Women

New faces graced the pitch for the United States women’s national team on Saturday during their 3-0 victory vs. China, however there were a serious lack of faces in the stands of DRV PNK Stadium.

Saturday’s game in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was technically the first game of the Emma Hayes era as the new head coach will join the squad next year. 

Big names like Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Naeher and Becky Sauerbrunn were left off the roster as the USWNT begin preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

United States forward Trinity Rodman said their early exit at the World Cup was a turning point for the squad and the arrival of Emma Hayes as their new manager comes at the perfect time with the Paris Olympics just around the corner.

The U.S. had been going for a third straight World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand but were eliminated by Sweden in the Round of 16.

The beginning of a new era for the United States women’s national team means saying goodbye to the previous generation. Ali Krieger is the next USWNT legend to receiver her flowers as she will be honored before the team’s friendly vs. China on Dec. 5 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

Krieger announced she was retiring at the end of the 2023 NWSL season and finished her career in style by leading Gotham FC to their first championship. The 39-year-old’s club career ended in the best way possible and now she will be recognized for her national team contributions.

The latest USWNT roster for two December friendlies vs. China had several big players not receive call ups including the likes of Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Naeher and Becky Sauerbrunn.

Instead, interim head coach Twila Kilgore has chosen a litany of fresh faces with a mix of familiar names. The move from U.S. Soccer was done to give newer players a chance to enter the player pool.

Megan Rapinoe is on her path to recovery after tearing her Achilles tendon in the NWSL Championship game. The OL Reign forward’s injury was devastating for her fans and former teammates like USWNT star Christen Press who says she cried when it happened.

On an episode of “THE RE-CAP Show” featuring Press and Tobin Heath, the Angel City forward admitted that she teared up when Rapinoe went down injured.

Spain and Gotham FC striker Esther González had an amazing 2023 calendar year as she won the World Cup with Spain and scored the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship on Saturday.

A bullet header from World Cup winner Esther González and Gotham FC lead the NWSL final once more

(via @NWSL)

pic.twitter.com/cdeNV7EP5T

Long-time Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has been named as head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, tasked with righting the ship after the country's most disappointing Women's World Cup campaign.

The 47-year-old from London is one of the game's most successful professional coaches, guiding Chelsea to 13 major trophies in her 11 seasons with the Women's Super League club.

Hayes' deal with the U.S., which will reportedly run through at least 2027, will make her the highest paid women's soccer coach in the world, U.S. Soccer said on Tuesday.

Women’s soccer icon Megan Rapinoe had her career end less than three minutes into the NWSL Championship on Saturday as she suffered a non-contact injury. The Rapinoe injury cast a shadow over Gotham FC’s 2-1 victory vs. OL Reign.

In a match that was highly advertised as Megan Rapinoe vs. Ali Krieger in both of their final games, Rapinoe’s unfortunate injury took all the headlines.

Rapinoe, 38, and Krieger, 39, entered Saturday’s NWSL Championship knowing it was their final professional game. What no one knew was that Rapinoe’s night would be over in the third minute.