FootyPop: NC Courage Win NWSL Challenge Cup, Mal Swanson Running Again, and More
Your weekly recap of all the past week’s women’s soccer news is back! This week, the NWSL Challenge Cup came to a close, we received some great news from the Spanish Football Federation, an injured USWNT star is on the mend, and much more. Check out this week’s must-know WoSo news!
High of the Weekend
Seven trophies 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mJRsz8gMpQ
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 10, 2023
The NC Courage are Challenge Cup Champions! This is their second time winning the tournament. The Courage beat Racing Louisville 2-0, with goals from Kerolin and Manaka Matsukubo
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19-year-old Manaka Matsukubo is the youngest player to start in a Challenge Cup game, and earned MVP of the tournament. The Japanese rising star was just acquired by the Courage from the WE League, and it’ll be great to continue to see her shine in the NWSL.
Low of the Weekend
🚨England women's players are reportedly willing to go on strike if the FA do not propose a pay offer they deem as acceptable next week. The long-running disagreement could come to a head in crunch talks in the coming days.https://t.co/WvKE3lSCNf
— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) September 10, 2023
FA players and Liga F players are striking or could go on strike because of the federations and leagues’ unwillingness to make acceptable pay agreements for the players.
In Spain, players and women are protesting after the women’s soccer league representatives could not meet players’ requests to increase the minimum salary from €16,000 to €30,000. The current minimum for men’s soccer players in Spain is €180,000.
In England, the WNT players are striking after the FA will not make an acceptable offer around their World Cup pay.
News of the Weekend
Luis Rubiales has resigned as president of the Spanish football federation after kissing Jenni Hermoso at the Women's World Cup final.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/1QgRodMLDH
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 10, 2023
This week, we received the news we’ve all been eagerly awaiting: Luis Rubiales is resigning from his position as president of the Spanish Football Federation. Now, about a month after the nonconsensual kiss scandal at the World Cup, the players have finally gotten what they deserve. Coach Jorge Vilda and Luis Rubiales are OUT, and the team and players can look forward to rebuilding.
🚨 Jenni Hermoso has filed an official complaint with the prosecutor's office over an "unsolicited kiss" from Luis Rubiales, which is what the State Prosecutor needed to file a lawsuit against him pic.twitter.com/iVqAcYkOAg
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) September 6, 2023
Additionally, we heard that Jenni Hermoso filed a complaint with the prosecutors’ office about Rubiales’ unsolicited kiss, meaning it could lead to an actual lawsuit filed against him.
Win of the Weekend
DROP EVERYTHING NOW AND WATCH THIS VIDEO. MALLORY SWANSON IS RUNNING. I REPEAT. MALLORY SWANSON. IS. RUNNING. pic.twitter.com/XdFPDyhC66
— mads (@trinrodmanszn_) September 6, 2023
Whenever we see Mallory Swanson making recovery progress, it’s a win! She’s back RUNNING for the first time after her knee injury last spring! She was also seen throwing the first pitch during the Cubs game to her husband, Dansby Swanson.
Goal of the Weekend
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This is an absolute rocket of a goal from UNC Greensboro’s Taylor Mentzer. It was her first-ever collegiate goal, too!
Player of the Weekend
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Sophia Smith received a nomination for the Ballon d’Or, one of the most prestigious awards in soccer. She was the only USWNT player to receive a nomination and stood alongside Debinha as one of the only NWSL players on the list.
Transfer of the Weekend
Real Madrid have submitted a bid for Everton defender Nathalie Björn, which would make her the highest-paid defender in the world, per @amandaezaza 💰🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/LkT80g33zp
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) September 5, 2023
This rumored transfer could mean a new record for the highest-paid defender in women’s soccer!
Signing of the Weekend
Manchester United forward Adriana Leon has signed with Aston Villa ✍🏼🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/w8MgLVOglH
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) September 11, 2023
Aston Villa is really focusing on its attack with many of its newest signings. Adriana Leon, who played for Manchester United, and was loaned to Portland Thorns earlier this season, is signing with Villa.
Fav Social Media Post
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of…… @usopen pic.twitter.com/Zgx3mRAFkc
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) September 10, 2023
We can’t not highlight Coco Gauff for winning the US Open, the first teenager to do so since Serena Williams!
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