FootyPop: Megan Rapinoe Announces Retirement, Last World Cup and NWSL Season
TEN DAYS. UNTIL THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP!! The excitement continues to build as national teams competed in send-off friendly matches this past week. The USWNT just played Wales and caught their flight down to Australia! Zambia pulled off the upset of all upsets against Germany. In NWSL action, the standings shuffle as the teams adjust to missing players on international duty. Catch up here with the past week’s women’s soccer news recap!
High of the Weekend
TOP BIN TRIN 💥#USWNT x @att pic.twitter.com/Jcbnj4SoS3
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 10, 2023
Trinity Rodman hits top bins in her second goal against Wales. Thanks to Rodman, the USWNT beat Wales 2-0. She’s the youngest USWNT player to bag a brace, and did it in stunning fashion.
She came on in the second half, and while it seems like she might be a backup forward, we’re fully supporting Rodman’s capabilities to be a game-changer from the get-go!
Low of the Weekend
Amandine Henry will not play in the World Cup after sustaining a calf injury during training 💔 Sending her strength and wishing her a speedy recovery 💪 pic.twitter.com/CqVnPeSZk1
— ata football (@atafball) July 7, 2023
Amandine Henry is unavailable for France after sustaining a calf injury during training. Henry has played for France’s senior team since 2009 and is one of the renowned midfielders in women’s soccer. It’s a shame that she’ll miss what could be her last chance to play in a World Cup, but we’re looking forward to her spell with Angel City coming up.
News of the Weekend
View this post on Instagram
Megan Rapinoe announced this will be her final World Cup and NWSL season. The 37-year-old striker has accomplished nearly every milestone and award imaginable, from the Presidential Medal of Freedom to being a World Cup champion and receiving the Golden Ball and Golden Boot for the 2019 tournament to NWSL honors, and the list goes on.
Rapinoe has had a legendary career both on and off the field. Her passion to seek justice and equality has changed the lives of so many women in sports and beyond. We know that her legacy will continue even when she retires.
Upset of the Weekend
How you wake up knowing you just pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Football ☺️☺️☺️
Forgive the excitement, We still high on adrenaline from that amazing performance yesterday.
Rachael Kundananji wakulekafye 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RSUxWPSfDZ
— Zambia WNT (@Copper_Queens) July 8, 2023
In a World Cup send-of match, Zambia took on Germany and pulled off one of the most absurd upsets we’ve ever seen. For context, FIFA ranks Zambia 77th and Germany 2nd.
Zambia was up 2-0 until second-half stoppage time when Germany came back to level it. However, Zambia captain Barbra Banda called game when she put one more in the back of the net for Zambia in minute 102, leaving the game 3-2.
Goal of the Weekend
View this post on Instagram
Rookie Messiah Bright is having ~a season~ She’s already scored four goals, the most of any rookie, and looks so confident on the ball. Do I hear Rookie of the Year in the distance?
Player of the Weekend
View this post on Instagram
The doctor is BACK! Nadia Nadim just returned from her second ACL tear. Her resiliency and grit are inspiring, and we can’t wait to see her get more minutes for Racing Louisville this season.
Team of the Weekend
View this post on Instagram
The San Diego Wave showed up with PUPPIES before their match against the Spirit. They were all rescue dogs that the team was trying to find homes for.
Transfer of the Weekend
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔 ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/PDBHk9A2ux
— Kadidiatou Diani 🎀 (@kady944) July 7, 2023
Kaditiatou Diani announced she’d be departing PSG and heading to… Lyon. The 28-year-old striker has played for PSG since 2017, making 114 appearances and scoring 74 goals. Now, she’s headed to Lyon, one of PSG’s top rivals.
Fav Social Media Post
Just @MPinoe and @JessFishlock having a moment ♥️#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/KT6f7wpWG6
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 9, 2023
The OL Reign teammates had a moment after the USWNT vs. Wales game.
Featured image via Getty Images
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
