Footypop: Get in, Gals, You’re Going to Tokyo This Week… Unless You’re These Two Players
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a bunch of WoSo national teams heading to Tokyo! The 2020 Olympics are so close we can almost taste them and that means this Games’ contenders have begun making the long trip and settling into their digs for the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the NWSL continued to give us some glorious highlights and signed, sealed, and delivered some big transfers during the European offseason. Let’s dive into the latest women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
Sydney Leroux scored a heart-stopping equalizer in the last seconds of Orlando’s game against Racing Louisville on Friday to get her team the tie. The never-say-die spirit and clutch attitude Leroux brings every time she steps out on the field for her team is truly something to behold. Vlatko, you taking notes in that book of yours while eating sushi in Miyazaki?
Low of the Weekend
Sorry, NWSL, time to turn the tables for the low of the weekend. While many players competing in the Olympics have just arrived in Tokyo, two key New Zealand players were forced to put those travel plans on hold, because their NWSL teams refused to release them just yet. Football Ferns head coach Tom Sermanni called the decision to not allow Ali Riley and Abby Erceg to meet up with the national team yet “outrageous” and “disrespectful.”
It’s particularly baffling too when you consider Orlando Pride released Marta, Debinha, and Alex Morgan, who are also going to the Olympics, earlier in the week. These teams certainly have some explaining to do.
Player of the Weekend
Ashley Hatch. That’s the tweet. The Washington Spirit welcomed the NC Courage to Audi Field on Saturday for a game they’ve no doubt had circled on their calendars for some time. The Spirit put on a commanding performance, controlling possession and peppering the Courage goal with shots. Ashley Hatch grabbed both goals in the win with two really lovely finishes. Also, let me to take the time here to shout out Andi Sullivan for her stellar passes that cut through the Courage defense like butta.
What To Look Forward To This Week
Mostly a rest. Olympic play kicks off in like a week and a half so now’s the time to recoup from all the copious amounts of soccer watching… especially now that the Euros are over on the men’s side too.
However, be sure to check out the national team social accounts for some no doubt delightful content from team training in Tokyo.
Our Fav. WoSo Social Media Post of the Weekend
Speaking of that. Here’s a good one of the USWNT puttin’ in that WERK.
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This Weekend in WoSo History…
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Just one of the most important moments in women’s sports history took place on July 10th 22 years ago. Brandi Chastain scored the World Cup-winning PK against China in the Rose Bowl.
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