USWNT stalwart Alex Morgan will miss at least one week of NWSL action after suffering a left ankle knock in her last club appearance, Wave manager Casey Stoney said on Thursday.

Morgan was helped off the field after rolling her ankle in the later stages of the Wave’s 1-0 loss to the Orlando Pride last weekend, despite the San Diego side being out of available substitutes.

“She's got an ankle injury and she's out for this weekend, and then it'll be week by week from there,” Stoney said, confirming that Morgan’s been ruled out for Saturday’s showdown with NWSL newcomer Bay FC.

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Depending on its severity, Morgan’s ankle issue might have larger ramifications than missing a few weeks of NSWL play. Morgan was added to the team's Gold Cup roster after an ACL injury sidelined young striker Mia Fishel, and she's since made a number of USWNT starts in the team's Gold Cup and SheBelieves wins. A long-term injury could potentially derail the center forward’s Olympic plans.

With her return timeline uncertain, it's possible the injury could also impact Morgan's ability to participate in new head coach Emma Hayes' first U.S. friendlies in June and July.

Morgan's injury concerns aren't uncommon in the U.S. player pool, but add a sense of urgency as Hayes eyes the NWSL for top-performing players in the upcoming weeks. Gotham's Tierna Davidson and Rose Lavelle have also been dealing with injuries: Lavelle has yet to appear for Gotham, while Davidson exited last weekend's match early with a hamstring injury.

Gotham has yet to issue an update concerning Davidson's status.

U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday that the USWNT will play their last home game on July 16th in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

The 2024 Send-Off Match against Costa Rica will take place at Washington, DC’s Audi Field — home to both the Washington Spirit and DC United — at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 16th. The friendly rounds out a four-game Olympic run-up campaign under incoming head coach Emma Hayes’ side, with the last two set to feature the finalized 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team roster.

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Hayes will appear on the USWNT sideline for the first time this June, helming the team as they embark on a two-game series against Korea Republic hosted by Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on June 1st followed by Allianz Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 4th. 

The team is then scheduled to meet a talented Mexico squad on July 13th at Gotham FC’s Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, where the Olympic-bound lineup will attempt to rewrite February’s shocking 2-0 loss to El Tri Femenil in the group stages of this year’s Concacaf W Gold Cup. And while clear roster favorites have emerged from both of this year’s Gold Cup and SheBelives Cup rosters, a spate of recent and recurring injuries means making it to the Olympics is still largely anyone’s game.

Broadcast and streaming channels for the USWNT's final July 16th friendly at Audi Field include TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, and Peacock.

USWNT regulars Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson furthered their cases for Olympic inclusion with their respective club victories on Saturday and Sunday.

After a roller coaster of a week that saw former Thorns head coach Mike Norris reassigned and a flurry of last-minute roster reshufflings as Friday's trade window closure loomed, the NWSL sprung to life over the weekend with standout performances from ninth-place Portland and third-place Chicago, among others.

After her blocked attempt at goal set up a volleying sixth-minute opener from veteran Christine Sinclair — now the only player in history to record a goal in all 11 NWSL seasons — Smith swiftly netted her own in the 27th minute off a breakaway run that eluded Houston's backline. The goal represented Smith's third of the season as well as her 35th for the Thorns, ultimately leading to the home side's first win of the season in a 4-1 routing of the Dash.

But that wasn't Smith's only stat of the evening. The star forward also lapped former Chicago Red Star Sam Kerr to become the youngest player to reach 50 NWSL goal contributions across all games, chalking up 40 goals and 10 assists at the age of 23 years and 254 days.

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"Obviously it feels good to get a win," said Smith in a post-match press conference. "But this is the standard the Thorns have always had. So a win is great, but a win is the expectation — we're hungrier than ever after the way we started."

170 miles up the road, Lumen Field similarly showcased some promising Olympic prospect footwork on Sunday. In Chicago's 2-1 victory over the lagging 13th-place Seattle Reign, striker Mallory Swanson racked up an impressive counterattack assist on fellow forward Ally Schlegel's fourth-minute goal. Swanson went on to find the back of the net herself before halftime, lacing an explosive ball into the top corner in the 31st minute, her second of the season after returning from a lengthy sidelining injury.

Speaking of injuries, fellow USWNT favorites Alex Morgan and Tierna Davidson were not as fortunate as their national squad teammates this weekend. Each exited their club matches early, Morgan with an ankle knock in San Diego's loss to Orlando and Davidson with an apparent hamstring incident early on in Washington's win over Gotham.

Rose Lavelle is hoping to return to the field soon. 

The 28-year-old midfielder has been sidelined with a lower leg injury since the Gold Cup in early march. Since then, she has yet to play for new club Gotham FC in the NWSL. She also missed a potential USWNT appearance at the SheBelieves Cup in April, where senior team newcomer Jaedyn Shaw saw success assuming Lavelle's role in the attacking midfield. 

At the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee media showcase on Monday, Lavelle told reporters that she’s doing well and hopes to be back soon.

"I’m doing good — I’m hoping I’ll be back in the next couple weeks," Lavelle said. "It’s frustrating to start the year off with an injury, just because I feel like you come off preseason and you’re revving to go, so it’s so annoying."

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Lavelle is still looking to compete for one of just 18 Olympic roster spots. When healthy, she ranks as one of the national team’s most trusted assets, but considering this most recent injury, her health is an obvious concern. Faced with an onslaught of experienced competitors and young talent, incoming USWNT coach Emma Hayes will have some big decisions to make when selecting the Paris-bound squad — a reality Lavelle seems to be taking in stride as she works to regain full fitness.

"We have so many special players, we have so much depth, and so many different weapons to utilize on and off the bench," Lavelle said. "Unfortunately that means really good players are going to get left off, too. And I think for all of us, it’s just about being ready for whatever role is given to us, embracing that, and looking to put it into a collective picture so that we can go into the Olympics ready to go."

Alyssa Naeher found herself in a familiar position against Canada on Tuesday – and once again came away victorious. 

For the second time in just 34 days, Canada and the USWNT went to a penalty shootout. And Naeher went on an incredible run of form once again – stopping three shots – to give the USWNT the SheBelieves Cup win. 

In addition to her key saves, Naeher also stepped up and drilled a penalty herself. It was reminiscent of her efforts against Canada in March – when she also saved three shots and converted an attempt of her own.

“Alyssa is just so even keeled. She is someone that shows no emotion,” forward Alex Morgan said. “I know there are nerves under [there] somewhere, but she is never going to show them and she’s just someone that continues to show up in big moments.”

Her recent success in penalty shootouts comes after the USWNT’s dramatic exit from the 2023 World Cup, with Naeher both saving and making penalties before the team was eliminated by a millimeter on the decisive penalty against Sweden. 

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Naeher has since said she still believes she saved that shot. Irregardless, she’s been a difference maker in shootouts ever since.

"There's certainly a lot of mind games when you come into the penalty shootout, on both sides," Naeher said. "There's a lot of familiarity [with Canada] that makes it hard and also really fun to compete on the field."

Interim head coach Twila Kilgore called Naeher’s performance “incredible.”

“Is it not incredible?” Kilgore said. “I mean, nerves of steel.”

The USWNT are once again SheBelieves Cup champions, defeating Canada in a penalty kick shootout following a 2-2 draw. 

After the team went down 1-0 at the half, Sophia Smith scored a brace to put the USWNT ahead 2-1. Adriana Leon would provide both goals for Canada, which included a late equalizer to send the game to penalties. 

Following the game, USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore – who coached her final game at the helm of the national team – said that Smith’s play was another example of her “being a special player in a special moment within our team concept.”

"The first goal was just class," Kilgore said. "Sometimes individuals just do special things. It was a left-footed finish for Soph in a crowded box, just an exceptional moment, but also there's a big team concept there."

Although Smith started the game on the right wing she later moved to her preferred No. 9 position.

Four minutes later, Smith scored her second of the game. She was subsequently named MVP of the SheBelieves Cup. 

"I just try to do my job when I'm told I need to step up," Smith said. "I don't think anything of that. I try to lead this team in any way I can and if that's putting the ball in the back of the net for the PKs or in the game, that's what I pride myself in and that's what I'm trying to do."

Substitutes Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman made late impact on the game, resulting in Smith’s second goal of the night, in which Jaedyn Shaw also played a part. 

"I know an Olympic roster is very small, and we have a very talented player pool," Smith said. "So I'm just trying to put myself in the best position every day to make that [Olympic] roster, and by me doing that I'm making players around me better and they're making me better."

As Jaedyn Shaw continues her unprecedented start with the USWNT, interim coach Twila Kilgore thinks she hasn’t even hit her stride yet. 

Speaking ahead of the SheBelieves Cup final, Kilgore said that there’s still more to come from the 19-year-old forward. Against Japan, Shaw became the first player in USWNT history to score in each of her first five starts for the team. 

"I would say even though everyone is super pleased and happy, and we all see who she is, be patient, because there's more," Kilgore said. "She wants that challenge to bring everything she has to the table."

Shaw is just the 13th player in team history to score in five straight matches and now has seven goals in 11 appearances with the senior national team. While Shaw originally started out on the wing, she took on the No. 10 role on Saturday as the team’s playmaker – a place that she feels like she thrives. 

"I do feel like I play my best game when I have freedom and when I can be myself, but also have a starting structure," Shaw told ESPN on Monday. "It's just gotten better since my first camp so I'm just excited for it to continue to go up."

With just three months to go until the Olympics, Shaw is cementing her place on the team’s roster – particularly with her ability to move positions, something that will be important as the team looks to build just an 18-player roster for Paris.

And according to Kilgore, Shaw is “still in the onboarding process.”

"Jaedyn has always been a really good goal scorer," Kilgore said. "I think finding her niche in this team and being able to score consistently is quite a feat, especially as you're being integrated.

"I would actually say even though she's here, she's doing a great job, we're seeing great things from her, and we're really pleased, I'd say she's still in the onboarding process. She's still working on all phases of her game -- excellent in a lot of them and being challenged in some others.”

The USWNT will play in the SheBelieves Cup final on Tuesday after a back-and-forth matchup with Japan that ended in a 2-1 win for the home team.

While Japan scored mere seconds into the game, the USWNT was able to recover. Jaedyn Shaw earned an equalizer in the 21st minute with a brilliant strike from distance. The goal also set a personal record, as she’s now the first player in USWNT history to score in each of her first five starts.

Shaw's mark was felt throughout the game, as she shifted to the No. 10 position and also tried her hand at a little bit of defense.

"I just want to point out, not only did she score a brilliant goal, and not only was she part of a lot of very effective build-ups, but she did a great job defensively," U.S. interim coach Twila Kilgore said about Shaw. "And this is an area where she has accepted a challenge and is continuing to grow and makes a massive difference for our team."

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan, who had the game-winning penalty, called Shaw “a footballer.”

“She has a physical presence, but she’s so smart on the ball and technical and savvy and creative,” she told CNN.

Both Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario also made their returns. For Swanson, it was her first start for the USWNT since April 2023, when she suffered a season-ending injury.

“I looked up to her. She’s an amazing player,” Shaw told reporters about Swanson. “I’m so happy that she’s back and I can play with her.”

In total, 50,644 fans turned out for the USWNT, setting a new record for women’s soccer as the most-attended USWNT friendly ever hosted in the U.S. It’s also the most-attended USWNT match at home since the 1999 World Cup final. 

The USWNT will now play Canada on Tuesday at 7pm ET in a re-match of the Gold Cup semifinal, which the USWNT won in penalties.

Ali Krieger is taking a brief interlude from retirement to play this summer in The Soccer Tournament. 

The defender will be teaming up with former USWNT teammate Heather O’Reilly on the U.S. Women’s team to compete in the first women’s iteration of the 7-on-7 competition.

The winning team will take home $1 million in prize money.

“I’m so excited. Heather O’Reilly is putting a team together. Mostly former national team players,” Krieger told ESPN’s Futbol Americas. “It’s a great mix. I don’t know if I’m going to be the only defender. I’ve only seen a lot of the attacking players.”

She also joked that she’s in it to win it all. But she’s also excited just to “enjoy myself for a few days.”

“I told [O’Reilly] that I’m only signing up if we win,” Krieger said. “So I told her no pressure. But I’m bringing my boots … I actually am starting training soon so I don’t injure myself. I’m very excited to play in front of the fans, the supporters, and some family members again.”

Krieger retired from the USWNT in 2021 before ending her professional career in the NWSL in 2023 with Gotham FC, going out on top with the team’s first NWSL championship. 

Other members of the team have yet to be announced, although O’Reilly has said that she’s trying to recruit former teammates like Julie Ertz and Carli Lloyd to the team.

The tournament will take place in Cary, N.C. from June 5-10.

USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore opened her media availability on Friday addressing Korbin Albert’s social media activity, calling it “disappointing.”

Both captain Lindsey Horan and long-time veteran Alex Morgan addressed it earlier this week, saying that the team had conversations internally after Albert's activity came to light. 

“We’ve worked extremely hard to uphold the integrity of this national team through all of the generations, and we are extremely, extremely sad that this standard was not upheld,” Horan said. “Our fans and our supporters feel like this is a team that they can rally behind, and it’s so important that they feel and continue to feel undeniably heard and seen.”

On Friday, Kilgore confirmed that such conversations had taken place, noting that “this team has never shied away from hard conversations.” It’s a sentiment that is similar to what was shared by Morgan. 

Kilgore noted that Albert’s social media activity does fall short of the expectations within the team, although it’s unclear if U.S. Soccer can discipline social media activity. 

“It is disappointing when somebody falls short of the very high standards that we set within this team,” Kilgore said. “This team has always been a beacon of respect, inclusion and demonstrated great allyship through actions for underrepresented and marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, and we will continue to do so.”

Albert has apologized for her social media activity, which included reposting anti-LGBTQ+ posts and appearing to like a post making light of Megan Rapinoe’s injury in her final professional game. 

Kilgore said that the team is “continuing to work on getting better” and putting themselves in the best position to succeed in the SheBelieves Cup. 

Albert, who was called in for the tournament, is available to play, per Kilgore.