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What Abby Dahlkemper’s Deal Means For Both Man City and The NWSL

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In another blockbuster signing for the FA Women’s Super League, North Carolina Courage and U.S. Women’s National Team center back Abby Dahlkemper has inked a 2.5-year contract with Manchester City, as first reported by Meg Linehan of the Athletic. Dahlkemper joins USWNT teammates Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle in the move across the pond, in what is another stellar addition to City’s championship-caliber squad.

Dahlkemper is an elite talent in the prime of her career.  She’s appeared in 62 matches for the USWNT, notching three assists and one World Cup trophy for her country. During the 2019 World Cup, she was the only player aside from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher to start every match of the tournament.

In four seasons with the North Carolina Courage, Dahlkemper has won three NWSL Shields, two NWSL Championships, was named the NWSL Defender of the Year in 2017, and thrice made the NWSL Best XI, in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Prior to the franchise’s move to North Carolina, Dahlkemper also won a NWSL Championship with the Western New York Flash as well as a NCAA Championship and the Honda Sports Award during her time at UCLA.

One look at Dahlkemper’s stats makes clear her outstanding consistency at center back. During the NWSL’s recent Fall Series, Dahlkemper started all four matches for the Courage, burying a penalty against the Houston Dash in the first match of the series. More impressive, however, were Dahlkemper’s passing abilities: in the defensive third, she maintained a 92% passing accuracy to go along with her 60.3% accuracy in the attacking third. 149 of her 193 attempted passes were successful, equating to a 77.2% passing success rate through 360 minutes of play.

During the Challenge Cup last spring, Dahlkemper had a 100% success rate in tackles, a 60% success rate in duels, and a 57.1% success rate in aerial duels. She also logged 15 clearances, three blocks, and two interceptions, while simultaneously maintaining an 85.1% passing success rate. That level of consistency and control will allow Dahlkemper to immediately slide into her role as a security blanket in City’s defensive third.

Needless to say, City’s gain is the Courage’s loss, especially when coupled with North Carolina’s recent trade of fellow USWNT superstar Crystal Dunn to the Portland Thorns. Dahlkemper’s move is also another blow to the NWSL as a whole in its ongoing battle with the European leagues for the best soccer talent in the world.

When Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Mewis and Lavelle all decamped to the FAWSL in the fall, fans were forced to call into question whether the NWSL was doing enough to retain its biggest stars. Dahlkemper’s signing, along with Catarina Macario’s decision to forgo the 2021 NWSL draft in order to sign with Lyon, will only amplify the scrutiny.

While there’s much to be excited about in the NWSL’s future, including three new expansion teams in Louisville, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, the ongoing talent leak of household names is becoming a serious concern.

Hard not to think the #NWSL is on the ropes. Either that or they need a new marketing strategy so #USWNT players going to #WSL doesnu2019t affect their shine. Hope Iu2019m wrong! https://t.co/TpDl2TKqIo

— Annie O'Carroll (@OcarrollAnnie) January 14, 2021

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When Heath, Press, and Alex Morgan jumped to England, the narrative was that these veteran national team players were simply looking to get games in ahead of next summer’s Olympics. (Both Heath and Press’ contracts with Manchester United expire at the end of the 2020/2021 season, and Morgan has already returned to the Orlando Pride after playing for Tottenham in the fall.)

But with a younger generation signing long-term deals with European clubs, it’s hard not wonder if this is the beginning of a trend, and if in the future, we’ll continue to see more American players abandon the NWSL for better opportunities in Europe.

Whether the reasoning for these signings is to obtain better preparation for the Olympics, concern over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, or simply better compensation, the loss of this many high-profile players is becoming a critical issue, especially as the NWSL looks poised to rapidly expand its national profile in the coming years.

We’re still a few signings away from full-on panic mode, and in the meantime, it’s hard not to be excited at the prospect of seeing Dahlkemper, Mewis and Lavelle on one field together. Mewis in particular has thrived for City, who currently sit at 4th in the table. The club is well within the title hunt, and a talent like Dahlkemper could easily take them to the next level, whether that’s this season or in the two to follow.

Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries Ride Upset Wins into the WNBA Weekend

Phoenix Mercury players including Satou Sabally huddle during a 2025 WNBA game against the New York Liberty.
Phoenix rose to No. 3 in the WNBA standings with Thursday's win over New York. (Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

Two key upsets headlined Thursday's WNBA bill, sending the Phoenix Mercury soaring into third place in the league standings while the No. 6 Golden State Valkyries continued to outwit opponents.

The red-hot Mercury snagged their fourth straight win by taking down the No. 2 New York Liberty 89-81 on Thursday night, overcoming an 35-point performance from two-time MVP Breanna Stewart with five double-digit Phoenix scorers.

Meanwhile out West, the Valkyries stifled a surging No. 7 Fever, downing Indiana 88-77 in part by holding star guard Caitlin Clark to just 3-for-14 from the field — and 0-for-7 from behind the arc.

"We were being disruptive, we know that she doesn't like physicality, we know that she wants to get to that left step-back," Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said about the Valkyries' strategy to effectively contain Clark.

Though the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx and 2024 WNBA champions New York still hold court atop the table, Thursday's actions proves that other squads are making some unexpected in-roads.

Putting together an impressive road record are the Mercury, who will ride a 4-2 away record into their Saturday matchup against the No. 11 Chicago Sky — the last stop on a four-game road trip that's been perfect for Phoenix thus far.

Already flipping the script on expectations is Golden State, with the 2025 expansion team rising despite relying on a hodgepodge roster as several players compete at EuroBasket 2025. The Valkyries will aim to keep their winning momentum in their Sunday clash with the No. 12 Connecticut Sun.

How to watch the Mercury, Valkyries this weekend

Both of Thursday's victors will be back in action this weekend, with Phoenix facing Chicago at 1 PM ET on Saturday, airing live on ABC.

Then on Sunday, Golden State will host Connecticut at 8:30 PM ET, with live coverage on WNBA League Pass.

Las Vegas Aces Aim to Stop Skid Ahead of Tough WNBA Weekend Matchups

Las Vegas's A'ja Wilson tries to defend a lay-up from Seattle's Gabby Williams during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Las Vegas Aces will face both Seattle and Indiana this weekend. (Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)

In another weekend full of WNBA action, all eyes are on Las Vegas, as the No. 8 Aces will try to curb a two-game losing streak against two formidable opponents.

A successful weekend for Las Vegas could hinge on three-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson's potential return from injury, with the star forward recently upgraded to "questionable" after landing in concussion protocol last week.

Overall, the margin for error has narrowed in the middle of the WNBA pack, as talented teams continue to translate quality performances into consistency.

  • No. 5 Seattle Storm vs. No. 8 Las Vegas Aces, Friday at 10 PM ET (ION): The Aces will try to end their free fall in Friday's head-to-head battle with a Seattle side that can beat anybody at their best.
  • No. 7 Indiana Fever vs. No. 8 Las Vegas Aces, Sunday at 3 PM ET (ESPN): Las Vegas next faces a Fever team still smarting from Thursday's away loss to the Golden State Valkyries, with both teams narrowly clinging to positions above the playoff line.
  • No. 2 New York Liberty vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, Sunday at 7 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Liberty have a comfortable hold on second place, but with two losses in their last three games, New York is flirting with danger entering their Sunday game with Seattle — particularly if star big Jonquel Jones is out after suffering a knock to the ankle on Thursday.

Ultimately, there's no rest for the weary in the WNBA, as a series of difficult matchups can see a single error quickly slide into a losing streak.

NWSL Kicks Off Final Gameday Slate Ahead of Summer Break

The San Diego Wave celebrate a goal by María Sánchez during a 2025 NWSL match.
The San Diego Wave will take on 2024 runners-up Washington on Sunday. (Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

The final NWSL weekend heading into the league's six-week summer break has arrived, giving teams one more chance to prove themselves before regular-season play pauses to make way for major international tournaments.

With a five-point gap separating No. 1 Kansas City from No. 2 Orlando in the NWSL standings, the Current will enter the break as the 2025 Shield frontrunners regardless of this weekend's results.

Despite Kansas City's grip atop the table, there's still plenty of room for movement both above and below the postseason cutoff line, as clubs across the NWSL look to wrap their midseason finales on a high note:

  • No. 1 Kansas City Current vs. No. 10 Angel City FC, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): Angel City has a shot at launching themselves above the cutoff line on Friday, but they'll have to snap the Current's five-game winning streak to make it happen.
  • No. 8 Gotham FC vs. No. 9 Bay FC, Saturday at 7:30 PM ET (ION): Gotham and Bay FC enter the weekend tied on points while staring at each other from on opposite sides of the playoff line — meaning a Saturday win for either club could set the tone for the rest of the 2025 season.
  • No. 3 San Diego Wave FC vs. No. 4 Washington Spirit, Sunday at 10 PM ET (CBS Sports): The weekend's only top-table clash could see San Diego sprint back into second place — unless Washington leapfrogs the upstart Wave to claim the third-place spot.

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Ups Purse to $12 Million, Ties LPGA Tour Record

Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul hits a shot during the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul is in the lead after one round at the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The LPGA Tour has turned its attention to Texas, with the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship — the third major of the pro golf season — teeing off in Frisco to a flurry of first-round action on Thursday.

All of the sport's Top 100 athletes are participating in this week's event, including No. 1 Nelly Korda, who sits in a 14th-place tie with an even-par first-round performance, and surging US dark horse No. 50 Lexi Thompson, who tied for 10th in her Thursday return from a brief retirement.

However, leading the pack heading into Friday's second round is Thailand's world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who finished the first day of competition atop the leaderboard with a score of 4-under-par.

Australia's No. 24 Minjee Lee also posted a strong start, capping Thursday at 3-under to sit in second place.

While the sport's best chase victory on the links, the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship is already making history off the green.

Not only is it the first-ever women's major to tee off at Frisco's Fields Ranch East, the tournament also increased its purse to $12 million on Tuesday — nearly tripling the $4.5 million prize pool from just four years ago and tying the US Women's Open for the LPGA Tour's highest payout in the process.

How to watch the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

The third LPGA Grand Slam of 2025 continues through Sunday.

Friday's second round will air live on the Golf Channel, while coverage of Saturday and Sunday's final rounds will air across NBC and Peacock.

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