Putting ’em on skis.

Trinity Rodman signs record-breaking Washington Spirit deal

Trinity Rodman’s future is decided, as the USWNT star announced she’ll return to Washington during last night’s Spirit press conference.

• Signed through 2028, Rodman’s contract is reportedly worth over $2 million per year, making her the world’s highest-paid women’s soccer player.

• “I’ve made the DMV my home and the Spirit my family, and I knew this was where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career,” Rodman said in a statement. (See full release)

Big picture: The deal marks a major win for both the Spirit and the NWSL, as USWNT standouts like former Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson and ex-Portland midfielder Sam Coffey leave to pursue opportunities overseas.

• The deal utilizes the new High Impact Player rule allowing clubs to exceed the NWSL salary cap for top talent — lending itself to more balanced terms than Washington’s previous back-loaded offer, which the league rejected.

• “[Trinity] represents the future of this club and the future of women’s soccer,” said Spirit owner Michele Kang. “This agreement reflects our belief that elite talent deserves elite commitment.”

Looking ahead: While the HIP rule is still under arbitration due to an NWSLPA grievance, Rodman’s re-signing could be the light at the end of the NWSL’s tunnel.

USWNT kicks off 2026 against Paraguay

A young USWNT is kicking off in California, taking on Paraguay tomorrow in the first of two January friendlies to open the World Cup qualifying year.

• “It’s really exciting to see the opportunity presented to a lot of players in this camp,” midfielder Olivia Moultrie said, with the average age of the 26-player lineup coming in at 24.1. “It’s players that I’ve played with on youth teams, and just seeing kind of start coming into the league.” (See full roster)

Big picture: This month’s camp falls outside an official FIFA window, leaving the US without both European club players and Gotham FC’s squad as the 2025 NWSL champs prepare for next week’s Champions Cup in London.

• “There is no question we will keep — I hope — improving what we’re doing,” said manager Emma Hayes. “You only do that gradually, you don’t do that by changing things all of the time.”

Paying tribute: Saturday’s match will honor World Cup champion Christen Press with a pregame ceremony, after the star forward announced her pro soccer retirement at the end of last season. (See promo video)

Tune in: The USWNT takes on Paraguay on Saturday at 5:30 PM ET, live on TNT.

Unbeaten Vanderbilt looks to upend South Carolina

One of just two remaining unbeaten DI teams, No. 5 Vanderbilt could steal the SEC spotlight on Sunday, taking on a No. 2 South Carolina team reeling from last night’s loss — just their second of the season.

• The Gamecocks fell 94-82 in overtime to No. 16 Oklahoma, with freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez’s 26 points fueling the Sooners’ victory.

• “We ran into a team that actually wanted to win more, and they made winning plays, and we didn’t," South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said postgame. (See full highlights)

High stakes: South Carolina won’t have much time to reflect, going up against surging Vanderbilt with more than just conference records on the line.

• Sophomore Mikayla Blakes leads the Commodores with 25 points per game, sitting second overall in DI scoring as Vanderbilt continues their best start in team history.

• “I’m having to remind myself that this makes us 20-0 and that’s a great thing, right?” Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph said after Thursday’s 81-53 win over Auburn. “The other thing is that I like being in this place where I’m pissed off after a win because we didn’t play well today, especially in the first half. I like it because it says that I know how good this team can be.”

Tune in: South Carolina hosts Vanderbilt on Sunday at 3 PM ET, live on ESPN.

Young stars shake up the Australian Open

Tennis’s next generation is rising, with youth-powered upsets rattling the 2026 Australian Open’s third round this week.

• No. 7 Jasmine Paolini became the season’s first fallen Top 10 contender on Thursday, losing 6-2, 7-6 to US standout No. 29 Iva Jović.

• No. 14 Clara Tauson and No. 10 Belinda Bencic also bowed out, as 19-year-olds Canadian No. 17 Victoria Mboko and Czech Nikola Bartunkova advanced to the fourth round. (See tournament highlights)

Big picture: Mboko and Bartunkova were two of five teenagers to make it to the Grand Slam’s third round, as the WTA’s establishment clashed with its future.

• 21-year-old Coco Gauff survived yesterday’s three-set scare against fellow US talent Hailey Baptiste, with the world No. 2 eventually reaching her fourth straight Australian Open Round of 16.

• “On the serve, I was just trying to be aggressive with my placement and not be too passive,” Gauff said postmatch. “Honestly, I’m out there trying to figure out that balance along with everybody else.” (See match highlights)

Tune in: The Australian Open continues tonight at 8 PM ET, live on ESPN.

US Ski & Snowboard drops 2026 Olympic roster

97 skiers and snowboarders will rep Team USA in Milan, with US Ski and Snowboard naming a wealth of veteran experience to this year’s Olympic roster.

• All-time winningest World Cup skier Mikaela Shiffrin is set to compete in her fourth Winter Games, with the 30-year-old hunting hardware in her preferred slalom event after failing to medal in 2022.

• 41-year-old skier Lindsey Vonn is also mounting a comeback, participating in her fifth Olympics after winning multiple downhill medals at this year’s World Cup. (See full roster)

Going for gold: Two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim has been cleared to return after recently dislocating her shoulder, as the 25-year-old attempts to become the first snowboarder to win three straight Olympic medals.

• 15 of 2022’s 25 US medals came from ski and snowboarding, with snowboard program director Rick Bower noting, “In many ways, making this team is even harder than the Olympics themselves.”

NWSL drops Dead Dirt knit collection

Get ready to wear your club on your sleeve, as the NWSL and Washington, DC-based fashion label Dead Dirt teamed up on an exclusive preseason merch line.

• Spirit creative director Domo Wells’s Dead Dirt dropped colorful knit jerseys for all 16 NWSL franchises this week, with Denver, Bay FC, North Carolina, and Seattle already selling out.

• The kits showcase a collared rugby shirt aesthetic, with nods to each team’s color and crest throughout the design.

Get yours: Browse the entire collection at the NWSL Shop or Dead Dirt Store.

Number of the day 

$50,000

After winning the Unrivaled Free Throw Challenge, Breeze BC’s Paige Bueckers signed over her $50,000 check to the Hopkins Strong Relief Fund, benefitting her hometown near Minneapolis.