A Euros Fav Stumbles Early 🫣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

The Euros are in full swing and there have already been a few surprises, like England losing their opening game, and a few bangers, like this one from Viv Miedema for the Netherlands. That was her 100th international goal and a reminder that she is the goal-scoring threat she has always been, despite a tough year with injuries. I’m watching the Euros all week with a few games on my calendar circled – keep reading for more on those big matchups. And don’t forget: WAFCON has started (Barbra Banda is out here scoring goals as usual) and Copa América begins on Friday!

Later this week, I’m chatting with Crystal Dunn about her experience watching the Euros this summer. I’m going to ask her specifically about France’s great start to the tournament, England’s slow one, and see what’s new in her life as she navigates her summer offseason, motherhood, and preparing to head back to PSG. We’ve also got an interview with France’s Delphine Cascarino dropping on Thursday that we recorded right before she left for the Euros!

I enjoyed my long weekend by eating my body weight in pasta salad and going for lots of swims in the lake. My race across Lake Tahoe is coming up quickly on July 19 and I am definitely getting nervous, but I’m so excited too! I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on how it goes.

Thank you all so much for being here!

Love,

Sam

What’s Next for the USWNT? 🇺🇸 

Last week in Washington, the U.S. women’s national team wrapped up a dominant summer window by beating Canada 3-0 in a festive Continental Clásico. The victory featured goals from defensive midfielder extraordinaire Sam Coffey (her third in five games), fellow defensive midfielder and Kansas City star 19-year-old Claire Hutton, and Houston Dash forward Yazmeen Ryan, marking her second-ever international goal notched in her second straight game. Played before a sold-out crowd and capped off by post-game fireworks, Wednesday’s statement win was the third in a row where we saw strong performances from the team’s spine of veterans (Girma, Sonnett, Lavelle, Biyendolo), alongside Emma Hayes’ ever-expanding cadre of dynamic depth options and emerging stars. 

• Sam's Take 🗣️: The USWNT looked great in all three of their games in this window, but I was a little disappointed in both opponents. There was so much hype around the Canada game, but Canada just seemed tired and flat. I know they are in good hands with Casey Stoney, so my hope for them is that their new domestic league, the NSL, will help widen their pool of talent over time. Their showing in this game against the U.S. just wasn't what they are capable of.

Now, the team gets a long break. NWSL is resting until August while international tournaments go down all over, European leagues start their new season in the fall, and Hayes’ squad won’t regather until October. While that feels far away, the U.S. manager emphasized that players know she is watching every single game: the talent pool is as deep as ever, and as evidenced by the past five months, dominant league performances will get you called in.

More: The USWNT has not just a new era of players, but a new era of leaders.

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Euros 2025: The Upsets and Milestones of the Group Stage 🇪🇺 🏆

Last week, Euro 2025 set off in Switzerland, starting with Finland’s 1-0 win against Iceland last Wednesday. Four groups of four teams have all played at least one game, with Groups A and B already playing their second – which saw Norway and Spain seal their spot in the quarterfinals. Here are some highlights from matchday one and two:

France 2-1 England 🇫🇷 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman suffered her first-ever loss at the Euros (after coaching two consecutive national teams to the title in 2017 and 2022) as the reigning champions suffered an early blow in the group of death. England started strong, but after Arsenal striker Alessia Russo had an early goal ruled out, they were on the back foot for the rest of the match. Les Bleues came out with a statement performance as they seek a first-ever international trophy with a deeply talented squad. PSG striker and 2024 Olympic top-scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored first for France, with Sandy Baltimore following three minutes later to make it 2-0 before the half. Keira Walsh pulled one back in the 87th minute, but the French made relatively easy work of the title defenders. 

Elsewhere in the group of death, the Netherlands, winners of the 2017 Euros, beat Wales 3-0 in a match that saw 28-year-old Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema score her 100th international goal in only her 126th game. (The Dutch, as always, filled the streets with incredible fans.) The Dragons were under fire in their international tournament debut, and play a fierce French squad in their second test this Wednesday (3 p.m ET on FOX). 

Spain 5-0 Portugal 🇪🇸 🇵🇹

Gotham striker and NWSL top-scorer Esther González scored in the second and 43rd minute in Spain’s 5-0 win against Portugal, marking the largest margin of victory so far at this year’s Euros. In matchday two, Spain beat Belgium 6-2 with another goal from Esther and a brace from Alexia Putellas, notching their most goals ever scored in a Euros match.

Germany 2-0 Poland 🇩🇪 🇵🇱

Die Nationalef started their tournament with a win against Euro-debutantes Poland, but tragedy struck for the reigning bronze-medalists as their captain Giulia Gwinn left the match early with a leg injury. The 26-year-old Bayern Munich right back (who’s already suffered multiple ACL tears in her career) has since been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with, “a medial ligament injury in her left knee,” which is expected to sideline the German star for several weeks. They’ll face a tougher test against their neighbors, Denmark, today (12 p.m. ET, FOX Sports).

The Biggest Games Left This Week 📺

England vs. The Netherlands (Wednesday, 12 p.m. ET, FS1) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇳🇱

The 2022 champions (England) play the 2017 champions (the Netherlands) in a pivotal test in the group of death. With another loss, England’s tournament would end in the group stage, unless Wales manage a result against the French. 

• Sam’s Take 🗣️: I'm nervous for England, but this is such a huge opportunity to recover from the setback in their first game! After watching all four teams in Group D, I genuinely wish they could all go through to the quarterfinals... including Wales. It's so tough to imagine that TWO of these teams will have such a short tournament... I just can't decide who my favorites are.

Sweden vs. Germany (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, FOX/FS1) 🇸🇪 🇩🇪

The eight-time European champions Germany play the 1984 winners Sweden in a pivotal final battle of Group C. After one matchday, these two teams are first (Germany) and second (Sweden) in their group but tied on points. 

🥤 Olipop power everything we do here at The Women’s Game. You can use code TWG20 for 20% off your first order at drinkolipop.com/TWG20.

WAFCON Kicks Off in Morocco 🌍🏆

Group A: Morocco 2-2 Zambia 🇲🇦 🇿🇲

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations commenced on Saturday with a marquee tournament clash between two trophy contenders: the hosts Morocco and Zambia. The match ended in a draw despite the Copper Queens’ dominant play, who knocked home two goals from two NWSL players, as Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda took just a minute to score before assisting Bay FC’s Rachel Kundananji in the 28th. Levante Badalone forward and Atlas Lioness captain Ghizlane Chebbak scored in the 87-minute to seal a point for the host nation.

More: Morocco showed fight to claim draw in WAFCON opener

Group B: Nigeria 3-0 Tunisia 🇳🇬 🇹🇳

The nine-time WAFCON champions, Nigeria, started off their campaign in Group B with a 3-0 win against Tunisia, who are in their third WAFCON after making history reaching the quarter-finals last time. Twenty-seven-year-old Tenerife forward Rinsola Babajide scored the Super Falcons’ second goal just before the half, and honored the memory of her former Liverpool clubmate Diogo Jota by enacting his signature celebration. 

Group C: South Africa 2-0 Ghana 🇿🇦 🇬🇭

The reigning WAFCON winners, Banyana Banyana, started their campaign with a 2-0 victory against Ghana despite being outshot 5-4 on target by the Black Queens. 

Next up: The group stage continues through this week and concludes Monday. After that, the top two teams in each group proceed to the quarterfinal, alongside the two best-ranked third-place teams. Here’s a game to keep an eye on:

Zambia vs. Senegal (Wednesday, 5 p.m. ET, CAFONLINE/BeinSports) 🇿🇲 🇸🇳

The Copper Queens likely deserved more than a point in their opening match, but after drawing the hosts they sit third in the Group A rankings. Senegal won their first test and sit atop the table, but this match could shift the group’s dynamics if Zambia play to their potential.

More: WAFCON increases prize money, winner by 100% and total prize money by 45%

Also: WAFCON 2024, six players you should look out for in Morocco

And this: Women’s AFCON: ranking all 12 teams… and number one may surprise you

Copa América Femenina Joins the Summer of Soccer 🌞

South America’s biggest tournament starts this weekend in Chile, marking the 10th edition of the 10-team tournament. The reigning Olympic silver medalists, Brazil, are the dominant eight-time title winners, with Argentina the only other champions after beating Brazil 2-0 in Buenos Aires to claim the 2006 trophy. 

The tournament lasts from July 11 - August 2, and features two groups of five teams with the top two sides in each group advancing to the semifinals. Viewers in the United States can watch the games on FS1, FS2, and Fubo.

News and Notes 🗞️

• Eighteen-year-old Lily Yohannes is officially moving from her former Dutch club, Ajax, to French giants OL Lyonnes — one of three clubs owned by U.S. businesswoman Michele Kang. Yohannes signed a three-year deal for the eight-time UWCL champions. She’ll have some company, as U.S. Olympian and former PSG midfielder/forward Korbin Albert also signed for the club. 

• While NWSL takes a prolonged break during a packed international window, free agency is in play. Here’s a reminder of how NWSL’s free agency works, and which players qualify.

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome back to our weekly trivia game!

This week’s question: Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema scored her 100th goal for Le Oranje in the 202 Euro Champions’ opening match. At the 2020 Olympics, Miedema scored twice in regulation time to help send the United States and Netherlands into a quarter-final penalty shootout after finishing the match 2-2. Which two U.S. players scored for the USWNT before the penalty shootout?

Respond to this email (or reply here) for a chance to win a coveted TWG sticker.

Last week’s answer: Since 1984, five European countries have won the continent’s top competition, now called the UEFA Women’s Euros. Those five countries are: England, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

This week’s winner is Natasha Suri, and thanks to everyone who responded.

Good Reads 👩‍💻

i. From Lori Ewing for Reuters, ‘Can training and technology solve the ACL crisis in women’s football?’

ii. From Cara Buckley for The New York Times, ‘This Vermont Soccer Team Plays for the Planet’

iii. From Samuel Agini in The Financial Times, ‘Lionesses defend Euro title with fortunes of women’s game on their shoulders’

iv. From Alasdair Howarth for The Athletic, ‘WAFCON 2024: a tournament nearly forgotten in Morocco could be the best one yet’

Moment of Joy 🤸

Jaclyn writes: Hi Sam,

It was so great meeting you at Whitlow's after the show – I was a little too starstruck to tell you more about how much I loved the show and how much I love your podcast. I'm in constant awe of you, Lynn, and Becky on and off the field and appreciate everything you all do and all that you stand for. 

As promised, here are more DC bookstore recs! So glad you got to stop in to Kramer's, and here are more indie bookstores for your next visit:

1. Loyalty Bookstore, Upshur St NW - Small but mighty! Specializing in works by people of color and LGBTQ+ voices, Black and Asian woman-owned. This is also where I used to work. Food nearby: Honeymoon Chicken, Menya Hosaki (ramen), Timber Pizza.

2. Lost City Books, 18th St. NW - Super cute and cozy with a great selection, don't miss out on the whole upstairs section. Hal Hershfelt went here and got a warm welcome! Food nearby: Reveler's Hour (my fave restaurant in DC), Perry's Sushi/Japanese (Hal also went here), Lapis (Afghan cuisine), Soleluna Cafe (the best croissants ever).

3. Solid State Books, H St. NE - Spacious but cozy, and serves coffee too, great children's section. Also has a location on 14th St. NW. Food nearby: Tapori (Indian), Little Grand (pizza and cocktails).

4. Politics and Prose, Connecticut Ave. NW - This is the original and largest location, maybe DC's oldest indie bookstore. It's huge and has fun gifty things too! Coffee shop downstairs.

5. East City Bookshop, Pennsylvania Ave. SE - Woman-owned, really great selection across all genres, great community vibes. Nearby food: La Collina, the Duck and the Peach.

Please come back to DC again soon, hopefully with a Spirit game at Rowdy Audi! We loved having you, and you're so right that it's truly a great women's sports town. 

Cheers,

Jaclyn

Sam writes: Hi Jaclyn! It was so nice meeting you as well and thank you for coming to the live show! We had the best time in DC and will definitely be back. I am putting all these bookstores on my list for my next visit. And I wanted to include them in the newsletter so others could benefit from the recs as well! Thank you for listening to the pod and for writing in :) 

Sam

📝 Want to be featured in next week’s TWG newsletter? Send Sam an email! All your questions, comments, and dog (or wedding) photos can be sent to [email protected]

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