FootyPop: World-Class Debinha Strengthens KC Current in New Signing
FootyPop has been on a hiatus over the holidays, but weโre back and better than ever in 2023. We know this year will bring tremendous excitement in the realm of womenโs soccer, and we canโt wait to kick it off with our roundup of the key womenโs soccer news of the past week.ย
High of the Weekendย
.@sophsssmith had herself a YEAR!
โฃ #USWNT leading scorer โฝ๏ธ
โฃ @NWSL MVP โ๏ธ
โฃ @NWSL Championship Game MVP ๐
โฃ @BioSteelSports Female Player of the Year ๐บ๐ธ— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) January 6, 2023
Sophia Smith is the real deal. U.S. Soccer just awarded her the BioSteelSports Female player of the year, which she completely deserves. Itโs only going to get better for her.ย
Additionally, Jaedyn Shaw received the Young Female Player of the Year award.ย
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Low of the Weekend
The Red Stars announced that defender Zoe Morse โ whose contract ended in 2022 โ will not return to Chicago. Instead, Morse will join Brighton in the FAWSL.
Our Transaction Tracker has been updated.
โก๏ธ: https://t.co/0OqadvBNXq pic.twitter.com/VEoDVf5d2Q
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) January 8, 2023
The Red Stars have been going through it during the off-season, losing a handful of their key players. Most recently, Zoe Morse is heading to Brighton in the WSL. Chicago resigned only seven players so far, so itโll be interesting to see how they fare in the NWSL draft this week.ย
News of the Weekendย
A breakdown on the epic FOUR team trade today ๐ pic.twitter.com/yUvD4bFj5M
— National Womenโs Soccer League (@NWSL) January 6, 2023
The NWSL 2023 draft is just around the corner! Angel City executed an epic four-way trade to secure the top pick, and theyโre expected to sign Alyssa Thompson. Thompson just debuted for the senior USWNT this past fall and could add a much-needed attacking edge for Angel City.ย
Other key players registered for the draft include Michelle Cooper, Emily Madril, Reyna Reyes, Messiah Bright, and more.ย
Transfer of the Weekendย
A legend has landed ๐
Welcome to KC, @Debinha7 pic.twitter.com/lb3kzdbCQB
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 9, 2023
At the end of the year, it was announced that Debinha would not return to the Courage, where she had played since 2017. Some worried sheโd leave the NWSL and move across the pond to play in England. However, the KC Current announced her signing.ย
The Current looks like an extremely strong team heading into their third season, and adding world-class Debinha increases their chances of an NWSL championship even more.ย
Team of the Weekendย
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Itโs official! Lynn Williams is BACK. We donโt know how much play time sheโll get in the USWNT vs. New Zealand friendlies, but itโs great to see sheโs finally back in the mix. The USWNT will play its friendlies next week in New Zealand.ย
Goal of the Weekendย
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ช
The @SydneyFC โญ๏ธ’s ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐๐ค๐ช๐จ chip is YOUR @LibFinancial A-League ‘Goal of the Month’ winner for December!
Congrats, @madog_9 ๐ pic.twitter.com/hBYr5MJrR3
โ Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) January 8, 2023
This goal from Stanford alum Madison Haley happened back in December but was just chosen for last monthโs Goal of the Month. Haley plays for Sydney FC in the Liberty A-League, which is currently at the top of the standings.ย
Player of the Weekendย
Your MAC Hermann Trophy WINNER!!!! ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/TEiKQdm7QQ
— Duke Women's Soccer (@DukeWSOC) January 7, 2023
Michelle Cooper received the Mac Hermann Trophy, an annual award given to the top NCAA womenโs soccer player. Cooper had an outstanding season for Duke and opted to enter the NWSL draft this year after completing her sophomore year.ย
What to Look Forward To
January 12, 2023: NWSL Draft
Featured image via @thenccourage on Instagram
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