Rory Dames is hitting back at the NWSL’s refereeing once again, this time in reference to player safety.

Dames has been one of the most outspoken coaches when it comes to critiquing NWSL refereeing, having called for “some sort of level of consistency” back in July.

This time, Dames called out the lack of calls over aggressive tackles that he says “have no place in the league.”

if he doesn't want to I will! Here you go, @NWSL ... blindside sweep with the studs so high if she had been off in the timing of her tackle she's destroying Guatrat's knee. Stud contact on top of Guatrat's foot. Back leg sweeps in and takes out Guatrat's legs from under her. pic.twitter.com/8OzG2EdeBB

— babs (@babranski) August 9, 2021

“I know we have two players on crutches that probably have to get MRIs tomorrow,” he said. “On tackles that have no business being in the league, both of which were from behind, one was a blatant red, and I mean it’s the third one. It’s the third one!”

“If the thing you’re most excited about is yellow carding coaches because they’re defending their players, then you probably shouldn’t be a red in the middle of an NWSL game.”

Dames isn’t the only one to have lamented the NWSL’s refereeing.

Portland Thorns head coach Mark Parsons also called it “frustrating” after Morgan Weaver suffered an injury earlier this year.

The No. 3 Atlanta Dream won their first postseason game since 2018 on Sunday, downing the No. 6 Indiana Fever 80-68 in Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs as they continue making a case for this season's dark horse.

The Dream's starters shouldered the bulk of Sunday's scoring, punctuated by 20-point performances from forward Rhyne Howard and guard Allisha Gray, while the Fever's Kelsey Mitchell put up 27 points to give her injury-laden team a chance.

"This is [this roster's] first home game, period, in the playoffs," Howard reminded reporters after the win. "So for us to even have accomplished that much to have the home-court advantage, we knew we had to make it a good one."

Atlanta hasn't made it past the first round since the 2016 playoffs, but a dominant regular season has the team eyeing a long-awaited return to the WNBA semifinals.

This year's Dream won a franchise-record 30 games under first-year head coach Karl Smesko, while also leading the league in rebounds per game.

"This wasn't going to be a year that we were going to be satisfied with everybody telling us, 'Wow, you really improved over last year,'" said Smesko. "That's not what we're trying to do. We're trying to be the best team in the league."

How to watch Atlanta vs. Indiana in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs

The short-staffed No. 6 Indiana will look to halt the No. 6 Atlanta Dream's momentum on Tuesday, when the first round's Game 2 takes over Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the Fever's first home playoff game since 2016.

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs will continue when the Dream visit the Fever at 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, airing live on ESPN.

Jaedyn Shaw hit the ground running in her Gotham FC debut this weekend, as the NJ/NY club's recent $1.25 million-dollar signing scored against her former club in Friday's 2-0 win over the now-No. 5 San Diego Wave — helping boost the Bats to No. 3 in the 2025 NWSL standings.

"This year has been really difficult," an emotional Shaw said after the match. "I'm so grateful for this team and the opportunities I've gotten this year…. I'm extremely grateful for this moment."

View this post on Instagram

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

The 20-year-old previously shattered scoring records during her time with San Diego, but struggled this year after her offseason transfer to the North Carolina Courage.

Already finding the back of the net for her new team, Shaw will look to put the past behind her as Gotham extends their climb up the table, having risen from No. 8 to No. 3 behind a four-game unbeaten streak that now includes three straight wins.

Gotham forward Esther González is also excelling, retaking the lead in the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot race by tallying her 13th goal of the season in the last minute of Friday's first half against the Wave.

With the club gaining momentum and the 2025 NWSL Playoffs looming, Gotham is looking to make a run to add a second championship trophy to their 2023 title.

"Even in the most difficult moments, they've stayed united, kept pushing together, and kept working hard. That's been our key," said head coach Juan Carlos Amorós after Friday's match.

Chelsea FC star striker Sam Kerr made headlines on Sunday, as the Australian international scored her 100th goal for the six-time reigning WSL champions in the waning minutes of the Blues' 3-1 win over Aston Villa — Kerr's first competitive match in 634 days.

Kerr subbed into the match in the 75th minute before slotting in the historic goal amid a corner-kick melee three minutes into stoppage time.

"I feel like it's nice to finally be out there and have people stop talking about an injury," Kerr said postgame, referring to the 2024 ACL tear that kept her sidelined for more than 18 months. "Now they can start talking about goals."

View this post on Instagram

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

Kerr is now chasing Chelsea FC's all-time leading scorer Fran Kirby on the career stat sheet, with the attacking midfielder notching 116 before leaving the Blues to sign with Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2024.

"For me, she's an idol," Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor said about Kerr after Sunday's match. "It's a lot of positives, a lot of confidence for her, for the team."

Along with Kerr's return, Sunday's clash also saw blockbuster new signing Alyssa Thompson make her Chelsea debut, with the USWNT rising star taking the pitch as a halftime substitute.

English golf star Charley Hull won her first LPGA title since 2022 this weekend, with the world No. 5 overcoming multiple health issues to take the 2025 Kroger Queen City Championship just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sunday.

"I'm actually a bit injured at the minute," Hull said after edging out No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul by one stroke to lift the trophy. "I tore the ligament completely in half on my foot in a car park the week after the British Open."

"When I fell down, when I did my ankle, I got the MRI, and I've got some cysts growing [in my back] from where I tore the muscle, but I've got a very healthy spine," the 29-year-old continued. "It's just managing it and stuff. I think I've been slapped with every injury at the minute."

Sunday's win marks Hull's third career LPGA title, with her latest trophy joining her hardware from the 2022 Volunteers of America Classic and the 2016 CME Group Tour Championship.

"It feels good," said Hull following her Queen City Championship win. "I feel like now I know I can do it. It's been a bit of a drought. I've had quite a few second-place finishes, and it's just always been the bridesmaid, and now I'm the bride finally."

Notably, Hull's victory furthered a hyper-competitive 2025 LPGA season, as the sport's growing parity has produced a list of 25 tournament winners without a single repeat champion all year thus far.