Happy December 23rd, TWG readers! 

Today is TWG’s last day in the office before enjoying a little holiday break. It’s also the day of the highly anticipated First Annual TWG Friendsmas Extravaganza, where I asked a whole bunch of friends to join me for some holiday nonsense. Boy, did they show up — please, please, please watch this on Youtube. It literally made me cry laughing multiple times and I’m actually so happy that we pulled this off.

Last week, we were all surprised to hear that Lynn Williams, my Good Vibes co-host and bestie, was traded to Seattle Reign. I got the chance to speak with her about the trade and what she’s most looking forward to about Seattle on Friday night- check out that interview here.

As you may know, I’m heading to Australia to see Lynn in January so I planned ahead on some content for you all. We will release 2 podcasts per week throughout January, including interviews with 3 of the most successful NWSL rookies of the 2024 season — Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, and Emma Sears. Make sure you’re following along with TWG on social media and double-check that you’re subscribed to our podcast feed and YouTube channel.

Good Vibes merch is also out, and I’d love to see pictures of you all rocking it when you get it. Post a pic and tag TWG for a chance to be featured on our socials, or email me some pictures at [email protected]. I can’t wait to see everyone in our new stuff!

I sincerely hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday season. I’m sending so much love to all of you and am so grateful for all your support throughout 2024.

Thank you so much for being here with us. <3

Love,

Sam

USWNT legend, NWSL original, and TWG co-host Becky Sauerbrunn retires from the beautiful game 🇺🇲❣️

Two-time World Cup champion, Olympic gold-medalist, NWSL original, and human being that transcended the game, Becky Sauerbrunn, has retired from professional soccer. Sauerbrunn’s career was marked by incredible success at the international level, as a stalwart defender whose impact on the back-to-back World Cup-winning era was intrinsic to victory. She retires with a remarkable 219 caps and the ninth-most minutes in USWNT history. Sauerbrunn, via U.S. Soccer: “That I got to wear the U.S. Soccer crest once was an honor and privilege for which I’m forever grateful. The fact that I got to do it over 200 times is truly humbling.”

Sauerbrunn’s leadership on and off-the-field for club and country was equally impactful to her relentless defending. As a ‘NWSL original’ that’s played in every season of the league until now, her contribution to the success of the game domestically is immeasurable. In a moving statement posted to social media, Sauerbrunn described her remarkable journey and said she’d do it all again: “Of course I’d do it all again. In a heartbeat.” In a heartbeat, we would all watch her. 🇺🇲❣️  

More: The legend like no other spoke exclusively with Sam about her decision. Watch their full conversation here. 

Also: USA legend Becky Sauerbrunn was worthy of a spotlight she never sought

🥤 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.

Another TWG Legend Making Moves: Lynn Williams traded to Seattle Reign ✈️

NWSL legend, USWNT veteran, and TWG podcast co-host is also making changes this December. NWSL’s all-time leading scorer, Lynn Williams, is departing Gotham FC for Seattle Reign. Lynn spoke with Sam on a special episode of the podcast about the move. Some of the things she’s looking forward to include: “Having fun, being close to family, and competing”.

GOOD VIBES FC MERCH IS HERE 🤩🎁

The Good Vibes just got a lot better… 😏

Did you say holiday miracle?! 👀🎄 THE GOOD VIBES MERCH HAS ARRIVED 🥳 and you can shop the collection right now.

Celebrate every laugh, hug, and cheer with the ultimate Good Vibes FC collection in our Limited Edition collaboration with one of our favorite brands, HOMAGE.

SHOP GOOD VIBES FC GEAR NOW

PS: Order over $75? Use code “BLAZER75” for free shipping. Getting all the GVFC gear and order over $100? Use code “WSS25” for $25 off your order 😄

UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stage Wraps Up 🏆

The quarter-finalists were all decided by penultimate matchday. But the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) group stage concluded last week with some interesting games across Europe. 

• Reigning champions Barcelona defeated Manchester City to finish Group D in first place. Barça trailed City throughout the group stage, after a shock 2-0 loss in Manchester on the first matchday. This time in Spain, the Liga F giants won 3-0 with goals from Cláudia Pina, and a pair of goals from two-time Ballon d’Or champions Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas. 🇪🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

• Swedish center-back Magdalena Eriksson scored a brace for Bayern Munich. But it wasn’t enough to defeat Arsenal, as the Gunners leapfrogged the German club in a 3-2 win that saw them finish in first place of Group C. Alessia Russo scored the equalizer for Arsenal, keeping her scoring run intact with her fourth Champions League goal of the season. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇩🇪

• Dutch midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk’s 81st-minute goal for eight-time UWCL champions Lyon was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg. U.S. captain Lindsey Horan started as usual for the French giants, who finished Group A in first place. 🇫🇷🇩🇪

• England’s top-team in the top-flight WSL, Chelsea, maintained their hold on first place in Group B with a 2-1 win over Spain’s second-place Liga F side, Real Madrid. U.S. forward Catarina Macario scored both goals for London’s Blues from the penalty spot. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇪🇸

More: Five Takeaways from UEFA Women’s Champions League Matchday 6 

News and Notes 📰🗞️

• NWSL’s next club? According to recent reports, it could be Denver. As the league continues expanding, bids to host the 16th team include Cincinnati and Cleveland, but a group from Denver is reportedly in the lead. The expansion fee is alleged to be in the $105million - $120million dollar range, which is more than double previous NWSL expansion fees. ⛰️

• The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 are in. U.S. manager Emma Hayes won The Best Women’s Coach Award. Recently retired goalkeeper extraordinaire Alyssa Naeher won The Best Women’s Goalkeeper, the first American to win the award. Naeher was also named to the FIFA Best XI, alongside U.S. captain and Lyon midfielder, Lindsey Horan, and San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma. 🏆

• FIFA and Netflix have signed an exclusive agreement to air both the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup on Netflix. World Cup matches will be complemented by exclusive behind-the-scenes documentaries, also aired on Netflix. 📺 More: ‘How Netflix’ Women’s World Cup deal is groundbreaking’, and, ‘Why Netflix’ monopoly of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 is a bad idea’

• NWSL players are on the move in the offseason. In addition to Lynn, some big moves include 26-year-old Sam Hiatt, who departs Gotham for Portland Thorns. Midfielder Delanie Sheehan also departed Gotham after two big seasons with the 2023 Champions, signing for Houston through free agency. 🔄 More: How the NWSL offseason will work without the draft.

• Orlando Pride’s top scorer, Zambian forward Barbra Banda, was named CAF Player of the Year. Banda scored 13 goals during the NWSL regular season and four more in the NWSL playoffs (including the Championship final’s game-winning goal) for the title-winning Orlando Pride in her debut NWSL season. 🌍🇿🇲

• European club competitions are expanding. Next year, UEFA will launch the first UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. Like the men’s competition, the Europa Cup will serve as a second-tier European club tournament, featuring teams that missed out on the Champions League, or were eliminated early. 🏆

Parting Shots 🥃

“Really?? You weren’t kidding?” 

20-year-old Utah Royals forward Ally Sentnor came on Friendlies this week and talked about debuting in front of 78,000 fans at Wembley in London. Watch on YouTube here. 

Good Reads 📑

• From Suzanne Wrack in The Guardian, ‘Time for a reboot. 64-game Caldentey shows women’s football conundrum’

• From FIFPRO: ‘Women’s calendar is fragmented, piling too many games on some players but providing too few for others’

• From Sophie Downey in The Guardian, ‘It will be magical: Gibraltar Women ready to rock in competitive debut’

• From Tom Garry in The Guardian, ‘This has opened my mind: inside the FA’s first elite all-female coaching course’

Moment of Joy 🎂

Subject: Thank You Sam for 2024!

Hi Sam,

2024 was the year that I got a proper introduction to women’s professional soccer. I watched a US women’s national team documentary about equal pay and it sparked a fire in me to learn more about the players that made equal pay possible. In turn, I have grown to love the game so much! The national team was a gateway drug to the NWSL. What a great year to follow the team to Olympic GOLD! 

I am a huge Gotham and Angel City fan. How can you not love all of the characters on both teams?

Though these are “my teams” I have huge respect for many other players across the league because of your show.

I have even become a champions league fan, but I can’t pin down one exact team. Who doesn’t love Georgia Stanway, Daniëlle van de Donk, and Alex Greenwood? I know all of these players because you helped formally introduce me. 

Just like a friend introducing me to other friends of theirs. I absolutely love your podcast and look forward to it. Lynn and Becky bring so much perspective and laughter to the pod. 

Thank you for being that vessel delivering those stories to us. You ARE my community. I can’t wait to see what you do in 2025! Keep those inspirational stories coming! 

Much love, 

Jess from Indy

Sam response:

Jess! Thank you so much for the kind note! Truly such a great year to dive into women’s soccer with the girls bringing home gold at the Olympics! 

It makes me so happy to hear you’re a fan of the pod. It’s people like you that make the TWG community what it is so thank YOU! We’ve got a lot planned for 2025 so stay tuned :)

Sam