FootyPop: Alyssa Naeher Makes 100th Cap in USWNT 3-0 Win Over Colombia

March 4, 2024
By Hannah Cantrell

In this week’s women’s soccer news, the Gold Cup is on to the semifinal matches, with Canada vs. USWNT and Brazil vs. Mexico. Plus, the NWSL dropped a new commercial and new kits, a USWNT star made her debut for Chelsea, and much more. Keep on reading for the whole week’s lowdown!

High of the Weekend

CAT IS SO BACK 🇺🇸

The @USWNT forward Catarina Macario, who has been out since June of 2022, has scored her first goal for the Blues on her debut! pic.twitter.com/ATFW4GPquE

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 3, 2024

Catarina Macario scored a goal in her first game back from ACL recovery and debut for Chelsea! The Blues took on Leicester City, and Macario subbed in in the 72nd minute. It didn’t take long for her to score, netting a goal in the 78th minute.

Low of the Weekend

Chelsea and Australia superstar Samantha Kerr faces a criminal trial next year for alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in Twickenham

Kerr appeared in court yesterday (MON) accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words.https://t.co/pxatL6bEOw

— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) March 4, 2024

Sam Kerr is facing a criminal trial for alleged racially aggravated harassment against a police officer. The trial is set for February of next year.

News of the Weekend

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A post shared by U.S. Soccer WNT (@uswnt)

The USWNT beat Colombia 3-0 in an intense quarterfinal matchup. It was great to see the USWNT bounce back and put out a decisive win against a quality Colombia side.

Besides the scoreline, Alyssa Naeher made her 100th cap for the USWNT and had a clean sheet with some world-class saves. Few goalkeepers make this many caps with their national teams, which shows that Naeher is the real deal.

Win of the Weekend

One of the major parts of the new @NWSL tv deal we knew of was ads with all the new broadcast partners

What I didn't imagine was seeing ads for the league run during F1 broadcasts but here we are

This is how one of them aired during FP1 this morning on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/cUgVKVb7qP

— Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron) February 29, 2024

The NWSL has a new commercial airing! If you weren’t already excited about the season starting soon, give this a watch. It’s great to see that the league is hyped up because of its intense competition, great talent, and overall excitement!

Another win for the NWSL is their new kits, which just dropped last week. Many have been calling for teams to step outside the box with their kits, and some of the teams definitely did precisely that with the new designs.

Upset of the Weekend

Histórico. DOS A CERO. 😭

Marcador @adidasMX para todo México 🇲🇽#PasosDeOro | #VamosTodos pic.twitter.com/HGtuVaPZwI

— Selección Nacional de México Femenil (@Miseleccionfem) February 27, 2024

Mexico made history in their 2-0 win over the USWNT last in the Group Stage of the Gold Cup, making that the team’s first win in 16 matches against the USA. Mexico showed up big time, putting on an amazing performance and scoring two long-distance goals.

Goal of the Weekend

The ball from Nay.
The touch from Alex.
The finish from Jenna.

BEAUTIFUL 😍

🎥 » @AttackingThird

pic.twitter.com/1btPeOofIB

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 4, 2024

Despite losing to Mexico, the USWNT advanced to the quarterfinals, where they beat Colombia thanks to three goals, including this absolute banger from Jenna Nighswonger.

Player of the Weekend

13-YEAR-OLD SCORES FOR GOTHAM IN FRIENDLY 😱

13yo McKenna Whitham who joined Gotham for preseason training scored tonight in a friendly. Earlier this month Whitman became the youngest ever athlete to sign a name, likeness and image sponsorship with Nike.
pic.twitter.com/vK4NyHNOrh

— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) February 28, 2024

13-year-old McKenna Whitman, who just became the youngest athlete to sign with Nike, joined the Gotham FC team for The Women’s Cup. But that’s not all. She actually scored the game-winning goal for Gotham in the semifinal match against Deportivo Cali!

Team of the Weekend

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A post shared by Gotham FC (@gothamfc)

Gotham FC and Racing Louisville faced off in the final of The Women’s Cup down in Colombia after winning each semifinal match.

Louisville was up in the first half 1-0, but Gotham FC squandered their lead and made a comeback, winning 3-1.

What to Look Forward To

𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 💗 pic.twitter.com/LKZR4hY2my

— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) February 28, 2024

In international soccer news, the reigning Women’s World Cup Champions, Spain, became Women’s Nations League Champions after defeating France 2-0!

Additionally, in the third-place match, with an Olympic qualification spot on the line, Germany beat the Netherlands 2-0, meaning Germany is headed to the Paris Olympics.

Can’t wait to tune into the world tournament this summer.