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In World Cup heartbreak, USWNT passes the torch to next golden era

Megan Rapinoe and Trinity Rodman walk off the field after the USWNT’s loss in the Round of 16. (Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Megan Rapinoe buried her blue hair in the crook of Lynn Williams’ neck, simultaneously shedding tears and cracking a smile. Crying because it’s over, and smiling because it happened.

The 38-year-old’s U.S. women’s national team career came to a screeching halt on a missed penalty kick. In a cruel twist of fate, the team was eliminated after their best performance of the World Cup, a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to Sweden in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

“I thought we played really well,” Rapinoe said. “I’m so happy for us that we went out like that, playing the way that we did and having a ton of joy on the ball.”

After a flat group stage that saw the U.S. finish in second place in Group E to move onto the knockout rounds, they finally brought the spark they’ve been known for. But a spark wasn’t enough. They needed a goal in regulation, or in extra time. They needed one more made penalty kick, or one more save.

They didn’t get it.

Instead, Sweden handed the USWNT their earliest exit in World Cup history.

“It’s an emotional time,” said U.S. veteran Julie Ertz. “It absolutely sucks. Penalties are the worst, but it’s an honor to represent this team and I’m excited for the future.”

The future will look a lot different.

There are new teams in contention: Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Jamaica made it out of the group stage for the first time. Other mainstays endured early exits: Marta and Brazil, Christine Sinclair and Canada, the second-ranked German squad, and now, Rapinoe and the U.S.

The loss also marks the end of Rapinoe’s U.S. Soccer career, after she announced her retirement prior to the World Cup. One of the most decorated soccer players in American history, Rapinoe leaves behind a legacy on the field that includes a 2019 World Cup victory, a Golden Boot, a Ballon d’Or trophy and 63 international goals.

Off the field, her impact has been even greater. As an outspoken supporter of equal pay and LGBTQ+ rights, Rapinoe received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her advocacy work in July 2022.

That part of Rapinoe won’t change, but her place in the landscape of international soccer will. Her spot on the 2023 USWNT was called into question during the lead-up to the World Cup, but coach Vlatko Andonovski clearly trusted the veteran, subbing her into the match against Sweden and calling on her during penalty kicks.

Rapinoe’s attempt soared over the goal, marking an unfortunate end to an incredible career.

“I mean, this is like a sick joke,” she told FOX Sports. “For me personally, I’m just like, this is a dark comedy. I missed a penalty.”

Andi Sullivan, Lindsey Horan and goalie Alyssa Naeher all found the back of the net. Kelley O’Hara, another player in the twilight of her USWNT career, missed her penalty kick as well, opening the door for Sweden to finish the job.

But it wasn’t just the veterans who failed to capitalize. Sophia Smith, who scored two goals in the team’s World Cup opening 3-0 win over Vietnam, also sent her attempt over the goal.

Smith represents the future of the USWNT, and Rapinoe, the past. Two generations united by heartache in the pressure cooker that is a penalty kick shootout.

The official changing of the guard starts now.

While Smith and the other USWNT youngsters have opportunities ahead of them and memories yet to be made, this is it for Rapinoe.

It might be for Alex Morgan, too.

“I don’t know,” she told FOX Sports, in response to a question about her future with the team. “I was so focused on the World Cup that I don’t know. I need to get back to San Diego, get back to work, go from there.”

Ertz also alluded to the end of her career in a postgame interview.

“For me, it’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever to have the honor to wear this crest,” she said.

This possibly marks the end of Andonovski’s tenure. The earliest exit in team history — combined with persistent questions about his coaching — is hard to come back from.

And this might have been both the first and last World Cup for others. Players like Mewis, who converted a penalty kick in her tournament debut. And Sofia Huerta, who worked for so long to represent the USWNT at this level, only to leave with just a few minutes recorded in the group stage.

It’s the beginning for Trinity Rodman, who battled illness to play arguably her best game of the tournament. And for Naomi Girma, who was an anchor on the backline, playing with maturity beyond her years. And Alyssa Thompson, who at 18 already has world-class talent. And for players like Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson, who missed out on playing in New Zealand and Australia because of injury, but will be key pieces to the USWNT for years to come.

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Defender Naomi Girma had a stellar World Cup debut for the USWNT. (Robin Alam/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

They will remember this as they take the next steps in their soccer careers, and certainly four years from now, when they most likely step on the pitch for another World Cup.

They will remember the missed chances — 22 shots, with 11 on goal, and nine corner kicks. Remember the incredible play by Naeher, who not only saved penalties but made one herself.

And they will remember the veterans who played alongside them, and the lessons they learned from those who have experienced all the emotions that come with a World Cup win, and the ones that come with a loss.

“This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game,” Rapinoe said with tears in her eyes. “It can be cruel.”

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

Las Vegas Aces Star A’ja Wilson Headlines 2025 All-WNBA First Team

A graphic displays the five athletes named to the 2025 All-WNBA First Team.
Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson garnered unanimous selection to the 2025 All-WNBA First Team roster. (JWS)

Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson had herself a weekend, adding 2025 All-WNBA First Team honors to her stacked resume mere hours before winning her third league title on Friday.

Joining the Las Vegas Aces star was fellow unanimous First Team selectee Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), as the pair logged their fourth and third straight years, respectively, on the list.

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell also earned spots on the elite roster.

Headlining the 2025 Second Team is Seattle Storm forward and eight-time All-WNBA selectee Nneka Ogwumike alongside Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston and a trio of standout guards: the Aces' Jackie Young, the New York Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu, and the Dallas Wings' Paige Bueckers.

The 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year isn't the only All-WNBA debutant, with Gray, Mitchell, and Boston joining Bueckers in earning their first-ever league-wide nods.

All WNBA athletes, regardless of their position, are eligible for All-WNBA selection, and voting media members determine the honorary squads.

Players earn five points for each First Team vote and three for every Second Team tally, with the league's top five players via points snagging the First roster and the next five featuring as the Second squad.

Along with the All-WNBA titles, this year's honorees are also cashing in, with each member of the 2025 First Team snagging a $10,300 bonus while the Second Team players take home checks for $5,150 each.

Seattle Reign Legend Lauren Barnes to Retire at End of 2025 NWSL Season

Seattle Reign defender Lauren Barnes gives high-fives to fans while entering the pitch to warm up for a 2025 NWSL match.
Seattle Reign defender Lauren Barnes is one of four remaining players from the NWSL's inaugural 2013 season. (Soobum Im/NWSL via Getty Images)

Seattle Reign captain Lauren Barnes is calling it a career, as one of the last remaining original members of the NWSL announced plans to retire from professional soccer at the end of the 2025 season.

"From day one, Seattle has been home," the 13-year Reign alum said in Monday's club statement. "I've grown up here — as a player, a leader, and a person. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built and the culture we've created.... This chapter of my life has been a dream."

"Lu has been the heartbeat of this club since the very beginning," added Reign head coach Laura Harvey. "She has been the glue that has held us together through the ups and the downs. Everything about who we are, whether it's our standards, our values or our resilience, Lu has her fingerprints on it all."

Barnes exits the pitch with more caps and minutes played than any other athlete in league history, with the standout defender also helping to anchor the Reign's backline to the tune of three NWSL Shields (2014, 2015, and 2022).

Those accolades, however, are the least of what makes Barnes exceptional, according to Seattle GM Lesle Gallimore.

"What makes Lu so rare isn't just her longevity or her records, it's her humanity," said Gallimore. "She's been a leader, a role model, and a constant source of strength for this club and the community. You simply don't see players spend their entire career in one city anymore, and that loyalty speaks volumes about who she is and what Seattle means to her."

The 36-year-old isn't the only league veteran hanging up her NWSL boots this year, with Kansas City Current forward Kristen Hamilton, Angel City defender Ali Riley, Orlando Pride midfielder Morgan Gautrat, and Barnes' Seattle teammate Veronica Latsko also set to retire.

Coco Gauff Defeats Fellow U.S. Star Jessica Pegula to Win 2025 Wuhan Open

US tennis star Coco Gauff smiles while holding her 2025 Wuhan Open championship trophy.
US tennis star Coco Gauff earned her second title of 2025 WTA season by winning the Wuhan Open on Sunday. (Zhang Chang/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

World No. 3 Coco Gauff won her 11th career WTA title over the weekend, taking down fellow US star No. 5 Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 to become the 2025 Wuhan Open champion on Sunday.

With the victory, Gauff also is the first US player to lift the Wuhan Open trophy since Venus Williams in 2015.

Gauff now holds a perfect 9-0 record in hardcourt tournament finals, lifting her first WTA 1000 trophy of 2025 and claiming her second title of the year alongside her French Open victory in June — all without needing a single third set throughout her five-match run in Wuhan.

"Winning every match in straight sets, I don't know if I've done that before on a title run," the 21-year-old said afterwards. "I just felt like I was really proud of what I accomplished this week, regardless of the result today."

Despite the Sunday stumble, Pegula also saw significant success at the tournament, handing world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka — who won the last three editions of the competition — her first-ever loss in Wuhan on Saturday.

Even more, Pegula clinched the three-set semifinal by snapping Sabalenka's dominant streak of winning 19 straight tiebreaks.

Overall, the weekend furthered a dominant 2025 WTA campaign for US tennis stars, with a US-based athlete featuring in every Grand Slam final this year.

US women also top the current WTA rankings, with Gauff and Pegula joined by No. 4 Amanda Anisimova and No. 7 Madison Keys in the sport's Top 10.

Additionally, those four contenders have all booked spots in the 2025 WTA Finals, guaranteeing that half of the eight-player field will hail from the States when the tennis season's finale kicks off next month.

South Carolina Star Chloe Kitts Out for 2025/26 NCAA Season with ACL Injury

South Carolina junior Chloe Kitts muscles up a shot during the 2025 NCAA basketball championship game.
South Carolina senior forward Chloe Kitts will miss the 2025/26 NCAA basketball season due to a torn ACL. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The South Carolina Gamecocks are officially without their star Chloe Kitts, with the university announcing Monday that the forward will miss the 2025/26 NCAA basketball season after sustaining an ACL tear to her right knee.

"We hate this for Chloe, who has worked incredibly hard to become the best version of herself on the court this season," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said in a team statement.

"While this isn't how I hoped my senior season would go, I'm trusting God's timing and purpose," Kitts wrote in a social media post on Monday. "I'll continue to lead, support, and push my team from the sidelines. We have big things ahead!"

A starter for the the Gamecocks since the 2023/24 NCAA season, Kitts helped South Carolina bring home a national championship in 2024.

Last season, the then-junior earned an All-America honorable mention for a season in which she averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game — both career highs.

Kitts was particularly potent in the 2025 postseason, snagging the MVP title at both the SEC tournament and in South Carolina's NCAA regional en route to a national runner-up finish for the Gamecocks.

Though South Carolina is now gearing up for the 2025/26 NCAA season without their leader in the paint, the Gamecocks are perhaps uniquely capable of overcoming a big-name loss like Kitts, with the team boasting a full 10-player rotation and one of the deepest collegiate benches in recent years.

"[Kitts's] teammates are capable of stepping up, and I know that her competitive fire and tenacity will be felt from the sidelines as she pours what she can into them to ensure our team's success," said Staley.

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