FootyPop: The USWNT Become Inaugural Gold Cup Champions
In this week’s women’s soccer news, the USWNT became Gold Cup Champions, Catarina Macario is making waves after just two games back from injury, and the NWSL is attracting more and more world-class talent just before the season kicks off this week. Without further ado, here are this week’s highlights of all things women’s soccer.
High of the Weekend
The USWNT are the first-ever Concacaf W Gold Cup champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xCgeAC8xyT
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 11, 2024
The USWNT took home the hardware in the inaugural Gold Cup! We can all agree, this tournament was a success. The schedule and teams made for some unforgettable action.
In the final, the USWNT beat Brazil 1-0, with a goal from captain Lindsey Horan late in the first half. This was the win the team needed after their fall out of the World Cup last summer, and it seems like things will continue to go up from here.
▪️ Golden Ball
▪️ Golden Glove
▪️ Fair Play AwardThe USWNT with their Gold Cup awards ✨ pic.twitter.com/n29PeKaDHo
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 11, 2024
Along with their win, Lindsey Horan accepted the Fair Play award on behalf of the team, Alyssa Naeher received the Golden Glove award, and Jaedyn Shaw received the Golden Ball.
Low of the Weekend
trinity rodman legitimately just got tackled by a puddle pic.twitter.com/IDQxy4lyrf
— Theo Lloyd-Hughes (@theolloydhughes) March 7, 2024
The USWNT vs. Canada Gold Cup semifinal match last week was an absolute mess. The pitch was completely waterlogged, making it impossible to play a normal game of soccer. Players were slipping and sliding; puddles were taking out players left and right. Overall, it could’ve led to some serious injuries, and it’s a miracle no one did end up injured.
News of the Weekend
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Get ready because the NWSL returns this week! The Challenge Cup takes place Thursday between Gotham FC and San Diego Wave, and then the regular season kicks off on Friday.
The historic media deal makes finding and watching games much more accessible. Plus, Amazon has expanded its current deal with the NWSL–to stream 27 games across the season–and is now the Exclusive Retail partner of the league!
Team of the Weekend
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Although Brazil fell short in the Gold Cup final, finishing in second place, the team was spectacular to watch. Throughout the tournament, they had eleven different goalscorers, the most diversity of any nation.
Player of the Weekend
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Catarina Macario, who just debuted for Chelsea after more than a year away from the game because of injury, just scored her second goal in her second appearance. If this is any indication of what her performance will continue to be, we can’t wait to see her back on the USWNT.
Transfer of the Weekend
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Another huge transfer happened in the NWSL this week with Zambian international Barbra Banda joining Orlando Pride. Banda previously played in China, and is the Africa’s all-time leading scorer in the Olympics.
Signing of the Weekend
I’m so excited and honored to announce I have signed my first professional @NWSL contract with @weareangelcity !
First and foremost, I want to thank my family for supporting me through this journey, @SolarSoccerClub for providing such a great environment to develop, all my… pic.twitter.com/vaZyE6nXyl
— Kennedy Fuller (@KennedyFuller07) March 11, 2024
Angel City added another under 18 player to their roster in signing Kennedy Fuller. Fuller had a stunning performance in the U17 CONCACAF Championship.
Fav Social Media Post
jaedyn shaw (teenage golden ball winner btw) running and doing confetti angels after her interview was so cute #uswnt pic.twitter.com/q2Wqvku3ps
— mikasa (@mikasa22) March 11, 2024
Jaedyn Shaw doing confetti snow angels after her Golden Ball win is just so awesome.
Featured image via Noel Danseco
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