FootyPop: Dahlkemper’s Move, Atletico Madrid’s Special Super Cup Win and a Wild Derby in Melbourne

If you’re reading this on Monday morning, January 18th, you’re just a few hours from the USWNT playing their very first game of 2021. Lucky you! The team kicks off against Colombia at 7pm EST in Orlando on Fox Sports 1. And what better way to round out this soccer-filled start to the week than with your favorite WoSo weekend recap. Let’s dive into the latest women’s soccer news.

Abby Dahlkemper is off to Manchester City

Image Via Twitter @ManCity

Another one (*DJ Khaled voice*). As in, another USWNT player is headed to play in the FA WSL. The World Cup-winning center-back has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Manchester City. Her NWSL club, the NC Courage, will retain Dahlkemper’s rights as part of the deal.

Top Two FA WSL Battle Sees Chelsea Come Out on Top

Image Via Twitter @ManUtdWomen

It’s a fixture we all had circled on our calendars heading into 2021. Man United in first place as newcomers to the FA WSL – with a lot of resources to their name. Chelsea in second, long a juggernaut in the league. Who’d seize the moment?

The Blues. The Blues would seize the moment. In the 60th, Man U’s Lauren James canceled out Pernille Harder’s first-half strike. Fran Kirby, coming off an astounding 4 goal game last week, had the last word. She scored the winner in the 65th. 

2-1  Chelsea. There’s a new league leader in town. 

Reading Pull Off a Big Result Against Arsenal, Manchester City Puts Up Seven

Image Via Twitter @ReadingFCWomen

Elsewhere in the FA WSL, 6th place Reading split points with a stacked Arsenal side. The Gunners controlled possession of the game and outnumbered their opponents in shots, but they just didn’t click on the day. All credit to Reading for their performance. They will be super happy with this result.

Manchester City fired on all cylinders during their game, scoring seven against Aston Villa.

The Citizens are still a bit off the pace from where they’d want to be this season. But things are looking more competitive than maybe we’ve ever seen in the FA WSL. That’s what we want out of WoSo. It’s anyone’s guess who will lift the trophy and secure those coveted Champions League spots by season’s end.

Disappointing Fan Behavior Out of the W-League

Image Via Twitter @VictoryWLeague

You have to expect any match between crosstown rivals Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory to get intense. And that it did on Saturday. Melbourne Victory came back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game in the second half. But, Melbourne City grabbed all three points thanks to a Harriet Withers goal in the 86th.

But, we also saw things got intense in the stands – and not in a good way. A small group of Melbourne Victory fans acted extremely inappropriately. The Melbourne City goalkeeper reported having bottles thrown at her. 

Atletico Madrid Celebrate Spanish Super Cup Trophy

Image Via Twitter @AtletiFemenino

Ajara Nchout and Deyna Castellanos scored goals in the first half to lift Los Colchoneras over Levante. The celebrations were emotional; makes sense when you win a cup final. But they were also emotional because of Virginia Torrecilla. The 26-year-old midfielder has been out all year after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. She got to lift the trophy on Sunday. Pretty special. And that’s our women’s soccer news to start your Monday!

Featured Image Via Twitter @ManCity

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