FootyPop: Megan Rapinoe Earns the Presidential Medal of Freedom!
There was a plethora of women’s soccer to watch this past week, and there will be this week too! The CONCACAF Women’s Championships, UEFA Women’s EURO, and the NWSL are all in action currently. In addition, women’s soccer legend Megan Rapinoe was honored at the White House, and the USWNT qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. So, without further ado, here’s this week’s women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
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President Joe Biden awarded Megan Rapinoe the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week, the nation’s highest civilian honor. She was honored for advocating equal pay in soccer and fighting for the LGBTQ+ community. She’s one of six women ever given the award and the first soccer player!
Low of the Weekend
"The fact that this game isn't on national television is mind-blowing to me."
— OL Reign coach Laura Harvey on the Thorns-Reign game#NWSL
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) July 11, 2022
Two big NWSL rivalries took place this past weekend, and guess what? Only one of them was on national television. Angel City played San Diego at home during their first-ever regular-season rivalry game. But the Cascadia rivalry didn’t get the air time it deserved. The Thorns and OL Reign have a long-standing epic rivalry, yet it wasn’t aired on national television.
News of the Weekend
Step One: ☑️
WE’VE QUALIFIED FOR THE 2023 @FIFAWWC!!!! pic.twitter.com/jUSgovQcrx
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2022
The USWNT qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Their 5-0 win against Haiti was what made them qualify. Canada also qualified last week with their win over Panama. 2023 cannot come soon enough!
Save of the Weekend
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This save by AD Franch is honestly mindblowing– the reflex and experience it takes to save a PK like this… incredible.
Goal of the Weekend
That touch?
𝙎𝙊𝙋𝙃enomenal
😮💨 @sophsssmith pic.twitter.com/rq7oq5oLS4
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2022
Sophia Smith scored an absolutely beautiful goal to open up the USWNT’s 5-0 win against Haiti last week. The skill it takes for a player to take the shot with the outside of the foot instead of with the inside of the left is outstanding. Smith was hands down the best forward on the field that night.
Transfer of the Weekend
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Racing Louisville has signed attacking player Thembi Kgatlana. Kgatlana formerly played for Atletico Madrid and earned the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament. She’s a world-class player, and it’s exciting to see more and more international signings in the NWSL!
What to Look Forward To
USWNT
Monday, June 11: USWNT vs. Mexico at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT
NWSL
Friday, July 15: NC Courage vs. Angel City at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT
Friday, July 15: San Diego Wave vs. Racing Louisville at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT
Saturday, July 16: Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT
Saturday, July 16: Portland Thorns vs. Gotham FC at 10:30 PM ET/7:30 PM PT
Sunday, July 17: Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT
Sunday, July 17: Kansas City vs. OL Reign 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT
UEFA Women’s EURO
Tuesday, July 11: Germany vs. Spain at 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT
Wednesday, July 13: Netherlands vs. Portugal at 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT
Fav Social Media Post
Jennifer Garner really brought out the orange slices after #AngelCityFC's win 🍊🖤
🎥: IG/jd_aguon pic.twitter.com/CGTB9BiWjp
— 110 Football (@110football) July 11, 2022
A handful of ACFC owners and celebs attended the match on Saturday evening, including Jennifer Garner. Who, being the official soccer mom that she is, brought some post-game orange slices… Classic!
Featured image via Getty Images
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