⚽ USA Wins Olympic Gold. Goalkeeping Heroics. Marta Retires.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
In this week's round-up...

  • Olympics: Medals decided + goalkeeping heroics.

  • Latest headlines from around the world

  • Fave finds: Leah Williamson street art

  • Kit drop: Lewes gives a crap. Man City goes retro.

  • Transfer news: Man Utd making moves.

  • Jobs: New opportunities in football

🏟️ PARIS OLYMPICS

USA Wins Olympic Gold

Well, Emma Hayes did exactly what she said she would. She saw us all at the Olympic final, then went one better and won it. Just 84 days after winning the WSL, Hayes experienced what she has called the greatest moment in her professional career as the USA were crowned Olympic champions for the first time since London 2012. 

USA vs Brazil for Gold
Watch the highlights 

  • Brazil didn’t make things easy for the US, dominating the first half, forcing some unbelievable saves from Alyssa Naeher, and seeing an early effort by Ludmila disallowed for off-side.

  • Mallory Swanson marked her 100th US appearance with the goal that secured the gold medal and made the US five-time champions.

  • After a red card left Marta on the sidelines for the quarter and semi-finals, in the end, she got the send-off she deserved. US and Brazil fans alike gave her a standing ovation as she left the pitch for the final time, the 6-time Olympian’s international career finally coming to an end.

Germany vs Spain for Bronze
Watch the highlights 
Meanwhile, Ann-Katrin Berger emerged as an unlikely hero in the Bronze medal match after saving a Putellas penalty in the game's dying minutes to secure a medal for Germany. It was perhaps reassuring to see that Spain is not quite as invincible as many have made out, finishing out of the medals in fourth place.

Final thoughts…
With all three medals going to teams that crashed out of last year’s World Cup early, you have to wonder if this was a tournament that exorcised some demons and put some bad memories to bed.

For Spain, it was the opposite. They will want to forget about this one asap, and with Euro 2025 around the corner, have an opportunity to do so. The US meanwhile will take this win and run with it and we’re excited to see how this young, refreshed team will grow in the next tournament cycle. 

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

🏅 The Women’s 2023-24 PFA Young Player of the Year award shortlist has been released. The winner will be announced on 20 August, and it’s going to be a tough choice between:

  • Aggie Beever-Jones (21, Chelsea)

  • Grace Clinton (21, Manchester United)

  • Lauren James (22, Chelsea)

  • Khiara Keating (20, Manchester City)

  • Maya Le Tissier (22, Manchester United)

  • Jess Park (22, Manchester City)

🚌 Liverpool’s move to St Helens Stadium this season has prompted travel partner, Expedia, to expand the free travel they provide for match-going fans to home as well as away games this season. 

🏆 FIFA will officially give backing to the Homeless World Cup after signing an agreement allowing them to stream the tournament and supply equipment and trophies. 

🌏 The England Amputee Women's National Team is heading to Colombia in November for the inaugural Women’s Amputee Football World Cup. With no official funding could you help support? 

📝 The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and NWSL Players Association have agreed terms for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The existing agreement, running between 2022-26, was the first in NWSL history and tackled many of the challenges highlighted in our 2019 article Drafted and Shafted: Life in the NWSL. Among other things, the CBA introduced free agency, provided housing and increased minimum player salaries.

⚽ Newcastle United and former England U19 player Elysia Boddy scored a beauty against AC Milan in the Sela Cup. Newcastle went on to win the match on penalties.

WHAT WE’RE READING
👀 FAVE FINDS

Williamson Celebrated in New Mural

Leah Williamson is now ‘The First Lady of the Tunnel’. Realnorthbanksy is known for his artwork celebrating Arsenal’s greats. Now Williamson will join the boys, becoming the first female player featured. Go check it out at Hornsey Road next to Emirates Stadium.

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

Competition for Manchester City’s goal-keeper top spot is hotting up. Japanese International, Ayaka Yamashita has signed a three-year deal which should keep Keating on her toes.

Manchester United has landed rising star Simi Awujo. The Nigerian-American midfielder (who plays at international level for Canada) has been turning heads in college soccer. The 20-year-old joins from USC Trojans, where her box-to-box dynamism and eye for goal got noticed. Awujo's technical skills, combined with her physical presence, make her an exciting prospect for a United midfield that needs re-energizing.

CONFIRMED TRANSFERS
CONTRACT RENEWALS

→ Rachel Laws and Lucy Parry have both had their contracts extended by Liverpool.

MANAGER MOVES

→ Seb Hines, manager of Orlando Pride, has extended his contract until 2026 with the option to extend to 2027.

RUMOURS
👟 KIT DROP

Lewes Gives A Crap.

Lewes FC's quirky new away kit, designed by Who Gives A Crap, supports global sanitation. Half the profits from sales of the shirt fund clean water projects, and support women and girls who face violence and missed education due to inadequate water access.

Puma’s ‘Volume up’ pack has landed. The new colour ways are available in their Future, Uktra and King range.

Manchester City’s away kit celebrates 25 years since the men’s team won their second division play-off against Gillingham. The original was produced by Kappa.

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Chelsea and Arsenal’s US pre-season tour kicks off in less than a week. All of the matches are available to watch for free on DAZN. If you’re state-side, you can find Arsenal packages or single game tickets here and Chelsea tickets here.

18 August
Washington Spirit vs. Arsenal
2pm ET / 7pm GMT / 8pm CET

19/20 August
Gotham FC vs. Chelsea
19 Aug 7 PM ET / 20 Aug 12am BST, 1 AM CET

25 August
Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current (NWSL regular season) 12pm ET / 4pm BST / 7pm CET

25 August
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
4pm ET / 9pm BST / 10pm CET

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

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