USWNT kicks off 2026 with 6-0 Paraguay thrashing

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USWNT kicks off 2026 with 6-0 Paraguay thrashing

The USWNT kicked off 2026 in style on Saturday, taking down Paraguay 6-0 behind five emphatic second-half goals — all scored in a 12-minute span.

• Portland Thorns forward Reilyn Turner opened scoring in first-half stoppage time, earning her first international goal in her USWNT debut, before Ally Sentor, Trinity Rodman, Emma Sears, and a Paraguay own goal silenced the opposition.

• “There was a lot of inexperience for us, and there’s a lot of nerves that come with that,” US head coach Emma Hayes said postgame. “But I thought the team handled themselves really well.” (See full highlights)

Youth power: With Rodman wearing the captain’s arm band, the starting XI averaged 9.6 international caps — the most inexperienced US lineup in 25 years.

• “Having done 25 years as a coach during preseason, it’s the perfect game to play,” Hayes said as the team gears up for March’s SheBelieves Cup. “These players are building towards the start of their season.”

Paying tribute: The team also honored retired World Cup champion Christen Press in a pre-game ceremony, with Press and her wife and former teammate Tobin Heath in attendance.

Up next: The USWNT closes out their January friendlies against Chile tomorrow at 10 PM ET, live on TBS.

USWNT announces April friendlies against Japan

The No. 2 USWNT is stacking their 2026 dance card, as US Soccer announced three friendlies against No. 8 Japan this spring.

• The series kicks off in San Jose, California on April 11th, before moving to Seattle on April 14th and closing things out in Commerce City, Colorado on April 17th.

• “Playing the same opponent three times is unusual but it presents a great challenge and a chance to test ourselves against a top-quality opponent,” said USWNT manager Emma Hayes. (See full statement)

Big picture: The friendlies follow the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, with the US set to face Argentina, Canada, and Colombia starting March 1st.

• The US last met Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup Final in San Diego, with the Nadeshiko beating the hosts 2-1. (See match recap)

• “Japan is one of the best teams in the world,” Hayes continued. “I’m a big admirer of how they play and I have tremendous respect for their team.”

Notable return: April’s second friendly will see the US return to Seattle for the first time since 2017, with Lumen Field swapping artificial turf for natural grass ahead of the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

Be there: Ticket presales start today at 10 AM local venue time, with general sales opening Thursday at 10 AM local venue time. (See details)

South Carolina ends Vanderbilt’s unbeaten season

No. 2 South Carolina shut down No. 5 Vanderbilt, ending the Commodores’ 2025/26 NCAA unbeaten run with Sunday’s 103-74 victory.

• Senior Ta’Niya Latson led South Carolina with 21 points, as five Gamecocks finished in the double-digits to offset Vanderbilt sophomore Mikayla Blakes’s 23-point night.

• “I’m really impressed that we played connected basketball on both ends,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said of the bounce-back win. “I’m happy we responded to our loss.” (See full highlights)

SEC shakeup: The results could significantly impact the SEC standings, with No. 17 Tennessee currently in the lead — and six ranked conference opponents standing between the Vols and their regular-season finale.

• “We didn’t operate the way I know my team can operate,” said Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph. “It doesn’t get any easier... This is the SEC.”

• “There just wasn’t an answer today,” Ralph continued. “There’s a lot we can take from it, but it also doesn’t negate the fact that we’ve been really good up to this point.”

Up next: Vanderbilt will seek redemption against No. 18 Ole Miss this Thursday at 7:30 PM ET before South Carolina battles unranked Auburn at 9 PM ET, live on ESPN.

US talents take over the Australian Open

The US is flooding the Australian Open quarterfinals, with half of this year’s eight-player women’s field representing the United States.

• World No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, No. 6 Jessica Pegula, and No. 27 Iva Jović all advanced, joined by No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Świątek, No. 5 Elena Rybakina, and No. 12 Elina Svitolina.

• “I’m just trusting the level that I have been able to put out and hopefully that will be enough,” 18-year-old Jović said as she gears up for tonight’s quarterfinal against Sabalenka. (See tournament highlights)

Big picture: Pegula’s success came at the expense of reigning Australian Open champion No. 9 Madison Keys, after she ousted her US teammate in straight sets in the Round of 16.

• Pegula’s quarterfinal matchup will also feature friendly fire, as takes on Anisimova late tonight.

• “Sucks that one American has to go out in the quarterfinals,” Anisimova said. “Jess is such a great player, so I’m sure it’s going to be a great battle.”

Tune in: The Australian Open quarterfinals start tonight at 7:30 PM ET, live on ESPN.

FIFA unveils 2027 Women’s World Cup branding

The 2027 Women’s World Cup is taking shape, as FIFA introduced the tournament’s official branding at a ceremony in host country Brazil on Sunday.

• The tournament will adopt the slogan “GO EPIC,” an imperative that “calls on fans everywhere to be part of an unforgettable adventure.”

• “Brazil lives and breathes football, and you can feel the excitement here about welcoming the world and hosting a historic event,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “You can also feel something even more powerful, as this country is fully committed to making this a watershed moment for the women’s game.” (See full release)

Design details: The logo inverts a W and M, uniting the English words “women” and “world” with their Portuguese counterparts “mulheres” and “mundo.”

• “Our country is ready to embrace the women’s game with pride, emotion, and belief,” said Brazil football legend Marta.

Quote of the day

Breeze BC center Dominique Malonga
after dunking on the Lunar Owls in Saturday’s Unrivaled win.