USA vs. Canada in SHEBELIEVES CUP FINAL 🇺🇲 🇨🇦

It’s April 8, 2024. Give us four minutes, we give you everything The Women’s Game.

Good evening TWG! I write to you from the path of totality… yes, I too have become obsessed with the solar eclipse. I’m actually in Vermont right now, eclipse glasses on, half-moon cookies in the oven.

We have a different week in terms of content here at TWG. Today, our Friendlies episode with Michelle Alozie went live. On Thursday, Becky Sauerbunn and I will drop an episode of GVFC detailing the entirety of the SheBelieves Cup. We wanted to discuss the tournament as a whole, so we moved our days around! Look at us, flexible and adaptable girlies!

This international window has so many games going on that really matter in the landscape of women’s football. Between the CAF qualifiers in Africa, the Euro qualifiers all over Europe, and our very own SheBelieves Cup, it seems like every game means so much. It’s been thrilling to watch, and luckily we have even more games on tomorrow.

After tomorrow’s SBC final between the USWNT and Canada, in a rematch of the slip ‘n slide that was the Gold Cup semifinal, there will be another TWG Do It Live on our Youtube channel. Tune in right after the final whistle! We will be there Olipop in hand. You can use code TWG20 for 20% off your first order at drinkolipop.com/TWG20.

While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed to our Youtube channel. You can also follow us across our socials on IG, X, and TikTok. You can also send me an email by writing to [email protected]- currently, I’m asking for quirky questions for this week’s episode of Good Vibes. I really want Becky to tell us something we don’t know about her yet. Thanks so much for being here, and enjoy the rest of the newsletter. Go USA!

Love,

Sam

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I. US vs Canada in SHEBELIEVES CUP FINAL 🇺🇲 🇨🇦 

🇺🇲🇯🇵 The USWNT overcame Nadeshiko Japan 2-1 before a record crowd of 50,644 in Atlanta this Saturday afternoon. With the largest-ever crowd for a friendly cheering them on, the US continued to excite and evolve as they booked a spot in the SheBelieves Cup Final with a high-pressing flair and mental toughness. 

Japan’s Kiko Seike (Urawa Red Diamonds) struck in the first 30 seconds to mark the first goal scored on the US in the first minute of a game since 2003. But the US showed the tenacity necessary to move on, as they stuck to a bold, high-pressing game plan that saw them collect a deserved victory by the final whistle. 

19-year-old Texan wonder, Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave) leveled the score in the 21st minute, making Shaw the first-ever USWNT player to score a goal in each of her first five starts. In the 77th minute, the ever reliable captain Lindsey Horan sealed victory from the penalty spot. (LISTEN TO LINDSEY ON FRIENDLIES 👯)  

With the tenacious vibes of indomitable spirit returning to this USA squad, a litany of essential talents returned on Saturday too. Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) was back in the XI after 364 days away, playing like she’d never left us. And the inimitable creative talent of Catarina Macario (Chelsea) replaced Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave) in the 78th minute, her first appearance in two years. 

🇺🇲🇨🇦 In the final test before Emma Hayes arrives, the US are set to meet their old northern soccer foe Canada 🇨🇦 in Columbus for the trophy, finally providing the exciting tactical and technical battle we were deprived of in last month’s W Gold Cup rainstorm (Tuesday, April 9, 7 PM ET, TBS). 

🎤 LISTEN TO SAM AND ROG BREAK DOWN THE SEMIFINAL HERE.

MORE: Lindsey and Morgan opened USWNT camp last week with statements on Korbin Albert’s social media activity. 

II. Final Olympic Spots Confirmed this Tuesday 🇿🇲🇲🇦🇿🇦🇳🇬🥇

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will confirm the final two Olympic participants this Tuesday. The culmination of a two-leg playoff pits Zambia and Morocco in a joust to join the US, Germany and Australia in Group B. While Nigeria and South Africa battle to join Spain, Japan and Brazil in Group C. In the first leg, the Super Falcons absconded with a win at home thanks to Rasheedat Ajibade (Atlético Madrid), who claimed a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot. Banyana Banyana host Nigeria at home for the second test (Tuesday, April 9, 130 PM ET). In Zambia, the Copper Queens fell 1-2 before an incredible crowd of 45,000 fans as Morocco stole all three points in the final seconds of the game. The Lionesses of Atlas host Zambia at home to determine the final spot (Tuesday, April 9, 4 PM ET).

III. England draws Sweden 1-1 in Euro Qualifying Group of Death 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪

As of last week, the qualifying phase for next summer’s 2025 Women’s Euros has officially set off. 15 spots to join hosts Switzerland will be hotly contested, with multiple avenues to qualification spread across three leagues (A,B,C) and 51 total teams. The 16 teams in League A have the chance to directly qualify, as the top eight among them will confirm their Euros Final berth in the group, while the rest are shuffled into a play-off round. 

England’s Lionesses, the reigning champions of Europe, were drawn into League A’s group of death alongside Sweden, France and the Republic of Ireland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇫🇷🇮🇪 and opened play with a 1-1 draw in London. Alessia Russo’s (Arsenal) diving header gave England an early lead, but an unmarked Fridolina Rölfo (Barcelona) capitalized in the box to draw level at Wembley. 

Elsewhere, Germany and Austria went toe to toe in a Group 4 clash that ended 2-3 in DFB Frauen’s favor. Italy upset the Dutch in Group 1, as Inter Milan’s Agnese Bonfantini claimed the second goal (Italy 2-0 Netherlands). And Spain still looks unplayable, as they picked up a 0-7 victory away against Belgium, unfurling goals like this Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) backheel to Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona). 

MORE: ‘Wiegman must address careless midfield if England are to retain title’

IV. What if Caitlin Clark played soccer? 🏀⚽

Fans of the American game will know the oft-repeated refrain, ‘what if our best athletes played soccer’? (Insert images of LeBron James, Tom Brady and Serena Williams playing footy here). But what fans may not know is that Iowa basketball’s smooth shooting phenom, Caitlin Clark, truly “could have been a soccer superstar too”. A prolific athlete that at various times dabbled in soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and track and field, Clark’s Dad has said she could have made a mark in soccer, in particular. Apparently, her scoring ability was as remarkable on the soccer field as it’s been on the court. During her freshman year of high school, Clark only appeared in six games due to basketball obligations, but managed to score 26 goals. Imagine, what could have been.

V. News and Notes 📰 🗞️

1. England’s WSL is set to double investment in a deal worth 11.3 billion per season 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

2. Disgraced former head of Spanish Football, Luis Rubiales, was detained and questioned for his involvement in corruption case linked to Saudi Arabia 🇪🇸🇸🇦

3. Leicy Santos, officially, officially, official now. The Colombian talent is joining NWSL’s Washington Spirit, just the latest international name moving her footy stateside. For a taste of her magic: check out the goal she scored on England at the 2023 World Cup 🇨🇴 

VI. Parting Shots 🥃

EVERY ONE WATCHES WOMEN’S SPORTS 👏 The IOWA vs LSU March Madness basketball extravaganza broke 14.2 million viewers, per ESPN. In Germany, the DFB Pokal semi final drew 1.15 million viewers worldwide. 🏀⚽ 

VII. Good Reads 📚

1. From Osasu Obayiuwana in The Guardian, Africa’s female players are excelling: no Wafcon in 2024 would be a travesty

2. From Emma Sanders at the BBC, on the challenges of being a mum in football

3. From Kelly Simmons in The Athletic, ‘FA must act now and help England bridge gap to Spain in women’s football’