Most American soccer fans will remember Jay DeMerit for playing every minute for the USMNT at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but before DeMerit even dreamed of an international call-up, he overcame imposing odds just to become a Watford player.
Mallory Pugh has unfortunately had a few injuries that've set her back, causing her to miss out on USWNT play, NWSL play and falling behind in fitness and performance. As a top-tier athlete, injuries can make or break players, and with the immense amount of young talent joining the USWNT senior squad, this leaves Pugh’s future on the squad unknown.
Manchester City beat West Ham 4-0 on Sunday to keep pace with Chelsea and Manchester United at the top of the FA Women’s Super League. Rose Lavelle — making her first appearance since spending January with the USWNT — came off the bench in the 65th-minute and promptly scored her first league goal for City in the 71st.
It was a moment to forget for West Ham left back Mayumi Pacheco. The English defender showed for the pass, received it and then spontaneously combusted. Lavelle was free to take a couple touches towards goal before threatening to take Mackenzie Arnold’s head off.
The USWNT will go for its first trophy of 2021 at the SheBelieves Cup in February. They’ll be without star winger Tobin Heath.
Manchester United ruled Heath out for 10-12 weeks with an ankle injury, manager Casey Stoney said on Friday. In addition to being a big blow to United’s title challenge, Heath will also miss the SheBelieves Cup, which is back in the U.S. from Feb. 18-24.
Lisa Baird was named commissioner of the NWSL in February 2020 and she came in wanting to make changes throughout the league and for women’s sports as a whole. As a female in power she has found herself in a position that is becoming more common as women are making their way into top positions in the sports world.
Japan is out. Argentina is in. It’s all absurd.
Less than a month before the 2021 SheBelieves Cup, the tournament has been forced into major changes. The 2011 World Cup champions pulled out of the tournament citing Covid-19 issues and were replaced by the 31st-ranked team in the world, one that struggles mightily for respect from its own federation.
Watching the USWNT play Colombia in a pair of friendlies last week, I was struck by two things. First: Catarina Macario is the real deal. Second: We may never see fans at sporting events again.
With two more appearances to start 2021, Carli Lloyd reached 296 caps for the U.S. women’s national team, becoming the most-capped active player. Looking spry as ever, the 2015 Women’s World Cup Golden Ball winner is showing no signs of slowing down. The question is, how much longer will she keep playing? And could she possibly challenge Kristine Lilly’s record for most international appearances in soccer history?
World Cup winning U.S. midfielder Megan Rapinoe said she would be "devastated" if this year's Tokyo Olympics are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizers were forced to reiterate their commitment to holding the Olympics in July and August after a report on Friday said Japan's government had privately concluded the Games would have to be cancelled because of the pandemic.
IOC statement on media reports regarding Tokyo 2020 pic.twitter.com/647pj5mx9U
Within 13 seconds of her first international start she was setting up a teammate with a great chance. Inside three minutes she had her first goal. Catarina Macario has arrived.