Women's Soccer

UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 32 second legs were played across Europe on Wednesday with the continent’s super clubs going through to the last 16 without trouble, but the David vs. Goliath matchups (Rosengård defeated Lanchkhuti 17-0 on aggregate) produced a number of sensational goals.

Manchester City defeated Göteborg 3-0 (5-1 on aggregate) with USWNT star Sam Mewis playing 73 minutes, but the moment of the match was provided by 20-year-old forward Lauren Hemp.    

Game week 9 of the FA Women’s Super League came to a close on Sunday, and it was a massive weekend for USWNT stars in the division as Tobin Heath helped Manchester United stay top, Alex Morgan converted from the spot for Tottenham and Sam Mewis scored in Manchester City’s massive clash with Arsenal.

Man United remains undefeated after a 2-1 victory over Reading. Heath went the full 90 and delivered the corner in the 83rd minute that was eventually turned home by Hayley Ladd for the win. 

History was made at the MLS Cup final on Saturday night. Kathryn Nesbitt became the first woman to officiate a championship match in a major men’s professional sport in North America.

A couple of weeks ago, Sarah Fuller became the first female to play in a Power 5 football game. Unfortunately, the Vanderbilt offense she played with was absolutely garbage and failed to even get her within field goal range, leaving her with a directional kickoff as her only contribution.

On Saturday, Fuller finally got her chance, and she nailed it. 

Wednesday was a pretty good day for Americans playing for Manchester City in the Champions League. Sam Mewis popped up for a late winner as the women’s team beat Göteborg 2-1. Then Zack Steffen became the third American goalkeeper to start in the men’s UCL when he recorded a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Marseille. 

One need only look to the recent player acquisitions of the FA Women’s Super League or the formation of Real Madrid Feminino to better understand the shifting nature of the women’s game, but some things simply refuse to change — namely Lyon’s domination of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Lyon is aiming for a sixth straight title this season, and the club’s journey began — as it has every year since the competition’s rebranding in 2009 — with the first leg of the Round of 32 on Wednesday.

Professional women’s soccer is returning to Kansas City for the first time since 2017 as the National Women’s Soccer League announced on Monday that Utah Royals FC is relocating to the City of Fountains.

League announces Kansas City will rejoin the NWSL in 2021.

Details below

— NWSL (@NWSL) December 7, 2020

Chelsea stayed within striking distance of Manchester United and Arsenal at the top of the FA WSL table after defeating West Ham 3-2 on Sunday at Kingsmeadow. Sam Kerr did the business with her first-ever hat trick for the Blues as the club set a league record for most consecutive home wins with 12.

Fans returned to Chelsea’s home ground for the first time this season and were on their feet in the 15th minute after Kerr’s sliding finish from Fran Kirby’s low cross.