USWNT

The North Carolina Courage kept pace with the league-leading Portland Thorns on Saturday after recording an impressive 2-1 road victory over the Utah Royals at Rio Tinto Stadium. 

An announced crowd of 10,545 was on its feet in the 13th minute following a sensational opener from World Cup-winner Christen Press. The 30-year-old attacker now has two goals in two games since returning from France, including a strike last week that was voted the NWSL’s Goal of the Week.

The USWNT will begin mediation soon with the U.S. Soccer Federation regarding the team’s equal pay lawsuit. Hope Solo has filed a motion to the court that is managing the lawsuit requesting to join in on and aid in the mediation process, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Last night in Bridgeview, Illinois, a crowd of 17,388 turned up at SeatGeek Stadium to watch the Chicago Red Stars defeat the North Carolina Courage 2-1 in NWSL play. For a bit of perspective, the Chicago Fire has averaged a gate of 11,209 throughout the 2019 MLS season. According to ESPN’s Sarah Spain, it was the first-ever sellout for a Chicago women’s professional soccer team.

At 21 years old, Mallory Pugh is living every little girl's dream. Even her own. 

Pugh has had an unorthodox career path in comparison to most female soccer players. In 2017, the Colorado native made a decision to drop out of UCLA, where she lost her NCAA eligibility to pursue her dream of playing professionally in the NWSL for the Washington Spirit. Additionally, she was a crucial entity to the senior USWNT squad when she was called up in 2016 at age 18. 

On July 16, 1982, a legend was born. 

Carli Lloyd grew up in Delran, New Jersey, and attended Delran High School where she was an All-American soccer player not once, but twice. After her stellar high school career she took her talents to Rutgers University, where she became the first athlete to be named All-Big East four years in a row. Following her standout career, in 2013 she was inducted into the Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumni and was also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2017. 

Before, during and after the USWNT’s run to its fourth Women’s World Cup title this summer, the American players have been outspoken about their social activism. 

The undeniable leader of those efforts has been Megan Rapinoe, who has drawn considerable ire (but equal parts praise) from many across the globe for speaking up.

Rapinoe appears to be inspiring the next generation of USWNT leaders, her younger U.S. teammates.