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USWNT roster bubble is shrinking ahead of 2023 World Cup

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 21: Taylor Kornieck #20 of the United States scores her goal and celebrates during a game between New Zealand and USWNT at Eden Park on January 21, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

As the U.S. women’s national team approaches the SheBelieves Cup this month, the clock is ticking for players on the bubble to make an impact before head coach Vlatko Andonovski names his 23-player roster for the 2023 World Cup.

It’s difficult to predict both fitness and form before July, and there will be players who make their returns and others who will become unavailable in the upcoming months. But Andonovski has been honing a small group for months rather than casting a wide net.

The coach’s roster has remained mostly the same over the course of multiple international windows, which begs the question: Just how close is the SheBelieves roster to the group that will travel to New Zealand in July?

Goalkeepers

The SheBelieves roster includes the same three goalkeepers from both the November and January rosters: Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy and Adrianna Franch.

Naeher and Murphy have been alternating starting roles since the beginning of 2022, though Naeher has started in bigger matches like the Concacaf W Final against Canada. Andonovski has prioritized Murphy’s development, and she now has more appearances in a U.S. jersey than Franch despite only joining the team after the Tokyo Olympics.

Frankly, there doesn’t appear to be much variance in the cards here. Naeher and Murphy are clearly being built up as the No. 1 and No. 2 goalkeepers going into the World Cup, leaving a roster battle for No. 3, which is primarily a training role. Franch leapfrogged Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury for the third spot after a stellar NWSL season, but she has yet to see the field in the four friendly matchups she’s been available for since November.

If league and training form carry into roster selections this summer, there will likely still be room for Kingsbury or the other two keepers most recently in USWNT camp, Bella Bixby and Jane Campbell. If they impress enough and Franch’s performances dip, one of them could sneak onto the roster. Outside of that small caveat, this position is just about wrapped up.

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Crystal Dunn is fully back in the mix after giving birth to her son last May. (Ion Alcoba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Defense

The U.S. backline also hasn’t seen much change in recent months, even after losing one of the roster’s more intriguing players for the SheBelieves Cup. Kansas City’s Hailie Mace had been brought in as an emergency replacement for Emily Fox at times in 2022, and she also got a look in January camp. Mace missed out on the SheBelieves roster, most likely because of other players who have returned from absences.

After giving birth to her son last year, Crystal Dunn has been slowly building minutes at left back since November and should be at her most fit when games resume in February. Fox found herself in concussion protocol at different points in 2022 but appears to be on the mend herself. Sofia Huerta has also gotten consistent starts at right back, especially when the team takes an attacking-minded approach.

In terms of outside-back depth, Andonovski seems to be relying on combinations that have worked in the past instead of new faces. Emily Sonnett is back with the team, and though she played center back in one match against New Zealand, she’s been used for her versatility in the past. The team also awaits the return of veteran right back Kelley O’Hara, who Andonovski estimated should be available in April.

In the central defense, the U.S. has a fierce battle for roster spots simply based on who is healthy and performing. Naomi Girma has looked undroppable, Becky Sauerbrunn is both a veteran presence and a steady hand on the backline, and Alana Cook was the glue that held things together in 2022. Tierna Davidson is also nearing a full return, giving the U.S. four quality options (in addition to Sonnett). Andonovski might have to cut one of the players he already has available, with little room for new faces.

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Andi Sullivan has been the linchpin of the USWNT midfield, while Kristie Mewis makes her case. (Erin Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Midfield

Despite the issues they had against top competition in 2022, the U.S. midfield appears mostly set going into the final World Cup preparation. Andi Sullivan is clearly the preferred choice in the defensive midfield, while Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle have consistently filled out connecting and attacking roles. Taylor Kornieck and Kristie Mewis have been brought in for late-game minutes, and Ashley Sanchez is a creative spark. Outside of those roles, there hasn’t been much rotation.

Andonovski confirmed that Sam Mewis will not be available for the World Cup due to injury and also said it’s unlikely that Julie Ertz will return to the sport in time for the tournament. Instead of investing more in young defensive midfielders Sam Coffey and Jaelin Howell, Andonovski has focused on building chemistry between Sullivan and the players in front of her. Coffey didn’t play any minutes in the USWNT’s two games against New Zealand in January, and did not make the roster for SheBelieves. Howell hasn’t been with the team since October, when she replaced Kornieck due to injury.

When Catarina Macario returns from her ACL recovery, it’s unclear whether she’ll be listed as an attacking midfielder. Andonovski’s recent personnel choices indicate he’d rather rely on a consistent midfield trio rather than go all-in on perfecting the position’s depth.

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Vlatko Andonovski has repeatedly praised Megan Rapinoe's leadership. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Attack

Megan Rapinoe is once again fit and back on the USWNT roster after a lingering injury kept her out of camp in November and January. Andonovski has praised Rapinoe as a key piece of the team’s locker-room culture, and there’s arguably no player in today’s game better from the penalty spot.

In adding Rapinoe, Andonovski made cuts to the midfield and defense, which might indicate a priority toward getting the attacking mix right. The U.S. took seven forwards to the 2019 World Cup. It was considered a top-heavy decision at the time, but it also gave the team some wiggle room when Rapinoe became limited later in the tournament with a hamstring injury.

Andonovski still has a few decisions to make on the frontline, but as with other positions, his logic appears rooted in players returning from injury. Andonovski is still reluctant to rule anyone out of the future player pool — recently citing the wealth of experience both Christen Press and Tobin Heath could bring to the team — but his roster selections have told a different story.

Rather than replacing injured stars like Sophia Smith with talent like Mia Fishel, who has yet to get into camp with the first team, Andonovski brought back Midge Purce and eventually Rapinoe. Purce appears to be one of the players who’s closest to battling for a World Cup spot, having dropped off the roster late in 2022 but returning in 2023 with a renewed sense of intensity. Lynn Williams had a strong showing against New Zealand in her first game minutes since last February, and Trinity Rodman has instincts on the wing that stick out even among a talented player pool. Alex Morgan has also further solidified her place at center forward in Macario’s absence, providing strong hold-up play and veteran leadership.

Macario’s return looms over the central attack, and Andonovski will have to decide if there’s room for both the 23-year-old and Ashley Hatch. He will also eventually have to decide which wingers he wants backing up the assumed starting duo of Smith and Mallory Swanson. The USWNT’s attack is arguably its deepest position, and at least one world-class player is going to be staying home as a result.

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

2025 NCAA Softball Kicks Off as Oklahoma Hunts 5th-Straight World Series Win

Oklahoma and Texas line up on the softball field before the second game of the 2024 Women's College World Series.
Oklahoma will pursue their fifth-straight NCAA softball title this season. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

College softball is back, with a new-look Oklahoma team kicking off the 2025 NCAA season in pursuit of a fifth-straight Women's College World Series win.

Despite Oklahoma's ongoing dominance, 2025's lineup does promise significantly higher parity than seasons past.

Having graduated a number of last year's stars — including a senior class that snagged four straight national titles — the Sooners enter the season ranked third.

Instead, 2024 runner-up Texas takes the top spot, followed by perennial contenders Florida at No. 2. Both teams enter 2025 with the majority of their rosters from last season intact, earning them an edge over the revamped Sooners.

Texas star catcher Reese Atwood blasts a double during a 2024 NCAA Softball Regional game against Northwestern.
Star slugger Reese Atwood is back to lead the Texas softball offense. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Texas on top as SEC looms

Still hunting a first national championship, Texas returns with six starters and four of their five 2024 pitchers — including then-freshman phenom Teagan Kavan, who led the team with 20 wins last year.

Meanwhile, last season's Big 12 Player of the Year, junior catcher Reese Atwood, is back to lead the Longhorn offense.

After joining rival Oklahoma in flipping to the SEC this year, Texas is gearing up to meet their new conference foes with the No. 1 target on their backs.

"It's a great honor, to tell you the truth," Texas head coach Mike White said about the preseason ranking. "And now we got to back it up. We’ve had a team that's been called young in the years past, and now we're a little more mature."

"We have a tough slate of games ahead of us, and then, of course, the gauntlet of the SEC is ahead of us," White noted. "We’ve really just got to go play good softball now."

The impact of conference realignment will extend beyond the SEC this season. The sport's historic dynasty No. 6 UCLA is now competing in the Big Ten while No. 4 Oklahoma State is taking over the top spot in the Big 12 rankings.

Stanford pitcher NiJaree Canady winds up from the circle during a 2024 NCAA Softball Super Regionals game against LSU.
A $1 million NIL deal convinced 2024 National Player of the Year NiJaree Canady to transfer to Texas Tech. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

2025 NCAA softball season takes the field

As multiple teams travel to warm-weather destinations to start the season, the first week of competition showcases a slate of top-ranked matchups.

With a top-tier win already in the books, No. 4 Oklahoma State opened their 2025 campaign with a bang at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Thursday. Buoyed by a trio of home runs, the Cowgirls handed No. 12 Florida State a 9-6 loss.

Waiting on deck at this week's NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida, are two ranked games featuring superstar pitchers.

First, No. 16 Nebraska ace Jordy Bahl — a two-time NCAA champion with Oklahoma — will likely take the circle against No. 5 Tennessee on Thursday. If she gets the start, it will mark her first game in nearly a year, as the Cornhusker transfer suffered a season-ending ACL injury in last year's opener.

Then on Friday, a revamped No. 10 Texas Tech side will face No. 25 Mississippi State, with former Stanford pitcher NiJaree Canady likely leading the charge.

The 2024 National Player of the Year transferred after her sophomore season with the Cardinal, as Texas Tech sealed the deal via a record-shattering $1 million NIL contract.

Oklahoma softball pitcher Jordy Bahl winds up during the 2023 Women's College World Series against Florida State.
Star transfer Jordy Bahl is back with Nebraska softball after missing 2024 play with an ACL tear. (Grace Bradley/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

How to watch this week's Top 25 NCAA softball games

Look for Bahl to lead No. 16 Nebraska against No. 5 Tennessee at 7 PM ET on Thursday, before No. 25 Mississippi State will contend with Canady and No. 10 Texas Tech at 5 PM ET on Friday.

Both games will stream live on the GameChanger app.

Unrivaled Basketball Drops 1v1 Tournament Bracket

Napheesa Collier and Stefanie Dolson tip off an Unrivaled basketball game.
The winner of the Unrivaled 1v1 tournament will earn $200,000 in prize money. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball's 1v1 tournament is fast approaching,​ with the offseason league dropping the competition's official bracket on Wednesday.

The head-to-head showdown tips off on Monday, February 10th, with the semifinals and three-game final series all tipping off on Friday, February 14th. 

Fan votes determined the seeding for the debut league's first-ever in-season tournament. Those ballots gave the Mist's Jewell Loyd and Vinyl's Arike Ogunbowale first-round byes, moving them straight into Tuesday's quarterfinal round.

Meanwhile, the other 28 competitors have four rounds to overcome to claim the trophy — not to mention $200,000 in prize money.

Breaking down the Unrivaled 1v1 bracket

Some early battles will be tougher than others, as Unrivaled co-founder and current scoring leader Napheesa Collier takes on fellow UConn alum Katie Lou Samuelson. The winner of that matchup then faces either Jackie Young or Rickea Jackson.

Collier's fellow co-founder Breanna Stewart — also a UConn product — drew 2024 UConn standout Aaliyah Edwards in Monday's first round. The winner subsequently earns a second-round date against either Marina Mabrey or Kate Martin.

Despite her first-round bye, Ogunbowale's bracket quadrant appears to be a gauntlet.

The guard will first battle either fellow Notre Dame alum Skylar Diggins-Smith, who has four game-winners under her belt so far this season, or Vinyl teammate Dearica Hamby.

The Olympic 3×3 bronze medalist trails only Collier and Laces star Kayla McBride on Unrivaled's score sheet, averaging 21.2 points per game. Additionally, Hamby's 10.4 rebounding average has her sitting fourth in the league.

Should they advance, either McBride or Satou Sabally will await Ogunbowale in the quarterfinals.

Ultimately, every matchup is stacked considering the star-studded league's depth.

"I just want the top dawgs to knock each other out," joked Courtney Williams ahead of her own first-round clash with Tiffany Hayes, with the winner set to square off against either Rhyne Howard or Lexie Hull.

"[If] your shot's falling, really anyone can win 1v1," she continued. "It's all about who figured it out in that moment."

An official game ball rests on the Unrivaled basketball court in Miami, Florida.
The three-day 1v1 tournament will tip off on Monday. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

How to watch next week's Unrivaled 1v1 tournament

The inaugural contest's first round tips off at 2 PM ET on Monday, with live coverage on truTV. The evening session begins at 7 PM ET on TNT.

Both the second round and quarterfinals will air on truTV starting at 7 PM ET on Tuesday, with the semifinals and finals taking over both truTV and TNT on Friday beginning at 7:30 PM ET.

No. 1 UCLA Downs No. 8 OSU in Top 10 NCAA Basketball Action

UCLA center Lauren Betts lifts a shot over Ohio State during Wednesday's Big Ten basketball game.
UCLA center Lauren Betts registered 19 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday's win. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

No. 1 UCLA added another Top 10 NCAA basketball win to their 2024/25 resume on Wednesday, tallying their second of the season after holding off Big Ten foe No. 8 Ohio State 65-52.

Despite Buckeye freshman Jaloni Cambridge's game-leading 21 points, Ohio State fell to a tough UCLA defense. The Bruins clamped down in the second and fourth quarters, relinquishing just 18 points to the Buckeyes across those two periods.

Meanwhile, UCLA junior Lauren Betts continued her National Player of the Year campaign, scoring a team-high 19 points plus 14 rebounds after clinching the double-double before the first-half buzzer.

Star junior guard Gabriela Jaquez narrowly trailed Betts, posting 17 points to help push UCLA over the line.

The victory marks a program-record 22nd consecutive win for the still-undefeated Bruins — their longest winning streak since 1978.

"I told the team after the game that these games are fun when they're close," Jaquez said afterwards. "This might have been one of the first games where it got close."

Top 10 NCAA upset rattles the Big 12

Wednesday didn't pan out as smoothly in the Big 12, where No. 12 Kansas State upset No. 9 TCU 59-50 in the Wildcats' first Top 10 win of the season. The victory broke the pair's tie atop the conference standings, putting Kansas State firmly in control of the Big 12.

While the Wildcat defense stifled TCU top scorers Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith, holding them to a respective 14 and 10 points, Kansas State senior Serena Sundell showed out on offense. The guard scored a season-high 27 points — 15 of which came during the Wildcats' third-quarter surge.

"[Sundell] lived at the rim," TCU head coach Mark Campbell told reporters after the game. "She absolutely destroyed us in the post. She just shot layups and layups and layups. That's what makes her unique is she's a 6-foot-2 versatile playmaker.... We didn't have an answer for that one."

UConn guard Azzi Fudd controls the ball against Tennessee during the rivals' 2022 basketball game.
Tennessee hosts historic rival UConn in a Top 20 matchup tonight. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

How to watch Top 20 NCAA basketball on Thursday

The NCAA action continues with historic rivals No. 5 UConn taking on No. 19 Tennessee at 6:30 PM ET tonight. That's when Paige Bueckers and the Huskies will take aim at Jewel Spear and the Vols, with live coverage on ESPN.

USWNT Star Midge Purce Signs One-Year NWSL Contract Extension with Gotham

Gotham winger Midge Purce holds the ball before a set piece during a March 2024 NWSL match.
Purce earned NWSL Championship MVP with Gotham in 2023. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

USWNT attacker Midge Purce re-signed with Gotham FC on a one-year deal Wednesday. The move quieted speculation about the star's future with the club.

The 29-year-old announced her return in classic fashion. She simply adding a two-word quote to Gotham's press release on Wednesday: "I'm back."

Purce played a major role in Gotham's 2023 title-winning run. She earned NWSL Championship MVP honors after assisting on both goals in NJ/NY's trophy-clinching match. However, she was sidelined for much of the subsequent season — her fifth at Gotham — after a late March 2024 ACL tear.

"Midge brings a number of great qualities to our team, and her dynamism and experience are great additions to our talented attacking group," Gotham GM Yael Averbuch West said in a statement. "We are very excited to welcome her back into the mix."

Purce signing helps ease Gotham's 2025 concerns

Securing the striker eases some fears about Gotham's plans for 2025. This offseason saw a number of high-profile exits including USWNT stars Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams), Crystal Dunn, Jenna Nighswonger, among others.

"We fully understand our journey won't always follow a straight path, and we are realistic about the time, fortitude, and effort required to achieve our goals," Averbuch West recently told fans in an open letter.

"I know this offseason has been a time of uncertainty for our fans, and I want you to know we've worked tirelessly to build a team you’ll be excited to stand behind in 2025 and every season after."

Ultimately, Purce's return rounds out a still-solid Gotham squad. Of course, the roster remains punctuated by USWNT mainstays Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and Tierna Davidson.

The team is currently in Spain for preseason training. They'll play a pair of closed-door scrimmages before returning to New Jersey to kick off the 2025 NWSL season.

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