It’s July 22nd, 2024. Give us four minutes, we give you everything The Women’s Game.
Good afternoon, TWG readers! The USWNT are in France for the Olympics which starts THIS THURSDAY!
As I told you all a few weeks ago on the podcast, I have been training for an aquabike race - it’s a triathlon without the run, so swimming and biking. I decided to train for something like this to have a fitness goal again and I definitely got a little competitive about it… but the race was this past weekend and it was seriously so much fun! I really enjoyed it and everything went smoothly - I felt great on the swim and a little tired on the bike, but overall I was really happy with my times. My husband, Pat, and a friend of ours did the full triathlon so I got to watch them finish their run and cheer them on. I’m so glad that I did it and would love to do more in the future! Thank you all so much for writing to me with tips and your own experiences - I loved hearing from you and would love to hear more! Send me an email at [email protected].
It’s back to work today - prepping for the Olympics and our USWNT’s first game against Zambia. You can hear all about the USWNT’s Group B in a preview pod that Rog and I dropped on Saturday. We really tried to set up the tournament for listeners with these preview pods - Group A and Group C are also available on our pod feed and YouTube channel.
Becky and I will have a pregame podcast coming at you this Wednesday before the USA take on Zambia on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock. Then after the game, Midge Purce and I will break down everything that happens right at the final whistle on our YouTube channel. We will continue with coverage before and after every U.S. game throughout the tournament with co-hosts like Georgia Stanway, Kristie Mewis, and of course, Roger Bennett. Stay tuned for more of your favorite players to be announced. You won’t want to miss a single thing!
We also will have newsletters coming at you after each Olympics gameday, so share this newsletter with a friend who needs more Olympics coverage in their inbox and follow along with us on social media to stay up to date on all things TWG. We’re hustling to bring you the best Olympic football content!
Thanks for being here!
Love,
Sam
I. Team USA Olympics Preview 🇺🇲
The USA’s four-time Olympic gold medalists head to France with eminent potential, an exciting new coach and an evergreen question to solve: can they win it all?
It’ll be a challenge; international women’s football has never been more competitive. The Olympic tournament features 12 formidable teams spread across three elite groups. While they may not be favorites, Team USA’s talent, mentality and esteemed new manager Emma Hayes certainly point toward the possibility of glory in France.
a. To clinch that glory, Team USA’s attacking line of fear-inducing forwards will need to deliver on what we know they can do. Led by presumed starters Mallory Swanson (who finished 2023 as the team’s top scorer, despite missing the World Cup after being injured in April), Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, a free-flowing attack that lacked clinicality in their warm-up friendlies will need to hit peak precision in France.
b. Key to unlocking those forwards — and controlling the game as Emma would like to — is the midfield. Questions of depth and personnel linger here, exacerbated by Catarina Macario’s injury. Pride of Cincinnati, Rose Lavelle, was among the best players on the pitch against Mexico this month. But she was a late scratch against Costa Rica as a precaution to keep her fit after she expressed tightness in her groin during warmups. If Lavelle isn’t healthy, who plays the 10, operating as the team’s creative force? Captain Lindsey Horan of Golden, Colo. can operate in multiple positions, including as a 10. Nineteen-year-old star talent Jaedyn Shaw is an excellent option off the bench. But no perfect solutions are confirmed. A new(er) name in the starting XI to keep an eye on: Portland Thorns’ lynchpin Sam Coffey will be Team USA’s midfield destroyer, a role she’s stepped into with aplomb in the past seven months.
c. The defensive line is a youth-filled force to be excited about. Team USA’s 24-year-old indispensable center-back Naomi Girma leads the line, with the technically elite talent of Tierna Davidson at her side. At full-back, an offensively powerful Jenna Nighswonger is expected on the left with Arsenal’s Emily Fox from America stationed on the right. Behind them, the calm, steady force of veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher keeps the team secure from the net.
d. Operating over all of this, of course, is Emma Hayes. She’ll be high among the headline grabbing names this summer. The former Chelsea boss with a cabinet of club trophies now faces her first major test as international manager. That’s a challenge she welcomes, and her impact on Team USA is already felt. A strong personality with clear vision, the impact of Hayes on this young team of incredible potential will be riveting to watch. 🇺🇲
II. Team USA’s Opponents (Group B): Australia, Germany, Zambia 🇦🇺🇩🇪🇿🇲
a. Zambia 🇿🇲
During our live show in New York, Emma Hayes told Sam that Zambia’s ability to play in transition is the best she’s seen in world football. Hayes said to combat that: “Structure becomes essential, that becomes the bedrock”. The Copper Queens are rife with forward talent ready to challenge that structure. One among them is Barbra Banda (TWG’s player to watch), who co-leads the NWSL golden boot race with 12 goals in 12 games for Orlando Pride. Hayes called Banda the best striker in the world based on form. By her side, she’ll have Bay FC’s record-setting forward (the most expensive transfer in women’s football history) Racheal Kundananji, and soon-to-be Orlando Pride midfielder Grace Chanda.
b. Germany 🇩🇪
Die Nationalelf are among the most decorated teams in women’s football, with eight Euro championships, two World Cups and the 2016 gold medal (as well as three bronze medals) to their name. But only the fearsome striker Alexandra Popp remains from that 2016 side, and they haven’t won a major title since. This is a new generation of players seeking glory on their own terms, eager to leave disappointments from recent tournaments behind (they didn’t qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, and departed the ‘23 World Cup in the group). Our player to watch: goal scorer extraordinaire in hot form, Lea Schuller.
c. Australia 🇦🇺
Still running hot on the momentum of their home World Cup, the Matildas are hoping to build on last summer’s record finish (falling to England in the semi-final) in France. They’re still missing world class striker Sam Kerr to injury, but Manchester City’s 21-year-old Mary Fowler is ready to take center stage, and is TWG’s player to watch. Like many teams, injuries are a concern for Australia, with the steady veteran force of Caitlin Foord the latest to succumb to injury scare in recent friendlies (though Foord remains training with the team). Still, the mentality and belief is there for this team to challenge in Group B.
III. Group A: Canada, France, New Zealand, Colombia 🇨🇦🇫🇷🇳🇿🇨🇴
a. Canada 🇨🇦
The reigning gold medalists have a track record of success at the Olympics. Notably, they’ll do so this time without the pride of Burnaby, Canada, Christine Sinclair. With their veteran goalscorer retired from international football, lynchpin players like Portland Thorns’ duo Janine Beckie and Jesse Fleming will lead an experienced team (only four of 18 players are heading to their first Olympics) in Group A. Although Canada lost to the U.S. twice in tournaments this year, Aston Villa winger Adriana Leon scored in both matches, and will be a goal threat to keep an eye on in France.
b. France 🇫🇷
Talent abounds for Les Bleues, but they’ve yet to win a major title. The story is no different this summer, as the hosts are brimming with elite footballers on every line of the field. The question is, can they put it together? Fifty-five-year-old French manager Hervé Renard leads them in their quest, in what will be his last feat as their manager. At the tournament’s close Renard becomes a free agent, with potential suitors across the sea with the USMNT.
c. New Zealand 🇳🇿
The Football Ferns outscored their opponents 32-2 in Olympic Qualifying, though their toughest opponent in Oceania was Fiji (FIFA rank 72). They’ll face stiffer competition in Group A. But with Stanford-educated defender and Angel City captain Ali Riley as their effervescent leader (who’ll play in a remarkable fifth Olympics this summer) anything is possible. Player to watch: Racing Louisville forward, 18-year-old Milly Clegg.
d. Colombia 🇨🇴
Las Cafeteras are coming off an incredible World Cup down under, where they clinched a record finish in the quarterfinal against England. Playing with a spirit that never dies, Colombia can never be ruled out of any game, and tout players with technical wizardry that leaves observers in awe. High on that list of exceptional talents is 19-year-old Cali, Colombia native and Real Madrid forward, Linda Caicedo. After battling cancer as a teenager, Caicedo plays with a joy that transcends the game.
IV. Group C: Spain, Japan, Brazil, Nigeria 🇪🇸🇯🇵🇧🇷🇳🇬
a. Spain 🇪🇸
The reigning World Cup champions are the likely favorites to win gold. Remarkably, this is also their first Olympics. With multiple Ballon d’Or winners in their ranks (Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati) and a team of champions at club and international levels, La Roja are a quintessentially Spanish side that are smooth on the ball and patient in possession, capable of scoring goals that leave you gasping from the skill. Player to watch: goalkeeper Cata Coll.
b. Japan 🇯🇵
Nadeshiko Japan are among the most cohesive, technically astute teams in the game. One of just five nations to ever win a World Cup, this generation of Japanese players could be the most talented we’ve seen from an esteemed program, and are well-deserving of another major title. This summer could be it. As the only team to beat Spain in the 2023 World Cup, it will be fascinating to see if history repeats. Player to watch: Manchester City midfielder Yui Hasegawa.
c. Brazil 🇧🇷
One last major tournament for a living legend of the game, among the best footballers to ever do it. Marta is a name that looms large over the beautiful game worldwide. Her teammates (many of whom looked up to her as kids) hope to deliver one last medal before she goes (they’ve won two silver medals, but never gold). While injuries have kept a few key talents from joining that fight, others, like 2023 NWSL MVP Kerolin, are back just in time. Four of them (including Marta) all play for Orlando Pride, where the Brazilian contingent has been pivotal to a record-setting season in South Florida, where the team sits first-place and undefeated in NWSL. One of those Pride players is TWG’s player to watch: 27-year-old forward Adriana.
d. Nigeria 🇳🇬
The nine-time WAFCON winners were in the group of death down under, and they’ll fight for glory in the group of death in France, too. (They’re all groups of death, but this one’s the deathiest.) The Super Falcons are deadly in transition and spatially well-organized. As they look to compete in their first Olympics since 2008, they’ll rely on the talents of six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year, Bay FC forward (and first goalscorer in club history) Asisat Oshoala, as well as TWG’s player to watch, Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year from Paris FC, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
V. News and Notes 📰🗞️
a. In the final matchday of Euro Qualifying League A group stage, (where UEFA’s top 16 teams compete for eight automatic qualification spots) England, Italy and the Netherlands booked their spot in Euro 2025. Teams that fell short of automatic qualifying still have a chance in the playoffs. High among them is Ireland, who made a big statement in their victory over France, sending them into the playoffs in a more advantageous position. Seven spots in Euro ‘25 remain up for grabs in the playoffs. 🌍
b. The inaugural Summer Cup (a brand new international club competition featuring all 14 NWSL teams and 6 Liga MX Femenil teams) is under way, and it started with a stunning strike from Tigres’ captain and Le Tri Femenil sensation, Lizbeth Ovalle. 🇺🇲🇲🇽
c. Portland Thorns have officially signed Rob Gale as permanent head coach. Gale served a successful stint as interim manager before securing the permanent spot, leading the team to six wins and seven clean sheets, turning around a tough start to the season. 🌹
d. This story is awful: Zambian manager Bruce Mwape is banned from any private contact with his players during this summer’s Olympics. Mwape is being investigated for sexual misconduct as coach of the Copper Queens, and originally had his French visa denied, before this agreement was reached. Mwape denies the allegations. The U.S. Women’s National Team will open their Olympic campaign against Zambia on July 25. 🇿🇲
e. With the USA’s USL Super League (a new competitor league to NWSL with eight clubs officially sanctioned by USSF as Division One) set to launch their inaugural season as a division one league this August, the first loan from NWSL to USL is in the books: Kansas City Current have loaned Sophie Braun to Spokane Zephyr FC through the end of the NWSL season. 🇺🇲
f. NWSL continues to set standards for player support and team facilities as the Utah Royals unveil their new training complex. SharkNinja Performance Center features training center, hydrotherapy facilities, nursing area and more. 🏟️
g. Angel City FC are now the most valuable team in the world, after Willow Bay & Bob Iger take over ownership of the team. 💸
VI. Parting Shots 🥃
TOUCHDOWN MARSEILLE (AND TEAM PHOTO TIME 📸). The US Women’s National Team is officially in the south of France, where they’ll be training all week just outside of Marseille, prepping to play Zambia (in Nice) then Germany and Australia in Marseille. 🛬🇺🇲🇫🇷
VII. Good Reads 📚
a. From Emma Hayes in The Guardian, ‘Sexists and misogynists in football exhaust me. But I refuse to let them hold me back’.
b. From Hannah Al-Othman in The Guardian, ‘It wouldn’t happen to the men: Wakefield AFC women’s team dropped’.
c. From Osasu Obayiuwana, ‘Ridiculous: Wafcon delay leaves African women’s football in a mess’.
