FootyPop: USWNT Beats Germany 4-1, Advancing to the Knockout Stage
The Olympics are here, and the world’s top soccer talent is on display! The USWNT beat Germany, winning both of their group-stage matches, while Canada is dealing with a huge spying scandal. Barbra Banda is having another stellar tournament, scoring her third Olympic hat trick. Spain’s stars, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, are also shining in the team’s first-ever Olympic games. Keep on reading for the week’s best women’s soccer news!
High of the Weekend
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In the most joyous performance fans have seen in years, the USWNT beat Germany 4-1 on Sunday. The attacking trifecta of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson proved extremely effective this game, helping score the first three goals. Plus, Lynn Williams subbed on to score a fourth.
The team performed well against the No. 4 ranked team and has qualified for the Knockout Stage!
Low of the Weekend
JAEDYN SHAW OUT FOR USWNT VS GERMANY 🇺🇸
The 19-year-old forward remains unavailable for the US due to a muscle strain. Alternate Croix Bethune will take her place in the 18-player roster once again. Shaw’s Olympic debut will have to wait a bit longer.
📸 @USWNT pic.twitter.com/wufvUsbpN9
— The Women’s Game (@WomensGameMIB) July 28, 2024
Jaedyn Shaw remains ineligible to play after sustaining a minor leg injury. The youngest player on the team will have to wait to make her Olympic debut, and we’re hoping she’ll make a speedy comeback!
News of the Weekend
Canada’s men’s and women’s soccer teams have relied on drones and spying for years, sources say
Coaching staff and contractors working with Canada’s men’s and women’s national soccer teams have been engaged for years in efforts to film the closed-door training sessions of their… pic.twitter.com/GuwijxTMNm
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 25, 2024
Canada is facing a huge scandal right now after being caught spying on the New Zealand team with a drone. The situation got worse when it was uncovered that this drone spying has been going on for years, including at the 2020 games.
Investigations are ongoing, but this already is such a huge letdown for the players; the team was punished with a six-point deduction in their group stage.
Goal of the Weekend
THIS ANGLE OF ALEXIA PUTELLAS’ GOAL VS NIGERIA WILL WAKE YOU UP FASTER THAN COFFEE 🤩🇪🇸
🎥 @jlcats_ pic.twitter.com/bWVtUc6jmW
— The Women’s Game (@WomensGameMIB) July 29, 2024
The bend on this free kick is something else. Alexia Putellas is just a different type of player, it’s amazing to be able to see her play in this Olympics.
Player of the Weekend
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If you enjoy watching Barbra Banda in the NWSL, you need to check out her Olympic game; it’s incredible. She just scored her third Olympic hat trick in Zambia’s game against Australia. The forward scored two hat tricks in the 2020 Olympics.
Transfer of the Weekend
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Gotham signed defender Jess Carter from Chelsea through 2026. Carter was with her former team since 2018 and has played with the Lionesses since 2017. Fun fact: she’s in a relationship with Gotham and Germany goalkeeper Ann Katrin Berger!
Signing of the Weekend
Making history at 14-years-old 👏
The youngest ever NWSL signing steps onto the pitch for her pro debut – congratulations Mak Whitham! pic.twitter.com/wKdf1ATQrh
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 28, 2024
Aaaand, the record for the youngest NWSL player has been broken yet again. Gotham signed Makenna Whitham at 13 years old, just a day before she turned 14. The attacker debuted this past weekend in the Summer Cup.
Whitham trained with various NWSL teams last year, including Gotham FC, during their preseason. The team signed her to a deal in 2025 and a National Team Replacement Player contract for the Summer Cup.
What to Look Forward To
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Of course, you need to tune into the last round of Olympic Group Stage matches on Wednesday. But there’s more WoSo to watch in the NWSL Summer Cup, which has the last round of Group Stage action this weekend.
Featured image via @uswnt on Instagram
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