RUBIALES RESIGNS ON PIERS MORGAN (CAN'T MAKE IT UP) 🇪🇸

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“It really does break my heart as well that we're not focusing on that [the incredible football achievement of Spain] and 16, 17 days later we're still talking about - as you put it - a toxic gent who very much stole the limelight for himself.”

- Journalist Semra Hunter, who has been among those leading the charge uncovering the plight of women’s football in Spain. Spoke with us exclusively on YouTube, detailing the events. LISTEN HERE.

I. Luis Rubiales announces resignation amid ongoing massive reckoning in Spain 🇪🇸

In just their third-ever World Cup appearance, a dynamic and dazzling La Roja defeated England’s Lionesses to secure their nation's first Women’s World Cup trophy, becoming just the fifth nation to ever do so.

Tragically, Spain’s historic triumph in Sydney was immediately marred by the actions of a misogynistic federation leader planting an uninvited kiss on Jenni Hermoso. A massive reckoning followed, and continues to unfold.

With no shortage of resistance, the Spanish Federation has been forced by the light of public ire and outrage to begin cleaning house. For that kiss, which Rubiales planted (and indignantly defended) on Jenni Hermoso, now infamous across the globe, lifted the lid on festering issues long present beneath the surface. A tug of war ensued.

On the side of Rubiales, and other entrenched leaders in Spain: pressure placed on Hermoso and her family to say the kiss was consensual, false statements made, Rubiales’ mother went on a hunger strike, threats of legal action proffered, public proclamations and a refusal to resign, the nodding approval of colleagues, Spain’s controversial World Cup winning manager Jorge Vilda chief among them.

The players pushed back. Hermoso maintained the kiss was not consensual. “Se Acabó” (“It’s over”), they said, refusing to return until action was made.

Vast swaths of the Spanish public supported them, online and in the streets. International support poured in as well. “Contigo Jenni” became the supportive rallying cry of players in NWSL. With some delay, the Spanish men’s team issued support.

Eventually, slowly, pressure mounted. Jorge Vilda (whose managerial era sparked 15 players to protest and refuse to play in advance of the World Cup) was finally sacked. Montse Tomé replaces him.

Finally, this Sunday, Luis Rubiales announced via an interview with Piers Morgan that after speaking with his daughters, he will resign too.

The weeks of drama following that infamous kiss may have momentarily overshadowed the incredible talent, perseverance, and history made by the women on that World Cup winning roster. But as the reckoning continues, one hopes (and begins to imagine) their mark on history will be more than just a momentous first World Cup win.

MORE: From The Athletic, an inside look at the incredible person and player, Jenni Hermoso, whose public sexual assault sparked Spain’s tumult

II. NWSL returns with goals, setbacks, and a Challenge Cup trophy for North Carolina 🏆⚽

This past Saturday in Cary, North Carolina, the North Carolina Courage collected their second straight NWSL Challenge Cup trophy in a 2-0 defeat of Racing Louisville, thanks to a dominating team performance and a typically lethal Brazilian wonder-forward, Kerolin.

Not even a multi-hour weather delay could stymie the probing prowess of Kerolin, as the Brazilian World Cup star straddled the first-half storm delay with threats to the net, testing Louisville’s incredible keeper Katie Lund (a deserved keeper of the tournament, making nine saves in the final including this one).

In the 28th minute, Kerolin broke through to make it 1-0 as she tore away from her defender and sliced it past Lund from a tight angle.

But Kerolin wasn’t the only international talent collecting glory in Cary. Japan’s rising NWSL star, Manaka Matsukubo, volleyed the ball past Lund to make it 2-0 in the second half, earning MVP accolades for her performance. On loan from Mynavi Sendai and freshly arrived this summer, 19-year-old Matsukubo is the latest among Japan’s technical footballing talents to fold seamlessly- nay, spectacularly- into the league.

While Louisville deserves credit for their tournament performance (which marks their first-ever title appearance) the win was deserved for North Carolina, who capitalized on eleven shots on target (eclipsing Louisville’s one total) to seal their consecutive brass.

The victory for North Carolina also concludes a Challenge Cup affair that traversed the World Cup summer, continuing competition while a handful of stars were participating in the FIFA tournament across the globe.

However, in the tumultuous weeks since Spain’s victory at the World Cup in Sydney, regular season NWSL glory has returned to us, finally, as well. And as ever, the three post-World Cup weekends of league action throttled the mind, and grasped at the heart.

Sophia Smith took one minute to score in Portland upon her return. It was a sight to heal broken hearts, as the bereft reaction to that missed penalty against Sweden down under was replaced by the familiar flashing smile of Smith tearing up NWSL. But life and sport is full of undulating trials, and Smith picked up an injury the following week against the Washington Spirit. With silver linings necessary to live, Smith’s now-confirmed mild MCL sprain avoids worst-case fears of a torn ACL. As she posted to her social media, “be back soon”.

Elsewhere, players returned from their own tragic injuries to find rejuvenation. That includes San Diego Wave’s 2019 World Cup Champion, Abby Dahlkemper, who scored in just her third match since returning after almost a year away.

With September upon us, playoffs loom near. A typically tight race for the postseason promises more oscillating emotion and technical flair as NWSL’s 12 teams have just four games left before them to make their case for a playoff spot.

MORE: Ashley Hatch is tearing up the league, in contention for another golden boot. But she reveals she never really got a reason for her World Cup snub.

III. USWNT bid formal farewell to dual legends Rapinoe and Ertz this month; the next era starts NOW 🇺🇸

It’s been just over a month since the United States flopped out of the World Cup in the Round of 16, sent asunder by their old tournament kryptonite, Sweden.

In the intervening days since that moment, “reckoning” has been the resounding word for a program that requires reflection and revolution to return to the top.

Some of that has begun. Vlatko Andonovski resigned. With Twila Kilgore acting as interim manager, we await word of the next permanent head coach.

But the excavation of operations reaching from youth level on up remains both necessary and unclear. As Megan Rapinoe herself noted for The Atlantic: “From an overall federation perspective, it is worth at least a deep-dive look at our structure.”

But as we await a manager and that necessary deep-dive, the eras move on in the meantime.

Later this month, the USWNT program will bid adieu to two absolute legends of the women’s game. First, on September 21st in Cincinnati, the program will honor and say a formal farewell to among the most passionate, versatile and tenacious defender/midfielders to ever grace the program: Julie Ertz.

Then on September 24th in Chicago, we say so long to cultural icon, Ballon D’or winner, World Cup juggernaut, larger than life personality, Megan Rapinoe.

Those departures come amid a pair of friendlies against South Africa, who visit the United States after a strong, record-setting performance for the reigning WAFCON champions down under.

The roster is yet to be released, but one wonders what evolution we may see. As the road to next year’s Olympics, and whatever era the future may bring, starts now.

MORE: Julie Ertz made a surprise return to this year’s World Cup team. LISTEN HERE to catch her conversation with Rog shortly after, detailing her time away and decision to return.

AND MORE!: Megan Rapinoe responded to the critics in a frank conversation with The Atlantic following a historically early exit from the World Cup

IV. News and Notes:

• 2023 Ballon D’or nominees are out, and Sophia Smith is the sole representative from the USWNT. A look at the full list.

• From Sophie Wrack at The Guardian: “It’s Heartbreaking”. Malala Yousafzai met with Afghanistan's exiled women’s football team.

• The season overseas has yet to officially reignite, but exciting moves promise an exciting season. That includes Manchester United’s newly signed World Cup golden boot winner, Hinata Miyazawa.

• Women’s sports continue to break attendance records the world over. (Looking at you, Nebraska volleyball!) Amid the excitement, here’s a look at the time 112,500 fans filled out an unofficial World Cup final.

• Across the sea, Arsenal were shockingly dispatched from Champions League contention as they fell to Paris FC on penalties. Silver lining perhaps can be found in Alessia Russo’s pair of debut goals for her new club, keeping their hopes momentarily alive, though Russo went on to miss her penalty.

V. Parting shots:

“It will turn into a really big victory. And I think in some ways, maybe the legacy of this women's national team, it's not just about the win that they had at the World Cup. It could be an even bigger win in terms of having a real positive change on wider society.”

Parting, positive thoughts on the events in Spain from esteemed reporter Semra Hunter. Reminder to listen to her conversation with Rog HERE.