United States (Women's Football)

The United States women's soccer team defeated host Australia 3-0 in an international friendly from Sydney's Accor Stadium on Friday.

Ashley Hatch scored 24 seconds into the match thanks to a Lynn Williams assist and an Australian back-line breakdown:

30 SECONDS IN?! 🇺🇸@USWNT making it look too easy already 💪 pic.twitter.com/gj4oEqZS3X

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2021

Hatch's goal was the third-fastest in U.S women's soccer history, per The Athletic. Alex Morgan authored the fastest goal at 12 seconds against Costa Rica in an Olympic qualifier in February 2016.

This year's top NWSL goalscorer, who is fresh off helping lead the Washington Spirit to their third league title, was making her third appearance and starting debut for the national team.

Hatch's appearance highlighted a different look in a starting XI that featured a younger side with less national team experience than usual:

The American XI vs. Australia. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Jr2p4hdN3Y

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 27, 2021

Rose Lavelle (67 caps) was one of the exceptions, and she netted the United States' second goal in the 49th minute after substitute Sofia Huerta's header win, which set up Margaret Purce's great run and cross prior to the shot:

#USWNT goal No. 18 for @roselavelle#USWNT assist No. 1 for @100Purcent.

2-0, USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/alXmiYHpfD

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 27, 2021

It was a bit of a homecoming of sorts for Huerta, who played for both Adelaide United and Sydney FC on loan during her professional career. She currently suits up for OL Reign.

Lindsey Horan finished the scoring in the 67th minute after drawing a foul and converting the ensuing penalty:

.@LindseyHoran's 25th #USWNT goal, and first as No. 10 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/bBtE8CVCVQ

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 27, 2021

The 3-0 score doesn't tell the whole story of this game, as Australia had great chances to get on the board.

Kyah Simon had a point-blank shot from about a yard out in the 37th minute after a Caitlin Foord cross, but she booted the ball over the net.

Credit the national team veteran (101 caps, 26 goals) for putting herself in position to tie the match, but the shot ended up being a tough missed opportunity.

Australia ended up possessing the ball 61 percent of the time, and the hosts even had eight shots on goal versus the United States' six.

However, Team USA goaltender Casey Murphy had an excellent evening, making some saves to preserve the shutout.

None was better than when she made a pair of saves on Sam Kerr and Foord in the final minutes of the first half to preserve the 1-0 lead:

REMEMBER THE NAME: CASEY 👏 MURPHY 👏 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cxLp5zM3VP

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2021

ANOTHER huge save from @CaseyMurph ! 🧤💪 pic.twitter.com/X5Y7881Wbb

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2021

Thanks to her efforts, the United States earned the shutout.

Now the United States and Australia will take a few days off before meeting again on Tuesday at 4:05 a.m. ET from McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

The United States women's national team plays its first true road game since April in Australia late Friday night.

The USWNT is ending 2021 with two friendlies against Australia. The first one will be played in Sydney. The second, set for Tuesday, takes place in Newcastle.

Vlatko Andonovski's squad last played Australia in the bronze-medal match of the Tokyo Olympics in August. In the three months since, the USWNT roster has gone through some changes to gear up for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup cycle.

Only two of the players who made the trip to Australia have made more than 100 international appearances. Twelve members of the traveling party have fewer than 10 caps.

Andonovski should use the next two games as an opportunity to see what the younger players in the talent pool bring to the international stage to get a good idea of how 2022 will look.

                 

USWNT vs. Australia Info

Date: Friday, November 26

Start Time: 11 p.m. ET

TV: FS2

Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app

Odds: Available odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook.

                  

Preview

The Americans have two major tasks at hand Friday.

The first is for Andonovski to decipher which of the newer players in the squad he can begin to trust on the field. Carli Lloyd played her final game for the USWNT on October 26, and a handful of other mainstays are closer to the ends of their international careers than the beginning.

Alyssa Naeher, Kelley O'Hara, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and others should still be around for the next World Cup cycle, but the USWNT needs to build younger depth beneath them.

All three of the USWNT goalkeepers and four of the six players listed at the forward position have fewer than 10 caps. The pair of games in Australia should do wonders for their integration into the setup.

The USWNT will have an experienced defense in front of the goalkeeper, whoever that may be. Captain Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett have 378 international appearances between them.

The defense will be the most important positional unit Friday since it will be tasked with slowing down Chelsea's Sam Kerr, who has 49 goals in 102 appearances for Australia. She scored one of the Matildas' three goals in the bronze-medal match in Tokyo.

Kerr is one of the best strikers in the world. Behind her, midfielder Emily van Egmond, who plays for NWSL's Orlando Pride, and Manchester City defender Alanna Kennedy are two of the other players who could wreak havoc on the Americans for 90 minutes.

If the Americans contain Kerr's threat, they should feel confident about getting a result on the road.

The USWNT is 1-0-1 in true road games in 2021. It drew with Sweden and beat France during a two-game road trip in April. The rest of the team's games were either on neutral fields in Japan for the Olympics or on home soil. The USWNT has 16 wins, four draws and two losses in 22 matches this year.

                  

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

The United States women's national team sent Carli Lloyd off in style.

The reigning world champions earned a 6-0 victory over South Korea on Tuesday at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was Lloyd's final match with the USWNT as she heads into retirement following the NWSL season.

One for the record books 🏆⚽️🇺🇸#ThankYouCarli pic.twitter.com/dF2U7ZDk7z

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 26, 2021

The 39-year-old and her family were visibly emotional prior to kick-off.

All of the emotions 🥺 pic.twitter.com/BjevG8dRrg

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 27, 2021

Once the referee blew the opening whistle, though, it was back to business for Lloyd and her teammates.

Lindsey Horan put the USWNT ahead 1-0 in the ninth minute. Her shot took a deflection off Hong Hye-ji and wrong-footed South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi.

The United States benefited from more good fortune in the 45th minute to double its advantage. Andi Sullivan's header from a corner kick bounced off Cho So-hyun and into the back of the net. The South Korean midfielder was credited with an own goal.

Lloyd was unable to score on her big night, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. She let loose with a shot from just outside the 18-yard box in the 27th minute. Kim made a diving save.

The first real chance for @CarliLloyd is saved by the keeper! pic.twitter.com/tmUDWrDVhH

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 27, 2021

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year was subbed off for Alex Morgan in the 66th minute, allowing her to receive a standing ovation from the St. Paul crowd.

Lloyd's replacement, Alex Morgan, made an immediate impact. Morgan notched the United States' third goal in the 69th minute, slotting a low shot between Kim's legs.

Megan Rapinoe added a fourth in the 85th minute with a powerful half-volley from inside the box that caromed in off the crossbar.

RAPINOE 🇺🇸@mPinoe makes it 4-0 for the @USWNT pic.twitter.com/mZPRfvirh5

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 27, 2021

Rose Lavelle piled on the misery for the USWNT's opponent four minutes later, only for Lynn Williams to tack on another in injury time.

South Korea held the USWNT to a 0-0 draw when the teams met less than one week ago. Vlatko Andonovski had 68 percent of possession and eight shots on target but couldn't find a breakthrough.

A victory Tuesday wasn't a foregone conclusion.

But improving upon the previous result and wanting to give Lloyd a proper farewell provided ample motivation for the players at Allianz Field. Lloyd walking off into the sunset after a draw or defeat would've felt somewhat deflating.

Instead, the USWNT closed the book on a legendary career in emphatic fashion.

Carli Lloyd's United States women's national team farewell tour comes to a conclusion on Tuesday night. 

The 39-year-old announced her international retirement after the Tokyo Olympics. Tuesday's match in St. Paul, Minnesota, is the final of four fall matches that the USWNT used to say goodbye to Lloyd. 

While the match will be focused on Lloyd, the USWNT still need to get a result after a 0-0 draw against the South Korea in their first match in Kansas City on Thursday. 

There are no other USWNT matches scheduled for 2021, so Tuesday's game could also serve as a momentum creator going into 2022.

       

USWNT vs. South Korea Info

Date: Tuesday, October 26

Start Time: 8 p.m. ET 

TV: FS1 and TUDN

Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app

Odds: Available odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook.

      

Preview

Tuesday's match will be all about honoring Lloyd. 

Lloyd should find herself in the starting XI after she entered the first of the two friendlies against South Korea as a second-half substitute. 

Lloyd bagged six goals in her first two farewell matches against Paraguay. The USWNT won those matches by a combined 17-0.

South Korea is a much tougher opponent on paper, and that showed on the field on Thursday, holding the Americans to a scoreless draw. 

The USWNT put eight of its 19 shots on target in the match, but it was unable to find a game-winning goal, even with Lloyd on the field. 

Look for Lloyd to hunt for an early goal, like she did in her starting role against Paraguay in September. 

She is one of the most prolific scorers in international soccer, and there would be no better way for Lloyd to go out than to bag at least one in front of her own fans. 

USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski will likely play Lloyd alongside Lindsey Horan in some capacity on Tuesday.

Prior to the first South Korea friendly, Lloyd announced that she would be giving the No. 10 shirt to Horan, who recently made her 100th appearance for the USWNT. 

As for the rest of the lineup, Andonovski could give more playing time to Emily Fox and Sophia Smith, who are two of the newcomers to the national team setup.

The pair of NWSL players came off the bench Thursday, and they could be tabbed for larger roles if Andonovski rotates his squad. Fox, 23, and Smith, 21, are expected to be important parts of the USWNT's future. 

After Tuesday, the full focus of the USWNT should be on the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand.

Qualifying for that begins next year, and Andonovski needs to figure out which players will fit best in his side for those matches.

But for now, the focus is solely on Lloyd's career. She will earn her 316th cap and will likely be serenated by the crowd at Allianz Field. Maybe she will wow the crowd with one or two more memorable moments before she leaves the international stage for good. 

      

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

The United States women's national team came out flat in what resulted in a 0-0 draw against South Korea in Thursday's international friendly.

The result ended a streak of 22 straight wins on home soil for the Americans dating back to a 1-1 draw against South Korea in 2019.

Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe led a veteran lineup at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, the first of two straight friendlies against South Korea. The team simply couldn't find the back of the net despite 19 total shots and eight on goal, via ESPNFC.

Even in a friendly and no major tournament on the horizon, the United States went with an experienced lineup in this match. Six players in the starting 11 entered with at least 100 caps, not even counting Carli Lloyd off the bench.

Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch (10 caps) was the least experienced player in the starting lineup, but even she was on the 2019 team that won the World Cup.

This wasn't enough to avoid a slow start as the two sides remained scoreless through the first half.

The United States controlled possession, but the team was sloppy in the attacking third and failed to get many close chances. The result was several long shots, with only Lindsey Horan coming close to the net:

Almost a beaut! @LindseyHoran nearly laces one but it goes off the outside of the post pic.twitter.com/kHeNRG79AP

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 22, 2021

South Korea nearly matched the USA's aggressiveness in the first half while taking eight shots, one almost beating Franch at the post:

🧤 @ADizzle23 with the denial 🧤 pic.twitter.com/7RaeRF8n5j

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 22, 2021

The second half featured numerous substitutions but not much difference on the field. The Americans had a lot of possession but couldn't break down the Korean defense for open looks.

Yoon Young-Guel thrived in net for the visitors, stopping quality shot attempts from Rose Lavelle, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd in the second half. The goalkeeper finished with eight saves while earning a clean sheet.

Lloyd had a few more attempts at the game-winner, but it wasn't meant to be as the United States had to settle for a draw. 

The two sides will now battle again Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.  

Lindsey Horan will be the next No. 10 for the United States women's soccer team.

Carli Lloyd revealed she will pass the number to her teammate upon retirement via a message on Instagram:

Seems fitting as we celebrate your [100th] cap to also pass the #10 to you @lindseyhoran10. Could not be more proud of the player you have become and the player you continue to push yourself to be. You are an amazing human being. Never change. I am so honored to pass the 10 to you when I say goodbye on 10/26. Wear it with pride every second you take the field. I will always be with you. I'll be your biggest fan forever! Love ya my friend.

Horan recently made history by scoring in her 100th game with the national team during a win over New Zealand:

Did you know: @LindseyHoran is just the 7th player in #USWNT history to score in her 100th cap.

A look at her journey to 💯 🎬⤵️ pic.twitter.com/lcB3MVPrLE

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 24, 2021

As for Lloyd, she will retire following a friendly against South Korea on Oct. 26. She is one of the best American soccer players in history and goes into Thursday's match with South Korea fourth on the all-time international goals list with 132.

She is behind only Canada's Christine Sinclair and the United States' Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm. Lloyd is also a two-time World Cup winner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time FIFA Player of the Year. 

Those will be big shoes to fill for Horan.             

The United States women's national team continues its post-Olympics tour on home soil on Thursday night. 

The USWNT plays host to South Korea at Children's Mercy Park in the first match of a two-game series with the Asian side. 

Vlatko Andonovski's side is on a 22-game home winning streak. That should be extended by two in the next week in the pair of matchups with South Korea. 

The friendlies against South Korea will serve as the final farewell to Carli Lloyd, who announced her international retirement after the Olympics. 

Lloyd's penultimate USWNT game is Thursday, and she will conclude her international career on Tuesday at Allianz Field in Minnesota. 

       

USWNT vs. South Korea Info

Date: Thursday, October 21

Start Time: 8 p.m. ET 

TV: ESPN2 and TUDN

Live Stream: ESPN.com and ESPN app

Odds: Available odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook

        

Preview

The next two games will be about sending off Lloyd in the proper manner while building up toward the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Lloyd scored six goals against Paraguay in a pair of September friendlies. The USWNT won those matches by a combined 17-0 score. 

South Korea should pose a more difficult test to the Americans than the South American side. South Korea is 17th in the FIFA world rankings. Paraguay is 50th. 

The USWNT carries a 10-0-3 all-time record against South Korea into the pair of October friendlies in the midwestern United States. 

As of now, they are the final two games on the 2021 schedule for the Americans. They are 15-3-2 in the calendar year with the losses coming at the Olympics to Sweden and Canada. 

Lloyd capped off the competitive side of her international career with two goals in the bronze-medal game against Australia that the Americans won 4-3. 

Lloyd is one of seven players with over 100 caps on the USWNT roster for the South Korea friendlies. Andonovski also called in some younger players to get their feet wet on the international stage. 

Catarina Macario, Sophia Smith and Andi Sullivan were responsible for five of the 17 goals against Paraguay. All three players should be constant fixtures in the squad as it builds up to the 2023 World Cup. 

Andonovski also added 23-year-old defender Emily Fox to the squad for the next two matches to have her adjust to the international game.

Fox, who plays for the NWSL's Racing Louisville, has the fewest number of caps on the American roster. 

As the USWNT says goodbye to Lloyd this month, look for Fox, Macario and the other young players to see increased playing time. 

A handful of the USWNT's regulars could be one international tournament cycle away from retirement as well, and Andonovski needs to prepare for that by handing playing time to the next generation of players, even if it is just in a home friendly match. 

          

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details. 

USWNT and Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan was among the players who stopped Saturday's match between her team and the NY/NJ Gotham in a show of solidarity for those who said they were harassed and abused in the National Women's Soccer League.

Morgan discussed the "heavy" moment that included Mana Shim—one of the women who said former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley abused her—and highlighted the systemic failures of the league while hoping positive change is on the way, per ESPN:

That moment was heavy. I think the whole match was heavy, and obviously it was just amazing to have Mana here and just be able to be here with her during this time and show our support for her.

I think it's just important to note that we have stood up for the failures of our employers. The people that have put things in place for us, it wasn't set up for success. For us players, all we want to do is play the best soccer in the U.S. We want to play soccer for a job, and we want to love playing it, too. That's not the case when you're being pulled away from that because of those failures, because players' careers have ended due to harassment or abuse, to certain levels.

So, as tough as it is to feel like you've pulled away from soccer due to that, I think as much support as we can give for the women who have endured that, and who are enduring that right now, is extremely important. It's important for us to stand up for ourselves and be vocal about it.

I think that's kind of what we've shown in the last two weeks. It's something that I'm really proud to be a part of because I think that the players have been more unified than ever before in these last nine years, and I hope that positive change comes out of it. I'm really optimistic with how the players have responded, but there's also so much work to do. I hope that in the future we're set up for success.

Morgan has been at the forefront of the players' demands for more transparency and better support from the league.

After former commissioner Lisa Baird released a statement saying she was "shocked and disgusted" about the reports of abuse, Morgan responded with screenshots of emails between Baird and former player Sinead Farrelly in which the latter asked the league to reopen a 2015 investigation into Riley.

The commissioner refused.

Morgan called for the league to accept responsibility:

(1/3)The league was informed of these allegations multiple times and refused multiple times to investigate the allegations. The league must accept responsibility for a process that failed to protect its own players from this abuse. https://t.co/KDRBhhVBcT

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 30, 2021

On Saturday, the NWSL Players Association released a list of demands that called for "systemic transformation" that would "end the culture of silence."

Systemic transformation is not something you say. It is something you do. We, as players, are continuing our efforts to end the culture of silence and ask fans to stand with us as we demand the following: pic.twitter.com/JytK4b92k5

— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) October 9, 2021

pic.twitter.com/KDa3Dqpxx8

— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) October 9, 2021

Baird resigned as the NWSL commissioner on Oct. 1 after The Athletic's Meg Linehan reported about alleged misconduct by Riley. Steven Goff of the Washington Post also reported that Baird resigned from the board of directors for the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Linehan reported that Shim said Riley pressured her to kiss Farrelly in front of him. Shim also said Riley was wearing only underwear when he invited her to his hotel room to study film and asked her out on a date.

Farrelly said she felt coerced into having sex with Riley.

Outside of the allegations against Riley, OL Reign CEO Bill Predmore told reporters former coach Farid Benstiti resigned because he made inappropriate remarks in front of the players. Molly Hensley-Clancy of the Washington Post reported former Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke verbally abused his players.

The Spirit also allegedly had "a toxic work culture for female employees," per Hensley-Clancy.

Many players have spoken up about the patterns of abuse and harassment:

https://twitter.com/mPinoe/status/1443676106964406289

https://t.co/XrV2EQA0oL pic.twitter.com/PjMt8l20ZC

— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) September 30, 2021

We Deserve Better (Part II) pic.twitter.com/c1MIAnrOde

— Meghan Klingenberg (@meghankling) September 30, 2021

Not nearly enough. https://t.co/drqrCsUkh5

— Midge Purce (@100Purcent) October 4, 2021

The NWSL announced last Sunday it is "launching several critical investigative and reform initiatives to protect players and staff and the environments in which athletes live, train and compete to give athletes the agency and ability to safely report misconduct of any form."

Former North Carolina Courage midfielder Heather O'Reilly described the club's management structure under head coach Paul Riley, who was fired last week after allegations of sexual misconduct and verbal abuse, as "just dangerous."

The longtime United States women's national team player told BBC World Service Riley was part of a larger problem within women's soccer throughout the U.S. as the sport's power brokers hid issues in an effort to help the National Women's Soccer League survive.

"I think women's football has swept a lot of bad things under the rug because we want the league to succeed," O'Reilly said Friday. "We want to continue our personal careers, and there's not as many opportunities for players to be professional footballers, so I think that's a reason why a lot of things are just dealt with. As a player, you just take it."

Meg Linehan of The Athletic spoke to more than a dozen of Riley's former players—including Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, who went on record with allegations of sexual coercion—and 10 other sources within women's soccer who interacted with the 58-year-old Englishman during his three-decade coaching career in the U.S.

Farrelly said she and Riley had sex on multiple occasions after he engaged in a cycle of praising and criticizing her that made her feel as though she couldn't refuse. Shim said Riley praised and criticized her in a similar cycle. He then allegedly invited her to study film in his hotel room, but when she arrived he was only wearing underwear. She said she left the room.

"My first reaction was, 'Holy s--t. This all makes sense. This guy has a pattern. Holy s--t. He's still coaching in the league. We have to do something,'" Shim told Linehan about when she learned Farrelly had dealt with similar problems to her while playing for Riley.

Two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner Alex Morgan echoed O'Reilly's belief that certain issues were purposely overlooked in the name of trying to get the NWSL to succeed.

"There definitely has been this shared idea that because two leagues have folded in the past, the NWSL is kind of the last hope for a women's soccer league," Morgan told The Athletic. "Because of that, I feel like there's this idea that we should be grateful for what we have and we shouldn't raise important questions—or ask questions at all."

Riley responded to the allegations by saying a majority of them are "completely untrue" and stating he never had sex with players and didn't attempt to coerce them into having sex with him.

"There's a chance I've said something along the way that offended someone," he wrote in a statement to Linehan. "I do not belittle my players, comment on their weight, or discuss their personal relationships."

Riley was fired by the Courage in the wake of the allegations. The NWSL also accepted the resignation of commissioner Lisa Baird after Morgan posted an email where Baird said a prior investigation into Riley was closed and wouldn't provide any further details despite efforts by Shim and Farrelly to come forward with their stories to the league. NWSL general counsel Lisa Levine was also removed from her role.

FIFA and U.S. Soccer are among the governing bodies that launched an investigation into suggestions the NWSL overlooked the players' allegations.

O'Reilly, who played for Riley in North Carolina during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, said he had too much control at the club, which left players "worried for their jobs and careers."

"That lack of checks and balances I think is what helped spur this problem, because no one individual should have that power," she told the BBC. "Nobody should be dealing with playing time and also contracts, and health and wellness. It's just dangerous."

The 2021 NWSL season resumed Wednesday amid the investigations after last weekend's matches were postponed.

United States women's national team superstar Alex Morgan said a "systemic failure" by the National Women's Soccer League left players in a vulnerable position.

She joined Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly on NBC's Today on Tuesday to discuss the pair's recent allegations of sexual coercion and inappropriate conduct against former North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley, who was fired last week after details of his alleged actions were published by Meg Linehan of The Athletic.

Morgan explained the lack of resources available to report abusive actions opened the door for predatory behavior (via ESPN):

I'm here to support Mana and Sinead and to continue to amplify their voices, and just show the systemic failure from the league and how wrong they did in handling Mana's case and complaint and investigation and where they failed Mana and Sinead, and probably many other women.

When I look back, I tried to be as good a friend and teammate as possible to Mana in helping her file a complaint, when at the time there was no anti-harassment policy in place, there was no league HR, there was no anonymous hotline, there was no way to report.

We've now started to put these things in place, by demand of players, not by the league being proactive. Something we ask is for the league to start being proactive, not reactive. We're asking for transparency.

“It’s bigger than the sport. This is about safety in our own lives ... the players deserve that.”

Watch @SavannahGuthrie’s full interview with soccer stars Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly and Alex Morgan on the sexual abuse allegations rocking the National Women's Soccer League. pic.twitter.com/2RD98k7lWp

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 5, 2021

Linehan provided details from more than a dozen of Riley's former players, with Shim and Farrelly going on the record to discuss their experiences, and 10 other sources throughout women's soccer that alleged Riley used controlling behavior toward players.

"My first reaction was: Holy s--t. This all makes sense. This guy has a pattern. Holy s--t. He’s still coaching in the league. We have to do something," Shim told The Athletic upon learning about other players who suffered similar experiences with the former coach.

Riley said a majority of the allegations are "completely untrue" in an emailed statement to The Athletic.

"There's a chance I've said something along the way that offended someone," Riley wrote. "I do not belittle my players, comment on their weight, or discuss their personal relationships."

He added: "I have never had sex with, or made sexual advances towards these players."

The Courage terminated Riley's contract after the allegations became public, and the NWSL accepted the resignation of commissioner Lisa Baird after Morgan provided details from an email Baird sent saying it previously concluded an investigation into Riley and wouldn't give any further information.

Meanwhile, the league announced a "commitment to systemic transformation" Sunday, including the retention of a law firm to "oversee these investigations and make recommendations for reforms." The newly formed executive committee also released a statement:

On behalf of the entire league, we are heartbroken for what far too many players have had to endure in order to simply play the game they love, and we are so incredibly sorry. We understand that we must undertake a significant systemic and cultural transformation to address the issues required to become the type of league that NWSL players and their fans deserve and regain the trust of both. We're committed to doing just that and recognize that this won't happen overnight, but only through vigilance over time.

U.S. Soccer also launched an investigation into the matter.

On Today, Farrelly said she's happy to see the support players have received over the past week:

The support and the validation of this story by everyone globally has just been, has blown me away and really has felt like it has given my pain a purpose. Mana and Alex and a couple of other women we worked with, and every person who's reached out and shown support, has turned this moment into a movement and made this matter.

They have truly amplified our voices and just made this what it should be, which is a huge deal, and demanding change.

The NWSL, which postponed last weekend's matches amid the backlash, is tentatively scheduled to resume its 2021 season Wednesday night with three fixtures: NJ/NY Gotham vs. Washington Spirit, North Carolina vs. Racing Louisville and Portland Thorns vs. Houston Dash.