Latest news with #EmmaHayes
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
USWNT announces October Portugal doubleheader; games to honor Alex Morgan, Alyssa Naeher retirements
U.S. Soccer has announced a three-game slate for the USWNT during October's international window. The U.S. will face Portugal in back-to-back matches in the Northeast before facing a still to be determined opponent for their first ever game at Kansas City Current's soccer-specific CPKC Stadium. Emma Hayes' squad will head to Chester, Penn. on Thursday, October 23 for a match at Subaru Stadium (7 p.m. ET), which will also serve as Alex Morgan's retirement ceremony. Morgan retired from both international and club soccer last summer after announcing her second pregnancy. Morgan scored the first of her 123 international goals at the very stadium outside of Philadelphia on Oct. 6, 2010 — nearly 15 years to the date of her retirement game. There will be a second retirement ceremony once the team moves to East Hartford, Conn. for the second match against Portugal on Sunday, October 26 (4 p.m. ET). This time, Connecticut-native Alyssa Naeher will receive tributes in front of a hometown crowd, following her retirement from international soccer last year. The Connecticut match will also feature a double-header with the U.S. Men's Deaf National Team (who will play at 1 p.m. ET), though their opponent has yet to be named. This will be the second such double-header for the USWNT with an extended national team, after a successful inaugural match with the Women's Deaf National Team last summer in Colorado. Both retirement matches will feature bobbleheads, with U.S. Soccer stating in their release the first 2,000 fans through the gates at both games will receive the giveaways. Portugal will serve as a familiar opponent for the U.S., the pair having played out a 0-0 draw during the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. There has, however, been large amounts of roster turnover within the USWNT since the fixture two years earlier. 'Portugal is a growing team that will be highly motivated for these matches, but as always, these three games are more opportunities to work on us,' Hayes said in Monday's release. 'I'm very impressed with the progress we've made since the Olympics and I want to give a lot of credit to the players for embracing our culture and ideas, but our staff and the players know we still have much work to do before World Cup qualifying next year.' U.S. Soccer has yet to announce the opponent for the third match of this window, but on Wednesday, October 29, the USWNT will take the field at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. Demand for this match will be high, with a much smaller capacity than usual. In the past, the USWNT has usually opted for Children's Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City. CPKC Stadium seats 11,500; Children's Mercy Park has a capacity of over 18,000. 'CPKC Stadium is a smaller venue than we usually play in, but in this instance, it's important to bring the National Team there,' Hayes said in the federation's release. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, Women's Soccer, International Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
USWNT announces October Portugal doubleheader; games to honor Alex Morgan, Alyssa Naeher retirements
U.S. Soccer has announced a three-game slate for the USWNT during October's international window. The USWNT will face Portugal in back-to-back matches in the Northeast before facing a still to be determined opponent for their first ever game at Kansas City Current's soccer-specific CPKC Stadium. Emma Hayes's squad will head to Chester, Penn. on Thursday, October 23 for a match at Subaru Stadium (7 p.m. ET), which will also serve as Alex Morgan's retirement ceremony. Morgan retired from both international and club soccer last summer after announcing her second pregnancy. Morgan scored the first of her 123 international goals at the very stadium outside of Philadelphia on Oct. 6, 2010 — nearly 15 years to the date of her retirement game. Advertisement There will be a second retirement ceremony once the team moves to East Hartford, Conn. for the second match against Portugal on Sunday, October 26 (4 p.m. ET). This time, Connecticut native Alyssa Naeher will receive tributes in front of a hometown crowd, following her retirement from international soccer last year. The Connecticut match will also feature a double-header with the U.S. Men's Deaf National Team (who will play at 1 p.m. ET), though their opponent has yet to be named. This will be the second such double-header for the USWNT with an extended national team, after a successful inaugural match with the Women's Deaf National Team last summer in Colorado. Both retirement matches will feature bobbleheads, with U.S. Soccer stating in their release the first 2,000 fans through the gates at both games will receive the giveaways. Portugal will serve as a familiar opponent for the U.S., the pair having played out a 0-0 draw during the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. There has, however, been large amounts of roster turnover within the USWNT since the fixture two years earlier. 'Portugal is a growing team that will be highly motivated for these matches, but as always, these three games are more opportunities to work on us,' Hayes said in Monday's release. 'I'm very impressed with the progress we've made since the Olympics and I want to give a lot of credit to the players for embracing our culture and ideas, but our staff and the players know we still have much work to do before World Cup qualifying next year.' U.S. Soccer has yet to announce the opponent for the third match of this window, but on Wednesday, October 29, the USWNT will take the field at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. Demand for this match will be high, with a much smaller capacity than usual. In the past, the USWNT has usually opted for Children's Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City. CPKC Stadium seats 11,500; Children's Mercy Park has a capacity of over 18,000. 'CPKC Stadium is a smaller venue than we usually play in, but in this instance, it's important to bring the National Team there,' Hayes said in the federation's release.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Spain have the shapes, patterns and craft but their one weakness cost them
Aitana Bonmatí could not even manage a smile. The walk to the podium through an England guard of honour that, while generous in its applause, could still barely hold in its euphoria must have felt several miles long. She had just been named player of the tournament and it was just about possible to detect a bowing of the head as the award was announced. There were photos to pose for after taking receipt of the trophy and after what had just passed there was simply no point in putting on an act. In those moments before Bonmatí shuffled up for her prize, Spain's players stood motionless, wordless, in the penalty area that had eventually sealed their fate. How had it come to this? It had been billed as the rubber-stamping of a golden generation; the night when the world's best team would follow success by reeling off more of the same. Everyone knew that Spain routinely performed at a level several notches higher than the rest. There was nothing to do beyond fold the arms and stare blankly. Maybe there had been something in the Basel water. Earlier in the day, at a Uefa-run forum exploring a range of angles around the women's game, predictions for the final were sought from several of the speakers and none of them went for the bleeding obvious. England would win, Jill Ellis and Camille Abily claimed. There was no persuading Emma Hayes to commit in either direction. At the time it felt like wishful thinking; a conscious effort to suggest jeopardy where little appeared. But perhaps the experts really did know something, because every chink of weakness Spain have showed this summer ultimately cost them here. In the end their cutting edge deserted them when it mattered most, and for those looking closely enough the signs had been there. It had required a piece of Bonmatí magic to see off Germany, who in turn exposed them down the flanks on numerous occasions, in their semi-final after several chances were spurned. The taps had certainly begun to trickle after a flow of 16 goals in their opening four games. Against England, too, they could have won several times over. By the second period of extra time the Lionesses could, in large part, barely run after being put through a third 120-minute effort in 10 days. Meanwhile Ona Batlle, perhaps the best player on the pitch, was making her latest underlapping run to the byline from right-back and watching her cross rebound out for another corner. Spain had the shapes, the patterns, the running power and the craft, but none of the certainty that imbues serial winners. They will surely rue not adding to Mariona Caldentey's opening goal, thundered in after characteristically prodigious work from Batlle, in the utterly dominant half-hour that followed. Spain had worked England at will during that spell, Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas pulling every string, but never quite created the sure thing that would see them home. They soon learned it was too early to kill the game through possession and Alessio Russo's equaliser suggested a team taking things a touch too easily. Spain had been their tenacious selves off the ball for most of the night, Patri Guijarro leaving Georgia Stanway in an early heap to demonstrate guts should not be enough for England this time. But their lack of pressure was conspicuous when a simple move through the thirds, its angles hardly dizzying, ended with a Chloe Kelly's perfect cross and it was a moment of inattention that proved critical. There will also be regret that Esther González, another rueful award winner when she received the golden boot, did not score after the group stage. She had early glimpses, while the substitutes Clàudia Pina and Salma Paralluelo had their own openings much later, but England's blend of doggedness and weary, gnarled self-assurance was a barrier too far. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion The parallels with Arsenal's Champions League final win against Barcelona will, given the personnel on show, come freely. Both times the overwhelming favourites were sucker-punched by teams who had earned their moment, formed more than the sum of their parts and prodded at the soft spots. But it would be remiss to see a wider pattern here; wrong to talk of failure or of a system short of everything it is cracked up to be. A perverse joy of a team this gifted is the contortions it inspires in others; the ends and compromises foes reach in order to scramble close to their plane. England had to make plenty of those and, as Montse Tomé and Sarina Wiegman embraced at the end, the thought occurred that Spain's most formidable adversary had been stalking the technical area. Spain will be back and so will Bonmatí, whose missed penalty was a key moment in another wobbly shootout. Incomprehensible moments such as that, anomalies so rare that their significance feels grossly unjust, cannot tar a legacy that has only been strengthened by her remarkable response to viral meningitis. Bonmatí teased the heartstrings further by asking for forgiveness on Spanish television; Spain may have been reined in but apologies are entirely unnecessary.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Honest Hayes and Wright shine as ITV and BBC go head-to-head for Euro 2025 final
Sarina Wiegman's team playing disjointedly, yet rescued by moments of inspiration and fortune. It is why 'Proper England', to use the Lionesses' Euro 2025 mission statement, wins record audiences, an expected worldwide audience of 46 million dragged through Sunday night drama, putting Poldark and Mr Darcy to shame. Across the BBC and ITV, Euro 2025 coverage has not been nearly so happy-clappy as the BBC's Team GB-Beebies, sub-Henman Hill Olympics cheerleading. Perhaps the cruelty of football as a game precludes that. Once the game is afoot, there are few hiding places. Still, there has been a cheeriness to both channels' female lead presenters – Laura Woods for ITV, Gabby Logan for BBC – so rarely seen in the male equivalent. None of the sardonic shrugging of a Gary Lineker, or for older viewers, Des Lynam, little English reserve. Decades of male national team failure made that a default setting, as did hammering players and managers alike. By contrast, the Lionesses had reached a third major final in a row, and as repeat Euro champions are an actual success story a nation can get fully behind. There's very little to hammer. Both choosing a lengthy buildup, ITV stole a 10-minute march, going early with the camera zooming to Woods in the centre circle of St Jakob-Park, Basel. 'Are you ready to do it all over again?' she asked, soon enough alongside the former Chelsea and current USA coach Emma Hayes, the ex-England international Karen Carney and Ian Wright, the former England striker having resumed his role as women's football favourite uncle. 'It's nothing to do with me,' Wrighty replied when depicted as a lucky charm. 'They've made it hard, I'm just pleased to be here.' 'To be honest, they're the best,' the never-less-than-honest Hayes said of the hot favourites Spain. By now, the BBC had kicked off with a good-luck message from Harry Kane, before then mashing up footage of England's progress with Focus Is Power, by Self Esteem, the south Yorkshire musician telling the camera: 'A little girl in England can grow up and say I want to be a footballer – the impossible made possible.' Logan was joined by the former Lionesses Ellen White and Steph Houghton and the former Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha. 'In Sarina, we trust,' White said as news of Wiegman's team selection arrived. Still more than a full hour to kick-off, including some of that soft-focus performance poetry beloved on such sporting occasions by TV execs. It dragged. Eventually Wrighty admitted: 'Yeah, I'm getting nervous now.' It was not an entirely wasted hour. On ITV, a reminder of what women's football fought off, footage showing the 1970s legend Rodney Marsh and the late doyen of football journalism Brian Glanville's rank dismissiveness, ending with the Lioness Beth Mead telling those who lived through this: 'You helped change the game for the better, be proud of that.' 'It's laughable now,' said Wrighty, visibly embarrassed by football-man forefathers. Finally, time for the commentators, Robyn Cowen on BBC, Seb Hutchinson on ITV, two safe pairs of hands, the former England goalkeeper Rachel Finnis-Brown alongside Cowen, the fine tactical toothcomb of Lucy Ward, once of Leeds, accompanying Hutchinson. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion 'England almost finding a way through,' Hutchinson's baritone growled during one early near-miss. Commentating on such matches isn't easy; willing on one side while trying to maintain a soupçon of neutrality, all while hoping to nail the moments that matter. 'It's a gorgeous Spain goal,' Cowen said as Mariona Caldentey scored. 'Too easy,' Ward said. By half-time, despite the talismanic Chloe Kelly replacing James, the mood was sombre. 'We've been totally off it,' Wrighty lamented. 'England lack freshness,' explained Hayes. Alessia Russo's goal – and name – received the same reaction from both commentators. 'Russoooo!' roared Robyn. So did Seb. 'Never write England off!' he bellowed. By now his growls were recalling the great Brian Moore. Cowen said 'time seems to be slowing down' as extra time approached. 'England were never going to make this comfortable, I can't bear it,' Woods said. Hayes said: 'I love it.' As the cost of mistakes grew, the game's entertainment values became more slasher movie than high-class narrative. 'I'm not sure this is good for our health,' Cowen said before the unfailing dopamine hit of penalties arrived. 'I just can't do it again,' White said. 'A huge moment for Hannah Hampton,' Cowen said after the keeper's first save. 'Calm Niamh Charles,' Hutchinson roared before next: 'Hampton, all the way.' England had grabbed the initiative. Cue Kelly. 'The legendary Lionesses,' Hutchinson said. 'Now that is proper English,' Cowen said. Both had successfully landed the words they had waited so long to be able to say.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Fans all switch over to ITV for Euro 2025 final after realising who pundits are for England vs Spain final
FOOTBALL fans have all been switching over their TVs for the Women's Euro 2025 final after learning who is working on ITV. England Women are taking on Spain for a chance at revenge for the 2023 Women's World Cup final. 2 2 Both BBC and ITV have been sharing the broadcasting rights for the tournament as Sarina Wiegman 's side scraped into the Basel showpiece final. However, for many fans it is ITV have won the battle of the broadcasters this time around after their stunning punditry and commentary line-up was revealed. ITV went with award-winning presenter Laura Woods for presenting duties. And they have teamed Woods up with a heavy-hitting trio, kicking off with Arsenal and England icon Ian Wright. With him they also fan-favourite Karen Carney and legendary former Chelsea Women's and current USWNT coach Emma Hayes. They then also have Seb Hutchinson and Lucy Ward in the commentary box. Meanwhile, BBC's studio coverage was being presented by Gabby Logan, with Alex Scott on touchline presenting duties. England greats Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Jill Scott were all on hand for expert analysis alongside Nedum Onuoha. Their commentary team for the final involved Robyn Cowen and former Lioness goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis. And despite their own impressive team, fans watching on the BBC voted with their remotes on who they thought was the best viewing experience. England fans gather at St Jakob Park stadium before Lionesses face Spain in Euro 2025 final One fan said: "Normally in finals BBC has the better coverage but just for Seb Hutchinson it's gotta be ITV." A second said: "I usually watch big finals on the BBC, but I prefer ITV's studio team." A third said: "Watching on ITV for Seb Hutchinson commentary." Another said: "Laura Woods presenting. Emma, Wrighty & Kaz punditry. Seb Hutchinson commentary. ITV definitely winning." A fifth added: "First time I've ever picked ITV over BBC for a final - Seb Hutchinson is top tier."
