Hey hey, Footies! The NWSL welcomed back their Olympians with a still unbeaten Orlando Pride and Alyssa Thompson bagging a brace for Angel City FC. Barcelona’s Pajor and Putellas left Milan dazed, while Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore snatched the game-winner against Arsenal in a friendly showdown. In this edition, we also dive into USWNT’s Crystal Dunn opening up about players' mental health, West Ham, Man City, and PSG going down under, Liverpool’s unexpected friendly exit, Brighton’s new signings, and Arsenal’s teen titans.

UPCOMING GAMES

CLUB FRIENDLIES

AUGUST 27TH 10 PM

Bay FC v Barcelona

AUGUST 28TH 6:15 AM

Manchester City v Leicester City

AUGUST 29TH 6:15 AM

West Ham v PSG

AUGUST 30TH 8:30 PM

Dallas Trinity FC v Barcelona

Check out more club friendlies this week here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

NWSL

AUGUST 30TH

Portland Thorns v Bay FC 10pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

🌘  Alexia From The Moon

Barcelona Femeni clinched a 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the Gamper Trophy, with both goals delivering pure magic. Ewa Pajor opened the scoring with a clinical header (and clinical cross from Graham), continuing her stellar pre-season form. The highlight of the match was Alexia Putellas’ worldie from near the halfway line, sealing the win in the final minutes. With this win, Barça secured their fourth consecutive Gamper Trophy in front of a record-breaking crowd.

PLAYER NEWS

🥇 More Than Medals

Crystal Dunn is breaking the silence on the less glamorous side of sports stardom ⭐️. Despite being a key player in the USWNT’s gold medal win, Dunn reveals the struggle behind the success. In a candid ESPN interview, she shared the pressure of balancing soccer, motherhood 👶🏼, and personal identity—yes, athletes face real-life issues too! Dunn emphasized that even though they seem to have it all, soccer players have their own mental hurdles 🧠 to overcome. Her advice? Celebrate small wins and cut yourself some slack. As she prepares for future challenges, including the 2027 World Cup, Dunn's focus on mental health is as crucial as ever, proving that behind every athlete's trophy is a story of resilience and self-care.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

🧤 Berger's Big Win

Ann-Katrin Berger is having a standout year! After a stellar performance at the Olympics where she played a crucial role in Germany's bronze medal win, the goalkeeper 🧤 has been named Germany’s ‘Women’s Footballer of the Year.’ This is a big deal as she’s the first goalie to snag this honor since 1998. Berger, who currently plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC, was a surprise winner, and it took her a while to fully grasp the achievement. In the Olympic quarter-finals, she not only saved two penalties ⚽ but also scored the decisive penalty herself. She capped off her Olympic adventure by saving another penalty in the bronze medal match against Spain. Clearly, Berger is proving that goalkeepers are not just the last line of defense but also the stars of the show! 🏆

WSL NEWS

🌎 Going Down Under

West Ham United women’s team is heading Down Under for the first-ever Perth International Football Cup, a pre-season tournament that promises both sun and serious competition. From August 21 to September 2, West Ham will join Manchester City, Leicester City, and Paris Saint-Germain in Australia for a football fiesta at HBF Park. The tournament kicks off with Manchester City facing Leicester City on August 28, followed by West Ham clashing with PSG on August 29.

Manager Rehanne Skinner is over the moon about the trip, seeing it as the perfect chance to fine-tune the team's playstyle and bond over kangaroo sightings. The Hammers will have a packed schedule, not only prepping for their WSL opener against Manchester United on September 21 but also engaging with local fans and soaking up the Aussie culture.

The grand finale is set for September 1, where the victors of the semi-finals will battle it out for the cup, while the defeated teams will duke it out in a third-place playoff. It’s a golden opportunity for West Ham to sharpen their skills against top-tier teams and bring some Aussie luck back to the WSL.

WSL NEWS

🚫 Liverpool Bows Out

Liverpool FC Women’s pre-season clash with Manchester United was called off faster than you can say “red card!🟥” The match, slated for August 25th at Carrington, got the boot due to a rash of injuries among the Liverpool squad—apparently, their players took “break a leg” a bit too literally during the international window. 🦵

Manager Matt Beard took to Liverpoolfc.com to explain that with so many key players sidelined, it was time to hit the reset button rather than the pitch. 🔄⚽️ He also extended his apologies to Manchester United for the last-minute cancellation, but hey, at least it’s not a surprise penalty in the 90th minute! 🕒

Beard reassured fans that this decision was all about the long game—keeping the team in top shape for their season opener against Leicester City on September 22nd. 📅👊. So, while the pre-season action may be on ice 🧊, the Reds are gearing up to roar back in the Women’s Super League, hopefully with a fully fit squad and a few less bruises.

NWSL NEWS

No. 1️⃣ 5️⃣ Forever

Megan Rapinoe's legacy with Seattle Reign, now OL Reign, is nothing short of legendary, and her jersey retirement marks the end of an era. Known for her on-field brilliance and off-field activism, Rapinoe's impact is immortalized in five standout stats 📈: 26 assists, 51 goals, three NWSL Shields, 8,454 minutes of play, and now, the first retired jersey in Reign history. Her final bow came after an Achilles injury in the NWSL championship, but her influence remains, symbolized by a permanent LED tribute at Lumen Field 🏟️. Rapinoe's connection with the Reign and its fans runs deep, as she promises to support the club as a fan for the next 111 years.

SWPL NEWS

💥  SWPL Glow Up

The ScottishPower Women’s Premier League (SWPL) kicked off the 2024/25 season with a bang, setting a new record for opening weekend attendance! 🎉  4,191 fans showed up, nearly doubling last year’s numbers. That’s right, the SWPL is on fire! 🔥

Top-tier games alone drew 3,723 spectators—more than double the 1,780 who turned up last year. The second division wasn’t left out either, with attendance jumping from 353 to 468. Talk about a glow-up!

SWPL Managing Director Fiona McIntyre was over the moon 🌙, crediting the success to the league’s “Your SWPL. Be Here” campaign. From streamlined ticket info to prize giveaways, they’ve pulled out all the stops to make matchdays a must-see event. 🏟️

With Celtic Park, Wyre Stadium at Firhill, and Easter Road hosting games, fans are getting a front-row seat to elite women’s football in top-notch venues. 🏅 McIntyre’s message is clear: if you’ve never been to a game before, now’s the time to dive in!

WSL NEWS

⚽ Brighton’s New Ballers!

Brighton & Hove Albion is on a mission, and they’re not playing around! The Seagulls have swooped in and secured two massive signings from Chelsea and Barcelona, adding serious firepower to their squad. Jelena Cankovic, a dynamic Serbian midfielder known for her dazzling tricks and clutch performances, has traded Chelsea blue for Brighton’s stripes. After two seasons at Chelsea 🔵 , where she racked up goals and assists, Cankovic is looking for more playing time and a new challenge by the sea. She’ll be reuniting with former Chelsea teammate Fran Kirby and teaming up with Vicky Losada to orchestrate Brighton’s attack.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s rising star Bruna Vilamala, fresh off scoring ⚡ on her debut for Spain, has joined Brighton on a season-long loan. With experience at the highest level, including the UEFA Champions League, Vilamala is set to make her mark in the WSL. Brighton is clearly aiming for a top-six finish this season, and with these new additions, they might just ruffle a few feathers along the way!

WSL NEWS

🚀 Rising Gunners

Arsenal’s young guns are making waves 🌊, and Kelly Smith is all in on their potential 🌟. The former Gunners icon is backing the likes of Michelle Agyemang, Freya Godfrey, and Vivianne Lia to challenge the established stars and add some fresh energy ⚡ to the squad. Smith praises their rapid development and believes their hunger to succeed will push Arsenal's first-team stars to up their game ⚽. Agyemang, known for her physicality and lethal shot, is particularly highlighted by Smith, who hopes to see her and her fellow young Gunners secure more playing time. Smith's enthusiasm is palpable as she recalls her own breakthrough moments and eagerly anticipates seeing these talented teens push Arsenal to new heights this season.

🥇For Your Little Champ….

Dive into "Coloring Champions: Empowering Girls Coloring Book," where vibrant illustrations celebrate young girls in sports like soccer ⚽️, baseball ⚾️ , surfing 🏄‍♀️, and karate 🥋. Each page showcases their skills and dreams, inspiring kids to pursue their goals with confidence and challenge gender stereotypes. Perfect for aspiring athletes and art enthusiasts alike, this book encourages creativity while celebrating strong female athletes.