Sports
Meet Zoe Matthews, the youngest Black American in the NWSL
Houston Dash midfielder Zoe Matthews, who turned 17 in May, is making her mark in skilled soccer.
On October 11, Matthews made history as the youngest player to ever sign with the Houston Dash and the youngest Black American to hitch the National Women’s Soccer League. Per week later, on October 18, she wore the number 27 jersey for her debut against Seattle Reign FC.
Matthews began her soccer profession by kicking flat basketballs against the wall of her family’s garage. As she progressed through youth soccer leagues, she took her talents to the international arena.
At the age of 15, she was called as much as play for the Jamaica senior national team. She was also a member of the United States Women’s Under-16 National Team that won the 2023 Mondial Montaigu soccer tournament in France and currently plays for the United States Under-19 National Team preparing for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Her achievements at such a young age attracted the attention of scouts across the country. She eventually committed to LSU before deciding to show skilled and signing with the Houston Dash.
“At this age, not everyone can say they’re a professional athlete and I think that’s really amazing, you know, for the Black community and the soccer community in general,” Matthews said. “I think it’s a big deal for women’s sports… I think it’s really special and really important.”
Zosia Matthews
Matthews grew up in a family deeply rooted in sports. Her uncle, Odell James, played as a degree guard and free safety at Baylor University, and her great-grandfather, a member of the Jamaica national team, played with reggae artist Bob Marley.
Matthews attributes much of his success to his family’s unwavering support. She said that love is the driving force behind her achievements.
“They have been here my entire journey and have sacrificed so much,” Matthews said. “I think what’s really important is that they’re still there and they love me and care about me every day.”
Matthews tries to keep up a balance between youth and life as an expert athlete. To stay grounded, he prioritizes family and faith, counting on family members for support and guidance as he transitions into his skilled profession.
“You can go wherever you wish. You just should have dreams,” Matthews said. “He (God) has given me every little thing, so I give Him this glory. And you understand, I just hope that I can encourage younger generations on my platform.
Matthews draws inspiration from legendary athletes who’ve shaped the game, corresponding to her favorite player and top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr FC. Matthews said athletes like him motivate her to never quit.
“The person I admire the most, especially in women’s soccer, is (former U.S. women’s national team member) Carli Lloyd,” Matthews said. “I think she’s an incredible player, especially off the field. “Her work goes unnoticed, but I think the things she has done are exceptional.”
Zosia Matthews
“I just want to be someone that people can look up to and see that hey, she works hard. She doesn’t come from much, but she’s made a name for herself and I want to make my family proud,” Matthews said. “I think it’s really important to be one of the first young African-Americans to go pro and just show other generations that it’s possible.”
Hoping to depart a legacy that reaches far beyond this field, he aspires to pursue a profession in business law or criminal justice. Matthews hopes to create a positive environment with access to resources for all young athletes.
“Zoe has the opportunity to be a pioneer in this regard… but at the same time show the next generation, hey, you can do this too,” Jason Matthews said. “It’s not nearly your speed and athleticism. You are technical, you’re smart, you’re capable. ”
Holding dual citizenship in Jamaica and the United States, Matthews is eligible to represent the United States or Jamaica at the senior national team level. Although she has not yet decided which national team she is going to represent, one thing is for certain – her goal is to develop into one among the best players in the world.
Images by Stephen Brashear/Imagn
“That’s what I strive for. This is everything I have worked for my whole life,” Matthews said.
Edvaldo Pedro, Matthews’ former coach at Allegiance Academy, where he’s athletic director, has seen Matthews’ growth and commitment firsthand. She believes that her relentless determination has led her to a pivotal moment in her profession.
“Coaching Zoe was a fantastic experience. She has a fantastic personality, is disciplined, responsible and has an incredible work ethic. If he keeps the right people around him, he can develop into one among the best players ever,” said Pedro.
The Matthews family is greater than willing to support her in this endeavor.
“The expectation is that hey, we will exhaust everything to support you and your dreams… I don’t care what it is, whatever it is, just work to be the best at it,” Jason Matthews said. “You put in all your effort and all your time, and we will support you as much as we can.”
“I’m just excited to see what the Lord allows to happen next and I know that without a doubt, whatever it is, I will be in the stands or from the sidelines cheering her on as her biggest fan,” said Angie Matthews.
Michael Jordan joins NBC Sports as a special co-creator of the NBA relationship when the 2025-26 season begins.
NBC announced this on Monday morning during the presentation in advance at Radio City Music Hall, the network offers in the upcoming television season.
“I am very excited about seeing the NBA in NBC,” said Jordan during a video. “NBA on the NBC was a significant part of my career and I am excited that I am a special co -author of the project. I can’t wait to see you all when the NBA on NBC starts in October.”
NBC returns to wearing NBA after 23 years of absence. He had NBA rights in 1990–2002 and carried all six Jordan championships as a member of Chicago Bulls.
For the first time Jordan joined the network. His performances and comments during the documentary film “The Last Dance” about his occupation and the end of the Bulls dynasty in 1998 created many headlines.
“Michael’s heritage on the field and outside he speaks for herself,” said Rick Cartella, NBC sports president. “We are incredibly proud that he joined our relationship.”
The 11-year NBC agreement with NBA and WNBA begins in October. Peacock will only broadcast games on Monday evening, while NBC/Peacock could have regional double “on Tuesday. NBC and Peacock will also introduce” Sunday Night Basketball “in January.
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Although there have been many questions on why Shedeur Sanders (at the moment is assumed) fell to the fifth round last month NFL Draft, one one who understands that where you offers you the option to be going, just mustn’t be as mandatory as what you do is Tom Brady. Brady, probably the largest playmaker in the history of NFL, winning the 7 Super Bowl championships and diverse league MVP from New England Patrots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was 199. The draft selection in 2000 NFL Draft. It also happens that he’s a friend and mentor of Sanders.
Brady recently visited Logan Paweł’s “Impulsive” and, truly, about Sanders and why he had fallen in the project up to now. Brady said that this is a formidable query, but nobody knows why he fell up to now in the project, ensuring that he was not involved in any evaluation or process (Brady is the owner of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders, who chosen two other playmakers during the 2025 project). Brady made available that he wrote Sanders to give him advice and perspectives when he was waiting for the alternative.
“I actually wrote SMSEUR because I know him very well and I said:” Old, as whatever happens, wherever you go, it’s your first day. Day 2 has greater than a sketch. ” I had 199. Who can discuss it higher?
Brady, clearly, feeling optimistic about the way forward for Sanders, he drew attention to other great players who weren’t a high variety of the draft.
“Wherever you finish … It’s about your performance. What do you do when you get there? Because you will get there. I was near the best players who were unable to free agents. It was Rodney Harrison. Rodney Harrison was not a great choice. Julian Edelman was not a high choice. Wesker was not a high choice. Danny Amendola. All these guys were phenomena.”
Cleveland Browns chosen Sanders with 144. Choosing a draft and enters the playmaker with five other people fighting for the game time: Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, Kenny Picket and the second playmaker Browns chosen in Draft 2025, Dillon Gabriel. Given this crowded space, Brady’s message to Shedeur rings loudly.
“So what is the meaning than an excessive day when many people sell stories and says:” All right, it’s an incredible day and this is a project and it is a vital day and it is a funny and I like the proven incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible proven proven proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable proven proven undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible indisputable proven incontrovertible indisputable proven undeniable undeniable undeniable undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable indisputable indisputable undeniable indisputable incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible incontrovertible proven undeniable indisputable undeniable proven proven proven proven incontrovertible proven undeniable undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable indisputable incontrovertible undeniable indisputable indisputable incontrovertible proven undeniable undeniable indisputable indisputable incontrovertible incontrovertible undeniable indisputable incontrovertible proven proven incontrovertible undeniable undeniable incontrovertible proven proven proven incontrovertible proven proven indisputable proven incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven incontrovertible undeniable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable indisputable proven incontrovertible proven proven proven incontrovertible indisputable proven proven undeniable incontrovertible proven incontrovertible indisputable undeniable indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable undeniable undeniable indisputable proven proven undeniable incontrovertible incontrovertible proven proven proven indisputable incontrovertible undeniable indisputable undeniable undeniable undeniable incontrovertible incontrovertible indisputable indisputable proven undeniable undeniable proven undeniable indisputable incontrovertible indisputable indisputable proven undeniable undeniable incontrovertible indisputable undeniable proven indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven indisputable proven indisputable undeniable proven proven indisputable indisputable incontrovertible incontrovertible incontrovertible undeniable incontrovertible indisputable indisputable proven incontrovertible proven indisputable incontrovertible proven proven undeniable indisputable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable proven undeniable proven proven incontrovertible incontrovertible proven incontrovertible undeniable proven incontrovertible undeniable proven indisputable indisputable undeniable indisputable indisputable indisputable indisputable indisputable incontrovertible indisputable undeniable undeniable undeniable indisputable indisputable undeniable proven proven proven indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven incontrovertible indisputable indisputable indisputable proven undeniable undeniable proven proven indisputable indisputable incontrovertible proven undeniable incontrovertible proven incontrovertible incontrovertible incontrovertible incontrovertible undeniable undeniable undeniable proven undeniable proven proven incontrovertible proven undeniable proven proven incontrovertible indisputable indisputable indisputable proven indisputable undeniable indisputable undeniable incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible proven indisputable proven indisputable undeniable incontrovertible incontrovertible proven incontrovertible indisputable proven indisputable proven proven proven indisputable indisputable undeniable proven incontrovertible incontrovertible indisputable undeniable proven indisputable indisputable proven incontrovertible incontrovertible proven incontrovertible undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable proven incontrovertible undeniable proven indisputable indisputable undeniable incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible proven proven incontrovertible undeniable undeniable incontrovertible proven indisputable indisputable incontrovertible proven proven undeniable fact that they watch and see it, but I used to be also there on the day of the second day. “
I hope Sanders took Brady’s word to heart – he clearly values the opinion of his mentor. Perhaps due to this relationship Sanders apparently wears Jersey number 12, He wore the same number of brady during his occupation. During highschool and college, Sanders wore Jersey number 2, who was He has recently retired through the University of Colorado, Where Sanders played his last two years of university football.
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Boston – originally of this month, the ESPN basketball analyst, Jay Williams, raped that the Guardian New York Knicks Jalen Brunson was probably the perfect player in Knicks history.
At that point, Williams gave the impression to be a classic prisoner of the moment. Brunson was spectacular in the primary round in the sport with Detroit Pistons. He scored 40 points and distributed seven assists when Knicks eliminated Detroit on the road.
Brunson followed this performance with a pair of catalytic road performances against the defending master Boston Celtics. On Monday, Knicks defeated a 20-point deficit and defeated Boston in overtime 108-105. On Wednesday, Knicks once more beat the 20-point deficit and defeated Boston 91-90 to incorporate a shocking lead of 2-0 of their series of semi-finals of the Eastern Conference. Celtics and Knicks meet in Madison Square Garden on Saturday for the third match (ABC, 15:30 et)
The benchmarks are amazing. Brunson beat your entire Celtics 17-13 team within the last five minutes of each matches. He scored all six points of Knicks within the last two minutes of match 2, including free kicks from 13 seconds. In Wednesday’s performance Brunson became the primary player since 1997, who scored a minimum of 83 points of the fourth quarter in the primary eight matches of two different Playoff (2024 and 2025). Only two NBA players – Kobe Bryant in 2008 and Stephen Curry in 2023 – achieved this feat and did it just once. Of course, curry and bryant have won many NBA titles, but we’ll come to this later.
The point is that Williams couldn’t be such an excellent prisoner of the moment as originally thought. The deadly defect of his logic is that he jumped over Brunson over Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
You cannot hop over the story.
Nathaniel S. Butler/Nbae via Getty Images
The largest Knick? Brunson could be close.
Walt Frazier Close? This is one other matter. The phrase was not only an excellent player, but just like the legend of Willie Mays baseball, Clyde is a mind-set.
The definition of the most important Knick is a matter of taste of the primary generation. There is a sea of great players Knicks: Bernard King, Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Latrell Spent. The thread that connects all of them is that none of them brought New York the NBA championship. The phrase won just a few championships, and in our business – the activities of sport and games – the championship championship and older buildings begins with the victories of the championship.
On May 8, 1970, New York Knicks won his first NBA championship, beating Wilt Chamberlain-Jerry West-Elgin Baylor Los Angeles Lakers 4-3. It was a series by which the phrase strengthened his heritage, not only as Knick, but as one in all the largest players within the history of NBA.
The game of the seventh series is remembered as a game when the middle Knitis Willis Reed heroically got here out of the tunnel in Madison Square Garden after his torn thigh muscle injected the analgesic. Reed was famous for the primary two shots and played a solid defense at Chamberlain. But the phrase had an incredible performance: 36 points, 19 assists and seven rebounds.
The phrase, who turned 80 in March, would turn out to be known for his stylish clothes, cool behavior and ultra-urban lifestyle, however the race race for his icon won.
During the interview “City Game”, a book about basketball in New York, Frazier told me that winning the championships in New York set a table for the Clyde legend.
“Victory is the key in New York,” he said. “The victory allowed me to turn out to be Clyde. Before we won, I dressed well, but no person focused on it. As a debutant I didn’t play well, so to pacify myself, I went shopping and bought clothes. I didn’t play well, but I still didn’t look good. Nobody focused on it until I won. The victory is a catalyst. When I won in New York, I never forced people. There is or Willis Reed or who heard about us.
Brunson shouldn’t be only against the performances of the Frazier on the pitch, but in addition against the icon of culture, which was a product of a certain time and place in New York and the country. The phrase was perhaps the primary NBA player to develop what we now call the brand. His brand was fashion and style and some cool related to black.
In those days, we, young African Americans, tried to interrupt free from negative psychological frames and concentrate on constructing positive black castles. With processed hair. Some of us wore Dashikis and natural hair. Some of us lined with luxurious cars and overalls made to order. All this was designed to win a positive victorious image of black.
Among the black athletes, there was a burden of riot in 1966–70, illuminated by Boxer Muhammad Ali, in addition to the celebrities of Tommy Smith and John Carlos track on the Olympic Games in 1968. Curt Flood opposed Major League baseball stands and led the pursuit of a free agency.
Clyde was born within the south, but he was not fiery. He decided to quietly express his riot and independence through his brave style.
Focus on sports photos/Getty
These forms of prisons are unthinkable for today’s NBA and WNBA players. Everyone is inspired to be their authentic (black). Brunson wears braids, that are blurred and shouting when he maneuvers within the attack.
The phrase wore brilliant colours and hats with a large brim. Coach Knicks, Danny Whelan, began to call the phrase “Clyde” after the hero within the hit film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. The name got stuck.
As a player of Frazer-Jak, Brunson-he was not a high-flying Dencker or the fastest. But just like the jazz pianist Thelonius Monk, the phrase had an impeccable sense of time – he knew when to go for theft, he knew when to make a pass and who he knew when to attain.
Timing.
During the break of Wednesday’s game I asked the legendary columnist columnist Bob Ryan, which he considered comparing Brunson and Clyde – more about what he thought in regards to the phrase. Ryan remembered the Knicks 1970-Clinching match. He was there in the primary yr for a rhythm for. Ryan, currently 79, felt the phrase was the primary.
“Walt Frazier was different because he had an alter ego,” said Ryan. “You know, there was Walt Frazier and he was Clyde, and he played and promoted it. He wanted people to learn about him outside the pitch with a wardrobe, which continues to be happening until that day. And so he created a personality. It distinguishes him from virtually everyone.
Ryan was within the Knicks locker room in 1970, when players finally got here from the celebration of the championships on the pitch. “Clyde comes in, and his first words were and I quote literally.” Man, I want beer. ” It was my major lead – said Ryan.
Film creator Joe Brewster and his wife Michele Stephenson fill in a documentary in regards to the phrase and his cultural importance for New York and for black and white communities within the turbulent seventies. At that point there was an incredibly tense atmosphere with a remnant of a racial turmoil, consequences in New York a hostile teacher’s strike, a trash strike and deep divisions over the Vietnam war.
Four days before winning the Knicks Championship, 4 white students of the Kent State University campus were killed and nine were injured by the National Guard in Ohio within the campus. Students were killed during a rally that opposed the growing involvement of the United States within the war.
In New York and in the entire country, the murder only intensified divisions within the matter of war.
“Times were so different and turbulent,” said 70 -year -old Brewster during a telephone conversation. “People were looking for the Savior. Clyde was a guy who was worshiped in the black community because of his black and worship in the white community because of his closeness from white – and black. He was not loud, he was not bad. He was what he needed at that time white to feel safe. Combination of all these factors.”
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
With black and white stars, Knicks was a perfect band on time.
“Walt would not like it if he heard it, but he was” acceptable “by both populations,” said Brewster. “But his game and lifestyle were as black as anyone, together with his Dandyism to his individuality throughout the collective. “
Brewster was reluctant to say that the phrase “did not threaten”.
“It sounds pejorative,” he said, “and he doesn’t really recognize how important it was for the merger of the city.”
The phrase understood the importance of the team. During the identical interview, “Game City Game” told me that he and his colleagues from the Knicks team knew that Knicks were a really needed salvo for the town.
“On Tuesdays and Saturdays we provided an outlet for people,” said Frazier. “Fans could forget about what was happening in the world and to go and support Knicks. Everything stopped on Tuesdays and Saturdays when they played Knicks. Our team was integrated; fans did not see color. We had (Dave) Debusschere, we had (Bill) Bradley. But the Frazier and Reed were the most popular guys in this band in New York.”
Today, New York is torn by the conflict. This time the war in Gaza created deep divisions over the brutal lack of life. Some lie a bloodshed on the foot of the Israeli government, which accuse of genocide. Defenders say Israel has the correct to defend against Hamas. I can only assume that some factions on either side of the conflict can be fans of Knicks.
Madison Square Garden could be the one space in the town where two sides could have the looks of a truce.
The phrase never publicly threw himself into political struggle in the course of the Knicks Championship within the 70s and I think that Brunson won’t be on the side of the present Knicks Championship. After Wednesday’s match in Boston, I asked Brunson if he thought in regards to the potential influence of the unifying influence of Knicks on the town.
He didn’t.
“I want to say that we are aware,” said Brunson. “Of course, we see what happens after matches, after home matches with what fans do, but I will let them do it and we will focus on it.”
Brunson has all of the features that Knicks prefer to assign a franchise form: mental strength, clutch performances. Can Brunson turn out to be the perfect player of Knicks? Probably. Can Brunson ever eclipse the phrase? This is a way more steep challenge.
The reality is that for those who don’t win the brand new York championships, you may just turn out to be one other face in the gang.
