All Scores

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.

img
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.

img
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.

img
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.

Wimbledon Increases Prize Money, Winner to Receive $4.07 Million

Czechia's Barbora Krejčíková celebrates a point during the 2024 Wimbledon final.
2025 Wimbledon competitors could win up to 11.1% more prize money this year. (Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)

Wimbledon is leveling up, as the annual London-based Grand Slam announced Thursday that it's increasing its purse by 7% across the board in 2025, pushing the total prize money to £53.5 million ($72.59 million) ahead of tennis tournament's June 30th kick-off.

Both the 2025 women's and men's singles champions will earn winner's checks in the amount of £3 million ($4.07 million) — an 11.1% increase over the amount won by 2024 champ Barbora Krejčíková.

With increases across all Slam events, from singles and doubles to wheelchair competitions, even athletes who stumble early will see a raise over last year's competition.

For example, singles players ousted in this year's first round will take home 10% more than in 2024, earning deposits of £66,000 ($89,530).

The 2025 total purse now doubles the prize money offered by the tournament a decade ago, and makes Wimbledon the biggest potential payday across all four of the sport's Grand Slams.

"We're immensely proud of the fact that, if you look back 10 years, you can see the increase over that period and 7% this year," said All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club chair Deborah Jevans. "And we have listened to the players, we have engaged with the players."

Canadian Swimmer Summer McIntosh Breaks 3rd World Record in Five Days

Canadian star swimmer Summer McIntosh competes in a 2025 race.
Summer McIntosh recorded three world records in five days at the 2025 Canadian swimming trials. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Teen swimmer Summer McIntosh made a major splash at the 2025 Canadian Swimming Trials, shattering three world records in just five days of competition in Victoria, BC.

First on Saturday, the Toronto swimmer shaved 1.2 seconds off the Australian Ariarne Titmus's 400-meter freestyle mark to set a new world record time of 3:54.18.

Then on Monday, McIntosh took down a decade-old record in the 200-meter individual medley (IM), becoming the first woman swimmer to complete the race in less than 2:06.00.

Just two days later, the 18-year-old McIntosh broke her own 400-meter IM world record, besting her 2024 Canadian Olympic Trials time by 0.73 seconds with a 4:23.65 race Wednesday.

With her unstoppable week-long performance, McIntosh became the first swimmer to set three new world records in different individual events at one meet since US legend Michael Phelps's historic run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Going into tonight, I knew I could do something really special because this has probably been the best meet of my career," McIntosh told reporters after Wednesday's race.

That said, the young star is already eyeing new times — and new records.

"Overall, [I'm] happy with the time, but I know I can go faster," said McIntosh following her 400-meter IM performance. "The faster I swim, the happier I am."

NWSL Returns to California for 2025 Championship Weekend

View of PayPal Park during a 2025 NWSL match.
San Jose's PayPal Park will host the 2025 NWSL Championship in November. (Eakin Howard/NWSL via Getty Images)

The NWSL Championship is on its way back West, with the league announcing on Friday morning that the 2025 title match will kick off from PayPal Park in San Jose, California.

Hosted at the home pitch of 2024 expansion team Bay FC, the game will take place on Saturday, November 22nd.

In addition to the championship match, the 2025 NWSL season's final weekend will include a variety of supporting events like Fan Fest and the annual Skills Challenge competition.

"We're thrilled to bring the NWSL Championship back to the West Coast and to a region with as rich a history in women's soccer as the Bay Area," said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman in a league statement.

Citing a long list of former USWNT stars with local ties, including Julie Foudy, Kelley O'Hara, and Alex Morgan, Bay FC co-founder Brandi Chastain — a US legend herself — called the Bay Area "the place women's soccer calls home."

"Our community's fabric is woven with the greatest the game has to offer," explained Chastain.

"This community's passion for the game, combined with the excitement surrounding one of our newest teams in Bay FC, makes it the perfect setting to celebrate the league's top talent and crown our next champion," said Berman.

How to attend and watch the 2025 NWSL Championship

Like last year, the 2025 NWSL Championship will air in primetime, with CBS set to broadcast the match live at 8 PM ET on November 22nd.

Tickets to the game will be available for purchase beginning in August, though interested fans can sign up for presale access online now.

NWSL, WNBA Player Unions Address ICE Raids, Voice Solidarity with Los Angeles

Orlando Pride players huddle before a 2025 NWSL match.
The NWSLPA and the WNBPA put out a joint statement addressing this week's ICE raids in Los Angeles. (Alex Menendez/Getty Images)

The NWSL and WNBA Players Associations teamed up to release a joint statement on Thursday, with the unions expressing their solidarity with "all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity" after the recent ICE raids and ensuing protests in Los Angeles.

The move comes after Angel City published their own social media post addressing the ICE raids last Saturday, with the Los Angeles NWSL club noting "We know that our city is stronger because of its diversity and the people and families who shape it, love it, and call it home."

ACFC also directed immigrants in need of assistance in the wake of the ICE raids to two community organizations: the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights and the LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Calling the WNBA Players Association "leaders in this space," NWSL Players Association executive director Meghann Burke told The Athletic that the basketball union initiated their joint statement.

"It's important to stand together as workers' unions," she noted.

NWSL and WNBA unions speak to families impacted by ICE raids

"It's not lost on us that this country and the world are in turmoil right now," wrote the NWSLPA and WNBPA. "Across the country, families are facing fear, hardship, and uncertainty tied to immigration."

The athlete unions then crystallized their position, saying, "We stand with all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity, no matter where they come from or where they hope to go."

"Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect," they continued. "We know not every situation is simple. But offering compassion should never be up for debate."

Start your morning off right with Just Women’s Sports’ free, 5x-a-week newsletter.