FootyPop: Sam Kerr Tops The Record Book
This week there was a retirement announcement, a record-breaking moment, more NWSL news, and some interesting team of the year choices. Additionally, our editor-in-chief, Jennifer Gruskoff, attended the United Soccer Coaches Convention last week. It was an incredible opportunity; stay tuned for our piece recapping the event coming out soon! So, without further ado, here’s this week’s women’s soccer news.
News of the Week
?? Two-time @CANWNT Olympic medallist Stephanie Labbé has announced that she will retire from football in April and has departed @PSG_Feminines following the winter break.
⚽ 85 caps
? 44 clean sheets
? @Rio2016
? @Tokyo2020Congratulations & good luck, @stephlabbe1! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/R8QbM819s1
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) January 20, 2022
After a decorated career, Canadian international Stephanie Labbé has announced her decision to retire this spring. Labbé began her professional career in 2009 after playing collegiately for the University of Connecticut.
Throughout her professional career, she has played in Sweden, Canada, France, and the United States in the NWSL. Additionally, she spent time with the Washington Spirit and the North Carolina Courage, helping to lead the Courage to win the 2019 NWSL Championship.
She had 84 appearances for Canada on the international stage and played a big part in the Gold medal win last summer.
High of the Week
Sam Kerr is now the all-time leading goal scorer for Australia ?@samkerr1 pic.twitter.com/BuHzrpzq9C
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) January 22, 2022
Sam Kerr broke the all-time leading goal scorer for the Aussies. Before Australia kicked off against Indonesia in the Asian Cup, Sam Kerr’s goal tally sat at 49, just one behind tying Tim Cahill for the most for Australia. She got that and more when she scored five in their lopsided 18-0 win.
Low of the Week
A long preseason plus the Challenge Cup as a preseason tournament might give players the breathing room they need to get a satisfactory CBA in place for 2022. As of now, sources tell me #NWSL players do not plan to report it there’s no CBA by Feb. 1. https://t.co/G1FXCd80iE
— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) January 21, 2022
The players of the NWSL have been trying to get a collective bargaining agreement in place since 2020, but now just a week before the preseason is set to start, there’s still not a deal done with the league. A CBA needs to get done for this league to move forward, especially given last season.
The Athletic reported that if a CBA isn’t in place before February 1, players are prepared not to report to their markets for preseason until it gets done. If the players choose to hold out, they’ll have the fans’ support.
Fail of the Week
Not a single Barcelona player was named in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 ?
What would you change? ? pic.twitter.com/nl7lnCnQgt
— Women's International Champions Cup (@iccwomen) January 17, 2022
This week the FIFPRO Best XI was announced, and there were some shocking players included and missing. Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, crowned the FIFA The Best winner that same night, was missing from the lineup.
The Best XI is player-voted, which makes some of the decisions even more shocking. It’s another example of how access to watch games needs to be improved.
Fav Social Media Post
Let's welcome the two-time @USWNT FIFA Women's World Cup Champion back to the @citybeautiful! ✨ pic.twitter.com/HHwJ7l1F0O
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) January 19, 2022
Michelle Akers, a USWNT legend and one of the best to ever do it, has joined the Orlando Pride’s coaching staff as an assistant.
Featured image via Getty Images
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