NWSL Season Starts Off with a BANG 💥

PLUS: Chelsea's London Derby win over Arsenal, Women's UCL Quarter-Final magic

It’s Monday March 18, 2024. Give us four minutes, we give you everything The Women’s Game.

I. Hello from your Editor-in-Chief, Sam Mewis

Hi TWG readers! I’m writing to you all fresh off the plane home from Raleigh, North Carolina where I celebrated my induction into the Courage Ring of Honor this weekend. Can I just say… the North Carolina Courage have my heart and I am so, so grateful to the club for recognizing my career. 

Just 6 days after I announced my retirement on January 19th, Curt Johnson, the Courage GM, called me and invited me to the home opener to induct me into this newly formed Ring of Honor. I still cannot get over the generosity of the club, the openness from the team, and the support from the fans this weekend. I got to attend training and the game, speak with the team, meet all the fans, and even interview my former teammate and friend Denise O’Sullivan for an upcoming episode of Friendlies. Obviously we squeezed in a few of my favorite stops along the way… including some cornbread at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh. And of course, had to have some Olipop with me too. You can use code TWG20 for 20% off your first order at drinkolipop.com/TWG20.

I’m going to talk more about my weekend on this week’s episode of Good Vibes which will come out tomorrow, but I’m so honored and grateful to have been celebrated this weekend. It was extremely emotional to hear kind words from head coach Sean Nahas and Denise O’Sullivan, who spoke about my influence on the club during the ceremony. For the first time, I was thinking about what legacy I had left and I truly feel like my teammates and I left a strong team culture in North Carolina — one that the team still is built upon. It’s a culture of hard work, togetherness, and always team before self. And to top it all off, the Courage CRUSHED it and won their game 5-1 and sit at the top of the table this morning. 😍

ii. I watched the rest of the NWSL games in a dream-like state as goal after goal was scored. If this weekend is an indication of anything, it’s that we have a lot of exciting soccer ahead of us this year. Keep reading for all the updates from this weekend and remember to check out my preview for the entire season — breaking down the teams and their storylines — which I taped with Rog.

iii. Our first week with 2 shows was an incredible moment for TWG. We launched our own podcast feed, Good Vibes FC, and an episode of Friendlies with Megan Rapinoe. It’s so wonderful to be making content like this and I am so grateful for all of your feedback and support. There’s so much more ahead… including another episode of GVFC tomorrow and an interview with Seattle Reign’s Jess Fishlock on Thursday. And I’m heading to another old stomping ground this weekend for a big game… keep your eyes on our socials to follow along! You can follow us everywhere at THIS LINK and remember to email us at [email protected]. You can also call us, with questions or just to say hi, at 855-611-4050.

I’ll talk to you soon — thanks for being here!

Love,

Sam

II. Quick note from Rog

I had a blast Friday night, reveling in the company of nearly 15,000 fans to welcome NWSL’s season kick-off at the Challenge Cup Final at Red Bull Arena. The excitement around this Gotham team is for real. I was overjoyed to witness Emily Sonnett and Crystal Dunn debut. I watched the end of the game with one of the Top 3 Podcasters in the world, but the very second I walked into her box, Alex Morgan netted her 88th minute winner. It was all my fault. I loved every second though. If you have the chance to watch Naomi Girma lead that back line so intelligently, live with your own eyes, do it. Wishing NWSL in its 12th season, a year of continued wonder, new stadia, new teams, and so many big new signings — a season in which the quality of football makes memories for all those who love the game and its explosive growth. 🇺🇸🏆💙

ii. It was immensely moving to watch Sam be feted and celebrated in such a poignant way in front of her family at the weekend. Huge thanks to the North Carolina Courage for their class and love. They did this right. Sam’s playing legacy deserves all this and more. PS. Bob Mewis’ legs need to be the next inductee into that Ring of Honor. 

III. Notes from NWSL Big Opening Weekend

i. Bay FC debut with a massive W 💯

NWSL expansion side Bay FC played their first ever game on Sunday, and their new signing, Asisat Oshoala, 6-Time African player of the year, has moved seamlessly from Barcelona to the Bay, making history as the start-up franchise’s first-ever goal scorer. Oshoala’s lone-goal made the difference for the visitors, who collected a hard fought win, before yet another sellout crowd of 22,000 fans in Los Angeles where they met an ascendant Angel City FC to open up the season 🇳🇬♥️ Supporting Oshoala’s goal and an all-around team performance, Bay FC’s Canadian keeper Lysianne Proulx made eight saves in the contest, tying the NWSL record for saves in a regular-season debut 🇨🇦🧤

More: Rumors abound about changes to Angel City’s star-studded ownership

ii. Kansas City’s new stadium opens up with a nine goal thriller; NWSL kicks off a new year 🏟️

The twelfth regular season of NWSL started with a nine-goal thriller inside the league’s first stadium purpose-built solely for a women’s pro-sports team. With Kansas City Current’s world-famous Mahomes co-owners celebrating in the stands, and a jubilant sold-out crowd of 11,500 chanting for still more goals, Saturday’s 5-4 Kansas City victory matches the NWSL record for goals in a game. What a way to celebrate a new building.

With former-USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski back at the helm as a club manager again in NWSL, Kansas City showcased an array of weapons on their squad; the first-ever goal at CPKC Stadium came from long-time NWSL stalwart Vanessa DiBernardo, and the fifth and winning goal came from 16-year-old rookie Alex Pfeiffer, making her the youngest goalscorer in NWSL history. Portland were tenacious, clawing their way back into the game, Sophia Smith a constant menace. Her two goals made her the first player to score in four straight NWSL opening matches. It was incredible to witness Canadian international and TWG friend, Janine Beckie, sub in at the half after one year and one day away with an ACL injury, collecting a brace of her own but wasted no time with celebrations, as she ran the ball back to score some more. 

MORE: Another TWG friend, Bethany Balcer was named Player of the Match in Seattle Reign’s 1-0 win over Washington Spirit on Sunday. Balcer’s early penalty put-away made the difference in the test. ICYMI: Sam talked with Bethany in a recent episode of Friendlies. LISTEN HERE. 

iii. The San Diego Wave win 2024 Challenge Cup with more Alex Morgan heroics 🌊🏆

In the newly reformatted Challenge Cup, NWSL’s big weekend started with a one-off trophy test between last year’s Supporters Shield winners (San Diego Wave) and last year’s Champions (Gotham FC). Before Gotham’s second-largest crowd at Red Bull Arena, both sides battled in a closely contested clash before 14,241 fans. Despite the parity in play, Alex Morgan made the difference, as San Diego’s striker subbed in at the half and collected the game-winning goal with an incisive header in the 88th minute. 

IV. European Wonder

i. Chelsea stay top of the league after London Derby win over Arsenal 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

After a surreal delay caused by Arsenal’s incorrect socks, Chelsea delivered a resounding 3-1 victory over the third-place Gunners at Stamford Bridge on Friday. Despite missing several players due to injury (including the USA’s Mia Fishel), the Blues glided past the visitors before 32,970 fans. Lauren James was electric once more, as she scored the opening goal for Emma Hayes’ side, marking her eighth goal in four games at the Bridge this season. Chelsea now remain first in WSL, though tied on points with Manchester City, who overcame Brighton & Hove 4-1 this weekend, but trail Chelsea on goal differential. 

ii. Champions league quarter-final Magic 🇺🇲

The 23rd edition of UEFA’s European women’s club championship (and 15th since dubbing itself the UEFA Women’s Champions League) kicks off its quarter-finals this week. Fans tracking the progress of Americans overseas will have eyes glued to Tuesday’s test in the Netherlands, as an ascendant Ajax side featuring 16-year-old Virginia native, Lily Yohannes, hosts England’s juggernaut club still chasing its first UWCL title, Chelsea. With soon-to-be USA manager Emma Hayes guiding the ship, the visitors feature America’s newly-returned striker, Catarina Macario, who already has two goals for Chelsea since her return on March 3. 

b. Elsewhere, US co-captain Lindsey Horan heads to Benfica with Lyon. PSG’s American midfielder Korbin Albert faces Swedish side Häcken. And the reigning champions Barcelona play Brann. (WHERE TO WATCH UWCL)

🇪🇸 Two of the biggest clubs in global football. They're less soccer teams, more Spanish institutions. And this weekend, we get to drink in Real Madrid vs. Barcelona - El Clásico Femenino - live at 1pm EST on Sunday, March 24th on DAZN. Right now, Barca sit nine points clear atop the Liga F table, having scored an astonishing 89 goals and allowing just five in 20 league games as they continue their seemingly inexorable quest for a fifth straight Spanish title. They've also recently welcomed back two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who has scored in her first two appearances back since a knee injury back in November, including THIS GOAL IN WHICH SHE NUTMEGGED A DEFENDER as part of a 7-0 defeat of Tenerife over the weekend. Be afraid, be very afriad. In the other corner, their Castillian rivals. A club on the come up, featuring that Colombian bolt of human joy Linda Caicedo. A player capable of making the sublime look routine. To watch her go head to head with Naomi Girma in the W Gold Cup was a glimpse into the future. But will she be able to propel Las Blancas to what would be a seismic victory? We will find out on DAZN LIVE, this Sunday March 24th at 1pm EST. TUNE IN HERE.

PS - Can we just say how much we love getting to watch this game live this weekend. Until only recently, this is one we would've had to dig around for highlights for. 2024. What a time to be a women's football fan.

V. News and Notes 📰

i. For the first time in their history, the USWNT has dropped to fourth in the FIFA rankings. The US has previously never dropped lower than 2. 🇺🇲

ii. Concacaf has launched a new club competition that serves as qualification for the Club World Cup, set to kick-off this August. Teams from Canada, El Salvador, Panama, Jamaica, Mexico and the US will participate. 🇨🇦🇸🇻🇵🇦🇯🇲🇲🇽🇺🇲

iii. The Matildas continue selling out crowds as they ride a post-World Cup wave of love and joy down under. This past week, Australia sold out their upcoming friendly against China in just one hour, marking their 13th-straight sell out dating back to before the 2023 World Cup. 🇦🇺

iv. Alexia Putellas continued her return to top form after a knee injury sidelined the two-time Ballon d’Or winner for over three months, as she scored a nutmeg goal against Tenerife this weekend. 🇪🇸

VI. Parting Shots 🥃

The inimitable Mia Hamm celebrated her birthday this past weekend, providing the rest of the opportunity to wax poetic about the American legend and winner of two Olympic medals and two World Cups. We recalled in this moment by reliving her 1999 appearance in this Soccer Barbie commercial. A reminder of how far we have come, so fast. 

VII. Good Reads 📚

i. From Kathryn Batte in the Daily Mail: ‘Player-coach debate rears its ugly head as Leicester Manager is suspended’

iii. From Jeff Kassouf in ESPN, ‘A win in Kansas City and a new chapter for the NWSL’

🗓️ Another big week ahead here at The Women’s Game:

Tuesday: Another episode of Good Vibes FC. Tune in as Lynn and Sam break down a mad opening weekend of NWSL action.

Thursday: Friendlies with Jess Fishlock. Sam is joined by Seattle Reign and Wales National team icon Jess Fishlock to talk through her storied career.

If you enjoy this newsletter, please, please spread the word by sharing with your friends. They can SUBSCRIBE HERE, subscribe to our podcast feed HERE, and follow us on all our socials right here.

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