In a joint announcement between the Australian government and the football association, the country formally declared their interest to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup. And their odds of landing it are high. The national side is currently ranked eighth in the world and has consistently performed on the global stage, making it to the quarterfinals in each of the last three World Cups.
The NWSL is on a hiatus while various levels of international friendlies and tournaments take place. With a large portion of the NWSL’s talent in camp with their national teams, the domestic league has a chance to rest and assess the first third of the year. Two sides currently sitting outside of the playoff positions decided to make coaching shifts.
Seattle Reign Add NWSL And USWNT Experience
The United States women's national team, ranked No. 2 in the world, failed to really take hold of the game against a strong Norwegian team, ranked No. 11, on Sunday in Sandjeford, Norway. USWNT coach Jill Ellis cotinued her experimentation with personnel and formations — the starting line-up featured just two players that got minutes at the 2015 World Cup.
Something rare came to light when the 40-man preliminary Gold Cup roster and the 21-woman friendly roster were released for the USMNT and USWNT this past week. No, it wasn’t the inclusion of NYCFC’s Tommy McNamara or the absence of Ali Krieger (although yes, those were surprises). Sydney Leroux Dwyer and Dom Dwyer, unstoppable goal-bangers for Kansas City’s NWSL and MLS teams, both got the nod.
It wasn't the greatest performance from the USWNT in Gothenburg, but it did the job. The United States was looking for some semblence of revenge after a heartbreaking Olympic exit at the hands of the Scandinavian side last summer in Rio. The misery of the penalty shootout defeat was compounded by some bitter words from notoriously outlandish goalkeeper Hope Solo. After the loss, the U.S. No. 1 called Sweden "a bunch of cowards."
Week eight in the NWSL saw the North Carolina Courage continue their run at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over FC Kansas City. The Washington Spirit won the table’s toilet bowl against Houston 2-0, lifting them into ninth place. On Sunday, the Seattle Reign couldn’t break down the Chicago Red Stars, who held on for a 1-0 victory and their third straight win.
If all goes according to plan, Saturday will have marked the dawn of a new era in women's professional soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit defeated the Houston Dash, 2-0, and one of the goals came courtesy of ultra-talented 19-year-old Mallory Pugh.
On Thursday Olympique Lyonnais topped Paris Saint-Germain in the Women’s UEFA Champions League final. Lyon took home the trophy after eight rounds of penalty kicks, topping PSG 7-6. The win gave Lyon their second straight treble and saw them tie the record of most Champions League titles at four.
USWNT superstar striker Alex Morgan started up top for OL after putting in a wonderful debut season with the club. And, while she will gladly take the UEFA title in her first attempt, her night was marred by an injury in the 23rd minute.
It required extra time — and ultimately extra penalties – to break the stalemate between Lyon and PSG and determine the champion of women's soccer in Europe.
After two hours without a goal and a 6-6 deadlock in penalties, each keeper took her turn from the spot. PSG goalie Katarzyna Kiedrzynek pushed a shot wide left, opening the door for her counterpart to seal the victory. Lyon's Sarah Bouhaddi stepped up and drilled her penalty to give Lyon its fourth UCL title in the past seven seasons.
FC Kansas City and Sydney Leroux hadn’t generated much on the attacking end entering Saturday’s match against the Washington Spirit, but a 3-2 victory for Leroux’s side - with the USWNT star scoring a brace - was the perfect remedy before a string of tough matches against the likes of North Carolina, Seattle and Portland.