Major League Soccer released a statement Tuesday on players’ right to free speech in light of the recent trend for NFL players to take a knee during the playing of the national anthem before games. MLS made it clear they would prefer players to stand during the Star-Spangled Banner, but would respect and support a player’s right to express his personal beliefs.
The statement in full:
Folks are extremely mad online about the nominations for FIFA's Best Women's Player Award. The reason for this is the three nominations are Lieke Martens, Carli Lloyd and Deyna Castellanos.
I have always wanted to shoot sports, and yet in my 12 or 13 years of being behind the camera I’ve never had the opportunity. So, when I heard that the US women’s team was going to play a friendly against New Zealand in Denver, I jumped at the chance to cover it for The18. And the experience was everything I thought it would be, and then some.
The USWNT steamrolled New Zealand 5-0 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati last night in front of an announced crowd of 30,596. Goals from Lindsey Horan, Mallory Pugh, Lynn Williams and a brace for Alex Morgan saw the States claim their second victory over the Kiwis in the space of five days following their 3-1 win in Commerce City, Colorado last Friday.
FIFA has approved Sofia Huerta’s request for a one-time change of national association, switching her allegiance from Mexico to the United States after appearing competitively for El Tri at the U-20 level. Huerta was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, and currently plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL.
It’s been nearly five months since Tobin Heath has been in action for club or country, a fact that's put a dark cloud over the women’s soccer community. The crafty midfielder is a fan favorite and has been an obvious selection for the U.S. and Portland Thorns when available. In recent months, Heath has been sidelined with a back sprain and was placed on the 45-day disabled list. Her injury has seen her miss all of the NWSL season as well as a handful of national team games.
For many, there can only be one winner in the race for the FIFA women’s player of the year award in 2017, and that’s Australia’s Sam Kerr. The 23-year-old attacker led Perth Glory to the final of Australia’s W-League while finishing second in goals, she finished top scorer at the Tournament of Nations as Australia defeated hosts United States and she’s scored 11 goals for Sky Blue FC in NWSL play.
Alex Morgan returned to action with the Orlando Pride on July 1, and she’s struck up a lethal partnership with Brazilian legend Marta since. In seven games, Morgan has scored five goals and provided two assists, but the duo was on another level Saturday after leading the Pride to a 5-0 victory over Sky Blue.
Both Morgan and Marta registered two goals and an assist on the day, with Morgan’s feed for Marta earning NWSL Week 16 Goal of the Week honors. The assist that Marta provided for Morgan was pretty special as well.
The U.S. women faced off against Japan on Thursday in their last game of the Tournament of Nations. Japan-U.S. has become a particularly heated affair in recent years with the two meeting in three of the last four major finals. USWNT fans will not easily forget the heartbreaking loss to the Japanese at the 2011 FIFA World Cup nor Carli Lloyd’s rampage to win the trophy four years later.