FootyPop: Kate Faasse Wins MAC Hermann Trophy

It’s a new year and there’s already been quite a bit of women’s soccer news. In this week’s news, Kate Faasse took home the MAC Hermann Trophy; Denver earned the NWSL expansion; the Houston Dash found their head coach; and more!

High of the Week

UNC women’s soccer star, Kate Faasse was named the MAC Hermann Trophy winner. The award is given to the best player in college soccer. The junior finished the season with 20 goals for the Tar Heels and helped to lead them to winning the National Championship. Faasse became the eighth player from North Carolina to win the award.

The BEST player in college soccer.

Kate Faasse is the winner of the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy, honoring the 2024 National Player of the Year! pic.twitter.com/TBLUXkacLL

— UNC Women’s Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) January 4, 2025 

News of the Week

Sportico reported this week that Denver has officially been awarded an NWSL expansion team. They’ll be joining the league for $110 million and will be the 16th team. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Denver were the three finalists for expansion.

The NWSL is expanding to Denver, per Sportico ?️ pic.twitter.com/E2NG7wiU7g

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 2, 2025 

Low of the Week

Legendary goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart announced her retirement from the game. In 2014 and 2015 she helped FC Kansas City win back-to-back NWSL Championships.  Barnhart spent the last three seasons with the Washington Spirit.

Two-time #NWSL Champion ?
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist ?
2013 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year ?
Legend.

Nicole Barnhart has announced her retirement from professional soccer after a long, decorated career.

➡️: https://t.co/Y3rhq5r0Cf pic.twitter.com/JIkkuVmbVC

— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) December 30, 2024 

Team of the Week

The Houston Dash officially announced Fabrice Gautrat as their next head coach. Gautrat has been in the league since 2020 and has worked as an assistant coach with the Chicago Red Stars and North Carolina Courage.

The beginning of a new chapter in Houston ?

We have named Fabrice Gautrat as head coach

?️ https://t.co/xdSGde1weP pic.twitter.com/2kHjISGEEB

— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) January 3, 2025 

Signing of the Week

Gotham announced that they signed defender Lilly Reale to a three-year deal. Reale comes from UCLA, where she won three straight Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards. She played in 83 games for the Bruins and over 7,000 minutes. 

Our backline just got ‘Reale’ strong ?#GothamFC has signed defender Lilly Reale to a multi-year contract through 2027.

— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) January 3, 2025 

Transfer of the Week

Tottenham have signed Olivia Holdt from FC Rosengard. While at Rosengard Holdt appeared in 47 games and scored 25 goals. The Denmark international will be a big boost to the attack for Tottenham.

Behind the lens ?

Our new number 11 – Olivia Holdt ?

? @AlipayPlus pic.twitter.com/0ok4xLConH

— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) January 5, 2025 

Return of the Week

Chelsea named Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel to their Portugal training camp roster with both players training in some capacity. It seems that their return to the field is getting closer and closer.

Big Fish back on the grass! ?? pic.twitter.com/dqMuYmNO4R

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 5, 2025 

What To Look Forward To

Women’s Super League action returns on January 17 with a big matchup between Manchester City and Manchester United closing out the weekend.

Just under a month to go until the first Manchester derby of the season ?‍?

Find out more and discover our ticket offers! ?

? https://t.co/JMaTWllcQH pic.twitter.com/4Xu74CxXd9

— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) December 20, 2024 

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