USWNT

The US women’s national team will take to the pitch in Rio this summer wearing a distinctly different home kit from the ones debuted with the new US Soccer badge earlier this year. 

This kit was designed specifically for use in the Olympics because of an Olympic charter that mandates the absence of federation crests. Instead, the USA’s controversial new ‘Captain America’ crest will be replaced with simple “USA” lettering.

The USWNT probably won't boycott the Rio Olympics. If they're willing to brave the horrors of the Zika Virus for a shiny gold medal, the wage gap likely won't deter them either.

But it might.

In an interview with ESPN's Hannah Storm, Lloyd was asked what would make her consider boycotting Rio. Lloyd's answer:

The Houston Dash confirmed Monday that midfielder and reigning FIFA World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd has been diagnosed with a grade 1 MCL sprain that will sideline her for 3-6 weeks. Lloyd suffered the injury in the fifth minute of Saturday's 3-1 loss at the Orlando Pride in the NWSL. Lloyd was substituted from the match in the 12th minute.

The Orlando Pride's home opener against the Houston Dash Saturday was noteworthy for several reasons. First, it was the NWSL's newest team's first-ever home game. Second, it was the most-attended game in NWSL history with an estimated 23,403 fans in attendance. Third, team talisman Alex Morgan scored her first goal as a member of the Orlando Pride.

"Forget me," says Abby Wambach in her retirement-celebration commercial, brought to you by Gatorade. "Forget my number. Forget my name. Forget I ever existed."

At the time, I argued that that particular action on the part of the fans was impossible, and Wambach made it even more impossible this weekend when she got arrested for duii (driving under the influence of intoxicants) in Portland. 

Prior to her final game, Abby Wambach drummed up her best Donald Trump impersonation, including both his political xenophobia and TV-like firings. By now you know what she said. If not, listen to the podcast here.

Initial reactions criticised Wambach almost for taking any sort of position on the matter rather than the appropriateness of her comments. Wambach has never been a quiet leader. She notoriously drops the F-bomb to fire up her team.

USWNT standout Carli Lloyd was named U.S. Soccer female player of the year, for three very obvious reasons. She scored a hat trick in the Worl Cup final, but besides, that, she was the USWNT's rock all through the tournament. This is an honor she fully deserves. Here's a big reason why:

USA first goal by Carli Lloyd vs Japan in World Cup final: http://t.co/RYOocaDMCF via @YouTube

Abby Wambach's last professional soccer game is tonight. After today, Wednesday, December 16, 2015, we will never see Abby Wambach play in a soccer match that matters, barring something drastic.

She will retire the all-time leading scorer in international soccer (both men's and women's) history, with at least 184 international goals to her name.

I want to believe in the integrity of the game. I really do. I want to believe that players go out every game with the intention of winning, that managers select players with the same intention, and that referees call a fair game. Sadly I know that this is not always the case, that across the world there have been numerous confirmed instances of bribery, match-fixing, and general corrupt behavior on and off the field. But this, this is on a whole different level. You are about to watch what might be the worst referee decision ever.