Sports
NWSL Power Rankings: Marta’s Orlando Pride in nine-game rut
It’s Monday, and another round of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 21 to come up with this week’s order of all 14 teams in the league. Let’s dive in.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Friday Sept. 26 vs. Chicago Stars, 8 p.m. ET
This is Kansas City’s season, and we’re just living in it. After beating Seattle 2-0 on Saturday, the Current are the fastest-ever team to collect the NWSL Shield based on the number of games left to play. Fittingly, Temwa Chawinga celebrated her birthday by scoring her 13th goal of the season in the win, bringing her level with Esther González at the top of the scoring charts once again. Vlatko Andonovski’s side now have 17 wins, two draws and two losses from 21 games played, and show no signs of slowing down ahead of the postseason.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Sunday Sept. 28 vs. Houston Dash, 1 p.m. ET
Playing on a rare Thursday night without midfielder Hal Hershfelt (who was serving a red card suspension), the Spirit traded goals with Angel City and walked away with a 2-2 draw in California. Trinity Rodman broke through first, following up her own blocked penalty for her third goal in three games. Croix Bethune followed in the second half to clinch a point after the Spirit had fallen behind, as both players hit a hot stride of form ahead of the postseason after working back from injuries earlier in the year. The Spirit are now undefeated in nine-straight NWSL games, though six of those games have been draws.
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Friday Sept. 26 vs. Portland Thorns, 8 p.m. ET
After scoring her first goal of the season two weeks ago, Rose Lavelle got back on the scoresheet in Gotham’s 1-1 draw in California Sunday evening. That’s two goals in 11 games played for the United States midfielder who was sidelined with injury earlier in the year. After three straight games on the road (including the Concacaf W Champions Cup midweek) Gotham heads home to face Portland next, as they prepare to finish off their season against a string of playoff contenders.
1:16
Bay FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Bay FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 09/22/2025
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Friday Sept. 26 vs. Orlando Pride, 10.30 p.m. ET
They outproduced the hosts, especially early in the game, but failed to get more than a point in Portland as Mackenzie Arnold‘s six saves limited their attack. After suffering three defeats in four games, a 1-1 draw against Portland in Oregon isn’t the worst result for San Diego. But they haven’t won a game since Aug. 16, and every point counts as only five points separate them from teams outside the playoff positions. The Wave play the also-struggling (even more so) Orlando Pride next weekend, who’ve gone nine games since their last victory.
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Friday Sept. 26 vs. Gotham FC, 8 p.m. ET
Reyna Reyes scored her third goal of the year in the 86th minute to steal a point at home against San Diego. They struggled to get shots off early, with Olivia Moultrie‘s 33rd minute free kick their first clocked shot, though they did get three on target by the end of the game. At the other end, Matildas keeper Arnold made six saves and was key to keeping San Diego to one goal before Reyes’ late equalizer. After Saturday’s 1-1 draw, the fourth-place Thorns finished the weekend still even on points and resting just above San Diego in the table.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Sunday Sept. 28 vs. Washington Spirit, 1 p.m. ET
Yazmeen Ryan‘s team-leading fourth goal of the season came in the 28th minute against Chicago and was enough to seal a 1-0 victory in Texas. One week after losing to the Utah Royals, they’re back in the win column and sitting just below the playoff positions, but they’ve got a tough test next weekend against the Washington Spirit.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Friday Sept. 26 vs. San Diego Wave, 10.30 p.m. ET
Orlando Pride have stretched their winless rut to a calamitous nine straight games after losing 1-0 to the North Carolina Courage on Friday. The defeat arrived in the 89th minute, as the Courage pounced on a rebound in front of goal. The Pride are still in the playoff positions but are desperate for a win as they sink down to seventh place after holding second earlier in the season.
1:16
Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage, 09/20/2025
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Saturday Sept. 27 vs. Angel City FC, 7.30 p.m. ET
With five games to go, Louisville’s form has hit a lull. After losing to Seattle in their rescheduled match from last weekend, they lost 3-2 to Utah this weekend, marking their third loss in three games amid a four-game winless run. With time dwindling, they seem remarkably on track for a fifth-straight ninth-place finish, potentially carrying forward a curse of finishing each season just short of the playoffs. Their postseason hopes are far from over, but they’ve got pivotal tests before them, with Angel City waiting first next weekend.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Sunday Sept. 28 vs. Seattle Reign, 8 p.m. ET
North Carolina has had hard times this season. They recently went on a six-game winless run, sacked their coach, and lost Jaedyn Shaw to Gotham. But they beat the reigning champs 1-0 on Friday with a goal from 20-year-old Japanese midfielder Shinomi Koyama (her first for the team) to mark two wins in two games, finishing the weekend just inside the playoff positions.
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Sunday Sept. 28 vs. NC Courage, 8 p.m. ET
Earlier in the week, Seattle beat Racing Louisville 1-0 in their rescheduled match thanks to a 90th minute goal from Jess Fishlock. But they fell 2-0 to Kansas City on the weekend (despite a six-save performance from Claudia Dickey). Losing to Kansas City is understandable — the Shield winners have only lost twice this season and clinched the Shield in record-time with Saturday’s victory against the Reign. Seattle are still in a respectable sixth place as they prepare for eighth-place North Carolina next weekend.
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Saturday Sept. 27 vs. Racing Louisville, 7.30 p.m. ET
After falling behind early thanks to Rodman’s rebound goal, Angel City fought back to briefly lead 2-1, before settling for a 2-2 draw in California. Gisele Thompson set up Evelyn Shores for the first, marking her team-leading fifth assist of the season. Thompson’s six goal contributions are second only to her sister, who recently signed for Chelsea, and team top-scorer Riley Tiernan. ACFC goalkeeper Angelina Anderson was also immense in the draw, making eight saves to stymie the Spirit advance. They finished the weekend in 11th place and will need to battle to break into the playoffs (there’s a four-point gap between them and eighth-place North Carolina), but postseason possibility remains intact.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Saturday Sept. 27 vs. Bay FC, 10 p.m. ET
After spending most of the season at the bottom of the table, Utah beat Racing Louisville 3-2 to finish the weekend ahead of the Chicago Stars in 13th place. Their momentum is more impressive than their ranking: with the victory, the Royals are six games undefeated with three wins and three draws, including three victories from their last four games.
1:18
Utah Royals vs. Racing Louisville FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Utah Royals vs. Racing Louisville FC, 09/20/2025
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Saturday Sept. 27 vs. Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET
They still haven’t won a game since June 7 (four draws, six defeats in that run). But Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Gotham was a respectable result, as Racheal Kundananji‘s fourth goal of the season and second in as many games brought them back from behind in California.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Friday Sept. 26 vs. KC Current, 8 p.m. ET
Alyssa Naeher can be trusted to unfurl memorable penalty heroics, and she did just that against Houston as she denied Dash forward Ryan from the spot as part of a five-save performance in Texas. Unfortunately, Naeher’s steady hands weren’t enough to collect any points in a 1-0 defeat to the Dash.
After a commanding 5-1 win over Latvia, the United States men’s hockey team was back in action for Game 2 of the preliminary round in the 2026 Olympics.
Saturday’s game was against Denmark, which lost 3-1 to Germany in its first game. The United States won, 6-3.
The U.S. now sits atop Group C, with six points. The top team from each group gets a bye into the quarterfinal round of the tournament, which begins Wednesday.
Center Brock Nelson led the U.S. in scoring after one game, with two goals, while forwards Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Quinn Hughes all had two assists. Forwards Auston Matthews, Tage Thompson and Brady Tkachuk were the other goal scorers in the opening contest.
More: Men’s hockey megapreview | Lapsed fan’s guide | Player rankings
Former Princeton star Caden Pierce, the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year, is transferring to Purdue, he told ESPN on Friday.
Pierce is sitting out this season to finish his degree at Princeton before playing his final season in West Lafayette in 2026-27. He announced his intentions to transfer over the summer before officially entering the portal in October.
The 6-foot-7 forward also considered UConn, Duke, Louisville and Gonzaga before picking Purdue.
“I went on all five visits, just looking for the place that felt most like home for one year for me,” Pierce said. “Purdue obviously has an unbelievable program that coach [Matt] Painter has built over the years. When I was on campus, with the coaches and with the guys, it felt like a great place for me. I wanted to be a part of that program. Mackey Arena is one of the best venues in college basketball, and I can be part of something special.”
Pierce, the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce and former North Carolina forward Justin Pierce, started 89 games during his three seasons with the Tigers. He won Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2023, playing a key role on Princeton’s Sweet 16 team, including a 16-rebound performance in a NCAA tournament second-round win over Missouri.
His breakout came as a sophomore, when he averaged 16.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and won Ivy League Player of the Year honors. Among the 22 low- and mid-major conference players of the year in 2023-24, Pierce was the only one to return to the same school the following season.
He battled through injuries for most of last season, with an ankle injury in late December resulting in two fully torn ligaments and two partially torn ligaments. He nonetheless earned second-team All-Ivy honors, averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
“I’m feeling great,” Pierce said. “That’s been the nice thing about this year. I’ve been able to address whatever deficiencies I had without feeling like I had to play through injury or whatever I had. I was able to move at my own pace, get my body feeling great and stronger than ever.
“It’s been a different, unique year. That’s the only way to put it. I’ve never taken a full year off of competitive basketball. It’s been a little bit of an adjustment. I’m still working out, getting all my work in, but it’s by myself. I’ve had limited opportunities to play 5-on-5. Being removed from a competitive environment for this long has made me gain a new appreciation for the competitive side of basketball and the camaraderie in the locker room.”
At Purdue, Pierce will be part of a sizable reload and should slot into the Boilermakers’ starting lineup immediately. Painter will lose four starters, including All-American Braden Smith and program stalwarts Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer. C.J. Cox is expected to return in the backcourt, while reserves Omer Mayer, Jack Benter, Gicarri Harris and Daniel Jacobsen could all see expanded roles.
The Boilermakers are also bringing in a top-15 recruiting class, a group that includes three SC Next 100 prospects: Luke Ertel, Sinan Huan and Jacob Webber.
“They’re losing a lot of guys, a lot of older guys, a lot of seniors,” Pierce said. “It’s going to be a younger team. One of the things that makes coach Painter so respectable is he didn’t promise anything throughout the process. ‘You’re still going to have to earn anything, but the opportunity is going to be there. You’re an older guy, make your presence felt in the locker room and on the floor.’ That’s kind of why they wanted me.
“It appeals to me. I’m really looking forward to making my presence felt. Getting in the locker room with a good group of guys and being a part of something.”
Sports
Americans attending Olympics urged to ‘exercise caution’ after Italian railways hit by suspected ‘sabotage’
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Railways “associated with the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics” suffered from suspected “sabotage” on Friday, the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs announced Saturday.
The Rome-Naples, Rome-Florence, and Rome-Milan high-speed lines reportedly suffered damage earlier on Saturday, the Bureau said, citing confirmation from the Italian government.
“On February 13, Italian authorities announced enhanced security measures to prevent disruptions to railway networks during the Winter Olympics. These efforts include increased patrols along the tracks and rigorous technical monitoring of railway services,” the Bureau’s statement posted on social media read.
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A general view of the Tofane mountains as the Winter Olympic Mascot, Tina, greets the crowd ahead of the Women’s Alpine Downhill Skiing at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, Cortina d’Ampezzo, on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. ( Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)
“Avoid areas of disruption and exercise caution when traveling by train. Utilize good situational awareness and attempt to leave any affected areas immediately,” the statement continued.
Authorities were investigating burnt cables, according to Reuters.
Officials urged anyone traveling on the lines to be extra cautious and allow additional travel time.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini condemned the acts.
“These are hateful criminal acts aimed at workers and at Italy,” he said, via Reuters. “I hope that no one plays down or tries to justify these crimes which put lives at risk.”
General view as gold medalist Xandra Velzeboer of Team Netherlands, silver medalist Arianna Fontana of Team Italy and bronze medalist Courtney Sarault of Team Canada participate in the national anthem during the medal ceremony for the Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 500m on day six of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 12, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)
National police said that these were “definitely criminal acts.”
Similar incidents occurred earlier in the Games, with BBC reporting that severed cables and an explosive device were found between Bologna and Venice.
“These actions of unprecedented seriousness do not in any way tarnish Italy’s image in the world, an image that the Games will make even more compelling and positive,” Salvini said at the time of the first incident.
A general view inside the Arena during the Figure Skating Team Event Men Single Skating – Short Program of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan. (Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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The Games conclude on Feb. 22, a week from Sunday.
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