The Best of the Best Will Battle at the Women’s International Champions Cup
The Women’s International Champions Cup is one of the most intriguing competitions in the world of women’s soccer. It’s one of the only chances to see the best women’s club teams from different continents battle it out to see who is the best in the world. This will be the third installment of the WICC. The North Carolina Courage and Olympique Lyonnais were the two previous champions. Lyon looks to repeat as champions, but Barcelona (Champions League Winners), the Portland Thorns (NWSL winners), and Houston Dash (Challenge Cup winners) will certainly have something to say about it. Before getting into the two semifinal matchups, let’s break down the rosters.
Portland Thorns FC
Adrianna Franch, Bella Bixby, Shelby Hogan, Meghan Klingenberg, Natalia Kuikka, Meaghan Nally, Hannah Betfort, Madison Pogarch, Becky Sauerbrunn, Christen Westphal, Emily Menges, Kelli Hubly, Celeste Boureille, Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn, Rocky Rodriguez, Angela Salem, Olivia Moultrie, Yazmeen Ryan, Christine Sinclair, Tyler Lussi, Sophia Smith, Morgan Weaver, Simone Charley, Marissa Everett, Raisa Strom-Okimoto, Taylor Porter
Portland comes into this competition with a ton of confidence based on their number one standing in the NWSL. They’ve been dominant both with and without their star players who left for the Olympics. Players like Meghan Klingenberg, Rocky Rodriguez, and Celeste Boureille have stepped up for Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn, and Christine Sinclair. All of them working together makes for an even more formidable roster.
FC Barcelona
Sandra Paños Garcia-Villa, Maria Pilar Leon Cebrian, Melanie Del Pilar Serrano Perez, Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes, Marta Torrejon Moya, Maria Francesca Caldentey Oliver, Alexia Putellas Segura, Patricia Guijarro Gutierrez, Catalina Coll Lluch, Aitana Bonmati Conca, Caroline Graham Hansen, Andrea Pereira Cejudo, Ana Maria Crnogorcevic, Jana Fernandez Velasco, Bruna Vilamala Costa, Claudia Pina Medina, Irene Paredes Hernandez, Gemma Font Oliveras, Lieke Martens, Asisat Lamina Oshoala, Ariadna Mingueza Garcia, Maria Perez Rabaza, Ornella Maria Vignola Cabot, Julia Bartel Holgado
This Barcelona team is no joke, and they will be eager to make their mark on American soil. Lieke Martens, Alexia Putellas, and Jenni Hermoso are the main stars. Although, they have more than enough talent across the pitch. Asisat Oshoala, Marta Torrejon, and Caroline Graham Hansen can do a lot for this Barcelona team. The Spanish side will pose plenty of problems with how they press. The only issue is they are just getting back into their season. They might still be shaking the rust off going into this competition, but otherwise, they’ll be tough to beat.
Olympique Lyonnais
Féérine Belhadj, Wendie Renard, Selma Bacha, Perle Morroni, Amandine Henry, Amel Majri, Damaris Egurrola, Ellie Carpenter, Catarina Macario, Christiane Endler, Daniëlle van de Donk, Alice Sombath, Emelyne Laurent, Delphine Cascarino, Sally Julini, Janice Cayman, Signe Bruun, Vicki Becho, Melvine Malard, Alyssia Paljevic, Laurine Baga, Candice Charbonnier, Kysha Sylla, Chloé Tapia
It’s a shame that the OL Reign can’t give their star players back to Lyon for this one competition. This roster definitely looks different from what we’re used to. Eugenie Le Sommer, Sarah Bouhaddi, and Dzenifer Maroszan aren’t with the team. This puts more pressure on players like Catarina Macario and Daniëlle van de Donk. Even though their defense and goalkeeping are as strong as ever with Wendie Renard and Christiane Endler and the addition of Ellie Carpenter, Lyon might not have the easiest time trying to repeat as champions with this roster.
Houston Dash
Jane Campbell, Allysha Chapman, Rachel Daly, Maegan Rosa, Gabby Seiler, Shea Groom, Nichelle Prince, Haley Hanson, Christine Nairn, Megan Oyster, Veronica Latsko, Sophie Schmidt, Bri Visalli, Hannah Diaz, Emily Ogle, Kristie Mewis, Lindsey Harris, Deneisha Blackwood, Jasmyne Spencer, Jamia Fields, Katie Naughton, Annika Schmidt, Cami Privett, Andrea Hauksdottir, Makamae Gomera-Stevens, Michelle Alozie, Amanda Dennis
Based on Houston’s roster, the two-game format favors them similarly to the Challenge Cup. When this team has everyone united and at full strength, they are very tough to stop. However, they haven’t had that continuity due to injuries and dealing with stars leaving for international competitions. Now, with Rachel Daly and Kristie Mewis back as strong leaders for the team, they’re ready. With something this big on the line, expect them to show up and make a statement in their first game.
LYON VS. BARCELONA, AUGUST 18TH
If the version of Barcelona from the Champions League Final shows up to this match, then Lyon will have a tough time beating them. It’s hard to see where the goals will come from, with Lyon barring a set piece or a move of brilliance from one of their wingers. As for Barcelona, they have too many weapons and can attack in a variety of ways. They have their tiki-taka style, or they can pressure you into mistakes and punish you for them. Expect Barcelona to be the team that advances. They’ll be eager to perform in front of an American crowd with amazing fans in Portland.
PORTLAND THORNS VS. HOUSTON DASH, AUGUST 18TH
These two teams always play in close games. Their last meeting ended 1-0 after Sophia Smith scored in the first minute. That’s the kind of game that Houston needs to make, low scoring with the chance of catching Portland on the counter. Houston has had the most success with how they counter against other teams, but their defense can let them down at times. With that being said, Portland looks like a well-oiled machine at this point, and it’s tough to pick against them even though it is a one-game scenario. The Thorns, with their home field advantage, should advance as they look to win the WICC in front of their loyal fans.
GAME TIMES
Wednesday, August 18: Lyon v. Barcelona on ESPN U at 5:36 PM PST/8:36 PM EST
Wednesday, August 18: Portland Thorns v. Houston Dash on ESPN2 at 8:06 PM PST/11:06 PM EST
Featured image via @iccwomen on Twitter
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