NWSL

Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy was named to the final 18-player roster on Wednesday for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, USWNT coach Emma Hayes announced.

The NWSL's North Carolina Courage are sending six players to the World Cup — more than half of a starting lineup. And as the eve of the tournament approaches, the team is playing at its very best.

An investigation commissioned by the National Women's Soccer League and its players union found “widespread misconduct" directed at players dating back to the beginnings nearly a decade ago of the country's top women's professional league.

“Abuse in the NWSL is rooted in a deeper culture in women’s soccer, beginning in youth leagues, that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs boundaries between coaches and players,” wrote former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates.

Compared to 2019, the Courage are averaging 1,451 fewer fans per home game this regular season, a decrease of more than 24%. Some fans point to the re-signing of Jaelene Daniels — and the club's response — as the reason for the dip in attendance.

Berman replaces Lisa Baird, who resigned last October after some of the league's most prominent coaches faced allegations of sexual harassment and coercion.

The CBA runs through the 2026 season. Among the provisions is a minimum salary of $35,000, which is a nearly 60% increase, with 4% yearly raises. All players also will see eight weeks paid parental leave, retirement fund contributions, life and health insurance and housing.

Nahas replaced Paul Riley, who was fired in September after two former players accused him of sexual harassment and coercion. Riley denied the allegations.

National Women’s Soccer League interim CEO Marla Messing has announced an agreement with the players' association to address demands made in the wake of abuse and harassment scandals that have shaken the league.

Messing was president and CEO of the 1999 Women’s World Cup and helped land the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic bid. Messing will oversee operations of the league and work with the board of governors.