OL Reign strengthened its hold on a NWSL playoff place and entrenched Gotham FC near the bottom of the table with a commanding 4-1 win at Lumen Field on Sunday behind some inspirational play from Megan Rapinoe. The 37-year-old was heavily involved in all four Reign goals and finished two herself.
In the 15th minute, Rapinoe's quick throw-in acted as the assist for Rose Lavelle's third of the season.
When the NWSL players and league agreed to a landmark first-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement in February, most of the focus was on guaranteeing players a living wage, and for good reason. But among the other benefits NWSL players carved out for themselves was a mandatory seven-day break in the middle of the season — an NWSL summer vacation.
It seems to happen every time the U.S. women’s national team plays in a major tournament. Fans flock to stores online and in person seeking USWNT merch. Almost without fail, Nike, the U.S. Soccer Federation and other outlets quickly run out of stock, never learning from past mistakes to properly prepare for spikes in demand.
No more.
The USWNT Players Association launched its own line of USWNT merch on Thursday, taking full advantage of bargaining for their name, image and likeness rights in 2017.
Megan Rapinoe became the first soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Joe Biden bestowing the highest civilian award in the country on the USWNT star on Thursday at the White House. Biden also explained why Rapinoe was given Presidential Medal Of Freedom honors.
History was made on Friday when U.S. Soccer announced USWNT star Megan Rapinoe will become the first soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. U.S. President Joe Biden will award Rapinoe, along with 16 other recipients including gymnast Simone Biles, the medal on July 7 at the White House.
Jordyn Huitema joined OL Reign on Saturday, joining USWNT stars Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle.
to Seattle, @JordynHuitema! #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/5smnCxTm88
— OL Reign (@OLReign) June 18, 2022
For all her talk off the field, Megan Rapinoe usually lets her play do the talking on the pitch. Except on Saturday night during NWSL After Dark. The OL Reign beat Angel City 1-0 at Lumen Field, but not before the first Megan Rapinoe red card of her career.
After naming a 59-player provisional roster just five days ago, USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski has gone ahead and confirmed his final 23-woman squad for the upcoming Concacaf W Championship in Mexico, which serves as qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games.
The 2022 Concacaf W Championship is just 26 days away, so USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski has to be close to knowing the final 23-player squad he'll name for the tournament in Mexico — which serves as qualifying for both the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games.
But he's not showing his hand yet.
On Monday, Concacaf revealed the provisional rosters for the W Championship, so while the final 23 will have to be selected from this list, the provisional roster for the USWNT includes an all-encompassing 59 names.
Welcome The18's Halftime Countdown of the Best Goals Ever Scored!
9. Kurt Zouma
Breaking into this list for the first time ever, Kurt Zouma. Man, you drop kicked your cat, that’s not cool.
8. Sexual Assaulters
Okay for number 8 on our list (honestly should be number one) are Adam Johnson, Benjamin Mendy, Mason Greenwood, Robinho, and everyone else who fits this category.