FootyPop: USWNT Preps for the Olympics, Securing 1-0 Win Over Mexico
This week in women’s soccer, the NWSL paused for the international break while the USWNT preps for the Olympics with their two friendlies against Mexico and Costa Rica. NWSL teams can sign new talent over the international break while the Summer Cup with Liga MX Femenil happens. Keep reading for the top news this week!
High of the Weekend
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The USWNT recorded a clean sheet with a 1-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday. The match wasn’t the prettiest, and there is definitely some problems the USWNT still needs to work on fixing, but you truly can’t complain about a Swanson-assisted Sophia Smith goal.
Once the team scored, they looked much more confident, but if the USWNT wants to win the gold medal, they’ll have to be much better.
Low of the Weekend
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Last week, coach Emma Hayes announced that Catarina Macario will not be fit in time for the Olympics due to knee irritation and will no longer be going to Paris. Macario recently returned to Chelsea after recovering from an ACL tear in 2022, so it’s really hard to see her continue to have trouble with her knee. We’re wishing Macario a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the pitch soon.
If there’s one silver lining to the situation, it’s that we now get to see Lynn Williams at her second Olympics. She was elevated from being an alternate to making the 18-player roster. Additionally, training camp player Emily Sams was moved up to be an alternate.
News of the Weekend
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The ESPYs were this past week, and NWSL players showed up in STYLE. Midge Purce and Merritt Matthias strutted the red carpet, along with Louisville’s Taylor Flint, Reilyn Turner, and San Diego’s Danny Colaprico and Sierra Enge.
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Player of the Weekend
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Croix Bethune is absolutely on fire these days. The Washington Spirit rookie received NWSL Rookie of the Month honors for the third month in a row and made her first appearance for the USWNT on Saturday. She’s also headed to the Olympics as an alternate!
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Team of the Weekend
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Last week was the 25th anniversary of the USWNT winning the 1999 World Cup! The 99ers are pioneers of the game and really set the standard for what the USWNT strives for today. It was great to see the ‘99 team meet up with the current squad ahead of this year’s Olympics.
Signing of the Weekend
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With the international break upon us for the Olympics, each NWSL team has the opportunity to sign some new talent and take some time to come back to the season better than before. Portland did exactly that, signing Australian national team’s Mackenzie Arnold from West Ham in the WSL.
Upset of the Weekend
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Czechia beat Spain 2-1 in a huge upset for the World champions! The game was tied at halftime, but a foul in the box caused Czechia to seize their opportunity on a PK, pulling ahead 2-1.
Spain and the USWNT are two of the favorites to win this summer’s Olympic Games.
What to Look Forward To
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The NWSL Summer Cup begins this week as regular season action is on pause for the Olympics. The 14 NWSL teams have been split into groups with a handful of teams from Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil. The Cup last through July and into August.
Fav Social Media Post
GERMANY OLYMPIC MASCOT 🇩🇪
A long tradition for the German team is to have a mascot with them for major tournaments. This year, they are bringing Ottienne the Otter to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. Just adorable! 🥹🦦
📸 @DFB_Frauen pic.twitter.com/4uA1vH6Moj
— The Women’s Game (@WomensGameMIB) July 15, 2024
The German Olympic mascot is just too adorable.
Featured image via @uswnt on Instagram
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