All You Need to Know Before the European Women’s Soccer Leagues Start
The NWSL is still in full swing, but European women’s soccer is about to begin, with many leagues kicking off soon.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about each league before opening day.
FAWSL
The Women’s Super League’s first week of the season is September 3-5. Manchester United and Reading kick off the action on September 3, and Chelsea and Arsenal have a week one matchup that could have major standing implications down the road.
During the 2020/21 campaign, Chelsea won the title, but Manchester City was close behind in second and Arsenal in third. Chelsea is probably the favorite to repeat with the lethal attack up top, but City and Arsenal will be looking to knock them off the top.
Player to Watch
Fran Kirby – Kirby’s comeback story was truly remarkable last season. After being sidelined with a heart condition, she came back and didn’t miss a beat. She had 16 goals in 18 appearances for Chelsea during the WSL last season, and her terrific form led her to be named the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Week 1 Schedule
Friday, September 3
Manchester United vs. Reading FC at 2:45 PM ET
Saturday, September 4
Aston Villa vs. Leicester City at 7:30 AM ET
Everton vs. Manchester City at 8:30 AM ET
Tottenham vs. Birmingham City at 10 AM ET
Sunday, September 5
Arsenal vs. Chelsea at 7:30 AM ET
Brighton and Hove Albion vs. West Ham at 9 AM ET
Division 1 Féminine
For the first time in 14 years, Olympique Lyon did not win the league championship. Instead, Paris Saint-Germain won their first league title in club history with a 20-0-2 record. Up until last season, it’s always been Lyon as the favorite to come away with the title, but with PSG gaining confidence, they’ll be looking to knock them off and repeat.
Player to Watch
Marie-Antoinette Katoto – In the last four seasons, Katoto has 80 goals in 76 appearances. She’s a huge attacking threat for Paris Saint-Germain and will continue to find the back of the net in the upcoming season.
Week 1 Schedule
Friday, August 27
Lyon vs. Stade Reims at 12:30 PM ET
Saturday, August 28
Soyaux – Charente vs. Issy FF at 8:30 AM ET
Saint -Étienne vs. Bordeaux at 8:30 AM ET
Paris FC vs. Guingamp at 8:30 AM ET
Dijon vs. Montpellier at 8:30 AM ET
Sunday, August 29
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Fleury 91 at 6:55 AM ET
Frauen Bundesliga
The season starts for the Frauen Bundesliga on Friday, August 27. Since the 2012 season, only two clubs have won the title, VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich. Bayern is currently the defending champions, only suffering one loss on the season.
Player to Watch
Laura Benkarth – Benkarth, Bayern’s keeper, played a huge part in their championship run. She had 16 clean sheets on the season in between the posts.
Week 1 Schedule
Friday, August 27
Hoffenheim vs. Freiburg at 1:15 PM ET
Saturday, August 28
Wolfsburg vs. Potsdam at 7 AM ET
SGS Essen vs. Köln at 10 AM ET
Sunday, August 29
Carl Zeiss Jena vs. Leverkusen at 7 AM ET
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Sand at 7 AM ET
Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen at 10 AM ET
Primera División
Barcelona is the heavy favorites to win this league for the third time in a row. They finished the 2020-21 season with a 25 point gap between them and Real Madrid, the runner-up. Barca is coming off of the Women’s International Champion’s Cup, where they came in third place, falling to Olympique Lyon and then defeating the Houston Dash.
Player to Watch
Lieke Martens – The Dutch international was an important part of the successful season that Barcelona had. She scored the game-winner in the 2020-21 UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinal. In the Champion’s League final, she had an assist that helped Barcelona to lift the trophy. Martens is also nominated for the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award alongside her teammates, Jenni Hermoso and Alexia Putellas.
Week 1 Schedule
Saturday, September 4
Barcelona vs. Granadilla Tenerife at 6 AM ET
Sunday, September 5
Atlético Madrid vs. Rayo Valecano
Levante vs. Real Madrid
Madrid CFF vs. Athletic Club
Eibar vs. Sevilla
Alavés vs. Real Betis
Sporting Huelva vs. Villarreal
Sociedad vs. Valencia
Italian Women’s Serie A
Serie A’s play starts on August 28, with Roma and Empoli kicking the season off. Juventus, which was founded in 2017, has won the last four league titles. Juventus completed a perfect 2020-21 season, winning all 22 league matches.
Player to Watch
Sara Gama – Gama is the leader of the defense and also the captain of Juventus. She’s a calm defender with a ton of experience on both the club and international level with Italy. She’s been with Juventus since 2017 and has made 59 appearances for the club.
Week 1 Schedule
Saturday, August 28
Empoli Ladies vs. Roma at 11:30 AM ET
Napoli CF vs. Internazionale at 2:30 PM ET
Juventus vs. Pomigliano at 2:30 PM ET
Sunday, August 29
Lazio vs. Sampdoria at 11:30 AM ET
Milan vs. Hellas Verona at 11:30 AM ET
Sassuolo vs. Fiorentina at 2:30 PM ET
Featured image via @PSG_Feminines on Twitter
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