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Vlatko Andonovski lost the USWNT at the margins and may lose his job

(Robin Alam/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Despite putting together their best overall performance of the 2023 World Cup, the U.S. women’s national team fell to Sweden by the thinnest of margins, eliminated in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16. The ball barely crossed the line after heroics by USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who became the first keeper to both save and successfully take a penalty in a Women’s World Cup.

“We just lost the World Cup by a millimeter,” Naeher told the FOX broadcast after the game, and her assessment was fair. It was perhaps the most fitting end to a tournament of missed opportunities by the reigning World Champions.

The U.S. outshot Sweden 21 to seven, with 11 shots on target to Sweden’s one. The U.S. completed over 500 passes and held the possession advantage as well as a significant xG advantage. They did everything possible to advance outside of actually putting the ball into the back of the net, and fell prey to one of the crueler endings to a match in recent memory.

USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski didn’t get this game wrong, exactly. The game itself was a testament to the team’s adjustments after a group stage where they had looked nothing like their former selves. Andonovski made a key change to the midfield, inserting Emily Sonnett as a dual defensive midfielder alongside Andi Sullivan. Sullivan, who herself had not been at her best in the tournament, finally had a ball-winner beside her to ease the defensive load. Lindsey Horan, in turn, assumed the forward-leaning midfield role, and suddenly the USWNT looked like a team that could pass through their spine again.

The tournament, as short as it might have been for the USWNT, will also be a testament to the team’s defense, which was once again excellent even in defeat. Naeher, who fielded questions about her form going into the World Cup, snagged balls out of the air to nullify Sweden’s crossing threat with ease, and the U.S. never looked in danger of losing the match in regulation.

Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz will forever be enshrined as one of the most statistically effective center-back pairings in USWNT World Cup history, conceding just two shots on goal over four games. As frustrating as the match was for the U.S. attack, Sweden never looked particularly dangerous going forward, even when given set-piece opportunities.

In many ways, all of the statistical advantages the U.S. flaunted for 120 minutes reflected exactly how Andonovski has always wanted his team to play. It was the product of a group ready for the toughest of grinds, never giving their opponent space to operate even if it meant sacrificing their own efficiency in front of goal. One of the team’s most creative players, Ashley Sanchez, got no time at this World Cup, with Andonovski all but conceding in the knockout rounds that artistry was not going to patch over his own inefficiencies in preparing the team for elimination soccer.

It’s not like the USWNT didn’t have chances; Sweden goalkeeper Zećira Mušović had the game of her life, making save after save to ward off what felt like the inevitable strike to put the U.S. ahead. The team’s finishing continued to be a weakness, with the talented front three of Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman never fully amounting to the sum of their parts. Over the course of the match, it felt as if they had done just enough to avoid the random cruelty of a penalty shootout.

But doing just enough has always been the way Andonovski has managed this group, and for the four-time World Cup champions, it hasn’t been good enough to break back into a major tournament final. The team has grown since their embarrassing 3-0 loss to Sweden at the Tokyo Olympics, suffering nowhere near the same fate in any match of this World Cup. But as Andonovski focused on tightening up one part of the field, the team lost their freedom, and margins became much too thin in the other direction.

It’s fitting perhaps that many of the ills of the Andonovski era came to play in the crucial penalty shootout itself. Megan Rapinoe, USWNT icon and longtime stalwart in dead-ball situations, couldn’t control her delivery in extra time and skied her kick from the spot. It’s the first time she’s ever missed a penalty in a major tournament, in a harsh metaphor that all good things must eventually come to an end. Kristie Mewis and Kelley O’Hara were the long-awaited substitutes put on the field right before extra time ended; Mewis sunk her penalty, and O’Hara’s hit the post.

And Sophia Smith, who despite a rough tournament is still one of the brightest stars of the USWNT’s future, couldn’t control her penalty when given a chance to grab the glory and give her team a shot at the quarterfinals. Who gets empowered to succeed and when has long been a topic of conversation in USWNT circles. Andonovski was let down both by the longtime veterans he always made room for, and his own inability to let a new generation enter the spotlight on its own.

If this is the end of Andonovski’s tenure with the No. 1 team in the world, his notebook of statistical advantages that should have led to optimal outcomes will be a cold comfort to fans who would simply like to recognize the team they’re used to rooting for again. U.S. Soccer will have a choice to make about whether to let him see out the roster rejuvenation process he began, or to hand the keys to someone with a different idea of the USWNT’s identity before the Olympics next summer.

Because in a new era of competitive parity, in a sport where the ball doesn’t always bounce your way, wins are never going to be guaranteed like they once were. But World Cups are also an opportunity to show those outside your own borders exactly who you are and how you like to play, and the USWNT have earned the right to re-introduce themselves.

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

2026 WNBA All-Star Game Set to Take Over United Center in Chicago

A'ja Wilson and Angel Reese dance and banter during the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will be played at the United Center in Chicago. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

WNBA All-Star Weekend is returning to the Windy City, with the league announcing Thursday that it will hold the 2026 All-Star Game in Chicago next summer.

The game will tip off on Saturday, July 25th, inside the 20,917-seat United Center, while the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge will take place the night before at the 10,380-capacity Wintrust Arena, home to the Chicago Sky.

"The WNBA is thrilled to bring AT&T WNBA All-Star back to Chicago, which will undoubtedly deliver unforgettable competition and community outreach," said commissioner Cathy Engelbert in Thursday's statement. "Together with the Chicago Sky, we look forward to celebrating the game's brightest stars, engaging WNBA fans around the world, and showcasing the energy of one of basketball's most iconic cities."

The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will mark Chicago's second time hosting the midseason event after the 2022 edition landed in the Windy City.

"We can't wait to build on the success of the previous All-Star Game and celebrate the explosive growth of the league by showcasing the WNBA's biggest stars on a world-class stage," Chicago Sky CEO and president Adam Fox said.

While the first All-Star Game in Chicago took place at Wintrust Arena, next year's stage includes a significant venue upgrade to the United Center.

The Sky played their first-ever games at the Bulls' NBA arena this past season, taking on the Indiana Fever for two regular-season 2025 WNBA matchups.

"We're ecstatic to host the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game and build on the two sell-out Chicago Sky games played at the United Center this year," said United Center VP of booking Jerry Goldman.

The WNBA will be eager to showcase its growth since its last All-Star visit, as investment — both internal and external — remains a hot topic heading into the league's 2026 season.

Knee Injury Sidelines Trinity Rodman from NWSL Play, USWNT Friendlies

Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman looks on during pre-game warm-up before a 2025 NWSL match.
Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman exited her team's midweek 2025/26 Concacaf W Champions Cup match with a knee injury. (Jamie Sabau/NWSL via Getty Images)

USWNT and Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman has been sidelined, with the forward set to miss the rest of the 2025 NWSL season after exiting her club's 4-0 2025/26 Concacaf W Champions Cup win over Monterrey with a knee injury on Wednesday — hours after earning her first national team call-up since April.

The Athletic reported on Thursday that Rodman will be off the pitch for at least three weeks — encompassing the final NWSL regular-season matches as well as October's USWNT friendlies — though Thursday's scans showed she avoided long-term injury and could return to compete in the 2025 NWSL Playoffs.

Washington head coach Adrián González further clarified Rodman's status on Friday, confirming that the Spirit winger has a low-grade MCL sprain — a result the manager called "the best scenario."

Rodman's knock interrupts a strong run of play for the 23-year-old, who registered five goals and two assists since recovering from a lingering back injury in August.

Sitting second in the NWSL standings, the Spirit already secured home field advantage for the upcoming playoffs, but the 2024 runners-up will see a potential postseason preview against a resurgent Orlando Pride this weekend.

The reigning NWSL champions earned two wins in their last three matches, rising to No. 3 on the league table after going winless through nine straight NWSL games.

"I think home field advantage is massive," Pride head coach Seb Hines said last week. "We experienced that last year. So if we can finish as high as possible, we can play here in front of our own fans."

How to watch the Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride this weekend

The No. 2 Spirit will host the No. 3 Pride at 12:30 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage airing on CBS.

NWSL Teams Face Domino-Effect Clinching Scenario for 2025 Postseason

North Carolina Courage midfielder Manaka Matsukubo hugs forward Hannah Betfort after Betfort's goal during a 2025 NWSL match.
A result from the North Carolina Courage could determine the 2025 postseason fates of multiple NWSL teams this weekend. (Soobum Im/NWSL via Getty Images)

As NWSL teams race towards November 2nd's Decision Day with 2025 playoff positioning on the line, a single result on Friday could determine multiple postseason fates.

Sitting four points outside of contention, No. 9 North Carolina will visit No. 13 Bay FC on Friday night, with a Courage loss clinching playoff berths for No. 4 Gotham, No. 5 Seattle, No. 6 San Diego, and No. 7 Portland.

A North Carolina loss would also put No. 10 Angel City and the No. 11 Houston Dash in must-win scenarios in order to remain in contention for the final playoff spot with No. 8 Racing Louisville.

Following 2023's dramatic final matchday results, the NWSL reintroduced the league's simultaneous-kickoff Decision Day format this year, but the 2025 season's slim margins plus a few scheduling idiosyncrasies could see the postseason door swing shut prematurely.

North Carolina needs at least a draw plus a Gotham win to survive elimination, while the five teams currently above the postseason cutoff line — except Gotham and Louisville, who will play each other on Sunday — only need a win to secure their destiny regardless of Friday's outcome, while Houston and ACFC drop out of play.

While supporters of each club will hope for clarity before next week's international break, fans of NWSL chaos will be rooting for a high-stakes 2025 Decision Day finale on Sunday, November 2nd.

How to watch Bay FC vs. NC Courage on Friday

The potentially decisive match between the North Carolina Courage and Bay FC will kick off at 10 PM ET on Friday, with live coverage airing on Prime.

WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Returns to The Annika Pro-Am

WNBA star Caitlin Clark tees off at The Annika Pro-Am in 2024.
WNBA star Caitlin Clark will play in The Annika Pro-Am 2025, returning to the LPGA Tour event for the second straight year. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is hitting the links again, returning to The Annika Pro-Am to show off her golf game on the 2025 LPGA Tour following a WNBA season rife with injuries.

The annual event will take place at the Pelican Golf Club in Tampa on Wednesday, November 12th, and will be open to the public.

"I had an amazing time at The Annika last November and participating in the Pro-Am alongside Nelly Korda and Annika Sörenstam, two of the best in the game," Clark said in a Thursday press release.

One of Clark's sponsors, Gainbridge, also backs the annual competition, with The Annika serving as the penultimate stop in a parity-filled, up-and-down 2025 LPGA season.

"[Clark] added such a great dynamic to our event [last year], and her passion for golf and competitiveness were fun to witness firsthand," the tournament's namesake, retired Swedish golf pro Annika Sörenstam, said of the 23-year-old basketball star. "I look forward to having her back and continuing to introduce the great game of golf to the next generation."

How to buy tickets to The Annika Pro-Am

Fans can watch the WNBA star tee off at the 2025 edition of The Annika Pro-Am in Tampa on Wednesday, November 12th.

Tickets to the event are on sale now at TheAnnika.com.

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