Latest news with #JillEllis
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Megan Rapinoe opens up on life with 'super gay' USA team that trolled Donald Trump in 2019
Megan Rapinoe has opened up on life with her 'super gay' 2019 USA World Cup-winning team as she commemorated pride month with her partner Sue Bird. Speaking on her 'A Touch More' podcast, Bird asked Rapinoe how it felt to play soccer during pride month, which prompted her to discuss her World Cup glory from six years ago. 'Our team was super gay in 2019,' Rapinoe said. 'A lot of us were out, a lot of our fans were gay, a lot of the other players were gay. 'First and easiest thing to ensure you have is gay players on our team.' Rapinoe was one of five players who had come out alongside their coach, Jill Ellis, Her recent comments echo what Rapinoe said at the time when the USA went on to win a second straight World Cup title. After USA beat France in the quarterfinals, Rapinoe said: 'Go gays! 'You can't win a championship without gays on your team - it's never been done before, ever. That's science, right there! 'For me, to be gay and fabulous, during Pride month at the World Cup, is nice.' Rapinoe also underlined her outspoken reputation at that tournament as she took shots at president Donald Trump during his first term in office. She said she is 'not going to the f***ing White House' if the US won the tournament due to her disdain for Trump and urged her teammates to consider being associated with him. 'I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House with exception of the expletive,' Rapinoe said during the tournament. 'Considering how much time and effort and pride we take in the platform we have, using it for good and leaving the game in a better place and hopefully the world in a better place, I don't think I would want to go. 'I would encourage my teammates to think hard about lending that platform or having that co-opted by an administration that doesn't feel the same way and doesn't fight for the same things we fight for.' Rapinoe said she would not visit the White House while Trump was serving as president Trump responded by saying on X: 'I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women's Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! 'We haven't yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose. 'Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!'
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Alex Morgan becomes minority investor in San Diego Wave
Alex Morgan has re-entered the NWSL world less than a year after retiring as a player. The former USWNT star announced on Tuesday that she is now a part-owner of the San Diego Wave, the club where she finished her career. Morgan joined the Wave during their inaugural season in 2022 and played for the club until the back half of last season, abruptly retiring after discovering she was pregnant for a second time. 'San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career,' Morgan said in a statement. 'I believed in Wave FC before a single match was played, and I still believe this club has the power to change the future of women's sports. I'm proud to invest in that future and not just as a player, but now as an investor.' 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 Aside from saying that Morgan will be a minority investor in the club, no other details were given on her stake. The Wave are majority owned by the Levine Leichtman family, who completed their $113m purchase of 100% of the club from former owner Ron Burkle at the end of the 2024 season. Since the new ownership took the reins, the club has undergone numerous changes. That includes the departure of club president and former USWNT coach Jill Ellis, following allegations that she created a hostile work environment (Ellis has countersued for defamation of character), along with the hiring of former Arsenal Women head coach Jonas Eidevall and the trade of Jaedyn Shaw to the North Carolina Courage. 'Alex has always fought to positively impact this game beyond the pitch,' said Lauren Leichtman, controlling owner of Wave FC. 'Her decision to invest is not only a continuation of her leadership but also a reflection of her belief in what we are building.' Morgan finished her career as one of the most accomplished players in the history of US women's soccer, winning two World Cups and Olympic gold with the US to go with an NWSL Championship in 2013 and the NWSL Shield in 2023. She said after retirement that she intended to invest in women's sports in her post-playing days, and she has kept her word – before this latest investment in Wave FC, Morgan also started venture capital firm Trybe Ventues and became an investor in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's basketball league.
Reuters
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
FIFA pushes back inaugural Women's Club World Cup, introduces new competition
MANCHESTER, England, March 5 (Reuters) - The inaugural Women's Club World Cup will be pushed back to 2028 from its original date of 2026, soccer's global governing body announced on Wednesday. Instead, the new six-team FIFA Women's Champions Cup will debut in 2026 and feature the six continental club champions, FIFA said after Wednesday's FIFA Council meeting where the new programme was approved. "Women's football has reached new heights at national-team level, and now it's time for global competitions that showcase the best clubs from around the world," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. "These FIFA competitions will stimulate growth, inspire athletes, create new rivalries, engage more fans and crown heroes from all over the world." The two-year delay to the Women's Club World Cup, which was first announced after a council meeting in May, is to allow stakeholders more time to prepare and give women players some breathing space in an already condensed schedule. The Women's Club World Cup will see six teams take part in the play-in stage. The three winners will advance to the group stage and join 13 other clubs. The AFC, CAF, Concacaf and CONMEBOL confederations will each have two direct slots, while UEFA will have five berths. The group stage will feature four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage. The first three editions of the Champions Cup, meanwhile, will be held in 2026, '27 and '29. "These are more than just new tournaments - these are drivers for the future of our sport that will raise standards, provide invaluable opportunities for growth and local development, and generate new revenue – all on a global scale," said Jill Ellis, FIFA's Chief Football Officer, and a two-times World Cup winner as a head coach. The semi-finals and final of the inaugural Champions Cup will be held from January 28 and February 1 at a neutral venue still to be determined.
