USWNT takes on New Zealand to cap bumpy October slate

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USWNT takes on New Zealand to cap October friendlies

The USWNT closes out the team’s October window tonight, taking on New Zealand in the team’s first-ever visit to the Kansas City Current’s CPKC Stadium.

• The match presents an opportunity for the US to exit the international window with a winning record, after splitting a pair with Portugal last week.

• “When it’s a completely different style of play, and a new opponent in a new environment, that’s another test for us,” USWNT manager Emma Hayes said ahead of tonight’s friendly. “But that’s why we want to play such a diverse group of opponents all the way up until [World Cup] qualification.”

Big picture: After heavy rotation against Portugal, Hayes will likely focus on player combos tonight, further distancing the squad from Thursday’s upset.

• “I want there to be continuity, but there was a test for us in the last game that I think the team passed with flying colors,” Hayes continued. “There will be changes tomorrow for me to see where players who haven’t been given a lot of minutes, where they fall into that.”

• “Having a three-game window allows a lot of opportunity, and it allows a lot of growth,” echoed forward Ally Sentnor. “It’s been really great to learn and grow with this group, and just ask a ton of questions.”

Tune in: The USWNT kicks off against New Zealand tonight at 8 PM ET, live on TNT.

Report: WNBA offers players 30-day CBA deadline extension

The WNBA and WNBPA might have 30 more days to work things out, with sources telling ESPN late Tuesday that the league formally offered to extend the CBA’s October 31st deadline.

• With no agreement in sight and talks of a possible work stoppage looming, the proposed extension would allow bargaining to continue without interruption.

• The action comes with precedent, as both parties agreed to a 60-day extension during the last CBA negotiation in 2019, with the deal later finalized in January 2020.

Not so fast: In response to the offer, ESPN reported that “players might be willing to consider an extension ‘under the right circumstances’ but they feel ‘those circumstances do not yet exist.’”

• The WNBPA did see it coming, with union senior adviser and legal counsel Erin D. Drake telling The Athletic yesterday, “We have worked hard to be able to say on Friday, we did it. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen.”

• Increased public scrutiny has fueled tensions around key issues like revenue sharing and salary structure, as the league claims the union hasn’t yet offered a viable counterproposal while the union accuses the league of undervaluing players and delaying meaningful engagement.

• “We urge the Players Association to spend less time disseminating public misinformation and more time joining us in constructive engagement across the table,” a WNBA spokesperson told ESPN.

Stay tuned: With Friday’s deadline fast approaching, the WNBPA could feel pressure to accept the extension — though kicking the can down the road doesn’t always guarantee progress.

Multi-team investor Alexis Ohanian lifts curtain on ACFC ownership issues

Angel City co-founder Alexis Ohanian stirred the pot this week, divulging the circumstances behind the NWSL club’s 2024 sale on Front Office Sports podcast “Portfolio Players” — calling the original ownership model “a terrible idea.”

• Ohanian said he regretted relinquishing control to three of his co-founders — actress Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and current club CEO Julie Uhrman — claiming they invested “no money” themselves.

• “I was [the] founding control owner in the eyes of the league, so it’s my ass on the line,” he continued, adding that last year’s $250 million sale directly stemmed from the celebrity-driven investment group’s unsustainable startup-like structure. “That works great in tech. In sports, it’s a terrible idea.”

Big picture: After Ohanian clashed with his fellow ACFC owners on the team’s operational and financial future, Disney CEO Bob Iger and USC dean Willow Bay stepped in to purchase the team, aligning board control with stakeholder interest.

• “I think the best outcome here is, you got Bob and Willow, they have board control, and it’s good,” he said. “It’s a rebuild.”

• Angel City did not immediately respond to Ohanian’s interview, with Portman and Uhrman remaining on the club’s board of directors while Nortman is listed as a non-voting investor.

NWSL clubs join World Sevens Football tournament

The Kansas City Current and San Diego Wave are leveling up, with the NWSL teams set to represent the US in the first-ever North American edition of the seven-a-side tournament World Sevens Football.

• Kicking off December 5th in Fort Lauderdale, the US clubs join Canada’s AFC Toronto, Mexico’s Club América and Tigres Femenil, Brazil’s Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, and Colombia’s Deportivo Cali Femenino.

• “Our team thrives on intensity, creativity, and competition which fit perfectly with the 7v7 style of play,” said Current assistant Milan Ivanovic. “This tournament is an incredible opportunity for our players to test themselves against some of the world’s best in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.”

High stakes: Armed with a $5 million prize pool, this year’s competition follows a successful May 2025 debut in Portugal.

• “We’re proud to represent Kansas City and the NWSL on the international stage and to continue pushing the women’s game forward,” Ivanovic added.

Get ready: The event is divided over four sessions, with the semifinal, third-place, and championship matches taking place on December 7th, live on DAZN.

Chawinga sisters to make WAFCON debut with Malawi

Malawi made women’s soccer history on Tuesday, qualifying for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in history — and giving sister-duo Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga the chance to shine on the global stage.

• The Scorchers advanced through the second qualifying round with a 2-0 aggregate win over Angola, joining Cape Verde as the two debutantes for the expanded 16-team 2026 tournament’s final. (Watch full highlights)

Big picture: Malawi’s breakthrough will give two of club soccer’s biggest stars their biggest platform yet, as sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga gear up for the first major international tournament of their decorated careers.

• While Tabitha (Lyonnes) participated in this week’s round, Temwa (Kansas City) sat out after suffering an adductor strain in the Current’s October 20th loss to Houston.

• “It means more opportunities and great exposure to both older and upcoming players. It is a continental platform to bring football dreams alive,” Tabitha told BBC Sport Africa this week.

Netherlands knock USWNT out of U-17 Women’s World Cup

The U-17 USWNT’s World Cup journey came to an end yesterday, falling to the Netherlands in the Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw led to a tense penalty shootout.

• A bullet from Chicago Stars forward Micayla Johnson pulled the US level in regulation, but the USWNT couldn’t finish the job, losing 7-6 in penalties. (Watch full highlights)

Big picture: The US has never won a U-17 Women’s World Cup, finishing as runners-up in the tournament’s inaugural 2008 competition before taking third in 2024.

• With five pros on the roster, the U-17 USWNT did manage their most impressive group-stage performance, taking all nine points from the three opening matches for the first time in team history.

Quote of the day

The NFL Players Association
expressing support for the WNBPA in a statement of solidarity this morning.