FootyPop: Excitement Builds As Spirit and Red Stars Advance to NWSL Finals
This week was kind of insane in women’s soccer. In NWSL news, we’ll be seeing the Washington Spirit and the Chicago Red Stars face off next weekend after two very exciting semifinal matches. Despite so many injuries and absences during the two games, each team showed out—all that and more in this week’s women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
View this post on Instagram
The 22 players headed down under for the USWNT vs. Australia friendlies were announced. And wow, this could be a new beginning! The November roster includes five players that have never been capped before, notably including our Diary of a Striker contributor, Bethany Balcer. It’ll be super exciting to see how all these new and seasoned players mesh together.
Low of the Weekend
#UPDATE PSG women midfielder Aminata Diallo has been cleared not guilty and released from police custody, with NO charges pressed after investigations into the allegations of her involvement in the attack of teammate Kheira Hamraoui.
(? PSG) pic.twitter.com/gq7V4ixJEZ
— ???? (@Kawalya1996) November 12, 2021
Okay, so this one is just bizarre and so, so sad. PSG player Aminata Diallo was taken into police custody. It was for allegedly hiring two masked men to harm her teammate Kheira Hamraoui while driving together.
But, as of Friday, Diallo was released without charge, and authorities are investigating all possibilities. It’s just a sad moment for women’s soccer when things automatically jump to the conclusion of a rivalry-fueled attack. Luckily, Hamraoui has joined practice again after recovering.
News of the Weekend
The tampering rules for the #NWSL aren’t public, but my understanding of them is that they are generally the same as most leagues: can’t try to poach a player. For the NWSL, a new team has to go through current team’s GM (etc.) first, not an agent or player directly. https://t.co/VaFVzT9mlw
— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) November 11, 2021
Another strange moment in the news is Angel City getting fined (again) for “tampering” with Gotham’s Allie Long. As tampering rules aren’t widely known, it’s speculated that it had something to do with poaching Long.
This is ACFC’s second time receiving a fine this season since they were fined for promoting their acquisition of Christen Press too early. This time, the league fined them $20,000 in cash and $20,000 in 2022 allocation money. Honestly, it’s not a good look… especially when the team hasn’t even had their first season, or draft, for that matter.
Win of the Weekend
WE WILL SEE. YOU. IN. LOUISVILLE
THIS BALLGAME IS OVAAA pic.twitter.com/7CXjY5ItDd
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 15, 2021
In an anticipated semifinal game, the Chicago Red Stars came up huuuge against the Portland Thorns, winning 2-0. Katie Johnson and Sarah Woldmoe both had outstanding goals. Even though the Red Stars only had about 40% of the game’s possession and were outshot 21 to five, they still managed to stifle any of the Thorns attacks. With this Red Stars team, we’ve seen some outstanding growth and team chemistry form over the last half of the season.
Player of the Weekend
43-year-old Brazil legend Formiga has announced her retirement from international football.
She's played at 7 World Cups and 7 Olympic tournaments – both are World Records.
Playing football was still illegal for women in Brazil when she was born.
An incredible career ??? pic.twitter.com/ZssMPvGf0i
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 10, 2021
43-year-old Formiga just announced her retirement from international competition. An amazing player with an amazing history with the Brazil national team. Seven Olympics? Seven World Cups? Just wow.
Upset of the Weekend
This week was the first round of the college cup, and we saw a few surprising results.
ITS OVER!! ?? 'EATERS WIN 1-0 AND UPSET THE #2 BRUINS AND END THEIR 26-MATCH UNBEATEN STREAK. ON TO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT!! #RIPEM #STRONGWOMEN
— UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 13, 2021
First, number three ranked UCLA was beaten by UC Irvine 1-0. Pretty surprising considering UCLA just stunted on USC 3-1 last week and that Irvine is unranked.
#Gamecocks? pic.twitter.com/8lqfPhS0D7
— Gamecock Women’s Soccer (@GamecockWSoccer) November 13, 2021
Similarly, the unranked University of South Carolina just beat number ten ranked UNC 1-0. UNC is a powerhouse of soccer–with a record number of 21 championships won–so it’s a pretty big upset that they didn’t make it past the first round.
What to Look Forward To
NWSL Championships, here we come!
Sunday, November 20: Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars at 12 PM ET on CBS
Fav Social Media Post
View this post on Instagram
Ahhh those tiny shoes are just adorable. We’re so happy for Crystal!
Featured image via @NWSL on Instagram
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
