FootyPop: Welcome the First Zambian, Malawian, and Korean NWSL Goal Scorers
Another exciting week of NWSL action is in the books. With plenty of drama, beautiful goals, and milestones reached, this season looks to be the best one yet. Over in England, Arsenal and Chelsea battled in the League Cup final, and the USWNT is gearing up for the SheBelieves Cup beginning April 6. Keep on reading for this week’s women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
Still thinking about this moment from Racheal Kundananji. If you watch the video, you see her insisting to the sideline to give her the 🇿🇲 flag post-goal.
So much history. First Zambian player to play in the NWSL. First Zambian player to score.
Deserved moment of pride ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WgIRmJElXN
— Amelia Lopez (@AztecaAmeliaaa) March 31, 2024
The diversity in the NWSL is something special. Top players from all over the world come to play in this league and it’s incredible to see it all come together.
Bay FC lost their home opener 3-2 against Houston but put up an incredible fight.
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Racheal Kundananji got her first minutes with the team and became the first Zambian player to play in the NWSL. What’s more, she tied the game in second-half stoppage time and became the first Zambian player to score in the league.
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In other milestones, Temwa Chawinga became the first Malawian player to score during the Current’s match this week.
Last week, Ji So-Yun became the first Korean player to score in Seattle Reign’s match against the Red Stars.
Low of the Weekend
VAR in the #NWSL pic.twitter.com/puDCcI54E2
— RaePete (@RaePete_) March 31, 2024
The VAR reviews in the NWSL have been lasting way too long. The reviews stop play for upwards of ten minutes, leaving players to come down from high-adrenaline moments. Then, there’s the time added on at the end of the halves. This season, we’ve already seen a ton of stoppage-time goals, which have completely altered the outcome of matches, because of how much time has been added on.
News of the Weekend
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Bay FC is the new California team on the block, and in true California NWSL fashion, they’ve sold out their home opener, with 18,000 fans in attendance.
Win of the Weekend
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Arsenal won the FA Women’s League Cup final 1-0 against their biggest rivals, Chelsea. The match was deadlocked nil-nil until the second overtime period in the 116th minute, when a goal from Stina Blackstenius made the difference. Two USWNT players were on the field, with Emily Fox starting for Arsenal and Catarina Macario subbing on for Chelsea.
Game of the Weekend
Another sellout crowd ✅
Six-goal, drama-soaked game ✅
Historic goalscorer ✅
VAR out of a cooler ✅KC Current continue to terrorize the league, beating Angel City today 4-2 to stay undefeated 💪 Going to be so fun to watch them this year 👀
📸: @thekccurrent pic.twitter.com/JJkGuptd22
— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) March 30, 2024
What a game between Kansas City Current and Angel City. There were plenty of goals and plenty of VAR drama. Bia Zanerratto, Vanessa DiBernardo, and Temwa Chawinga looking absolutely unstoppable for the Current. They will be a fun team to watch this season.
Assist of the Weekend
Trinity Rodman now has the most regular-season assists in club history!#ThatsTheSpirit pic.twitter.com/x0Gd6HNX0l
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) March 31, 2024
Trinity Rodman has the most assists in Spirit history after her inch-perfect assist to Ouleymata Sarr during the match against the Utah Royals.
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Player of the Weekend
All the love for @kerolinnicolii ❤️#ForTheLove pic.twitter.com/TXXGFswMFh
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) March 30, 2024
The NC Courage honored and celebrated Kerolin for earning NWSL MVP last season at their match on Saturday. It was an emotional moment for Kerolin after suffering a season-ending injury last season.
Team of the Weekend
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The Portland Thorns have not gotten off to the start of the season they wanted to, losing their first two matches and narrowly coming out with a point this week. Racing Louisville was up 2-0 in just the sixth minute, thanks to Uchenna Kanu. But the Thorns put in the work to tie it up with a goal from Sam Coffey in stoppage time.
Return of the Weekend
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Christen Press is back at training with Angel City. Her last appearance for her club was in 2022 before suffering an ACL injury that’s left her sidelined for two seasons.
What to Look Forward To
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The SheBelieves Cup starts this week, and the USWNT released its roster last week. Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario returned to the fold, and two new faces were added: Lily Yohannes and Eva Gaetino. Yohannes is 16 years old and plays for AFC Ajax in the Netherlands. Gaetino recently forwent the NWSL draft to sign for PSG.
Featured image via @wearebayfc
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