FootyPop: María Sánchez Becomes Highest Paid NWSL Player with $1.5M Contract

In this week’s women’s soccer news, we’re beginning to see some of the NWSL trading chaos we were all looking forward to. From the signing of the highest-paid player to the expansion draft, we’re hyped to continue witnessing the off-season changes. Keep on reading to get caught up on the past week!

 

High of the Weekend 

𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 to @tziarra and @JessFishlock on tying the knot! 🍾 💍❤️ pic.twitter.com/jNsy3TtkJa

— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) December 13, 2023

Tziarra King and Jess Fishlock, one of our fave NWSL couples, just married in Wales this past weekend. The wedding looked filled with so much excitement and joy, and we’re so happy for the two of them!

 

Low of the Weekend

🚨DOUBLE TRADE 🚨

1:
▪️ Bay FC receives $50,000 in allocation money✔️
▪️Sierra Enge heads to Houston Dash✔️

2:
▪️Sierra Enge heads to San Diego Wave✔️
▪️Bella Briede heads to Houston Dash✔️
▪️Houston Dash receives No.40 pick in 2024 NWSL Draft & $60,000 in allocation money✔️ pic.twitter.com/QejylRVwJN

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) December 17, 2023

Despite many coaches and players openly criticizing the expansion draft, it still took place this past week. The expansion draft is where the two new teams were able to draft players from the remaining teams that didn’t have protection against them. Many are against the expansion draft because it opens the door for unprotected players to be drafted away from their teams against their wishes. 

After the draft, there was even more chaos, including the quite absurd trade highlighted above. Basically, Bay FC drafted Sierra Enge from the San Diego Wave (she was on the Wave’s unprotected list). After the draft, San Diego took part in a three-way trade with Bay FC and the Houston Dash to get Enge back on their roster. 

 

News of the Weekend 

Houston Dash have secured Maria Sánchez on a new long-term deal, making her the @NWSL’s highest-paid player with a three-year, $1.5M contract, per @jeffkassouf 🤑🇲🇽

The deal far surpasses Trinity Rodman's record four-year, $1.1M contract. pic.twitter.com/ivVCX0BSkI

— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) December 18, 2023

The league witnessed the signing of the highest-paid NWSL player to date, with Houston’s re-signing of María Sánchez to a nearly $1.5M contract over three years with an option for a fourth. 

It’s great to see the league reworking its salary cap, especially since María Sánchez is one of the best players in the league. Plus, it’ll be great to see who will follow this contract. With free agents like Rose Lavelle, Mallory Swanson, and Emily Sonnett, there are bound to be some more record-breaking signings.  

The contract for the previous highest-paid NWSL player belonged to Trinity Rodman, with a $1.1M contract. 

 

Win of the Weekend 

👀Women's World Cup was the MOST googled News & Events in Canada during 2023.

How about that!

📸 Canada Soccer pic.twitter.com/AoTSrieXx2

— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) December 12, 2023

The Women’s World Cup was Canada’s most Googled News and Event! Canada may not have had a great run at the tournament, but it’s great to see that the sport of women’s soccer is gaining massive popularity in the country and around the globe.

 

Goal of the Weekend 

Spurs playing like prime Barcelona with this buildup passing work is just beautiful. pic.twitter.com/IXZHbxtWlE

— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) December 16, 2023

This goal from Tottenham is superb. The entire build-up is flawless, and the fact that this was the winning goal over Arsenal makes it even more spectacular. 

 

Team of the Weekend 

Michele Kang acquires London City Lionesses Football Club and expands global commitment to advance women’s football

⚽️ @LC_Lionesses https://t.co/R9qdmNutdW

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) December 15, 2023

Michelle Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, is making more ownership moves. She just acquired the London City Lionesses in the Championship (the division below the WSL). She now owns the Spirit, Olympique Lyon, and this new English team. 

 

Signing of the Weekend

Welcome to your new home, @ClaireHutton112 🏟️🩵 pic.twitter.com/1ANQGnrMf5

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) December 14, 2023

The Kansas City Current just signed another young star: Claire Hutton. Hutton is 17 years old and has played with the USYNT. 

 

Fav Social Media Post 

Glad the birds flying around followed this advice for the entire match pic.twitter.com/q54yGxtOYP

— carlotting (@_treacherous_13) December 17, 2023

Can’t wait to have this energy on the USWNT. 

 

Featured image via @mariagsanchez17 on Instagram

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