Football for all.

USWNT sets June friendlies in Brazil

The USWNT is hitting the road, traveling to Brazil in June to play two friendlies against the 2027 World Cup host on its home soil.

• The US opens the series at São Paulo’s Neo Química Arena on June 6th before closing out the break at Arena Castelão in Fortaleza on June 9th.

• “I’m so pleased we were able to schedule these games," USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said. “We want to play the best teams in the most difficult environments at venues across the world as often as we can, and these two games check all those boxes.” (See full release)

Scouting report: The USWNT has often sussed out major tournament locations via friendlies, visiting Canada ahead of the 2015 World Cup, France in early 2019, and New Zealand in early 2023.

• The US has faced As Canarinhas six times in Brazil — most recently in a 2014 friendly series — while the two women’s soccer powerhouses last met in California, resulting in April 2025’s 1-1 friendly split.

• “We need more games in which every fan in the stadium is cheering loudly against us, and I’m looking forward seeing how our team performs and grows in these adverse conditions,” Hayes continued.

Stay tuned: The USWNT takes on Brazil on June 6th at 5:30 PM ET, live on TBS.

Caitlin Clark visits NY in WNBA preseason opener

WNBA preseason action tips off tomorrow, as reconfigured rosters hit the court for a sneak preview of 2026 — just two weeks before opening day.

• Fever superstar Caitlin Clark headlines the slate, as the guard prepares for her first matchup in more than nine months against the Liberty on Saturday.

• Clark missed the second half of 2025 with an aggravated groin strain, sitting out injury-plagued Indiana’s unexpected playoff push. (See full schedule)

Locked & loaded: The Fever doubled down on their core this offseason, re-signing veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell and young center Aliyah Boston, with Clark set for a payday upgrade under the new CBA next year.

• Clark picked up MVP honors at Team USA’s FIBA World Cup Qualifying run last month, going on to report to WNBA training camp “100% healthy” as Indiana shifts its gameplan to avoid risking further injury.

• “It is exhausting, bringing the ball up 94 feet versus pressure every single time,” Clark said of her new off-ball approach. “So, we certainly need to find somebody that can handle the ball a little bit and give me a little bit of a break.” (See full report)

Tune in: Indiana visits New York tomorrow at 3 PM ET, free on WNBA League Pass.

San Diego shoots to stay atop the NWSL table

The NWSL is back in action, as No. 1 San Diego looks to defend its grip on the NWSL standings against 2026 addition Denver on Saturday.

• The Wave is currently two points clear of the competition on a 4-0-1 record, bolstered by rookie Lia Godfrey’s promising attack.

• “She has had a really good start to life as a pro, and transitioning from a college player to being a professional player,” said San Diego manager Jonas Eidevall. “It comes from her having such a good preseason.” (See full clip)

Due east: The Wave now visits Centennial Stadium for the first time, as the No. 9 Summit comes off a record-breaking home debut — despite going scoreless in its last two games on a 1-1-3 record.

• Blockbuster San Diego signing Catarina Macario could see her first-ever NWSL minutes this weekend, while Denver will have to wait a few more weeks before welcoming its headliner, US and Lyon star Lindsey Heaps.

• “It’s been cool to see what they’ve been able to accomplish as an expansion team and coming into the league,” Heaps told the Denver Post ahead of last Saturday’s USWNT friendly in Colorado. (See full report)

Tune in: San Diego takes on Denver tomorrow at 8:45 PM ET, live on ION.

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

• In the episode, Claire dives into USWNT and Spirit star Trinity Rodman’s evolution, from developing into a top attacking talent to the growing pains that come along with the national spotlight.

• It all comes down to the million dollar question: Can Rodman’s game catch up with the soccer world’s expectations?

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

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USWNT stars square off in UWCL semifinals

Champions League ups the stakes this weekend, as USWNT stars step into the UWCL spotlight for the first of the European competition’s two-leg semifinal.

• US midfielders Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes, and Korbin Shrader boosted France’s OL Lyonnes over Wolfsburg in the quarterfinals, setting up tomorrow’s showdown with USWNT teammate Emily Fox and reigning champion Arsenal.

• “We know Arsenal are a top side,” Yohannes said. “But we are not really thinking about the opponent — we’re focused on ourselves and we know that if we put in our top performance, we can beat anyone.” (See full report)

Big picture: The other half of the bracket is equally tense, as Frauen-Bundesliga winner Bayern Munich tries to keep Barcelona from its sixth straight UWCL final.

• 2024/25 runner-up Barcelona will shoot for superstar Aitana Bonmati’s healthy return on Sunday, as the midfielder continues her injury recovery.

Tune in: The UWCL semifinals kick off tomorrow at 12:15 PM ET, live on Paramount+.

South Carolina lands former Tennessee recruit

The rich are getting richer in college basketball, as 2026 finalists South Carolina and UCLA landed key recruits in pursuit of another deep NCAA tournament run.

• Runner-up South Carolina welcomed former Tennessee commit Oliviyah Edwards on Thursday, after the Class of 2026’s No. 5 prospect reopened her recruitment earlier this month.

• “Sometimes it takes twice to get it right,” Edwards wrote after visiting the Gamecocks. (See full post)

Taking stock: Few top prospects remain unsigned, as the offseason frenzy winds down and programs start to ready assembled talent for next season.

• Reigning champion UCLA also padded its coffers, as former Iowa State forward Addy Brown officially transferred to the Bruins. (See full report)

Number of the day

163,000

Last week’s LOVB championship series opener between Salt Lake and eventual winner Austin drew 163,000 viewers on USA, becoming the most-watched matchup in league history.