FootyPop:U-20 Youth National Team Win Bronze At The U-20 Women’s World Cup

In this week’s women’s soccer news, the U-20 Youth National Team squad won bronze; Ali Krieger is back with Gotham but as an ambassador; Wake Forest makes history; Kerolin returns to the field, and more!

High of the Week

The U-20 Women’s World Cup concluded this weekend with the United States taking bronze against the Netherlands. The match was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation to force overtime and it wasn’t until the 119th minute that Maddie Dahlien forced an own goal to win the game for the U.S. Ally Sentnor was the other goalscorer for the United States. The bronze finish was the best for the U.S. since 2012. 

Korea DPR took home the gold medal while Japan finished with silver. 

Goodnight from your #U20WWC Bronze Medalists!🥉#U20WYNT pic.twitter.com/LduLaocef8

— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) September 22, 2024

Low of the Week

In May, Kelley O’Hara announced that the 2024 season would be her last. Unfortunately, she has only been able to make three appearances due to a lingering injury. Gotham announced this week that O’Hara was being placed on the season-ending injury list which ends her playing career. She will still be around the team as they look to make a run for back-to-back NWSL Championships.

🆕 | Kelley O’Hara has been placed on season-ending injury.

We’re here with you, Kelley. 🖤

— NJ/NY Gotham FC – x (@GothamFC) September 21, 2024

News of the Week

Despite retiring from playing at the end of 2023, Ali Krieger has continued to be a spokesperson for the NWSL and women’s soccer. Now she will rejoin Gotham FC but this time as a club ambassador. She will be a voice to help continue to grow the club both in the community and media.

(re)Introducing Ali Krieger, Gotham FC Ambassador.

We’re very excited to announce @alikrieger as the first ever @nwsl team ambassador for #GothamFC. Ali is here to elevate the club, women’s sports, and act as a connection to media on and off the pitch. We’ve always been lucky to… pic.twitter.com/tJ3A5JoIGo

— NJ/NY Gotham FC – x (@GothamFC) September 19, 2024 

Player of the Week

Temwa Chawinga has been lighting up the NWSL for the Kansas City Current. In her first season in the league, she’s leading the Golden Boot race with 16 goals through the first 21 games. Chawinga found the back of the net again in the Current’s huge 3-0 win over the Washington Spirit over the weekend. It just so happened to be her birthday as well.

With five regular season matches still to go Chawinga is just three goals away from breaking the single-season record for the NWSL.

BIRTHDAY GOOOALLL 🎂

Golden Boot Leader Temwa scores her 16th goal of the season assisted by @L0momma!@nwsl | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/9VR63LImIY

— KC Current – x (@thekccurrent) September 21, 2024

Team of the Week

It’s been a big week for Wake Forest. They had a tough schedule having to take on No. 1 Stanford and No. 2 Virginia in back-to-back games. It was no problem for the Demon Deacons though who knocked both of them off and became the first team to do that in back-to-back games.

They traveled to Virginia and got an impressive 3-0 win over the Cavaliers before hosting Stanford and defeating them 1-0. It was the first time that Wake Forest had ever beaten the No. 1 ranked team. On the season they have three wins against ranked opponents.

Just look at what it means ❤️#GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/Dvy0diJSxv

— Wake Women’s Soccer (@WakeWSoccer) September 20, 2024

Return of the Week

Kerolin returned to the field for the North Carolina Courage for the first time this season after suffering a season-ending ACL injury at the end of the 2023 season. Her return comes at a much-needed time for the Courage who are looking to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Back in action 👑

Kerolin makes her first NWSL appearance since Oct 15, 2023 — 342 days! pic.twitter.com/ZWT3Eh5O9Z

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 22, 2024

Assist of the Week

Riley Tiernan has been the leader for Rutgers and in their 3-0 win over Oregon, Tiernan recorded two assists to break the school’s all-time assist record with 30 in her career.

Bradley burns one! Tiernan’s second assist of the game is HISTORY – a record 30 career helpers! pic.twitter.com/5qFCvqTQu3

— RUTGERS WOMEN’S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) September 19, 2024

Win of the Week

Minnesota took down Michigan 3-0 to pick up Erin Chastain’s 150th win as an NCAA head coach in style. Chastain spent 14 years as the head coach at DePaul but has spent the last four years with Minnesota. The Gophers are currently 8-1-1 on the season.

Milestone hit. Records broken. Historic start.

Last night was something else 👏#ThisIsHome | #Gophers〽️ pic.twitter.com/oFtAiESlSE

— Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) September 20, 2024

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