FootyPop: Casey Murphy and Ashley Hatch Bring the Heat for a New and Young USWNT
Wow, this year is going by fast. It’s nearly December! With the NWSL over, we move to focus on the final games of the NCAA College Cup, more World Cup qualifiers, and the USWNT’s last game of the year. The NCAA Final Four will face off this weekend, and the USWNT looks to gain more experience as a team after beating the Matildas 3-0 last week. So, without further ado, here’s this week’s women’s soccer news, and fair warning, there’s a lot of USWNT.
High of the Weekend
The kids got caps ???⚽️
Congrats Ashley, @CaseyMurph, @bethanybalcer and @morganvweaver on your #USWNT debuts! pic.twitter.com/yNV7oy57zm
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021
Four players got their first USWNT caps during the match against Australia! It was so exciting to see such a young and inexperienced USWNT show out against the Matildas, a team we know is tough competition.
Bethany Balcer, Ashley Sanchez, Casey Murphy, and Morgan Weaver all saw the field for their first time playing for the national team.
Low of the Weekend
crazy i didn’t know the timbers and the USWNT were the same wow thank u FS2 pic.twitter.com/FxWf2H937M
— Bethany Balcer (@bethanybalcer) November 27, 2021
Somehow, Fox Sports goofed up Ashley Hatch’s 24-second goal against Australia by displaying the Portland Timbers’ logo instead of the USWNT’s. Really? How, just how? It’s seriously always something with these networks and women’s soccer.
News of the Weekend
?? Some impressive results in another epic #FIFAWWC qualifier day! pic.twitter.com/j5EUo2lLVT
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) November 25, 2021
Another round of World Cup qualifiers occurred this past week, giving us more of a picture of who we’ll see in 2023. It’s always exciting to see teams that don’t usually get to play each other play… but some of these drastic wins, like Belgium beating Armenia 19-0, makes me question the World Cup qualifying process.
Win of the Weekend
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BYU just made history by making it to the NCAA Final Four for the first time after beating South Carolina 4-1. BYU will take on returning NCAA champions Santa Clara (which also made history for making it to the Final Four for the second year in a row) on Friday, which should be a very exciting game.
Goal of the Weekend
30 SECONDS IN?! ??@USWNT making it look too easy already ? pic.twitter.com/gj4oEqZS3X
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2021
Ashley Hatch just received the NWSL Golden Boot Award for her ten goals in 20 regular season matches. And now this? It’s not even surprising at this point… none other than Ashley Hatch to score the third-fastest goal in USWNT team history at 24 seconds in, not to mention Australia had the kickoff!
Player of the Weekend
.@CaseyMurph looking like a vet in her first cap ? pic.twitter.com/2A6NIopzy5
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021
Casey Murphy earned her first cap for the USWNT last week, and her debut performance was as good as it gets. We know that the USWNT is in good hands after seeing her save every shot, including this one from Sam Kerr that honestly should’ve been a goal if it weren’t for Murphy’s super-keeper reach.
Upset of the Weekend
Always together. ?
¡VAMOS, MÉXICO! ????#FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/YnLigvLsJB
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) November 27, 2021
Mexico just beat Canada 2-1! This is a great look for Mexico, with Canada coming off of Olympic gold. Canada coach Bev Priestman stated that she was experimenting with the team in this match due to absences and injuries, so maybe it’s not exactly an upset. Nonetheless, we’re excited to see where Mexico ends up in regards to the World Cup.
What to Look Forward To
Tuesday, November 30: USWNT vs. Australia at 4:05 AM ET on ESPN
Friday, December 3: Florida State vs. Rutgers
Friday, December 3: Santa Clara vs. BYU
Sunday, December 5: TBD at 7:00 PM CT
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