Could Jaedyn Shaw make the 2027 World Cup roster?

Sun looks to run it back against the Storm

Connecticut is on the board, taking down Seattle 80-78 for its first win of the season on Wednesday — and they’ll look to run it back against the Storm tonight.

• Three Sun rookies finished in double-digit scoring, as Raegan Beers, Nell Angloma, and Charlisse Leger-Walker contributed to a team-record 62 points off the bench.

• “The keywords tonight were effort and pride,” said Connecticut head coach Rachid Meziane. “I do think we won this game because we have a lot of pride.” (Watch full highlights)

Taking stock: Seattle will aim to unlock its own offensive front in tonight’s rematch, after the Sun limited star rookie Flau’jae Johnson to just 5 points on Wednesday.

• “It’s just a matter of her getting a feel for where her shots are going to come and what are the best shots she can take,” Storm head coach Sonia Raman said of Johnson.

• Centers Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga sat out the matchup, though Malonga could return soon from concussion protocol — providing a boost as Seattle works on improving a league-worst points per game average. (See full stats)

Tune in: Seattle hosts Connecticut tonight at 10 PM ET, live on ION.

2026 WNBA expansion teams square off

The WNBA’s two newest teams are squaring off, as Toronto hosts Portland for the first time on Saturday in a fight for 2026 expansion side dominance.

• The youth-fueled Fire enters the game on a 2-3 record, while the Tempo sits 3-3 behind veteran guards Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey.

• And both squads are hunting redemption, as Minnesota routed Toronto 100-72 yesterday while Portland shakes off Wednesday’s 90-73 loss to Indiana. (See full recap)

Taking stock: The Fire will look a little different this weekend, after Thursday’s abrupt roster shakeup.

• Portland dropped Haley Jones, Sug Sutton, and Kamiah Smalls, while activating developmental players Holly Winterburn, Frieda Bühner, and Slovenia international Teja Oblak.

• “This is really all part of the process,” Fire head coach Alex Sarama said. “First real stretch of adversity we’ve faced as a group together.” (See full report)

Tune in: Toronto faces Portland on Saturday at 6 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.

No. 1 Portland climbs the NWSL table

Portland is back at No. 1, leapfrogging San Diego to top the NWSL standings after Wednesday’s 2-0 Bay FC takedown.

• While injured starters Olivia Moultrie and Reilyn Turner watched from the sidelines, defender MA Vignola hit first against Bay FC, before midfielder Mallie McKenzie doubled the tally to secure the win.

• “When those two players are out it’s a big loss, but luckily we have a lot of depth and can bring other attributes that make us shine,” McKenzie said. “I just try to channel their energy.” (Watch full highlights)

On the move: The Thorns will look to widen the gap in Sunday’s clash with Kansas City, after the Current’s 2-1 midweek loss to Angel City snapped a three-game winning streak.

• KC’s recent bright spot has been the resurgence of reigning MVP Temwa Chawinga, who’s racked up five goals in her last three games.

• “The players are hungry,” said head coach Chris Armas. “They’ve been that way all year long and now we’re getting some results.”

Tune in: Kansas City hosts Portland on Sunday at 1 PM ET, live on CBS.

Catch up on the latest women’s soccer headlines, as all-new episode of The Late Sub presented by Ally Bank dishes up host Claire Watkins’s hottest takes on all things USWNT, NWSL, Champions League, and more.

• In the episode, Claire takes a deep dive into the return of Chicago striker Mallory Swanson, hashing out her game’s evolution and her potential impact on the last-place Stars as the NWSL season barrels forward.

• Plus, will we see Mal in a USWNT jersey for next month’s Brazil friendlies?

Tune in: Catch The Late Sub with Claire Watkins on YouTube.

Ally Bank, Member FDIC.

Coco Gauff kicks off French Open defense

World No. 4 Coco Gauff is back on clay, defending her French Open crown on Sunday as the annual Grand Slam kicks off with an unpredictable main draw.

• While No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Elena Rybakina, and No. 3 Iga Świątek headline the field, the last two tune-up tournaments were won by players outside the WTA’s Top 5 — showcasing the tour’s depth.

• “I realize that the defending means nothing ⁠in a way,” Gauff said this week. “Each year is a new opportunity and new chance for anyone to win.” (See main draw)

Big action: Players are making their voices heard by keeping quiet this year, as top stars launch a media protest intended to highlight revenue sharing concerns at Roland Garros.

• Players will limit their media availability to 15 minutes, calling attention to the French Open’s 15% revenue share — far below the 22% combined WTA and ATP tournament standard. (See full report)

Tune in: The French Open begins on Sunday at 5 AM ET, live on TNT.

Barcelona and Lyonnes battle in UWCL final

Two titans are battling for European glory, as three-time champion Barcelona takes on eight-time winner OL Lyonnes in Saturday’s Champions League final.

• It marks the pair’s third UWCL final in the last five years, with Lyonnes besting Barcelona in 2022, before the Spanish champions fired back in 2024.

• “If you see Lyon vs Barca in the final, I think it’s one of the best games you can wait for,” said Lyonnes midfielder Damaris Egurrola. (See head-to-head)

Bidding farewell: Lyonnes is bracing for change regardless of the outcome in Oslo, as USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps departs to join the Denver Summit after five years with the French side.

• “The goal is to win, and win everything, and Champions League is obviously on the forefront,” Heaps told The Guardian. “That’s the baby that you always want to win.” (See full report)

Tune in: Barcelona faces Lyonnes at 12 PM ET on Saturday, live on Paramount+.

Number of the day

7,383

LA Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike tallied 7,383 career points on Thursday, passing Tamika Catchings to claim fifth place in the WNBA’s all-time scoring list.