USWNT shoots for series win against Japan

There’s a new sheriff in town.

USWNT shoots for series win against Japan

The USWNT is playing Japan for all the marbles, as the elite women’s soccer nations enter tonight’s series rubber match with one win apiece.

• The US opened the three-friendly showdown with a veteran-fueled 2-1 win on Saturday, before the Nadeshiko turned the tide with Tuesday’s 1-0 shutout.

• “I think we dominated a lot of really good things without having the secret sauce,” US manager Emma Hayes said after Japan snapped the team’s 10-game winning streak. (Watch full highlights)

Taking stock: Hayes opted for a full roster rotation between the first and second games, but tonight’s decider will likely feature a more balanced mix of seasoned experience and youthful firepower.

• Hayes hasn’t yet adopted a win-now approach, even as the USWNT inches closer to November’s World Cup qualifiers.

• “If I chose feeling good about everything, I’d make much different choices,” Hayes told reporters. “I’m a developer of talent — I believe in the combination of winning for today and tomorrow.” (See full roster)

Tune in: The US kicks off against Japan tonight at 9 PM ET, live on TNT.

WNBA Draft draws 1.5 million to ESPN

Monday’s WNBA Draft delivered, after an average of 1.5 million viewers tuned in to ESPN’s coverage — marking the second-most watched event on record.

• Viewership peaked at 1.79 million near the end of the first around, well after Dallas selected UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall.

• Ratings were up 20% over 2025, falling second only to 2024, when 2.45 million saw Indiana take Iowa’s Caitlin Clark with its first pick. (See full report)

Big picture: Monday’s numbers reinforce the women’s basketball boom’s endurance, arriving shortly after ESPN aired the second-most watched March Madness in network history.

• Prior to 2024, WNBA draft viewership peaked at just 601,000 in 2004, while the last three years remain the only broadcasts to clear seven figures.

• The 2026 WNBA Draft also ranked as the night’s top program among male-identified adults aged 25 to 54 and all adults from 18 to 34 — providing a captive audience as the league heads into its 30th season.

Top recruit Jerzy Robinson signs with South Carolina

South Carolina is building toward the future, as this year’s No. 6 high school recruit Jerzy Robinson officially signed with the Gamecocks this week.

• Robinson is finishing her senior year at LA’s Sierra Canyon, becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer after just three years on the team.

• “Jerzy is an all-level scorer,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “Beyond that, she has a winning mentality that she brings to every possession and every matchup she faces.” (See full release)

Big plans: Having fallen short of two straight NCAA title games, the Gamecocks are turning to both recruiting and the transfer portal after losing Raven Johnson and Madina Okot to the WNBA.

• South Carolina recently hosted ex-Tennessee commit Oliviyah Edwards on an official visit after the No. 3 prospect re-opened her recruiting, while also eyeing prospective Texas transfer Jordan Lee.

French Open boosts 2026 prize money

The French Open is raising the stakes, as the annual Grand Slam plans to increase prize money by nearly 10% for the 2026 tournament.

• This year’s pool tops €61.7 million ($72 million USD), up €5.3 million over last year’s total — with both the men’s and women’s singles winner taking home €2.8 million. (See full report)

Big money: Roland Garros provides equal pay across the men’s and women’s competitions, with runners-up set to earn €1.4 million, while semifinalists walk with €750,000.

• World No. 3 Coco Gauff won the 2025 French Open — then worth €2,550,000 — with the US favorite set to begin her title defense in Paris when the tournament kicks off on May 24th.

NWSL moves to restrict on-field brands

The NWSL is buckling down on brands, developing a program that could force players to cover up non-qualified shoe and glove logos during games — or pay the price.

• Front Office Sports reported the league office notified players of its “footwear exposure agreement” earlier this year, moving to limit visible logos to apparel brands officially partnered with the NWSL.

• Nike and Adidas have reportedly already signed onto the deal, with players set to face up to $32,000 in non-compliance fines for repeat violations. (See full report)

Big picture: The rule mirrors a WNBA policy, with NWSL believing the agreements will benefit players by creating more investment in club-issued boots.

LOVB Salt Lake takes championship lead

LOVB Salt Lake is pulling ahead, taking Game 1 of the 2026 Championship Series after topping Austin 3-2 in Thursday’s five-set thriller — putting itself on the brink of a first League One Volleyball title.

• “I thought we stuck together as a group and did what we could do even through the weird,” said Salt Lake outside hitter Alexa Gray. “Just really proud of how we stayed in it and fought.” (See full recap)

Up next: Austin will look to stage a comeback in Saturday’s final series closer, hoping to force a decisive golden set for a shot at earning the second-year pro league’s Tiffany Trophy.

Tune in: Salt Lake takes on Austin tomorrow at 8 PM ET, live on USA.

Quote of the day

Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles
after closing out her decorated UCLA career at Thursday’s NCAA Gymnastics Championships.