Team USA passes 1st FIBA test with big win over China

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U.S. opens FIBA World Cup with win over China

Team USA is off to a hot start, tipping off its 2026 FIBA World Cup campaign with a dominant 94-61 win over China to take an early lead in Group D.

• Caitlin Clark notched a 14-point, 11-assist double-double in her World Cup debut, backed by 14 points a piece from fellow first-time guards Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard.

• “I think the young and turnt group, they did really well,” said veteran forward Breanna Stewart. “They took what they wanted, they were the aggressors, they were confident.” (Watch full highlights)

Around the horn: The US win headlines a busy opening day, as Australia beat Puerto Rico 70-54, Japan edged Mali 102-97, and South Korea topped Nigeria 99-81.

• WNBA talent will be on display as games continue today, with Spain’s Awa Fam taking on Germany’s Niara Sabally before star-studded France closes out the slate against Hungary.

• Clark and co. have a quick turnaround, as the US gears up for a Sunday afternoon date with Italy after the Italians open their run against Czechia. (See full schedule)

Tune in: 2026 FIBA World Cup coverage continues through the weekend (TNT).

Homegrown talent shines at the US Open

WTA stars are rolling in Queens, with very few upsets rattling the first two rounds of 2026 US Open action — despite a few close calls.

• US talent is shining, as world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 4 Coco Gauff, No. 10 Amanda Anisimova, No. 14 Iva Jovic, No. 24 Madison Keys, and No. 27 Emma Navarro all punched third-round tickets in front of the home crowd.

• Keys pulled off the most dramatic second-round victory, coming back from 5-2 in a deciding third set to take down Anna Bondár 5-7, 6-4, 7-6. (Watch full highlights)

Stiff competition: It’s all uphill from here, as Jovic readies for tomorrow’s showdown with close friend — and Filipino sensation — No. 18 Alexandra Eala.

• The winner of that matchup could meet Gauff in the fourth round, as the 2023 champion looks to further her own eight-match winning streak against top Spanish contender Cristina Bucșa.

• “I’ve gotten a lot of experience playing in these pressure moments,” Gauff said after battling past Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (5) yesterday. “I’m much more relaxed in these moments knowing that if I lose, it’s because I gave myself the best shot versus just giving away the match.” (See full draw)

Tune in: US Open coverage continues today at 11 AM ET (ESPN).

Spirit & Thorns make moves ahead of weekend clash

The Spirit still has the Shield in its sights, as No. 2 Washington trails No. 1 Gotham by just 5 points going into this Sunday’s clash with No. 5 Portland.

• The Spirit broke a four-game winless skid in last weekend’s 1-0 win over No. 14 Bay FC, with Paige Metayer driving home a Trinity Rodman rebound.

• The Thorns enter on a five-match unbeaten streak, after stealing a point from the Bats last Friday behind Sophia Wilson’s game-tying strike.

Big moves: Both clubs will look a little different, as Washington defender Rebeca Bernal completed a transfer to WSL side Manchester United this week while Portland added a ringer to its staff.

• The Thorns hired USWNT legend and longtime captain Becky Sauerbrunn as a technical consultant for the rest of the 2026 season.

• “As a player, I loved watching film, talking tactics and details, working with a backline, and this opportunity affords me all those things with a lot less running,” the 41-year-old said. (See full report)

Tune in: Washington takes on Portland on Sunday at 4 PM ET (CBS).

Catch up on the latest women’s soccer headlines, as an all-new 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 breaks down everything USWNT fans need to know as the 2026/27 WSL season kicks off in the UK.

• With some of the world’s top stars making their way to England, here’s everything you need to know to become a fan ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

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

Ally Bank, Member FDIC.

London City faces early test as WSL kicks off

The WSL is back, as the UK league kicks off its 2026/27 season with one particular club striving to challenge perennial titans Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal.

• Fueled by US-based billionaire owner Michele Kang, London City is touting a big-name roster and even bigger plans for its second top-flight campaign.

• The Lionesses enter the weekend on an additional high, after signing a record four-year front-of-jersey deal with Nike — said to be the largest in women’s soccer history. (See full report)

Scouting report: LCL will put its new talent to the test this afternoon, taking on a Manchester United team looking to better last season’s fourth-place finish.

• Man United made moves of its own, swapping out former manager Marc Skinner with Spain’s Eva Olid before adding defender Rebeca Bernal — the WSL’s first-ever Mexican national — from the Washington Spirit.

• “My ambition is attacking football, Olid said. “I focus the gameplans on how we can hurt the teams. All teams have weaknesses we can exploit.” (See full report)

Tune in: London City faces Man United today at 2 PM ET (Paramount+).

UWCL draw sets up league-phase fireworks

The 2026/27 UWCL league phase is set, after this morning’s 18-team draw paved the path toward the 2026/27 Champions League final in Warsaw.

• 2024/25 winner Arsenal received the toughest route, pulling defending champion Barcelona, UWCL giant OL Lyonnes, and rising star Paris FC.

• 2025/26 WSL champion Manchester City also returns to the European tournament, setting off on a collision course against contenders PSG and Bayern Munich. (See full draw)

Big shifts: The UWCL drama began a little early, as Inter Milan eliminated two-time winners Wolfsburg 5-4 on aggregate in this month’s qualifiers — the second time in four years the German powerhouse hasn’t made the group-stage cut.

• “Straight after the game, you just feel very empty and, to some extent, lost for words,” said Wolfsburg manager Stephan Lerch. “It was a very emotional game and, of course, it hurts immensely to go out in such unfortunate circumstances.” (Watch full highlights)

Quote of the day

Dallas guard Paige Bueckers
singing the praises of fellow World Cup debutant and US teammate Caitlin Clark.