FootyPop: Chelsea’s Sam Kerr Suffers ACL Tear, Catarina Macario Training Again

It’s our first FootyPop of 2024, and we’re starting off the year with a bang. From Gotham FC’s USWNT rebrand to a heartbreaking ACL injury in just the first week of the year, to the upcoming NWSL Draft, we have it all here for you! Keep reading to recap the past week’s women’s soccer news.

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High of the Weekendย 

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While everyone was celebrating the holidays and ringing in the New Year, Gotham FC was busy assembling a super team. They signed Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett. Now, they have the most currently rostered USWNT players out of any NWSL team.ย 

They sure have made the off-season exciting, and we canโ€™t wait to see the team come March!

 

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Low of the Weekend

Terrible news rocked the soccer world yesterday. Sam Kerr tore her ACL during Chelseaโ€™s warm weather training in Morocco. Itโ€™s absolutely gut-wrenching when any player suffers an ACL tear, but we know that Sam Kerr will do anything to get back to the pitch.

There is one good note to come from Chelsea, however. Catarina Macario seems to be training and running again!

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News of the Weekendย 

The NWSL Draft is quickly approaching, and the deadline for players to register is today, meaning all the potential draftees will be locked in. There is some serious talent on this list, with players representing many different schools, youth national teams, and age ranges. This draft could be the most exciting one so far!

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Fail of the Weekend

There were rumors circling Arsenal signing Emily Fox, and after this fumble, itโ€™s as good as true. Arsenal held a training and their media team posted an image with a figure in the background that looks suspiciously like Emily Fox. Arsenal, you canโ€™t get past the WoSo internet sleuths.ย 

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Goal of the Weekendย 

 

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This goal was insane for Real Madrid. They were tied 0-0 against Madrid CFF the entire match, until Madrid CFF put one past them at 90+1โ€™. But Real Madrid wasnโ€™t going to go down easy. They leveled in at 90+5โ€™ and ended up scoring another goal at 90+9โ€™ to make it 2-1 for Real Madrid.

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Player of the Weekendย 

Onyi Echegini won the Mac Hermann Trophy! Echegini played for FSU, and was a huge part of their NCAA Championship run. She recently signed with Juventus over in Italy, so we wonโ€™t see her in the NWSL Draft, but nonetheless, she possesses some insane talent and is one to keep your eye on!

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Signing of the Weekend

The Gotham FC signings were huge news, but other NWSL teams have also been making moves. Recently, the NC Courage signed Bianca St. Georges from the NC Courage, and the Red Stars signed Chardonnay Curran from the KC Current.ย 

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What to Look Forward To

The San Diego Wave, Bay FC, Portland Thorns, and Angel City will be playing in the Coachella Valley Invitational, a showcase tournament, in late February!ย 

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