FootyPop: Sam Mewis Retires, Kristie Mewis Takes the Stage in West Ham Debut
It’s January, so although no soccer is underway in the United States, we’ve still seen some exciting draft picks and signings in the NWSL and get the first look at April’s SheBelieves Cup. While Sam Mewis announced her retirement from professional soccer, her sister Kristie Mewis debuted overseas for West Ham in the FA WSL. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s women’s soccer news!
High of the Weekend
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Angel City announced a big signing last week in Casey Phair. Phair, just 16 years old, was the youngest player in World Cup history when she played for South Korea this past summer.
Low of the Weekend
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The Kansas City Current traded Cece Kizer to the Houston Dash, and what followed about the trade has many NWSL fans upset at how trades are handled in the league. Kizer posted, “It hurts this happened after I expressed my desire to be apart of more KC history.”
While trades without notice or player consent do happen in other sports leagues in the United States, the NWSL is not on the same level regarding player pay, so uprooting a player from a team and a city has much more drastic effects.
News of the Weekend
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Sam Mewis announced her retirement this past week, citing her ongoing knee injury as the reason why. Seeing such a talented player step away from the game is heartbreaking. Mewis was a force to be reckoned with. Though, we’re excited to see her join the team at Men in Blazers to cover the women’s game.
Player of the Weekend
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Chelsea’s Lauren James scored a hat trick in their rivalry game against Manchester United. James is quickly becoming one of the best in England, if not the world.
Team of the Weekend
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Bay FC just released their inaugural home kit! We’re hyped to see the Bay’s first-ever women’s professional sports team debut this spring.
Signing of the Weekend
Mallory Swanson has signed a five-year contract extension with the Chicago Red Stars, making her the HIGHEST PAID player in the league, as well as signing the longest contract in @NWSL history 🇺🇸🌟 pic.twitter.com/Sfa9udvfLp
— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) January 16, 2024
Mallory Swanson became the highest-paid player in the league when the Chicago Red Stars signed her to a new contract last week. The new agreement extends four years, with the option for a fifth, making it the league’s longest contract.
Transfer of the Weekend
Taylor Flint (Kornieck) will be suited up in purple this season 💜 pic.twitter.com/Y69C3aK2FU
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) January 22, 2024
Racing Louisville is putting together a sneaky strong team ahead of the 2024 NWSL season, and signing Taylor Kornieck was just another big move.
Debut of the Weekend
kristie mewis vs the wind pic.twitter.com/FWO1mBXcPe
— Dandy Anderson (@dandyanderson_) January 21, 2024
Kristie Mewis made her West Ham debut, which turned out to be an extremely windy game. Ultimately, West Ham fell 4-3 to Tottenham.
What to Look Forward To
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The SheBelieves Cup schedule was released, and the USWNT will take on Japan in the first match. The other teams are Canada and Brazil, like last year’s tournament.
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