FootyPop: Olivia Moultrie and Jaedyn Shaw Make USWNT History in the W Gold Cup

We’re deep into Gold Cup action, and the vibes are high. The USWNT has won both its games with some spectacular goals and stellar performances from new and veteran players. Check out this week’s top women’s soccer news. 

 

High of the Weekend 

For the first time in #USWNT history that two different teenagers have had multiple goals in back-to-back games.@JaedynShaw11 x ✌️ pic.twitter.com/BinuaACK5W

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 24, 2024

The young stars of the USWNT are on fire. Olivia Moultrie and Jaedyn Shaw both netted braces in Gold Cup play, marking the first time in USWNT team history that two teenagers have scored in back-to-back matches. 

18-year-old Moultrie and 19-year-old Shaw both got their first senior national team call-ups last fall. Moultrie now has two goals in three appearances, and Shaw has four goals in six appearances. 

 

Low of the Weekend

That is 5 ACL injuries in the last week:

Feb 20: Mia Fishel
Feb 19: Malaurie Granges
Feb 17: Lina Hausicke
Feb 14: Jun Endo
Feb 13: Camila Arrieta

All players under 26 years of age. In season or pre-season, training or in game, club or country football. ACL tears are across.

— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) February 20, 2024

Last week, we received news that USWNT forward Mia Fishel tore her ACL during training, adding to the ongoing list of women’s soccer players who’ve suffered the injury. Just this month, there have been over five instances. 

 

News of the Weekend 

Major news from @rwesthead – CSPA, which represents #CanWNT/#CanXNT, is filing a lawsuit against current and former Canada Soccer board members who signed a media & sponsorship contract in 2018 with CSB. https://t.co/P0PA2J2OvN

— Meaghen Johnson (@MeaghenJohnson) February 21, 2024

The Canadian Soccer Players’ Association, which represents the Canadian XNT, filed a lawsuit against current and former board members of Canada Soccer for signing a media and sponsorship agreement with the company Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) in 2018. 

Their claim is that the ten-year agreement with CSB has had a direct and negative effect on Canada Soccer’s junior and senior national teams. 

 

Win of the Weekend 

Last night, Puerto Rico came from behind to seal a 2-1 win over Panama in the W Gold Cup. The result is arguably the biggest in the history of the Puerto Rican national team: their 1st group stage win in their 1st appearance at a major tournament. 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷pic.twitter.com/htNsa2GIP6

— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) February 25, 2024

Puerto Rico came from behind to beat Panama with a last-minute goal. This is huge news since it’s Puerto Rico’s first showing and first win at an international tournament of this caliber against a FIFA-ranked No. 55 Panamanian team. 

 

Goal of the Weekend 

Jaedyn Shaw. That is all. #USWNT pic.twitter.com/jqb36l9ej3

— Our Game Magazine (@OurGameMagazine) February 24, 2024

Jaedyn Shaw’s second goal against Argentina was an absolute banger. Her ability to volley Lavelle’s cross before it even hits the ground is incredible. 

 

Assist of the Weekend

Purce 🤝 Williams

Midge Purces gets her SECOND assist in just the first 30 minutes of the match 🤩 pic.twitter.com/5Ud42XItNt

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) February 21, 2024

Midge Purce was an assist machine in the USWNT’s first Gold Cup match against the Dominican Republic, netting two assists. She consistently put herself in the right positions and her performance speaks to why Purce deserves a spot on this competitive USWNT. 

 

Player of the Weekend 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by W Gold Cup (@goldcup)

We need to highlight Sydney Martinez, Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper. She had a stellar performance in both the team’s matches against Brazil and Panama, but her game against Brazil was something else. She made eight saves, and kept Brazil to only one goal. 

 

What to Look Forward To

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by UEFA Women’s Nations League (@weuro)

In UEFA Women’s Nation’s League news, Spain and France have advanced to the final. With an Olympic spot on the line, Germany will face the Netherlands in the third-place match. 

 

Fav Social Media Post 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bay Football Club (@wearebayfc)

Angel City and Bay FC competed at the Coachella Valley Invitational last weekend, and these two legends reunited–all in good fun!

_

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS