🎉 Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip! ⚽️

The SheBelieves Cup is delivering fireworks, and the final showdown is set. The U.S. and Japan are on a collision course after dominant performances, with Japan needing just a draw to clinch their first title. From Lynn Biyendolo’s record-breaking strike to Mina Tanaka’s relentless scoring spree, this tournament has been a proving ground for emerging stars and seasoned veterans alike.

Off the field, the Thompson sisters are making history together, while Spain’s footballing world is rocked by the Rubiales verdict. Whether it’s sibling success or long-overdue accountability, the women’s game is evolving in real time. Let’s dive into all the action.

What's in store this week:

• SheBelieves: USA vs Colombia (2-0)

• SheBelieves: Japan vs Australia (4-0)

• SheBelieves: Colombia vs Japan (1-4)

• SheBelieves: USA vs Australia (2-1)

• News: The Story of the Thompson Sisters

• News: Luis Rubiales Found Guilty

USA vs
Colombia (2-0)

The USWNT opened the SheBelieves Cup with a 2-0 win over Colombia, a match highlighted by Catarina Macario’s emotional return to form. Scoring her first goal for the national team in nearly three years, Macario broke her goal drought with a precise finish after a well-crafted setup. Her strike not only set the tone for the game but also showcased her potential to be a major game-changer, reaffirming the promise she showed as the tournament MVP in 2022 before injuries derailed her momentum.

Newcomer Ally Sentnor also made a significant impact by scoring a long-range stunner in her first USWNT start, complementing the collective effort that filled the void left by absent stars in the attack. Overall, the match demonstrated a blend of seasoned talent and emerging stars, with Macario’s inspiring return underscoring the evolving strength and resilience of the USWNT.

Japan vs
Australia (4-0)

In the Houston opener, Japan dominated the match with a 4-0 win over the Matildas. Despite fielding a strong side minus injured skipper Sam Kerr, Australia struggled, registering their first shot on target only in the 87th minute. Japan’s Mina Tanaka opened the scoring with two quick goals, while Maika Hamano and Mieka Minami added more with precise finishes.

The loss has raised concerns about the Matildas' future ahead of the women's Asian Cup, especially without a permanent coach. Critics, including coach Tom Sermanni and player Ellie Carpenter, labeled the performance as a tough lesson.

Colombia vs
Japan (1-4)

Japan kept their dominance rolling with a commanding 4-1 win over Colombia, setting up a win takes all showdown with the USWNT for the tournament title. Nineteen-year-old Momoko Tanikawa wasted no time, scoring just 18 seconds in—the fastest goal in SheBelieves Cup history. She then assisted Mina Tanaka for Japan’s second in the eighth minute, putting Japan firmly in control early. Though Colombia’s Linda Caicedo pulled one back just before halftime, Japan never looked back.

Tanaka, already the tournament’s top scorer, added another to her tally with a penalty in the 80th minute, securing her brace after setting up Maika Hamano’s earlier goal. With two wins and a staggering +7 goal difference, Japan now leads the standings and will face the U.S. on February 27 in San Diego. The stakes? A shot at the SheBelieves Cup title and a chance to further cement their rise under new manager Nils Nielsen.

USA vs
Australia (2-1)

The USWNT edged Australia 2-1 on Sunday, with Lynn Biyendolo scoring just 42 seconds in—marking the fastest USWNT goal since 2021. Michelle Cooper then doubled the lead in the 68th minute with her first international goal, capitalizing on a clever setup from Ally Sentnor. Australia pulled one back late through Michelle Heyman, but the U.S. held on for their second win in the SheBelieves Cup.

Coach Emma Hayes made history by rotating all 11 starters from the previous match, fielding the youngest U.S. lineup since 2001. Gisele and Alyssa Thompson became just the third pair of sisters to start together for the national team, while Mandy McGlynn made her second career start in goal. Now, the U.S. faces Japan on February 27 in a winner-takes-all clash for the SheBelieves Cup title, with Japan only needing a draw to secure their first tournament victory.

The Rise of the Thompson Sisters

Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, both rising stars for Angel City FC, made history by being called up together to the U.S. Women’s National Team for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. Their inclusion marks a historic moment, making them just the third pair of siblings ever to be named to the same USWNT roster. Previous sister duos on the roster include Lorrie and Ronnie Fair in 1997 and Sam and Kristie Mewis in 2021.

Alyssa, a forward, made her senior international debut for the USWNT in 2022 at just 17 years old, and was the youngest player ever drafted into the NWSL, selected first overall in the 2023 draft. Gisele, a right-back, is also part of the Angel City squad and made her international debut at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2022, followed by a standout performance at the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The sisters, born just 13 months apart in Los Angeles, have had a shared journey from the start, with both excelling in multiple sports growing up, including track, soccer, and volleyball. Their soccer journey began in earnest with MLS Next's Total Futbol Academy, where they played alongside boys' teams. They later became the first high school athletes to sign NIL deals with Nike, paving the way for the next wave of athletes benefiting from such opportunities.

Alyssa and Gisele's diverse family background has played a key role in shaping their careers. Their mother, Karen, is of Peruvian and Italian descent, while their father, Mario, is Filipino. The sisters’ connection to their cultural roots is evident in their everyday lives, whether through food—such as their grandmother's signature dishes, Bistec apanado and Papa a la Huancaína—or their commitment to learning Spanish to better connect with their Peruvian heritage.

Both sisters have made a strong mark off the field as well. Alyssa has dabbled in art, particularly photography, while Gisele has developed a passion for baking, perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Looking ahead, they share a common goal: to play together at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, a dream that keeps driving them forward in their soccer careers. Congratulations, Alyssa and Gisele! We’re cheering you on.

Rubiales Found Guilty
of Sexual Assault

Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish football federation, was found guilty of sexually assaulting Jenni Hermoso after kissing her without consent following Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup victory. Rubiales had claimed Hermoso consented to the kiss, but she firmly denied it. The Spanish High Court imposed a fine of over €10,000 ($10,434) but acquitted Rubiales of coercion charges, citing the incident's minor intensity due to the absence of violence or intimidation. Rubiales has vowed to appeal the ruling. The court also imposed a restraining order, barring Rubiales from contacting Hermoso for one year.

The case, which sparked debates on sexism in both women's football and wider Spanish society, marred Spain's historic win. Hermoso described the kiss as tainting one of the happiest moments of her life, while her teammates testified that it left her distressed. Despite the court's decision to forgo a prison sentence, the ruling was praised by the Association of Spanish Footballers as a step forward in defending women's rights and ensuring a sport free from abuse.