Football roundup: WSL – the latest from the Super League, Champions League and more
Women’s football is continuing to grow around the world especially here in England. What’s been happening in women’s football this week so far?
Talking Points
- On Monday, a Mary Earps limited-edition goalkeeper kit was quietly made available by Nike. The release followed months of tension over the lack of the kit and, perhaps not surprisingly, it subsequently sold out in a matter of hours.
- The Women’s Champions League resumed this week. The second qualifying round features 24 teams competing in a two-legged tie, with winners progressing to the group stage. Already a few ties have been back-and-forth battles. Wolfsburg fought back to a 3-3 finish against Paris FC thanks to a brace of headers from Alexandra Popp, while Manchester United also came from behind to draw 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain thanks to Melvine Mallard’s 70th-minute equaliser
- Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer and recently crowned World Cup champion, had her interview with Spanish prosecutors aired on Spanish TV this week. In it, Hermoso maintained the kiss from Luis Rubiales at the World Cup Final was not consensual and relayed the emotional turmoil she’s had to wrestle with in the aftermath, saying, “I do not deserve to have lived through all this.”
- Maddie Cusack’s cause of death has not yet been established according to an inquest. The Sheffield United player was found dead on 20 September at her home in Derbyshire. She was 27. An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned in a brief hearing which took place at Derby Coroner’s Court on Wednesday. Assistant coroner Louise Pinder said: “We are awaiting a police file and the medical cause of death. “Therefore, I am adjourning the inquest for six weeks for further review.”
Women’s Champions League & Super League
Man Utd earn draw in first CL game
Manchester United 1-1 Paris St. Germain
Man United bounced back to draw with PSG in their first CL match – on home soil at Leigh Sports Village. Substitute Melvine Malard headed in a corner in the second half to cancel out PSG’s opener in the second qualifying round tie.
PSG wasted some big chances in the first half, with England’s number one goalkeeper Mary Earps pushing Sandy Baltimore’s strike wide. But PSG were able to take the lead with a clever ball over the top. United showed their fighting spirit with Leah Galton and Geyse coming close, Millie Turner’s header saved and Ella Toone’s strike just inches over the bar. A deflected corner was also cleared off the line by PSG.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67049584
Reds secure second victory of WSL season
Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool have begun the new Women’s Super League season with two impressive victories after backing up last week’s Arsenal success with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
Villa had a chance in the final third when a mistake was made by Rachel Laws, but Liverpool’s sturdy backline raced to the aid of their goalkeeper and snuffed out the danger – they remain the only side yet to be breached in the WSL.
https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-women-vs-aston-villa-women/report/494318
Women’s Champions League format ‘strange’ – Groenen
PSG midfielder Jackie Groenen has said the format of the Women’s CL, which has seen some big clubs exit early, is ‘strange.’
The first round of qualifying saw shock losses for Arsenal and Juventus.
“I think it is a bit strange – big teams going out in the pre-phase”, Groenen told BBC Sport.
“I wonder if it’s the right way to go.”
Only holders Barcelona, plus Lyon, Bayern Munich and Women’s Super League champions Chelsea have already automatically qualified for the group stage, which starts in November.
The second round of qualifying – played over two legs – will determine the 12 other teams to join them, with two-time winners Wolfsburg in the mix along with two-time runners-up PSG.
The 16-team group stage was introduced in the 2021-22 season, replacing the previous two-leg straight knockout format from the last 32 onwards with groups used only in the qualifying rounds.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67048973
How to watch and follow the 2023-24 season on the BBC?
All WSL matches are available to watch in the UK on the BBC, Sky Sports or the Football Association website.
You can also watch highlights on the Women’s Football Show – the WSL version of Match of the Day – which is broadcast on Sunday nights on BBC One.
The BBC will broadcast one game from each round of matches, while Sky has rights to two games a week. Any games not on the BBC or Sky will be available to watch for free on the FA Player.
The BBC Sport website and app will also provide live text commentaries on all this season’s WSL matches.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66897412
NWSL playoff battle
The final matches of NWSL’s 11th regular season take place on Sunday and each one holds serious playoff ramifications. Of the 12 clubs competing this year, two have already clinched play-off places, with eight remain in contention for four positions.
Angel City FC vs Portland Thorns
The reigning champions and first-placed Portland Thorns affirmed their playoff bye in the penultimate weekend with a goal from Japan’s Hina Sugita. She and golden boot leader Sophia Smith, who has just returned from injury, will be rested for the first round of the playoffs but still have the Supporters Shield to secure, vying for that trophy with San Diego. Thorns head to Los Angeles attempt to that achieve that, meeting an Angel City FC side hoping to scrape their way into the playoffs for the first time in their second year.
San Diego Wave vs Racing Louisville
San Diego host Louisville in a match that could earn them their first piece of silverware in only their second season: if they win and Portland lose in LA, they’ll collect the Supporters Shield. No matter the result, the Wave are through to the playoffs with a bye, a remarkable success for the second-year expansion side led by former England captain, Casey Stoney. Racing need a win and other results to be kind to them in order to make the playoffs.
North Carolina Courage vs Washington Spirit
This is where the fun begins as two formidable teams stacked with talent joust to ensure their playoff positioning. The pair head into Sunday’s contest equal on 30 points, a total also shared by Gotham FC, with the three teams, who take up third, fourth and fifth spots in the NWSL split only by goal differential. The game in Washington is a match-up of wicked wingers and lethal attacks: it should be some watch.
Gotham FC vs Kansas City Current
World Cup champion and longtime NWSL defender Ali Krieger hangs up her boots after this season, and is set to be honoured in her final home match of the regular season as Gotham host the Current with thier respective playoff places in the balance. Kansas City fell short of the playoffs this year, in a surprise slide from their loss to the Thorns in last year’s final.
Chicago Red Stars vs OL Reign
The Red Stars never recovered – nor, one could argue, did the USA – from the patella tendon tear that sidelined Mallory Swanson in April. One of just two teams already eliminated from the playoffs, they host Megan Rapinoe’s last dance with OL Reign, who sit in a precarious sixth place, just marginally north of the playoff line with a smattering of teams ready to supplant them.
Orlando Pride vs Houston Dash
The Pride and Dash meet on the outside of the playoff spots looking in, currently ranked in seventh and 10th place respectively. Houston face a tall order to climb their way into the playoffs, but Orlando are certainly capable of ending Sunday with more games to play in the post season.
