Liberty & Dream battle atop the Commissioner's Cup table

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Liberty & Dream battle for the East

New York puts its No. 1 standing on the line tonight, as the Commissioner’s Cup’s Eastern Conference leader squares off with second-place Atlanta for the first time this year.

• The Liberty has won five straight, sitting 3-0 in Cup play after star Breanna Stewart’s 28 points secured Monday’s 89-80 win over the last-place Sun.

• The 3-1 Dream enters on its own hot streak, taking four of its last five games behind power trio Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and double-double machine Angel Reese. (See full standings)

Scouting report: Atlanta’s transition game is its biggest threat, ranking second in fast-break points (11.2 per game) and second in points off turnovers (18 per game), while New York averages the fewest fast-break points in the WNBA. (See full stats)

• “They’re a team that’s gonna get out really quickly,” said Liberty center Jonquel Jones. “We gotta get back in transition, and we also gotta take good shots to not allow them to get that kind of momentum.”

• “Everybody’s playing the Commissioner’s Cup to win — there’s a lot on the line right now with the $30,000,” she added. “We don’t want to leave it to point spread... You gotta go out and get the W.”

Tune in: New York visits Atlanta tonight at 7:30 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.

UEFA titans punch World Cup tickets

Spain, France, and Denmark are headed to Brazil, as the League A group-leaders joined Germany to claim Europe’s four direct 2027 World Cup bids this week.

• Defending champion Spain crushed Iceland 6-1 to finish first in Group A3 behind a Vicky Lopez brace, while Melvine Malard lifted France over the Republic of Ireland 1-0 to win Group A2 over the Netherlands. 

• Denmark silenced Serbia 4-1 to climb Group A1’s ranks, while already-qualified Germany cemented its grip on A4 by shutting out Slovenia 2-0. (See full report)

How it works: UEFA has 11 tournament slots, with League A’s top finishers earning automatic berths while the second- and third-place teams move to a playoff round with lower-league winners.

• Playoff-bound Euros champion England became the week’s biggest surprise, ceding Group A3 to Spain despite beating Ukraine 3-0 behind star Beth Mead’s 40th international goal.

• “I’m happy with the performance but not with the result,” Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman said. “We know what we have to do. I’m very positive that we will qualify anyway.” (Watch full highlights)

Up next: The playoff draw is set for June 18th, with the continental showdown slated for October.

White House snubs women’s sports champs

The White House isn’t calling, as both the Las Vegas Aces and Gotham FC confirmed this week that President Trump has not invited either team to celebrate its 2025 league title.

• The Aces visited the White House after each of their previous two WNBA titles, meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris in 2022 before toasting 2023’s victory with both Harris and President Joe Biden. (See full report)

• Gotham became the first NWSL team to visit the Oval Office after lifting the 2023 trophy, though the reigning champion declined to speculate when asked if it would accept another invitation. (See full report)

History repeats: The New York Liberty didn’t receive a White House invite after its 2024 win, instead visiting DC to meet with former President Barack Obama. 

• Gold medal-winning USA Hockey made headlines for declining its invite, with captain Hilary Knight speaking out after Trump jokingly told the men’s team he had to invite the women’s side or face impeachment.

• The 2019 Baylor women’s basketball team under then-coach Kim Mulkey remains the only women’s sports champion to accept a White House invitation under Trump.

Headed to Columbus for the NWSL Challenge Cup? Join Late Sub host Claire Watkins and Just Women’s Sports on Thursday, June 25th for Challenge Cup Trivia Night, presented by Ally. 

• Drinks and appetizers are on us as we take over City Tavern from 6 to 8 PM. 

• Plus — special prizes, player appearances, and a room full of soccer fans ready to show off their knowledge. 

Start the weekend off right with the one pregame you don’t want to miss.

Be there: Spots are limited — get your $10 ticket today via Eventbrite.

Mboko injury ends Williams’s Queens Club run

The Serena Williams comeback tour hit a snag, with the tennis icon’s Queen’s Club doubles bid cut short after partner Victoria Mboko withdrew with a knee injury.

• World No. 9 Mboko suffered the injury during her Wednesday singles match against Karolina Plíšková, falling behind in the first set before slipping on the grass after staging a brief comeback in the second. 

• Williams was set to join Mboko in today’s doubles quarterfinals, after taking down Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in straight sets to open the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s comeback run. (See full recap)

Stay tuned: Despite the setback, Williams’s return continues at next week’s Berlin Open alongside new doubles partner Karolina Muchová, as the road to Wimbledon continues to build steam.

Gotham plans 1st-ever dedicated training center

Gotham FC is getting a home of its own, as the 2025 NWSL champion announced plans for a first-ever dedicated training center this week.

• Designed by SHoP Architects, the 27,000-square-foot $35 million project takes over the New York Red Bulls’ former New Jersey grounds, featuring three grass pitches plus a full-size indoor field for year-round access.

• Additional highlights include a 3,000-square-foot gym, hydrotherapy and recovery rooms, player lounge, and dining area. (See full release) 

Leveling up: Gotham currently splits resources between two borrowed sites, with players forced to commute between indoor and outdoor facilities.

• “It’s always been honestly one of the things that we were probably behind other clubs,” head coach Juan Carlos Amorós told The Athletic. “We’ve been really good on the pitch… But I think the players always felt that we could go another level with regards to the facilities.”  (See full report)

Quote of the day

USWNT star Trinity Rodman
after managing to escape Tuesday’s chaotic win over Brazil without a booking.