Tag: Women’s Super League

USWNT star Macario gets assist in first Chelsea start

It’s been 686 days, but Macario is back starting games again

Making a big step after her injury nightmare, Catarina Macario started a match for the first time in 686 days.

The U.S. women’s national team star was on the pitch from kickoff as Chelsea hosted Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League on Wednesday, making her first start for the Blues since joining the club in June 2023.

The 24-year-old would end up logging 70 minutes in a 3-0 win, with the Blues climbing back above Manchester City at the top of the WSL standings on goal difference.

Macario had not started a game anywhere since tearing her ACL in her final appearance with Lyon, all the way back on June 1, 2022.

Since then, Macario has missed a World Cup for the USWNT, and had totaled just 169 minutes of playing time for Chelsea and the U.S. before being named to the starting 11 by Emma Hayes for Villa’s visit.

Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat was sent off after just four minutes for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity after making a save well outside her 18-yard box, helping Macario and the Blues ease into the game.

Aggie Beever-Jones’ 18th-minute volley opened the scoring, and Macario followed that strike up with a clever 38th-minute assist. The USWNT attacker’s near-post heel flick completely caught the visitors’ defense off-guard, setting Japan forward Maika Hamano up for a tap-in.

Despite her lack of playing time, this marked the third assist for Macario since her return, to go with two goals (including one in her first appearance for the club).

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Incoming USWNT coach Hayes has sideline dust-up with Arsenal boss Eidevall

The Chelsea manager accused the Arsenal boss of “male aggression on the touchline”

Things got a little heated between Chelsea coach Emma Hayes and her Arsenal counterpart Jonas Eidevall in Sunday’s Women’s League Cup final.

The pair were at odds over an issue that managers typically don’t get too concerned over: the number of balls available to use during the game.

In short, Eidevall thought only one ball would be used, and was enraged when Chelsea took a quick throw-in with a new ball from the dugout. The manager got near Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert on the touchline in a moment that clearly did not sit well with Hayes.

After the match, which Arsenal won 1-0 on an extra-time winner from Stina Blackstenius, Hayes gave Eidevall a minor but unmistakable bump on the pitch when the pair shook hands.

Afterward, the incoming U.S. women’s national team head coach vented her frustration at what she called Eidevall’s “male aggression.”

“I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline, I’m really not,” Hayes said. “And fronting up to players, for me, that’s unacceptable. I’m disappointed and I told Jonas that. I don’t think it’s OK to behave like that.

“He got a yellow card, and he should have probably been sent off. I’m all for competing to win. I’ve never been booked in 12 years in my time here. I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win but his behavior on the touchline wasn’t acceptable.”

Eidevall hit back by saying that the “male aggression” remark used by Hayes was “irresponsible.”

“I think that’s a very irresponsible way of labelling the behavior that I have, I don’t feel comfortable with that label, I don’t think it’s the truth to do that, so I think it’s very irresponsible to do that,” he said.

“The ball gets kicked away and Chelsea want to take a new ball to throw a quick throw-in and I said, ‘You guys wanted to play with one ball, now we need to get that ball.’

“Of course, Erin doesn’t get happy over that, I didn’t say anything more in that situation. If we decide to play with one ball we play with one ball. I like to play with multi-ball, the game is quick, but they didn’t want to do it and you can’t do it when it suits you.”

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USWNT’s Macario says return from injury ‘feels like a dream, like a miracle’

Macario admitted she had doubts about her future, but is now looking to enjoy her soccer

Catarina Macario may still be in the early stages of her career at the highest level, but after 20 months on the sideline, she’s gained the kind of perspective associated with a veteran.

The U.S. women’s national team forward was sidelined for over 20 months after suffering a torn ACL in June 2022, with multiple setbacks costing her a World Cup and a full European season.

Even after a summer move to Chelsea, Macario only made her Blues debut on March 3, scoring in a 4-0 win over Leicester.

Speaking to The Guardian, Macario emphasized that such a difficult battle to return to the field redefined so much about how she thinks about her career.

“Before the injury I’d be really nervous before big games: ‘I don’t want to mess up, I just want to be able to perform well for my team,” said Macario. “Sometimes I almost got too much in my own head to the point that I wouldn’t be able to perform, really.

“But I feel like now, since the injury, I’m just grateful to be on the pitch again and just to have legs.”

Macario is still very much in the early stages of her return, and is not expected to start Sunday’s Continental Cup final against Arsenal. Thus far, Chelsea boss Emma Hayes (who will soon enough be evaluating the 24-year-old for USWNT duty) has been peppering Macario into matches, calling on her as a substitute in each of the club’s last five games.

The USWNT star has responded quickly, posting a goal and two assists in just 105 minutes as Chelsea advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League while also inching ahead of Manchester City atop the Women’s Super League standings on goal difference.

“My first game back I was able to score and you could see the joy in everyone,” recalled Macario. “That meant so much. Even though we had trained together for a while, it felt like such a big celebration. It really was such a genuine moment and so emotional too that I could literally not imagine being part of another team.”

Macario hopes for ‘fun’ Continental Cup final

Despite the big stage that is a final between two of the giants of European women’s soccer, Macario maintains that for her to succeed, she has to focus on having a good time first and foremost.

“I know that it’s a big game, but I personally don’t really think about it that way any more,” said Macario. “You’re supposed to do the work for [a final] before you get to this point, so let’s just have some fun.”

Macario indicated that she has a massive amount of gratitude for the Chelsea medical team for seeing her through what was a murky, challenging return to full fitness.

“Our head of performance one day told me, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time focused on one player, but we’re doing this just to try to get it right for you so that you can be healthy in the long term, and be able to contribute for us,’ explained Macario.

“That’s something that I really appreciate, and I honestly could never repay them. I did at times think, ‘Will I be able to play at that level again?’ There were definitely a lot of doubts. They just reassured me a lot.

“A lot of times I didn’t believe them. That’s why now everything just feels like a dream, like a miracle.”

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USWNT forward Fishel scores on dream Chelsea debut

The 22-year-old looks right at home in London after her offseason move from Tigres

Mia Fishel has had quite the week.

Exactly seven days after earning her first U.S. women’s national team cap, Fishel scored on her Chelsea debut as her new side defeated Tottenham 2-1 in Sunday’s Women’s Super League opener.

With the game scoreless in the 28th minute, Niamh Charles beat her marker on the left flank before whipping in a cross that Fishel did well to head away from her body and into the far corner.

Lauren James would go on to score early in the second half, with Spurs pulling a goal back in the 76th minute through Martha Thomas.

Fishel, who completed a move to Chelsea from Tigres in the offseason, said her goal was a “dream come true,” adding that playing in England was a step up from her time in Liga MX Femenil.

“I’m playing for my dream club with these players. I’ve been here a month and I’m excited,” Fishel told Sky Sports.

“I had no doubts about starting and that’s kudos to Emma [Hayes, Chelsea head coach] and the team for making me feel welcome.

“The intensity is different from the Mexican league. We don’t get a lot of time on the field. Take more than two touches here and you’re going to get smashed, that’s the major difference.”

Hayes added that she was happy with the partnership that was developing between Fishel and England star James.

“A brilliant debut from Mia and the connection with Lauren was there to see throughout,” Hayes said.

“She was a bit out of the game for the first 15-20 minutes but when she did feel her way into it, her connection with Lauren was excellent.”

Watch Fishel’s goal on Chelsea debut

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Arsenal launches custom women’s kit from Stella McCartney collaboration

It’s the first time that Arsenal’s women’s team will wear a separate kit to the men

Arsenal and Adidas have announced the launch of a custom away kit for the women’s team from famed designer Stella McCartney.

The kit will debut on October 6 for Arsenal’s Women’s Super League clash against Manchester United, while the Arsenal men’s team will wear it during warm-ups for its Premier League match against Manchester City two days later.

This season will be the first time that Arsenal’s women’s team will wear a separate kit to the men.

“I’m so proud to continue the story with Arsenal by creating this bespoke capsule for the women’s team,” McCartney said in a release from Adidas.

“I love that the away jersey taps into the exciting intersection of fashion and football through its elevated geometric print and captivating hues – with technical performance materials at the core. It’s important that both players and fans alike can playfully express themselves as they move on and off the pitch, and we hope this bold, new collection can play a part in that.”

The gender-neutral kit is part of an eight-piece collection that also includes shorts, a jacket, pants a t-shirt and more.

“For me, football has always been about having fun and getting creative – it’s why I got into it as a young girl and it’s what inspires me today,” forward Alessia Russo added. “I love that this collection represents that, and I can’t wait to wear the shirt with pride on match day.”

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OL Reign’s Tullis-Joyce joins Manchester United in women’s record transfer for goalkeeper

A popular player is leaving Seattle for the WSL

Deadline day for the Women’s Super League saw a world record transfer for a goalkeeper in women’s soccer.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce has joined Manchester United, departing OL Reign in a deal reported by Sounder at Heart to be worth nearly $160,000.

“Today has been pure excitement for me,” said Tullis-Joyce in a press release from her new club. “Manchester United is such an historic club, that has already done so much in the women’s game. I’m so honored to get this opportunity.”

“Phallon joins us at an exciting time for Manchester United Women, as we embark on our first European season,” added manager Marc Skinner. “We are delighted to welcome Phallon to our family.”

The transfer fee and various add-ons surpass the financial side of Kailen Sheridan’s December 2021 move from NJ/NY Gotham FC to the San Diego Wave, which is believed to be the previous global record for a goalkeeper in women’s soccer. That deal saw the Wave put up $130,000 in allocation money, along with a guarantee that the then-expansion club would not select any players from Gotham in that year’s expansion draft.

With the Red Devils, Tullis-Joyce may have a battle on her hands. England No. 1 Mary Earps was the subject of a huge amount of transfer speculation following the World Cup, but a mooted move to Arsenal was not completed before the WSL’s deadline closed late on Thursday.

A blow for OL Reign on and off the field

Tullis-Joyce finishes her three years in Seattle with 47 appearances in all competitions, and holds the club record for regular-season shutouts (13). The 26-year-old was ever-present in goal as the Reign won the 2022 NWSL Shield.

Tullis-Joyce became a fan favorite in Seattle, particularly through a series of comedic videos on her second love, marine biology. Tullis-Joyce majored in the topic during her time at the University of Miami.

“Phallon is someone who we value and has achieved quite a lot both on and off field during her time here,” Reign GM Lesle Gallimore said in a club statement. “We worked with Phallon and Manchester United to make sure all parties were satisfied with the move and once we got to an agreement, everything moved pretty quickly. We will be forever grateful for Phallon’s achievements with OL Reign and wish her all the best in the WSL.”

In the meantime, it appears that the Reign have been preparing for Tullis-Joyce’s departure in recent games. Claudia Dickey and Laurel Ivory have both appeared in recent games, with Ivory most recently getting the nod in the team’s Challenge Cup semifinal loss to Racing Louisville.

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Not everyone agrees with postponing games after the Queen’s death

Some high-profile names believe playing matches would be a better tribute than postponing them

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has left Britain in a state of mourning, with sporting events being postponed wholesale in the wake of Thursday’s news.

The Premier League called off this weekend’s round of fixtures on Friday, in addition to the Football League, the Women’s Super League, and the Scottish Premiership among others.

Though taking time off from the playing field would seem to be a natural response to the death of such a towering figure, there were several across the sport who felt it wasn’t a great idea.

It wasn’t just the fact the postponements will cause even more fixture congestion in a World Cup-interrupted campaign already short on time, or that fans will now be scrambling to cancel travel plans.

Ex-England striker Peter Crouch said that playing the matches and memorializing the Queen would be a better tribute than not playing at all.

Piers Morgan concurred, saying the matches would have been a fitting tribute to the Queen, and ex-England defender Gary Neville agreed.

The Football Supporters’ Association also released a statement in favor of playing matches this weekend.

“We believe football is at its finest when bringing people together at times of huge national significance – be those moments of joy or moments of mourning,” the statement read.

“Our view, which we shared with the football authorities, is that most supporters would have liked to go to games this weekend and pay their respect to the Queen alongside their fellow fans.”

Women’s Super League opening weekend off

The Women’s Super League has seen record ticket sales for the 2022-23 season on the back of a successful Euro 2022 tournament in England.

As a result, 10 of the 12 WSL sides will play some matches at the larger stadiums used by their male counterparts.

The WSL’s opening weekend was set to see matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Stamford Bridge and the Amex Stadium, but now the availability of those stadiums for the rescheduled matches is in doubt.

There could be more postponements to come, as the BBC reported that next weekend’s matches are in doubt due to policing needs ahead of the Queen’s funeral.

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