Women's Soccer

5 under-the-radar soccer things that will rule 2023

The global 2023 soccer calendar just doesn't relent from month to month with the usual suspects (Premier League, Champions League, etc.) demanding and receiving our attention, but a few soccer-centric things have flown under the radar in the new year. 

Update your Google Calendar, set a reminder with Alexa or just make a mental note of these five happenings.

USWNT roster: Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith out, Lynn Williams makes return

NEW YORK - Veteran forward Alex Morgan heads a largely inexperienced roster as the U.S. women's national soccer team kick off 2023 with two friendlies on the road against World Cup co-hosts New Zealand.

The United States are gunning for an unprecedented third straight World Cup title — and fifth overall — when the tournament kicks off in less than 200 days, after a frustrating end to 2022.

USWNT star forward Mallory Pugh will be changing the last name on the back of her jersey

The United States women’s national team is preparing for two January friendlies in New Zealand against the Football Ferns. USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski released the 24-player roster for the friendlies on Thursday and some fans were surprised to not see star player Mallory Pugh on the list.

What those fans didn’t realize was that a Mal Pugh name change had taken place since the last time the U.S. played. In December the Chicago Red Stars forward married Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.

In the U.S., Pelé’s legacy went far beyond the pitch

Pelé. 

The mere mention of the name conjures grainy, black-and-white footage of a bright-eyed young man announcing his arrival on the world stage in Sweden. Of a triumphant, shirtless star carried off the pitch at the Azteca. Of a smiling veteran bringing the beautiful game to a new audience. Of a septuagenarian snacking on a Subway sandwich with swimming stud Michael Phelps.

Of the greatest footballer to ever walk the earth.

Pelé. 

ESPN ‘This is SportsCenter’ ad features USWNT stars devouring orange slices

With the USWNT just months away from defending its World Cup title out in Australia and New Zealand, it's only fitting that some of the team's stars should feature in ESPN's first ‘This is SportsCenter’ ad since 2019.

The beloved campaign returns this week with spots being shown throughout college football bowl games on ESPN. This one — featuring Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, Sophia Smith, SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe and Syracuse mascot Otto the Orange — debuts Friday night during the Capital One Orange Bowl between Tennessee and Clemson.

I genuinely don’t understand the visceral hatred toward the 2023 Women’s World Cup on social media

The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is only seven months away from kicking off. For the first time in history the tournament is expanding to 32 teams meaning the format will be identical to the men’s most recent edition.

Exciting, right? Not if you checked the comment sections and a plethora of posts on social media.

There’s a huge amount of despise and hatred toward the women’s game on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Here’s the thing I don’t understand: why?

Boston, Tampa and San Francisco are in race for an expansion slot in the NWSL

The National Women's Soccer League intends to add a team and is looking at finalists Boston, Tampa and San Francisco as prospective expansion cities, Sportico reported.

The highest bidder has placed a bid for "well over $40 million" to secure a franchise, per the report.

La güerita de oro regresó al América

Una de las jugadoras más queridas del América Femenil está de vuelta.

Las Águilas oficializaron este miércoles el regreso de la extrema estadounidense Sarah Luebbert, conocida entre la afición como la güerita de oro.

Sarah Luebbert ficha con América Femenil

La jugadora había enamorado a los simpatizantes americanistas en 2021 gracias a su entrega en el campo de juego (nueve goles en 27 partidos), pero sobre todo por su carisma fuera de ella.

Complete calendar for all the biggest soccer events in 2023

Soccer fans have a different circadian rhythm than others. They're up early to see what's going on in Europe, they're in bed late to follow along with MLS and Liga MX, they reach an emotional peak on Wednesday afternoons and frequently block off entire month-long periods in the summer for international festivals of footie. It's a delicate balance, but the 2023 soccer tournaments calendar is packed with both a Women's World Cup and Concacaf Gold Cup to look forward to.

Trailing 2-0 with 10 minutes to go, UCLA pulls off miracle comeback to win NCAA title

In front of a partisan crowd of 9,531 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC, the second-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels stormed to a 2-0 lead over the top-ranked UCLA Bruins in the 2022 NCAA Women's College Cup Final on Monday night.

After a goalless first half, Avery Patterson opened the scoring for UNC with a header off Emily Colton's cross in the 59th minute.

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