We’re about a week and a half into the 2022 WNBA season, and while it is still early, we learned a lot from game action over the past week.

The 3-1 Las Vegas Aces are rolling offensively, leading the league in scoring at 91 points per game. The Washington Mystics handed the Aces their first loss of the season and have looked like a championship contender so far, even with Natasha Cloud missing the last two games due to COVID-19 protocol.

Rhyne Howard and the WNBA rookie class continue to put on a show, and the New York Liberty have a few areas of concern that need to be addressed. Here are my thoughts after the past week in the WNBA.

Making sense of the Minnesota Lynx

I wrote last week that it was far too early to hit the panic button on the Lynx. And despite the dramatic changes they’ve made to the roster and their 0-4 start to the season, I’m already starting to feel better about the direction of the team.

Last week, the Lynx agreed to a contract buyout with Angel McCoughtry and mutually parted ways with Odyssey Sims due to personal reasons. The next day, the Lynx signed guards Moriah Jefferson and Evina Westbrook to season-long deals. They also released the hardship contracts of Rennia Davis, Yvonne Turner and Nikolina Millic, only to announce that two of the three had re-signed the next day — a transactional process required when dealing with hardships. Minnesota wanted to part ways with Davis, and needed to release all three to make that possible.

Some saw the roster moves and predicted the Lynx might be tanking, but I don’t believe that’s the case for two reasons. One, every transaction the team made had something to do with a player’s injury or inability to perform at 100 percent. Two, it would be shocking for head coach and GM Cheryl Reeve to tank Sylvia Fowles’ last season. Minnesota still has a chance to be competitive this season, and while maybe not to this extent, the early-season challenges were expected based on the make-up of the current roster.

In need of reinforcements, the Lynx activated Kayla McBride on Monday after she returned late from her overseas season with Fenerbahce in Turkey, simultaneously releasing Turner from her hardship contract to make room. McBride is listed as available for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks. If Damiris Dantas gets healthy and Aerial Powers produces more consistently, the Lynx should be right back in the mix.

Based on their performance against the Chicago Sky on Saturday in an 82-78 loss, I am encouraged that things are looking up in Minnesota.

A generational talent?

Rhyne Howard scored a career-high 33 points in the Dream’s win over the Indiana Fever on Sunday, the most of any WNBA player so far this season. Her performance included 17 of Atlanta’s 21 first-quarter points. The rookie is now fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 20.8 points per game for the 3-1 Dream.

Below is Howard’s shot chart from the first quarter of Sunday’s game:

Howard’s offensive skill set and scoring ability are undeniable. It’s how quickly and seamlessly her game has translated to the WNBA that is most impressive. Howard has not skipped a beat from her career at Kentucky, playing with a level of confidence that is putting her in elite historical company and making the Dream the talk of the season so far.

In the example shown below from the game against the Fever, the Dream are set up in a 1-4 high, dump-down look. The team can take a number of different approaches out of this action, but what makes the play so effective is the Dream’s ability to sell their fakes.

When Erica Wheeler dumps the ball down to Cheyenne Parker, she cuts down to the opposite short corner. Nia Coffey turns and appears to want to pin down for Wheeler, but she instead pins Howard’s mark. Howard does a great job of timing this up, waiting for her defender to hesitate briefly as the help on Wheeler. That short pause and screening action provide just enough space for Howard to get her shot off.

RHYN3️⃣ HOWARD🔥 pic.twitter.com/Il5M9i0kA6

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 15, 2022

In the clip below, we see the Dream exposing Indiana’s scramble defense and sharing the basketball with an extra pass.

The Fever miscommunicated on how to play the high-ball screen, which forced them to scramble — or X out — to defend the shooters. Kristy Wallace had a good look at the basket, but she decided to swing it once more to a wide-open Howard in the corner. This is a great example of passing up a good shot for an even better one.

17 points in the first quarter for the #1 draft pick @howard_rhyne 😲 Are you not amazed? pic.twitter.com/xuWYl8WPwO

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 15, 2022

What’s up with the …

New York Liberty

The Liberty played four games in nine days, dropping the last three after winning their season opener against the Connecticut Sun. With a new, high-profile coach and top talent, expectations for the 1-3 Liberty are higher than they’ve been in years, but this week reminded us that the team is still a work in progress. Two of their most glaring areas of concern early on have been rebounding and scoring.

The Liberty are currently last in the league on the boards, pulling down just 28.9 rebounds per game and getting out-rebounded by their opponents in every game so far. In no game was this more evident than in their 92-85 overtime loss to the Indiana Fever on Friday, when they were manhandled on the glass, 57-33, and allowed 17 second-chance points. Those were extra possessions New York could not afford to give up in such a close game.

The Liberty are also averaging a league-worst 72 points per game. Their offensive struggles were on full display in an 83-50 loss to the Sky last week. New York shot just 33 percent from the floor and 13 percent from the 3-point line, with Han Xu the only Liberty player to reach double figures that night.

In their overtime loss to the Fever, the Liberty had three players in double figures, but their third-leading scorer, Natasha Howard, went just 1-for-15 from the floor. Those are rough numbers for anyone, let alone your starting post player in such a close contest. New York has to find a way to get more consistent production from its offense, starting with trips to the free-throw line and second-chance opportunities.

Howard did bounce back with an efficient 14-point performance in a loss to the Wings on Sunday. Betnijah Laney has also looked a lot more comfortable offensively in the Liberty’s last two games. Sabrina Ionescu leads the team in scoring with 18.8 points per game, and the anticipated return of Rebecca Allen will give this team a veteran leader and poised outside shooter.

Another bright spot for New York has been the impressive play of Han Xu. In 12 minutes per game across two games, the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 10 points, good for fourth on the team. Her 64 percent field-goal percentage currently leads the team, and she’s also 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. While the 22-year-old continues to adjust to the physicality of the WNBA, her instincts, mobility and efficiency bode well for the Liberty as they look for answers on offense.

In the following clip from Sunday’s game, Han catches Wings center Teaira McCowan dropping a little too low in help and takes advantage of her height and quick release. Han does not need a lot of space for her shot because she can create it with her length. WNBA teams will certainly be adding this to their scouting reports on her moving forward.

6'10, Han Xu from the three-point line? Why not! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ASOzemmzpS

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 15, 2022

Week 2 Power Rankings

1. Washington Mystics (3-1)
2. Las Vegas Aces (3-1)
3. Chicago Sky (2-1)
4. Connecticut Sun (1-1)
5. Atlanta Dream (3-1)
6. Phoenix Mercury (2-1)
7. Dallas Wings (2-1)
8. Los Angeles Sparks (2-2)
9. Seattle Storm (1-3)
10. Indiana Fever (2-3)
11. New York Liberty (1-3)
12. Minnesota Lynx (0-4)

Rachel Galligan is a basketball analyst at Just Women’s Sports. A former professional basketball player and collegiate coach, she also contributes to Winsidr. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachGall.

After stellar performances for both club and country, Orlando Pride star striker Barbra Banda is the 2024 BBC Women's Footballer of the Year, becoming the eighth player across the annual award's 10 editions to earn the trophy ​on Tuesday.

At just 24 years old, Banda became the highest-scoring African player in Olympic history this past summer, registering four goals — including her third Olympic hat trick — despite Zambia's group-stage elimination.

In her first season in the league, Banda finished the 2024 NWSL season second in scoring with 13 regular-season goals. She led the Pride to their first-ever Shield and Championship wins, claiming the Championship MVP trophy with her title-winning goal. Plus, with four postseason goals, Banda set a new NWSL playoff scoring record.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

The fans' favorite footballer

Fans ultimately select the annual BBC Footballer of the Year award by voting on a five-player shortlist. That shortlist is determined by a large panel of international soccer experts, including coaches, players, administrators, and independent journalists. The panel chose this year's nominees based on their performances from September 2023 to August 2024.

Though usually heavy with UK-based athletes, this year's field lacked any club or country connection with the nation. To claim the award, Banda beat out fellow finalists Aitana Bonmatí and Caroline Graham Hansen of Barcelona FC, and fellow NWSL standouts Sophia Smith (Portland) and Naomi Girma (San Diego).

Banda is now just the second winner in the award's decade-long history without a connection to England. She joins two-time victor Ada Hegerberg, a Norwegian national and striker for Lyon, in that elite club.

A surprised Banda was quick to share credit with her Orlando teammates upon hearing the news, telling the Pride, "I'm just dedicating this award to every one of you guys who has been there for me."

In a clash between the world's best, the No. 1 USWNT will face No. 2 England for the first time in two years on Saturday, kicking off in front of more than 80,000 fans at London's iconic Wembley Stadium.

The first of the USWNT's final two games of 2024, Saturday's US lineup will be without "Triple Espresso" forwards Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman.

The team will also will begin the process of replacing legendary goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher​, who announced earlier this week that this international window will be her last in at US kit.

The USWNT and England's transatlantic rivalry

The history between the two standout international squads has fostered a fierce and friendly rivalry.

Saturday's match will be the 20th meeting between the pair, with the US holding the all-time with a 12-5-2 record. Their last showdown — a 2022 tilt at Wembley — ended in a 2-1 Lioness victory. However, the US won the pair's most recent world tournament battle by ousting England 2-1 from the 2019 World Cup.

"We’ve somehow created a rivalry across the ocean," England defender Lucy Bronze commented when the match was announced earlier this year. "We’re always excited when the US come over, the fans are as well.... I’m sure Wembley will be rocking."

Two of the best bosses in the business

While the top-ranked rosters will star on Saturday's pitch, the sideline will feature two women who are arguably the best head coaches in the women's game — England's Sarina Weigman and the USWNT's Emma Hayes. Even more, both have ties to each of the contending countries.

Former Dutch national team player Weigman, who later coached the Netherlands to the 2017 European Championship and the 2019 World Cup final, spent a season playing in the US for the University of North Carolina. Alongside USWNT legends Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, she helped lead the Tar Heels to their 1989 NCAA Championship trophy.

England lured Weigman away from the Netherlands in 2021, making her the first non-British manager of the national team. She repeated the same success she had with the Dutch, with the Lionesses becoming 2022 Euros champs before advancing to the 2023 World Cup final.

USWNT boss Emma Hayes's triumphant return

As for Hayes, who grew up in London, her USWNT tenure is still only a few months old, but she cut her teeth stateside. Hayes coached in the US at the college and pro level, first with the USL and later in the folded WPS. After returning to England, she helmed Chelsea FC, building the club into the championship-winning behemoth it is today.

The return to her old stomping grounds is especially poignant for the 2024 Ballon d'Or Coach of the Year.

"Wembley’s like a second home to me, not just as a kid going there but as a manager [at Chelsea] I had a lot of success there," Hayes told reporters after the friendly was announced. "It’ll be amazing to go back, play 20 minutes from my house and play against some amazing players in England — I’m looking forward to it."

US, England eyeing future titles

Though the stakes in any friendly are always relatively low, a win on Saturday offers the victor a significant momentum boost as each look toward upcoming continental and world competitions.

Gearing up to defend their title in Switzerland next summer, the reigning European champs are aiming to bounce back after a 4-3 loss to Germany last month. Meanwhile, the US is already staring down the 2027 World Cup after earning Olympic gold in Paris last August.

"We're coming to win at the weekend," Hayes said ahead of Saturday's match. "But that’s not my overarching goal. I want to qualify for the World Cup and I want to win the World Cup."

How to watch the USWNT vs. England international friendly

The USWNT kicks off against England's Lionesses at 12:20 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage on TNT.

Approaching the final stretch en route to this year's College Cup, six of the eight remaining NCAA soccer teams rep the ACC, including overall No. 1 seed Duke, historic powerhouse No. 2 UNC, and conference debutant No. 3 Stanford.

Two Big Ten squads — No. 1 USC and No. 4 Penn State — round out next weekend's quarterfinals after the Big 12 and SEC failed to advance from rounds two and three, respectively.

Trio of former NCAA champions fall

All three of the Cup's most recent winners were eliminated in the tournament's second round on Friday, including 2020's Santa Clara and 2022's No. 2 UCLA. UNC ousted the Broncos 1-0, while the Bruins suffered a 2-1 upset at the hands of No. 7 Virginia Tech.

Taking down reigning champs No. 1 Florida State was a surprisingly strong No. 8 Vanderbilt squad, who played the Seminoles to an impressive 3-3 extra-time draw before besting FSU 4-3 in penalty kicks. Commodore senior goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko, who only played 143 minutes across four matches all season, put in all 110 minutes of work on Friday, registering 14 saves plus two penalty stops to end FSU's stellar season. 

The 'Dores fell 3-1 to No. 4 Penn State in Sunday's third round, which also served upsets. The Hokies continued their trend by taking down No. 3 Iowa 1-0, and Stanford narrowly advanced past No. 2 Arkansas on penalties.

The second No. 1 seed to fall was Mississippi State, whose record-breaking season was halted by No. 4 Notre Dame in a 2-0 Sunday result that further cemented the ACC's dominance over the sport's other Power conferences.

How to watch the 2024 NCAA soccer tournament quarterfinals

The Elite Eight goes to work this weekend, with three quarterfinal matches kicking off on Friday. At 5 PM ET, No. 1 USC will face No. 2 Wake Forest for the first time since their lone meeting (a 2-1 Trojan loss) in 2002, while No. 3 Stanford takes on a No. 4 Notre Dame side that blasted the Cardinal 3-0 just last month.

Then at 6 PM ET, No. 2 UNC will contend with No. 4 Penn State, a program the Heels haven't defeated in over 10 years.

Two ACC teams who have yet to play each other this year will close out the round. No. 1 Duke, who haven't lost to No. 7 Virginia Tech since 2015, will look to book their 2024 College Cup ticket by ousting the Hokies at 6 PM ET on Saturday.

All 2024 NCAA soccer quarterfinal matches will stream live on ESPN+.

Star USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement from international play on Monday, with the vet set to hang up her boots after the team's upcoming friendlies against England and the Netherlands. Naeher's final game will fall on December 3rd — 10 years to the month after her 2014 first cap.

"When I began this journey, I never could have imagined where it would take me," Naeher wrote. "This has been a special team to be a part of and I am beyond proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field."

Naeher will continue playing professionally in the NWSL, recently inking a contract to stay in Chicago for an upcoming 10th season.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

One of the best to ever do it

With two World Cup titles, a gold and bronze Olympic medal, and 88 wins and 68 shutouts across her 113 caps, the 36-year-old exits as one of the best goalkeepers in USWNT history.

Naeher is also unmatched on the world stage. The only goalie nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or is also the first and only to record shutouts in both a World Cup final and Olympic gold-medal match. Even more, Naeher didn't concede a single goal throughout the 2024 Olympics knockout round, shutting down the world's best to help the USWNT secure gold.

Amidst her many achievements and skills, Naeher will likely be remembered for her quiet, reserved demeanor, her intensity, and her unparalleled ability to play penalty hero in some of the USWNT's biggest moments.

The PK specialist made key stops to send the US to the 2019 World Cup final and to eventually earn bronze in the 2021 Olympics. To date, she's the only US goalkeeper to record three saves in a penalty shootout.

Most impressively, Naeher is one of few keepers at the international level who will step to the spot herself. Earlier this year, she strung together a shootout series of saving a shot, burying her own, and immediately making another save, and she did it twice, just five weeks apart — in March's Concacaf W Gold Cup and April's 2024 SheBelieves Cup.

Future USWNT shotblockers

Naeher's retirement kicks off the hunt for a new starting keeper. Regulars Casey Murphy (NC Courage) and Jane Campbell (Houston Dash) are the likely frontrunners for the job, though neither will feature in the USWNT's final camp of 2024.

Currently in Europe alongside Naeher are Mandy Haught (Utah Royals), who earned her first cap in October, and first-time call-up Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), who will both look to prove their worth to US boss Emma Hayes in Europe.

How to watch Alyssa Naeher's final USWNT matches

The goalkeeping great's last two matches in a USWNT kit begin with Saturday's battle against England at London's iconic Wembley Stadium at 12:20 PM ET.

After traveling to The Hague, Naeher's final US game will be against the Netherlands at 2:45 PM ET on December 3rd.

Both friendlies will air live on TNT.