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August 5, 2025 Claudia's Fantasy Picks Claudia Bellofatto SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author

Our mission at LFG is to help grow women's sports by bringing fans of women's sports together. We are building a supportive, safe, and fun community. April 30, 2025 LFG Founders' Welcome Message Adrienne Alitowski & Gary W. Marion When our daughter was in elementary school, the first words she’d utter almost every morning were “Who won the game last night?” It didn’t matter the sport or the team. Since she’d have to go to bed before the final whistle, the girl needed to get caught up. She loves sports. She loves playing sports and watching sports and talking about sports. And when she got to high school, she talked to boys about sports for the first time. We remember her telling us at dinner one night that the boys told her that women’s sports were no good. Yeesh. We knew those boys were wrong. But when it was that easy for them to dismiss the hard-fought progress made by resilient and powerful athletes, well, we realized just how far there was left to go. Our daughter came of age with the 2015 and 2019 USWNT World Cup wins. We screamed our heads off, watching a giant screen in a park in Paris, when the US beat the Netherlands to win in 2019. We cheered at the inaugural Angel City FC game in Los Angeles. We welcomed Brittney Griner back to the WNBA in her first game (against the Los Angeles Sparks) after being released from Russia. Absolutely exciting and life-changing moments. Adrienne did not grow up a sports fan. When she and Gary moved in together in a small studio apartment she found him the perfect gift: TV headphones so she didn’t have to hear his sports. She didn’t understand his love for all things sport and she didn’t understand why they mattered so much to him. But watching their daughter play and love sports turned things around for her. And when Adrienne started noticing women’s sports on TV, the headphones finally came off. Women playing sports was a whole different story. She was all in! The global passion for women’s sports is catching up to our own. Audiences are growing and more people are tuning in. Maybe some of those high school boys are watching now, too. Our mission at LFG is to help grow women’s sports by bringing fans of women’s sports together. We are building a supportive, safe, and fun community that can chat, learn about our favorite athletes, and play fantasy contests. Community. Connection. Competition. What could be more fun? Welcome to LFG! SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Adrienne Alitowski & Gary W. Marion founded LFG as a way to support their love of women's sports.

RotoWire expert Joe Mayo outlines his top fantasy WNBA risers and fallers for this week, including Sophie Cunningham's opportunity to step up. The WNBA has a condensed schedule in Week 9 due to the All-Star break, but there are still opportunities to add valuable fantasy options in the shortened week. July 14, 2025 Fantasy WNBA Week 9: Top Risers and Fallers Joe Mayo Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for Week 9 Sami Whitcomb , Phoenix Mercury: The veteran guard has started in two consecutive outings since Kahleah Copper (hamstring) has been sidelined. Whitcomb erupted for a career-high 36 points (12-19 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 5-8 FT) during last Monday's win over Dallas, adding six rebounds, two steals and one assist in 27 minutes. She followed that up by filling the stat sheet in Wednesday's win over Minnesota, recording 10 points (3-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six assists, five rebounds, one block and one steal across 29 minutes. Copper and Satou Sabally (knee) have already been ruled out for Monday's game against the Valkyries, so Whitcomb will likely remain in an increased role. Sophie Cunningham , Indiana Fever: Cunningham has been impressive during the Fever's last two matchups, averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 26.0 minutes per game. Moreover, the 28-year-old forward has logged at least 21 minutes in seven consecutive outings. Caitlin Clark has operated under a minutes restriction in three straight matchups following a four-game absence due to a groin injury. While it's unclear how long that restriction will last, the Fever play a back-to-back set this week and will likely need strong contributions from Cunningham and the second unit. Leila Lacan , Connecticut Sun: The Sun activated Lacan on July 2 after she completed her overseas commitment with France in EuroBasket. The 21-year-old guard has logged significant playing time off the Sun's bench in four consecutive appearances, averaging 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26.5 minutes per game during that span. Additionally, the rookie has now played 30-plus minutes in back-to-back games, totaling 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in those two outings. The 3-18 Sun will likely continue prioritizing their youth movement, with Lacan emerging as a player to watch in fantasy leagues. Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week Teaira McCowan , Dallas Wings: McCowan returned from a nine-game absence due to a EuroBasket commitment and initially logged two consecutive games with 16-plus minutes of playing time. However, the 28-year-old center has seen a significant decline in playing time over the Wings' last two matchups, during which she has averaged 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across just 9.0 minutes per game. With Li Yueru , Luisa Geiselsoderand and Myisha Hines-Allen all seeing significant frontcourt minutes, it wouldn't be surprising to see that trend continue in Week 9. Lindsay Allen , Connecticut Sun: Allen began the 2025 campaign in a starting role before missing six straight games due to left hamstring and Achilles injuries. In the nine outings following the absence, the 30-year-old guard averaged 16.7 minutes per game. However, she has seen a significant dip in playing time over the Sun's last three outings, averaging 1.3 points in just 8.0 minutes per game during that span. With the Sun's backcourt consisting of Leila Lacan , Saniya Rivers , Bria Hartley and Jacy Sheldon , Allen isn't likely to command a meaningful role. Elizabeth Williams, Chicago Sky: Williams logged increased playing time during Kamilla Cardoso's four-game absence, as the second-year center was representing the Brazilian national team at the FIBA AmeriCup. However, Cardoso is back in the starting lineup and isn't expected to relinquish that role. While Williams still posted eight points (4-6 FG) and two assists in Saturday's win over Minnesota, she logged just 12 minutes. The 32-year-old center will likely remain a steady contributor off the bench, but her fantasy ceiling is now much more limited. Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch in Week 9 JJ Quinerly , Dallas Wings: Despite Arike Ogunbowale returning from a three-game absence due to a left thumb injury, Quinerly remained in the starting five over Aziaha James in Sunday's loss to the Fever, posting 13 points (6-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four assists and one rebound across 24 minutes. Quinerly has contributed double-digit points in five consecutive outings, and her role will be one to watch moving forward -- especially if DiJonai Carrington (ribs) remains on the shelf. Those looking for up-to-the-minute fantasy WNBA news can check out RotoWire's WNBA Injury Report and WNBA Lineups . RotoWire also features Top WNBA Picks and Player Props on a daily basis to help find the best betting lines for each night's slate. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Joe Mayo writes about fantasy sports for RotoWire X - @WiscoMayo

RotoWire expert Joe Mayo picks his top WNBA risers and fallers this week, including Aneesah Morrow, who has thrived in a starting role with the Connecticut Sun recently. The WNBA features five multi-game slates in Week 11, including five matchups on both Tuesday and Sunday. With a busy week ahead, now is a great time to add value before the fantasy playoffs. August 4, 2025 Fantasy WNBA Week 11: Top Risers and Fallers Joe Mayo Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for Week 11 Aneesah Morrow , Connecticut Sun: Morrow has seen an increased role recently, which has boosted her fantasy value following inconsistent playing time earlier in the season. The rookie started her fourth consecutive game in Sunday's loss to the Liberty, during which she recorded 16 points (5-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 27 minutes. The 22-year-old has reached double-digit points in just one of those starts, but her rebounding numbers and improved playing time have been beneficial. She has averaged 9.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game over her last four outings. The 6-foot-1 forward has been productive on the glass, grabbing at least seven rebounds in seven consecutive games. Dominique Malonga , Seattle Storm: The days of Malonga playing fewer than 10 minutes in a game are seemingly over. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft has logged double-digit minutes in six consecutive outings. During that span, she has averaged 8.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across 18.3 minutes per game. Additionally, the 19-year-old center has averaged 22.0 minutes per game over her last three appearances, during which she has shot 48.3 percent from the field. While Malonga may not score double-digit points in every single game, her ability to grab rebounds and block shots adds solid fantasy value. Naz Hillmon , Atlanta Dream: Hillmon has been on a tear recently, scoring double-digit points in four consecutive outings. During that span, the 25-year-old has averaged 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 blocks across 32.5 minutes per game. The 6-foot-2 forward has started two consecutive games due to Brittney Griner (neck) being out, though she has played a significant role off the bench since the end of May regardless. If Griner and Rhyne Howard (knee) return within the next week, Hillmon's fantasy value could take a hit. However, her recent success is extremely promising, even if she eventually returns to a bench role. Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week Lexie Hull , Indiana Fever: Hull spent the majority of the first half of the season in the starting lineup but hasn't drawn a start since July 15. The 25-year-old hasn't surpassed seven points in any of her last seven outings, including two scoreless performances. The fourth-year guard has also shot just 25.6 percent from the field during that span. Hull has played more than 20 minutes in only two of those seven games, losing playing time to Sophie Cunningham and Aari McDonald . Shatori Walker-Kimbrough , Atlanta Dream: Walker-Kimbrough has seen a significant dip in playing time in the 2025 campaign. While she recently had three consecutive appearances with 20-plus minutes, she has since played fewer than 17 in each of her last four outings, including just six minutes in Sunday's win over the Mystics. She has averaged 0.8 points and 1.0 rebounds across 11.0 minutes per game while shooting just 1-for-5 from the field during that four-game span. Kierstan Bell , Las Vegas Aces: Bell entered the starting lineup in a win over Dallas on July 27, contributing a career-high 19 points. She has now started four consecutive games in place of Jewell Loyd , who has begun to find her rhythm off the bench. However, Bell has struggled in her three appearances since that breakout performance. During that span, the 25-year-old has shot just 16.7 percent from the field and totaled only nine points. Even if Bell remains in the starting five, it wouldn't be surprising to see Loyd reclaim some of those minutes while continuing to come off the bench. Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch in Week 11 Emma Meesseman , New York Liberty: Meesseman arrived in New York on Wednesday and made her Liberty debut Sunday. She immediately joined the starting lineup in the win over Connecticut, posting 11 points (3-7 FG, 5-5 FT), three assists, two rebounds and one block across 17 minutes. The 32-year-old was solid in her debut, despite operating under a minutes restriction. Meesseman's role should continue to grow as she becomes more comfortable in the system, and her immediate inclusion in the starting five bodes well for her fantasy upside. It's unclear how long she'll see restricted minutes, but since Breanna Stewart (knee), Kennedy Burke (calf) and Nyara Sabally (knee) are all expected to miss at least Week 11, Meesseman's role will be one to monitor closely. Those looking for up-to-the-minute fantasy WNBA news can check out RotoWire's WNBA Injury Report and WNBA Lineups . RotoWire also features Top WNBA Picks and Player Props on a daily basis to help find the best betting lines for each night's slate. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Author @WiscoMayo Joe Mayo writes about fantasy sports for RotoWire

...the Liberty are far from the only team to deploy interesting lineups this season, and those lineups continue to make an impact both for fantasy games and the playoff race. With that in mind, here are 5 lineups to keep an eye on down the stretch. August 26, 2025 Five WNBA Lineups to Watch Down the Stretch Steve Pimental In the second quarter of their home win over the Connecticut Sun Monday, the New York Liberty played a lineup of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich and Emma Meesseman. Only one of those players, Sabrina Ionescu, is shorter than 6’4.” I would think that has to be the biggest lineup in WNBA history, and it could provide an interesting wrinkle in the playoffs against teams like the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces or Indiana Fever. It is impossible to draw any conclusions about the lineup after one game, especially with Breanna Stewart playing for the first time in nearly a month. That being said, the Liberty are far from the only team to deploy interesting lineups this season, and those lineups continue to make an impact both for fantasy games and the playoff race. With that in mind, here are 5 lineups to keep an eye on down the stretch. Seattle Storm - Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Erica Wheeler, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor This lineup has played the most minutes in the WNBA and for good reason: They have a 13.9 net rating, while the Storm as a whole have a 3.5 net rating, fifth-best in the league. This was Seattle’s starting lineup for two months, before Seattle traded for Brittney Sykes and inserted her in the starting lineup. Since the trade deadline, the new starting lineup of Ogwumike, Diggins, Sykes, Williams and Magbegor has played the third-most minutes in the WNBA with a 9.5 net rating. While the addition of Sykes doesn’t appear to have done much for the starting lineup, it has provided a boost to the bench. Seattle’s bench has a 2.3 net rating since the trade deadline, second-best in the league in that time. In the playoffs, when rotations get shorter and the starters can play even more minutes together, Seattle could be more dangerous than their 20-18 record indicates. New York Liberty - Rebekah Gardner and Jonquel Jones Jones and Rebekah Gardner have a 24.9 net rating in 113 minutes. That is second on the team among duos that have played at least 12 minutes, to only Jones and Breanna Stewart, who have a 27.7 net rating in 208 minutes. I still think Gardner should get another chance to start , especially with Natasha Cloud out. Jones and Gardner are probably New York’s two best defenders, so it is no surprise they have an 88.7 defensive rating when they share the court. The three-player lineup with Breanna Stewart joining Jones and Gardner has been ridiculous, albeit in a tiny sample. They have a 51.0 net rating in 26 minutes, thanks to a 69.8 defensive rating. I would try to play those three together as much as I can, especially now that the Liberty have added Emma Meesseman. Even if the defense suffers with those three off the court, you have more than enough firepower to stay competitive in those minutes and then suffocate opponents when those three play together. Natasha Cloud will almost certainly return to the starting lineup when she recovers from her nose injury, and I think it would be tempting to say New York is set with a playoff rotation of Sabrina Ionescu, Cloud, Stewart, Meesseman, Jones, Leonie Fiebich and Marine Johannes, but I think that would be a mistake. If New York is going to return to the WNBA Finals for a third consecutive season, I think they’re going to need Gardner playing next to Jonquel Jones to do it. Dallas Wings - Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers In 632 minutes together, by far the most for any pairing on the team, the Wings have a -2.8 net rating. As a team, they have a -7.1 net rating and Bueckers individually has a -4.3 net rating in her rookie season. I thought for years that Ogunbowale was unfairly criticized for losing in Dallas when she never really got to play next to a quality point guard. I was disappointed that Dallas couldn’t at least compete for the last playoff spot with Bueckers having an outstanding rookie year, and I figured that meant Ogunbowale was done in Dallas after this season. Even after I read General Manager Curt Miller’s comments regarding Ogunbowale’s future , I took it with a giant grain of salt. Now, after seeing their numbers together, I think Ogunbowale could make sense in Dallas on a reasonable contract. They still need help on the wing, but with a bunch of young players under contract and Awak Kuier potentially returning following two years off, Dallas could return to the playoffs next season with their starting backcourt leading the way. Chicago Sky - Sevgi Uzun, Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese This season has been an unmitigated disaster for the Sky, and if there is any modicum of accountability in that organization, it will cost general manager Jeff Pagliocca his job. If I was head coach Tyler Marsh, my number one goal over the final seven games of the season would be getting this trio as many minutes together as possible. The biggest tragedy of this season, beyond gifting a high draft pick to the Minnesota Lynx, is that Chicago isn’t really any closer to knowing if Cardoso and Reese can contribute to winning basketball side-by-side, or if they eventually will have to trade one or both of them. Their numbers are pretty bad together, but I can’t help but wonder if they would have looked better if Courtney Vandersloot had stayed healthy. Uzun, Cardoso, and Reese have a -20.0 net rating in 22 minutes, with an offensive rating of 122.2 and a defensive rating of 142.2. Maybe those three will just never be good enough defensively, but I don’t think you’re learning anything by starting Rachel Banham and Michaela Onyenwere. Sure, they provide just enough shooting and defense to keep those lineups competitive, but neither is a long-term starter in this league. Uzun, Cardoso and Reese may not be long-term starters either, but there is only one way to find out. If nothing else, Uzun is the best point guard on this roster, and she needs to be playing with your possible frontcourt of the future. Las Vegas Aces - Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, NaLyssa Smith Much was made of Jewell Loyd’s move to the bench, and the Aces have lost just one of their 14 games since Kierstan Bell replaced Loyd in the lineup. That being said, the old starting lineup has played the fourth-most minutes of any five-player unit in the WNBA, with a 15.9 net rating. The new starting lineup has a 5.2 net rating in 107 minutes. The Aces have actually gotten a lot of mileage out of four-guard lineups when NaLyssa Smith goes to the bench, but if they are going to parlay this second-half surge into a long postseason run, I think their best lineup with their five best players is going to have to carry them. Bell may continue to start so long as the Aces keep winning, but there is a reason Loyd played 21 more minutes than Bell against the Sky on Monday. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author

The WNBA has a lighter schedule this week to compensate for the Commissioner's Cup Championship on Tuesday, but there has still been plenty of movement among fantasy options recently. June 30, 2025 Fantasy WNBA Week 7: Top Risers and Fallers Jason Shebilske Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for Week 7 Rachel Banham , Chicago Sky: The Chicago frontcourt has been somewhat unpredictable since Courtney Vandersloot suffered a torn ACL, but Banham has taken on a starting role over her last four appearances, averaging 10.5 points and 3.3 assists in 27.0 minutes per game. She's done so while Kia Nurse -- who nearly made the Risers list for this week as well -- has also been productive, showing that there could be fantasy-relevant roles available for both players, who are available in the vast majority of leagues. Hailey Van Lith's playing time has decreased recently, so Banham and Nurse should continue to have increased opportunities for the Sky. Kennedy Burke , New York Liberty: Burke has made some spot starts for the Liberty this season, but she's moved to the bench over her last four appearances. However, she's been a reliable contributor over those four outings, scoring at least nine points in every game while also producing on the defensive side of the ball. She's averaged 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 24.5 minutes per game during that span and could continue to see an elevated role even when Leonie Fiebich -- who had a somewhat inconsistent start to the season -- rejoins the team. Kalani Brown , Phoeni x Mercury: Despite Natasha Mack missing the start of the regular season due to injury, Brown was unable to carve out much of a role in the frontcourt, playing exclusively off the bench while averaging just 13.8 minutes per game over her first 12 appearances of the season. Her playing time hasn't picked up much recently, as she's averaged just 13.7 minutes per game over her last three outings, but she's been slightly more reliable as a scorer and rebounder during that time, averaging 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, which at least puts her in streaming consideration. The Mercury play just one game this week, but Brown has put herself back on the fantasy radar, at least in a short-term capacity. Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week Chloe Bibby , Golden State Valkyries: Bibby had a strong start to her WNBA career for the shorthanded Valkyries, posting back-to-back performances with double-digit points while also racking up three steals over that two-game span. However, her playing time has decreased significantly over her last three appearances, and she's averaged just 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game during that time. The Valkyries are on the cusp of getting several players back from EuroBasket, so Bibby's time as a fantasy-relevant option appears to be drawing to a close for now. Odyssey Sims , Los Angeles Sparks: Sims' status as a Faller is more circumstantial than others, as she recently missed five games while tending to a personal matter, and she returned to the court for Sunday's game against the Sky. However, she came off the bench and managed just two points, four assists and two rebounds in 17 minutes against Chicago while Shey Peddy continued to start. Sims was productive earlier in the season and could return to a similar level at some point, but Peddy appears to be the hot hand in the Sparks' backcourt for the time being. Te-Hina Paopao , Atlanta Dream: Paopao had a strong run in mid-June in which she posted exactly 16 points in three of four appearances despite coming off the bench, and she shot 74.1 percent from the floor during that time. However, she cooled off drastically last week, averaging just 1.3 points and 1.3 assists in 11.0 minutes per game. She could see a slight uptick in playing time if Rhyne Howard (upper body) is forced to miss time, but Paopao's upside is limited now that her efficiency has regressed. Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch in Week 7 Shey Peddy , Los Angeles Sparks: Peddy is the definition of a Player to Watch this week, as her usage will be intriguing to monitor as Odyssey Sims regains her conditioning. The Sparks have two games this week amid a relatively light schedule around the league, so Peddy has the potential to be a solid option for fantasy managers this week if she can maintain a starting role. The 36-year-old carries some risk since she wasn't even on the team prior to Sims' absence, but Peddy has had consistent fantasy production -- albeit with limited upside -- as a starter, and she could at least remain in streaming consideration if she can maintain ample playing time. Those looking for up-to-the-minute fantasy WNBA news can check out RotoWire's WNBA Injury Repor t and WNBA Lineups . RotoWire also features Top WNBA Picks and Player Props on a daily basis to help find the best betting lines for each night's slate. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Jason joined RotoWire in 2019. In 2023, he was named the FSWA Player Notes Writer of the Year. In addition to RotoWire, Jason writes for the Sports Broadcast Journal.

I've been saying that TST is probably one of the coolest things that's happened to the sport. It brings together such a huge community of soccer fans and soccer players from all over. It’s brought out a bunch of retired legends who are now in this smaller and intimate 7v7 space that is full of action... June 5, 2025 In The Know W/ Lindsey Harris Lindsey Burke Harris Q: What about TST makes it so exciting to play in and watch? A: I've been saying that TST is probably one of the coolest things that's happened to the sport. It brings together such a huge community of soccer fans and soccer players from all over. It’s brought out a bunch of retired legends who are now in this smaller and intimate 7v7 space that is full of action. 7v7 is such a different environment in general, and, in my opinion, is so much more fun to watch and play in than 11v11 because there is more action and it's so fast-paced. I would say the “Target Score Time” rule is incredible and one of the most unique things that soccer has seen. It makes every game exciting and fun to play in because you never know how it's gonna end. Ending on a goal is the best way to end a soccer match. Buzzer beaters in basketball are always the best, and so is a match ending on a goal. Playing for U.S. Women and Heather O’Reilly allowing me to be on this team has been amazing. I never in a million years would have thought I would play alongside these National Team legends. For me, it is so cool to watch and play in this tournament because I get to learn from the best, and that is just so much fun for me. I thank Heather all the time for just allowing me to be a part of this. Q: As a TST icon who has had so many stellar performances in your first two tournaments, what do you think has been key to your success in goal? A: First of all, I don't know if I would go as far as “icon,” but I appreciate that. I would say one thing about my skillset that allows me to do well in these games is my athleticism and reaction time. It’s so cool having this group of U.S. Women legends instilling so much confidence in everyone. Our team environment is so positive and so fun-loving! We're just here to have fun and compete. One thing that we all have in common is appreciating and all helping to create an environment where we can feel confident and still have fun doing it while not having the pressure of letting people down. All of that is what makes this so special and what has pushed us to succeed previously in this tournament. I also want to add that I have so much extra motivation wearing the U.S. Women crest because I want to do well for my teammates who have helped pave the way in women’s soccer in the U.S. I really want to make them proud and happy by winning. Q: With this being your third straight year with U.S. Women, what, if anything, about this year’s team is different? A: I would say in our third year we're definitely way more prepared. I would say what's different this year is everyone is way more intentional and focused about what we're doing. We had three trainings prior to the tournament as opposed to one training in previous years. We've gone over tactics and had PowerPoints. We've also added some amazing players this year that are really gonna help us win. I'm excited to get on the field with them! Tune in because it's gonna be so fun to watch! SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Currently, Lindsey Burke Harris is a pro goalkeeper with Al-Qadsaih Women's Football Club. Previously, she played for the NWSL's Houston Dash. Lindsey is a UNC Women's Soccer alumna and a NCAA national champion. She is Houston born and Austin raised.

Would the Utah Royals and Houston Dash be able to end the losing streaks they took into the break? Would San Diego and Seattle stay hot? Was an extended break the only thing that could slow down the Kansas City Current? We got the answers to all of those questions and more in the opening weekend, and those answers could set the course for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. With that in mind, here are five things we learned over the weekend. August 6, 2025 Five Things We Learned in NWSL's First Weekend Back Steve Pimental After five weeks off, the NWSL returned this past weekend to much fanfare and a very competitive slate. Four of the seven games on the weekend ended in a draw, and no game was decided by more than two goals. While they league wasn’t in action, most of the players were, either on international duty or in friendly matches to attempt to stay sharp. Even so, I wasn’t really sure what to expect after so much time away. Would the Utah Royals and Houston Dash be able to end the losing streaks they took into the break? Would San Diego and Seattle stay hot? Was an extended break the only thing that could slow down the Kansas City Current? We got the answers to all of those questions and more in the opening weekend, and those answers could set the course for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. With that in mind, here are five things we learned over the weekend. Utah's new-look starting lineup works. Utah Royals had six new players in their starting lineup compared to their last game, including a nearly entirely new back line. You never would have known it based on their play on the field. They did a good job being patient in possession when required but also found the space in the middle of the pitch, which led to their only goal. Utah earned just their second point on the road all season, and they did it against the defending champions. Orlando was missing Marta, Angelina and Ally Watt, but I was still impressed with how competitive Utah was coming out of the break. They will have a tough test Friday at home against the Current, but I think they will continue to be surprisingly competitive down the stretch. I was especially impressed by rookie goalkeeper Mia Justus, who was making her first career start. She got away with a heavy touch that nearly led to a goal early in the second half, but she finished with five saves on six attempts on goal. I thought she mostly looked composed facing the Orlando attack, and did a good job commanding her area. Even the goal she allowed wasn’t really her fault. Presca Chilufya was alone in the middle of the box, and nobody was stopping that shot. If Justis continues to start I think she’ll be playable for fantasy, even if she probably won’t get many wins. The San Diego Wave are legit. They didn’t get the road win I predicted , though considering the odds, I still think it was a good call. San Diego still has just one loss on the road to go along with the second-best road goal differential. They need to be better at home if they’re really going to contend, but I think that could be coming. At the very least, I think they’re still somewhat underrated on the road. The Kansas City Current put the entire league on notice. While I’m content with my San Diego Wave call, backing Louisville at home against Kansas City looks far more foolish. The Current are on top of the table, 10 points clear of Orlando and the Washington Spirit after their 2-0 road win. Perhaps more importantly, the Current traded for Royals star All Sentnor for a record transfer fee . Any hope that the Current would show some rust and come back to the pack following the break appears to have gone out the window. Its hard to imagine any team catching them now. Angel City’s collapse continues. Angel City was 4-2-2 in early May but has earned just one point from six games since then. Angel City has the second-youngest average age in the league, and 15 of their 20 goals scored are by players 22 or younger. Manager Alexander Straus is still looking for his first win since taking over on June 1. He won three straight league titles with Bayern Munich, but while the break appeared to come at the perfect time for Angel City, they still couldn’t pick up a win. I still think Straus and Angel City will turn things around, but I’m beginning to think it won’t be until next season. This team is weighted very heavily toward offense, which is why they are tied for fifth in goals scored while also allowing the third-most goals in the league. They attempted to compensate by moving midfielder Alanna Kennedy to center back. I actually thought she looked pretty comfortable in her new role, even if she was charged with the own goal for Seattle’s second score. I hope she stays in that role a little while longer. Angel City faces the Wave on the road Saturday which might be a good thing, followed by at Utah the next week. I think one of those games could get them back in the win column. Chicago Stars FC continue to be competitive Unfortunately, that is all we can really hope for from the teams at the bottom of the table. After losing eight of their first 10 games, Chicago has drawn three of its last four. They still don’t have any consistent attack to speak of, with only two players having scored multiple goals. Even so, six of their 11 goals scored have come in their last five games. Scoring goals was always going to be a challenge with Mallory Swanson out, but at least Chicago has been in all of these games. That might change soon. After they face Bay FC next week, five of their next seven games are against teams in the top half of the table. If they can keep those games close, they really will have shown progress. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Steve Pimental would rather write 20,000 words about Stef Dolson than write two sentences about himself. He lives near Chicago with his beagle/shepard mix, Hootie.

I’m particularly excited to watch the new Canadian league this year. There are so many great players making the move there, as well as female coaches, owners and GMs involved. May 9, 2025 In The Know W/ Adelaide Gay Adelaide Gay Q: Being such an accomplished veteran player (in both pro soccer and college soccer) over the last 15+ years, what can you say about this time in women’s soccer? A: This time in women’s soccer is really interesting. There is so much investment being made into women’s sports at this moment. For most of my life and career women’s sports was seen as a charity or some kind of benevolence. Even in college sports where the investment was legally required to be equal, there was this idea that women were playing as a means to a different end than the men were. And I think it’s cool that that is changing. Being a female athlete at a professional level is not only possible - which it has been for a while - but lucrative and desirable. Investors now see a real benefit and a real return on investing in women. I have seen this change first-hand over the course of my professional career - in particular over the past 5 years. I’m excited to see where things could be in another 5 years. Q: Are there particular players and leagues in women’s sports that you are excited about watching that others should be too? A: I’m a soccer junkie. I watch NWSL games, USL Super League Games, WSL games etc… I love that almost every day there is a women’s soccer game readily available on major streaming platforms. One of the cool things about playing as long as I have is watching some of my young teammates embark on their careers, move to new countries and grow into incredible players and people. As much as I love seeing players succeed, I love just watching their stories unfold especially when there is a genuine love for the game itself. I’m particularly excited to watch the new Canadian league this year. There are so many great players making the move there, as well as female coaches, owners and GMs involved. From what I’ve seen the teams seem to have made an effort to do things the right way, and bring in the right kinds of people. A few years ago in Norway, I played with Nikki Stanton (who is playing for Vancouver Rise) and she is still one of my favorite human beings. I can’t wait to watch her crush it on the field and I know she will bring a high level of professionalism, experience, kindness and humor to her team and the league. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author ⚽ Pro Soccer Player 📓 Founder, Duktig Brand 🏆 NCAA, NWSL, W-League, Elitettan, Danish and Icelandic Cup Champion

July 15, 2025 Aaron's Euros and Afcon Quarters Preview Aaron West SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author

The athlete world is small – it is special to see so many people with such a big part of their identities in common gather together and feel instant connection, relate on shared backgrounds and experiences, become friends with those they once competed against... June 28, 2025 In The Know W/ AthletEX's Taylor Cohen Taylor Cohen LFG is all about building community. How did being a college athlete prepare you for building the AthletEX community? Being a college athlete at a top university helped prepare me for building our AthletEX community by leveraging my team building and leadership skills, providing me with instrumental mentors and resources, and offering the knowledge and experiences needed to build a business. AthletEX is built by athletes for athletes. We strive to replicate the best parts of the athlete experience through the events and resources we offer our community– combining fitness, wellness, and social experiences. Our key offerings were inspired by mine and so many of my former teammate’s stories, their struggles with transitioning out of college sports, and out of a need to fulfill core parts of the athlete identity and community. Personally, serving as team captain, becoming an All-American and National Champion, and playing at the collegiate and professional level provided me with the drive, ambition, communication, leadership, team-building, perseverance, empathy, confidence and connections needed to build and run our community. Which players or teams are you most excited about watching? Is there someone’s story that you connect with? I am most excited about watching the USWNT, the NWSL, and specifically Angel City FC. These organizations are pushing forward so many aspects of women’s soccer beyond the game - through business development, league expansion, community and partnership campaigns, increased pay and player initiatives, and growing opportunities for current players, retired players, and future players. I love how much women’s soccer has grown in the last few years and even though my favorite player (Alex Morgan) is recently retired, I am excited for what continues to unfold in her legacy and watching the women of the USWNT and the NWSL dominate on-field, set the standard for women’s sports culture globally, and push women’s sports forward. What is the most rewarding part of having built AthletEX? Most people think of doing things but then get stopped. Tell us how you kept going! The most rewarding part of building AthletEX is the genuine connections I watch happen every time we bring our community together. The athlete world is small – it is special to see so many people with such a big part of their identities in common gather together and feel instant connection, relate on shared backgrounds and experiences, become friends with those they once competed against, and continue to build on those connections outside of our events. I receive genuine “thank-you’s” all the time for building a community that provides a space to feel like you are part of a team again. That was the mission I set out on when I created AthletEX – to find your purpose and people after sport - and I get to feel the power of that mission every day. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Taylor Cohen is founder and CEO of AthletEX, a community for former college athletes, and a former professional soccer player. Maccabi Gold Medalist - Bundesliga Pro - NCAA Champion with WashU

I think one of the reasons I was drawn to fantasy golf is the smorgasbord of statistics that we can pour through. I can literally spend hours looking at statistical leaderboards, results and course histories trying to find an edge. Much like the WNBA, the LPGA Tour has made great strides in its statistical offerings in reason seasons, which has been great for fantasy players. July 23, 2025 Nine LPGA Numbers to Know Steve Pimental I think one of the reasons I was drawn to fantasy golf is the smorgasbord of statistics that we can pour through. I can literally spend hours looking at statistical leaderboards, results and course histories trying to find an edge. Much like the WNBA, the LPGA Tour has made great strides in its statistical offerings in recent seasons, which has been great for fantasy players. The only problem with trying to comb the LPGA stats for an advantage is that we really have to dig deep in some cases. The LPGA Tour is as deep as its ever been, with so many young players hitting the ground running and many of the best veterans still in their primes. That means most of the statistical leaders are the good players you would expect. I certainly find it interesting that only Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda have shot in the 60s in more than half of their rounds this season, but I didn’t need to know that to know those two were the best players in the world. That being said, I have several more obscure numbers you should know, highlighting players who could make a surprising impact at the upcoming AIG Women’s Open as well as the rest of the season. 9 - The number of LPGA Tour winners 25 years old or younger through 17 tournaments. June actually saw the veterans gain some ground, as all three winners were 28 or older. Even so, the youth movement this season is undeniable. If this trend continues, we could see the top players have shorter peaks and careers in general as the next generation of young players comes up in their wake. It is too early to know for sure, but I’ll be keeping an eye on this trend the rest of the season. 19 - The number of different winners on the LPGA Tour through 18 events (The Dow Championship is a team event). We had just 20 different winners on the LPGA all last season. Five different players won multiple times, lead by Nelly Korda’s seven wins. Only two of those five have won this season: Lydia Ko and Jeeno Thitikul. For that reason, the Rolex Player of the Year race is wide open. Whoever is the first player to add a second win will have a big leg up. -1.20 - Perrine Delacour’s Risk Reward Score in the Aon Risk Reward Challenge. Delacour leads the Aon Risk Reward Challenge despite only playing five events and finishing no better than T21. I would be lying if I said I completely understood the Aon Risk Reward Challenge and how it is calculated, but it measures each player’s best two scores on certain holes each tournament. Delacour leads Hasa Hataoka, Nelly Korda, Jennifer Kupcho and Auston Kim in the top five. Delacour needs to play 22 more rounds to qualify, and I don’t know if she will get there, but it is something to watch. Delacour has just five career top 10s on the LPGA Tour, though she does have two LET wins. Yuka Saso, Minjee Lee, Angel Yin, and Jeeno Thitikul have won the four trophies that have been handed out, so it would be a major upset if Delacour finished at the top. Either way, it should be a fun race with a $1 million prize on the line. 286.66 - Julia Lopez Ramirez’s driving distance in yards, which is second on Tour. Lopez Ramirez also second in strokes gained off-the-tee. She led the field in strokes gained off the tee at the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, where she played in the final group on Sunday but could not keep pace with eventual winner Maya Stark. The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl will actually play slightly longer than Erin Hills did, and if Lopez Ramirez can play her way into the field, I like her chances of having another good week. 84.14 - The percentage of fairways Andrea Lee has hit, best on the LPGA Tour. She is also ninth in greens in regulation and bogey avoidance and fourth in Round 1 Scoring Average. She has quietly put together an excellent summer, finishing T30 or better in eight consecutive tournaments with five top-tens. Lee is one of the shorter players on tour, sitting 137th in driving distance, but she has made the cut in all five of her AIG Women’s Open starts. I expect her to have another solid week at Royal Porthcawl, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her pick up her second career win sometime this season. 84.54 - The percent of greens Azahara Munoz has hit in regulation from the fairway. Munoz leads the LPGA Tour in GIR from the fairway, but she only hits 68.31 percent of her fairways. If she can get hot with the driver or find a course with wide fairways, Munoz could pop in any given tournament. She has made the cut in four of her last five events including the Evian Championship and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, so she might be coming around. 68.83 - Hye-Jin Choi’s scoring average in the first round. Hye-Jin Choi is arguably the best player on the LPGA Tour who hasn’t won yet, but I suspect if you tried to guess who has the lowest Round 1 Scoring Average on Tour, her name wouldn’t be top of mind. She leads a group of six players who are averaging under a 70 in the opening round, along with Jeeno Thitikul, Minjee Lee, Andrea Lee, Somi Lee and A Lim Kim. 67.50 - Robyn Choi’s scoring average in the fourth round. You could have given me 100 guesses and I wouldn’t have named Choi as the leader in Round 4 Scoring Average. She has made the cut in just four of her seven starts this season, but when she has made the cut, she has finished T30, T11, T9 and T20. That all-or-nothing nature could make her an interesting dart-throw for fantasy, though she is obviously quite risky. Hyo Joo Kim is second in Round 4 Scoring Average and she has been fairly volatile as well, with three missed cuts and four top-10s this season. 43.33 - The percentage of Yahui Zhang’s rounds in the 60s. As you might expect, the leaders in Rounds in the 60s includes most of the top players in the world. That is especially true when you look at Rounds in the 60s percentage. Only Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda have shot in the 60s in more than half of their rounds, and there is a reason they are widely considered the two best players in the world. If you look a bit lower, you will find 19-year-old Yahui Zhang in sixth place. Zhang has missed five cuts in 11 starts and is still looking for her first top-10, but she may not have to look much longer. If she can start avoiding the one or two bad rounds each tournament, she could be the next rookie to make an impact on the Tour. SEE MORE ARTICLES & VIDEOS About the Author Steve Pimental would rather write 20,000 words about Stef Dolson than write two sentences about himself. He lives near Chicago with his beagle/shepard mix, Hootie.