Footypop: Theater of Dreams Debut, Serie A Check-in and Maybe the Sweetest Proposal You’ll Ever See

The easter candy and matzah boxes are filling up stores. The cherry blossoms are a bloomin’. Now, just my opinion, but this time of year might be the sweetest time in the WoSo world. We’ve got knock-out UEFA Champions League. International friendlies on the horizon. The scent of an NWSL kickoff in the air. Domestic league races getting interesting in the final stretch. It’s all heating up. Let’s dive into the latest women’s soccer news.

Manchester United Play at Old Trafford for First Time Ever

Manchester United Women finally blessed the historic home stadium of Man U men’s side with their presence. On Saturday at Old Trafford, United Women handed West Ham a tough loss. 19-year-old Lauren James scored the first (and the first-ever for Man U women at the stadium… what a milestone), while Christen Press bagged the second. 

It was a performance Casey Stoney & Co. can be very proud of. Here’s to hoping Man U Women games at Old Trafford become a more frequent thing, especially when fans are allowed back!

Catarina Macario Scores Her First Pro Goal

You know we here at GSN are always on Macario Alert. Sirens blared this weekend as the young stud scored her first goal for Lyon in the team’s 3-0 win over Dijon.

The Milan Derby, a Big Juve Win Highlight Serie A Weekend

Here’s a quick rundown of where the top level of Italian women’s soccer is after Match Day 17 of 22.

Doesn’t matter that AC Milan and Inter Milan women haven’t been around nearly as long as their male counterparts… when these two play, it’s intense. That’s the energy the Derby Della Madonnina brings. After this weekend’s 4-1 win, AC Milan has bragging rights around the northern Italian city. 

Meanwhile, reigning champs Juve put 9 away against last-place Bari. Italy star Cristiana Girelli got four goals in the big W. Elsewhere, Napoli and Empoli Ladies played to a thrilling 3-3 draw, Roma beat San Marino 2-0, Sassuolo beat Florentia, and Fiorentina beat Hellas Verona. 

Juventus and AC Milan currently hold on to the two Champions League spots while San Marino and Bari sit in the relegation zone. 

Arsenal Win North London Derby, Kerr Continues Her Red-Hot Streak

Speaking of derbies, another big one took place over in the FA WSL this weekend. Arsenal beat London rivals Tottenham 3-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to goals from Caitlin Foord, Vivianne Miedema (one of the prettiest goals you’ll ever see, tbh), and Katie McCabe. 

First-place London side Chelsea also got a victory over the weekend. As we’ve seen time and again over recent weeks, it was the Kirby-Kerr partnership that overwhelmed the opponent. Sam Kerr brought her FA WSL goal haul to 14 with both tallies in the win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Rhali Dobson Retires and Her Exit Couldn’t Have Been Anymore Beautiful

Australia international Rhali Dobson announced she would be retiring from football at age 28 to support her boyfriend, who is undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy for brain cancer, before Melbourne City played Perth Glory on Thursday.

She scored.

They won.

He proposed ? pic.twitter.com/55Eg2jloQK

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 25, 2021

Last week, 28-year-old Melbourne City forward Rhali Dobson announced that she would be retiring from soccer to focus on her boyfriend Matt Stoneman, who is battling brain cancer. On Thursday, Dobson scored in her final pro game, a 2-1 victory over Perth Glory. The perfect send-off… that got even more perfect. After the game, Stoneman got on one knee at the end of the field and proposed to Dobson. Her teammates then rushed the two to celebrate.

Where are the tissues?!?

Featured Image via Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

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