Footypop: England Wins the Women’s Euro and Makes History in More Ways Than One

This summer is a women’s soccer summer. The Women’s Euro wrapped up this past weekend, and the NWSL was back after a week off. Now we’re eyeing the NCAA and the European leagues kicking off this fall. With so much to recap, let’s get straight into it. Here’s this week’s women’s soccer news. 

 

High of the Weekend 

🏆 OUR ENGLAND. OUR CHAMPIONS. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/gf4BHUd5fW

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 31, 2022

England made history this week in more ways than one. First, the Lionesses won the Women’s Euro for the first time in history. The win also happened to be the first time that the England team–men or women–has won since 1966. The fact that the Lionesses were the ones to break this streak is terrific, especially with England’s tumultuous history with the women’s game. Additionally, a handful of game attendance and viewership records were shattered throughout the tournament. 

Overall, it was great to see England take home the trophy as the host nation. They had a fantastic run. 

 

Low of the Weekend

Germany's leading goalscorer and Golden Boot leader Alexandra Popp is out for the Euro 2022 final against England after picking up an injury in warm-ups pic.twitter.com/RNoWMVzEr4

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 31, 2022

One of the biggest surprises headed into the Euro final was that German striker Alexandra Popp would not be in the starting lineup. Popp suffered a muscle injury during the warm-up before the match.

 

News of the Weekend 

Heather O’Reilly is a 𝐑𝐞𝐝

🏆 x1 FIFA World Cup winner

🥇 x3 Olympic Gold medal

🇺🇸 x 231 caps for USA WNT

One of the most decorated athletes in sport has signed for 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬#WelcomeHeather#DublinsFinest | #Since1895

— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) July 29, 2022

USWNT legend Heather O’Reilly announced she’ll be coming out of retirement to play for a Champions League team. She signed for Shelbourne FC, an Irish club. 

Now 37 years old, O’Reilly played for the United States from 2002 until 2016. She made 231 appearances and scored 47 goals at the national level. She’s sure to do big things for Shelbourne this season!

 

Win of the Weekend 

 

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A post shared by National Women’s Soccer League (@nwsl)

Tobin Heath subbed on for OL Reign in their match against Angel City on Saturday and scored an epic goal in minute 89 of the match. It was a whirlwind of a match, with the Reign trailing 2-0 before halftime yet winning 3-2 in the end; Heath’s goal gave them the three points. 

 

Save of the Weekend

 

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A post shared by San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc)

The San Diego Wave took on the Chicago Red Stars this past weekend. The Wave took the lead in the first half, but Abby Dahlkemper was served a red card for a nasty foul inside the box midway through the second. Mal Pugh stepped up to the spot to take the PK, which everyone thought she’d put away with no problem, but Kailen Sheridan is just so good. She picked the right way and made an epic save, leaving the score 1-0 for the Wave. 

 

Transfer of the Weekend

 

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A post shared by National Women’s Soccer League (@nwsl)

A big trade happened this past week between the Portland Thorns and the San Diego Wave. The Wave will get Madison Pogarch, and the Thorns will receive Tegan McGrady. 

Both 24 years old, Pogarch was with the Thorns since 2019 and made 28 appearances, and McGrady played for the Washington Spirit for three seasons before heading to San Diego, where she made ten appearances. 

 

Goal of the Weekend 

😱 @alessiarusso7, that is 𝙊𝙐𝙏𝙍𝘼𝙂𝙀𝙊𝙐𝙎 😮‍💨#WEUROVision #WEURO2022 @hisensesports pic.twitter.com/i0BMDsxoa9

— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 26, 2022

Honestly, this goal speaks for itself; just watch it, and then watch it again. Alessia Russo is the super sub of all super subs, and we’ll be watching her closely for Manchester United this WSL season. 

 

Player of the Weekend 

Welcome to @sandiegowavefc, @jeymar10s! The 17-year-old fires the visitors in front! 👏#CHIvSD | #WaveFC pic.twitter.com/difl5aOALN

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 31, 2022

The San Diego Wave recently signed 17-year-old Jaedyn Shaw, and she had her NWSL debut on Saturday. Katie Johnson gave her a great assist, and Shaw put one away for the Wave in her first start and match for the team.

 

What to Look Forward To

Tuesday, August 2: Racing Louisville vs. OL Reign at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT 

Friday, August 5: Racing Louisville vs. Washington Spirit at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

Friday, August 5: Portland Thorns vs. North Carolina Courage at 10:30 PM ET/7:30 PM PT

Sunday, August 7: San Diego Wave vs. Kansas City Current at 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT

Sunday, August 7: Chicago Red Stars vs. Gotham FC at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT

Sunday, August 7: OL Reign vs. Houston Dash at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT

Sunday, August 7: Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT

 

Featured image via @lionesses on Instagram

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