Women’s soccer had another busy week, ranging from record-breaking news to season-ending injuries.
One of the biggest stories comes from Boston Legacy FC and its remarkable turnaround story. Boston is starting to find its rhythm after a rough beginning to its inaugural season. The club has recently put together a strong win streak and is beginning to look far more confident on both sides of the ball. Could they be a championship contender after all?
Back in Chicago, Mallory Swanson has officially returned to the active roster. Swanson is returning after giving birth to her first born in November. Her return not only gives Chicago Stars FC a huge boost offensively, but as one of the league’s biggest stars, fans are extremely excited for her to be back as well.
Next, huge news from Marta and the Orlando Pride. The legend officially became the NWSL’s all-time leader in penalty kick goals after converting her 15th regular-season penalty. Even more impressive, Marta has now scored a penalty kick in every regular season she has played in. This achievement adds another milestone to her historic resume.
Meanwhile, Gotham FC could soon have a new home. Reports from Sportico say the club is in talks to move its primary stadium location to Queens, New York. A move to Queens could help Gotham create a stronger long-term identity and aims to attract even larger crowds.
Outside of the NWSL, Chelsea announced that striker Sam Kerr will leave the club after her contract expires this summer. After six seasons and five league titles with Chelsea, fans are already speculating about a possible return to the NWSL, where Kerr was previously one of the league’s biggest stars.
Lastly, unfortunate news involving U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Sam Coffey. Man City announced that Coffey underwent knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season while recovering. While the club did not provide many details, they stated she would begin rehab over the summer to prepare for next season.
Every week, there are stories and matches that continue to keep interest rising both domestically and internationally. Needless to say, the future of the women’s game looks stronger than ever. According to ESPN, women’s soccer has become one of the fastest-growing areas in global sports and, according to Nielsen Sports, is set to become one of the world’s top five sports by 2030.
Sources:
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48770687/sam-kerr-leave-chelsea-end-season-six-years
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37633336/women-soccer-growth-unlike-other-sport-fifa-report