FootyPop: Rewinding 2023 for the USWNT, and Looking Ahead to 2024
We’re nearly halfway through December, meaning the year 2023 is coming to a close. With the NCAA, NWSL, and now the USWNT’s years wrapped up, we turn to international leagues and look forward to all the epic action to come in 2024. Here’s what went down this past week in women’s soccer.
High of the Weekend
2023 @USSoccer Female Player of the Year
And the nominees are…
🇺🇸 @Cdunn19
🇺🇸 @___emilyfox
🇺🇸 @naomi_girma
🇺🇸 @LindseyHoran
🇺🇸 @sophsssmithFull Details » https://t.co/T1jeMeFTEU pic.twitter.com/wHomOBX3CP
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 11, 2023
The year is coming to a close for the USWNT, and they just released nominees for the US Soccer Female Player of the Year and the USW Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.
Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Lindsey Horan, and Sophia Smith were nominated for the US Soccer Female Player of the Year. Onyeka Gamero, Savannah King, Olivia Moultrie, Ally Sentnor, and Gisele Thompson were nominated for the Young Player Award.
Additionally, the USWNT ended their year with a 14-0-2 record and the lowest goals-allowed average in team history. Can’t wait to see what 2024 brings for this team!
Low of the Weekend
Per FIFA, during the @FIFAWWC, the @USWNT received significantly more social media abuse than any other nation, which was “predominantly politically motivated abuse that targeted 2-3 key players”.
The Americans received more than twice as much abuse as the next closest nation 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/plDvdwK9II
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) December 11, 2023
A new report came out from FIFPRO, detailing the online and social media abuse that players faced during the Women’s World Cup this past year.
The findings showed that the players of the USWNT faced significantly more social media abuse than players of any other nation. In fact, the USWNT faced twice as much social media abuse as the second nation on the list–Argentina. The abuse was politically motivated, centering around two to three players, and the data online showed that the team faced an abundance of homophobic, racist, sexually violent, and sexist online abuse.
News of the Weekend
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP BID SENT 🇺🇸🇲🇽
The US & Mexico have formally submitted a bid for the 2027 WWC, titled "NEW HEIGHTS". Today was the deadline. 🏁
Rival proposals also submitted by Brazil & a Belgium-Netherlands-Germany joint venture. FIFA Congress due to select host in May. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/lQV3Vu1Pws
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) December 8, 2023
The United States and Mexico have submitted a bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup titled “New Heights.” According to Front Office Sports, if they win that bid, they’ll set a new precedent for women’s soccer and sports.
The proposal set out to generate $3B in revenue and attract 4.5 million fans. These numbers are much higher than what was achieved in Australia and New Zealand this past year, but with women’s sports rising, predicted to make more than $1B in 2024, there’s no reason not to set the bar high!
Goal of the Weekend
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Jaedyn Shaw’s goal during the second USWNT vs. China match was something else! She hits this ball so cleanly, and the accuracy is insane—way to go for Shaw in her homestate.
Team of the Weekend
Before today’s result:
The last arsenal scored 4+ vs Chelsea was in 2018, in a 5-0 win 🥶
The last time Chelsea conceded 4+ goals was against Wolfsburg in a 4-0 loss on December 21 2021 in the UWCL.
A few years in both stats.
Title race heats and the rematch await🥵 pic.twitter.com/b1oJ7iGRUy
— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) December 10, 2023
Arsenal had a heck of a game against Chelsea, beating the #1 team in the WSL 4-1.
Transfer of the Weekend
With the end of one chapter comes the beginning of another.. and I am so excited to step into this new jounery with Utah Royals and build something special in Salt Lake City 👑 LETS RIDE pic.twitter.com/Nc0XagyG00
— po (@maddiepogarch) December 8, 2023
One of the league’s most underrated defenders, Madison Pogarch, is heading to the expansion side of the Utah Royals! The Royals really seem to be building out a solid team, and this move shows that.
Signing of the Weekend
The Thompson duo about to go off in 2024 💕 pic.twitter.com/T8NYVsCHqT
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) December 8, 2023
Angel City teased fans last week by showing off a jersey with “A. Thompson” on the back, alluding to another Thompson joining the team. Sure enough, they announced the signing of Alyssa’s younger sister, Gisele Thompson!
What to Look Forward To
The impact of the NWSL’s new record-setting $240 million media deals is already setting in.
In 2024, the league’s 14 clubs will each play 26 regular-season matches — four more than the 22-game schedule this past campaign.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 8, 2023
The final NWSL schedule is not out yet, but what’s been revealed so far is super exciting. Notably, the number of games has increased, and there will be a tournament during the summer Olympics, including international clubs.
The #UWNL semi-finals are CONFIRMED
🇪🇸 Spain vs. Netherlands 🇳🇱
🇫🇷 France vs. Germany 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/fHvVNEqoV6— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) December 11, 2023
The Uefa Women’s Nations League semifinals are confirmed! Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Germany will fight for a spot in the final.
Fav Social Media Post
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Lindsey Horan showed off some of her engagement photos, and they are absolutely stunning.
Featured image via Noel Danseco
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