An action-packed week in the WNBA kicks off Tuesday. Just Women’s Sports has three matchups to watch, starting with Tuesday’s rematch between the Mercury and the Mystics.

Phoenix Mercury vs. Washington Mystics

Tuesday, June 14 @ 7 p.m. ET on ESPN

While the Mystics are 9-6 overall, their record doesn’t necessarily tell the tale of their talent. When these two teams faced off Sunday, the Mercury got the best of the Mystics in overtime, but Washington was without Elena Delle Donne.

Still, following the loss, Mystics coach Mike Thibault didn’t mince words about the team’s performance.

“Wasted opportunity — that’s all I’ve got,” he said. “This is the most frustrating one of the year. Chance to beat a good offensive team, playing good defense for the most part, and let them off the hook.”

With 12 lead changes and 13 ties over 60 minutes in Sunday’s game, Tuesday’s rematch has the potential to be just as enticing – particularly with the addition of Delle Donne. In her appearances time this season, the Mystics have gone 6-3. She’s been averaging 15.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.3 minutes per game.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings

Wednesday, June 15 @ 1 p.m. ET

The Dallas Wings prove an interesting study, despite having lost their last three. After beating the Storm by 17 points on June 3, they lost to Las Vegas by six points. Then they dropped two straight to Seattle by a total of six points. 

Arike Ogunbowale was ejected from Sunday’s game against Seattle after kicking a ball into the stands. Former No. 1 overall pick Charli Collier can’t stick in the lineup. Regardless, the team has the talent to threaten top-tier teams like the Aces, who lead the league.

A’ja Wilson has been a dominant force for an Aces team that has plenty of firepower. But guard Jackie Young remains out with an ankle sprain after being a major contributor to the team’s offense through 11 games, averaging 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun

Friday, June 17 @ 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network

The Storm and the Sun are near the tops of their respective conferences, and Seattle has hot lately, winning its last three. Storm star Breanna Stewart leads the league in points, averaging 21.7 per game.

Meanwhile, Connecticut boasts two of the league’s best rebounders in Jonquel Jones (8.7 per game) and Alyssa Thomas (8.4 per game). Thomas also ranks in the top five in the league in assists with 5.8 per game.

These two teams matched up on June 5, with Connecticut coming out on top following a 32-point fourth quarter. But the two teams kept it close to the end, and Friday could offer another riveting contest.

Full Schedule:

• Tuesday
  • Phoenix Mercury vs. Washington Mystics @ 7 p.m. ET
  • Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx @ 9 p.m. ET
• Wednesday
  • Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings @ 1 p.m. ET
  • Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever @ 7 p.m. ET 
  • Atlanta Dream vs. Connecticut Sun @ 7 p.m. ET
• Thursday
  • Washington Mystics vs. New York Liberty @ 7 p.m. ET
• Friday
  • Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun @ 7 p.m. ET
  • Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky @ 7 p.m. ET
  • Phoenix Mercury vs. Dallas Wings @ 8 p.m. ET
• Sunday
  • Seattle Storm vs. New York Liberty @ 12 p.m. ET
  • Connecticut Sun vs. Washington Mystics @ 2 p.m. ET
  • Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever @ 3 p.m. ET
  • Los Angeles Sparks vs. Dallas Wings @ 4 p.m. ET
  • Minnesota Lynx vs. Las Vegas Aces @ 6 p.m. ET

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the newly reported indefinite absence of NWSL star Trinity Rodman from the Washington Spirit, with the 22-year-old attacker rehabbing an ongoing back injury that could reshape the prospects of both the Spirit and the USWNT.

Calling her "the face of the NWSL," Watkins details the Spirit star's long-term back injury, which has led Rodman to seek treatment with a team doctor in London — all while acknowledging that she doesn't think her "back will ever be 100%."

Watkins digs into the potential contributing factors to Rodman's current injury status, including the USWNT's heavy use of the forward during the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning run in Paris — and whether the team will make different decisions going forward due to the fallout on players like Rodman.

"I'm really curious if [USWNT manager Emma] Hayes and her coaching staff will adjust the way they approach strikers in the future, or forwards in the future, or rotation — or if this is just one of those many stories of a player giving it all for the United States and living with the consequences," says Watkins.

As for Washington, Watkins note that — in the wake of copious injuries — the Spirit is still finding ways to win, with club owner Michele Kang and the coaching staff shrewdly managing the depleted roster.

"I think they would be a juggernaut if they were healthy, but they can win pretty, they can win ugly," notes Watkins.

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'An NWSL breaking point'

Watkins also points out that she thinks Rodman's choice to seek treatment in London could be significant, as the forward is currently in a contract year.

With multiple NWSL standouts recently defecting to European clubs, Watkins argues that the US league is hitting a "breaking point" when it comes to retaining top players.

"I am just really, really curious if, by the end of this season, this situation has led Rodman back to the Spirit or if this is the beginning of a player having to progress forward in a different environment," Watkins sums up.

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

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There's a traffic jam in the middle of the NWSL standings, with this weekend's slate bound to create some distance among mid-table teams jockeying to break free from the pack.

Between rising underdogs and top-dog rivalries, expect the 2025 NWSL season's sixth matchday to leave it all on the field:

• No. 2 Orlando Pride vs. No. 6 Angel City, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): With both teams coming off demoralizing losses last weekend, the 2024 NWSL champs will fight to bounce back against the LA upstarts in Friday's marquee matchup.

• No. 10 Houston Dash vs. No. 11 Utah Royals, Friday at 8 PM ET (NWSL+): Tied up at four points apiece, the pair of struggling teams just below playoff contention on the NWSL table will battle for a boost above the cutoff line as the recently sold Royals take a trip to Texas on Friday.

• No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 4 Gotham FC, Saturday at 1 PM ET (CBS): This week's top-table showdown features two injury-struck East Coast rivals getting rowdy at Audi — can Gotham turn things around or will Washington keep persevering?

• No. 9 Bay FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign, Saturday at 10 PM ET (ION): Seattle holds a slim tie-break over Bay FC as both teams hug the playoff line, with the Reign looking to build on last week’s Cascadia Clash victory over Portland.

This weekend has the potential to divide the contenders from the pretenders, while the league's top three clubs continue to hold court over the rest of the field.

Saturday's soccer lineup underlines a brewing East Coast rivalry, as the Washington Spirit hosts Gotham FC for the first time since knocking the Bats out of the 2024 NWSL semifinals.

"Just playing against them, you feel that fire," Spirit forward Makenna Morris told JWS this week, with Washington's Audi Field anticipating a large crowd for Saturday's match.

Both clubs know each other well, with 2021 NWSL champions Washington and 2023 trophy-winners Gotham seeing a number of big-name players migrating between New York and DC in recent years.

After finishing 2024 in the league's top four, both teams continue to lurk near the top of NWSL table this season, cementing the idea that the best rivalries blossom between winning sides.

"The [team] that poses the most challenge to you, it just makes you want to beat them so bad," said Washington midfielder Gabby Carle.

"You hate to play them because they're good, but you also love it because it's so competitive," echoed Morris.

Ultimately, familiarity is breeding healthy resentment between two of the NWSL's winningest sides, providing a little extra incentive to secure all three points in this weekend’s matchup.

How to watch NWSL rivals Washington vs. Gotham this weekend

The Spirit will host East Coast rival Gotham at 1 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage of the 2024 NWSL semifinals rematch airing on CBS.

As the 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) wraps up its two-leg semifinals on Sunday, the English teams still in the running find themselves on the brink of elimination from Europe's most prestigious club competition.

Facing a 4-1 deficit against reigning champs Barcelona, Chelsea will aim to close the gap — and keep their historic quadruple hopes alive — at home this weekend.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will try to overcome a more manageable 2-1 deficit against eight-time Champions League winners Lyon, traveling to France to keep their UWCL campaign alive.

An English side hasn't won the UWCL since 2007, when Arsenal took home the WSL's lone European championship trophy.

"Huge respect for their history and what they have been doing and producing in the Champions League, in Europe," Arsenal manager Renée Slegers said of Lyon. "I think they're still a very strong side."

"Subconsciously, you always have that thing when you fall short, like last year," said Lyon midfielder and USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps, reflecting back on last season’s title loss to Barcelona. "You lose a game, you lose a tournament – the feeling is there until you're back in the the games that can fix that feeling."

How to watch the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals

Sunday's second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals kicks off with Chelsea vs. Barcelona at 9 AM ET, before Arsenal faces Lyon at 12 PM ET.

Both matches will air live on DAZN.