Latest news with #USWNT
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Carli Lloyd Shares The Biggest Challenge With Taking Penalties: 'It's Not The Keeper'
"I don't like the term luck. And that's why I said you create your own luck. You have the opportunities that come your way. You capitalize, and you use them to your advantage." Wise words from U.S. women's national team legend Carli Lloyd on "Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast" about one of soccer's biggest challenges: taking a penalty. It's only 12 yards between glory and certain heartbreak, but it can feel like a mile away. It requires that combination of skill, a bit of luck, and plenty of mental toughness. Penalties were a hot topic at the Women's Euro. England needed them to beat Sweden in the quarterfinals and then Spain in Sunday's final. Across the entire tournament, the penalty conversion rate across the tournament was just 55% (28 scored, 51 taken), the lowest on record at either a Women's Euro or FIFA Women's World Cup (since 2011). Which is why Lloyd praised England's Chloe Kelly, who scored the decisive penalty against Spain. "She said she knew she was going to make it. And for me, that's telling," Lloyd said. "When you step up and you're confident in making a penalty." Lloyd further explained what it took to improve her own penalty-taking skills, spurred by the USWNT falling in the 2011 World Cup final against Japan. And while the U.S. were successful against Brazil in that quarterfinal, PKs ultimately doomed them in the fateful final in Frankfurt. "I practiced penalties here and there. We would prepare as a team. It was definitely something that we took pride in. We all made ours at that point," Lloyd said. "[In the final], Shannon Boxx was first and she missed. So suddenly you start to think, 'Oh boy, she missed.' I step up, I miss. I sailed mine so far over the bar. Tobin Heath misses and then Abby [Wambach] eventually made hers [before Japan won]. "And at that moment, I said to myself: I need to prepare more for penalties because I wasn't prepared. I don't normally take them, so I made a conscious effort after training sessions to just hit penalties all the time, 10 a day after training sessions." At the 2015 Women's World Cup, Lloyd then applied that routine on the way to the title – especially in the round of 16 win over Colombia in which the U.S. initially missed a first-half penalty. "We get one a few minutes later and [Wambach] gets up and hands me the ball and I'm like, 'Okay, I'll take it.' I step up, I make it, and then I have to take another one in the semifinal against Germany. That was at a really, really crucial moment and I made that. I was focused, and it all came down to my preparation." That may be the biggest lesson when you're staring down a goalkeeper as you try to anticipate their moves and tendencies before that shot. "It was such a mind game and I think that's the biggest battle," Lloyd said. "It's not the keeper, it's between your own ears and what you're thinking. Positive self-talk, your routine and your preparation." Get more from the United States Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
U.S. soccer player Sam Coffey talks upcoming USWNT match at Subaru Park
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team announced Monday that they'll have an upcoming match at Subaru Park – the home of the Philadelphia Union – on Oct. 23, 2025. The game will also include the retirement ceremony for former player and co-captain Alex Morgan. USWNT player Sam Coffey spoke with NBC10's Miguel Martinez-Valle about the match, her connection to Philly, her experience at the Olympics and reuniting with the team. U.S. soccer player Sam Coffey talks upcoming USWNT match at Subaru Park originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Yahoo
a day 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
a day 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.
Metro
4 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Emma Hayes urges Sarina Wiegman not to start England semi-final hero vs Spain
Emma Hayes has told Sarina Wiegman to keep England's Euro 2025 semi-final hero Michelle Agyemang on the bench against Spain on Sunday. The Lionesses lock horns with Spain in the Euro 2025 final this weekend, looking for revenge after losing the World Cup final to them two years ago. England are hoping to defend their crown – having won Euro 2022 – but it won't be an easy task against a strong Spanish side packed with talent. Wiegman's side almost crashed out in the last four to Italy before super substitute Agyemang netted a 96th-minute equaliser to force extra-time. Agyemang also came to England's rescue in the quarter-final victory over Sweden, with the Lionesses 2-1 down before she scored late-on to take the game to penalties. The 19-year-old Arsenal forward has now produced three goals in just four England caps – but Hayes is adamant she shouldn't start against Spain. Hayes, manager of the United States (USWNT), the most successful international team in women's football, believes Alessia Russo should start for England in the Euro 2025 final instead of Agyemang. The 48-year-old Englishwoman, known for her incredibly successful spell in charge of Chelsea from 2012 to 2024, told The Guardian: Sarina Wiegman should [not] necessarily change her starting team. 'As good as Michelle's Agyemang's impact has been with her three goals in four caps, it is another jump up to do it from the start. 'There is so much a starting centre-forward has to do other than score goals, including to set the press, and Alessia Russo knows that role inside out. 'I cannot see Sarina changing that, and the strategy of players coming from the bench is working, even if the time for them to make an impact is getting shorter and shorter.' Agyemang's 15.17 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes is the most of any England player at Euro 2025. But former England striker Rachel Daly and ex-Lionesses goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain have both echoed Hayes' stance. More Trending 'Don't fix what isn't broken,' Daly said on the Daly Brightness podcast. 'People will call out 'start them' but there is so much to be said for people who can come on and make a difference. It's really difficult to do.' Chamberlain, meanwhile, told the BBC: 'I don't think Sarina Wiegman's going to change her team at all. 'England play the game for their substitutes – Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were the ones in the last Euros. This year she's got the same [with Agyemang and Chloe Kelly]. 'She's got her trusted 11. There have been a couple of tweaks but not much, and she knows she has talent to come off the bench and change the game when she needs it.' MORE: Lionesses star Alex Greenwood in relationship with childhood sweetheart who is also ex-Premier League ace MORE: Lionesses star Ella Toone all loved up with fellow footie star – who happens to be a rival MORE: Inside Lionesses teammates Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh's 'romance' on and off pitch
