SACRAMENTO (FOX40.COM) -- For the best of the best, they can make the seemingly impossible look routine and easy. For Lee Neves, the owner, president and CEO of the Stockton Cargo, that's what he saw from Gianna Hall. "She's someone who stood out," Neves said. "I mean, the skill she has on the ball. And not only that, the enthusiasm that she plays the game with, it's not just a job. It's not a chore. And this goes for everyone on our team. They love the game of soccer and it shows when they're out there on the field. But I mean, you could tell in practice, in games that she was special." The S ..read more

USA forward Sophia Smith's celebration in her first World Cup game was in homage to the life of her college teammate, Katie Meyer, who died by suicide in 2022. Meyer was a standout goalie at Stanford who was known for her fiery style which was on full display in the 2019 national title game that ended in penalty kicks. With her performance in the shootout, Katie helped the Cardinal's win their third national title. And she capped it off with her signature celebration. "I think it's something that's really important to me and Soph[ia Smith]," USWNT defender and former Cardinal Naomi Girma said ..read more

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States' hold on the Women's World Cup is over, and two-time champion Germany also exited the tournament. Olympic gold medalist Canada was bounced, and Marta and her Brazil team were knocked out before she had a chance to become the first player to score in six World Cups. Yes, the heavyweights of women's soccer have all been eliminated, and yes, it has created a wide-open World Cup. The eight teams that advanced to the quarterfinals represent some traditional powers, one previous World Cup winner and two teams making their debut in the final eight. Engl ..read more

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — France coach Herve Renard high-fived his staff on the sideline as it became clear his team was on its way to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup. Only 23 minutes had been played at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday, but France was already 3-0 up against Morocco and on course for a showdown with co-host Australia. The French scored once more in the second half to win 4-0 and end Morocco’s historic debut run at the World Cup. “The result speaks for itself,” Renard said. “We were able to score four times and now we’ve got a foot in the door for the quarter ..read more

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Colombia's players danced and sang on the field long after the team secured its historic first-ever trip to the Women's World Cup quarterfinals. Catalina Usme's second-half goal gave Colombia a 1-0 win over Jamaica. Both teams were aiming for a first victory in the knockout stage, with the winner moving on to the last eight at soccer's biggest tournament. “After the goal went into the net, I had all sorts of emotions," Usme said. “During all the years in women’s football, it's such a beautiful moment, giving us the possibility to make history for our country. But we ..read more

SACRAMENTO (KTXL) -- Well before Stephanie Cox was representing the United States on a global stage, she was representing Elk Grove throughout Northern California. "I think getting to play for the pride, getting to play for the WPSL was pretty awesome," Cox said. "Getting to play for my high school and playing [Olympic Development Program] and representing the area. Playing those big games against the storm. You know, we were just these young kids who wanted to shake things up and make a difference." But if not for some insecurities back in her youth soccer days, Cox might never have had a cha ..read more

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — When the United States was desperate for a spark, Lindsey Horan channeled her anger into a much-needed goal to keep the Americans unbeaten at the Women’s World Cup. Horan was fuming after she was knocked over by Danielle van de Donk in the second half of Thursday's rematch of the 2019 women's final, when the United States beat the Netherlands to win their second consecutive World Cup title. She got her revenge minutes after the tackle in a sequence that included Horan cursing about van de Donk before shoving her, as well. The two trash-talked and were separated b ..read more

(NEXSTAR) — If you've been watching the FIFA Women's World Cup, you may have noticed a player or two wearing horseshoe-shaped collars around their necks. Since necklaces and jewelry are prohibited in soccer, what could they possibly be? This isn't the first time we've seen athletes sporting the collars — multiple NFL players began wearing them this year, while others have been wearing them as far back as 2016. Known as a Q-Collar, the device is intended to protect athletes’ brains during head impacts. The Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of Q30 Innovations’ Q-Col ..read more

SYDNEY (AP) — Throughout South Korea’s Women’s World Cup opener against Colombia on Tuesday, players stayed loose behind the goal. Early in the 78th minute, one player broke away from the group. Casey Phair, at 16 years and 26 days, stepped onto the field and became the youngest player to do so in a World Cup — women's or men's. “Going on, I was really, really nervous,” said Phair, who has an American father and a South Korean mother and was raised in the United States. “It was a scary moment, but then going on and running around, I think it just settled in.” The record previously was held by ..read more

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Sophia Smith pretended to zip her lips closed as she celebrated her second goal against Vietnam during the United States’ opening match at the Women’s World Cup. It was a tribute to former Stanford teammate Katie Meyer, who died by suicide last year. Smith and teammate Naomi Girma decided on the tribute for Meyer, the goalkeeper star of Stanford's 2019 NCAA championship. She stopped two penalty shots in the title game. An ebullient California girl known for her animated celebrations, Meyer made the gesture after her first penalty save as a way to silence anyone who ..read more