FootyPop: USA Sets 23-Player World Cup Roster, Including 14 Players to Make Debut
We’re 24 days away from the Women’s World Cup. Can you believe it? The USWNT is on the quest to win its third World Cup in a row (which has never happened before in women’s or men’s history). The USA revealed the 23-player roster that’ll head down to Australia and New Zealand, which includes 14 players who will make their World Cup debut!
Additionally, we’ve received tons of other roster news from around the world, the ESPY Nominees were announced, and there was just a ton of exciting action in the NWSL.
So, here are the highlights in WoSo news from the past week!
High of the Weekend
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The ESPY Awards, held yearly to recognize excellent athletic achievement and performance, recently announced the nominees!
In terms of women’s soccer, Sophia Smith received a nomination for the Best Female Athlete and Best Soccer Player category. Ally Lemos of UCLA received a nomination for Best Play for her corner kick in the NCAA Championship match. And FC Barcelona/Spain player Aitana Bonmati was nominated for Best Soccer Player alongside Smith.
Fan voting is open now through July 9, and the awards are held July 12 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
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Low of the Weekend
HotShot is taking names out here. #NWSL pic.twitter.com/U9jPmthChf
— michelle cooper (@michelle1cooper) June 26, 2023
Our low of the weekend isn’t exactly a low for fans as much as entertainment. The real victims here were Michelle Cooper and Alyssa Thompson. Both underwent treatment for cramping during their games this week, and part of that is taking the HotShot sports drink–which helps to relieve cramping. Apparently, it tastes horrendous, as we’ve seen from these priceless reaction clips circling Twitter!
News of the Weekend
OUR USWNT WORLD CUP STARS 🌟 pic.twitter.com/vy3JCHkCiA
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 21, 2023
We’re stoked to finally have a look at the 23 players who will represent the United States. The team’s average age is 28.5, and while 14 players will make their World Cup debut, three players were named to their fourth World Cup roster (Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Kelley O’Hara). Alyssa Thompson is the youngest player on the roster at 18, and Megan Rapinoe is the oldest, at 37.
In addition to the USWNT’s roster, we’ve seen many other NWSL players get the call-up for their nation. Riley Tanner will represent Panama, Uchenna Kanu, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Michelle Alozie will represent Nigeria, and Sofia Jakobsson got the call-up for Sweden, to name a few!
Save of the Weekend
This is the ACFC Save of the Match for #LAvHOU.
45’+ | @Paigenielsen #AngelCityFC | @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/cX6mpCHboc— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) June 26, 2023
Angel City defender Paige Nielsen has been on fire this season. Just check out this slide tackle!
Goal of the Weekend
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Let’s just say… Gotham FC had a week. Allie Long scored this banger of a free kick to give her team the 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars.
Assist of the Weekend
If you haven’t yet seen this Quinn assist for the OL Reign against the San Diego Wave… well, check it out 👀 #CanWNT | #CanXNT | #ReignSupreme pic.twitter.com/lb8u1fHoF8
— Canadian Soccer Daily (@CANSoccerDaily) June 25, 2023
Quinn floated in this beautiful one-touch assist to Bethany Balcer. The way they’re not even facing Balcer and chipped this ball up and over, right into her path, is really amazing. Can’t wait to see Quinn represent Canada on the world stage!
Player of the Weekend
What a brace for @bethanybalcer‼️ pic.twitter.com/omHinEU8SY
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 25, 2023
Right from Quinn’s assist, we jump to Bethany Balcer, who completed a signature Balcer Brace™ with two headers in one match!
Team of the Weekend
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Back on Gotham FC. The team signed Mana Shim as an injury replacement player, and this past weekend she was on the roster for the game alongside Sinead Farrelly. This was a huge moment for these two players to share the pitch again. Shim and Farrelly both took long breaks from professional soccer after coming out with their stories of abusive coaches. Now, they’re both back and on the same team!
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Additionally, Gotham FC announced Lynn Williams extended her contract with the team–she is there to stay! What’s more, the announcement came from the top of the Empire State Building!
Williams has been instrumental in her first season for the team, already scoring seven goals.
Transfer of the Weekend
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After extending her loan to Lyon, Lindsey Horan announced she was transferring to the team and signed until 2026.
What to Look Forward To
Saturday, July 1:
OL Reign vs. Racing Louisville at 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT
Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT
North Carolina Courage vs. Houston Dash at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT
Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
Portland Thorns vs. Kansas City Current at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT
Sunday, July 2: Gotham FC vs. Angel City at 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT
Fav Social Media Post
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Crystal Dunn celebrated making the World Cup roster… in the best way possible.
Featured image via Getty Images
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