaking 2026 Australian Open, with the main draw of the season's first Slam kicking off down under on Sunday.

Live coverage from the Melbourne hardcourt will air across ESPN platforms beginning at 7 PM ET on Saturday.