FootyPop: Gotham FC and Lynn Williams Are On the Rise
The NWSL was EXCITING this past weekend. More than a handful of players are on fire this season, and it’ll be interesting to see who gets noticed on the national team level. Plus, there’s news about a new pro league, European leagues are closing out their seasons, and more. So here’s your women’s soccer recap of the last week!
High of the Weekend
On her 30th birthday, @GothamFC forward Lynn Williams has scored her fifth goal of the regular season marking the third time she’s scored on her birthday in her NWSL career (2016, 2017, 2023). No other league player has scored on their birthday more than once.
— NWSL Communications (@NWSL_PR) May 21, 2023
Gotham FC is rising, and Lynn Williams is simply unstoppable. Get this. She scored in their 4–1 trampling of OL Reign, making it the third time she’s scored on her birthday.
🗣️ LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!!! pic.twitter.com/6kD7TZHlML
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) May 21, 2023
Williams also gave the most iconic answer to a halftime interview question after being asked how surprised the team was at their success against OL Reign, “we’re not surprised at all. I feel like everyone else is surprised, but we’re not.”
Low of the Weekend
Barcelona have lost a league match for the first time since June 2021 😳 pic.twitter.com/I9EnuSbgPw
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) May 21, 2023
Barcelona was handed its first regular season loss since… 2021?! That’s a pretty ridiculous statistic that just came to an end. They fell 2-1 to Madrid CFF in their last match of the season. Not the best way to close out the season, but the team still won the league and is as dominant as ever. Plus, Alexia Putellas is back and scored during the match. Can’t wait to watch them in the Champions League Final!
News of the Weekend
The USL Super League will launch as a first division. The #NWSL is already a first division. Under USSF's sanctioning process, both can be D1 as long as minimum standards are met. Inevitably, there will be competition and conflict. On the road ahead:
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) May 18, 2023
The USL announced they’ll launch a Division 1 professional league, the USL Super League, in 2024 to rival the NWSL. Inevitably, there will be conflicts and rivalries, but more pro women’s soccer? Sign me up!
View this post on Instagram
Finally, it is confirmed! Rumor after rumor signaled a partnership between the Spirit and Lyon, and the Spirit announced this week that they’ll be sharing resources and communities with the French side.
Goal of the Weekend
crystal dunn is a midfielder pic.twitter.com/tLwwKvmkjj
— ugh (@838_carlisle) May 21, 2023
Olivia Moultrie is having a wicked season this season. She’s been getting more and more starts and just scored a goal in the Thorns’ 4-0 win over the Red Stars.
Player of the Weekend
Savannah DeMelo LOVES scoring against KC 😤 pic.twitter.com/3WfjDjMib8
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 21, 2023
Savannah DeMelo is another young player who’s been on fire this season. She scored twice against Kansas City in the Challenge Cup match on Wednesday and put another in the back of the net against the Current in the regular season match on Saturday.
Upset of the Weekend
Buried it 🥶@martavieiras10 | #PrideOrDie pic.twitter.com/XT6UhzESC6
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) May 21, 2023
The Orlando Pride upset the Washington Spirit in a big way this past weekend. Formerly number one in the standings, the Spirit fell to the Pride 2-1. Most notably, Marta scored her first goal since 2021 and after being back from her ACL injury.
The Pride has had a rocky past few seasons, but their recent success could signal a resurgence.
Signing of the Weekend
🎉ROSTER ADDITION🎉
Heather O’Reilly will be joining us this summer! We are beyond excited to have a player of this caliber join us for this season. Welcome to the team, Heather! pic.twitter.com/nlm9J8Ik8H
— NC Courage USL W (@NCCourageUSLW) May 18, 2023
The USL just gained a top-tier player. USWNT legend Heather O’Reilly is set to join the NC Courage USL W U23 team this summer. O’Reilly just game off a season at Shelbourne in Ireland. At 38 years old, it’s amazing to see she’s still at it.
Chelsea have signed USWNT midfielder Catarina Macario, per @TheAthletic ✍🏼🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Sm3VsjU3uV
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) May 16, 2023
More out of Chelsea… the rumors are true! Catarina Macario is set to sign with Chelsea this summer. So hopefully, we’ll all see her in action leading up to the Women’s World Cup!
Transfer of the Weekend
Dear Chelsea family… pic.twitter.com/BwRhLdnqRg
— Magdalena Eriksson (@MagdaEricsson) May 18, 2023
Swedish international Magdalena Eriksson is sadly leaving Chelsea after being with the team since 2017. The defender made 103 appearances and scored eight goals, but now she’ll take her skills to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. On that note, it’s been interesting to see the growth of the German league. It seems like they’ve been gaining more and more high-profile players.
What to Look Forward To
Friday, May 26
KC Current vs. Houston Dash at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
San Diego Wave vs. Portland Thorns at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT
Saturday, May 27
OL Reign vs. Angel City at 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT
Racing Louisville vs. North Carolina Courage at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
Chicago Red Stars vs. Orlando Pride at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
Sunday, May 28: Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC at 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT
Featured image via @gothamfc on Instagram
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