FootyPop: International Soccer Thrives and Washington Spirit Woes Continue
There was quite a bit of action in this second weekend of September. We were lucky enough to indulge in a rivalry match between the Thorns and the Courage, witness alllll the drama that ensued because of a game that didn’t happen, and see a flurry of FAWSL results. We also saw the success of a ton of international women’s soccer this week, including the kickoff of the first fully professional women’s soccer league in Japan. So, let’s dive into women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
The scoring streak continues for @catarinamacario! ???
? @atafball pic.twitter.com/fFLPjXMD3k
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) September 12, 2021
This Catarina Macario freekick deserves to be memorialized in the Louvre! Her kick beautifully bends over the heads of Dijon’s wall. It then dips down and curls into the near post for a world-class finish. Macario scored another goal right at the end of the first half, contributing to Lyon’s 6-0 victory.
Fail of the Weekend
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The NWSL saw its first-ever forfeit on Saturday as the Washington Spirit’s violation of COVID protocols resulted in the cancellation of their slated game against OL Reign. Reports stated that four players on the team tested positive for COVID and eight players were unvaccinated. As a result, the Reign was awarded three points, and Washington, well, was inundated with the frustrated and disappointed comments from fans of the team and the game at large. This is the second week that the Spirit hasn’t played a game, and it’s just disappointing to see.
Player of the Weekend
Mead x Miedema ? pic.twitter.com/I5KXKxmNGc
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 12, 2021
Vivianne Miedema scored her 101st and 102nd goals for Arsenal against Reading on Sunday. After scoring a hat-trick in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Arsenal forward finished a mind-boggling (yet somehow very typical) week with five goals in two games.
News of the Weekend
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A huge moment beckons for women's football in Japan ♀️
The @WE_League_INTL kicks off this weekend – and we can't wait ?#ItsOurNewKickoff | #WELEAGUE
ℹ️? https://t.co/WVikERzTNw pic.twitter.com/yTVZTJSfXr
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) September 11, 2021
Japan’s first women’s professional soccer league, WE League, kicked off yesterday. The 11-team league will run through May of next year. The WE stands for Women Empowerment, and they have not been subtle about their intention to break down the barriers of being a female soccer player. They aim to improve the game for women in Japan and around the world.
In sad news of the weekend, Racing Louisville and Denmark star Nadia Nadim tore her ACL in Louisville’s loss to Orlando on Saturday.
Upset of the Weekend
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Tottenham beat Manchester City 2-1. The Citizens are having a rough go of things right now. On Wednesday, they were knocked out of the Champions League by BK Hacken wayyy earlier than anyone could have predicted.
This Day In WoSo History…
Twenty years later, we still honor and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. We will never forget ?? pic.twitter.com/EMMStfZgzI
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) September 11, 2021
The seventh 2001 Women’s US Cup, featuring China, Germany, Japan, and the US, was canceled after three games due to the attacks on September 11th.
Our Fav. Social Media Post of the Weekend
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Somehow Cassius Leroux Dwyer turned five this weekend! Time is a-flyin’.
Featured image via @FIFAWWC on Twitter
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