17 h. ago Does US soccer really need four first divisions? The answer isn’t necessarily ‘no’

Men’s and women’s leagues have announced plans for rapid growth. But secession and expansion have long been central elements of US sportsBetween this summer’s Club World Cup, next year’s World Cup, the enduring stature of the US women’s national team, and MLS’s steadily growing stable of teams and star attractions, soccer finally appears to be realizing its vast promise on US soil. Is there a limit to how much soccer America can handle? Several organizations are betting that the answer to that question is “no”. In late April, the National Women’s Soccer League – the oldest and biggest first division professional women’s league operating in the US today – announced plans to launch a second division, despite concerns over the first division’s financial sustainability and the NWSL’s slipping status in a women’s club game increasingly dominated by Europe.That announcement came on the heels of news that the Women’s Premier Soccer League, the longest-running active women’s soccer league i...

Politics

60 h. ago ‘A gift of a role for a mother’: Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer on playing Tolstoy’s tortured Anna Karenina

From Anne Boleyn to Lady W to Game of Thrones, she has played tough women who kick against society’s constraints. What will the actor bring to the great Russian character who leaves her husband and son?It was back in 2019 that the role of Anna Karenina was first mentioned to Natalie Dormer. Six years, many screen roles, one pandemic and two children later, Dormer is finally set to take on the titular role of Leo Tolstoy’s epic as Phillip Breen’s adaptation comes to Chichester Festival theatre. The delay has ended up working out well, says Dormer, since Tolstoy’s characters are at the “cutting edge of technology”. The new railways were transforming Russia, and that wasn’t all. “Electric light!” exclaims Dormer. “We talk about it in the play, how that’s going to revolutionise their lifestyles. That trepidation about new technology is so adaptable to today: the terror of the AI train that’s coming our way. That generation of adults in the story – they’re on the precipice of a futuristi...

Politics

1 week ago Late try helps Maroons save face in Game 3 of women’s Origin series

Chelsea Lenarduzzi clinches 18-14 win for QueenslandBumper crowd seals Newcastle as home of women’s gameQueensland salvaged pride in the Women’s State of Origin series by claiming the third contest 18-14 thanks to a second-half comeback in Newcastle that prevented the Blues from securing a first clean sweep in the three-match series.Powerful Maroons prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi crashed over from an Ali Brigginshaw pass with four minutes to go, taking three Blues defenders with her, to put Queensland into the lead and spoil the Blues’ party. “Ali actually gave me a bit of a look, and I knew what she meant,” Lenarduzzi said. “It’s one of my favourite plays, and worked at the right time.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Women’s State of Origin 2025 Game 3: NSW Blues v Qld Maroons v – live updates

Updates from the series finale at McDonald Jones StadiumKick-off time in Newcastle is 7.45pm AESTAny thoughts? Get in touch with an email4 mins: Chapman nearly scores at the end of that set, but another try saving tackle from Robinson pulls her off the field as she attempts to score in the corner. Queensland get their first use of the ball and almost immediately, the Blues give away a penalty and they get some good field position after their horror start.2 mins: Well there couldn’t have been a worse start from the Maroons, who attempt a short kick off for some reason – the element of surprise maybe? It doesn’t make the 10 metres and NSW get the ball in great field position. Quick as flash the Blues are deep in Maroons territory, Sergis makes a break and Robinson pulls off a try saving tackle, knocking the ball on in the process and the Blues get another set. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Celebrate Arsenal and Chelsea wins with Women's Football News

The June 2025 Edition of Women's Football News is available now as we bring you features and interviews from around the women's game.

Sport

2 w. ago French Open 2025: Raducanu v Swiatek, Sabalenka and Alcaraz in action on day four

Live coverage from Roland Garros from 10am BSTSend Katy an email with your thoughtsOns Jabeur, who lost in the first round yesterday, has called out organisers for not scheduling women’s matches in the night slot, saying: “I don’t think they have daughters.” Last year all 11 prime-time matches featured men, and that’s been the case too for the first four days of this year’s tournament – tonight 12th seed Holger Rune will face the American world No 137 Emilio Nava – so it’s hardly the contest of the day. Why couldn’t, say, Swiatek and Raducanu have played their match this evening? What’s more baffling about the French Open’s stance is that Amelie Mauresmo – who does have a daughter – is the tournament director. You’d think she’d be more keen to promote the women’s game.The players are out on another overcast day in Paris, so expect heavy conditions again. Among the early starters: the Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, the red-hot Italian Lorenzo Musetti, the Canadian teenage winning mac...

Politics

2 w. ago Lost Boys by James Bloodworth review – journey into the manosphere

A journalist goes undercover to investigate a reactionary movement that is becoming increasingly mainstreamWhen his editor suggested he write a book about the manosphere, James Bloodworth replied, “Why would I want to do that?” You can see his point. Who would intentionally spend their days immersed in the toxic online subculture where men go to blame women for everything and plot their revenge? Who would choose to listen to endless Jordan Peterson podcasts or watch interminable Andrew Tate videos? Well, the answer is quite a lot of men, even though Bloodworth doesn’t really seem to know why.His book begins with an excellent chapter in which he describes how, as a callow 23-year-old, he forked out a couple of grand to take a course in seduction. This was the era of Neil Strauss’s 2005 bestseller The Game, which taught geeky men how to pull hapless women. A bundle of nerves, the author ended up chanting a mantra of “Right here, right now!” on a...

Events

2 w. ago Chef James Martin's simple breakfast that could help fight cancer

The late Doctor Michael Mosley said the breakfast could help fight cancer

Politics

2 w. ago Arsenal’s comeback queens face ultimate Barcelona test in Champions League final

New chapter in Arsenal’s storied history awaits as they aim to end continental drought in a sold-out Lisbon finalAfter 18 years, Arsenal are back in the biggest game in women’s European football with a dream to end their long wait for continental glory. They face the holders, the favourites and the much-revered Barcelona, who are aiming to win the Champions League for a third consecutive season on a picture-perfect weekend in Lisbon.Strolling along tree-lined paths through the Portuguese capital’s sun-kissed Parque Eduardo VII, as a group of Barcelona fans cross paths with two Arsenal supporters wearing full red-and-white kit and exchange a few friendly quips about Saturday’s final, it is hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for the 3,467 attendees who saw Arsenal lift the Uefa Women’s Cup – as it was known in 2007 – in the somewhat less glamorous surroundings of Boreham Wood FC’s Meadow Park. In those days, the competition concluded with a two-legged home-and-away final. Arsenal fol...

Sport

2 w. ago Disney+ to enter women’s football market with Champions League rights

Streaming platform in line to agree five-year dealDAZN has shown Champions League for four seasonsThe streaming platform Disney+ is set to show live Women’s Champions League matches from next season across multiple European broadcast territories, including the United Kingdom.It is understood Disney+ has agreed a five-year deal which will mean that it broadcasts every single match in the competition live, which is being perceived as a major step forward for coverage of the European women’s game’s top club competition. Continue reading...

Sport

3 w. ago Longtime Kentucky firefighter died in powerful storm while shielding his wife from danger

Kentucky firefighter Leslie Leatherman answered the call for help when a late-night tornado plowed through his Laurel County community

Events

3 w. ago The sad demise of Fortuna Sittard Women: ‘I hope the players find new clubs’

Three years ago, Fortuna Sittard entered the women’s game to much fanfare. But now their dreams have been dashedThree years ago, Fortuna Sittard entered the women’s game to much fanfare. The club owner, Atilla Aytekin, boldly stated the aim within three years was to qualify for the Champions League, the club hiring the former Netherlands head coach Roger Reijners and signing talismanic Belgian forward Tessa Wullaert to spearhead their dream.They came close, remarkably finishing third in their first season having gone straight into the Eredivisie, but three years on the club has now just played its final game as a professional outfit, rather than preparing for European football. Continue reading...

Sport

3 w. ago Women’s FA Cup final, last Premier League game at Goodison Park and more – matchday live

All the buildup to the Women’s FA Cup final, 1.30pm KOShare your thoughts with matchday live or post BTLJamie Vardy will be having a goodbye party when he bids farewell to Leicester this afternoon. The 39-year-old wanted to end his Foxes career on 500 appearances and at the King Power Stadium, meaning he will not feature on the final day of the Premier League season next weekend. Today also happens to be the 13th anniversary of Vardy’s move to Leicester, marking what is set to be a full-circle occasion.Be sure to also message me with any thoughts, feelings or score predictions for any of today’s games. I want to know what you’re up to, where you’re off to and what you’ll be watching this afternoon. Also, let me know if you have any stand-out memories of Goodison or any favourite Jamie Vardy moments. I want to hear from you! Continue reading...

Sport

3 w. ago Alexis Ohanian’s £20m investment in Chelsea Women hailed as ‘great respect’

Sonia Bompastor praises ‘game-changing’ cash injectionFunding boosts manager’s Champions League hopesSonia Bompastor has described the £20m investment of the Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in Chelsea Women as “a gamechanging investment for the women’s game” before their FA Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday, at which the new minority owner will be in attendance.“We speak about the investment but it is also the values underpinning it,” the Chelsea manager said of the move by the husband of the tennis great Serena Williams, the winner of 23 grand slam singles titles. “That’s really important for the women’s game but also for the game in England. It shows we are in a really great place at the moment. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago ‘This depuffing facial tool is a must for hot weather and hay fever sufferers’

If you struggle with a puffy face and eyes, especially during hot weather or hay fever season, when travelling or after late nights, this new facial gadget might help

Politics

4 w. ago Kick It Out urges support for trans players after exclusion from women’s game

The governing bodies updated their policies in light of a ruling from the UK Supreme Court last month.

Sport

4 w. ago Beyond the runs: Virat Kohli’s obsessive intensity left indelible mark on Test cricket | Jonathan Liew

The retiree’s final innings may have been unremarkable but his entire career was a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence which helped redefine Indian cricketAt dawn on a pale pastel morning in late January, thousands of fans started queueing outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Before long the queues turned chaotic. Scuffles broke out. Three people were injured and a police motorcycle was damaged. Armed security personnel were deployed inside and outside the venue, occasionally stepping in front of the sightscreen and causing play to be stopped.But the consequences of Virat Kohli playing his first domestic red-ball game for Delhi in 12 years are less interesting than why he was there in the first place. Kohli rolled up in his Porsche two days before the game, arriving early to beat the crowds and so he could fit in a full gym session before team fitness drills and net practice. Desperately short of form, and yet a desperate romantic, Kohli had come to wor...

Politics