A Jordan Childs and Michael Jordan collab. We’ve got an LA 28 gymnastics update, history in the NWSL, and tennis news from the U .S. Open. What’s up, Rebels? It’s your host, Pepper.

This week’s weekly sports show is presented by Goody. Goody holds strong so you can focus on holding strong in everything you do. Let’s get into it!

We start with the Rebel Report. The U .S. Women’s Basketball World Cup team extended their win streak to 33 games, with wins over China, Italy, and the Czech Republic in group play. The team hasn’t lost since 2006, but faced one of their toughest tests of the streak over the weekend, beating Italy 55-52.It wasn’t just one of their low scoring wins ever. It was also the first time a team had come within single digits in 16 years. Next up for the USA is the quarterfinal. 

On to some front office news. WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert announced she’ll retire at the end of the year. She took over in 2019 and served as the league’s first commissioner for seven and a half years. The league will begin searching for its new commissioner this month. They’re currently on break for the FIBA World Cup

Also, quick shout out to last week’s Rebel of the Week, Ashley Sanchez, who scored a hat trick, three goals, in the North Carolina Courage match against the Chicago Stars this past weekend. She now holds the record for most goals scored by an American in an  NWSL season. She’s just two goals shy of tying the all-game single-season NWSL record held by Temwa Chawinga of 20 goals, and there are seven games left in the regular season

We move to Chronically Online and the story is taking over our feeds. Gymnast Jordan Chiles teamed up with the icon she’s named after, none other than Michael Jordan, to announce she’s returning for the 2028 Olympics. Jordan, Chiles that is, posted a video to her Instagram account, voiced by Michael, and set on the beach in Southern California, which she captioned, LA 2028. Why not? It will be Jordan’s third Olympics, this time in her backyard after a career at UCLA in which she was a four-time national champion. She was a part of the USA team that won silver in Tokyo and gold in Paris. As the video says, why again? Because the dream is still there. Why continue? Because there’s still more to give

From one icon to another, it’s time for the Rebel of the Week, where we tip our cap to those making waves. We’re highlighting tennis player Alex Eala, who has taken over the tennis world and beyond this summer.

Alex was a major story of this year’s U .S. Open, drawing huge crowds and carrying the hopes of the Philippines every time she took the court. While she lost in the third round earlier this week, in August, she won the DC Open, becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a title on the WTA Tour.

The 21-year-old also beat six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Sviatek at Wimbledon earlier this summer, and she’s just getting started.

Also, quick shout out to last week’s Rebel of the Week, Ashley Sanchez, who scored a hat trick – three  goals – in the North Carolina Courage match against the Chicago Stars this past weekend. She now holds the record for most goals scored by an American in any NWSL season. She’s just  two goals shy of tying the all-time single season NWSL record held by Temwa Chawinga (TEMM-WAH CHA-WING-GA) of 20 goals, and there are seven games left in the regular season. 

This week’s Fashion Motion is presented by Goody. Let’s get into it. Last week, Taylor Townsend teased that there would be more U .S. Open looks to come, and she delivered with an outfit called the blackout. She played in an all-black bodice and pleated skirt and entered the court in a floor-length coat covered in textured fringe.

Earlier in the tournament, Taylor hosted a pop-up shop in Brooklyn, selling her own merch. This is the second year she’s had a shop in New York during the US s Open. Taylor is utilizing her creative freedom to shape her own merch and brand, something she takes a lot of She says she takes a lot of pride in.

Speaking of the U .S. Open, one of my favorite things about the tournament has been seeing how many athletes across sports have been showing up and showing out with their fashion. Some of my favorites were Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, who wore a floor-length lime green dress and, you know, tennis lime green. Gotham FC’s Midge Purse, who came in an all-black fit with knee-high boots, a belt, and some fun sunglasses to accessorize. And WNBA player Haley Van Lith, who had on a white crop top and some fun asymmetrical pants.

Every athlete’s hair is different, and that’s what makes us unique. Goody Comfort Flex Elastics are designed to work across hair types and textures, delivering a comfortable hold while helping minimize breakage, so everyone can find a style that works for them.

Let’s move to the pep talk, where inspirational athletes share their words of advice. We’re joined today by Tegan Phillips, a bikepacker, cartoonist, and content creator from Cape Town, South Africa. She left law school to cycle across Africa with her family and has gone on to take epic thousand-mile bike trips. She tells us about her mindset on days when you feel completely stuck.

Embrace all of your feelings, even the bad ones. I never thought about it that way, but I love that advice. You can hear even more from Tegan by tuning into her Get to Know live now on Rebel Girls YouTube.

You can hear even more from Tegan by tuning into her Get To Know, live now on Rebel Girls YouTube. 

And that’s our show. The US Open and FIBA World Cup continue next week, and we’ll be back with all the updates. Remember, showing up, playing your game, and lifting others up. That’s what being a rebel is all about. Don’t worry about what you’re not. Instead, focus on who you are. I’m Pepper. Until next time, play Rebel and stay Rebel

Remember:  Showing up, playing your game, and lifting others up—that’s what being a Rebel is all about. Don’t worry about what you’re not, instead focus on who you are.

I’m Pepper. Until next time…Play Rebel and Stay Rebel!