Latest news with #NWSLChampionship
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alex Morgan becomes minority investor in San Diego Wave
Alex Morgan has re-entered the NWSL world less than a year after retiring as a player. The former USWNT star announced on Tuesday that she is now a part-owner of the San Diego Wave, the club where she finished her career. Morgan joined the Wave during their inaugural season in 2022 and played for the club until the back half of last season, abruptly retiring after discovering she was pregnant for a second time. 'San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career,' Morgan said in a statement. 'I believed in Wave FC before a single match was played, and I still believe this club has the power to change the future of women's sports. I'm proud to invest in that future and not just as a player, but now as an investor.' Related: Alex Morgan retires with a relentless record of victories on and off the pitch | Alexander Abnos Aside from saying that Morgan will be a minority investor in the club, no other details were given on her stake. The Wave are majority owned by the Levine Leichtman family, who completed their $113m purchase of 100% of the club from former owner Ron Burkle at the end of the 2024 season. Since the new ownership took the reins, the club has undergone numerous changes. That includes the departure of club president and former USWNT coach Jill Ellis, following allegations that she created a hostile work environment (Ellis has countersued for defamation of character), along with the hiring of former Arsenal Women head coach Jonas Eidevall and the trade of Jaedyn Shaw to the North Carolina Courage. 'Alex has always fought to positively impact this game beyond the pitch,' said Lauren Leichtman, controlling owner of Wave FC. 'Her decision to invest is not only a continuation of her leadership but also a reflection of her belief in what we are building.' Morgan finished her career as one of the most accomplished players in the history of US women's soccer, winning two World Cups and Olympic gold with the US to go with an NWSL Championship in 2013 and the NWSL Shield in 2023. She said after retirement that she intended to invest in women's sports in her post-playing days, and she has kept her word – before this latest investment in Wave FC, Morgan also started venture capital firm Trybe Ventues and became an investor in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's basketball league.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alex Morgan becomes minority investor in San Diego Wave
Alex Morgan has re-entered the NWSL world less than a year after retiring as a player. The former USWNT star announced on Tuesday that she is now a part-owner of the San Diego Wave, the club where she finished her career. Morgan joined the Wave during their inaugural season in 2022 and played for the club until the back half of last season, abruptly retiring after discovering she was pregnant for a second time. Advertisement 'San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career,' Morgan said in a statement. 'I believed in Wave FC before a single match was played, and I still believe this club has the power to change the future of women's sports. I'm proud to invest in that future and not just as a player, but now as an investor.' Related: Alex Morgan retires with a relentless record of victories on and off the pitch | Alexander Abnos Aside from saying that Morgan will be a minority investor in the club, no other details were given on her stake. The Wave are majority owned by the Levine Leichtman family, who completed their $113m purchase of 100% of the club from former owner Ron Burkle at the end of the 2024 season. Since the new ownership took the reins, the club has undergone numerous changes. That includes the departure of club president and former USWNT coach Jill Ellis, following allegations that she created a hostile work environment (Ellis has countersued for defamation of character), along with the hiring of former Arsenal Women head coach Jonas Eidevall and the trade of Jaedyn Shaw to the North Carolina Courage. 'Alex has always fought to positively impact this game beyond the pitch,' said Lauren Leichtman, controlling owner of Wave FC. 'Her decision to invest is not only a continuation of her leadership but also a reflection of her belief in what we are building.' Morgan finished her career as one of the most accomplished players in the history of US women's soccer, winning two World Cups and Olympic gold with the US to go with an NWSL Championship in 2013 and the NWSL Shield in 2023. She said after retirement that she intended to invest in women's sports in her post-playing days, and she has kept her word – before this latest investment in Wave FC, Morgan also started venture capital firm Trybe Ventues and became an investor in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's basketball league.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Magic Johnson Reveals Bold Prediction for Celtics-Magic Playoff Series
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has remained very much in the public eye. For the most part, he makes his basketball opinions known on social media. While he is still very much a Lakers fan, Johnson likes to talk about the NBA as a whole. Advertisement On Saturday, the NBA Playoffs will get started. One of the first-round series fans will be watching will feature the Boston Celtics squaring off against the Orlando Magic. Johnson has officially spoken out with his prediction for the series. "I'm also picking the Celtics over the Magic for their series," he said. "I want to say sweet but I'm thinking the Magic may squeeze out one win." Magic Johnson attends the 2024 NWSL Championship match at CPKC Denny Medley-Imagn Images Other picks that he made regarding the first round of the playoffs are the Indiana Pacers over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Los Angeles Clippers over the Denver Nuggets, and the Golden State Warriors over the Houston Rockets. Advertisement Looking closer at the series, the Celtics are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. They finished the regular season with a 61-21 record. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston is always difficult to beat in a seven-game series. On the other side of the court, the Magic are a much younger team. They pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to a seven-game series in the first round last year. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are a dangerous forward duo that will keep the Celtics' hands full. Game 1 is scheduled to tip off on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on ABC. Related: ESPN Writers Predict Major First-Round Upset in NBA Playoffs
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USWNT roster: Three takeaways from squad to face Brazil
USWNT roster: Three takeaways from squad to face Brazil Show Caption Hide Caption Megan Rapinoe on what Coach Emma Hayes brings to the USWNT Megan Rapinoe explains why she's all in on Coach Emma Hayes and what she brings to the U.S. Women's National Team. Sports Seriously U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes has named a 24-player roster for her team's two upcoming friendlies against Brazil. The U.S. will face Brazil in a pair of rematches of the Olympic gold medal game. The first match will be at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 5, and the second will take place at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. on April 8. Hayes has called in 19 of the 23 players who played for the USWNT at the SheBelieves Cup last month. The tournament ended with a 2-1 defeat to Japan, the team's first loss under Hayes. Among the additions is Trinity Rodman, who has recovered sufficiently from a back injury to return to the roster for the first time since the Olympics. The Washington Spirit star is the headliner on the roster, but there are several other intriguing names. Here are three takeaways from the USWNT roster to face Brazil. Rodman returns Though Rodman has played in both of the Spirit's first two games of the season, her inclusion on this roster is somewhat surprising given how little game time she's had in recent months. The 22-year-old struggled mightily with a back injury in the aftermath of the Olympics. Rodman missed two games in the fall, but returned down the stretch and played every minute of the Spirit's three playoff matches. But after the Spirit lost to Orlando in the NWSL Championship, Rodman admitted she "wasn't the Trin that I wanted to be today." Following an offseason of rest, Rodman has come off the bench in both of the Spirit's first two NWSL games this season. Expect her to be limited with the USWNT against Brazil as well. Rodman is the only member of the vaunted "Triple Espresso" front line to make this roster. Sophia Wilson announced her pregnancy earlier this month and will be out for the foreseeable future, while Mallory Swanson's leave for personal reasons continues. Will Tullis-Joyce get her shot? The USWNT goalkeeper position will continue to be a major storyline as Hayes searches for Alyssa Naeher's replacement. Jane Campbell and Mandy McGlynn appeared to be the early front-runners when Hayes called the pair into her SheBelieves Cup roster, but neither was particularly impressive last month. Campbell started two of the team's three games, neither of which resulted in the Houston Dash goalkeeper putting in a standout display. McGlynn also had some shaky moments in her start against Australia, while the Matildas' only shot on target was a goal. That could provide an opening for Phallon Tullis-Joyce to state her case. The Manchester United goalkeeper was in camp last month, but only as a training player. This time around, she has been named to the active roster alongside Campbell and McGlynn. Last month, United coach Marc Skinner said Tullis-Joyce has the ability to become the best goalkeeper in the world. Amid a standout campaign in the WSL, she figures to get her first USWNT cap in one of the two matches against Brazil. New faces from past and present Hayes only had a few weeks to evaluate her player pool and name an Olympic roster after taking over last year. But now, Hayes has the luxury of time and she appears intent on taking advantage. The coached continued her process of expanding the player pool by calling in some new faces to this roster — though not all of them are entirely new to the USWNT. The only first-time call up this month is Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson, who impressed during her rookie campaign in the NWSL last year. The 22-year-old brings plenty of versatility to the team, with the ability to play on the flank as a winger or fullback. Alana Cook is also back in the mix as the Kansas City Current defender looks for her first cap since 2023. It may feel like forever ago at this point, but the 27-year-old looked to be in line to start at the 2023 World Cup before Vlatko Andonovski moved Julie Ertz to the back line at the last minute to partner Naomi Girma. Cook ended up not playing a minute in Australia and New Zealand. Ashley Hatch has also been handed another shot to impress after she was part of the team's January camp. The Washington Spirit forward has been prolific in the NWSL, but hasn't played for the USWNT since 2023. With the likes of Smith and Swanson out, the 29-year-old will get another chance to impress Hayes. USWNT roster vs. Brazil (club; caps/goals) Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 10), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 2), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United; 0) Defenders (8): Alana Cook (Kansas City Current; 29/1), Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain; 157/25), Emily Fox (Arsenal; 65/1), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit; 3/0), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 0/0), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 3/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 105/2) Midfielders (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain; 25/1), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 31/1), Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyon; 163/36), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 1/0), Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage; 24/8), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED; 4/1) Forwards (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 2/1), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 22/5), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG; 21/9), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 46/10), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash; 7/0), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; 5/2), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 15/1)
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NWSL Season: How to watch the regular season kickoff weekend
The much-anticipated 2025 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season kicks off this weekend with all 14 teams in action. The spotlight is on the newly added franchise, Bay FC, which is entering its second year after a remarkable inaugural season. Friday promises a double dose of soccer excitement with two thrilling matchups. The Houston Dash, determined to start the season on a high, will face the formidable Washington Spirit, who clinched the second spot in the league and made it to the NWSL championship. The second game of the night will see the defending champions, the Orlando Pride, take on the Chicago Stars, who are eager to rise from their last season's position at the bottom of the table. The weekend festivities mark the beginning of a 26-week season that includes 182 regular season matches and seven playoff games, all leading up to the NWSL Championship on November 22, 2024. Here's how you can watch all the action this weekend. More: NWSL opens investigation into Bay FC coach after complaints of 'bullying' All times Eastern. Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit, 8 p.m. on NWSL+ Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Star FC, 8 p.m. on Prime Video Kansas City Current vs. Portland Thorns FC, 12:45 p.m. on ABC, ESPN+ Racing Louisville FC vs. North Carolina Courage, 5 p.m. on NWSL+ Utah Royals vs. Bay FC, 7:30 p.m. on ION Seattle Reign FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 10 p.m. on ION Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave FC, 6:50 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NWSL schedule: How to watch season kickoff weekend
