FootyPop: New Faces Make USWNT Debut

In this week’s women’s soccer news, new faces shined for the USWNT; the Chicago Red Stars got a new name; the Kansas City Current won the Summer Cup Final; and more!

High of the Week

The USWNT was back in action for the first time since the Olympics with two 3-1 wins over Iceland. They have one more match against Argentina on Wednesday to close out the international break. In those matches, we saw some new faces make their debuts and receive their first call-ups. Emma Sears, Emily Sams, Hal Hershfelt, and Yazmeen Ryan earned their first caps. 

Goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn was also called into camp this week for the first time to replace the injured Jane Campbell.

Another pair of WNT debutants tonight with Emily Sams and Emma Sears hitting the field 🙌 pic.twitter.com/whrSoUzghV

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 27, 2024

Low of the Week

The NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup Final was this week with the Kansas City Current defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-0. Temwa Chawinga had both goals in the match to lead the Current to win the first-ever Summer Cup title. The final was held in San Antonio, Texas and it was reported that the attendance was just over 3,000 which is a disappointing turnout for a championship match. Hopefully, if this tournament sticks around we’ll see it get more attention.

An #NWSL spokesperson says 3,113 tickets have been distributed for Friday’s NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup final in San Antonio. The Kansas City Current and NJ/NY Gotham FC face off in the final of the inaugural tournament. San Antonio does not have an NWSL team.

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) October 24, 2024

News of the Week

This week the Chicago Red Stars revealed that starting in 2025 they would be rebranding as Chicago Stars FC with a brand new crest. Chicago was sold to Laura Ricketts and a new ownership group in September 2023.  

New era, same Stars ⭐️

Our nuevo crest starting 2025. pic.twitter.com/o2QNxg6dTB

— Chicago Red Stars – x (@chicagoredstars) October 23, 2024

Player of the Week

Emma Sears had herself a week. She earned her first USWNT call up and she took advantage of it. In her USWNT debut, she scored a goal and tallied an assist to help the U.S. pick up a 3-1 win over Iceland. Sears has had a really good rookie year for Racing Louisville so it was great to see that translate to the international stage.

The 23rd player in USWNT history to score in her first cap: Emma Sears!!!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/OTfoM3xWv9

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 27, 2024

Goal of the Week

Kyra Carusa had a filthy backheel in Ireland’s 6-0 win over Georgia. She sent the ball in between the goalkeeper’s legs for a nice finish.

kyra carusa are you kidding me 😨 pic.twitter.com/iQNF70XZFy

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) October 25, 2024

Save of the Week

Kayla Sharples came up big for the Kansas City Current in their Summer Cup matchup. Gotham was about to have a 1v1 opportunity against the keeper until Sharples came sliding in at the last minute to deny the opportunity.

D E N I E D 🙅‍♀️@kaysharps coming in clutch with this block SECONDS before HT 🤯

Save of the Match | @HyVee pic.twitter.com/wpyK8ZQZrv

— KC Current – x (@thekccurrent) October 26, 2024

Social Media Post of the Week

Some members of the USWNT had some fun during camp trying to recreate a Dancing with the Stars dance. Thankfully they documented the attempts on social media.

GET THE USWNT ON DANCING WITH THE STARS ASAP 😂 💃 ⭐

🎥 @roselavelle pic.twitter.com/5ukqtk9vz1

— The Women’s Game (@WomensGameMIB) October 24, 2024

What To Look Forward To

The final games of the 2024 NWSL regular season are this weekend. The last spot hasn’t been clinched yet but Bay FC controls their own destiny. As long as they get a win or a draw against the Houston Dash they’ll make the playoffs in their very first season. The quarterfinal locations have been decided but the matchups will be solidified after the games this weekend.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for!

Here is the schedule for the 2024 NWSL Playoffs presented by @madebygoogle 🔥📺 pic.twitter.com/o2doukuSdf

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 21, 2024 

 

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