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Where Vlatko Andonovski went wrong in USWNT-Netherlands draw

Vlatko Andonovski is coaching in his first World Cup with the USWNT. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

The USWNT drew the Netherlands 1-1 on Thursday in the second group-stage match of their World Cup campaign, a result that sets the team up to advance to the knockout rounds and also serves as something of a disappointment in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.

The U.S. fell behind early and looked disjointed in the first half, needing a second-half equalizer from Lindsey Horan to salvage a point. The U.S. is still in a good position, leading Group E on goal differential, but they have work to do if they want to make a run to the World Cup final.

Here are three things that stood out from the USWNT’s comeback result.

Young USWNT has that storied grit

A frequent criticism of the new-look U.S. is that they don’t always show the never-say-die attitude of past generations. But if there’s an overarching theme to take away from Thursday’s draw, it’s that the U.S. might benefit from believing in themselves more.

The U.S. began the match on top, flying through passing and dribbling sequences in the Dutch penalty area with ease. But after the Netherlands’ first shot on goal — a low xG chance — ended in the back of the USWNT net, the team immediately seemed to lose confidence.

There are some natural explanations for the swing in momentum, but the team’s inability to turn the mental switch back on until the second half became overly physical is one to note for later rounds. The Netherlands’ first goal, as unlikely as it might have been, forced the U.S. into a mid-block that felt overly tentative.

Within that hesitation, the public saw newly-named captain Lindsey Horan work through the problem in real time. After taking a harsh challenge from club teammate Danielle van de Donk, Horan took over the game of her own volition for a brief moment, manifesting the equalizer with a towering header off a corner kick.

Horan’s success underscored the dichotomy of doubt in a young, inexperienced USWNT. They have the ability to turn a game on its head at any moment, but if they don’t believe in that possibility, they can also give the game back to their opponent.

Andonovski: coach or general manager?

The USWNT’s inability at times to adjust to their opponent’s approach faced criticism long before the World Cup began, much of which rests with their manager. For many, Vlatko Andonovski plays the public-facing role of both general manager and coach, despite the former position actually being held by former U.S. national team player Kate Markgraf.

Andonovski answers for decisions when a roster is named, including the changes between the 2019 World Cup-winning team and the squad that has started the first two World Cup games in 2023. But he was also hired to be a tactical manager based on his success as a championship-winning coach in the NWSL, overseeing the X’s and O’s to set the U.S. talent pool up to compete with the rest of the world.

That tactical flexibility was missing at the Tokyo Olympics, with the team over-relying on rotation and individual talent to gut out a bronze-medal performance. In 2023, under circumstances far friendlier than the pandemic hanging over the last major tournament, the U.S. still doesn’t look like a team guided by someone prepared to adjust tactics in high-pressure situations.

Against the Netherlands, the U.S. struggled to exploit obvious gaps. The Dutch play with a narrow three-back defense, and the U.S. still could not target wide areas to isolate Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman at angles that put them in good positions to take shots on goal. They similarly looked unprepared for numerical overloads in the midfield, despite extensive scouting that indicated the way the Netherlands wanted to progress the ball.

One of the requirements of the USWNT coaching job is the years-long process of determining a World Cup-ready starting XI, but it’s not the whole job. The U.S. still looks like a program unwilling to trust its players with a basic game plan, which places extra emphasis on coaching.

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Lynn Williams has yet to play for the USWNT at the 2023 World Cup. (Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Where is Lynn Williams?

Beyond the USWNT’s 4-3-3 formation appearing somewhat naive in the face of the way the Netherlands packed numbers into the midfield, the U.S. looked rigid when they needed to make necessary adjustments.

Andonovski used only one substitute out of an available five on Wednesday, bringing on veteran attacking midfielder Rose Lavelle after halftime to take over set-piece delivery and aid in the midfield’s creativity. That substitute paid off, as Lavelle provided the service that ended in Horan’s equalizer.

Andonovski forwent any other changes intentionally.

“The players played well. We were around the goal the whole time, and I just didn’t want to disrupt the rhythm at that point,” he told the media after the match.

Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams, despite possessing the qualities a game against the Netherlands begs for, has yet to see the field. Other substitutions, like that of Alyssa Thompson or Megan Rapinoe, might have also been the difference between settling for the draw and going for the win.

An approach that prioritizes consistency over dynamic changes might make sense for a squad given enough time to become the best version of themselves, but elimination tournaments don’t quite work that way. The Netherlands’ first goal resulted from an uncharacteristic slip by Crystal Dunn, which was almost the deciding factor between a draw and a loss. It’s always smart to adjust the margins in the long run, but Andonovski looked indecisive when given a chance to trust his bench.

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

Connecticut Sun Plays Spoiler Against WNBA Postseason Hopefuls

Connecticut Sun star center Tina Charles shoots over Golden State Valkyries center Iliana Rupert during a 2025 WNBA game.
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles scored 24 points in their blowout win over Golden State on Sunday. (Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

While the last-place Connecticut Sun aren't exactly making a strong 2025 postseason run, they are playing spoiler, securing their fourth season victory in a 95-64 blowout win over a hungry No. 9 Golden State side on Sunday.

Eight-time All-Star Tina Charles — the WNBA's all-time top rebounder and second-best career scorer — led the game with 24 points, as the 36-year-old veteran continues to showcase her value.

"This season hasn't been the same as it always has for the Sun, but [fan] loyalty has really fueled us and we know that they're going to show up for us," said Connecticut guard Marina Mabrey after the win.

Monday's WNBA slate will see the Sun shoot for their first winning streak of the 2025 season, with Connecticut taking on a Seattle side they’ve humbled once already:

  • No. 5 Seattle Storm vs. No. 13 Connecticut Sun, 7 PM ET (ESPN3): The Storm is hunting consistency after splitting their last 10 games 5-5 — ceding ground in the WNBA standings — while the Sun aims to repeat their July 9th upset victory over Seattle.
  • No. 2 New York Liberty vs. No. 12 Dallas Wings, 8 PM ET (ESPN): Injuries could impact Monday's showdown in Texas, as the Wings aim to benefit from a rested Paige Bueckers while the Liberty deal with a knock to star Breanna Stewart.

Higher ranked squads will always look to rebound, but Connecticut's trajectory proves that the underdogs can have their say on any given day.

England Tops Spain to Lift Back-to-Back Women’s Euro Trophies

England players run with the 2025 Euro trophy to celebrate their title win with the Lionesses' fan section.
England defeated Spain on Sunday to claim their second straight European Championship. (Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

World No. 5 England are bringing football home once again, lifting their second straight UEFA Women's Euro trophy after defeating reigning World Cup champs No. 2 Spain in the 2025 championship match on Sunday.

Leading for a total of four minutes throughout the entirety of the knockouts, Sunday's win marked England's third consecutive comeback victory this tournament, as the Lionesses bested La Roja in a penalty shootout to become the first back-to-back European champions since 2013.

Armed with more confident knockout-stage results, Spain came out swinging in the first half, going up 1-0 behind Mariona Caldentey's 25th-minute strike.

However, England would not be denied, equalizing off a header from Alessia Russo in the 57th minute to eventually force extra time at a 1-1 deadlock.

The stalemate held through the additional 30 minutes, invoking yet another penalty shootout in true 2025 Euro fashion.

Spain struck first, but three uncharacteristic missed shots from Caldentey, reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, and 2023 World Cup breakout star Salma Paralluelo handed England control of the shootout.

Forward Chloe Kelly — the 2022 title-winning scorer — came through for the Lionesses again, sinking the final shot from the spot to secure England's second major tournament title.

Sunday's victory also added to Sarina Wiegman's personal perfect Euro record, as the England manager emerged from her third European Championship with a third straight title — two with the Lionesses and one with the Netherlands in 2017.

"She's amazing," Kelly said of Wiegman. "She is an incredible woman. What she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful."

Despite Spain's edge, England showcased the mentality it takes to cap an unlikely run with a fairytale ending — one that could fuel them down the path to another trophy as attention shifts toward the 2027 World Cup.

WNBA Standings Shift as Lynx, Liberty Lose in Weekend Upsets

Courtney Williams huddles with her Minnesota Lynx teammates during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Minnesota Lynx suffered their first home loss of the 2025 WNBA season on Sunday. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The top WNBA titans showed some weakness this weekend, as both the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx and No. 2 New York Liberty suffered unexpected upset losses at home.

First on Saturday, the No. 10 LA Sparks staged a 101-99 upset win over reigning WNBA champions New York, notching their fifth straight victory thanks to a dramatic buzzer-beater from guard Rickea Jackson.

Liberty standout Sabrina Ionescu led the game with 30 points, stepping up in the loss after star Breanna Stewart exited with a leg injury less than four minutes into the game.

Similarly, despite perennial MVP candidate Napheesa Collier putting Minnesota on her back with a 32-point performance on Sunday, the league-leading Lynx couldn't contain the No. 4 Atlanta Dream, falling 90-86 in their first home loss of the season.

The win helped the Dream shoot up the WNBA standings, overtaking fourth place from the Seattle Storm, whose 69-58 Saturday loss to the No. 8 Washington Mystics sent them stumbling into the No. 5 spot.

The No. 7 Las Vegas Aces have also been pushing, leapfrogging the Mystics with a 106-80 win over the No. 12 Dallas Wings on Sunday.

"One of the toughest things is going through hard things and remaining optimistic and positive," Aces head coach Becky Hammon said of her team's battle-ready mindset. "My main focus was just to keep everybody upbeat."

While multiple squads have consistently impressed this season, no single team has remained unanswered above the rest — a nod to the league's growing depth and subsequent parity.

Lottie Woad Wins Scottish Open in Professional LPGA Tour Debut

England's Lottie Woad poses holding the 2025 Scottish Open trophy.
British golfer Lottie Woad is the second player in three years to win in their pro LPGA debut. (Kate McShane/Getty Images)

British golfer Lottie Woad saw her star skyrocket on Sunday, as the 21-year-old phenom took the 2025 Scottish Open trophy — becoming the second player in three years to win in their professional LPGA debut in the process.

"I think it's quite hard to do that, but very special to win in my first event," Woad said after the win. "Everyone was chasing me today, and [I] managed to maintain the lead and played really nicely down the stretch and hit a lot of good shots."

The debut win places Woad alongside US star Rose Zhang, who opened her career by lifting the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open trophy at 20 years old.

After previously refusing purses to maintain NCAA eligibility, the rising Florida State senior's first pro payday totals $300,000 of the tournament's $2 million overall payout.

Woad made even more history along the way, as her 21-under-par performance tied 2022 Scottish Open champion Ayaka Furue's all-time record score at the tournament.

Second-place finisher Hyo Joo Kim — the world No. 8 South Korean star — capped her weekend performance a full three strokes behind Woad, who rose 38 spots to sit at No. 24 in the world rankings with her stunning victory.

Ultimately, with each of the 2025 LPGA Tour's 19 tournaments thus far claiming a different winner — the longest stretch of parity in the organization's 75-year history — the former world No. 1 amateur is arguably minting herself as this season's breakout star.

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