Mal Pugh

The USWNT defeated Brazil 2-1 in the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday to win the tournament going a perfect three wins from three games.

Questions were raised when the news broke that 2022 U.S. Female Player of the Year Sophia Smith would miss the 2023 SheBelieves Cup. Would the USWNT attack still be as lethal? Who will step up?

“Hold my beer,” Mallory Swanson says.

An excellent finish from Mallory Swanson was the difference in the USWNT's 1-0 SheBelieves Cup win over Japan on Sunday at GEODIS Park in Nashville. Japan caused all sorts of issues in disrupting the U.S. buildup while launching 15 shots compared to only five for the Americans.  

The U.S. played with fire at the back and the midfield didn't establish any sort of dominance, but the team showed exactly what makes them so difficult to beat even when they're not at their best: an unmatched fighting spirit mixed with individuals who can provide the difference at any moment.

Two goals from Mallory Swanson saw the United States women’s national team defeat Canada 2-0 in the SheBelieves Cup Thursday night in Orlando, Florida.

The USWNT came out swinging with Swanson getting a look at goal less than 30 seconds into the game. It was practically a shooting gallery on Canada’s goal in the opening minutes with Kailen Sheridan making a fantastic save to deny Ashley Sanchez in the third minute.

Alex Morgan was pulled from the starting XI prior to the USWNT’s friendly vs. New Zealand on Friday after experiencing tightness in her lower leg. Her injury meant that the captain’s armband was transferred to Rose Lavelle. 

The 27-year-old put in quite the captain’s performance during the USWNT’s 5-0 victory vs. New Zealand scoring two goals, providing one assist and bossing the midfield.

Let’s skip straight to the good part and look at the sensational volley Lavelle scored in the 39th minute.

After an eight-year deal worth around $200 million was struck between U.S. Soccer and WarnerMedia last March, Tuesday's friendly between the USWNT and New Zealand served as the beginning of a new era with the match broadcast on HBO Max.

The $16 per month price point must've proven a barrier to many, but my advice is to instruct your parents to conceive you a sibling and then get that prodigal offspring to share their login and password with you (shoutouts to my younger brother and sister-in-law). 

When the USWNT plays New Zealand in a friendly Tuesday night at Sky Stadium in Wellington, they'll do so in front of a record crowd that foreshadows how the Americans will become the locals' second-favorite team once the World Cup kicks off in July.

Over 10,000 people are expected for tonight's friendly, the first of a two-game series between the Stars and Stripes and Football Ferns with the second match scheduled Friday at Eden Park in Auckland. 

NEW YORK - Veteran forward Alex Morgan heads a largely inexperienced roster as the U.S. women's national soccer team kick off 2023 with two friendlies on the road against World Cup co-hosts New Zealand.

The United States are gunning for an unprecedented third straight World Cup title — and fifth overall — when the tournament kicks off in less than 200 days, after a frustrating end to 2022.

The United States women’s national team is preparing for two January friendlies in New Zealand against the Football Ferns. USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski released the 24-player roster for the friendlies on Thursday and some fans were surprised to not see star player Mallory Pugh on the list.

What those fans didn’t realize was that a Mal Pugh name change had taken place since the last time the U.S. played. In December the Chicago Red Stars forward married Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.