Hola Footies! ⚽ Hold on to your shin pads, because this week in women’s football is nothing short of chaos! The Women’s Champions League qualifiers are lighting up Wednesday and Thursday, while the U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-finals will bring their own fireworks on Wednesday ⚽🔥. But the real headline? The WSL FINALLY returns this weekend, kicking off with Chelsea vs. Aston Villa on Friday. As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve got a goal fest in the USL Super League, more trades happening than in a fantasy league, and the Ballon d’Or giving women’s football the cold shoulder—again. Bonmati extension with Barca, and the price college athletes are paying.

GOAL OF THE WEEK

🥅 GOALS GOALS GOALS

Dallas Trinity FC lit up the scoreboard with a 6-2 smash over Lexington SC, celebrating their first win of the season with flair! 🎉 Allie Thornton stole the show with a hat trick, including a worldie of an opener that got the party started. Chioma Ubogagu added a brace, while Amber Brooks and Sam Meza pitched in with key goals. It was a night of goals galore and fireworks for DTFC! 🚀⚽

U20 WWC NEWS

🏆 Off To The Semis

The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinals delivered drama by the truckload, starting with the U.S. U-20s pulling off a sensational comeback against Germany. Down 2-0 in stoppage time, the Americans found their mojo, scoring twice in 90 seconds to force penalties. Ally Sentnor and Jordynn Dudley were the heroes of the night, with Sentnor not only netting the equalizer but also converting the first penalty. Teagan Wy, standing tall in goal, made a clutch save to seal the 3-1 win. It's their first semifinal since 2016, and the words "never say die" have never been more fitting.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Colombia treated fans in Cali to a nerve-wracking showdown that couldn’t be settled in regulation. After a goalless 120 minutes, the Dutch edged out Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout, leaving the home crowd heartbroken but full of pride. As for the Oranje, they celebrated their ticket to the semifinals, proving that even in the tensest of moments, they have the coolness to triumph under pressure.

Korea DPR took on Brazil in a match where defense reigned supreme. Known for their tactical discipline, the Koreans frustrated Brazil’s fluid attack and snuck in the game’s only goal for a 1-0 victory. The samba party was cut short, and while Brazil can hold their heads high, Korea DPR’s resilience has them marching on to the semis with their defense-first approach.

Finally, Japan made sure the reigning champions wouldn’t be lifting the trophy again, toppling Spain 1-0 in a tight contest. Japan’s technical mastery shone through, and despite Spain’s best efforts, they couldn’t replicate their past glory. With the quarterfinals done and dusted, the trophy is now anyone’s to claim!

⚽️ Ballon d'Or? More Like Ballon D’on't!

Ah, the Ballon d'Or—where the celebration of football reaches a peak, but apparently, only for half the population! While the headlines rave about Messi and Ronaldo's absence, the real drama 🎭 lies in how women's football continues to play second fiddle. From the glaring omission of a women's under-21 or goalkeeper award t the shortlist snubs, it feels like the powers that be just aren't that into women’s football. 🤔

Icons like Naomi Girma, arguably the best centre-back in the world, and Keira Walsh, arguably one of the best midfielders in the world and pivotal piece in Barcelona’s Champions League victory, are left out, leaving fans scratching their heads. Add to that the annual ceremony date that falls on a women’s international break (again), and you've got a cocktail 🍸 of frustration. But hey, they added a women’s coach award, so…progress? 🙄

Despite the evident oversight, women's football remains an unstoppable force, with trailblazers like Salma Paralluelo, Girma, and Walsh proving you don't need a trophy to shine. Yet, with every year that passes without fully recognizing these athletes, one can’t help but wonder: is the Ballon d'Or truly committed to leveling the playing field? 🤨

NWSL NEWS

🎟️ Place Your Bets

The Washington Spirit are on fire, and not just on the pitch! 🏟️ In a groundbreaking move, they’ve inked the first-ever women’s team betting deal with Fanatics Sportsbook. Fans in D.C. can now bet on Spirit matches, marking a massive step for both the club and women’s sports. 🎲 Kim Stone, Spirit’s CEO, called it another leap forward, ensuring that the Spirit stays ahead of the game while empowering women athletes.

Adding to the buzz, Magic Johnson recently joined the Spirit’s ownership team. The basketball legend is no stranger to DMV sports, being part of the Washington Commanders' ownership group, and his track record with sports investments speaks for itself (just ask LAFC or the Sparks!). 🏀💼

With a skyrocketing value of $54 million and growing revenue, the Spirit’s momentum is undeniable. Michele Kang, the club’s powerhouse owner, continues to push boundaries—her creation of Kynisca Sports International Limited makes her the first to establish a global holding company focused solely on women’s soccer. Talk about playing the long game. 💼⚽

LIGA F NEWS

🎵Can’t Buy Me Bonmatí 🎵

Aitana Bonmatí is set to shatter records and make headlines as she inks a massive new deal with Barcelona, becoming the highest-paid player in women’s football. 🔥💰 Chelsea made a strong move to lure her away, offering to pay her €3 million release clause, but Barça wasn’t having it. The Catalan giants flexed their financial muscle, proving their dedication to women's football and their ambition to stay on top. 💪⚽ With 250+ appearances, 5 league titles, 3 Champions League wins, and a World Cup under her belt, Bonmatí’s resume is as stunning as her game. This deal is a massive win for both Barça and women’s football worldwide, showing that top-tier talent is finally being rewarded. 💼👑

USL NEWS

✈️ From Tampa to Rio

🌎⚽️ The USL Super League is kicking off its global expansion thanks to a new multi-year agreement with ESPN International. This deal is set to bring the excitement of the USL’s women’s league to soccer fans across Mexico, Central America, South America (yes, including Brazil!), and the Caribbean. 🌍

Starting this month, fans in these regions can catch every regular-season and playoff match of the USL Super League on ESPN’s linear channels and Disney+. 📺🍿 And it doesn’t stop there – ESPN will also continue to broadcast USL’s men’s leagues, Championship and League One, through 2025. This move highlights the USL's commitment to global growth and gives a major boost to the visibility of women’s soccer on an international stage. 🌟

Amanda Vandervort, President of the USL Super League, is thrilled about bringing their league’s "passion and energy" to new audiences. With the help of SPORTFIVE, this partnership is all set to put the USL Super League’s matches in front of eager fans across Latin America and the Caribbean. ¡Viva el fútbol! 🎉

COLLEGE NEWS

😓 From Pac-12 to Pains

College sports are in upheaval, and it's not just the football programs feeling the shake-up. The recent realignment of NCAA conferences has sent ripples through every corner of college athletics, leaving student-athletes grappling with unforeseen changes. 🏈➡️🏀

Last summer, the demise of the Pac-12 and a shuffle of teams between conferences have turned student-athlete lives upside down. Former Oregon softball player Morgan Scott and former Arizona State player Shannon Cunningham have voiced their frustrations as they deal with longer travel, disrupted routines, and the end of their Pac-12 dreams. 🌎🛫

The biggest winners? The Big Ten and SEC, who are cashing in on media rights deals worth billions. But while the financial benefits roll in, student-athletes like Stanford’s Nya Harrison are struggling with the impacts of cross-country travel on their academic lives and mental health. 📚💔

As universities chase TV money, sports like women’s soccer are getting a raw deal, with long road trips and missed classes becoming the new norm. Coaches like Eli Drinkwitz are questioning whether the athletes' needs are being overlooked in the race for revenue. 🚂💸

In the end, Karen Weaver’s insight rings true: It’s all about the money. But as Harrison poignantly puts it, “We are student-athletes, but we’re also human.” And that’s a reality worth remembering. 🌟

TRADE NEWS

🦁 London’s Lioness Makeover

Swedish stars Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson are now gracing the London City Lionesses with their presence. With Jakobsson’s departure from San Diego Wave FC—where she helped snag the 2023 NWSL Shield and the 2024 Challenge Cup—she’s set to join Asllani in London. The Swedish duo, having previously made waves at Real Madrid, are now aiming to ignite the Lionesses’ ambitions in the English football scene. ⚽👑

Jakobsson, known for her blistering pace, and Asllani, famed for her attacking brilliance, are expected to bring their potent mix of experience and skill to the Lionesses. Their chemistry from their days in Madrid promises to elevate the team’s performance and help build a formidable squad. 🌟🔥

But that’s not all—the London City Lionesses have also welcomed María Pérez from Barcelona. Although currently sidelined with an injury, Pérez’s status as a World Cup winner and her technical expertise are set to bolster the Lionesses’ midfield once she’s fit to play. With these star-studded signings, the Lionesses are clearly setting their sights high! 💪🏆

UPCOMING GAMES

UWCL QUALIFIERS

SEPTEMBER 18TH

Paris FC v Man City W 12:45pm

Häcken v Arsenal 3pm

Juventus v PSG 3pm

Fiorentina v Wolfsburg 4pm

SEPTEMBER 19TH

Sporting CP v Real Madrid 11am

Check out the rest of the UWCL matches here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

WSL

SEPTEMBER 20TH

Chelsea v Aston Villa 2pm

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Man Utd v West Ham 7am

Brighton v Everton 7:30am

SEPTEMBER 22ND

Arsenal v Man City 7:30am

Tottenham v Crystal Palace 9am

Liverpool v Leicester City 9am

Check out more WSL matches here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

SEPTEMBER 18TH

USA v Korea DPR 5:30pm

Japan v Netherlands 9pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

NWSL

SEPTEMBER 16TH

Reign v Gotham 10pm

SEPTEMBER 20TH

Current v Spirit 8pm

Bay FC v Pride 10:30pm

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Racing v Courage 7:30pm

Dash v Reign 8:30pm

Red Stars v Wave FC 9:30pm

SEPTEMBER 22ND

Gotham v Royals 1pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

USL

SEPTEMBER 22ND

Lexington SC v Ft. Lauderdale 4pm

Spokane v DC Power FC 9pm

SEPTEMBER 25TH

Brooklyn FC v Dallas Trinity FC 7pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Liga F

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Levante v Sociedad 6am

Granada v Eibar 6am

Sevilla v Barcelona 1pm

SEPTEMBER 22ND

Valencia v Atl. Madrid 6am

Real Madrid v Atl. Club 1pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Serie A

SEPTEMBER 20TH

Napoli W v Sassuolo W 8:30am

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Lazio W v Juventus 9am

SEPTEMBER 22ND

Como W v AC AS Roma W 6:30am

Inter W v AC Milan W 9:45am

Fiorentina W v Sampdoria W 12pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Bundesliga

SEPTEMBER 20TH

RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen 12:30pm

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Freiburg v Jena 6am

SEPTEMBER 22ND

Wolfsburg v Koln 12:30pm

SEPTEMBER 23RD

Bayern Munich v Hoffenheim 12pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

D1 Feminine

SEPTEMBER 20TH

Fleury 91 v Lyon 3pm

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Le Havre v Nantes 11am

Montpellier v PSG 3pm

SEPTEMBER 22ND

Guingamp v Paris FC 8:30am

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

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