FootyPop: NCAA College Cup Matchups Are Set

In this week’s women’s soccer news, the College Cup is set; Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement from the USWNT; a record crowd at Wembley Stadium; and more!

High of the Week

The NCAA College Cup is set and for the first time, all four teams are from one conference, the ACC. The matchups will occur on Friday, December 6 with No. 2 Wake Forest facing off against No. 3 Stanford in the first semifinal at 5 p.m. ET and No. 1 Duke taking on No. 2 North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

Wake Forest and Stanford last faced off in September with the Demon Deacons getting a 1-0 win. Duke and UNC most recently faced off in the ACC Championship with the Tar Heels getting a 2-1 victory.

SEE YOU AT THE NATTY 😏🏆

For the first-time in history, the College Cup will feature teams from just one league – the ACC. pic.twitter.com/ScAEpaSKbj

— The ACC (@theACC) December 1, 2024

Low of the Week

Orlando Pride forward, Barbra Banda was recently named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, and instead of being able to celebrate that tremendous achievement she was met with hate all over the internet. It was extremely unsettling to see the hate that Banda has received but it was also wonderful to see the NWSL and the Orlando Pride rally to support Banda. Banda has been extraordinary on the field this year and that accomplishment should be celebrated.

We are proud to have Barbra Banda as a member of the Orlando Pride 💜 pic.twitter.com/GLg5vRYe3c

— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) November 27, 2024

News of the Week

Longtime USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher announced that she would retire from the international stage. She spent 11 years playing for the USWNT and made 114 appearances while tallying 69 clean sheets. She also helped the United States win two World Cups and a Gold Medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She’s one of the best keepers to ever represent the USWNT and she’ll be missed. Her last match with the USWNT will be their friendly against the Netherlands on December 3.

Alyssa Naeher has announced she will retire from the USWNT following their friendlies against England and the Netherlands.

▪️ 2x World Cup 🏆
▪️ Olympic Gold 🥇
▪️ Olympic Bronze 🥉
▪️ Only goalkeeper to earn a shutout in a World Cup and Olympic final

Legend 🧤 pic.twitter.com/Ozi5G0edtX

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 25, 2024

Player of the Week

Alyssa Naeher earned her 10th shutout of the year for the USWNT in their scoreless draw vs England. It’s the most clean sheets ever in a year for Naeher. Naeher has the chance to earn her 70th career clean sheet in her last international match ever against the Netherlands to close out the calendar year for the USWNT.

With the scoreless draw, Alyssa Naeher earns her 10th shutout of 2024: her most in any year for the USWNT! pic.twitter.com/QzWTw06Ixx

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 30, 2024

Win of the Week

The USWNT and England played to a scoreless draw in front of a record crowd of 78,346. It was the fourth-largest crowd ever for a USWNT match and the largest crowd for a friendly.

7️⃣8️⃣,3️⃣4️⃣6️⃣

The fourth largest crowd in #USWNT history and biggest 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 for a friendly 👏 pic.twitter.com/k9GR7ZfTyp

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 30, 2024

Assist of the Week

Zara Chavoshi sent a great ball into Caiya Hanks that sprung her past three defenders. Hanks was then able to take a touch and send it into the far side of the net for Wake Forest.

WHAT A THROUGH BALL 🤩#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ESPN+/@WakeWSoccer pic.twitter.com/ZMluJPkrZB

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 29, 2024

Goal of the Week

Bella Gaetino scored a beautiful goal to help North Carolina advance to the College Cup. She sent in a long-range shot that curled into the side of the net.

BEND IT LIKE BELLA 🤯#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ESPN+ / @uncwomenssoccer pic.twitter.com/Ehkh9y73gq

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 30, 2024

What To Look Forward To

The USWNT faces off against the Netherlands on Tuesday, December 3 at 2:45 ET in their last match of the year. The last time the two teams faced off was at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in the group stage with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

The 2024 finale is on deck!

🇳🇱 NED vs. USA 🇺🇸
📆 Tomorrow, December 3
⏰ 2:45 PM ET pic.twitter.com/mkYdmItHkU

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 2, 2024

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