FootyPop: Sauerbrunn’s Leadership, Sacramento in Doubt, and Sam Mewis Domination

Someway, somehow, it is March. Unbelievable, considering I still haven’t fully processed last March?? Well, I can tell you a good thing about this March that we didn’t have the last one (OK, besides a COVID vaccine) is pro women’s volleyball in the United States. Yup, you heard that right. This past Saturday, Athletes Unlimited volleyball got underway in Dallas. Exciting stuff. Alright, now to the women’s sport you came here to read a weekend recap on. Let’s dive into the latest women’s soccer news. 

Becky Sauerbrunn Proves Yet Again That She Is the Epitome of Great Leadership

My thoughts from today’s AGM pic.twitter.com/hFZIv8c7AI

— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) February 28, 2021

US Soccer had its annual general meeting virtually on Saturday. Important news from the day included the vote that saw the anthem policy’s official repeal. Unfortunately, the moment – and really the whole meeting – was overshadowed by a racist rant from former US Paralympic soccer player Seth Jahn. I’m not going to go into what he said because he doesn’t deserve more attention. Instead, I will highlight this excellent response from USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn.

NWSL Sacramento’s Future Is Put in Doubt as Burkle Backs Out

Last August, women’s soccer fans were buzzing with expansion news after a Sacramento ownership group announced plans to bring both an NWSL and an MLS franchise to the California capital. 

This weekend, Ron Burkle, the ownership group leader, stated he would not be moving forward with the expansion. It’s not an official announcement that there will be no team in Sacramento in 2022, but it essentially is… unless someone else swoops in.

Sam Mewis Keeps on Dominating… and Other FA WSL News

Man City midfielder Sam Mewis scored a brace in her side’s 4-0 win on Sunday to bring them within two points of league-leader Chelsea. Also in the FA WSL this weekend, second-half goals from Vivianne Miedema, Jordan Nobbs, Katie McCabe, and Lisa Evans lifted Arsenal over Aston Villa. In the most back-and-forth match of Sunday, Everton edged Tottenham 3-2 at The Hive Stadium, with Jill Scott’s 61st-minute tally proving to be the winner. 

Sydney Widens the Gap at the Top of W-League Table

Meanwhile, down under, Sydney FC continued their winning ways over the weekend, beating last-place Perth Glory 6-2. Three players recorded braces in the win: Remy Siemsen, Princess Ibini-Isei, and Clare Wheeler. Adelaide United also grabbed three points this weekend thanks to goals from Chelsea Dawber and Emily Condon. Melbourne Victory and Canberra United played to a 1-1 draw. 

Best of the Rest of European Check In

Lyon and PSG continue to be neck and neck in Division 1 Féminine play. PSG is holding on to a one-point lead over the team that has dominated women’s club soccer for a decade and a half. Can they make it to the end of the season at the top of the table and win their first league trophy in 20 years?

In nearby Italy, the situation is not as tense but certainly not a blowout. League juggernaut Juventus grabbed its 14th win in a row over the weekend, giving them a three-point lead over AC Milan.

Finally, in another romantic country with good food (ahem, Spain), Barcelona holds a solid lead at the top, sitting on a cushy 51 points while second-place Levante has 44. Oh, not to mention, Barcelona has three games in hand. Have the Catalan giants already won the league? I wouldn’t put my money against them.

Featured Image by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

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