FootyPop: Linda Caicedo, Colombia’s 18 Year Old Star, Scores in 2-1 Upset of Germany
The second week of the World Cup has passed; as predicted, it was another incredibly exciting week. There were some major upsets, a few young players hit significant achievements, and each World Cup group is whittling down to the two that will move on to the Round of 16. The USWNT faced a tough match that ended in a draw this week but will be looking forward to their game tonight versus Portugal. Without further ado, get caught up on this week’s women’s soccer news!
High of the Weekend
LINDA CAICEDO WOW 🤯
(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/ArWrFLoR9V
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 30, 2023
The young soccer stars had a GREAT week this week. 18-year-old Linda Caicedo has been shining this World Cup, but this goal against Germany was something else. Her footwork and quickness on the ball are unparalleled–she makes the defenders look helpless. Ultimately, Caicedo’s goal helped Colombia win 2-1 over Germany. The other goal came in second-half stoppage time from 22-year-old Manuela Vanegas, who headed in a corner. Both these young players are leaving their mark on the world stage!
Chloe Ricketts goes down in history as the youngest NWSL goal-scorer EVER!
Rising to the Challenge presented by @UKGInc pic.twitter.com/BsSLxYAVa2
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 29, 2023
We’ll take a quick pause from World Cup action to shout out Chloe Ricketts, who became the youngest player to score in the NWSL! Ricketts’ goal contributed to the Spirit’s dominant 4-2 win over Gotham FC. When the Spirit signed Ricketts, she was the youngest player ever to be signed in the league, and now she’s making leaps and bounds!
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Back to regularly scheduled programming–the World Cup. 16-year-old Casey Yu-jin Phair became the youngest player to debut at a Women’s World Cup. Raised in New Jersey, Phair plays for the South Korean national team. Additionally, she played for PDA in the ECNL. Phair came in late in the game against Colombia, and although South Korea lost 2-0, Phair brought physicality and energy to the pitch!
Low of the Weekend
Our low of the week has to be the USWNT’s tie against the Netherlands. It’s so frustrating to see a team with so much potential tie against an opponent they should have beaten. It’s even more frustrating to see game-changing players sit on the sidelines.
Once again, Vlatko Andonovski’s coaching is under question (much like the 2020 Olympics), and only time will tell if his strategies will pay off.
Even her own club teammate can get it 😤
Don’t play with Lindsey Horan 🫡🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/1gKeSscnB2
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
One highlight that came from the match was Lindsey Horan’s epic goal after being trash-talked by Lyon teammate Danielle Van De Donk. There’s no better way to shut the other team up than to score!
News of the Weekend
Sam Kerr is out here celebrating with fans and kissing babies after Australia's big win 🤣🎉 pic.twitter.com/2kLCyyALsf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 31, 2023
In World Cup injury news, Sam Kerr did not play in Australia’s third group stage match due to the lingering calf injury she sustained before their first match.
Tony Gustavsson just said Sam Kerr told her teammates pre-match in Melbourne, "Go and win without me". He said it helped unite and motivate the team to do that, to give the star striker another 7 days to rehab her calf
— Isobel Cootes (@isobelcootes) July 31, 2023
For the Lionesses, Keira Walsh did not tear her ACL after being seen saying to the trainers that she thought she did. That is a huge weight lifted off England’s shoulders–but she’ll likely still be out for the rest of the tournament.
And unfortunately, Haiti’s Jennyfer Limage became the first player at this Women’s World Cup to suffer a torn ACL.
Loss of the Weekend
"I really think that we've inspired the country, I hope that little girls across New Zealand and the world now will start playing the sport and feel like they can achieve whatever they put their mind to."@RileyThree checks in after New Zealand's final game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/A0jhveZCQx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
This was a tie, but it actually means New Zealand is out of the competition. NZ tied Switzerland 0-0. The Football Ferns had an incredible run, but their time came to a close. On the other hand, the other host nation, Australia, made it through to the knockout stage, first in the group!
Goal of the Weekend
THE ATLAS LIONESSES TAKE THE LEAD!
MOROCCO SCORES ITS FIRST-EVER FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP GOAL 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/loGufGTDRh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Morroco got its first-ever World Cup win and goal against South Korea!
Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab while competing at a Women's World Cup today.
This tournament continues to inspire and break boundaries for future generations 👏 pic.twitter.com/3LLtDT8Pk4
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 30, 2023
Additionally, Morocco had the first player to wear a hijab at the tournament.
Game of the Weekend
Banyana Banyana went 2-0 up only to concede 2 goals that saw their World Cup tie vs Argentina end in a 2-2 draw. South Africa have 1 point from 2 games and they “must” beat Italy in their final group game or go home #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 #BanyanaBanyana #ChampionSouthafrica pic.twitter.com/xgyDKwqTnN
— ChampionSouthAfrica (@ChampionSAfrica) July 28, 2023
South Africa vs. Argentina was what the Women’s World Cup is all about. It was chaotic and filled with goals, and we’re looking forward to seeing more action like this!
Player of the Weekend
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Sam Mewis is six months post-ACL operation, and she shared some of her progress on social media!
Team of the Weekend
🇨🇳 Wang Shuang ⚽️
🇿🇦 Thembi Kgatlana ⚽️
🇳🇬 Uchenna Kanu ⚽️
🇧🇷 Ary Borges ⚽️⚽️⚽️@RacingLouFC have the most goals scored by any club at this @FIFAWWC 😮💨The next closest sides are Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid & Arsenal, each with three goals. pic.twitter.com/6bxWnQFwfH
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) July 28, 2023
Racing Louisville may have lost in the Challenge Cup this past weekend, but the club is still winning, with the most goals scored at the World Cup! Thembi Ngatlana, Wang Shuang, Uchenna Kanu, and Ary Borges are all having fantastic tournaments thus far!
Upset of the Weekend
The two biggest upsets this past week were Germany losing 2-1 to Colombia and Nigeria winning 3-2 against Australia!
Fav Social Media Post
waru being interviewed before the world cup debut pic.twitter.com/qr7brwBg1v
— mapi 🇩🇪 (@loberdorf6) July 29, 2023
The German national team has a stuffed animal named Waro.
Featured image via Getty Images
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