Good Morning Footies! ⚽ Brace yourself for a wild ride in women’s soccer! 🌪️ The NWSL is smashing attendance records, with 1.5 million fans packing the stands this season! Pietra Tordin pulled off a jaw-dropping hat trick against Paraguay in the U20 WWC! 😮 The first round of the Women’s Champions League is in the books, and now we’re all on the edge of our seats for the Round 2 draw. Over in Liga F, Real Madrid, Sevilla FC, and Barcelona kicked off their campaigns with wins, and the Frauen-Bundesliga is set to light up our screens this Friday.

Oh, and did we mention? Orlando Pride just snagged a playoff spot! 🎉

UPCOMING GAMES

CLUB FRIENDLIES

SEPTEMBER 8TH

Everton v Aston Villa 9am

SEPTEMBER 11TH

Tottenham v Feyenoord 8am

SEPTEMBER 13TH

PSG v Reims W 5am

Montpelleir v Dijon W 8am

Check out more friendlies matches here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

SEPTEMBER 11TH

Brazil v Cameroon 5:30pm

Spain v Canada 5:30pm

Columbia v Korea Republic 9pm

Mexico v USA 9pm

SEPTEMBER 12TH

Germany v Argentina 5:30pm

Korea DPR v Austria 5:30pm

Japan v Nigeria 9pm

France v Netherlands 9pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

NWSL

SEPTEMBER 13TH

Courage v Bay FC 1pm

Pride v Current 8pm

Thorns v Red Stars 10pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

USL

SEPTEMBER 13TH

DC Power v Ft. Lauderdale 7:30pm

Dallas Trinity v Lexington SC 8pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Liga F

SEPTEMBER 11TH

Atl. Madrid v Granada 2pm

SEPTEMBER 13TH

Barcelona v Sociedad 2pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Bundesliga

SEPTEMBER 13TH

Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig 12:30pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UWCL NEWS

2️⃣ Round 2 Draw

The UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2 draw is live on September 9th , and it's about to get wild! This September, 24 teams are set to battle it out for a coveted spot in the group stage, with matches scheduled for the 18/19 and 25/26. The tournament is divided into the Champions Path and the League Path, with 14 teams vying for seven places in the Champions Path, and 10 teams fighting for five spots in the League Path.

Expect high drama as Paris Saint-Germain, Wolfsburg, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, among others, enter the fray. Notable mentions include PSG, who are fresh off a semi-final appearance, and Benfica, who made it to the quarters last season. On the flip side, debutants like Hammarby and Galatasaray are eager to make their mark, while Celtic and Sporting CP aim for their first-ever group stage appearance.

The draw is set to reveal which teams will join the elite club of Barcelona, Lyon, Bayern München, and Chelsea, who are already through. The journey to the group stage promises thrills and chills, with fixtures kicking off on September 18/19.

NWSL NEWS

🏟️ Playoff Pride

The Orlando Pride is on fire! 🚀 With an undefeated streak in 18 matches and a record-breaking season, they’ve clinched a spot in the 2024 NWSL Playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Pride set new league records with 13 wins, 44 points, and 8 clean sheets, securing their place in history. Now, they’re aiming for the NWSL Shield and a home playoff game. The expanded playoff format promises intense quarterfinals starting November 9. Pride fans, get ready!

NWSL NEWS

💸 "Visa’s Assist

While women’s soccer is enjoying a surge in popularity, the financial side of the game isn’t keeping pace. Enter Visa, swooping in with a sponsorship deal that’s about more than just branding. Visa’s new program with BayFC is designed to help players maximize their earnings by offering opportunities for social media appearances—a smart move in today’s digital age. Traditionally, these appearance fees were hard to come by, often requiring time-consuming in-person events. Now, players can engage online, elevating their personal brands while padding their wallets. This boost is crucial, especially for non-star players making as little as $37k—a tough wage in the pricey Bay Area.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is also stepping up, with a new collective bargaining agreement that raises minimum salaries and phases out the draft, allowing players to choose their teams. The Visa deal and the NWSL’s new policies are leveling the playing field, ensuring that more players get the financial support they need to thrive in a sport they’re passionate about. As BayFC’s Emily Menges puts it, this isn’t just about the top stars anymore—everyone on the team now has a shot at earning more and securing their future. 🌟

NCAA NEWS

💔 Streaks and Heartbreak

It was a week of firsts, streaks, and a little heartbreak in women’s soccer! Stanford’s red-hot Andrea Kitahata is making history, scoring in her fifth consecutive match, channeling her inner Catarina Macario. The Cardinal  edged out Saint Mary’s 1-0, thanks to Kitahata’s precision header and a rock-solid defense led by Haley Craig’s fourth shutout. Over in Tobacco Road, Duke pulled off a stunning 1-0 win against No. 2 North Carolina, snapping the Tar Heels’ six-game winning streak. Maggie Graham’s last-second first-half goal was all the Blue Devils needed, as they stifled UNC’s offense, marking their third consecutive shutout.

Meanwhile, Cornell’s 14-match non-conference unbeaten streak was shattered by Boston College, who walked away with a 3-2 victory. Despite a spirited fight, including a jaw-dropping goal by Tanum Nelson, the Big Red couldn’t overcome the Eagles’ second-half surge. Cornell now turns their attention to Lehigh, hoping to break their winless streak against the Mountain Hawks.

Upcoming Games:
The excitement continues with some must-watch clashes this week. Wake Forest takes on UNC, Virginia faces off against Miami, and Stanford looks to keep their momentum as they meet Santa Clara. These games promise more thrilling moments, so mark your calendars! ⚽🔥

WSL NEWS

📵 Selfie Squeeze

The rise in women's football is undeniably thrilling, but with great popularity comes great selfie restrictions. Chelsea, always ahead of the curve, has decided to cut down on spontaneous fan-player photo ops, citing safety concerns (imagine having phones thrown at your head) and sustainability. Instead, they’re rolling out organized meet-and-greets—because nothing says "fun" like a scheduled photo session, right? Arsenal’s Jonas Eidevall chimed in, acknowledging the challenge of balancing fan engagement with player welfare, especially as the crowds grow thicker and the demands for selfies grow stronger.

Manchester City, not one to be left behind, introduced "Autograph Alley," a calmer, controlled environment for fan interactions. Players like Esme Morgan have praised this setup, finding it a more pleasant experience compared to the chaotic mob scenes of the past. However, not everyone is happy—social media has seen its fair share of fans lamenting missed autograph opportunities.

If you want to see why officials are concerned about player safety check this video out.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

🦁 Leah's Leadership

The Lionesses are roaring both on and off the pitch! 🦁⚽ With only 43% of school-aged girls having access to football compared to 66% of boys, the England Women's team is pushing for change. They’re in talks with the UK government to level the playing field, and Captain Leah Williamson is leading the charge, determined to ensure that the next generation of girls has the same opportunities to chase their football dreams.

Keir Starmer’s government appears supportive, with plans to boost funding for grassroots football and a curriculum review in the works. But the road ahead isn’t all smooth—a gap in access remains, especially in secondary schools. Nevertheless, the Lionesses are undeterred, using their influence to inspire and drive the conversation forward. 💪 As Williamson wisely notes, the true victory will be when being a professional female footballer is as ordinary as it is extraordinary. 🌟

LIGA F NEWS

🏆 Barça Barça Barça

Aitana Bonmati is set to shun offers from Chelsea and stay put at Barcelona, where she's about to become the highest-paid female footballer globally. 💸🚀 The 26-year-old Ballon d'Or winner, who has dazzled with her performances leading Barcelona to a historic quadruple and Spain to World Cup glory, is nearing the finalization of a deal that will see her extend her stay beyond 2025. 🏆🔵🔴 Despite Chelsea's tempting advances, Bonmati's commitment to Barcelona reflects her deep-rooted connection with the club, where she's been since age 13. 🌟💪 With this extension, Barcelona not only secures their star player but also sends a clear message about their ambitions and investment in women's football. 🌟✨

WSL NEWS

🔵 Chelsea’s Wall

The Blues have signed 21-year-old Maelys Mpome from Montpellier on a four-year deal, making her their sixth summer signing. Mpome, a French youth international and towering center-back, is ready to make her mark in the Women's Super League (WSL). Describing the move as a "dream come true," she’s eager to join Chelsea’s star-studded backline, which includes the likes of Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan. Chelsea’s new head coach, Sonia Bompastor, who once played at Montpellier, is excited to see Mpome’s development in the WSL. With Chelsea’s title defense kicking off on September 20 against Aston Villa, all eyes will be on this promising young defender as she steps onto the pitch in blue. ⚽💙

WSL NEWS

🩵 City’s Startup

Manchester City has found their Startup success! 🧤 Katie Startup, the 25-year-old goalkeeper who made a big impression during her emergency loan last season, is back at City—this time on a permanent two-year deal. Known for her composure under pressure and her advocacy for mental health awareness (hence the #40 jersey), Startup is ready to compete at the highest level. With a background in top-tier English football and a resume that includes stints at Charlton, Liverpool, and Brighton, she's no stranger to battling for titles. As City gears up for another intense WSL season, Startup’s return solidifies their goalkeeping ranks, ensuring they’re ready for anything the competition throws their way.

🥇You Are….

Alphabet Handwriting Workbook is the perfect alphabet book for young children learning to write. Each page features tracing exercises for upper and lowercase letters, accompanied by positive affirmations to boost self-esteem and confidence. From "A is for Amazing" ❤️ to "Z is for Zestful," this book is a fun and inspiring way to learn the alphabet and build a positive mindset.