FootyPop: A Showdown in the NWSL Final, OL Reign vs. Gotham FC, Megan Rapinoe vs. Ali Krieger
We’re winding down to the very end of the 2023 NWSL season, and it’s been a great one. This past week, OL Reign and Gotham FC emerged victorious and will be headed to San Diego for the Championship match. The NCAA is also going full speed ahead to the NCAA Tournament, with the remaining teams being selected today for the bracket. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the past week’s exciting moments of women’s soccer.
High of the Weekend
The @NWSL Championship is SET 🏆
It’ll be the last time we get to see these two @USWNT legends play 🇺🇸😥 pic.twitter.com/5mTTIQY6Uq
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) November 6, 2023
The 2023 NWSL Championship is set! It’s OL Reign versus Gotham FC. Megan Rapinoe vs. Ali Krieger. It’s all going down in San Diego next week, and the matchup could not be more exciting.
Can't hit it much sweeter than that 💥
Katie Stengel gives Gotham the lead! pic.twitter.com/dCvVIptqm8
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 6, 2023
In the first semifinal, Gotham FC took down the reigning champs, the Portland Thorns, in double overtime with this goal from Katie Stengel.
View this post on Instagram
Veronica Latsko would be the different for the Reign in the second semifinal. Scoring off a shross, Latsko scored in two consecutive playoff games–the first to do it since 2019.
Low of the Weekend
🌎 Future FIFA Men’s World Cups:
2026: USA🇺🇸, Canada🇨🇦 & Mexico 🇲🇽
2030: Spain🇪🇸, Portugal🇵🇹 & Morocco🇲🇦
2034: Saudi Arabia🇸🇦🌎 Future FIFA Women’s World Cups:
2027: No host selected yet ❌ pic.twitter.com/TXJXh6hs3N
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) November 1, 2023
While the hosts of the men’s World Cup are lined up until 2034, there is still no host decided for the Women’s World Cup in 2027. This is just another instance where it seems like women’s soccer is an afterthought of FIFA.
News of the Weekend
BREAKING NEWS:
Longtime Chelsea coach Emma Hayes is in advanced discussions to become the next head coach of the #USWNT, multiple sources tell @JeffKassouf.
Chelsea announced Hayes will depart the club at season's end.
🔗 https://t.co/7copKy9WZ9 pic.twitter.com/kOm4rgtfcN
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) November 4, 2023
Emma Hayes is set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season and is in talks to become the next USWNT head coach, according to Jeff Kasouf of the Equalizer Soccer.
Hayes has been with Chelsea since 2012, and before that, she coached the Chicago Red Stars. She has a long list of accolades since being in the FA WSL. She’s led Chelsea to winning the WSL for the past four straight seasons and has won the FA Women’s League Cup with the team for the past three seasons. Not to mention, she’s won numerous Coach of the Year awards and even Best FIFA Football Coach in 2021.
Win of the Weekend
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The USWPAT, comprised of all U20 USYNT players, competed in the Pan American games against other nations’ senior national teams and earned the bronze medal.
Save of the Weekend
WHAT A STOP MANDY HAUGHT!! pic.twitter.com/C77Z9alcgV
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 6, 2023
Gotham FC’s Mandy Haught came up with this massive save against Sophia Smith. It seemed to turn the tide for Gotham, who ultimately put one past Portland in the second overtime.
Goal of the Weekend
WHAT A SHOT 👀☘️☘️☘️#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ACCN / @NDSoccer
pic.twitter.com/nQ4jh917Vo— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 2, 2023
This is an absolute banger of a goal from Notre Dame’s women’s soccer team. She strikes it from outside the eighteen, and it flies across the goal into the net.
Game of the Weekend
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The big SoCal matchup took place this past week: UCLA vs. USC. The reigning national champs pulled out a 4-2 win in front of a sold-out stadium with an electric atmosphere.
Player of the Weekend
Christiane Endler has announced her retirement from international football 🇨🇱👋🏼 pic.twitter.com/e0XyCzwcXx
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) November 1, 2023
Legendary Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler announced her retirement from professional football. She’ll continue her playing career in France with Lyon.
Coach of the Weekend
¡Vamos, @beckitweed!
📝 #AngelCityFC has named Becki Tweed as its head coach.
Read more details here: https://t.co/Ihf8WNvGWq pic.twitter.com/fQjwBsvh9D— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) November 2, 2023
Angel City announced Becki Tweed as the new head coach! Tweed coached Angel City through the second half of the season with an impressive record, ultimately leading the team to its first-ever NWSL playoff match.
Team of the Weekend
🐤 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 🟡@HawkeyeSoccer is NCAA Tournament Bound after claiming the @bigten Tournament title!#NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/EUkAGuPrng
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 5, 2023
The Big Ten Tournament found its champion: the Iowa Hawkeyes. After upsetting No. 1 seed Michigan State, Iowa beat Penn State and then Wisconsin to claim the Big Ten Tournament Champion title.
Congratulations to Sam Cary, co-host of the BIG LIFE podcast, on your win! And good luck in the NCAA Tournament.
What to Look Forward To
NWSL Championship: OL Reign vs. Gotham FC at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
Fav Social Media Post
Here’s to sending all my love & strength to the field crew at snapdragon.
5 days to turn that pitch around ..
May the odds be ever in your favour. pic.twitter.com/8gP9fN5Nes
— Jessica Fishlock MBE (@JessFishlock) November 6, 2023
If you missed the NWSL semifinal match between OL Reign and San Diego, you missed the atrocious state that the field was in… hopefully, they can turn it around by the NWSL final!
Ali Krieger featured image via Getty Images, Megan Rapinoe featured image via @olreign on Instagram
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