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Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carli Lloyd's game-winner, USWNT reunion and a $1 million prize: TST balances fun with fire
The past few days in Cary, North Carolina have felt like a U.S. women's national team reunion, complete with slide tackles and a $1 million prize on the line. World Cup winners like Heather O'Reilly, Carli Lloyd, Ali Krieger and Hope Solo laced up once again, not just for nostalgia, but to satiate that ever-present hunger for competition and glory. Their battleground was The Soccer Tournament (TST), a seven-a-side, winner-takes-all competition which is equal parts entertainment and sport. And for the second year in a row, it has become something of a post-retirement playground for the U.S. women's national team. Advertisement Starting last week, games were played on a smaller field with a fast-paced format designed for high-stakes and comebacks. The tournament featured rolling substitutions and target score time, meaning a game finishes on a final goal as opposed to when time ends. The target score is determined by adding one to the leading team's score after the full-time whistle and having teams compete to see who is the first to reach that total. As an added obstacle, a player from each team is removed from the field of play every three minutes until this target score is reached. In its third year, 48 men's teams and 16 women's teams competed for a $1 million prize. It all comes down to the two finals on Monday night: reigning champions US Women play Bumpy Pitch FC Women at 7 and Bumpy Pitch FC (men) take on Pumas De Alabama at 8:30, streaming on ESPN+. 'This is our third year in the tournament,' O'Reilly, US Women founder and captain, told Chatting from her bed between two matches, in mid-recovery on Friday, she talked about the tournament's evolution. 'Year one, we were the only all-women's team, got our butts kicked, but probably were fan favorites. That loss turned into something bigger and the following year we demanded a women's division and equal prize money.' TST organizers first questioned the idea of paying women equal prize money, but O'Reilly pushed hard for it. The organizers said there was an ongoing discussion about the prize money and eventually agreed that equal pay was the only way to go. Advertisement 'Don't even do it at all if you're not going to do it equally,' O'Reilly said. O'Reilly is the driving force behind assembling the US Women team. She retired from professional soccer in 2019 but came back to fulfil her dream of playing the UEFA Champions League with Irish champions Shelbourne in the 2022-23 season. (Gotham FC also signed her as an Injury Replacement Player for a game in 2024.) Though she shifted to coaching in her post-playing years, O'Reilly never stopped jumping to lunchtime pick-up games when she could. When she heard TST was taking place in her backyard, she knew she had to play. Last year, she recruited her longtime friend Lloyd, who was pregnant at the time, to coach. But this year, after welcoming her daughter Harper in October, the two-time FIFA Player of the Year is back on the field, fit and focused. The 42-year-old scored the winning goal for the US Women on Friday to make it to the semifinals over the weekend. Krieger is also on the squad. So are Allie Long, Amber Brooks, Cat Whitehill, Casey Loyd, Jill Loyden and Jo Lohman. Former USWNT midfielder and Bay FC co-founder Leslie Osborne is serving as an assistant coach, while Lori Lindsey is the team's general manager. Advertisement Solo entered her own team this year, Solo FC, falling to Ultrain FC in the quarterfinals. In that match, the former U.S. goalkeeper made a diving save reminiscent of those she made in World Cup and Olympic finals. Knowing more opponents were joining the tournament this year, the US Women's preparation started early: Zoom calls, strategy sessions, and even custom workout plans were sent out weeks in advance. 'Every year, new teams come in better prepared,' O'Reilly said. 'Some of these coaches know this format inside-out.' This year, O'Reilly added a handful of younger legs too, including University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores, who scored the game winner for the USWNT U-23 team in Germany last month. Advertisement 'You have to keep evolving, find those small margins. This game is different from 11-a-side,' O'Reilly said. 'Last year we lost our first game, and it was a real wake-up call.' When the US Women won the tournament in 2024, each player took home around $50,000, while coaching and staff took in about half of that. 'That's not just gas money, that's tuition for kids' schools, a mortgage, real-life stuff,' O'Reilly said. On Monday night, they will face off against Bumpy Pitch Women — a squad making its TST debut with a mix of former NWSL players like Ally Prisock, Katie Johnson, McCall Zerboni, as well as college talent, and European and Japanese pros — for the same $1 million prize. From the start, the team's mission wasn't just to compete, it was to make a statement. They lobbied for equal prize money. They got it. Now they want more. 'There's so much brand value here,' she said. 'You've got U.S. legends, high-level soccer and an audience that's hungry. Sponsors should be lining up.' Advertisement Founded by TBT Enterprises, which also created The Basketball Tournament, TST has grown from a quirky offseason tournament into a potential model for a fast-paced version of soccer mostly consumed by younger fans. The tournament was unveiled in 2022 with 32 men's teams. TST added the women's tournament in 2024 and doubled the size of the women's side this year, expanding from eight to 16 teams after receiving more than 50 applications. The tournament signed a broadcast deal with ESPN and on the women's side, signed with RBC Wealth Management as the main sponsor. Similar tournaments like the Kings and Queens League in Spain and World Sevens Football have followed in recent years. O'Reilly has had offers to play or coach in other tournaments, but for now, she is loyal to TST, a date she circles in her calendar every year. 'For me, TST is kind of the one time of the year, our annual time to get the band together,' she said. 'I wasn't expecting TST to even be in my life, and now it is. We'll see what the future brings. But it is an interesting idea. I think a lot of people are thinking, maybe this is the future of the sport in some way and that's amazing.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, Soccer, NWSL, Sports Business 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Soccer Tournament unveils groups for 16 women's teams battling for $1 million prize
The Soccer Tournament — a winner-take-all, seven-a-side soccer tournament — on Tuesday announced the 16 women's teams and 48 men's teams that will compete for $1 million this summer. Founded by TBT Enterprises, which also created The Basketball Tournament, The Soccer Tournament (TST) was unveiled in 2022 with 32 men's teams. Games are played on a smaller field to speed up the action, with each game featuring two 20-minute halves, but the real twist comes after the last whistle. TST borrows the 'Elam Ending' from its basketball roots and gives it a soccer spin. Instead of heading to overtime or penalties, teams race to hit a target score — one goal more than the leading team's total at the final whistle. If no one scores after five minutes, the game gets wilder as each team loses a player every three minutes until there's a two-on-two duel for the winning goal. Advertisement TST added the women's tournament in 2024 and doubled the size of the women's side this year, expanding from eight to 16 teams after receiving more than 50 applications for the coveted spots. More than 500 players will compete across four groups of four teams each, with matches held over four days from June 6-9. 'Our inaugural women's championship game viewership performed exceptionally well, as we grew our audience 452 percent from the beginning of the game until the moment the game-winning goal was scored,' Jon Mugar, the founder and CEO of TST, told . 'Both fans in attendance and people at home loved the product.' The tournament renewed its broadcast deal with ESPN+, which will stream 27 men's and women's matches live. An additional 20 matches will also air on ESPNU. That surge in interest comes just as some of the biggest names in women's soccer take the field. Led by USWNT and UNC legend Heather O'Reilly, the U.S. Women's team — the reigning TST champion — is back to defend its crown. This year's squad is stacked with star power, including World Cup defender Ali Krieger and 2025 Soccer Hall of Famer Carli Lloyd. The team's roster also features former Bay FC and Scottish national team player Jen Beattie, USWNT defenders Cat Whitehill and Jo Lohman, and top players from the University of North Carolina. Advertisement O'Reilly's side will kick off Group A play on June 5 against Austin Rise FC — a 100-percent women-owned, semi-professional team from the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) making its tournament debut. The match will be televised on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+. Austin Rise is part of a batch of new entrants, including Albion SC from San Diego, Atlanta-based Process FC, Speedy Turtles, Bumpy Pitch, Reunion City Dallas and Drunken Monkeys, led by legendary midfielder Brazilian national Formiga, who is making her TST debut. Another former USWNT legend making a comeback at TST is former USWNT and Seattle Reign goalkeeper Hope Solo. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and 2015 World Cup winner will captain Solo FC, a team of legends and rising stars from around the world, with a focus on giving opportunities to players from underrepresented communities around the world. 'I want to shine a light on those players from around the world who you've never heard of who are great players who have the ability to get NCAA scholarships and professional contracts,' Solo explained during TST's podcast back in February. 'They're playing for the experience because it might pull them out and get them a college scholarship or a pro contract.' Advertisement Solo's side will debut against Speedy Turtles, one of the newcomers, on June 5, also broadcast on ESPNU/ESPN+. USWNT legends won't be alone in chasing the title, with plenty of returning heavyweights ready to make a run at the $1 million prize. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham Red Dragons (Group B) are also returning to Cary, N.C., as is Streetball Canada (Group C) with an all-star squad featuring some of Canada's top national team players from the past. The NWSL's North Carolina Courage is also back to compete in Group D. Last year, the Courage fell to the U.S. Women in the final. This year, they are sending a squad that will feature current youth academy players, academy graduates currently playing in college and a few more well-known players. Angel City FC's TST team, Angel City 7, also returns to the tournament, competing in the same group as O'Reilly's U.S. Women, Austin Rise FC and Process FC. In addition to the Courage and Angel City, the tournament welcomes the Kansas City Current this year. The team is sending players from its second team who currently play in the WPSL. Kansas City will play in Group B against Wrexham Red Dragons, Drunken Monkeys and Ultrain — a team supported by a soccer app founded in L.A. in 2020 and backed by pros like Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Curtis Jones (Liverpool) and Katie Zelem (Angel City). Advertisement 'Our goal is to become the preeminent soccer festival in the world,' Mugar said in a statement. 'Judging by the number of returning fans and teams, we are well on our way. I can't wait to see the level of competition this June!' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, Soccer, NWSL, UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The Soccer Tournament unveils groups for 16 women's teams battling for $1 million prize
The Soccer Tournament — a winner-take-all, seven-a-side soccer tournament — on Tuesday announced the 16 women's teams and 48 men's teams that will compete for $1 million this summer. Founded by TBT Enterprises, which also created The Basketball Tournament, The Soccer Tournament (TST) was unveiled in 2022 with 32 men's teams. Games are played on a smaller field to speed up the action, with each game featuring two 20-minute halves, but the real twist comes after the last whistle. TST borrows the 'Elam Ending' from its basketball roots and gives it a soccer spin. Instead of heading to overtime or penalties, teams race to hit a target score — one goal more than the leading team's total at the final whistle. If no one scores after five minutes, the game gets wilder as each team loses a player every three minutes until there's a two-on-two duel for the winning goal. Advertisement TST added the women's tournament in 2024 and doubled the size of the women's side this year, expanding from eight to 16 teams after receiving more than 50 applications for the coveted spots. More than 500 players will compete across four groups of four teams each, with matches held over four days from June 6-9. 'Our inaugural women's championship game viewership performed exceptionally well, as we grew our audience 452 percent from the beginning of the game until the moment the game-winning goal was scored,' Jon Mugar, the founder and CEO of TST, told The Athletic. 'Both fans in attendance and people at home loved the product.' The tournament renewed its broadcast deal with ESPN+, which will stream 27 men's and women's matches live. An additional 20 matches will also air on ESPNU. That surge in interest comes just as some of the biggest names in women's soccer take the field. Led by USWNT and UNC legend Heather O'Reilly, the U.S. Women's team — the reigning TST champion — is back to defend its crown. This year's squad is stacked with star power, including World Cup defender Ali Krieger and 2025 Soccer Hall of Famer Carli Lloyd. The team's roster also features former Bay FC and Scottish national team player Jen Beattie, USWNT defenders Cat Whitehill and Jo Lohman, and top players from the University of North Carolina. O'Reilly's side will kick off Group A play on June 5 against Austin Rise FC — a 100-percent women-owned, semi-professional team from the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) making its tournament debut. The match will be televised on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+. Austin Rise is part of a batch of new entrants, including Albion SC from San Diego, Atlanta-based Process FC, Speedy Turtles, Bumpy Pitch, Reunion City Dallas and Drunken Monkeys, led by legendary midfielder Brazilian national Formiga, who is making her TST debut. Advertisement Another former USWNT legend making a comeback at TST is former USWNT and Seattle Reign goalkeeper Hope Solo. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and 2015 World Cup winner will captain Solo FC, a team of legends and rising stars from around the world, with a focus on giving opportunities to players from underrepresented communities around the world. 'I want to shine a light on those players from around the world who you've never heard of who are great players who have the ability to get NCAA scholarships and professional contracts,' Solo explained during TST's podcast back in February. 'They're playing for the experience because it might pull them out and get them a college scholarship or a pro contract.' Solo's side will debut against Speedy Turtles, one of the newcomers, on June 5, also broadcast on ESPNU/ESPN+. USWNT legends won't be alone in chasing the title, with plenty of returning heavyweights ready to make a run at the $1 million prize. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham Red Dragons (Group B) are also returning to Cary, N.C., as is Streetball Canada (Group C) with an all-star squad featuring some of Canada's top national team players from the past. The NWSL's North Carolina Courage is also back to compete in Group D. Last year, the Courage fell to the U.S. Women in the final. This year, they are sending a squad that will feature current youth academy players, academy graduates currently playing in college and a few more well-known players. Angel City FC's TST team, Angel City 7, also returns to the tournament, competing in the same group as O'Reilly's U.S. Women, Austin Rise FC and Process FC. In addition to the Courage and Angel City, the tournament welcomes the Kansas City Current this year. The team is sending players from its second team who currently play in the WPSL. Kansas City will play in Group B against Wrexham Red Dragons, Drunken Monkeys and Ultrain — a team supported by a soccer app founded in L.A. in 2020 and backed by pros like Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Curtis Jones (Liverpool) and Katie Zelem (Angel City). Advertisement 'Our goal is to become the preeminent soccer festival in the world,' Mugar said in a statement. 'Judging by the number of returning fans and teams, we are well on our way. I can't wait to see the level of competition this June!' (Photo of Ali Krieger and Carli Lloyd: Valerie Terranova / Getty Images)
