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00:05 August 5th
🏅OLYMPIC NEWS
THE SEMI-STAGE IS SET
Allô, Footies! ⚽ The Paris 2024 women’s Olympic soccer semi-finals are set, and it's a clash of titans! After over 500 minutes of soccer, the USWNT, with Trinity Rodman’s clutch goal, have made it to the final four and will face Germany, who pulled off a penalty shootout thriller against Canada. Meanwhile, Spain, after a dramatic comeback and shootout victory over Colombia, will take on Brazil, who stunned France with a late winner from Gabi Portilho. With the stage set for epic showdowns on Tuesday August 6, these matches promise edge-of-your-seat excitement and gold-medal dreams! 🏅⚽️
12 pm 🇺🇸 United States v 🇩🇪 Germany
3 pm 🇧🇷 Brazil v 🇪🇸 Spain
All kick-off times are EST
Which two countries have faced each other the most times in Olympic women’s soccer finals?
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USWNT NEWS
➡️ Hayes' Way 🎯
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The USWNT secured their spot in the Olympic semifinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Japan, thanks to a brilliant extra-time goal by Trinity Rodman ⚽. While the match may not have been a display of free-flowing football, it was a testament to the team's resilience and tactical discipline under head coach Emma Hayes 🧠.
Hayes, unfazed by criticism and questions about her tactics, stood firm in her decision to stick with a consistent lineup, emphasizing that her focus is on results, not style points. The game plan, which involved patient ball movement and a solid defensive structure 🛡️, eventually paid off as the U.S. capitalized on their opportunity in extra time.
Dunn’s assist and Rodman's decisive strike was a moment of individual brilliance ✨ in a match where chances were at a premium. Her goal, which Hayes described as "world-class," was the difference-maker and underscored the team's ability to deliver when it matters most.
As the USWNT prepares to face Germany in the semifinals, the team remains confident in their approach. Despite lingering questions from their last tournament performance at the 2023 World Cup, Hayes and her squad are focused on the present, brushing off any attempts to revisit past disappointments. With their eyes on the prize 🥇, the U.S. is ready to continue their pursuit of Olympic glory, backed by a coach who knows exactly what it takes to win.
OLYMPIC NEWS
🧤 Berger's Big Save 🥅
In a penalty shootout for the ages, German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger stole the show, propelling Germany into the Olympic semi-finals with a combination of brilliant saves and a decisive goal. 🥅🚀 After a nail-biting 0-0 draw against Canada, Berger showcased her skills by stopping two crucial penalties and then scoring the winning kick, reminiscent of Alyssa Naeher’s memorable moments of both saving and scoring in shootouts. ⚽️👏 This feat is even more remarkable considering Berger's inspiring battle and triumph over cancer twice. 💪🎗️
SERIE A NEWS
🇮🇹 Maternity Milan Style 🤰
AC Milan is scoring big with their groundbreaking maternity policy, becoming the first European club to guarantee contract renewals for female players who become pregnant during their final contract year. 🤰💼 This policy isn’t just a token gesture—it includes automatic contract extensions, childcare assistance during sports activities, and coverage for travel expenses for children and a companion. 🍼✈️ The club also offers access to professionals in psycho-pedagogical support, physiotherapy, and nutrition, with options to bring in external experts as needed.
This initiative is a bold move towards supporting women in football, going beyond current regulations and setting a new standard. 📈 The Italian Serie A, which turned professional in the 2022-23 season, is expanding, and AC Milan is leading the charge with this policy, aiming to create an environment where female players and staff can make significant life choices without sacrificing their careers.
Elisabet Spina, AC Milan's Head of Women's Football, and CEO Giorgio Furlani both emphasize the club’s commitment to the well-being of its female players and staff, framing this policy as part of a broader strategy to foster growth and development. This isn’t just about football ⚽️; it’s about creating a more inclusive and supportive environment in sports, where players can balance their personal lives and professional ambitions.
In a world where only 2% of female footballers have children, and nearly half would leave the sport to start a family, AC Milan’s new policy is not just a first—it’s a game-changer.
MEDIA NEWS
⚽️ Re-Inc Revolution 📰
Christen Press and Tobin Heath are rewriting the playbook on women’s sports coverage with their podcast, The Re-Cap Show. 🎙️ Launched during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the show offers behind-the-scenes insights into professional women’s soccer, featuring guests like Ali Krieger and Lindsey Horan. 🌟 Press and Heath aim to keep the spotlight on women’s sports, capitalizing on the growing momentum, especially as the Paris Summer Olympics unfold. 🥇 Their goal? To reimagine how women athletes are portrayed and ensure the conversation never dies down. 🔥
Beyond the podcast, Press and Heath's Re-Inc brand, which began with a single T-shirt in 2019, has evolved into a global community advocating for equality and change in sports. 🌍 They tackle the lackluster commentary often associated with women’s sports, pushing for more dynamic and informed coverage. 📣 As women’s sports gain popularity, they’re determined to protect the inclusive and empowering space it has become, while bringing more fans into the fold and making history along the way. 🚀
TRADE NEWS
🏃♀️ Gio on the Move ⚽
Gio Queiroz’s Arsenal chapter has officially closed as she heads to Atletico Madrid, leaving the Gunners in search of a fresh attack. The Brazilian winger, who arrived at Arsenal with high hopes from Barcelona in 2022, had a rocky start and spent much of her time on the bench or out on loan. Her impressive stint with Madrid CFF last season, where she netted nine goals in 16 appearances, has clearly caught Atletico's eye. 👀
Now, with Gio joining the Spanish side, there’s a chance Arsenal might face her Atletico Madrid team in the Women’s Champions League qualifiers this September. Arsenal’s new attacking additions like Lina Hurtig and Mariona Caldentey should help fill the void, so Gio's exit might not be a major concern for them. 🔄🏆
TRADE NEWS
🗒️ Gunning for Clean Sheets 🗒️
Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is the latest signing for Arsenal Women, and she's not just excited—she's "beyond excited," as she put it in her Instagram debut with the club. Arsenal fans are buzzing with enthusiasm, welcoming her with cheers from stars like Beth Mead and Ian Wright. After a stint with Aston Villa where she made a mark despite a hip injury, Van Domselaar is set to bring a fresh dynamic to Arsenal’s goalkeeping squad. The big question now: Will she give current first-choice Manuela Zinsberger a run for her money? 🏃🏼♀️
Van Domselaar’s arrival ✈️ comes after Arsenal’s recent struggle to secure a top goalkeeper, with failed attempts to sign England's Mary Earps. With her impressive track record from the Women’s World Cup and a promising future ahead, the "Clean Sheet FC" might soon become a reality for Arsenal. Her style contrasts with Zinsberger’s, offering Arsenal a strategic edge in goal. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this new goalkeeper duo will shape up as the season unfolds.
TRADE NEWS
👩🍳 What’s Cookin’, Kansas?🔥
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Kansas City Current just got a whole lot better with the addition of Alana Cook, who’s returning to work with former USWNT head coach, Vlatko Andonovski. Cook, recently traded from Seattle Reign, is excited to reunite with Andonovski and bring her defensive prowess to her new squad. She’s known for her impressive track record, including winning the NWSL Shield and Championship with Seattle, as well as her solid performances at Paris Saint-Germain.
Cook’s arrival is a big deal for Kansas City, who are currently making a strong push for the postseason. Known for her reliability and dedication, Cook’s ability to improve daily and her penchant for stepping up in crucial moments (like scoring a pivotal Champions League goal for PSG) will be a significant asset. With ten games left and Kansas City in second place, Cook is poised to help her new team chase the NWSL Shield 🛡️ and cement her legacy with more silverware.
Swiss football legend Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic is set to make her return to the NWSL after a successful stint in Europe with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Known for her versatility and impressive goal-scoring record, the former Portland Thorn is rumored to have inked a two-year deal, though her destination remains a mystery. With an international spot open at Angel City and a possible reunion with coach Jonatan Giráldez at Washington Spirit, fans are eagerly awaiting her next move.
🎉 Youth Soccer Showdown! 🌟 The 2024 Concacaf Girls' U-15 Championship kicks off on August 5th across Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Aruba! With 33 teams split into three leagues, the action-packed week will feature group stages, playoffs, and thrilling semifinals, wrapping up with the finals on August 11th. Watch out for the U.S. defending their title and Nicaragua aiming to keep their League B crown! ⚽🏆
Barclays Scores Big in Scotland! 🏴 Barclays is now the title sponsor of Scottish women's football, covering the Championship and League One. 🎉 From Dumfries to the Highlands, their support promises to boost visibility and excitement. Get ready for a new season with Barclays leading the charge!
Stanford’s women’s soccer team just snagged the United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award for the 2023-24 school year! 🌟 With a squad GPA of 3.0 or higher, they’ve joined 102 schools that achieved this double-whammy recognition. 📚 Stanford isn’t just scoring goals on the field but also acing it in the classroom—talk about a winning combo! 📖
📚 Football Lexicon
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What is a weighted pass?
A weighted pass in soccer is a precisely timed and powered pass that reaches a teammate with the perfect speed and accuracy. It ensures the ball arrives at the right moment and location, making it easier for the teammate to control and advance the play.
❓MATCH QUIZ ANSWER
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