Footypop: Catching up on Some FIFA International Break Thangs

A lot of important updates in the women’s soccer world this Monday as we find ourselves in the middle of the February 2021 FIFA window. You know what hasn’t changed in the past week though? The fact that Sloane Phillips is cute. She was cute last weekend when adoptive parents Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris showed her off to the world for the first time andddd she continued to be cute this past weekend. Not to mention incredibly supportive of her many “aunties” on the USWNT whilst they’ve been in action at the SheBelieves Cup. In addition to the tourney happening in Orlando, several notable friendlies are being played this break as well as some pretty essential matches to decide Euro 2022 fates. Let’s dive in. 

USWNT Best Brazil in Their Second Shebelieves Cup Match

Emerging banged and bruised after a challenging Thursday game against Canada, the USWNT came out to take on Brazil. Sunday’s game opened up early, which saw Crystal Dunn spring into action defensively for the US and Christen Press bury a left-footed beauty on the other end in just the 11th minute. Brazil didn’t connect as well as Pia Sundhage would have liked throughout the game, but that’s not to say the Brazilians didn’t have their chances. They missed a couple of great opportunities to equalize late in the game. 

And Megan Rapinoe would make ‘em pay for those missed chances. In the 88th minute, Rapinoe, a substitute, volleyed home a Horan cross to make it 2-0 to the US. 

USWNT-Canada Posts Impressive Viewership Numbers

This weekend, the viewership numbers came in from Thursday’s US-Canada match and it’s really positive stuff. According to the Washington Post’s Steve Goff, the game drew an average of 498,000 viewers on FS1, making it the most-watched SheBelieves Cup match ever and the 3rd most-watched non-World Cup USWNT match on FS1. 

Canada Scrap To Beat Argentina in Injury Time

Two squads full of starry-eyed youngsters looking to prove themselves clashed as Argentina and Canada took the field on Sunday night. And, well, it wasn’t pretty, honestly. Argentina can be a brick wall, as seen in the 2019 World Cup, and they have a lot of fight in them. After squandering chance after chance though, the goal came for the Canadians after a skirmish in the box. Substitute Sarah Stratagakis got her first international goal and her side’s well-earned winner. 

Finland Qualify for European Championship Tournament

On Friday night, the Finland women’s national team beat Portugal to top their Euro 2022 qualifying group and book their ticket to next summer’s championships in England. The game-winning goal came from none other than Finland’s all-time leading scorer Linda Sällstrom who scored in the 93rd minute to lift her side to victory. 

Mexico Beat Costa Rica in the First of Two Mexico City Friendlies

The Mexico women’s national team will be very pleased with themselves after a solid performance at the Azteca on Saturday. La Tri put away three goals, held the edge in possession, and strung together an impressive 81% of their passes in the win over Las Ticas. The two teams meet again on Tuesday, this time at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento.

Featured Image via @USWNT on Instagram

_ 

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS