WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY

IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...

• Latest headlines: ACL hell continues for Chelsea.

• Picks from the pitch: WSL is back. Plus Champs League action.

• Kit Drop: Nike boots go out of this world. The sun sets for Adidas.

• Inside track: 5 new WSL players to watch

• Jobs: New opportunities in football

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🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

👋 Toni Duggan has announced her retirement. After a career spanning over 20 years, the former Lioness has decided to step away from the game with an incredible record, having played for Everton, Man City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. 

🩼 Two Chelsea players have suffered ACL injuries. Sophie Ingle went off against Feyenoord in a pre-season friendly earlier this month, and will now have surgery. The club also confirmed that defender, Jorja Fox, suffered an ACL injury while on loan at Crystal Palace. Fox had just come back from the ACL injury she sustained in May 2023 while on loan at Brighton.

🤑 Mastercard crunched the numbers and the impact on the local economy when Arsenal’s Women’s games are played at the Emirates Stadium is significant. Spending in local bars rose by 16% on average over six games (44% against Man Utd). Spending in restaurants went up by 15% on average. Arsenal are set to play all 11 home games at Emirates this season. Now, who said women’s football doesn’t make money?

🏆 North Korea has been crowned U20 World Champions after beating Japan 1-0 in Sunday’s final. The North Koreans knocked out the USA in the semi-finals, sending the Americans to the third-place play-off game which they won after scoring in the 119th minute to beat the Netherlands 2-1.

🦇 NJ/NY Gotham FC will head to the White House today to be honoured as 2023 NWSL Champions, a first since the 11-year-old league was launched.

🏟️ A 16th spot might soon open up in the NWSL and Cleveland is more than interested in filling it. In a $4.2m deal, they’ve acquired the land intended for a new 12,500 seater stadium, a pretty big statement of intent.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

Top Links

→ USL Super League: Threat to the NWSL or potential partner?
→ Gbemisola Yusuf: From match-day drink seller to Referee
→ Women’s team ‘neglect’ allegations taken seriously, says Solihull Moors Foundation

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Kiko Seike stars in the return of the WSL

The opening weekend of the WSL season did not disappoint…

• Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa: Johanna Rytting Kanyeryd got this season’s goal-scoring underway on Friday night.

• Manchester United 3-0 West Ham: Galton stayed strong to make space for this strike just before halftime.

• Brighton 4-0 Everton: Fran Kirby might have got a goal on her debut but Kiko Seike went two better and got a debut hat-trick, the first player in the history of the WSL to do so.

• Liverpool 1-1 Leicester: Kop made an incredible save to stop Holland in her tracks.

• Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City: Miedema scored on her return to the Emirates, but we’re still playing this Jess Park goal on repeat.

• Spurs 4-0 Crystal Palace: Palace had a difficult first game in the WSL. A goal on her debut for Raso, but what about this top-corner screamer from Ahtinen?

MEANWHILE, IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS…

BK Hacken 1-0 Arsenal (first leg)
Despite 67.8% of the possession and 13 shots on goal, Arsenal were unable to convert their chances and are under pressure as they seek to qualify for the Champions League. Watch the highlights.

Paris FC 0-5 Manchester City (first leg)
Shaw was missing from the squad after they forgot to file her VISA (unbelievable, we know), so it’s just as well Miedema has hit the ground running. She scored the opening goal, with an impressive volley. Park is looking strong and got two goals and an assist. 

Second leg matches on Thursday 26 September.

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

5 new WSL players to watch out for

MARIONA CALDENTEY
Arsenal, Forward, 28yrs

In short, she’s a winner. 2024 World Cup winner with Spain, three-time Champions League winner with Barcelona, not to mention the six league titles. Arsenal won big here, getting Caldentey on a free transfer. Expect to see her pulling defenders out of position and creating space for attacks.

Follow: mariona8co
Bonus: Watch Caldentey explain why so many Spanish players are moving to the WSL.

OLIVIA SMITH
Liverpool, Forward, 20yrs

Liverpool went big over the summer after finishing fourth last season. They spent £210k on Canadian International Olivia Smith. Smith has said her preferred position is on the right wing, although she’s versatile enough to play left if needed. Either way, with speed and strength on her side, she’s not afraid to take players on one-on-one and create problems for defenders.

Follow: livysmithhh

GABI NUNES
Aston Villa, Forward, 27yrs

This was a massive signing for Villa. £250,000. A club record fee. Massive. Nunes is a technical player and was a much-needed replacement for Alisha Lehmann. Her ability to play in several attacking positions will add versatility to the upfront line-up.

Follow: gabinunes9

HAYLEY RASO
Tottenham Hotspur, Winger, 30yrs

Raso is no stranger to the WSL having played for Everton and Man City in the past. Now she’s at Spurs on a free transfer and we’re excited to see what impact the experienced winger will have. She’s an absolute workhorse, relentless in her work rate, aggressive and speedy on the counter.

Follow: hayleyraso
Did you know: Raso is also a children’s author?

INMA GABARRO
Everton, Forward, 21yrs

The Spanish forward is an exciting young talent and made her mark on the international scene early, helping Spain to the U-20 World Cup in 2022. Now she’s moved to the WSL from Sevilla to take her game to the next level. She is a talented attacker but is just as competent dropping into midfield. Everton Manager Sorensen believes she will have a big, immediate impact on the club and we can’t wait to watch.

Follow: inmagabarro

👟 KIT DROP

Boots that are out of this world

Nike’s Cosmic Speed Air Zoom Mercurial has landed. The iridescent colourway takes its inspiration from outer space and is available in the Mercurial Vapor XVI and Superfly X fits.

Adidas has a new Vivid Horizon pack featuring their F50, Predator 24 and Copa Pure 2 boots, which all take on a grey, red and orange colour way inspired by sunsets and dusky tones.

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

Get Your Kits Out Festival brings together the brightest and best creators, makers, and voices, to Liverpool for a one-day celebration of football, design, and fashion. Expect a grassroots football-fashion market, up-cycling workshops, talks, DJ sets and more. 

28-29 September 2024.
The Florie, 377 Mill Street , Liverpool , L8 4RF
Tickets available now

See the Lionesses in action at Wembley

England vs Germany
Friday 25 October, 19.30 KO, Wembley.
Get tickets

England vs USA
Saturday 30 November, 17.20 KO, Wembley.
Get tickets

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Champion’s League Qualifiers (RND 2)
Thurs, 26 September
17:45 - PSG vs Juventus [DAZN]
19:00 - Manchester City vs Paris FC [City TV]
19:30 - Arsenal vs BK Hacken

Women’s Super League
Fri, 27 September
19:30 - Crystal Palace vs Chelsea [Sky]

Sun, 29 September
12:30 - Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:00 - Everton vs Manchester United
15:00 - Leicester City vs Arsenal
15:00 - West Ham United vs Liverpool
16:30 - Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
Watch WSL games on YouTube for free

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

More Women Working in Football

• U9 - U12 Performance Analyst | Newcastle United | Apply by 26 September

• Sports Talent Sales Intern | Creative Artists Agency | Apply by 27 September

• Business Data Architect | The FA | Apply by 30 September

• Marketing Executive | Brentford FC x level= | Apply by 7 Oct

• HR Coordinator | PGMOL | Apply by 7 October

More women watching, playing and working in football