Something rare came to light when the 40-man preliminary Gold Cup roster and the 21-woman friendly roster were released for the USMNT and USWNT this past week. No, it wasn’t the inclusion of NYCFC’s Tommy McNamara or the absence of Ali Krieger (although yes, those were surprises). Sydney Leroux Dwyer and Dom Dwyer, unstoppable goal-bangers for Kansas City’s NWSL and MLS teams, both got the nod.
It wasn't the greatest performance from the USWNT in Gothenburg, but it did the job. The United States was looking for some semblence of revenge after a heartbreaking Olympic exit at the hands of the Scandinavian side last summer in Rio. The misery of the penalty shootout defeat was compounded by some bitter words from notoriously outlandish goalkeeper Hope Solo. After the loss, the U.S. No. 1 called Sweden "a bunch of cowards."
U.S. Soccer teamed up with the You Can Play Project to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month in early June's international friendlies. The You Can Play Project is centered on securing equality, respect and safety for all athletes, coaches and fans of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
On Thursday Olympique Lyonnais topped Paris Saint-Germain in the Women’s UEFA Champions League final. Lyon took home the trophy after eight rounds of penalty kicks, topping PSG 7-6. The win gave Lyon their second straight treble and saw them tie the record of most Champions League titles at four.
USWNT superstar striker Alex Morgan started up top for OL after putting in a wonderful debut season with the club. And, while she will gladly take the UEFA title in her first attempt, her night was marred by an injury in the 23rd minute.
FC Kansas City and Sydney Leroux hadn’t generated much on the attacking end entering Saturday’s match against the Washington Spirit, but a 3-2 victory for Leroux’s side - with the USWNT star scoring a brace - was the perfect remedy before a string of tough matches against the likes of North Carolina, Seattle and Portland.
With three World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals, the U.S. Women’s National Team boasts an impressive history. Many players have contributed to the team’s accomplishments, but I’m attempting to narrow the focus to assemble an all-time roster. Soccer writers and historians voted on an all-time starting XI a few years ago, but this list will also include seven substitutes to simulate a roster during a major tournament.
Carli Lloyd’s Champions League ambitions may soon be at an end after Alex Morgan’s Lyon defeated Manchester City 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. City will now need to travel to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on April 29 to overturn the large deficit.
City and Lloyd got off to the worst possible start in the opening minutes. An attempted Lyon cross was blocked in the box by Lloyd’s elbow, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Sydney Leroux made her first competitive appearance since June 30, 2015, and she opened the scoring for FC Kansas City against Boston. Leroux and husband Dom Dwyer, who plays for Sporting Kansas City, announced that they were expecting their first child back in January of 2016 and that Leroux would miss the 2016 NWSL as a result.
Cassius Cruz Dwyer was born on September 10, 2016, and Leroux made her highly anticipated FC Kansas City debut on Saturday and provided a great finish after a sensational pass from Becky Sauerbrunn.
In just her third cap with the USWNT, 21-year-old midfielder Rose Lavelle stole the show. She got things started in the 5th minute, with a chipped ball into the box that nearly found Mallory Pugh, another bright young star who had a strong game. Moments later Lavelle dribbled past several Russian defenders along the edge of the box, shooting from 20 yards out and forcing an impressive save from Russian goalkeeper Alena Belyaeva.
U.S. Soccer and the U.S. women’s national team have come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement after months of uncertainty and advocacy. The five-year deal will cover both the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Olympics.
U.S. Soccer and the USWNT Players Association ratify collective bargaining agreement through 2021.