Angel Reese’s Dream shuts down the Valkyries

Dallas Wings star — and DMV original — Azzi Fudd is the ultimate Spirit fan.

Angel Reese’s Dream shuts down the Valkyries

The 2026 WNBA Finals is all tied up, as No. 4 Atlanta took down No. 2 Golden State 79-65 last night to even the best-of-seven showdown at one apiece.

• Dream forward Angel Reese couldn’t be stopped in Game 2, becoming the youngest-ever player to post 30 points and 16 rebounds in a title series.

• “I let my team down last game, not really contributing as much as I could in the second half,” Reese said. “I just wanted to make sure I came out tonight and left my mark, and I think I did that.” (Watch full highlights)

Turning tides: Golden State missed its chance to take a 2-0 lead after a dominant Game 1 showing, with both teams now traveling to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4.

• The result marked the Valkyries’ first loss to the Dream this year after sweeping the pair’s regular-season series, with Atlanta’s tight defensive strategy paying dividends.

• “I think we had a lot of times where we were hesitant or we weren’t on that same page, and that's where it led to turnovers,” said Golden State guard Veronica Burton. (See full recap)

Up next: Game 3 tips off in Atlanta on Wednesday at 8 PM ET (USA).

US kicks off U-17 World Cup with a bang

The young USWNT is flying high, kicking off its 2026 U-17 World Cup campaign with Monday’s 17-0 rout of Samoa — the two nations’ first WWC meeting.

• Forward Maddie DiMaria scored a record six goals in the clash, as the team’s 17-goal tally marks the highest single-game total across all World Cup levels.

• “I wasn’t aware [of the record], but I’m super proud of this group and it’s nice that they have something like that behind their name,” US head coach Ciara Crinion said. (Watch full highlights)

Looking ahead: The US will continue making its way through Group E, facing Kenya and China PR in pursuit of a first-ever U-17 World Cup title.

• The team’s best finish came in 2024, when future pros like Melanie Barcenas, Kennedy Fuller, and Kimmy Ascanio took third.

• “It’s about how we rest, recover,” continued Crinion. “We know it’ll be a different game, a different challenge, and we’ll start from square one again.” (See full schedule)

Tune in: The U-17 USWNT takes on Kenya on Thursday at 2 PM ET (FS2).

World Gymnastics Championships heat up

The stars of gymnastics are shining, as the world’s top eight qualifying nations prepare to do battle in Wednesday’s World Gymnastics Championships team final.

• The US has won the team title seven consecutive times since 2011, but finished second in this week’s qualifying round — narrowly trailing China’s score of 164.996.

• USA Gymnastics also found itself shorthanded, as 2024 Olympian Hezly Rivera withdrew from the competition with an ankle injury. (See full report)

Taking stock: 21-year-old Skye Blakely has stepped up in Rivera’s absence, taking second in All-Around qualifying as she returns from the Achilles injury that kept her from the 2024 Summer Games.

• Blakely racked up 55.465 points in her world all-around debut, falling slightly behind Algerian Olympic gold medalist Kaylia Nemour’s 55.999.

• “I already cried, but it just means the world to me,” said Blakely. “Knowing how much I’ve been through: two major surgeries, a lot of hardships, ups and downs.” (See full report)

Tune in: World Championships coverage runs through Sunday (Peacock).

Your daily home for women’s sports is here, as the all-new JWS App debuts this week — delivering everything you need to be a women’s sports fan, all in one place.

• Stay on top of who’s playing, follow all the scores, and catch the latest news while keeping up with all your favorite JWS content.

Check it out: Download the JWS App today.

Atlanta City hires 1st Chief Soccer Officer

Atlanta City is getting organized, as the 2028 NWSL expansion side named Richard Gunney as its inaugural Chief Soccer Officer.

• Gunney served as Gotham FC’s Director of Scouting and Recruiting from 2022-2026, helping the Bats win two league titles in 2023 and 2025.

• “As an expansion club, we have a unique chance to establish a lasting identity, high-performance culture, and clear soccer philosophy from day one,” said Gunney. (See full release)

Stocking up: Atlanta joins NWSL Columbus in bringing on veteran executives, as the league’s newest teams look to fill their front offices ahead of roster building.

• Gunney begins his Atlanta City tenure on November 1st, the last day of the NWSL’s 2026 regular season.

England locks in manager Sarina Wiegman

England is keeping its boss, as the FA extended decorated women’s national team manager Sarina Wiegman’s contract through 2029.

• Wiegman’s previous contract was set to expire after the 2027 World Cup, with her new deal — reportedly the most lucrative in Lionesses history — lasting through the 2029 Euros cycle.

• “I am honoured by their trust, which I never take for granted and want to keep this great partnership going,” said Wiegman. (See full report)

Big hardware: Taking over in 2021, Wiegman has led England to back-to-back Euros titles in 2022 and 2025 while finishing second at the 2023 World Cup.

• “While we will all remember the trophies and thrilling moments she has given us, I know she is only looking forward,” added FA CEO Mark Bullingham.

Quote of the day

Phoenix guard Kelsey Plum
singing Golden State guard Gabby Williams’s praises as the Valkyries continue their WNBA Finals campaign.