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Which goal this weekend was your favorite? Béthune Cross dodging defenders, Claire Emslieit’s a delicious chip, Tziarra Kinthe rocket of g a few moments after its replacement, or Mal SwansonThe precise placement of ? Vote here and then let’s go.
I am Emilie Olsen attached Meg Linehan, Steph Yang And Jeff Rueter — welcome full-time!
Transaction Deadline
The Houston Dash honored forward María Sánchez’s trade request on Friday, sending her to the San Diego Wave for $300,000 in intra-league transfer funds, $200,000 in allocation money and an international spot for 2024 and 2025.
Sánchez just signed a blockbuster $1.5 million contract with the Dash in December 2023, a deal that was supposed to keep her in Houston until 2026, with a one-year extension option. This deal now looks like a failure for Dash, especially considering early returns on four NWSL mega-deals that followed it:
Sánchez, meanwhile, had no goals and one assist for 12th-place Houston. The move to San Diego will be a fresh start for both.
GO FURTHER
Dash trades Maria Sanchez for San Diego Wave
Other transfer deadline changes
While Houston and Sánchez grabbed headlines, a handful of other moves occurred before Friday’s deadline.
- Portland got its goalkeeper back Emily Alvarado from Houston
- Gotham added Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger
- Angel City made two “strategic” trades that were not well received by fans, sending defender Paige Nielsen to Houston in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money and $50,000 in transfer funds; and midfielder Amandine Henry to Utah Royals FC in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money.
- After their match this weekend, Angel City defender Sarah Gorden thanked the fans for their support:
“It’s been an emotional week for everyone, and I just want to salute the fans and the people who are here to ride for the players we have here”
💬 @sarahlgorden: “I just want to salute the fans and the people who are here to ride for the players that we have here”#AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/en5fNiX4cg
–Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 22, 2024
A worrying trend
Two USWNT starters join growing injury list
USWNT starters Alex Morgan (San Diego) and Tierna Davidson (Gotham) were forced to leave their respective matches due to injuries this weekend. Concerns remain over the status of both players ahead of the Olympics, with both set to debut in France.
For Morgan, it was an apparent ankle injury after a difficult tackle during a scrum near the goal; for Davidson, a non-contact hamstring problem. It’s not just about USWNT players. Two players announced ACL tears this week, with Ava Cook of the Chicago Red Stars And Alex Loera of Bay FC join the club of the unfortunate. We’re not yet where we need to be when it comes to injury prevention in the NWSL.
GO FURTHER
ACL injuries pose a risk to footballers, but much is still unknown.
Meg’s Corner: The difference a little time will make
We’re on week five of the NWSL season and it feels like everything is happening at once (NWSL style).
Aside from a rather active trade deadline and injury news, the football on the field was extremely captivating.
KC Current remains perfect at the top of the standings for another week, this time dispatching Bay FC 5-2. Bia and Temwa Chawinga each scored a double and lead the championship with equivalent statistics (4 goals, 2 assists). As we highlighted last week, they promise to be one of the most dynamic duos in the NWSL – along with Lynn Williams and Jessica McDonald, or Sam Kerr and Yuki Nagasato, if not better.
BIA WITH ITS FIRST HITCH ✌️@biazaneratto putting on an absolute show.@NWSL | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/mRwtMoIpru
– KC Current (@thekccurrent) April 21, 2024
Racing Louisville also remains undefeated, earning its first win under Bev Yanez in dominant fashion with a 5-1 victory over the Utah Royals at home. Better yet, they welcomed a record crowd of 11,365 people present. I feel like when you watch a win like that, you’ll want to come back.
Ultimately, after a reshuffle within Portland’s coaching staff, with Mike Norris now the club’s technical director and Rob Gale named interim head coach, the Thorns bounced back with determination against the Dash. With Christine Sinclair scoring the opening goal on Saturday night, and then Smith, Olivia Moultrie and Janine Beckie all finding the back of the net, we were reminded of the team’s true potential. What a difference just one week can make.
Film show
A rookie at the head of the league
Following the 2024 NWSL Draft, a lot of attention was paid to the two UNC teammates who went No. 1 and 2. Croix Bethune fell to No. 3, likely due to a trio of torn bones. LCA before the end of his university career. Utah and Bay can be forgiven for taking the cautious route, but Bethune’s first few games in the NWSL show they may have left out a truly special attacker. The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter took a closer look at another goal from the Spirit rookie:
Gotham learned the hard way on Saturday when Bethune’s Washington Spirit hosted the defending champions. In the 41st minute, the Spirit almost opened the scoring via Trinity Rodman. The ball quickly returned to their control and Casey Krueger spotted Bethune nestled between four Gotham defenders. Somehow, that pass paid off.
Rather than facing the ball to recover it, Bethune turned his body towards the left sideline to gain possession in a more offensive position. She quickly assessed two Gotham defenders…
…slipped between them and came out a beautiful shot that flew over a diving Cassie Miller. Washington then won 2–0, giving the team 12 points in five games. Bethune has scored three goals in his first five games in the NWSL and looks destined to provide many more highlights with decision making like this.
We probably should have known Bethune was serious when she showed up to the game wearing black Air Force 1s.
First looks at full time
It wasn’t just the NWSL that had fun on the pitch this weekend, the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals did too. Future USWNT head coach Emma Hayes and Chelsea stunned Barcelona with “perfect” structure and execution.
Elsewhere, Lindsey Horan and Lyon overcame a 2-0 deficit with 10 minutes remaining. They came back to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in the first leg. It’s Lyon, of course, they weren’t going to let a UWCL game go by without a fight. Either way, this week’s return matches promise to be exciting.
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(Top photo: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)