As Jo March once said…

The GIST: The inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup championship match is set with the No. 2 USWNT advancing to face No. 11 Brazil on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET. But the road to get there was, in fact, a river. Let’s slide right in.

How it happened: After playing to a 2–2 regulation draw, the red, white, and blue ultimately topped No. 10 CanWNT in a penalty shootout on Wednesday. Beyond battling each other, the two squads also competed against the elements, at times unable to even dribble the ball through the puddles at Snapdragon Stadium.

• Many expressed concerns about player safety, with both coaches saying the game should not have been played, sparking a debate as to who was responsible for not making that call.

• As for the other semi, No. 11 Brazil dominated No. 35 Mexico 3–0, as El Tri Femenil competed with just 10 players on the field after midfielder Nicki Hernández received a red card in the 29th minute.

What’s next for CanWNT: The red and white’s W Gold Cup dreams may be dashed, but the SheBelieves Cup — another tuneup tourney — kicks off in less than a month, with CanWNT slotted to take on fellow Paris Olympics competitor Brazil on April 6th. Onwards and upwards.

The GIST: Less than two weeks into the new F1 season and the grid is already jam-packed with controversy amid the continued fallout from an investigation into allegations of “inappropriate behavior” against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

What we know: Not too much. In early February, Red Bull announced the investigation, which went on while Horner continued “business as normal.” That investigation wrapped up in late February, conveniently before the start of the F1 season, and cleared the team principal of any wrongdoing.

• Given the lack of details, many — including other F1 principals — have called for greater transparency, citing the damage to the public’s perception of the sport.

• Fast forward to yesterday, Red Bull reportedly suspended the woman who made the allegations against Horner as a result of findings from the initial investigation.

What they’re saying: Horner says it’s time to “move onward,” but many in the F1 community are saying not so, erm, fast. Mercedes driver, seven-time World Champion, and certified Good Guy Lewis Hamilton said on Wednesday, “It’s a really pivotal moment for the sport, in terms of what we project to the world and how it’s handled. And it’s not been handled very well to this point.”

• Meanwhile, Jos Verstappen — the controversial father of Red Bull’s star driver Max — has called for Horner’s departure, claiming that “the team is in danger of being torn apart.”

Looking ahead: The news comes with tomorrow’s 12 p.m. ET Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — just the second race of the year — on deck. Time to start those accountability engines.

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🏒 PWHL: Montréal vs. Toronto — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet+

• Toronto’s on a PWHL-best eight-game win streak, but Montréal are winners of three straight themselves, setting up an exciting Friday night matchup between the hottest teams in the league.

🏌️ PGA: Arnold Palmer Invitational — Ongoing through Sunday — The Golf Channel

• Ireland’s Shane Lowry leads the way in the opening round of the final signature event before next month’s Masters, but with 14 of the top 15 players in the Official World Golf Rankings teeing off this weekend, the King’s crown is anyone’s for the taking.

⛳ LPGA: Blue Bay — Ongoing through Sunday — The Golf Channel

• The tour has returned to Blue Bay for the first time in six years, and the action continues with the best of the best looking to claim a slice of the $2.2M purse.

🏀 NBA: Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers — Tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET — TSN4

• Following Wednesday’s 41-point loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Raptors’ struggles continued with last night’s 120–113 L to the Phoenix Suns. Time to turn the beat around in Rip City.