Tag: NWSL

Maria Sanchez confirms she wants ‘immediate trade’ away from Houston Dash

Sánchez wants out, and the clock is ticking ahead of Friday’s NWSL trade deadline

María Sánchez on Thursday night confirmed reports that she has requested a trade away from the Houston Dash, adding that she wants to leave the club with “immediate” effect.

ESPN initially reported on Sunday that Sánchez, just five months after signing a three-year contract with Houston valued around roughly $1.5 million, had submitted a formal trade request.

The Mexico star took to social media on Thursday to confirm that report, reiterating her desire to leave the Dash in short order. Teams must complete trades within the NWSL by midnight Eastern on Friday, or wait until August 1 to proceed.

“This has all taken a toll and isn’t an easy thing to talk about, but I want to confirm that I’ve requested an immediate trade,” Sánchez posted on X.

“The club has been aware of this since late March and my expectations and reasons have been clear. I trust that my current club’s management will honor my decision in a timely manner and proceed with accepting a trade.”

Upon signing her deal with the Dash in December, Sánchez — who entered last winter’s offseason as a restricted free agent — was at the time the highest-paid player in the entire NWSL.

However, per the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by the NWSL and NWSL Players Association, the Dash were allowed to match any offer another team in the league tendered to Sánchez. A Houston side that struggled for goals throughout 2023 could scarcely afford to lose the Mexico winger, widely considered the club’s best attacking player.

Sánchez has started all four games this season for the Dash, posting one assist. Houston is in 11th place on four points, and is tied with the Portland Thorns (who just announced a coaching change) for the league’s worst defensive record.

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Rapinoe and Bird’s production company announces first scripted series

The legendary ex-pro athletes will serve as executive producers on ‘Cleat Cute’

Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe’s production company, A Touch More, has announced it is developing its first scripted TV series.

Bird and Rapinoe will serve as executive producers on an adaptation of the best-selling novel “Cleat Cute” from author Meryl Wilsner.

According to a press release, the novel “follows a young soccer player as she juggles being the new rookie player, her goals of making the national team, and a budding romance with her team captain.”

Bird and Rapinoe added: “We are thrilled to be working with Future Shack [Entertainment] to bring Meryl Wilsner’s wonderful book to life. Having spent most of our lives on teams, we want to celebrate the ways in which relationships, both romantic and platonic, are organically created through sports.

“‘Cleat Cute’ will not shy away from the messiness, occasional frustration, and undeniable beauty that come with loving the game and the players within it.”

“Cleat Cute” will be the first foray into scripted TV for A Touch More, which Bird and Rapinoe founded in 2022.

A Touch More was also part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcast “Pink Card,” a series that followed women in Iran fighting for the right to watch soccer.

The company was founded with the aim of amplifying stories from  underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women.

Rapinoe retired last year at the end of a decorated career in which she became one of the all-time greats for the U.S. women’s national team. Similarly, Bird retired in 2022 after becoming one of the WNBA’s greatest ever players.

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Lavelle provides injury update as USWNT star awaits Gotham FC debut

The USWNT star has now been sidelined more than a month with a leg injury

Rose Lavelle was one of several U.S. women’s national team stars who joined Gotham FC as marquee offseason additions.

But unlike Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett and Crystal Dunn, the playmaker has not yet stepped on the field wearing the Gotham crest.

Lavelle hasn’t played since the W Gold Cup, where she featured in all six of the USWNT’s matches as it lifted the regional title.

The 28-year-old has been sidelined with what the NWSL availability report calls a lower leg injury, missing the Challenge Cup and all three of Gotham’s regular season games thus far.

As her absence stretches past a month, Lavelle gave an update on her progress during a media event in New York marking 100 days until the Olympics begin.

“I’m doing good — I’m hoping I’ll be back in the next couple weeks,” Lavelle said in quotes published on the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“It’s frustrating to start the year off with an injury, just because I feel like you come off preseason and you’re revving to go, so it’s so annoying.”

Last month, interim USWNT coach Twila Kilgore called Lavelle’s absence from the SheBelieves Cup roster “mostly a preventative measure in terms of taking care of her health.”

Kilgore has coached her final game for the USWNT, as she moves back to an assistant role ahead of Emma Hayes’ arrival next month.

With the Olympics kicking off soon and Hayes facing some tough decisions to cut her roster down to just 18 players, Lavelle knows time is of the essence.

“The strength of our team is there in so much depth, so unfortunately that means really good players are going to get left off too,” she said.  “And I think for all of us, it’s just about being ready for whatever role is given to us, embracing that, and looking to put it into a collective picture so that we can go into the Olympics ready to go.”

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Press on comeback: The only promise I’ll make is that I’ll try

The forward continues to work her way back after missing nearly two years

Christen Press doesn’t know if her comeback will ultimately prove successful, but she is giving it her best shot.

The U.S. women’s national team and Angel City FC forward hasn’t played in nearly two years, having suffered a torn ACL in June 2022. That injury has been followed by a number of setbacks, as the 35-year-old revealed last summer that she was forced to undergo a fourth surgery on the problem.

Press has been gradually working toward returning to the field, and posted a series of photos on Wednesday of herself on the training pitch.

“The comeback is coming along,” Press wrote on Instagram, before offering an optimistic and realistic assessment on her progress.

“The only promise I’ll make to you is that I’ll try. And what a beautiful, giving thing it is to try.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mMgfMSzbf/?hl=en&img_index=1

Press played in eight games with Angel City in 2022, the club’s inaugural season, scoring two goals. She most recently played for the USWNT in the Olympics in 2021. Overall, Press has has made 155 appearances for the USWNT and is ninth all-time with 64 goals scored.

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Chicago Red Stars to play June match at Wrigley Field

The Red Stars said playing at the Friendly Confines is an effort to make the team more accessible

The Chicago Red Stars have announced that they will face Bay FC in a NWSL match at Wrigley Field on June 8.

It will be the first NWSL game held at the iconic home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The Red Stars were sold last fall to an ownership group led by Laura Ricketts, who is also a co-owner of the Cubs.

In a press release, the Red Stars said the game was part of an effort to make the team “more accessible to sports fans in Chicago.” The team’s home games typically take place at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL, 15 miles outside of downtown Chicago.

“Wrigley Field is one of the most iconic sports venues in the country. This is a unique opportunity for us to bring further visibility to our team and women’s soccer,” Red Stars captain Alyssa Naeher said in a club release.

“Chicago has always been an incredible sports town with such a rich history; I can’t wait to compete on the field, under the lights, in front of our dedicated Chicago fans from every part of the city!”

Wrigley Field was home to the Chicago Sting of the NASL in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The last top-level soccer match it hosted came back in 2012, when Roma beat Polish side Zaglebie Lubin in a friendly.

CHICAGO, IL – JULY 22: A general view during the first half of a international friendly match between Roma and Zaglebie Lubin on July 22, 2012 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

“Playing at Wrigley Field will be the event that fans of the Red Stars, Cubs and Chicago sports won’t want to miss,” said Chicago Red Stars president Karen Leetzow.

“On behalf of the Red Stars, I’d like to thank the Cubs for inviting us to Wrigley Field and giving these elite athletes the stage they deserve. We look forward to representing our great city and showing Chicago fans and the country how talented this club is and the intense level of competition that exists on the pitch every week in the NWSL and in Chicago’s backyard.”

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USWNT coach Kilgore offers positive Girma injury update

It appears Girma has avoided the worst-case scenarios when it comes to her thigh injury

It appears U.S. women’s national team defender Naomi Girma has avoided the worst-case scenarios when it comes to her thigh injury.

Girma was removed from Saturday’s SheBelieves Cup win over Japan in the first half, as she pulled up while running and was unable to continue after receiving treatment on the pitch.

Speaking to the media ahead of the SheBelieves Cup final against Canada on Tuesday, interim head coach Twila Kilgore indicated that the 23-year-old hadn’t suffered a serious injury.

“Naomi had a thigh strain and is day to day right now,” Kilgore said, without offering an indication whether Girma would be available for the Canada game.

Even if she is unavailable for the match against the Reds in Columbus, it appears that Girma won’t miss an extended period — a major relief for club and country.

The San Diego Wave star has become one of the first names on the team sheet for the USWNT, winning the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year after a standout year for the national team.

Girma has also been named the NWSL Defender of the Year in both of her pro seasons thus far, helping the Wave win the NWSL Shield last season.

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USWNT star Girma taken off with injury in SheBelieves Cup game vs. Japan

The USWNT and San Diego Wave could have a real concern on their hands

The U.S. women’s national team and San Diego Wave could have a serious injury concern on their hands.

Naomi Girma was forced off in the first half of the USWNT’s SheBelieves Cup match against Japan on Saturday, as the team’s standout defender suffered a reported thigh injury.

In the 16th minute, Girma was chasing a long ball in behind and pulled up with what appeared to be a muscle injury. The center back immediately signaled to the bench that she required treatment.

Girma was treated on the pitch, but was unable to continue and was replaced in the 18th minute by Abby Dahlkemper, her teammate for club and country.

On the TNT broadcast, sideline reporter Melissa Ortiz said Girma was being evaluated for a right thigh injury.

Following the match, U.S. coach Twila Kilgore confirmed that, telling reporters that Girma was “being evaluated for a right thigh injury, and we’ll know more shortly.”

Should Girma be forced to miss a significant amount of time, it would be a major blow for club and country. The 23-year-old was named the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year after establishing herself as the USWNT’s most important defender. At the club level, Girma was named NWSL Defender of the Year for the second straight season.

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Royals goalkeeper Nelson slams U.S. Soccer for keeping Albert on USWNT roster

The Utah goalkeeper had some harsh words for the federation over Albert’s inclusion

Utah Royals goalkeeper Carly Nelson has hit out at U.S. Soccer for keeping Korbin Albert on the U.S. women’s national team roster after her anti-LGBTQ+ activity on social media was discovered.

Albert has found herself in a firestorm over the past week, with several USWNT players past and present calling the PSG midfielder out for her actions.

Albert had already been named to the SheBelieves Cup roster prior to her social media activity being discovered, and she remained on the squad after a controversy that forced her into a swift apology.

USWNT pair Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan addressed the situation with a statement to media on Wednesday, saying that they were “extremely sad” to see Albert not uphold the USWNT’s standards of inclusivity. They added that internal discussions among the team had taken place, which would stay private.

In a thread on X, Nelson said that U.S. Soccer allowing Albert to stay on the roster is sending a troubling message to the LGBTQ+ community.

As a queer player playing a sport – how are we not talking more about Korbin Albert being called into camp after demonstrating homophobic and transphobic actions? Her actions are creating an unsafe space for LGBTQIA+ players. A thread:

Korbin epitomizes what the LGBTQIA+ community continuously has to fight against. The US Soccer Federation continuing to give her a platform, diminishes the safety and comfort of queer players.

Her and her family have demonstrated a clear disregard for respect and well-being of queer individuals across the globe.

Korbin’s actions are not just a controversy or a one-time mistake; they are hateful and they reflect and perpetuate the systemic oppression of queer people in our society.

It’s sending a message that the Federation does not prioritize the creation of safe spaces for trans and gender-diverse players. This lack of prioritization to protect trans and gender diverse players – undermines efforts to promote inclusivity and respect.

By openly making fun of pronouns, liking and posting transphobic and homophobic things – sheds a direct light on the harmful and hateful ideas keeping trans and queer people unsafe in this sport.

Nelson spoke to Out Sports in 2019 about her experiences being raised Mormon while also being a lesbian. The 26-year-old said she finally felt accepted after coming out to her teammates at the University of Utah.

The goalkeeper has spent time with OL Reign, Kansas City Current, FC Nordsjælland, and Orlando Pride before joining the Royals in December prior to their inaugural season.

Nelson started the Royals’ first match of the season, before backing up Mandy Haught in the team’s next two games.

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‘Was wondering why my neck was a bit stiff’ – Leroux posts video of nasty mid-air collision

This had to hurt

Angel City FC striker Sydney Leroux paid a serious price for some solid defensive work in Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Current.

Leroux rose up to head away a Current corner kick late in the first half at CPKC Stadium, before she was clattered into mid-air by rookie defender Ellie Wheeler.

The veteran forward violently slammed to the turf but somehow managed to pop back up to her feet immediately after a play that looked like it could have sent her to the hospital.

Wheeler was perhaps lucky to only receive a yellow card on the play, which Leroux posted on X with the caption: “Was wondering why my neck was a bit stiff this am…..”

Leroux would enact some measure of revenge five minutes into the second half, as she scored her first goal of the season to cut Kansas City’s lead in half.

The Current would tack on two more goals later in the half, however, ensuring Leroux and Co. would go back to California with some bruises — and a 4-2 defeat.

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‘Clear and obvious should be clear and obvious’ – Spirit star Sullivan decries long VAR checks

There were in incredible 13 minutes of first-half stoppage time in Sunday’s game

Frustration is mounting across the NWSL early in the season, as some VAR reviews drag on for what seems like an eternity.

Among those who are growing weary is U.S. women’s national team and Washington Spirit midfielder Andi Sullivan, who saw her side’s game against the Utah Royals ground to a halt on multiple occasions.

Three VAR reviews throughout the game slowed the play considerably at Audi Field on Sunday. There were an incredible 13 minutes of stoppage time in the first half, with one of the reviews taking place on a fairly obvious Spirit penalty that Sullivan would eventually convert.

After a game her side won 2-1, Sullivan told reporters that while she’s grateful for the presence of video technology in the NWSL, there needs to be a concerted effort toward eliminating lengthy reviews.

“Obviously we’re glad about VAR being in the league,” the midfielder said. “But I think we need to figure out a way to make it a little more efficient. I especially think clear and obvious should be clear and obvious and it shouldn’t take a long time to decide if something is clear and obvious.

“But obviously I’m not in the booth, I don’t know the demands of that job so I shouldn’t really speak too much on that.”

On her penalty, she added: “It was a very clear penalty. I don’t really feel like that needs to be checked or checked very long. And I felt like it could have been checked by the time I had set up the first time, so I was a little frustrated about that.”

Sullivan said that the frequent stoppages for VAR checks means that teams have to figure out ways to make the breaks work to their advantage.

“We’ve definitely discussed as a team about how to manage those moments, especially when it’s taking a while and then when the ref has to go find the camera,” she said.

“So are there moments where we can come over to the sideline and just regroup? For me I reset because it had just been so long, so I needed to run through the routine again. It’s a new part of the game and we have to recognize it’s going to be a part of it, so we have to figure out different ways and techniques of handling that.”

On Friday night, Chicago Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson echoed Sullivan’s point, but did so in slightly more blunt fashion.

“If it takes that long to make a damn decision, then there’s no decision,” Donaldson said.

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