FootyPop: OL Reign’s Eugenie Le Sommer is on Fire

Ahh, fall has officially arrived–the perfect season for soccer. It’s just getting us even more stoked for the NWSL winding down into playoff season, the beginning of NCAA soccer, and all the international league play. 

This week, the Washington Spirit saga continued, the equal pay movement… actually saw some movement, and there were just a lot of games with the NWSL back from their break. This weekend in the NWSL could not have been any more exciting. So, without further ado, let’s get into this week’s women’s soccer news. 

 

High of the Weekend 

Eugenie Le Sommer’s goals. Her brace in Sunday’s game against Orlando Pride was nothing short of incredible. OL Reign’s coach Laura Harvey even said the second one could have been the best goal she’s ever seen. 

Le Beauty from @ELS_9_FRANCE ?#RGNvORL | https://t.co/iecT7IqtFA | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/rbV7zgVnMO

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 26, 2021

The first goal is from a distance, and she just perfectly hits it. 

It's Reigning goals in Tacoma ☔️#RGNvORL | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/ujoUgB4Fvf

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 26, 2021

Le Sommer’s second goal is assisted with a perfect pass from Dzsenifer Marozsán. The precision, the creativity, the collaboration! It’s what any coach would dream for. 

 

Low of the Weekend 

NEW: An NWSL investigation of the Washington Spirit has widened to include allegations by multiple women of a misogynistic, "old boys' club" culture, including the use of degrading nicknames for women players and staff by a male executive:https://t.co/RscTF0STY5

— Molly Hensley-Clancy (@mollyhc) September 22, 2021

Sadly, the Washington Spirit saga continues with allegations from multiple women that the Spirit has an “old boy’s club” culture, including the use of offensive and degrading nicknames for players and women staff from male executives. 

These allegations come after the abuse allegations against the Spirit’s former coach, Richie Burke. More than a third of the Spirit’s women staffers have left since June. 

It’s sadly getting to a point where every time we think the abuse and inappropriate behavior is weeded out, more of it comes to light. But, unfortunately, it also seems like not enough is being said about this. There needs to be more transparency, and the Spirit’s brand and sponsors need to speak out more.

 

News of the Weekend 

?? Prize money will be doubled for #WEURO2022!

The #UEFAExCo confirmed the 16 qualified teams will share a total €16 million, up from €8 million in 2017.

Clubs releasing players will also receive a total €4.5 million for the first time.

More details: ⤵️

— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@UEFAWomensEURO) September 23, 2021

In equal pay news, the 2022 UEFA Women’s EURO doubled it’s prize money. It went from €8 million to €16 million to be shared between the 16 qualified teams. 

This is good news for the progress of putting more money into the women’s game. 

? From the AP: "Mexico’s anti-monopoly commission announced Thursday it has fined 17 soccer teams for conspiring to impose a cap on the salaries of women soccer players. The commission said the teams will be fined about $9 million for illegal practices."https://t.co/o2OLTaFzf7

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) September 24, 2021

More on the topic, Mexico has fined 17 teams (17!!!) for conspiring to cap women’s player’s salaries. The teams included some of Mexico’s top clubs, all acting under the Mexican Soccer Federation. It’s disheartening to see the goal to deepen the pay gap so out in the open. Still, the Mexico anti-monopoly commission will be fining the team $9 million for their illegal activities. 

 

Upsets of the Weekend 

Not that they were actually upsets, but might I say that the NWSL saw some unexpected results this weekend. 

First, Gotham FC, who hadn’t won a game since July, beat third-ranked North Carolina 3-1. 

Second, Portland, the league’s leader, lost to the Chicago Red Stars, who’ve been struggling with consistency season. The Red Stars are now fourth place in the standings. 

And third, OL Reign shut out the Pride. Yes, OL Reign is arguably the better team on paper. But the fact that the Reign shut out the Pride three goals to none is a bit surprising considering Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan started up top, and they have Ashlyn Harris in goal. 

With Portland’s loss and OL Reign’s decisive win, OL Reign is creeping up on the Thorns, and they could even be in contention for the NWSL Shield. 

 

What to Look Forward To

Friday, October 1: North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit at 7:00 PM ET on Paramount +

Friday, October 1: Gotham FC vs. Racing Louisville at 7:30 PM ET on Twitch

Saturday, October 2: Chicago Red Stars vs. Orlando Pride at 7:30 PM ET on Twitch

Saturday, October 2: Kansas City vs. Houston Dash at 8:00 PM ET on Paramount +

Saturday, October 3: Portland Thorns vs. OL Reign at 10:00 PM ET on Paramount +

 

Fav Social Media Post 

Everyone waiting for the Tobin debut like…#WatchWithAta #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/uO1F7gjZgd

— ata football (@atafball) September 26, 2021

Tobin Heath debuted for Arsenal this week! She came on within the last ten minutes when Arsenal was up 3-0 already. The best part about her debut was that her teammate and best friend Christen Press was there to support her. Ugh… best friend goals. 

 

Featured image via @olreign on Instagram

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