USWNT roster drop: Triple Espresso returns

The NWSL has seen 13 red cards this season, passing 2025’s total in just nine weeks.

Triple Espresso headlines June’s USWNT roster

The USWNT is pouring itself a triple shot of espresso, as attacking trio Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson headline today’s 26-player roster for next month’s friendlies in Brazil.

• Swanson returns to the US women’s national team for the first time since 2024, joining “Triple Espresso” teammates Rodman and Wilson for the first time since winning the 2024 Paris Olympics.

• “It’s fantastic for our team, both on and off the field, to have Trinity and our two soccer moms back on the same roster,” said Hayes, as Wilson and Swanson continue their returns from parental leave. (See full roster)

Taking stock: The USWNT will manage key absences against the 2027 World Cup host, as Naomi Girma nurses a lingering calf knock, Catarina Macario deals with a heel injury, and Sam Coffey recovers from knee surgery.

• Third goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn is back in the lineup, alongside fellow returners Michelle Cooper, Croix Bethune, and Riley Jackson.

• “Few challenges in women’s international soccer compare to facing Brazil in Brazil, so we’re excited for the valuable lessons this experience will bring,” Hayes added.

Stay tuned: The US kicks off against Brazil on June 6th at 5:30 PM ET, live on TBS.

Liberty looks to stop early skid against Mercury

The Liberty is looking to right the ship, as New York enters tonight’s clash with Phoenix on a three-game losing streak amid a mounting early-season injury list.

• New York fell to expansion side Portland 81-74 on Monday, wrapping up this season’s series against the Fire on an unexpected 1-2 record.

• “It’s a learning experience,” said forward Breanna Stewart. “Not to say that we thought it was gonna be easy, because we definitely didn’t, but it’s gonna take time.” (Watch full highlights)

Injury report: The Liberty has only fielded its Big 4 — Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and offseason signing Satou Sabally — once this year, with Sabally and Ionescu seeing limited minutes due to injury and illness.

• “I’m glad it’s now and not later,” guard Rebecca Allen said of New York’s early struggles. “When this happens towards the end of the season, that’s when you see the wheels fall off, and it’s hard to regroup. Whereas right now, we’ve got the luxury of time.”

• The Liberty faces a similarly motivated Mercury team, as Phoenix carries its own three-game losing streak into Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Tune in: New York hosts Phoenix tonight at 7 PM ET, live on USA.

Jessica Pegula falls in French Open upset

The 2026 French Open is off to the races, with first-round upsets making headlines after world No. 5 Jessica Pegula fell to No. 83 Kimberly Birrell in three sets.

• Pegula has previously struggled at the Paris Grand Slam, seeing first-round exits in 2019 and 2020 before making progress over the past four seasons.

• “When I saw the draw and saw I was playing Jessie, I knew it would be really tough,” Birrell said of her top-ranked opponent. “My goal was to just win one game and slowly gain some confidence.” (Watch full highlights)

Taking stock: The rest of the WTA’s Top 10 escaped unscathed, as clay-court titans No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 3 Iga Świątek, and reigning champion No. 4 Coco Gauff cruised through their openers despite a record heat wave at Roland Garros.

• “I’m from Florida, so this is nothing — shoutout Delray Beach,” Gauff joked after handling Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0. “I felt more bad for the fans… I’m glad I was able to keep it short.” (See full clip)

• Fan favorite No. 16 Naomi Osaka also made a splash, securing Tuesday’s first-round win over Laura Siegemund in an Eiffel Tower-inspired sparkly gold Nike tennis dress. (See full report)

Tune in: French Open coverage runs through June 6th, live on TNT.

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Don’t miss ‘Time Wasting’ with Kelley O’Hara & Ali Riley

Soccer icons Kelley O’Hara and Ali Riley are back, as all-new episode of Time Wasting presented by Amazon Prime serves up another jam-packed helping of tactical breakdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and insider perspectives.

• In the episode, Ali and Kelley answer your questions, putting out a very special fan-centric episode from the 2026 Champions League Final in Oslo, Norway.

• Plus, the hosts talk fitness test horror stories, the evolution of the global women’s game, how Time Wasting came to be, and so much more.

Tune in: Catch Time Wasting on YouTube.

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The Sports Bra launches $1.2M crowdfunding campaign

The Sports Bra is expanding its reach, as Portland’s pioneering women’s sports bar launched a crowdfunding campaign inviting fans to buy in for as little as $250.

• Founder Jenny Nguyen’s “Own a Piece of The Bra” initiative is looking to raise $1.2 million toward national expansion, targeting 40 locations by 2031.

• “When we came onto the market in 2022, folks were doubtful of the concept,” she told The Athletic. “Immediately we started to see other places opening up, because the proof of concept was there.” (See full report)

Building steam: The Sports Bra generated more than $1 million in its first eight months, after securing backing from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian among other high-profile investors.

• Outposts are expected in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Boston, and Maine, with initial costs ranging from $400,733 to $1,108,958 per bar.

Get your piece: Learn more and purchase an equity share via Republic.

Alexia Putellas exits Barcelona after 14 seasons

It’s the end of an era, as iconic midfielder Alexia Putellas announced she’ll depart Barcelona days after leading the Spanish club to its fourth Champions League title.

• Putellas was key to Barça’s European rise, lifting 38 total trophies over 14 seasons while also winning back-to-back Ballon d’Ors.

• “The time has come to acknowledge that I’ve given everything for these colors,” Putellas said on social media. “It’s been a perfect story.” (See full clip)

Big changes: Michele Kang-backed WSL side London City has emerged as the 32-year-old Spain international’s projected landing place — and it’s not the only English team padding its roster this week.

• Newly minted WSL champion Manchester City re-signed Khadija “Bunny” Shaw to a four year, £1.2 million+ contract, making the forward one of the world’s highest-paid women’s footballers. (See full report)

Quote of the day

US tennis star Coco Gauff
joking about this week’s record heat wave at the 2026 French Open.