There were a handful of high-scoring NWSL games this week, more disappointing injuries, and excitement is building leading into the USWNTโs friendlies, the Concacaf championships, and the Euros. So hereโs this weekโs womenโs soccer news.
High of the Weekendย
Welcome Home, @TobinHeath! ๐
Get the Heath kit: https://t.co/seMS4AXKfw#BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/ZVytGTwuXi
— OL Reign (@OLReign) June 16, 2022
The news weโve all been waiting for! Tobin Heath is returning to the NWSL with the OL Reign. The Reign acquired Heathโs rights from Racing Louisville, but she had previously been playing in the FA WSL with Arsenal. We cannot wait to see her begin playing with the team!
Low of the Weekend
My heart is broken: Iโve torn my acl. Readily accepting all love, prayers, virtual hugs, dog pics, and smudging ceremonies. Love you all xx
— Christen Press (@ChristenPress) June 13, 2022
Yes, another ACL injury. This time itโs Christen Press. Press came off the field during Angel Cityโs match against OL Reign last week and later revealed she had torn her ACL. Itโs unfortunate to see so many players suffering injuries, specifically ACL tears. The USWNT is missing more than a handful of players due to injuries.ย
News of the Weekendย
Spain has become the latest European country to give equal pay to male and female national team footballers. ๐ช๐ธ
The agreement will also bring equality to the travel, food and accommodation available to Spain's national teams.https://t.co/NPNaCIZDmv
— euronews (@euronews) June 15, 2022
Spain is the newest country to give men and women soccer players representing the nation equal pay! Both teams will receive the same in bonuses and sponsorship contracts.ย
Fail of the Weekend
#NWSL Full Time:
OL Reign 1
Angel City 0Ugly game. Balcer scores + leaves injured. Rapinoe starts for first time this year and gets ejected from bench after sub. Charley left with apparent injury early. Angel City stretched thin. Reign frustrated. Eight yellow cards, 29 fouls.
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) June 19, 2022
OL Reign played Angel City FC, and it was an exhausting match. There were eight yellow cards, a staggering amount of fouls, and a few players left the match injured. Not to mention, Megan Rapinoe got a red card (after a second yellow) from the bench and was ejected from the game. This was her first red card in over 350 professional matches.
Goal of the Weekendย
Becky Sauerbrunn scored a goal for the Portland Thornsโ 6-0 win against Orlando. It was all her Pride monthย #GetBeckyAGoal pledge, where she pledged toย donate $500 to Athlete Ally if she scored, $250 for every appearance, and $100 for every Thorns goal!
This was her first goal for the Portland Thorns and she has yet to score in over 200 matches for the USWNT. She’ll be joining the USWNT later this week and next month.
Player of the Weekendย
Women's soccer is kind of amazing.
A medical doctor scored a professional goal today.
That's just great.
— RJ Allen (@ASoccerPundit) June 18, 2022
Nadia Nadim is back and better after tearing her ACL last season. Itโs almost miraculous how well she recovered and is back on the pitch, scoring up a storm! Nadim scored a brace in the time after she subbed on during Louisvilleโs match against the Spirit, leading them to a quick comeback after being down two goals. At the end of the game, each team took away one point in a 2-2 draw.ย
Transfer of the Weekendย
News just came out that the OL Reign signed young Canadian forward Jordyn Huitema. Huitema will join the team soon as she just transferred from Paris Saint-Germain.
What to Look Forward To
Saturday, June 25: USWNT vs. Colombia at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PTย
Tuesday, June 28: USWNT vs. Colombia at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT
Featured image via Getty Images
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