Soccer Monday: NWSL taking the “off” out of the offseason with moves galore.
It's soccer's offseason here, but it certainly doesn't feel like it.
It’s the soccer offseason, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. So let’s dig right in.
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AWARD SZN
Alyssa Naeher was named the U.S. Soccer 2024 Female Player of the Year. On a personal note, I wish they’d change the name of the award to Women’s Player of the Year.
It was well deserved. Neaher had a fantastic year and it was a fitting way to end her career. Here’s my story on the award. Fun Fact: She only the second goalkeeper to win the award, after Hope Solo in 2009. And she’s the only goalkeeper with shutouts in both a World Cup final and an Olympic gold-medal match.
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At the heart of the award is the fact that Naeher is simply well-respected and well-loved. She’s quiet and unassuming. She’s dedicated to her craft and she doesn’t engage in drama. It was evident what she means to her teammates after the Olympic final, when Mallory Swanson sprinted to Naeher and collapsed in her arms, sobbing.
Obviously, we covered Naeher’s retirement pretty extensively, but in the end she appeared in 115 matches for the United States, and had 69 clean sheets.
Naomi Girma (who won POY last year) broke the news to Naeher and it was adorable.
The day before, Ally Sentnor was named the Young Female Player of the Year. I wrote about that, too.
Sentnor, currently at January camp with the USWNT, has been a mainstay on the youth national teams, but really broke out last year as captain of the under-20 team at that level’s Women’s World Cup in Colombia. She scored three goals during the tournament.
FREE AGENT MOVES
Last Tuesday Jaedyn Shaw’s move to North Carolina became official. She had requested the trade.
In the deal, the Wave receive $300,000 in allocation money, $150,000 in intra-league transfer funds and an international roster spot for the next two seasons. There is potential for additional funds to be exchanged if certain conditions are met.
Shaw played in her first game with the Wave when she was just 17. (Hard to believe now!) In her three seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League, she has scored 14 goals with four assists.
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In other moves: Christen Press is returning to Angel City. She signed a 1-year deal to continue playing in her hometown. Hope this doesn’t mean the end of the RE-CAP show with Tobin Heath!
Press scored two goals in eight games with Angel City in the club’s first NWSL season before tearing the ACL in her right knee. She had four surgeries before returning last season and playing in nine games.
“L.A., it was always you,” she posted.
He’s Back!
Former Portland Thorns and Netherlands national team coach Mark Parsons has been named Angel City’s new sporting director and general manager.
Parsons replaces Angela Hucles Mangano, who mutually parted ways with the National Women’s Soccer League club in December and is now with for the Houston Dash.
It’s obviously a different role that Parsons has held previously. Among his first tasks will be hiring a new head coach. Angel City fired coach Becki Tweed in December after a disappointing 7-13-6 season.
Quinn Heads North
After six seasons playing for the Reign, Quinn is headed to the Vancouver Rise in the new Northern Super League.
This is a huge boost for the Rise ahead of its inaugural season. Quinn is an Olympic gold medalist and a fan favorite. They are also a trailblazer, becoming the first transgender non-binary person to medal at the Olympics.
Shireen Ahmed asked them if the current anti-trans climate played a part in their decision to join the Rise. Here’s what they said:
One final interesting story that I had on Friday
Sixth Street and Bay FC announced a new initiative called the Bay Collective, which will invest in women’s soccer clubs globally. Sixth Street is the majority owner of the NWSL team.
One aspect of the initiative — and it’s ambitious — stood out to me: Kay Cossington, the women’s technical director of the English FA, has been hired by Sixth Street as the head of women’s soccer and CEO of the Bay Collective. Her focus will be on developing players and teams across all levels of the game.
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I’m really intrigued about what all this will entail. I’m set to talk with Cossington on Tuesday to learn more.
Also: This week the NWSL is holding media day in Los Angeles. I’m surprised given the fires that it hasn’t been moved out of the city. I understand that arrangements were made long ago, but thinking Long Beach area or even the Galaxy facilities in Carson may have been a better location.
But regardless, I’ll be there gathering material for both the AP and the IX!
The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter with the NWSL moves he likes
Stadium opponents provided scaled-down proposal for NWSL team
Lyon joins in bidding for Naomi Girma, Meg Linehan says. Wait, I thought it was Chelsea!
Wave sign Nigeria’s Chiamaka Okwuchukwu
Panama FA president suspended after calling a women’s player “fat”
Interesting article on how women’s football is engaging in climate advocacy.
Lauren Barnes is back with the Reign Luuuuuuuuuuuu!
A look at the NWSL players who’ll play in the Euros
Trinity Rodman downplays European move rumors.
Nice story from Katie Whyatt on the history of inclusion in women’s soccer
Football Paradise looking at women’s football in the second Trump era
Female Iranian football referee flees to Sweden.
Arsenal rivals Barcelona for richest women’s club.
| Mondays: Soccer |
| By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer |
| Tuesdays: Tennis |
| By: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer |
| Wednesdays: Basketball |
| By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The Next |
| Thursdays: Golf |
| By: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX |
| Fridays: Hockey |
| By: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden |
| Saturdays: Gymnastics |
| By: Lela Moore, @runlelarun, Freelance Writer |
