USWNT takes on Chile to cap January friendlies

Twin, where have you been?

USWNT takes on Chile to cap January friendlies

The USWNT returns to action tonight, taking the pitch in Santa Barbara, California for the first time to close out the team’s January friendlies against Chile.

• Tonight marks the final match before US manager Emma Hayes begins narrowing her player pool ahead of March’s SheBelives Cup, with competition mounting leading to November’s World Cup qualifiers.

• “I have a really good idea of the pool,” Hayes told reporters. “I know which group of players we’re going to be building around.”

Fresh faces: With a roster comprised entirely of NWSL players, Hayes will also be managing fitness as the team gears up for their second game in four days.

• “One thing I have almost agreed to do, knowing where the players are at this stage of the season with their NWSL club, is to not start a player for two games,” Hayes said.

• “I’m putting together a whole new lineup,” she continued. “Which itself will bring another set of challenges, whether that be first caps, whether that will be inexperience, [or] collectively playing together.”

• Three January call-ups remain uncapped, as Riley Jackson, Ayo Oke, and Jordan Silkowitz look to make tonight’s starting XI.

Tune in: The USWNT takes on Chile tonight at 10 PM ET, live on TBS.

SEC makes history with record AP Top 25 rankings

The SEC lorded over Monday’s AP Poll update, with a record 10 programs representing the NCAA powerhouse after another intense week of conference play.

• No. 10 Oklahoma made the biggest leap, jumping six spots after upsetting No. 3 South Carolina 94-82 in overtime on Thursday — and ending a four-game ranked losing streak.

• No. 18 Kentucky saw the largest drop, sliding seven places after dropping games to No. 15 Tennessee and No. 23 Georgia. (See full rankings)

Big picture: Georgia’s win sent them flying into the Top 25, becoming the SEC’s 10th ranked team — the highest single-week tally in the Poll’s 50-year history.

• The Big Ten did see some positive movement, with No. 2 UCLA and No. 8 Iowa both making strides as the only programs still unbeaten in conference play.

• UConn held tight to their unanimous No. 1 ranking, after downing three opponents — including rivals Notre Dame — by an average margin of 39.7 points.

Up next: Ranked action returns tomorrow, as No. 25 Washington looks to hang on against injury-struck No. 16 Maryland at 7 PM ET, live on Big Ten Network.

Gotham hunts international glory in London

Gotham steps back into the spotlight tomorrow, as the reigning NWSL and Concacaf W Champions Cup winners take on SC Corinthians in London’s inaugural FIFA W Champions Cup semifinals.

• “The hunger they have to win is unbelievable. It’s in their nature,” Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said of his team’s continued title quest. “They win one competition and they’re already thinking about the next one.”

• “This is where we want to be: competing in the semifinals, competing in the finals, competing to raise another trophy. That’s the standard here at Gotham," defender Mandy Freeman echoed.

• The US team will be bolstered by recent rookie signing Jordynn Dudley, who joins the club fresh off her own title-winning run at Florida State.

Big picture: As Gotham squares off against Brazil’s 2025 Série A1 winners, UWCL champions Arsenal face Moroccan Women’s Championship titans ASFAR in the four-team competition’s other semifinal.

• The final and third-place matches are set for Sunday, with a history-making $3.9 million total prize pool on the line.

• The winners take home $2.3 million, while the runners-up net $1 million and each third-place teams leaves with $200,000 — with $100,000 already sent to the clubs eliminated from the play-in round.

Tune in: Gotham’s kicks off against Corinthians at 7:30 AM ET tomorrow, before Arsenal plays ASFAR at 1 PM ET, live on DAZN.

Breanna Stewart takes a stand, launches hometown foundation

WNBA star Breanna Stewart is making her voice heard, launching the Syracuse, New York-focused Breanna Stewart Foundation one day after protesting Saturday’s ICE shooting in Minneapolis on the Unrivaled 3×3 court.

• “I’ve been given a platform because of basketball, but my responsibility goes far beyond the game,” the Unrivaled co-founder wrote. “This foundation starts where I’m from, Syracuse, and grows through New York because real impact has to begin at home.”

• In partnership with Athletes for Impact, BSF aims to build “long-term, sustainable systems for women and youth in the community.” (See full post)

Taking a stand: The news came after Stewart held up a hand-written sign reading “Abolish ICE” during Sunday’s Unrivaled introductions, calling attention to this month’s fatal shootings at the hands of federal immigration agents.

• “All day yesterday, I was just disgusted from everything that you see on Instagram and in the news,” Stewart said after Mist BC’s win. “We’re so fueled by hate right now instead of love.” (See full clip)

Team USA drops full 232-athlete Olympic roster

Team USA is coming in hot, releasing the full 232-player Olympic roster as the largest US contingent in history prepares for February’s Winter Games.

• “Right and left, we have just so many people able to get on the podium at these Games,” said speed skater Erin Jackson, as she gears up to defend her 500-meter title. “I’m really excited.”

• Between the men’s and women’s events, 98 of the participating athletes are returning Olympians, including 18 gold medalists. (See full roster)

Veteran know-how: Seven members of Team USA are entering their fifth Winter Games, including decorated alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, hockey captain Hilary Knight, snowboarder Fay Thelen, and bobsled teammates Kaillie Armbruster Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor.

• “I think my age is a big advantage actually,” Vonn told reporters. “I have been in that start gate more than anyone else that’s in the starting gate.”

Stay tuned: The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off on February 6th, live on NBC.

Quote of the day

World No. 1 tennis star Aryna Sabalenka
after defeating 18-year-old Iva Jović to advance to the Australian Open semifinals.