Inspiring

With an expanded 32-team tournament and matches across Australia and New Zealand, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup (beginning with a crowd of over 100,000 for the Matildas opener against Ireland) is going to be the best in the competition's 32-year history.

The USWNT is favored for a three-peat but that's never been done before, and there will be fierce competition from European champions England, two-time world champs Germany and teams looking to take the next step like France and Spain. 

As the confetti fell and thousands of lightbulbs flashed in Lyon, France, on July 7, 2019, USA’s players climbed the podium to celebrate the fulfillment of a dream that had required years of sacrifice, total commitment and a single-minded belief in accomplishing it all.  

A captivated global audience delighted in what these 23 women had achieved — a historic fourth world title for the U.S. — but the players themselves took a moment to immortalize a staff member whose personal journey mirrored their own with the following chant: “Chef! Chef! Chef!”  

The Brazil women's national team has arrived in Australia to begin preparations for the World Cup, where they'll open play on July 24 against Panama in Adelaide. 

The squad played one final send-off match on July 2 in Brasília — hammering Chile 4-0 in front of over 15,000 — before heading to the local airport the following day.

It was an emotional send-off for 23-year-old forward Nycole Raysla, who's from the city and whose father actually works for the airport. The pair brushed away tears as Nycole said her goodbyes before jetting away to fulfill her life's ambition.  

The San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers played to a 0-0 result on Saturday night at PayPal Park, and news agency Reuters went with the headline "Goalkeepers steal show as Earthquakes, Timbers play to draw" ... Reuters wasn't telling the whole truth.

In the grand history of Concacaf, there's never before been a tournament where our gladiators have entered the arena and spectators have murmured amongst each other: "See them there? Them's Canada. They're going to slaughter everyone." 

At least not since Craig Forrest was standing between the sticks.