Buenos días Footies! 🎉 Huge congrats to Korea DPR for grabbing the gold at the U-20 Women’s World Cup—what a way to shine on the big stage! Meanwhile, the WSL kicked off its 2024 season with some absolute bangers. ⚽ Oh, and in case you missed it, Vivianne Miedema made her Man City debut by scoring against her former club in front of over 35,000 people.

This week, UWCL qualifiers wrap up (will Arsenal have another year on the sidelines?), with the group stage draw right around the corner. But that’s just the start! We’ve got the scoop on NWSL expansion drama, fresh WSL partnerships that help grow the game, Liga F challenges, and a back injury that’s making everyone wince. 😬⚽

GOAL(S) OF THE WEEK

Remember the name Kiko Seike! In her first WSL game she produced a hat trick!

POST OF THE WEEK

What it’s all about. Representation matters. 👍🏻

WSL NEWS

❤️ Number 8

Maddy Cusack’s legacy continues to inspire through her family’s dedication to giving girls in football a voice. A year after her untimely death, her sister Olivia is championing the Maddy Cusack Foundation, supporting young girls like 8-year-old Nevaeh, who idolized Maddy. Having played over 100 games for Sheffield United, Maddy’s story is a bittersweet reminder of the pressures female athletes face, juggling careers and their passion for the sport. As the FA investigation continues, Olivia's focus remains on ensuring no other players endure the same hardships that took her sister’s spirit. 💔⚽

To honor her legacy, the WSL is recognizing Maddy by having players wear black armbands and holding a moment of applause in the 8th minute of matches. Maddy’s story is now one of hope, empowering future generations of women in football to thrive, not just survive.✨

U20WWC NEWS

🥇Congrats to Korea DPR

Korea DPR just solidified their legendary status by claiming their third U-20 Women’s World Cup title with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Japan. Leading the charge was none other than the unstoppable Choe Il-son, who didn’t just bring home the gold but also danced off with the adidas Golden Boot and Golden Ball. After lighting up the tournament in Colombia, she’s heading back to Pyongyang with a glittering trophy collection. 🏆

Japan, while narrowly missing the top spot, can proudly take home the silver medal and a slew of awards to boot. Their star Manaka Matsukubo won the adidas Silver Ball, and Maya Hijikata earned the adidas Bronze Boot for her sharp finishing. To top it off, Japan bagged the FIFA Fair Play Trophy for their sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Not bad for a second-place finish! 🥈👏

In a bronze medal thriller, the USA edged past the Netherlands 2-1 in extra time, with an unfortunate own-goal from the Dutch sealing the deal. Young star Allyson Sentnor’s strong showing earned her the adidas Bronze Ball, cementing her status as one of the brightest prospects in women’s soccer. 🌟🇺🇸

As for other standout performers, Brazil's Vendito took home the adidas Silver Boot, and Dutch keeper Femke Liefting won the adidas Golden Glove for her stellar shot-stopping skills

NWSL NEWS

🥅 Playoffs Bound, KC!

The Kansas City Current are on fire 🔥 as they clinch their spot in the 2024 NWSL Playoffs, courtesy of a thrilling 3-0 win over Washington Spirit. With this victory, the team secures their second postseason appearance in franchise history, continuing a remarkable season that kicked off with a 15-match unbeaten streak. Led by Malawian superstar Temwa Chawinga, who’s smashing records left and right, the Current have notched an impressive 46 goals this season and set an NWSL record with 18 different goal scorers! ⚽

Chawinga’s personal tally of 16 goals, including a mind-blowing streak of scoring in eight consecutive matches, has her wearing the Golden Boot crown for now. The squad has already lifted the 2024 Women’s Cup and has their eyes set on more silverware at the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup Final in October. Currently sitting third in the standings, the Current are in prime position to secure a home playoff game. With Kansas City hosting the 2024 NWSL Championship, the stars might just align for them to lift the trophy at home. 🤩🏆

WSL NEWS

🖋️ Branded for Success

As the Women's Super League (WSL) kicks off its 14th season, Sky Sports is on a mission to light up screens and inspire the next generation. A new study shows 88% of fans believe that watching female athletes on TV drives young women to join sports. 🌟 Thanks to a growing partnership with the BBC, Sky will broadcast 44 WSL matches, bringing the game's stars to homes nationwide. With a stylish fashion shoot highlighting each club's players, Sky aims to smash stereotypes and show athletes as modern, diverse role models. Big names like Alex Greenwood and Lauren James aren't just owning the field but also stepping into the fashion spotlight. 👗⚽

Meanwhile, Visa's research reveals brands play a huge role in boosting visibility, with 70% of fans agreeing that sponsors are key to women's football growth. 📈 But it's not just about the spotlight; the numbers back it up! More people tuned into women’s sports in early 2024 than ever before, with football leading the way. The rise in viewership highlights the need for continuous media coverage beyond major tournaments—because women’s football is more than just a "big event" sport, it’s an everyday passion. 📺✨

NWSL NEWS

⚽️ CLEVELAND ROCKS!

💥 Cleveland is ready to step into the NWSL ring with a bold $150 million punch, securing 13.6 acres of land for a sparkling new women’s soccer stadium. This isn’t just any stadium; it’s a futuristic, soccer-specific marvel designed to seat 12,500 fans with the option to expand to 20,000 if they win the NWSL bid. Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) is banking on this $238 million venture to dazzle the league, promising green spaces, plazas, and 15,000 eager season ticket pledges already lined up! But here’s the kicker—Cleveland is going head-to-head with soccer-savvy Cincinnati and Denver for the coveted 16th team spot, and competition is fierce! ⚽🏟️

Meanwhile in La La Land, Disney CEO Bob Iger is sprinkling a little Hollywood magic on Angel City FC with a blockbuster $250 million purchase of a controlling stake! 🌟 Iger’s star power has everyone buzzing, raising hopes for even bigger paydays in the NWSL. With Angel City already a red-carpet team featuring celebs like Natalie Portman and Alexis Ohanian, this deal feels like a sequel to his iconic Disney acquisitions (Pixar, Marvel, anyone?). Iger’s influence is expected to elevate not just the club, but the league’s future media deals—talk about a Hollywood ending! 🎥✨

LIGA F NEWS

🇪🇸 Liga F Stuck

Aitana Bonmatí is shaking the proverbial table in Spain’s "stagnating" Liga F, urging it to take a page from the Women’s Super League (WSL) playbook. After signing a dazzling contract extension with Barcelona until 2028, the Ballon d'Or winner credited her club's commitment to women's football as a key reason to stay, despite Chelsea’s alluring advances. The disparity is stark: while Barcelona shines, the rest of Liga F struggles to keep up in growth and sponsorship.

Her former teammates, Mariona Caldentey and Laia Codina, recently swapped jerseys for Arsenal ones and echoed her concerns. They lamented that Spain’s World Cup victory hasn’t sparked the necessary changes in the domestic league—unlike England’s Euro 2022 triumph, which kicked their league into high gear. Caldentey bluntly stated, "We won the World Cup, and it changed nothing," while Codina applauded the WSL's investment and excitement. With a growing exodus of Spanish talent to England, the demand for improvement in Liga F has never been louder. ⚽🇪🇸

Across the pond, the NWSL is redefining the game. Under Jessica Berman’s stewardship, it has flourished with full stadiums and lucrative broadcasting deals. Their recent collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a monumental shift, allowing players to negotiate directly with clubs and offering better pay and facilities. Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, hopes Liga F can mirror this progress, highlighting that the management of the NWSL is setting a commendable standard. With Spain basking in World Cup glory, it’s time not to rest on laurels but to keep pushing for growth and equality.

UPCOMING GAMES

UWCL QUALIFIERS

SEPTEMBER 25TH

Wolfsburg v Fiorentina 12:30pm

Benifica v Hammarby 3pm

SEPTEMBER 26TH

PSG v Juventus 12:45pm

Real Madrid v Sporting CP 2pm

Man City W v Paris FC 2pm

Arsenal v Häcken 2:30pm

Check out the rest of the UWCL matches here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

WSL

SEPTEMBER 27TH

Crystal Palace v Chelsea 2:30pm

SEPTEMBER 29TH

Man Utd v Brighton 7:30am

Everton v Man United 9am

West Ham v Liverpool 10am

Leicester City v Arsenal 10am

Aston Villa v Tottenham 11:30am

Check out more WSL matches here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

NWSL

SEPTEMBER 23RD

Angel City v Thorns 10pm

SEPTEMBER 27TH

Angel City v Spirits 10pm

SEPTEMBER 28TH

KC Current v Gotham 7:30pm

Royals v Racing 7pm

Pride v Dash 7:30pm

Wave FC v Thorns 10pm

SEPTEMBER 29TH

Stars v Courage 6pm

Reign v Bay FC 6pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

USL

SEPTEMBER 25TH

Brooklyn FC v Dallas Trinity FC 7pm

SEPTEMBER 27TH

Carolina Ascent v Tampa Bay 7:30pm

SEPTEMBER 28TH

DC Power FC v Spokane Zephyr 2pm

Brooklyn FC v Lexington SC 7pm

SEPTEMBER 29TH

Fort Lauderdale FC v Dallas Trinity FC 7:30pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Liga F

SEPTEMBER 27TH

Atl. Madrid v Madrid CFF 2pm

SEPTEMBER 28TH

Eibar v Levante 6am

Barcelona v Granada 12:30pm

SEPTEMBER 29TH

Valencia v Sevilla 7am

Tenerife v Real Madrid 1pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Division 1 Féminine

SEPTEMBER 27TH

Lyon v Strasbourg 3pm

SEPTEMBER 28TH

Montpellier v Reims 3pm

SEPTEMBER 29TH

PSG v Guingamp 9am

Paris FC v Le Harve 9am

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Serie A

SEPTEMBER 28TH

Como W v Sampdoria 9am

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Roma W v Napoli 6:30am

SEPTEMBER 30TH

Juventus v Fiorentina 12pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Bundesliga

SEPTEMBER 27TH

Leverkusen v Hoffenheim 12:30pm

SEPTEMBER 29TH

Werder Bremen v Bayern Munich 8am

Frankfurt v Wolfsburg 11am

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

🥇 Perfect Gift For Your Little Champion

Dive into vibrant scenes of young athletes owning the field, the waves, and more. It’s a fun way to celebrate sports, break stereotypes, and color your way to empowerment! Grab one for the young champion in your life and watch their confidence soar!