FootyPop: The Olympics’ Unlikely Golden Boot Contender
Round two of the Olympic WoSo group stage kicked off on Saturday gifting us with a heck of a lot of goals, another standout performance from a certain young African star, and, wait did I mention a lot of goals. Through the first two rounds, this tournament is averaging nearly 5 goals a game *picks jaw up from the floor*. Outside of the Olympic Village, a brother and sister were united by a transfer in England and the NWSL continues to be chaotic, head-scratching, and drama-filled…on and off the field. Let’s dive into the latest women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
The light show/strobing at BBVA stadium & Louisville needs to go. Players reported feeling physically ill. I am someone who has sensory integration issues & had to put a towel over my eyes and pray to god I didn’t have a meltdown seconds before the 2nd half. Ridiculous.
— Bella Bixby (@bellageist) July 25, 2021
After her team’s 1-0 road win against Houston on Saturday, Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby spoke against ableism and advocated for a safety-first mentality on Twitter. In her posts talking about the issues that arise from the use of strobe lights in Houston and Louisville’s home stadiums, Bixby told the WoSo world that she is on the autism spectrum. Definitely worth reading the whole thread.
Low of the Weekend
I’m gonna clump together, “last-minute NWSL trades and changes” as the collective low of the weekend. Approximately two days ago, Orlando Pride head coach Marc Skinner up and left the club to take an opportunity with Manchester United effective immediately. Pride had a game on Saturday. The situation just…wasn’t great, as Ashlyn Harris hinted at after the team’s loss.
Also, a major four-player trade occurred between two teams on Thursdays…and those two teams (NC Courage and KC WoSo) played each other less than 24 hours later. Didn’t seem a whole lot of attention or respect was paid as players, some of which club legends, were hastily nudged into their new markets. Look, I get it, these kinds of things happen in sport, but there is room for improvement.
Trick of the Weekend
NWSL FILP THROW!
NWSL FLIP THROW!
NWSL FLIP THROW!LAUREN MILLIET SPICES THINGS UP. ?@EqualizerSoccer | #LOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/slRcjkqjgr
— The Sports Shot (@TheSportsShot) July 26, 2021
Ya, this happened on Sunday night!
News of the Weekend
Oh, by the way, update on the Orlando Pride coach front. Florida legend Becky Burleigh is in as interim coach!! What. A. Snag.
Player of the Weekend
It has to be Barba Banda. The Zambian forward nearly broke the internet on Wednesday when she scored a hat-trick in her team’s Olympic debut against the fourth-ranked Netherlands. Then, remarkably, Banda scored ANOTHER hat-trick as the Copper Queens tied China 4-4, earning its first Olympic point.
Our Fav. Social Media Post of the Weekend
You've heard of Bend It Like Beckham but have you heard of……
Kick It Like Pickett ? pic.twitter.com/9QC0XqSOaC
— KC NWSL (@KCWoSo) July 25, 2021
Three players with the last name Pickett (not related to each other) were all on the field on Friday night!
Featured Image via @KCWoSo on Twitter
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