Soccer coaches are faced with countless unenviable problems every day: How to go about training, how to set the team up for matches, how to meld personalities into a single unit. But one problem every coach would love to have is what Vlatko Andonovski is facing ahead of this summer’s Olympics: How to cut some of the best players in the world.
It was a massive Sunday for USWNT players abroad as Alana Cook’s PSG hosted Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal showdown, while over in England Christen Press’s Manchester United continued its push for a place in next season’s tournament by welcoming Tottenham.
After knocking out eternal rival Lyon in the quarterfinals, PSG was sent crashing back down to Earth in the 13th minute after Jennifer Hermoso opened the scoring for Barça.
Tobin Heath’s season at Manchester United is over, manager Casey Stoney confirmed on Friday, a disappointing end after a second Tobin Heath injury for the USWNT winger.
Heath had four goals and two assists in eight matches with United since joining (along with Christen Press) in September. She hasn’t played since Dec. 20, a two-goal performance against Bristol City.
The Manchester United Women finally got a chance to play at Old Trafford, and Christen Press took full advantage of the opportunity to become one of the few Americans to have scored at the iconic stadium. Press netted the second goal in a 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.
Making history at Old Trafford #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/jaT1gvqm8Z
The USWNT just completed an expected-but-still-impressive showing at the 2021 SheBelieves Cup, winning all three matches to claim the tournament title for a fourth time in six years. While the exhibition is a good barometer of some of the world’s top national teams, it’s also one of the best chances to evaluate talent ahead of a big summer competition. With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics postponed to 2021, the question is: Who will make the USWNT Olympic roster this summer?
El resultado final fue de 6-0. No se trata de un partido de tenis entre un primer sembrado como Federer, Djokovic o Nadal contra uno de nosotros. Apenas lograríamos tocar la pelota con la raqueta al recibir el contundente servicio de alguno de estos tres colosos del deporte blanco.
The sternest test of the USWNT’s 2021 SheBelieves Cup was ultimately passed on Sunday as Christen Press’ 11th-minute goal was enough to overcome Brazil before Megan Rapinoe’s late insurance strike at Exploria Stadium in Orlando.
Vlatko Andonovski made four changes to the side that labored to a 1-0 victory over Canada last Thursday, including Press for Rapinoe at left wing, Alex Morgan for Carli Lloyd at striker and match-winner Rose Lavelle for Catarina Macario in midfield.
Manchester United has arguably been the biggest surprise in women’s football this season. Casey Stoney’s side, with new signings Tobin Heath and Christen Press, surged to the top of the table in just its second season in the Women’s Super League. It looked like the Red Devils could actually challenge the established elites — Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal — for the league crown.
Those hopes were dashed on Friday as Man City humbled United 3-0 in a one-sided Manchester Derby, capped off by a stunning chip shot from Caroline Weir.