Week 15 of the 2022 NFL season features a jam-packed slate of games spread out over more days than usual. There's a Thursday night matchup between the San...
Argentina's in. La Albiceleste is going to be playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, the sixth in the country's history, after defeating Croatia 3-0 in the...
Lionel Messi: Argentina's Loss in 2022 World Cup Opener Propelled Run to Final
Dec 13, 2022
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi waves at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's opening match loss to Saudi Arabia was arguably the most stunning on-field development of the 2022 World Cup, but it apparently made the soccer powerhouse stronger ahead of a run to the final.
"Internally we were confident that we would make it because we know what we are capable of as a squad," Lionel Messi said after propelling his team to a 3-0 victory over Croatia in Tuesday's semifinal match, per James Olley of ESPN. "We lost in the first match due to fine details, but it helped us to be stronger."
Messi went on to call the entire situation "an acid test" for the team considering it essentially had to win out from there to clinch a spot in the knockout stage.
"This is a mental load because we knew things would be more complicated for us," Messi said. "We managed to win five finals, and I hope it will be this way for the final game."
Olley noted Spain became the only team in men's World Cup history to lose the opening match and then win the entire event when it accomplished such a feat in 2010. Argentina is just one win away from joining them after a brilliant showing from Messi.
The all-time great opened the scoring Tuesday with a well-struck penalty kick and assisted on Argentina's third goal following an incredible run. Julián Álvarez put home his perfectly placed set-up after also scoring the victor's second goal.
A World Cup title is the only glaring omission from Messi's legendary list of accomplishments, but that will change if he can inspire a victory over France or Morocco in Sunday's final.
Morocco is the underdog story of the tournament as the first African nation to reach the semifinals, while France is the reigning World Cup champion with the unstoppable Kylian Mbappé leading the charge.
Following the loss to Saudi Arabia, the journey for Messi's side has included victories over Mexico, Poland to close the group stage before advancing past Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia in the knockout rounds. The quarterfinal showdown with the Netherlands was the most dramatic, as they gave up a late 2-0 lead by conceding a goal deep into stoppage time before outlasting the Dutch in a penalty shootout.
Tuesday brought a much more complete effort and has Argentina one more win away from glory.
Lionel Messi's Trip to World Cup Final Celebrated by Twitter as Argentina Top Croatia
Dec 13, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 13: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates the team's 3-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday, catapulting the South American champions into the World Cup final for the second time in three tournaments.
Messi began the scoring with a 34th-minute penalty after a cagey opening saw Croatia dominate possession. Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković—hero of the European side's penalty shootout wins over Japan and Brazil—was adjudged to have brought down the onrushing Julián Álvarez before Messi blasted in.
Five minutes later, Álvarez dribbled the length of the pitch before nudging the ball beyond Livaković for 2-0. The Manchester City forward was a little fortunate to see the ball bounce back to him, but the gut-busting run got the reward it deserved.
Croatia made attacking changes for the second half, but Messi and Álvarez ended any hope of a comeback with 20 minutes to go. Messi's unbelievable run sent Joško Gvardiol for a spin—the highly rated youngster unable to do anything as Leo laid on the assist for Álvarez to tap home.
Messi enters the second World Cup final of his career in what is likely his last attempt at winning the one major trophy that has eluded him. Mario Götze's injury-time winner ended Argentina's hopes in 2014, but with Messi in such rampant form, they have great momentum to get the job done.
Messi's outrageous display was vastly celebrated on Twitter as fans anticipated a showdown with either France or Morocco on Sunday.
Lionel Messi is the 1st player to score & assist in 3 different games, in a single edition of a World Cup, since 1966. Unreal. Expected a more dogged Croatia, but looks like the fairytale is on for Messi & Argentina (& not Modric 😬) 🇦🇷v🇭🇷 #ArgentinaVsCroatia#Qatar2022pic.twitter.com/XTLZ1mO06F
Will it be a fairytale ending for Messi? Or is heartbreak on the horizon? One thing's for sure: Argentina have come a long way since the opening-round defeat to Saudi Arabia left them scrambling to escape the group stage.
Messi already has a legendary career wrapped up, and it's remarkable to think at 35 years old he is about to enter the biggest match of his life. Sunday's World Cup final can't come soon enough.
WWE Rumors on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 and One-Off Returns; Sting Had Surgery
Dec 13, 2022
Roman Reigns celebrates after defeating Bill Goldberg during the 2022 WWE Elimination Chamber at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on February 19, 2022. (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe and All Elite Wrestling.
WWE Reportedly Considering Reigns Working Both Nights of WrestleMania
WWE has reportedly discussed the possibility of having undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns work both nights of WrestleMania 39 in April.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Andrew Ravens of WrestlingNews.co), the idea being considered would see Reigns face Cody Rhodes on one night of WrestleMania and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on the other.
Meltzer noted that another idea that has been floated regarding Reigns is the possibility of breaking up the two world titles he is in possession of so that one can be featured on Raw and the other can be on SmackDown.
Despite the reported discussions, Meltzer cautioned that it is more likely Reigns wrestles only once rather than twice at WrestleMania.
A match between Reigns and his real-life cousin, The Rock, has long been rumored for WrestleMania, although WWE has yet to allude to the possibility of it happening.
While WWE would love for one of its biggest stars of all time to return and face its biggest current star, The Rock's availability for WrestleMania is likely dependent on his busy and successful Hollywood acting career.
Perhaps the more likely opponent for The Tribal Chief at next year's WrestleMania is Rhodes, who has been out since June with a torn pectoral muscle.
WWE provided a nine-month timetable for Rhodes' return after he underwent surgery, but most have assumed that he would make it back in time for the men's Royal Rumble match in January and perhaps win it.
If WWE has The Rock available, having Reigns work twice at WrestleMania would be a good way of avoiding having The Rock win the Royal Rumble.
The winner of the Rumble challenges for a world title at WrestleMania every year, and there is no indication that WWE plans to take the belts off Reigns before the biggest event of the year.
Having two nights of WrestleMania gives WWE some flexibility, and if WWE decides to have Reigns headline both shows, it is unlikely that many fans would complain.
WWE Reportedly Open to More One-Off Returns After Noble's Retirement
Following Jamie Noble's retirement match at a live event in his home state of West Virginia on Sunday, WWE is reportedly open to doing more things of that nature in the future.
According to Fightful Select (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), similar "one-off returns" like the one Noble had over the weekend are "on the table" in WWE moving forward.
Noble's first major exposure in pro wrestling came from 1999 to 2001 in WCW. After WWE bought WCW in 2001, Noble's contract was retained, and he remained with WWE until 2004.
He then enjoyed a successful run in Ring of Honor in 2005 as James Gibson, winning the ROH world title. Noble returned to WWE that same year and continued to wrestle regularly until 2009 when he transitioned into a backstage producer role.
While Noble has had some sporadic matches since then, including a few with Joey Mercury when they were J&J Security for Seth Rollins in 2014 and 2015, the 45-year-old's final match was on Sunday.
Noble teamed with Braun Strowman, Butch and Ridge Holland, defeating Bloodline members Sami Zayn, Solo Sikoa and The Usos in an eight-man tag team match. Noble scored the winning fall for his team by pinning Zayn.
The Noble match seemingly isn't something WWE would have done in past years, but with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan taking over the leadership role that Vince McMahon vacated with his retirement in July, the running of the company has changed.
WWE has several other producers with extensive in-ring careers under contract, and Noble's match may have opened the door for them to wrestle at some point in the future as well.
Sting Says He Recently Underwent Knee Surgery
Sting continues to defy logic by wrestling for AEW at the age of 63, but he divulged this week that he recently underwent a procedure on his knee.
Appearing on The K&C Masterpiece (h/t Sunil Joseph of Ringside News) on Monday, Sting said he had surgery to clean out his knees "six or seven weeks ago."
Sting last wrestled at Full Gear on Nov. 19 when he teamed with Darby Allin in a winning effort against Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett.
That was less than one month ago, meaning Sting returned from the procedure in a relatively short amount of time. Prior to Full Gear, he hadn't wrestled in two months, which gave him the time off he needed to recover.
Sting retired from in-ring competition in 2015 after suffering a neck injury in 2015, but after receiving clearance, he returned to action with AEW in 2021.
The Icon has wrestled several matches in AEW, but he has largely been protected by being kept in tag team matches with Allin.
Sting is undefeated during his time in AEW, and he has been a success in terms of giving the company an attraction it can trot out in entertaining tag matches at pay-per-views.
Despite his age and a recent surgery, Sting continues to move well and deliver impressive performances, and every indication is that he will continue to be an asset for AEW moving forward.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
Report: Vince McMahon Intends to Return to WWE; Retired After Misconduct Allegations
Dec 13, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 08: WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon speaks at a news conference announcing the WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network will launch on February 24, 2014 as the first-ever 24/7 streaming network, offering both scheduled programs and video on demand. The USD 9.99 per month subscription will include access to all 12 live WWE pay-per-view events each year. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Former WWE chairman, CEO and head of creative Vince McMahon has reportedly told people close to him that he plans to return to WWE at some point.
McMahon retired in July amid allegations that he paid millions of dollars to four women over a 16-year period to secure their silence over sexual relationships with McMahon, told people he received "bad advice" to step down and believes the allegations against him would have "blown over" had he stayed in power, according to Joe Palazzolo and Ted Mann of the Wall Street Journal.
After purchasing WWE from his father in 1982, McMahon headed the business and creative sides of the company for decades before ceding control to a host of executives in July.
The 77-year-old McMahon's daughter, Stephanie McMahon, took over as chairwoman and co-CEO, while WWE president Nick Khan was elevated to co-CEO. McMahon's son-in-law, Triple H, took the reins as head of creative and vice president of talent relations.
In addition to the alleged payments, McMahon has been accused of sexual assault by two women. Former WWE referee Rita Chatterton sued McMahon over allegations he sexually assaulted her in a limo in 1986. McMahon's legal team reportedly received a letter from Chatterton's representative in November asking McMahon to pay $11.75 million in damages.
According to Palazzolo and Mann, McMahon was also accused of sexually assaulting a former spa manager in 2011 in a separate lawsuit filed in November
McMahon has reportedly denied both allegations and is refusing to pay any settlements.
According to Palazzolo and Mann, people familiar with the situation said the former spa manager reported her allegations to the resort. Those people also said she told her husband, who allegedly tried to confront McMahon with a baseball bat at a venue where a WWE event was being held before being turned away.
McMahon's retirement came after he was alleged to have paid $12 million in secret settlements to multiple women since 2006.
WWE's board of directors investigated McMahon and determined that the payments should have been recorded as WWE expenses, but weren't. People close to the situation told Palazzolo and Mann that the WWE board of directors is still looking into the possibility of taking legal action against McMahon.
In July, Palazzolo, Mann and Joe Flint reported that the $12 million in payments were made to four different women. An investigation into those payments began when allegations came to light that McMahon paid $3 million to a woman who was a WWE employee from 2019 until January 2022 in exchange for confidentiality.
McMahon remains the majority owner and stakeholder of WWE and retains more individual voting power than anyone else in the company.
That suggests there is at least some level of possibility that McMahon could return to his previous positions with WWE at some point, but if the board of directors decides to block him or even take legal action against him, it may not be a realistic option.
Actor Michael B. Jordan Becomes Part-Owner of EPL Club Bournemouth
Dec 13, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Michael B. Jordan attends Critics Choice Association's 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Actor Michael B. Jordan is now a part-owner of English Premier League club Bournemouth.
Per Giacomo Pisa of The Sun, Jordan is part of a minority investment group that purchased a stake in the club.
The Premier League ratified the sale of Bournemouth to a group led by Bill Foley.
According to Pisa, Foley will serve as club chairman and will be in attendance for its next home game against Crystal Palace on New Year's Eve.
Maxim Demin, who became a co-owner of the Cherries in 2011 and had been majority owner since 2013, reached a verbal agreement with Foley to sell the club for $150 million in October.
Foley is also majority owner of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights through his Black Knight Sports and Entertainment consortium.
A press release stated that Jordan and Nullah Sarker will work closely with Foley in areas that include "global marketing and internationalization of the club."
This marks Jordan's first foray into ownership of a sports team. His acting resume includes several sports movies and television shows, including the Creed franchise and the television adaptation of Friday Night Lights.
Jordan will make his directorial debut with Creed III, which is set to release March 3.
Bournemouth is in 14th place in the EPL standings with 16 points through 15 matches. Its next match is against Newcastle in the EFL Cup round of 16 on Dec. 20.
The New York Yankees have twice paid a premium to keep their own players this offseason, bringing back both Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo on colossal...
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the New York Giants during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Top quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow were all expected to be among the contenders for NFL MVP at the start of the 2022 season. And those three are all in the race heading into Week 15.
However, a clear front-runner has emerged through 14 weeks, and it isn't one of that trio.
Jalen Hurts is putting together an incredible third season in the league to help the Philadelphia Eagles solidify their status as the top team in the NFL. They have gotten off to a 12-1 start, while no other team has lost fewer than three games.
Can the 24-year-old finish strongly over the final four weeks and earn his first NFL MVP, or will somebody else overtake him?
Here's a look at the latest NFL MVP odds entering Week 15, followed by predictions for how the race for the top award will unfold down the stretch.
Latest NFL MVP Odds
Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts: -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow: +750
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa: +2000
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen: +2000
Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith: +8000
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill: +10000
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: +10000
Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins: +10000
Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: +10000
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey: +25000
The NFL MVP doesn't always have to go to a player from the league's best team. But the dominance the Eagles have shown this season works in Hurts' favor.
Philadelphia won its first eight games of the year before falling to the Washington Commanders at home in Week 10. It has since gotten back on track, winning four straight including the lopsided victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.
Hurts has been one of the biggest reasons for the Eagles' success. Their offense wouldn't be performing nearly as well without him, especially because he's making plays happen with both his arm and his legs.
Through 13 games, the former Alabama and Oklahoma player has passed for 3,157 yards and 22 touchdowns, both already career highs. The Eagles got him a true No. 1 wide receiver when they traded for A.J. Brown in the offseason in a move that has paid huge dividends.
But Hurts' rushing ability takes his game to another level. He's run for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns, matching his total from last season. His next rushing score will break the franchise record for most in a season by a QB, which he set himself in 2021.
According to Tom Canavan of the Associated Press, the Houston native is the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for at least 10 touchdowns in consecutive seasons. But he's been quick to credit the players around him in Philadelphia's offense for the success.
"The most simple thing we've done is to try and grow and execute," Hurts said. "It's good that we prepared in a way that we've been able to execute at a high level. We just want to continue to do that. That's the name of the game."
Other quarterbacks, such as Mahomes, Burrow and Allen, are likely to put up some big numbers the rest of the way. Each is also the signal-caller for a top team that could make a run to a Super Bowl title.
However, none of them will have made the type of impact Hurts has this year.
The Eagles have a good chance to finish the season strong. They have remaining matchups against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, a pair of struggling teams. And they'll again face the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, two NFC East rivals they've already defeated once.
Hurts will continue to have impressive stats, and that will be more than enough to wrap up the NFL MVP race.
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Mia Hamm Talks USWNT, World Cup, Mallory Pugh, Frito-Lay and More in B/R Interview
Dec 13, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Mia Hamm of the 1999 United States Women's National Team waves to fans during halftime at Banc of California Stadium on April 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The future is bright for the United States men's national team despite a round-of-16 loss in the 2022 World Cup.
Just ask arguably the greatest American soccer player in history.
"I look at the spine of the team, and we had some incredible performances that we can build on," Mia Hamm told Bleacher Report. "Sergiño Dest and Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic stepped up. The team is so young, and I think they learned a lot about themselves. I think they learned a lot about competing at that level and in that intense environment where they're being asked to carry the load. That's going to serve them well in four years, and with the experience that they gained, they already want more as a team."
It isn't difficult to envision this young and talented group taking another step when they host the World Cup in four years. The defense allowed a single goal during group play against the likes of England, Wales and Iran, and Pulisic scored a memorable goal before exiting with an injury against the latter, helping the United States secure its spot in the knockout stage.
Still, the defense that shined in the first three games failed in a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16. It lost track of markers on multiple crosses, which proved costly when the offense couldn't take advantage of their own chances on the other side.
"They left that tournament feeling that they could have and should have advanced had they played better," Hamm said. "You look at the Netherlands game in terms of possession, and the U.S. had their opportunities. They're stepping away proud of their accomplishments but knowing that they can achieve more. Which is what you want as a coach, as a team and as a fan."
That opportunity to achieve more is still on the table for Argentina, France, Croatia and Morocco in a World Cup that has featured no shortage of storylines.
Lionel Messi, who is arguably the greatest men's soccer player of all time, is trying to win the one glaring thing missing from his legacy for Argentina while Croatia attempts to play spoiler. Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappé is leading France in their defense of the title and dazzling every time he takes the field.
Yet Morocco is stealing the show as the underdog and first African nation to advance to the event's semifinals after stunning Portugal in the quarterfinals and ending any chance of a GOAT showdown in the final between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
Morocco making history at the World Cup is being celebrated all over the world 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/0MaKQVojId
"Seeing Morocco and what they've been able to accomplish," Hamm said when asked what her favorite storyline of this World Cup has been. "It's history as the first African nation to make the semis. I think it's important to celebrate that. I've been involved with FIFA talking about developing the game, and this is what you want to see. I look at this as positive with regards to its association with the women's game. You keep putting funds and resources into development, and these are the dreams that can come true. Our commitment on the women's side is important, especially with the women's World Cup coming up next year, and seeing how it can change people's lives like it has for the Morocco national team."
Few people know more about seeing athletic dreams come true than Hamm, who retired from professional soccer in 2004 as an icon and one of the most influential figures in the sport's history.
Her seemingly endless list of accomplishments includes two World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals, four straight NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship titles at North Carolina and two FIFA Women's Player of the Year awards.
She was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007, which was her first year of eligibility, and was a founding member of the Women United Soccer Association and eventual champion in the league for the Washington Freedom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daVcy0Zvb0U
Yet she finds herself reflecting back on more than just the victories and accolades as she watches the 2022 World Cup.
"Just the time we were able to have as teammates in the hotel because you spend a lot of time in this bubble," she said. "You're trying to find ways to entertain yourselves but also not use up too much of that anxious energy. Whether it was doing funny skits or playing games and cards, just really getting to know each other better and growing closer as a team because you needed that to get you through the tournaments.
"It's easy to be a positive teammate when things are going really well, but how do you handle that adversity? Knowing those players are there by your side willing to carry you when you struggle, you were able to lean into those moments in the hotel."
She was recently part of a different team off the field when she joined David Beckham, Peyton Manning, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Tim Howard and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández in a Frito-Lay commercial attempting to settle the debate of whether the sport is called soccer or football.
"First of all, their commitment to supporting the game of soccer or football," she said when discussing what made her want to do the commercial. "And also the light-hearted way they took on this playful discussion. It's the global game, but here in the US we like to think we invented everything. And also who was in it with Peyton and Becks and, obviously, Jules and Brandi, and Tim Howard and Chicharito. It just sounded like a lot of fun, and I was honored to be a part of this crew."
The star power didn't stop there, as legendary filmmaker Michael Bay directed the spot.
"I don't know why he hasn't called me up since, maybe my acting wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be," Hamm said while laughing. "He was great. He kept it efficient, and the entire crew and all the actors were amazing. They made it really comfortable, and I just had a lot of fun doing it."
Football may have won out this time with the USMNT's exit in the round of 16, but the United States women's national team will have the opportunity to earn a victory for those who call it soccer during the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Red, White and Blue will be going for a historic three-peat after winning the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. While Germany also went back-to-back in 2003 and 2007, no women's team has ever won the event three times in a row.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 8, 2022
It won't be easy for a team that Hamm said will get every opponent's "best shot" when they are on the field.
"There are teams internationally that are playing so well," she said. "We wanted the game to get to this level where teams aren't afraid of anyone. You have Spain playing the way they have, you have England, you have Germany and Japan. All these teams at any given moment, and the host countries in Australia and New Zealand are going to be fired up and ready to compete. Australia has one of the best players in the world in Sam Kerr. I know they're putting every resource in to make sure they're ready."
Tragically, one of soccer's top voices will not be there to cover the Americans' push for history.
Reporter Grant Wahl died while covering the World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands in Qatar. Wahl was the gold standard for soccer coverage throughout a career that included stops at Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports and CBS Sports, and his coverage of the women's game was particularly important to Hamm and many others.
"I would like to take the time to say thank you to Grant Wahl and everything he's meant to our game and our sport," Hamm said. "Especially the women's game. Early on, he gave our team and our sport a platform. He came out and watched the WUSA Finals, he talked to the players, he was involved with the women's national team. And he's been such a staunch advocate for us and for the game of soccer. He came in at a time when nobody wanted to cover women's soccer, and he just shined a really bright light on it. We're in this position we're in today with our game because of him. I just want to say thank you to him and offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife and his family and his colleagues who love him so much."
Nobody will be able to tell the stories like Wahl, but they will still be told during the 2023 World Cup.
Many of those stories when it comes to the success of the United States in women's soccer have been about the major stars, whether it is Hamm, Michelle Akers, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and so many others.
Some of the names such as Morgan, Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan will be familiar ones in 2023, but there is also a potential shift underway to a new generation of stars who could carry the Americans to more World Cup glory.
A couple of them in particular stand out to Hamm.
"Let's just talk about Mal Pugh," she said. "I can't imagine the expectations she had coming out of college. I mean, she didn't even really go to college. I think she went to college for three weeks and was like, 'You know what, I think I'm going to try this pro thing.' It's hard when everyone is asking you to carry the load and you have yet to deal with failure. I think for her, it shows how strong and resilient she is.
"But when I see her play, the joy on her face is what excites me about her future. I'm really excited to watch her play next summer."
"I think not making the Olympics was one of the best things that could happen to my career."
Adversity allowed @MalPugh to find her game again 📈
Pugh, who left UCLA after three spring games to turn professional in 2017, was part of the 2019 team that won the World Cup but figures to be much more prominently involved in the attack in 2023.
The 24-year-old and Catarina Macario each scored braces in the Americans' victory over Iceland to win the 2022 SheBelieves Cup. Pugh is playing some of the best soccer of her career and could be a Golden Boot candidate next year if that continues.
Macario, 23, may be as well if she returns to health after suffering a torn ACL while playing for Lyon in June.
"I want to see if Macario can come back," Hamm said. "She's a special player. As a forward, I wish I had her savvy and understanding at that age. Sometimes I willed goals in rather than being mindful of using the right surface or making the right run. But she is just so sophisticated at a young age. I would love to see her next summer just because I think she has so much exciting soccer to share with us."
And if everything goes according to plan, the USWNT will have a third straight and fifth overall World Cup title to share with soccer fans across the country.
