Angel Reese returns to Chicago for WNBA preseason clash

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Angel Reese lands in Chicago for preseason clash

Former Sky star Angel Reese returns to the Windy City, as Atlanta tips off its WNBA preseason slate against Chicago tonight — marking Reese’s first trip back since being traded to the Dream earlier this month.

• Chicago drafted the LSU product No. 7 overall in 2024, before an up-and-down 2025 season saw Reese serve a half-game suspension after an explosive Chicago Tribune interview.

• “Just another exciting opportunity for me to be in Chicago,” Reese said this week. “I loved my experience there. It was amazing, and seeing a lot of familiar faces on Wednesday is going to be good.” (See full report)

Fitting in: Settling into Atlanta’s stacked lineup, Reese is focused on finding her footing with her new squad before the regular season tips off on May 8th.

• “I’m learning different ways to get my teammates open,” the forward continued. “We have a lot of great players on this team, so it’s about finding where I fit and how I can help.”

• Reese finished each of her first two pro seasons as the league’s top rebounder, now facing high expectations with the Dream as she joins forces with three-time All-Stars Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.

Tune in: Atlanta takes on Chicago tonight at 7 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.

WNBA expansion teams prepare for their close ups

Two new WNBA teams are hitting the court, as 2026 expansion sides Toronto and Portland open their preseason campaigns tonight.

• The squads are looking to both shape identities and cull training camp lineups into final rosters, as the Tempo hosts Connecticut and the Fire visits Seattle just nine days before regular-season tipoff.

• “When you put a team together, you just want to make sure the puzzle fits,” said Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello. “Figuring out how they all work together — every year it gets harder and harder.” (See full roster)

Taking stock: Toronto has taken an aggressive market approach, signing Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes to big contracts while picking up Nyara Sabally, Julie Allemande, and 2026 NCAA champion Kiki Rice via expansion and college drafts.

• Portland appears more unfinished, expected to lean on premier signings Bridget Carleton and Megan Gustafson to lead the young, hungry group.

• “It’s going to take time, and it’s going to be messy at the beginning,” Fire head coach Alex Sarama said. “[But] it’s going to allow us to get to a point which we will never be able to get to if we’re just playing scripted, rigid basketball.” (See full roster)

Tune in: The Tempo tips off against the Sun at 7 PM ET, before the Fire faces the Storm at 10 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.

San Diego battles Portland for NWSL lead

The NWSL is kicking off another stacked midweek slate, as the league looks to squeeze in matchdays ahead of June’s mid-season Men’s World Cup break.

• Tonight’s lineup is primed to shake up the NWSL standings, as No. 1 San Diego and No. 2 Portland square off with just two points between them.

• “We know what San Diego is good at, and I think they have been the best team in the league thus far,” said Thorns manager Robert Vilahamn, after the Wave won the pair’s first 2026 meeting 3-1. (See full standings)

Big battle: Fans hoping to see a USWNT showdown between Portland’s Sophia Wilson and San Diego signing Catarina Macario will have to wait, as the former Chelsea attacker remains sidelined with a lingering heel injury.

• “We focus on our performances and the score will take care of itself,” said Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall, displaying confidence after last weekend’s 3-2 comeback win over Denver. “We’re always performance focused.”

Tune in: Portland hosts San Diego tonight at 10 PM ET, live on CBS Sports.

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Don’t miss ‘Time Wasting’ with Kelley O’Hara & Ali Riley

Soccer icons Kelley O’Hara and Ali Riley are back, as all-new episode of Time Wasting presented by Amazon Prime serves up another jam-packed helping of tactical breakdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and insider perspectives.

• In the episode, Kelley and Ali debate the biggest mistake a World Cup coach can make when their team’s down a goal, before getting into Washington’s 4-0 shutout win over Kansas City — and when the Current should start worrying.

• Plus, the hosts debate which teammates they’d want to be trapped on a desert island with, and who they’d cast in their own reality TV shows.

Tune in: Catch Time Wasting on YouTube.

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Brighton plans UK’s 1st purpose-built women’s stadium

Brighton & Hove Albion is making football history, as the WSL club announced plans to build England’s first-ever purpose-built women’s stadium.

• With room for at least 10,000, the new grounds are expected to connect to the men’s Amex Stadium via a connective walkway.

• “It will help us push forward our ambitions to compete consistently both domestically in the Women’s Super League, and also in European club competition, while helping us to attract key staff and grow a passionate fan base,” managing director Zoe Johnson said in a statement. (See full release)

Big picture: While some WSL teams like Arsenal and Chelsea have opted to move games to their men’s stadiums, there’s been less of a UK push for the new infrastructure approach taken by the NWSL’s Kansas City and Portugal’s Braga.

• “We strongly believe it will strengthen our ability to attract elite talent, help develop our younger players for the future, support the growth of our fan base, and create a genuine sense of belonging around the women’s game,” said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom. (See full statement)

UK stocks up as NCAA transfers trickle in

The NCAA transfer portal is still spinning, as ex-Florida forward Me’Arah O’Neal — daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal — heads to Kentucky for her junior season.

• O’Neal averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks for the Gators last season, entering the portal shortly after Florida fired coach Kelly Rae Finley.

• “She’s not an old-school player. She’s the new pick-your-type player,” Shaq said of his daughter. “She can shoot, she can dribble. She can’t be fazed when it comes to certain things.” (See full report)

Scouting report: Following last month’s Sweet 16 exit, the Wildcats are gearing up for a deeper 2027 NCAA tournament run under head coach Kenny Brooks.

• Leading scorer Clara Strack returns to the lineup, backed by three McDonald’s All-American freshman recruits and UConn transfer Ayanna Patterson.

Quote of the day

Indiana rookie Raven Johnson
reacting to guard Caitlin Clark’s 3-point shot at this week’s Fever training camp.