Salut, Footies! It’s been a goal-fest this weekend with full nets across the globe from Sandy, Utah to Nice, France. And guess what? Barcelona is set to bring their captivating talent to America in August—keep scrolling for more women’s football news! ⚽️ 🏟️

OLYMPICS

🥅 Teams Full of Goal Getters

The second round of group stage matches at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a rollercoaster of thrills and chills! In a match where patience truly paid off, Japan stunned Brazil with a last-minute long-range strike, while Colombia made sure New Zealand's trip to France was less than memorable, putting two goals past them. A free kick wonder from Alexia Putellas kept Spain dancing at the top of Group C, with their 1-0 win over Nigeria showcasing the magic of set pieces. Meanwhile, in Nice, Australia and Zambia put on a goal-scoring extravaganza, with the Matildas emerging victorious 6-5 after a dramatic last-minute goal. In a nail-biting finish, Canada secured a 2-1 win over France with a late goal by Vanessa Gilles, proving that even top teams can be bested by last-minute heroics. On the other side of the bracket, the USWNT’s attack was nothing short of sensational, with a 4-1 thrashing of Germany, solidifying their position at the top of Group A. The last day of group stage fixtures is on Wednesday, July 31st. The games start at 11am EST.

📚 Football Lexicon

This Isn’t Baseball!

Why Is a Field Called a Pitch?

Ever wondered why a soccer field is called a pitch? It’s not just a quirky term—it has a fascinating history! Travel back to 19th-century England, where soccer’s grassy arenas were inspired by cricket’s central playing area, also known as the pitch. Borrowing the term gave football a touch of historical flair and tied it to its English roots. Plus, "pitch" just sounds cooler than "field"! Check out the full story on our blog and see how this term has stuck around on the pitch for centuries.

💬 Pitch Prose Of The Week

"We need to have women in more powerful positions that are making decisions, so when that 10-year-old girl is looking up and wondering, What can I do and what do I want to be when I get older? She has the opportunity to do and be whatever she wants," Wambach says. "And then, more importantly, ... I want that 10-year-old boy that she goes to school with to be able to look at her and to be able to say, 'She can do whatever she wants.' " - Abby Wambach

OLYMPICS

The Drone Diaries

Canada's women's soccer team has been hit with a six-point penalty and major sanctions after a drone was used to spy on New Zealand’s practice. The controversy erupted when French authorities traced the drone back to Canadian staffer Joseph Lombardi on July 22. FIFA's penalties include a year-long ban for Lombardi, assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and head coach Bev Priestman, alongside a hefty fine for Canada Soccer.

Adding fuel to the fire, it’s been revealed that U.S. Soccer was aware of Canada’s spying attempts. In January 2021, a Canadian staffer was caught pretending to be an IMG Academy employee to observe U.S. training. While U.S. Soccer chose not to report the incident to maintain good relations for the 2026 World Cup bid, the practice of spying appears to be a recurring issue for Canada’s teams.

John Herdman, former coach of both Canadian national teams, is a key figure in the scandal. Despite his denials, ongoing investigations suggest he might be implicated. As Canada faces a significant points deficit in the Olympics, the scandal continues to cast a shadow over their campaign.

LIGA F NEWS

🌮  From Tapas to Tacos: Barça Women’s U.S. Tour

Barcelona Femení Heads to the USA
Barcelona's women's team is heading to the United States this summer for a preseason tour that promises exciting friendlies against Bay FC and Dallas Trinity FC. Scheduled for August 27 and August 30, respectively, these matches are part of their preparations for the new season under new coach Pere Romeu.

Key Matches: Bay FC and Dallas Trinity FC
On August 27, Barça will play Bay FC at PayPal Park in San José, California. This game is extra special because it reunites them with former star Asisat Oshoala, now playing for Bay FC. Just a few days later, on August 30, they will face Dallas Trinity FC at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Texas. Dallas Trinity FC is a fresh contender in the USL Super League, making this match a must-watch.

Barça’s U.S. Legacy
This marks Barça Women’s third U.S. tour. In 2018, they made their American debut alongside the men’s team, crushing SoCal FC 5-0. Their solo return in 2021 saw them compete in the Women’s International Champions Cup, where they narrowly lost to Lyon but secured third place against Houston Dash.

New Faces and Future Plans
With Pere Romeu taking the reins, the team is also welcoming new talents like Ewa Pajor, Ellie Roebuck, and Kika Nazareth. Despite the departure of coach Jonatan Giráldez to Washington Spirit and players like Mariona Caldentey and Lucy Bronze, Barça remains focused and determined with the likes of Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati.

Key Insights

• Reunion: Facing Bay FC means a heartwarming yet competitive reunion with Asisat Oshoala.

• Fresh Talent: New signings are ready to shine and make their mark.

• Historical Context: This tour reinforces Barça Women’s growth and appeal in the U.S. market.

  
  For more details and ticket information, visit fcbarcelonawomenusa.com.

WSL NEWS

Hurtig’s Comeback

Swedish forward Lina Hurtig has returned to Arsenal training after dealing with personal issues and persistent back problems that have limited her playtime. Over two seasons, Hurtig has made only 11 WSL appearances, with just two starts. Her latest back issue sidelined her for most of the last season's second half. Arsenal recently posted photos of Hurtig training alongside Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius. On Instagram, Hurtig thanked her family, teammates, and staff for their support, expressing excitement to be back on the field. She shared, “I’m very happy to say that I’m back now and feeling like myself again.” Hurtig’s comeback marks a hopeful turn in her challenging journey with Arsenal.

Arsenal Women kicked off their preseason at the Sobha Realty Training Centre this week. While most of the squad is either competing at the Paris Olympics or on holiday, a small group began their training. Captain Kim Little was joined by Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig, Teyah Goldie, and Naomi Williams. Arsenal posted some photos of their training session! We wish Lina all the best in the upcoming WSL season!

NWSL NEWS

: 🌊 Waves of Woe: San Diego’s Troubling Tide

In their latest Summer Cup clash, San Diego Wave FC suffered a tough 2-0 defeat to Club América Femenil, sending shockwaves through sunny San Diego. Despite goalkeeper Morgan Messner’s impressive saves, including a remarkable stop from a free-kick, the Wave’s defense buckled under Club América’s unyielding pressure. The Mexican side broke the deadlock with a header from Karen Luna in the 78th minute and sealed the win with a late strike from Kiana Palacios.

Interim coach Paul Buckle was left scratching his head, noting that the game plan failed to make waves and instead sank like a stone. With only a few matches remaining in the Summer Cup, the team needs to reassess their strategy quickly. For San Diego Wave fans, it’s time to return to the drawing board as the team must shore up their defense and reignite their attack to prevent further setbacks and salvage their season.

NWSL NEWS

Gotham’s Newest Star: 13-Year-Old Whitham!

Meet McKenna “Mak” Whitham, the 13-year-old prodigy who just signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC, making her the youngest player ever in NWSL history. Scheduled to start her guaranteed contract in January 2025, Whitham could step onto the pitch for her debut a day after her 14th birthday during the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Already a Nike ambassador and a goal-scorer for Gotham in preseason, Whitham’s journey from a beach-loving teen in Southern California to a professional soccer star is nothing short of extraordinary. With her debut potentially breaking records across U.S. sports history, Whitham is poised to turn heads and prove that age is just a number in the world of soccer.

WHAT THE PROS WEAR

👟 ADIDAS F50 ELITE FIRM GROUND CLEATS

Unleash your speed with the Adidas F50, the cleats worn by stars like Trinity Rodman and Linda Caicedo! These ultra-light cleats feature a thin Fibertouch upper and a Compression Fit Tunnel Tongue for ultimate control and lockdown. With a springy Sprintframe 360 outsole and eco-friendly materials, you’ll dominate the field while making a positive impact on the planet.