The biggest sporting event of 2019 is the Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on June 7 in France. Unlike the players in the men’s version of the tournament, the Women's World Cup Players aren’t quite as recognizable, as they aren’t on TV every day of the week.
But they’re typically much more likable.
The release of Puma’s new cleat collection called for dope lighting, fresh kicks and entertainment. In Berlin, the Puma fam had freestylers and professionals showing off their skills and making the new gear look even better.
It’d been a long time since any nation treated the USWNT like Spain did in the opening 45 of today’s contest in Alicante. 2019 will mark La Roja’s second-ever World Cup appearance (the first came in 2015), but the growing European side controlled 58 percent of possession and out-passed the defending world champions 274-195 in the first half. Not bad for a first-ever meeting with the powerhouse that is the USWNT.
Jill Ellis got the test she wanted for the USWNT vs France. And then some.
Kadidiatou Diani scored two goals, including an audacious second-half chip, to send third-ranked France to a 3-1 win over the U.S. in front of a sold-out crowd Saturday at Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France.
The USWNT had its 28-match unbeaten streak snapped in the first game of 2019 after having gone unbeaten in 2018. The last time the U.S. women lost was July 27, 2017, a 1-0 defeat to Australia in the Tournament of Nations.
The USWNT is hard at work preparing to defend its World Cup title from four years ago. The players arrived for the first camp of the year in the first week of January, and their first match is Saturday against third-ranked France. Before the World Cup kicks off in June, the U.S. women will play 10 matches in 10 different cities.
Imke Wübbenhorst became the first woman to coach in Germany's top five leagues, joining BV Cloppenburg after a professional playing career. She can also add G.O.A.T. to her running resume after her amazing clap back to a sexist question.
It is never easy to hang up your cleats and call it quits. But on January 12, 2019, Sky Blue FC defender Christina Gibbons announced her retirement from the NWSL.
At a young age of 24, Gibbons' short-lived career came to an end with her playing in 18 matches, starting in 16 of them.
Prior to her professional appearances, she had a successful collegiate career at Duke University and she was then drafted fifth overall by FC Kansas City in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. In between her trade to Sky Blue in 2018, she also competed for Melbourne Victory in Australia’s W-League.
There’s just under 150 days until the USWNT kicks off its World Cup defense against Thailand at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, France, and time is of the essence for Jill Ellis’ side. Currently, 27 players have been called out to the team’s January Camp taking place in Algarve, Portugal.
The USWNT will train there before marquee international friendlies against France (No. 3 in the world) on Jan. 19 and Spain (No. 12) on Jan. 22. Here are the first scenes from that camp, with Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe mic’d up for your viewing pleasure.
We’re less than two weeks into 2019, but the best piece of dribbling skill of the entire year was performed by Fran Kirby in an FA WSL Cup match between Chelsea and Reading on Wednesday.
Francesca Kirby, the reigning PFA Women’s Player of the Year, pulled out this outrageous turn to escape two defenders.
When Tierna Davidson made official her decision to forgo her senior season at Stanford and enter the 2019 NWSL College Draft days before the draft, it became pretty apparent who Chicago would take with the No. 1 pick.
Stanford, thank you for everything you have given me. You’ve changed my life. Looking forward to a new chapter this year! #gocard pic.twitter.com/bgAjKX4ZPQ