USWNT win, UEFA invests in women’s game, and more: Halloween Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, everyone. It’s Halloween, so hopefully you all get some fun candy and if you have kids, that they have a great and safe time trick or treating this evening. I’ll be going as your favorite beaver:
The USWNT were on last night, so we begin there:
USWNT October 2024 Friendlies: USA 3-0 Argentina – No drama in a solid win (SSFC)
It was the Naomi Girma show! The true best player in the world scored her first two goals for country and also assisted on an Argentine own goal as the USWNT won 3-0.
UEFA pledges $1.08 billion to develop women’s soccer (ESPN)
UEFA is pledging over $1 billion to help develop women’s soccer in Europe. Hopefully most of the money isn’t hogged by the established countries and they begin by helping women in the nations that don’t have bushels of cash.
USMNT pair McKennie and Weah both score Juventus goals vs. Parma (PSW)
Both Weston McKennie and Tim Weah are on fire right now, and it’s been fun to watch.
Some crossover news as KC Current ownership, including Patrick and Brittany Mahomes, are interested in bringing a WNBA franchise to Kansas City.
USMNT goalkeeper Turner makes Crystal Palace debut (PSW)
Finally, Matt Turner has seen the field for Crystal Palace! And, he had 8 saves. Hopefully it leads to more opportunities for the USA #1.
Wrexham owners Reynolds, McElhenney buy local brewery (ESPN)
The Wrexham celebrity owners have added Wrexham Lager, one of the oldest breweries in Great Britain, to their family.
If you’re tuning in for the NWSL Championship (or if you’re going), a blast from the past is singing the national anthem:
Finally, Viv Miedema has had yet another knee surgery. It’s unclear what the injury is and what the timeline is for her, but we all wish her a speedy recovery.
Enjoy your Halloween, everyone.
The US U-17 WNT lost to North Korea 1-0 in a tight semifinal match in the U-17 Women’s World Cup last night in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.givemesport.com/dc-united-offseason-guide-state-of-the-roster-transfer-priorities/
Some interesting stats I hadn’t seen in there. Everyone talks about the 24 points dropped from winning positions by DCU (4th worst in the league). But I haven’t seen anyone else mention the 20 points gained from losing positions (2nd best in the league). And apparently Klich was in the 98th percentile among central midfielders in shot-creating actions. We also know we criminally underperformed expected goals against (xGA). But the goalies conceded 7.4 more expected goals against after shots on target according to FBRef, which was 3rd worst in the league.
I didn’t think that Bono was bad — made a lot of tough saves. Hopefully, the FO has proper targets in mind to guard our nets in 2025.
Klichy has been really underrated here, even though his finishing is below par, and far below what one would hope for from a DP.
I won’t say that Girma is the best female player in the world–I have no problems with Bonmati-Conca winning given Barcelona’s incredible season. But Girma was the best American woman–and she wasn’t even on the Ballon d’Or list. That makes a statement (as well as the date for the presentation of the awards) about the Ballon d’Or.
She would start for every team in the world.
Agreed–she would. In fact, she’d be the best defender on any woman’s team in the world–including Barca. I have no problem at all with Hayes’ claim she’s the best female defender in the world. And Bonmati would start for every team in the world as well.
Both are excellent, no question.