Women's Soccer

The United States women’s national team will be hosting Brazil, Japan and Canada in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup in Atlanta and Columbus.

All four nations competed in last year’s SheBelieves Cup which saw the USWNT win all three games and lift the trophy.

The 2024 edition will have a different format. Rather than having all four teams play each other, the tournament will begin with semifinal games, followed by a championship and third-place game.

SheBelieves Cup 2024 teams

Legendary United States women’s national team midfielder Sam Mewis has announced her retirement from professional soccer at 31 years old.

Mewis, who won the World Cup with the USWNT in 2019, said that her prolonged knee injury is the reason for hanging up her boots.

The initial knee injury took place in 2017 and was a serious issue with her knee cartilage. She battled through the injury and competed in the 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympics, but needed another surgery in January 2023.

Mallory Swanson entered free agency for the first time and cashed in with a record-breaking contract with the Chicago Red Stars worth a reported $2 million including a fifth-year option.

Swanson, a popular United States women's national team striker, was acquired by Chicago in 2021 in a trade with NJ/NY Gotham FC, becomes the highest-paid player in NWSL.

Mallory Swanson new contract

United States women’s national team and San Diego Wave center back Naomi Girma was a brick wall in defense last year and has deservedly been named the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Girma is the first pure defender to win the award in its 39-year history. 

Naomi Girma Player of the Year award

If there’s one NWSL team name we weren’t the biggest fans of it was “OL Reign.” That won’t be an issue anymore as an OL Reign rebrand will see the club revert to their roots with a name change to Seattle Reign FC and a revamped crest.

OL Reign rebrand

The restoration has begun, Seattle. #ReignReturns pic.twitter.com/TtuOeAq39i

National Women’s Soccer League champions Gotham FC are the talk of free agency. The Bats have their eyes set on several high-profile players and have so far confirmed the signings of two USWNT stars.

Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson are the first two players set to take their talents to the east coast for the 2024 season.

Gotham FC announced the signing of Dunn on New Year’s Eve and then revealed Davidson as a new player on Tuesday.

Gotham FC signings

Barcelona women's captain and twice Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas will undergo knee surgery, her club said on Tuesday.

The Spain forward had to leave the national team training camp in Madrid last month because of a knee injury, which also kept her out of recent matches with Barcelona.

Alexia Putellas knee injury

Barcelona have announced that Alexia Putellas will undergo surgery on her left knee this Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/rh8rdn10cg

United States women’s national team midfielder and 2023 NWSL Champion Kristie Mewis is taking her talents to London as she leaves Gotham FC to join Women’s Super League (WSL) side West Ham United.

Mewis and Gotham FC mutually parted ways as the 32-year-old will face an entirely new challenge with West Ham who face a relegation battle. The Hammers sit second from last in the WSL table, have one win from 10 games and have the fewest goals scored in the league with eight.

Kristie Mewis West Ham transfer

The Lindsey Horan red card in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday has made the rounds among USWNT fans. The star American was sent off during Lyon’s group stage game vs. Norway’s Brann.

Horan’s red card occurred in the 52nd minute when she was fouled by Brann’s Karoline Haugland. The 29-year-old Colorado native wasn’t pleased about the challenge and gave her opponent a shove.

Tensions continued to rise as words were exchanged with Haugland and then with the referee.

Lindsey Horan red card

Gotham FC are the talk of NWSL free agency as the reigning league champs are in advanced talks with multiple big names. This latest era of Gotham FC free agency could be one for the books.

No free agents have officially signed yet, but the Bats are in contact with the likes of Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson.

Gotham FC free agency targets