Erin Achenbach Articles - Page 40

The tension is mounting as OL Reign heads to San Diego for a semifinals clash with the Wave FC this Sunday. The Seattle-based team is determined to break its streak of near-misses and claim the NWSL championship that has eluded the team, despite making the playoffs every year since 2019. With the stakes high, this […]

The NWSL is gearing up for a season of change and growth in 2024. With the addition of two new clubs, Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, the league is set to expand to 14 total teams. and the stage is set for the 2024 NWSL expansion draft on Dec. 15, a key date for […]

In a landmark move for international women’s basketball, ex-WNBA player Liz Cambage has struck a $1 million deal with the Sichuan Yuanda Merlot, marking a significant shift in the athlete’s career. This three-month contract with the Chinese team eclipses the earning potential of a WNBA Supermax contract, which is currently capped at $234,936 per season. […]

In an innovative move, the Toronto Raptors have teamed up with Canada Basketball and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment  to elevate the profile of Canadian women’s basketball on the international stage as they prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The initiative, announced Nov. 1, sees the Raptors’ iconic imagery prominently featured on the uniforms of […]

The unity among Women’s Tennis Association players is more palpable than ever as they press for tour reforms that prioritize their well-being, including requests for a structured maternity leave policy and better injury absence coverage. Top-ranked athletes, including Iga Swiatek, have voiced their dissatisfaction with current WTA Tour policies. After her second round-robin victory at […]

The basketball court isn’t the only place where New York Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu is making her mark. The hardwood has been a showcase for something other than slam dunks and three-pointers lately: Ionescu’s Nike signature sneakers, the Sabrina 1s. These kicks are making waves well beyond the WNBA, catching the attention of NBA […]

For many high school athletes, the leap to college sports is a pivotal transition filled with anticipation and new challenges. For Aaliyah Gayles, the transition to the University of Southern California in the fall of 2022 was marked not just by a step up in competition but also a miraculous recovery that defies the odds. […]

After a year sidelined with a devastating knee injury, Ice Brady is on the verge of making her long-awaited debut for the UConn women’s basketball team. The freshman standout was two weeks shy of her first collegiate game when a practice mishap resulted in a dislocated patella, a blow that not only ended her season […]

The University of South Carolina women’s basketball team is taking on a challenge against Notre Dame in a unique setting: Paris. For the first time, a regular-season NCAA women’s basketball game will be played on French soil, and for South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley, this event is a mix of business, pioneering […]

In a response to the rising mental health challenges in soccer, USWNT stars Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma have pledged their support to “Create the Space,” a new mental health initiative aiming to address these issues head-on. Launched in the wake of personal losses, this initiative draws on the collective strength of top soccer players […]

Aaliyah Gayles, the USC women’s basketball guard, carries her history on her skin, with tattoos that narrate a story of survival, resilience and determination. Each piece of ink reflects a chapter of her life, including a harrowing event that tested her strength and willpower. On her left shoulder, a tattoo records the time 11:52 p.m., […]

In the aftermath of a senseless act of violence that shook the Las Vegas community, standout high school basketball star Aaliyah Gayles faced the most challenging opponent of her life — not on the court, but in her fight to recover from the 18 gunshot wounds sustained in her arms and legs during a shooting […]

After a turnaround season, Becki Tweed has shed the interim label to become the permanent head coach of Angel City FC, as confirmed by the team on Thursday. “I’m really proud to be staying with Angel City,” Tweed said in a press release from Angel City FC. “I am most excited to have the opportunity […]

Fans in Portland had their hopes dashed as WNBA expansion plans to the city fell through, but women’s basketball fans will appreciate New York Liberty star player Sabrina Ionescu’s take on an expansion team to the Rose City. In an event held Oct. 30 for the unveiling of a new basketball court at the Regence […]

Fresh off a repeat victory in the WNBA Finals, Las Vegas Aces point guard Chelsea Gray had even bigger news to share. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Halloween, Gray announced that she and her wife, Tipesa, are expecting their first child. The celebratory post featured a loving gaze over Tipesa’s shoulder and a baby […]

Years after witnessing the San Antonio Spurs’ triumphant 2014 NBA championship, former Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon has found similar glory and teamwork in the Las Vegas Aces, leading them to back-to-back WNBA championships. The Spurs of 2013-14 were renowned for their play and a determination to redeem themselves after a heartbreaking loss in the […]

Anticipated renovations at Moda Center have emerged as the central obstacle leading to the collapse of Portland’s bid for a WNBA expansion team. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, in a letter to Sen. Ron Wyden on Wednesday, confirmed that the league’s plans for a team in the City of Roses have been “deferred,” despite previous indications […]

Erica Wheeler, point guard for the Indiana Fever, has paved her way to becoming the highest-paid player in the WNBA for the 2023 season. In doing so, Wheeler also secured significant time off. At 32, Wheeler has decided to take a break from her overseas basketball commitments this winter. The Fever supported her decision with […]

It’s not every day that a college athlete captivates the nation, but Caitlin Clark, the star point guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has managed to do just that. Amidst the overwhelming attention and a flurry of events, Clark remains grounded, sharing an honest outlook on her rise to fame. “This has been my dream,” Clark […]

In an unprecedented move, the Kansas City Current signed 15-year-old Alex Pfeiffer to a three-year contract, making her one of the youngest players in NWSL history. The bold decision highlight the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent and building its program. Pfeiffer, a rising star in the U.S. youth soccer scene, has been part of […]

Sports broadcaster Charly Arnolt and former NFL player Chris Manno took a stand in support of sports commentator Clay Travis and his controversial bet on a high-level high school boys basketball team beating the WNBA-champion Las Vegas Aces. Travis’ $1 million wager, aimed at underscoring the biological differences between men and women, ignited a firestorm […]

19-year-old tennis superstar Coco Gauff has secured her 50th win of the 2023 tennis season at the WTA Finals Oct. 30, placing her in a unique historical category alongside tennis legend Caroline Wozniacki. Gauff reached this milestone when she dominated world No. 7 Ons Jabeur with a 6-0, 6-1 victory, Ed McGrogan of Tennis reported. […]

Women’s college volleyball is once again breaking records, this time after the Wisconsin women’s volleyball match against Minnesota earned the record for the most watched volleyball match in history. It was the first Big Ten match to air on FOX, and topped the NBA, NHL, Premier League and Formula 1 for viewership, Jeff Day of […]

Tennessee women’s basketball will pay tribute next season to two of its former players, Nikki McCray-Penson and the late Tasha Butts, who both died this year after battles with breast cancer. The Lady Vols basketball team shared photos on Twitter Oct. 30 of their warm-up shirts, with two patches featuring Butts’ and McCray-Penson’s initials. For […]

LSU women’s basketball powerhouse Angel Reese, recently shed light on the unique sibling rivalry she shares with her younger brother, Julian Reese, a junior basketball player at Maryland. Despite being ranked the No. 2 player in her 2020 girls’ class, Angel watched as her brother, ranked No. 51 in the boys’ 2021 class, and his […]

When Angel Reese decided to publicly decline the White House’s invitation for her and her LSU women’s basketball teammates, she probably didn’t expect it would turn into a learning experience. But with a little guidance from her coach, Kim Mulkey, that’s exactly what happened. Let’s set the stage: The White House extended its traditional victory […]

Confronting the reality that 45% of teenage girls are withdrawing from sports, often due to body confidence issues, Nike and Dove have launched “Body Confident Sport.” The initiative, bolstered by the involvement of tennis legend Venus Williams, seeks to reverse this trend by empowering coaches with tools to foster positive self-esteem among girls aged 11 […]

In the wake of the USWNT’s 3-0 triumph over Colombia in San Diego on Oct. 29, interim coach Twila Kilgore’s strategic choices have come into the spotlight, illuminating her vision for the team’s future. Kilgore’s commitment to integrating younger players was apparent as Mia Fishel and Jaedyn Shaw scored their debut goals, while Alyssa Thompson […]

Amanda Serrano stepped out of the ring on Friday night, the triumphant champion who had just made history, and joked that she still had the energy to hoist her collection of belts aloft. This was no ordinary night for women’s boxing; it was an evening of landmark achievements for women in boxing. In a historic […]

In a groundbreaking move for collegiate sports, Nebraska women’s volleyball standout Lexi Rodriguez has penned a historic NIL deal with trading card giant Panini America, becoming the first female college athlete to do so. The libero, who has emerged as one of the prominent figures in college women’s volleyball, has been consistently brilliant on the […]

The search for the next head coach of the USWNT is heating up, as U.S. Soccer has revealed a shortlist of prime candidates for the role. Among the top contenders are Tony Gustavsson, Joe Montemurro, and Laura Harvey according to sources with insight on the ongoing coaching search, as reported by Meg Linehan of The […]

Phoenix Mercury’s center player Brittney Griner has something new to add to her trophy shelf — the WNBA’s season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award. The accolade is given to players who are doing impactful work in their communities. The league announced Oct. 27 that Griner was the recipient. Griner, who made her return to the […]

Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Morgan are at the heart of a balancing act this fall, as they navigate the demands of the USWNT training camp while also gearing up for the NWSL playoffs. These two soccer superstars are among the 13 players at the USWNT’s October camp who are still in the running for the NWSL […]

Former NBA superstar Grant Hill, and his wife Tamia Hill, a Grammy-nominated artist, are making waves in the world of soccer. The power couple has recently joined the ownership group for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, making a significant stride in their investment journey. As if that wasn’t enough, they’re also dipping their toes into MLS, […]

In a heartbreaking turn of events, former Pittsburgh Penguins player Adam Johnson died following a “freak” incident during an EIHL game on Saturday. He was 29 years old. The forward was playing for the Nottingham Panthers when a skate blade struck his throat during the second period of their match against the Sheffield Steelers, Mike […]

Bryce Harper and the city of Philadelphia have something special going on, and it’s not just the typical player-to-city admiration people usually see. Diving deeper into Harper’s relationship with the Phillies and their fans, it’s clear this is a love affair that’s built to last. Harper, who fell just shy of a go-ahead three-run home […]

Sports commentator Clay Travis is no stranger to stirring the pot, and his recent $1 million bet has sports enthusiasts and critics buzzing. Travis firmly believes that a high school boys basketball team could take down a the reigning WNBA championship team – the Las Vegas Aces – and he’s willing to put his money […]

Despite shattering viewership records and showcasing unparalleled talent in LSU’s Angel Reese and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, the NCAA women’s basketball championship game has once again been slated for an afternoon spot, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions across the sports community. ESPN made the schedule announcement on Twitter Friday, Ben Axelrod of Awful Announcing reported.  The […]

Kansas City is abuzz with anticipation as it prepares to welcome a groundbreaking addition to the world of the NWSL—a stadium designed just for the sport, thanks in part to significant backing from Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. The Kansas City Current, the city’s beloved women’s soccer team, is about to make history by moving into […]