FootyPop: Naomi Girma Goes No. 1, Kristie Mewis Headed to Gotham in NWSL Drafts
The end of the year is here, with only one week of 2021 left. It’s been another whirlwind of a week (like every week recently, it seems), especially in terms of the NWSL with the Expansion Draft and the 2022 Draft both happening last week. The last leg of the Champions League group stages was also this week, so there was a lot! Here’s a look at this week’s women’s soccer news.
High of the Week
??. 1⃣ ???????@naomi_girma was selected first overall by @sandiegowavefc in the 2022 @NWSL Draft!#GoStanford | #NWSLDraft | #StanfordNWSL pic.twitter.com/5XedyLLbt5
— Stanford Women's Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) December 18, 2021
Another NWSL Draft and another Stanford alum going No. 1. San Diego Wave took Naomi Girma with the first selection of the 2022 NWSL Draft, keeping the California native in her home state. Girma’s selection makes four of the last five first-pick selections from Stanford!
Low of the Week
#ICYMI: @WashSpirit co-Owner Y. Michele Kang has increased her offer of $25M to $35M for the controlling stake of the @NWSL club from majority owner Steve Baldwin. @markjburns88 ▫️ https://t.co/ajtkrd7L8t pic.twitter.com/SKphWmTz0v
— Sports Business Journal (@sbjsbd) December 14, 2021
Another week has gone by, and Steve Baldwin is still the majority owner of the Washington Spirit. It’s, unfortunately, looking unlikely that the Spirit will change ownership before the end of the year, which is frankly unacceptable. Why the league has not forced Baldwin to sell at this point is baffling. However, Y. Michele Kang, who the players have vocalized support for, has increased her offer to $35 million, so hopefully, soon, she’ll have majority ownership.
News of the Week
Our time to stand together is now. The wave is calling. pic.twitter.com/haCChmWjDo
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) December 15, 2021
San Diego may have won the crest game when they revealed their official crest and colors last week. The colors work perfectly together and represent the city and California. It has bright pink and orange colors depicting the sunset behind a blue wave. With these colors, San Diego jersey design options are endless.
Goal of the Week
Liliana Mercado gifted us this absolute ? to see @TigresFemenil advance to the @LigaMXFemenil final ?
— Women's International Champions Cup (@iccwomen) December 14, 2021
Liliana Mercado had a beautifully placed free-kick goal for Tigres Femenil. Her goal from outside the box helped Tigres defeat Club América 4-0 to advance to the Liga MX Femenil Final against Monterrey.
Trade of the Week
We're having an OK time.
NJNY Gotham FC acquires midfielder Kristie Mewis in trade with San Diego. pic.twitter.com/XIHJbmUSSK
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) December 17, 2021
What a wild offseason it has been in the NWSL. It isn’t easy to keep up with all these offseason moves with so much going on each day.
Some big names were on the move this week, with San Diego officially acquiring Alex Morgan in a trade with Orlando. They also picked up Kristen McNabb and Kaleigh Riehl during the Expansion Draft and Christen Westphal and Amirah Ali through a trade with Portland.
Angel City added some more players to their roster, trading for Savannah McCaskill and Brittany Wilson. In the Expansion Draft, they selected Jasmyne Spencer, Dani Weatherholt, Clair Emslie, and Paige Nielsen.
Kristie Mewis is headed to NJ/NY Gotham FC, Jessica McDonald to Racing Louisville, Angharad James to Orlando, and Julia Ashley to the Houston Dash.
Win of the Weekend
VIERTELFINALE in der @UWCL!!!!!! ??? #WOBCFC #UWCL 4:0 pic.twitter.com/iQ7wRXzZK6
— VfL Wolfsburg Frauen (@VfL_Frauen) December 16, 2021
Wolfsburg looked dominant as they picked up a 4-0 win over Chelsea to advance to their tenth straight UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final. Wolfsburg needed a win to advance, and they started the match on the front foot and never let off the gas. Braces from Svenja Huth and Tabea Waßmuth helped them to advance.
Fav Social Media Post
These FaceTimes almost make the timeouts worth it ?
Welcome to the club @HancuffHensley ? pic.twitter.com/qTQK7p1IYk
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) December 18, 2021
Who’s cutting the onions? Gotham gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the moment when Hensley Hancuff got the call about being drafted. It was a heartwarming moment to see the goalkeeper’s dreams come true.
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