When the world shut down in March 2020 for Covid-19, there was a lot of fear about the future of soccer. How could we play in the midst of a pandemic, one that would kill more than half a million people in the U.S. alone? The NWSL Challenge Cup was the answer, proving you could play sports and keep everyone safe.
The 2021 NWSL season kicks off Friday. Before the league’s ninth season begins, let’s take a moment to appreciate the quality of NWSL jerseys that will be on display this year, which serve as proof that the league understands how important marketing is and how to take money from my wallet.
No sport is as connected to fashion as soccer; while the constant release of new uniforms can lead to some uninspired designs, most clubs recognize the value of putting out the most eye-catching jerseys. This year, NWSL clubs across the board nailed it with some superb kits.
As much as we at The18 love women’s soccer, it’s a sad fact that the men’s game receives far more attention, whether it’s from FIFA, other media companies, potential sponsors or the fans themselves. (We could spend hours debating why this is the case, but that’s for another story.) Despite this, there are still a large number of women’s footballers who are far more famous than their partners, who are themselves professional soccer players.
USWNT and Orlando Pride power couple Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger have adopted a beautiful baby girl. On February 12, Sloane Phillips was born and will grow up in a loving household with two superstars and 20-plus aunties to help raise her. Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris have gone through the adoption process while also competing at the highest level of play. They were fully supported through the entire journey by their teammates, coaching staff and family and they will step away from the game for a bit while they take care of the new addition to their family.
Six-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Marta and her Orlando Pride teammate Toni Pressley announced their engagement on Monday morning through Instagram.
Marta, who’s the all-time record goalscorer in FIFA Women’s World Cup history with 17 goals, posted a photo along with the caption, “This is another chapter of the story that we are writing together.”
The National Women’s Soccer League recently announced the opening of player registration for the upcoming 2021 NWSL Draft. The draft will be streamed live on the NWSL’s Twitch channel on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. ET. It's the most life-changing day for college players who are looking to continue their careers at the professional level.