Celebrating Barbra Banda | England x USA | A New WOSO Engagement

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...
  • Picks from the pitch: Our top five takeaways from Eng vs USA

  • Latest headlines: Bev Priestman speaks, Bos Nation rethink, Hayes on Albert booing.

  • In Focus: Barbra Banda

  • Fave finds: Love is in the air

  • Kit drop: Last chance Black Friday bargains

  • What we’re watching: Upcoming matches

  • Jobs: New opportunities in football

PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Our top five takeaways from this week’s action

SPP Sport Press Photo. / Alamy Stock Photo

England vs USA wasn’t quite the spectacle we were hoping for, but there were promising signs for Wiegman’s Lionesses as preparations continue for next summer’s Euros:

  1. It’s an understatement to say England’s defence hasn’t been the best of late (four goals conceded at Wembley last time out against Germany) but there was a marked improvement, they held up well against some pacey US forwards and sustained pressure.

  2. Despite the lack of playing time at club level, Mary Earps was back, bringing her calm and commanding presence. Big matches are what Earps lives for and her vibes and performance did not disappoint. Hannah Hampton’s spot as number one is not a done deal.

  3. Lucy Bronze put in an absolute shift and was by far the best player in an England shirt. Naz has also pointed to the big on-field role Bronze plays, giving direction and support to the newer players as they settle into Wiegman’s system.

  4. England struggled to create anything up-front. Russo looked very lonely in attack and did what she could, but with little in the way of service, it’s no wonder England’s expected goals was 0.07. Hemp and James are huge misses, without them, England offers very little in terms of unpredictability or intensity.

  5. The England midfield looked really iffy. Walsh often gets marked out of the game, but even so, there were so many misplaced passes by all involved it was embarrassing.

👀 MEANWHILE, IN THE EURO 2025 PLAY-OFFS

On Tuesday the last seven places for Euro 2025 will be decided. Poland, Sweden, Norway and Belgium won their first-leg ties, the others were draws. Wales and Scotland go into the final game level, but Ireland has a lot to do after losing 4-0 to Norway at home.

1st Leg Results:
Northern Ireland 0-4 Norway (Highlights)
Wales 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Highlights)
Scotland 0-0 Finland (Highlights)
Ukraine 0-2 Belgium
Poland 1-0 Austria
Portugal 1-1 Czechia
Serbia 0-2 Sweden

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

🤞 When the NWSL's newest franchise Bos Nation launched earlier this year, let’s just say everyone hoped the name was a joke. It wasn’t. Well, the franchise has begun a review process to listen to fans and reflect on its name and brand, fingers crossed that the outcome is a swift name change ahead of its 2026 NWSL debut.

🏆 The Adobe Women’s FA Cup third-round draw took place this week. Women’s Championship clubs enter the competition at this stage, which is split into North and South fixtures. Games will be played on Sunday 8 December.

🕵️ Bev Priestman has made her first public comments since being sacked as Canada’s Head Coach over her role in the drone spying scandal that overshadowed Canada’s Olympics. Although Priestman didn’t address that directly she stated that ‘there has been a standard and precedent set now… that will hopefully clean up our game’. 

🏳️‍🌈 Emma Hayes has addressed the booing heard at Wembley when Korbin Albert came on as a sub in the second half of the England vs USA game on Saturday. Albert shared an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post in March and fans haven’t let her forget it. Hayes said, “I’ve sat down with her, I’ve had several conver­sations in and around these things to make sure that self-development is there… I’m sure when the moment comes and Korbin is asked about it that’s for her to address not for me, but I totally appreciate the fans doing that and they’re entitled to.”

🗳️ The FIFA Best Women’s Player nominees are out. Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp all feature for England while Mary Earps has been shortlisted for the best goalkeeper award and Beth Mead for the Marta award.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
🔍 IN FOCUS

Barbra Banda x BBC

Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda has won BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. The Zambia international had an outstanding season, scoring 10 goals at the Olympics, 13 goals in the NWSL and four goals in the playoffs. She also picked up MVP in the NWSL. Banda beat Aitana Bonmati, Sophia Smith, Caroline Graham Hansen and Naomi Girma in the public vote.

What happened next?
The win attracted attention for all the wrong reasons, anti-trans hate speech followed the announcement and abusive comments were directed at Banda personally. 

Why the hate?
First things first. Banda is a cis female and fully eligible to play under FIFA and IOC rules. She was, however, excluded from the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 due to naturally elevated testosterone levels which was flagged under CAF's stricter regulations. (Side note: this was solely based on a testosterone test, no comprehensive gender testing or diagnosis was done). Once that was re-reported, a social media pile-on inevitably ensued, reminiscent of the horrific treatment Olympic boxer Imane Khelif endured earlier this year.

Support
Orlando Pride issued a statement and Emma Hayes defended Banda, saying it was ridiculous to criticise her for the BBC award. Megan Rapino also backed her saying, "You’ve thrilled, entertained, and inspired us, and the world, all year long. This is so deserved, as is every bit of your success. You stand so much taller than the tiny people trying to tear you down."  

Want to support trans women in football?
Football against homophobia has made a statement of support for the ongoing inclusion of trans women in women’s football. You can find out more and sign the statement here.

🧠 KNOWLEDGE

Karen Carney: The State Of It

A year on from her report into the future of the women’s game in England, Karen Carney reflects on where we’re at now in this new ITV documentary.

Although some progress has been made the film gets into the extremely different approaches to club management and finances. Think Brighton’s long-term vision for its women’s team (which includes a standalone stadium) versus the budget cuts and swift demise of Reading.

👀 FAVE FINDS

There’s a whole lot of love in the air…

Welcoming players to camp by their middle name might not sound super exciting but thanks to the Lionesses admin now we all know Millie Turner’s middle name is simply the best. Watch here

Rachel Daly had quite the week. First, she got engaged to partner Sarah Mayling. Then she was presented with the Number 195 England legacy cap before England took on the USA at Wembley. Daly retired from international football in April with 84 caps between 2016 and 2024.

A final fave for this week…
It’s official… Jen Beattie and Ali Krieger are a thing.

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Cushing Sacked. Naeher retires. Eidevall to the USA?

Nick Cushing has been sacked by New York City FC after they finished sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference. Only weeks ago he ended speculation about the Arsenal top job saying he intended to be in New York next season. Since that clearly won’t be happening, the speculation has ramped up once more. But whether Arsenal will swoop in for a second time remains to be seen.

RUMOUR HAS IT…
  • Jonas Eidevall is in negotiation with San Diego Wave to become their head coach following Casey Stoney’s departure earlier this year.

  • Naomi Girma, who is in contract with San Diego Wave until 2026, is the target of European interest - Lyon amongst them. 

  • Marie-Antoinette Katoto says she has no interest in staying at PSG

  • Barcelona and Chelsea are reported to be interested in signing PSGs Korbin Albert.

TRANSFERS
  • USA keeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international football. After ten years and two world cups with the USWNT the 36-year-old will play her final game against the Netherlands on Tuesday 3 December.

👟 KIT DROP

Last chance Black Friday boot deals…

Women’s Fit: Puma King Ultimate FG/AG
(Best for firmer ground/grass or artificial pitches)
Available in different colourways here

Nike Tiempo Legend X Pro FG
(Best for firmer ground/grass)
Available in several colourways here
£140 £70

adidas X Speedportal.1 FG
(Best for firmer ground/grass)
£200 £100 - Get them here

adidas Predator Accuracy.1 Low FG
(Best for firmer ground/grass)
£200 £70 - Get them here

Confused about football boot styles and price points? Check out our guides here:
What are SG, FG, AG, and TF football boots?
What's the difference between cheap and expensive football boots?

After twenty years, Nike is bringing back the Mercurial Vapor 1 'RGN' in its original Chrome/Lime colourway. Available to buy from 9 December at Pro Direct Soccer.

🩼 ACL WATCH

Injury updates

Brooke Aspin, on loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea, suffered an ACL injury while representing England U23 against Norway last week.

Jill Roord speaks about the challenges of coming back from an ACL injury.

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming events

Baller FC x Signature Brew
England vs Sweden, Tuesday 3 December, 19:45 KO
Unit 15, Blackhorse Lane, E17 5QJ

Biggest Ever Football Session 2025
7 March 2025 - If you know a school that would like to bring girls’ football and International Women’s Day together, then sign them up for England Football’s biggest-ever football session. More information here.

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

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Tuesday 3rd December
UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off 2nd Leg
17:15 - Finland vs Scotland [BBC Alba, BBC iPlayer]
19:30 - Republic of Ireland vs Wales [BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer]

International Friendly
19:45 England vs Switzerland [ITV4, ITVX]

Sunday 8th December
Women's Super League
12:00 - Manchester United vs Liverpool Women [Sky Sports]
13:00 - Manchester City vs Leicester City [WSL YouTube]
13:00 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton [WSL YouTube]
14:00 - Arsenal vs Aston Villa [WSL YouTube]
14:00 - Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion [WSL YouTube]
14:30 - West Ham United vs Crystal Palace [BBC iPlayer]

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

More Women Working in Football

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