USWNT rallies to draw Spain 2-2

Five-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson has that dog in her — and on, beneath, and beside her.

USWNT rallies to draw Spain 2-2

The home side found its fight, as the USWNT rallied from two goals down to draw world No. 1 Spain 2-2 on Tuesday and avoid a second straight loss to La Roja.

• Spain superstar Alexia Putellas opened the scoresheet in the 27th-minute before Salma Paralluelo added a second five minutes later, exposing the same defensive leaks that plagued Saturday’s 2-0 defeat.

• The second half told a different story, as NWSL Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez needed just three minutes to fire off her first US goal since 2022, before sub Mallory Swanson curled in the 86th-minute equalizer — her first tally since the 2024 Olympics. (Watch full highlights)

Looking ahead: With the friendlies behind her, coach Emma Hayes’s squad shifts focus to next month’s 2027 World Cup-qualifying Concacaf W Championship.

• The US needs a quarterfinal win over No. 78 El Salvador to punch its ticket to Brazil, leaning on recent experience to clinch a 10th straight WWC berth.  

• “Being able to play the number one team in the world right now is amazing,” winger Alyssa Thompson said last night. “It’s good to play the best in the world and know that this is where our level is, and we know we can keep going.” (See full schedule)

Atlanta moves WNBA finals to State Farm

No. 4 Atlanta is going big for the finals, announcing it will move Games 3 and 4 against No. 2 Golden State from the 3,500-seat Gateway Center to the 17,044-seat State Farm Arena.

• Aiming to meet demand for the city’s first WNBA finals since 2013, the Dream pushed the Hawks’ October 24th home opener and relocated a Sombr concert.

• The switch also triggered a scheduling change, with Game 3’s new October 21st start eliminating one off-day as the series travels from San Francisco to Atlanta. (See full schedule)

Big picture: “This is what the players and the fans deserve,” Atlanta majority owner Larry Gottesdiener said, echoing next season’s plan to play all 25 home games at the larger urban venue. (See full release)

FIFPRO flags women’s soccer pay gaps 

Women’s sports growth is hitting a snag, as global players union FIFPRO reported many pro footballers still barely make minimum wage even as FIFA targets $1 billion in annual revenue.

• Just two-thirds are paid for all 12 months of the year, while psychological stress ranks as the second-leading reason players consider quitting at 46% — up from 13% in 2017.

• “You’ve got an industry that’s very focused on the top 5% of players,” said FIFPRO Women’s Football Director Alex Culvin, warning that the other 95% often face “precarious” working conditions.

Call to action: The study urged FIFA to set minimum standards for contracts, pensions, mental health resources, and workloads, while calling on leagues to tie player protections to club licensing. (See full report)

Your daily home for women’s sports is here, as the all-new JWS App debuts this week — delivering everything you need to be a women’s sports fan, all in one place.

• Stay on top of who’s playing, follow all the scores, and catch the latest news while keeping up with all your favorite JWS content.

Check it out: Download the JWS App today.

Nneka Ogwumike caps career with 1 last award

Nneka Ogwumike is going out on a high, as the retiring LA Sparks star won the WNBA’s 2026 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award — her fifth all-time and second in back-to-back seasons.

• The 11-time All Star announced her retirement in August, putting a bow on a 15-year career that spanned an MVP award, league title, and Rookie of the Year nod, among other accolades.

• Off the court, Ogwumike earned respect as WNBPA president, guiding the players union through two successful CBA negotiations since starting her tenure in 2016. (See full report)

In the bag: The 36-year-old earned the honor with 38 first-place votes, lapping first- and second-place nominees New York’s Rebecca Allen (7) and Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell (6). (See full results)

Report: Michele Kang eyes FIFA presidency

A women’s sports titan is making headlines, as UEFA reportedly approached multi-team owner Michele Kang about running against current FIFA president Giannai Infantino in the March 2027 election.

• Kang joins Arsenal legend Arsène Wenger and Norwegian FA head Lise Klaveness as reported challengers, as embattled incumbent Infantino seeks a fourth term.

• The US billionaire controls a women’s soccer empire that includes the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, WSL’s London City Lionesses, and France’s OL Lyonnes, among other interests. (See full report)

Stay tuned: Candidates backed by five FIFA member associations have until November 18th to launch campaigns, though only former Spurs defender Ramon Vega has publicly declared so far.

NWSL injuries pile up as playoffs loom

Late-season roster woes are piling up, as Shield leader No. 1 Gotham lost two key players to season-ending injuries with the 2026 NWSL playoffs fast approaching.

• Rookie Jordynn Dudley landed on the IL with a foot fracture after tallying four goals and three assists across 25 matches, while defender Bruninha tore her ACL playing for Brazil, likely ending her 2027 World Cup hopes. 

• The Bats currently sit four points clear atop the NWSL table, riding a 16-4-7 record despite losing defender Emily Sonnett to a knee knock earlier this year. (See full report)

Around the horn: USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy also went down, as No. 13 Boston ruled her out for the season after suffering a partial PCL tear in the Legacy’s October 3rd win over No. 7 Portland. (See full report)

Quote of the day

USWNT legend Kelley O’Hara
sizing up the US national team’s current roster on the latest Time Wasting.