Realized this article I just wrote is basically a gateway drug for queers who want (need?) to get more into WNBA fandom <3

s/o to @tcraggs22.bsky.social for being the best editor & allowing me to re-alive my 2012 undergrad thesis in this form

@catabush.com with a super fun interview with Ashlyn Puerta, a player you should definitely know about ⤵️

Sarah Gorden debates changing her name after she marries | The IX Soccer Angel City defender Sarah Gorden is facing a decision a lot of women encounter: whether she should change her name after marriage.

In her latest, @stephaniekaloi.bsky.social talks to Sarah Gorden about a choice many female athletes face — whether or not they'll change their names after marriage, and how that might affect their career or marketability.

www.theixsports.com/the-ix-socce...

"'Women’s sports are just, like, objectively better and more entertaining and really gay—it's just beautiful,' Jane told me. 'I’m just tired of men’s sports in general. I'm just tired of men in general.'"

Nobody gets better quotes than @heatherchen.bsky.social (the rest of the blog is great, too)

Fun matches this weekend!

After Death of Haitian Immigrant Daphy Michel, Pittsburgh Activists Build Community Daphy Michel died of a heart attack at a bus stop shortly after being released from ICE custody.

Haitian immigrant Daphy Michel was found dead of heart attack at a Pittsburgh bus stop after being released from ICE custody.

Daphy had suffered a mental health breakdown as Trump attacked her Haitian community in Charleroi name & died

paydayreport.com/after-death-...

For NWSL rookies, the league's physicality stands out | The IX Soccer NWSL rookies Elise Evans, Jordynn Dudley, and Kat Rader are looking to make big a big impact for their teams.

The NWSL has an impressive rookie class this year. @stephaniekaloi.bsky.social has the story on how Elise Evans, Jordynn Dudley, and Kat Rader are adjusting to the league:

www.theixsports.com/the-ix-socce...

Naomi Girma: Japan friendlies will be ‘a great test for us’ Girma is looking forward to kicking off the April series at home in San Jose

Ahead of a big international window, Naomi Girma spoke with the press about playing in her native Northern California, life in London, and more.

Subscribers can catch up at the link🔒

✍️ @abigailsegel.bsky.social

equalizersoccer.com/2026/03/30/n...

Catarina Macario's thoughts on the HIP Rule, the healing powers of California sunshine, and playing for her hometown team ⤵️

'This is people's lives': Canadian soccer star Quinn continues trans advocacy | CBC Sports A Canadian soccer star is speaking out about the need to make sports safe for trans athletes — and the world safer for trans people — as restrictive laws come into effect across North America.

A lot has changed since #CANWNT and @nsl.ca star Quinn publicly came out as nonbinary more than five years ago - for better and for worse.

www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...

Sporting bodies like the IOC and World Athletics are reacting to public pressure from a small but very vocal group of people who demand the world be simpler than it actually is. It takes time and resources away from real problems in sports, and it harms women more than it helps them.

I loved this game!!!

The Cascadia Rivalry Was Totally Bonkers | Defector Do you remember when Barbra Banda scored a goal on her birthday to tie up Orlando’s match against Denver? How about when Emma Sears ran the length of the pitch with the ball at her feet to put Louisvi...

Revel in the chaos with me

defector.com/the-cascadia...

Why Savy King's Angel City return is about more than just football The defender is back playing after a 10-month absence following cardiac arrest last year

Savy King made her long-awaited return to the NWSL in Angel City's 4-0 win over the Chicago Stars.

Amidst all the emotion of her journey, there's signs that King's return could be the start of a breakthrough season for ACFC.

📝 @abigailsegel.bsky.social

www.thecutback.com/p/savy-king-...

A few months ago, NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke told me, “Whatever wins [the WNBPA] are able to secure in their next CBA, we’ll be looking to that when we’re in negotiations next.”

"Our voice collectively is so strong and so influential, and it’s important to use it for good even in a time—and especially in a time—when there’s a lot of hate and vitriol in our environment.” - Tierna Davidson on the USWNT's responsibility to speak out on social issues

NWSL 2026 predictions: Denver’s debut, Hutton’s big move, and can anyone stop Chawinga? The 2026 NWSL season kicks off on Friday. Our writers discuss the teams, players and story lines they’re watching this year

Our 2026 NWSL predictions are live at @us.theguardian.com! Full of storylines, superlatives, stars, playoff qualifiers, and award winners. Can Gotham go dynastic?

With @ellabrockway.bsky.social, @tomjgarry.bsky.social, and @abigailsegel.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘We can always do more’: Tierna Davidson on injury return, Gotham’s title defense and USWNT activism The World Cup champion, coming off a second ACL tear in three years, is eager to step back into leadership roles with club and country as the NWSL season begins

INTERVIEW: I spoke with Gotham FC captain Tierna Davidson about returning from her second ACL tear in 3 years, if Gotham has what it takes to succeed in both the regular season and the playoffs, and the USWNT's 'strong and influential' voice:

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

always a blast!

A few days ago, I wrote about tennis media, aggregators, and politics in sports:

USWNT defeat Colombia, win eighth SheBelieves Cup | The IX Soccer Alyssa Thompson scored the game-winner for the US against Colombia to secure the 2026 SheBelieves Cup title.

Alyssa Thompson’s goal was sweeter for the struggle.

My report from the USWNT’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the final day of the SheBelieves Cup: www.theixsports.com/the-ix-socce...

Canada defeats Argentina in penalties for second SheBelieves win | The IX Soccer Canada and Argentina played to a scoress draw in regulation, but Canada won in penalties for their second SheBelieves Cup win.

My report from Canada and Argentina's scoreless draw and odd penalty shootout on the final day of the SheBelieves Cup: www.theixsports.com/the-ix-socce...

Wow, thanks Roey!

I think I've mastered the strategy of having high hopes & low expectations for each new (Red) Stars season

The NWSL Offseason Put Important New Faces In New Places | Defector In less than two weeks, a new season of the NWSL kicks off. If that causes you to do a double-take—Didn’t Rose Lavelle just score the championship game-winner, like, last week?—you’re not alone. The c...

NWSL preview time? NWSL preview time! There's been plenty of wheeling and dealing heading into the 2026 season, so I tried to make some sense of it:

defector.com/the-nwsl-off...

Soccer Racismo Sounds The Same Every Time | Defector Just over midway through Tuesday’s Champions League playoff between Benfica and Real Madrid, Vinícius struck one of the most beautiful goals of his career. In response to the strike, and to…

Soccer racismo sounds the same every time: defector.com/soccer-racis...

very worth reading Georgia Cloepfil on Lindsey Vonn, St. Teresa of Avila, and the interiority of pain

Emma Hayes names USWNT 2026 SheBelieves Cup Roster - The IX Sports Emma Hayes' roster is the first in her tenure that is starting to hew, rather than expand on, the player pool.

USWNT manager Emma Hayes revealed her roster for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup on Tuesday.

Our @abigailsegel.bsky.social broke down the selections by position group and talked through some recent contributors who did not make the cut:

Chromosome Testing Will Take Sports Back To The Dark Ages | Defector In the late 1990s, Olympics officials were suddenly eager to exit the business of testing women’s DNA. After three decades of requiring all women athletes to sit for chromosome tests in order to…

Chromosome testing will take sports back to the dark ages: defector.com/chromosome-t...

Croix Bethune and Claire Hutton are dreaming big - The IX Sports The young stars are heading to Kansas City Current and Bay FC, respectively. They each have high hopes for their new clubs.

We’ve now heard from Croix Bethune and Claire Hutton about their blockbuster moves.

@abigailsegel.bsky.social broke down their reaction, motivations and where they might fit in with their new clubs.