Sitting under the clear, warm skies and soaring palm trees at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, North Carolina Courage forward Ashley Sanchez says she feels like a rookie again. It’s early February and Sanchez is digesting as much information as she can about her new team, one which, a month earlier, was one of her […]
Four NWSL teams facing big questions in 2024 – Equalizer Soccer
Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports For the first time in the National Women’s Soccer League’s 11 years of existence, free agency and expansion converged in the same offseason. Combined with an influx of international signings, the changes intensified the annual trend of offseason turnover. Some teams were left with more significant questions than others. Last season […]
What’s next for the USWNT after shock defeat to Mexico? – Equalizer Soccer
Mexico forward Mayra Pelayo (20) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a goal against the United States during the second half of a game at Dignity Health Sports Park. (Photo credit: Jessica Alcheh | USA TODAY Sports) As the full-time whistle went and Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” blasted out around the Dignity Health Sports […]
A second win in 43 tries for El Tri, and familiar concerns for the Americans – Equalizer Soccer
Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports Two stunning goals lifted Mexico past the United States women’s national team, 2-0 on Monday to defeat the Americans for just the second time in 43 meetings and the first time on US soil. With the victory, Mexico advances as the winner of Group A at the Concacaf W Gold Cup […]
Sydney Martinez, goalkeeper heroics, and the déjà vu of Concacaf – Equalizer Soccer
Photo Copyright Concacaf Watching Puerto Rico goalkeeper Sydney Martinez in Saturday’s Concacaf W Gold Cup play-in game brought the memories flooding back. Here was a heroic performance between the pipes from an unlikely and largely unknown protagonist, her performance undeniably the catalyst to a huge upset by Puerto Rico — ranked No. 103 in the […]
How Rose Lavelle will thrive at Gotham FC – Equalizer Soccer
Photo Copyright Brett Phibbs for USA TODAY Sports New York is an artist’s paradise, and for Rose Lavelle, the ball is her paintbrush and the pitch is her canvas. The Cincinnati native, known for creating magic with the ball at her feet, has made 92 appearances for the US women’s national team scoring 24 goals […]
Shaw shines as US tests out more system changes – Equalizer Soccer
Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports United States women’s national team interim coach Twila Kilgore said she wanted more efficiency from her team in its second group-stage game of the Concacaf W Gold Cup, against Argentina. She appeared to get that from an opening 20 minutes played at a furious pace. The US scored three goals in […]
Moultrie leads USWNT with a brace, Argentina ties Mexico – Equalizer Soccer
Photo Copyright Kiyoshi Mio for USA TODAY Sports With the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup solidly underway, the United States women’s national team has already taken center stage. Despite losing forward Mia Fishel to an ACL tear the day before matches began, the USWNT would go on to defeat the Dominican Republic, 5–0. United States […]
Five talking points from Gold Cup-opening win – Equalizer Soccer
Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports The United States women’s national team kicked off the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup on Tuesday with a 5-0 victory over the Dominican Republic. The result was predictable, but the United States’ lineup was not. Interim head coach Twila Kilgore, with the remote input of impending coach Emma Hayes, rolled out […]
Bev Priestman looks to integrate youth as Canada prepares to defend gold in Paris – Equalizer Soccer
Photo Copyright Anne-Marie Sorvin for USA TODAY Sports As the reigning Olympic champions prepare to defend gold in Paris this summer, they’re at a crossroads. Canadian national team manager Bev Priestman already has the next generation of footballers knocking on her door. But can they earn their spots on a limited, 18-player roster? “The 18-player […]