Footypop: A Fiery Challenge Cup Beginning, A USWNT Draw, and the First Ever Game for South Sudan

179 days. That’s how long it had been since the NWSL was last in action, before Friday when we were gifted with the first 2021 Challenge Cup games. Some of the action we saw was snooze-worthy, some of it… the very opposite of that. The goals, the fights, the saves, and tackles, we embraced it all. Oh, and did I mention that the USWNT also played? This second weekend of April was good to us. Let’s dive into the latest women’s soccer news.

USWNT Doesn’t Play Well Against Sweden, Still Earns a Draw

It’s not often we see the USWNT out of sorts – sloppy giveaways, bad clearances, a broken-up defense, generally not being on the same page – but it happened on Saturday against Sweden. 

The Swedes went up 1-0 in the 38th after a Lina Hurtig header off a corner. It was the first time in Andonovski’s career that the team had been down a goal. And it looked like it would finish that way until a questionable call gifted the US a PK (was that foul really outside the box?). Rapinoe buried it. The game finished 1-1. 

In other news, Carli Lloyd earned her 300th USWNT cap. A huge milestone.

Portland Thorns and KC NWSL Gives Us Chaos

You can’t predict what’s going to happen in this league once the sun does down. Friday’s second game between Kansas City and Portland showed us that yet again. Starting with the beautiful stuff. We saw three great goals from Rocky Rodriguez, Amy Rodriguez, and Tyler Lussi. All awesome finishes. As the clock ticked down, the heat turned up in a big way. 

Simone Charley was the first to see red on Friday night after she went in for what only can be described as a silly challenge. She earned her second yellow and forced the Thorns down to ten players for the last few minutes of the game.

As the 10-player Thorns did everything they could to wind down the clock and preserve their narrow lead, things got very intense, resulting in a dust-up near the corner flag. Morgan Weaver and Kristen Edmonds appeared to get tangled up. When they got up, the altercation continued. Ultimately, players from both teams got involved in the ensuing chaos, and Weaver and Edmonds both saw red.

https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1380746659743735808

The above tweet, showcasing a video of the altercation, was also the subject of controversy that night. Fans chimed in to voice their concerns over the language used in the caption and argue Weaver certainly played her own part in the squabble.

South Sudan National Team Plays First International Game

The South Sudan women’s national team officially formed just a few months ago, and this weekend they played their first game. They lost to Ethiopia 9-0. While not a great result, it was just the first game of what we hope is many. It starts with a single step. And then you work through the process – training hard, believing, creating, and taking your opportunities. Congrats to the Bright Stars for starting their journey!

A Bunch of First-Time NWSL Scorers 

In Saturday’s first game, Washington Spirit rookie Trinity Rodman became the youngest American player to score in the NWSL with her 60th-minute consolation goal for the DC area side.

The NC Courage ran out winners on the day. Kristen Hamilton and Jessica McDonald each got a goal for the Courage. The game-winner was really a stunner, though — a chip from Merrit Mathias, who played her first game after coming back from an ACL injury.

In the second game, all four goals in Racing Louisville’s 2-2 tie against Orlando were the first NWSL goal for the goal-scorers – Cece Kizer (Louisville’s first goal ever!), Taylor Kornieck, Abi Kim, and Brooke Hendrix.

Germany Beats Australia 

FULL TIME | A tough day out on our return, but we turn our attention to the Netherlands on Tuesday.#GERvAUS #WeAreMatildas #GoMatildas pic.twitter.com/n0M980TEIi

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 10, 2021

Alright, well, if you thought the NWSL’s return to the pitch was a long wait, get a load of Australia’s. 400 days. 400 days between the Matildas match against Vietnam in March 2020 to their Saturday match against Germany. 

Understandably and unsurprising, the Australians first game back was a lot about shaking off the rust and getting the hang of things under new coach Tony Gustavsson. They lost 5-2 to the Germans with a late brace from Emily Gielnik. Next up, the Netherlands on Tuesday. 

Featured Image via Abbie Parr/Getty Images

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