Latest news with #womenssoccer
CBS News
19 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Denver Summit Football Club is the official name for Denver's NWSL
Denver NWSL now has a name- Denver Summit Football Club. The Colorado women's professional soccer club officially announced the name, crest, colors and brand on social media Tuesday morning. The football club said the name was selected after receiving the most first-place votes in the Name The Club fan vote, in which 15,000 people participated. The team will begin playing in January 2026. "We are pleased to unveil Denver Summit FC as our name and to share our crest and colors with Colorado and the world," said Denver Summit FC President Jen Millet in a statement. "It was vital for us to name our club in collaboration with our community. Our crest, colors, and brand are representative of Denver and all of Colorado. It embraces our aspirational goals and pioneering spirit to build the best soccer club in the world." Denver NWSL broke ground on its official training center last month. The 43-acre site will be built in partnership with the City of Centennial and the Cherry Creek School District. The site will feature a proposed 12,000-seat temporary stadium and an approximately 20,000-square-foot training facility that is described as "purpose-built for professional women's sports." Earlier this year, Denver NWSL announced plans for a new 14,500-seat stadium near I-25 and Broadway that is expected to open in 2028.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Halfway to the 2027 World Cup, here's where the USWNT stands
Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is The Athletic's weekly women's soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox. Why wait for 'Wicked' part two when you can tune into the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland to watch Germany's goalkeeper defy gravity and the odds? I'm Emily Olsen here with the whole crew — *Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba riff* welcome to Full Time! (And especially if you're new here!) Coming up: Two years to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil A goalkeeper bending the space-time continuum Summer's soccerpalooza recap Halfway to the World Cup Exactly two years ago today, around the time that we launched this newsletter, the U.S. women's national team beat Vietnam 3-0 to open the 2023 World Cup. Sophia Wilson (then Smith) scored twice, followed by Lindsey Heaps (then Horan). It was the last time they'd capture a victory in the competition, before crashing out in the next round. It's not just the players' last names that have changed since. Here's where we stand two years from the next one in Brazil: What's happened since? If you haven't paid attention to the USWNT since the last World Cup, brace yourself for some vertigo; very few aspects of this program will look like you last remembered. Since Sweden forward Lina Hurtig scored the penalty kick that goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (who is now retired) will always swear never crossed the line, Vlatko Andonovski resigned from his position as head coach, and then-assistant coach Twila Kilgore stepped into the interim role while U.S. Soccer scouted for a permanent replacement. Then, in November 2023, the Emma Hayes era began. The former Chelsea manager started her job as USWNT head coach in May 2024, two months before the Summer Olympics in France. That's where 'Triple Espresso' — the attacking trio of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman — entered the women's soccer lexicon and powered the USWNT to a gold medal. How much has changed since then? The starting XI from that gold medal match against Brazil in Paris has not played together since. Two shots of Triple Espresso, Swanson and Wilson, are pregnant. And Rodman has been resting and rehabilitating her back. But perhaps most profoundly, Hayes (21-2-2 with the U.S.) has enacted one of the most radical transformations to the U.S. youth and women's national team talent development pipelines the program has ever seen. What's ahead? Despite being the competition's most successful competitor, with four World Cup titles, the U.S. isn't guaranteed a spot in the field. Over 30 Concacaf teams will contend for four guaranteed places at the 2027 Women's World Cup, with the U.S. and Canada as heavy favorites. These places will be earned at the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, an eight-team bracket which will be held in November 2026. (While there is a qualifying period for the W Championship, the U.S. is expected to bypass that gantlet as one of the region's two highest-ranked nations.) Last year, after the U.S. and Mexico withdrew their late joint bid to host the 2027 tournament, FIFA members threw their support behind Brazil, selecting it over a European proposal. The decision marked a historic milestone: For the first time, the biggest event in women's soccer will be staged in South America. The 1950 and 2014 men's World Cups drew millions to Brazil's white sand beaches and samba-charged streets, turning the country into a global soccer festival. The question now: Will the world return with the same passion for the women's game, 13 years later? Meg's Corner: USWNT triage is over — but urgency persists Two years ago, I wrote that the U.S. looked toothless and lost during the group stage of the World Cup, but that everything going wrong in New Zealand was actually a symptom of the USWNT's larger problem, not the illness itself. Helpfully, Hayes came in from day one calling herself a 'heart surgeon in the middle of emergency surgery' as she tried to prepare the team for the 2024 Olympics. Speaking as someone on the ground for the last World Cup and the Olympics, the difference in mood around the team couldn't have been more stark. The pressure was still on, but the next generation was ready for it. Now, the days of emergency surgery are behind the team, but the federation, the program and Hayes are still working on fixing all of those underlying issues. They've found investment via Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, among other clubs, who has invested millions to address pipelines for players, coaches and referees in the women's game. Hayes told me shortly after taking the USWNT job that if the team had won the 2023 tournament, she wouldn't have been interested. It was the project of taking over a team at one of its lowest points, and building again — building something new — that interested her. Gold medals in Paris can never be overlooked, but this project has always been about 2027. Hi, My Name Is: Germany's flying goalkeeper Call her Elphaba, because she defied gravity. Call her Ice because that's what's in her veins. Call her 'OMG DID YOU SEE THAT?!' Or you could just call her German goalie Ann-Katrin Berger, because that's now synonymous with putting up stone-cold performances in big moments. Down a player and a goal in the first 15 minutes versus France on Saturday, hurting their already depleted backline, Germany could have easily been counted out. And yet they went into halftime tied, held on through extra time and sealed the deal in a penalty-kick shootout. And it was due in large part to Berger, the Gotham FC goalkeeper whose resume speaks for itself. The 34-year-old won 10 trophies in five seasons with Chelsea and earned NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in her first season with Gotham in 2024. Berger notoriously 'loves' facing penalty kicks (and isn't bad at taking them, either). In 2023, she denied Lindsey Heaps in Chelsea's Champions League quarterfinal penalty shootout against Lyon, and at the 2024 Olympics she turned away former Ballon D'Or winner Alexia Putellas' ninth-minute penalty to help Germany reach a bronze-medal finish. Berger has also twice overcome thyroid cancer, including a recurrence during the 2022 Euro run where she was the backup keeper. 🎧 Listen to the latest 'Full Time Euros' podcast to relive the wild shootout. What to Watch: Soccerpalooza races toward a finale 📺 Euros: SemifinalsEngland vs. Italy tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET (Fox)Germany vs. Spain on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET (Fox) Cristiana Girelli's brace in stoppage time pushed Italy through to the semifinals for the first time since 1997, where they will face defending champions England. The Lionesses will be entering the fixture in protest in support of defender Jess Carter, who said she has been subject to racial abuse all tournament long. The second semi is a must-watch as Gotham FC teammates Esther Gonzalez (Spain) and Berger (Germany) go head-to-head. 📺 WAFCON: SemifinalsNigeria vs. South Africa at noon ET tomorrow (beIN Sports)Morocco vs. Ghana at noon ET tomorrow (beIN Sports)The Nigeria and South Africa fixture is a repeat of the 2018 championship match, with this semifinal clash further cementing the two sides' budding rivalry. The Super Falcons have a record nine championships, with Banyana Banyana eager to defend their 2022 crown. Then there's host nation Morocco, which will look to top Ghana in hopes of securing their return to the finals stage for a second year in a row. 📺 Copa America Femenina: Group stageVarious times, watch on VIX and FS1Thankfully, we still have two more weeks of South American football. As a growing number of players have called on their federations and Conmebol for better working conditions, they've managed to juggle protesting off the pitch with beautiful football on it. Watch Mayra Ramirez's banger for Colombia or Linda Caicedo's brace against Paraguay, as Las Cafeteras begin to settle in the competition after a rocky start. Full Time First Looks With the match schedule quite heavy, we thought it'd be nice to revisit some of our deeper reads. Twinning: Ever want to switch places with your sibling? These identical twins in England's top division have bamboozled rivals and their coaches alike with their similar skills and matching features. Teen sensations: Before, playing in college was one of the few paths to the pros for women. Now, more players are getting started before they even graduate high school, including 14-year-old star Mak Whitham. Just a feeling: NWSL partnered with podcaster Alex Cooper's Unwell brand earlier this year, but is the relationship an 'incredible platform' to grow the game or an existential risk? Broken-foot goals and building worlds: We still aren't over having to say goodbye to former USWNT star Tobin Heath's playing career, so you can find us reading Meg's recent interview with her again … and again. 📫 Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo's women's sports hub, in partnership with The Athletic. Also, check out our other newsletters. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images) This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, NWSL, Full Time Newsletter 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Halfway to the 2027 World Cup, here's where the USWNT stands
Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is The Athletic's weekly women's soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox. Why wait for 'Wicked' part two when you can tune into the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland to watch Germany's goalkeeper defy gravity and the odds? I'm Emily Olsen here with the whole crew — *Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba riff* welcome to Full Time! (And especially if you're new here!) Coming up: Exactly two years ago today, around the time that we launched this newsletter, the U.S. women's national team beat Vietnam 3-0 to open the 2023 World Cup. Sophia Wilson (then Smith) scored twice, followed by Lindsey Heaps (then Horan). It was the last time they'd capture a victory in the competition, before crashing out in the next round. Advertisement It's not just the players' last names that have changed since. Here's where we stand two years from the next one in Brazil: What's happened since? If you haven't paid attention to the USWNT since the last World Cup, brace yourself for some vertigo; very few aspects of this program will look like you last remembered. Since Sweden forward Lina Hurtig scored the penalty kick that goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (who is now retired) will always swear never crossed the line, Vlatko Andonovski resigned from his position as head coach, and then-assistant coach Twila Kilgore stepped into the interim role while U.S. Soccer scouted for a permanent replacement. Then, in November 2023, the Emma Hayes era began. The former Chelsea manager started her job as USWNT head coach in May 2024, two months before the Summer Olympics in France. That's where 'Triple Espresso' — the attacking trio of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman — entered the women's soccer lexicon and powered the USWNT to a gold medal. How much has changed since then? What's ahead? Despite being the competition's most successful competitor, with four World Cup titles, the U.S. isn't guaranteed a spot in the field. Over 30 Concacaf teams will contend for four guaranteed places at the 2027 Women's World Cup, with the U.S. and Canada as heavy favorites. These places will be earned at the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, an eight-team bracket which will be held in November 2026. (While there is a qualifying period for the W Championship, the U.S. is expected to bypass that gantlet as one of the region's two highest-ranked nations.) Last year, after the U.S. and Mexico withdrew their late joint bid to host the 2027 tournament, FIFA members threw their support behind Brazil, selecting it over a European proposal. The decision marked a historic milestone: For the first time, the biggest event in women's soccer will be staged in South America. The 1950 and 2014 men's World Cups drew millions to Brazil's white sand beaches and samba-charged streets, turning the country into a global soccer festival. The question now: Will the world return with the same passion for the women's game, 13 years later? Two years ago, I wrote that the U.S. looked toothless and lost during the group stage of the World Cup, but that everything going wrong in New Zealand was actually a symptom of the USWNT's larger problem, not the illness itself. Helpfully, Hayes came in from day one calling herself a 'heart surgeon in the middle of emergency surgery' as she tried to prepare the team for the 2024 Olympics. Speaking as someone on the ground for the last World Cup and the Olympics, the difference in mood around the team couldn't have been more stark. The pressure was still on, but the next generation was ready for it. Advertisement Now, the days of emergency surgery are behind the team, but the federation, the program and Hayes are still working on fixing all of those underlying issues. They've found investment via Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, among other clubs, who has invested millions to address pipelines for players, coaches and referees in the women's game. Hayes told me shortly after taking the USWNT job that if the team had won the 2023 tournament, she wouldn't have been interested. It was the project of taking over a team at one of its lowest points, and building again — building something new — that interested her. Gold medals in Paris can never be overlooked, but this project has always been about 2027. Call her Elphaba, because she defied gravity. Call her Ice because that's what's in her veins. Call her 'OMG DID YOU SEE THAT?!' Or you could just call her German goalie Ann-Katrin Berger, because that's now synonymous with putting up stone-cold performances in big moments. THAT incredible AKB save 🤯 #WEURO2025 — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 19, 2025 Down a player and a goal in the first 15 minutes versus France on Saturday, hurting their already depleted backline, Germany could have easily been counted out. And yet they went into halftime tied, held on through extra time and sealed the deal in a penalty-kick shootout. And it was due in large part to Berger, the Gotham FC goalkeeper whose resume speaks for itself. Berger has also twice overcome thyroid cancer, including a recurrence during the 2022 Euro run where she was the backup keeper. 🎧 Listen to the latest 'Full Time Euros' podcast to relive the wild shootout. 📺 Euros: Semifinals England vs. Italy tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET (Fox) Germany vs. Spain on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET (Fox) Cristiana Girelli's brace in stoppage time pushed Italy through to the semifinals for the first time since 1997, where they will face defending champions England. The Lionesses will be entering the fixture in protest in support of defender Jess Carter, who said she has been subject to racial abuse all tournament long. The second semi is a must-watch as Gotham FC teammates Esther Gonzalez (Spain) and Berger (Germany) go head-to-head. Advertisement 📺 WAFCON: Semifinals Nigeria vs. South Africa at noon ET tomorrow (beIN Sports) Morocco vs. Ghana at noon ET tomorrow (beIN Sports) The Nigeria and South Africa fixture is a repeat of the 2018 championship match, with this semifinal clash further cementing the two sides' budding rivalry. The Super Falcons have a record nine championships, with Banyana Banyana eager to defend their 2022 crown. Then there's host nation Morocco, which will look to top Ghana in hopes of securing their return to the finals stage for a second year in a row. 📺 Copa America Femenina: Group stage Various times, watch on VIX and FS1 Thankfully, we still have two more weeks of South American football. As a growing number of players have called on their federations and Conmebol for better working conditions, they've managed to juggle protesting off the pitch with beautiful football on it. Watch Mayra Ramirez's banger for Colombia or Linda Caicedo's brace against Paraguay, as Las Cafeteras begin to settle in the competition after a rocky start. With the match schedule quite heavy, we thought it'd be nice to revisit some of our deeper reads. Twinning: Ever want to switch places with your sibling? These identical twins in England's top division have bamboozled rivals and their coaches alike with their similar skills and matching features. Teen sensations: Before, playing in college was one of the few paths to the pros for women. Now, more players are getting started before they even graduate high school, including 14-year-old star Mak Whitham. Just a feeling: NWSL partnered with podcaster Alex Cooper's Unwell brand earlier this year, but is the relationship an 'incredible platform' to grow the game or an existential risk? Broken-foot goals and building worlds: We still aren't over having to say goodbye to former USWNT star Tobin Heath's playing career, so you can find us reading Meg's recent interview with her again … and again. 📫 Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo's women's sports hub, in partnership with The Athletic. Also, check out our other newsletters.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Abby Wambach on evolution of women's soccer, what's next for USWNT
Legendary USWNT forward Abby Wambach reflects on how much the women's game has grown since her 2015 retirement, and shares thoughts on head coach Emma Hayes as the team builds their roster for the 2027 World Cup. Abby Wambach on evolution of women's soccer, what's next for USWNT originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
CBC to broadcast 1st-ever Northern Super League final at Toronto's BMO Field
CBC will broadcast the first-ever Northern Super League final, which will be held at Toronto's BMO Field on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. ET. The league made the announcement during halftime of Saturday's match between AFC Toronto and the Montreal Roses, which featured the two clubs leading the NSL standings. The game will mark the first time a women's professional sports team championship will be held in Canada at a neutral-site venue. "This moment is for the players, coaches and clubs who have given everything to build this league from the ground up — the long days, the early mornings, and the sacrifices they've made, all with one goal in mind: to win the NSL Final," Diana Matheson, Founder & Chief Growth Officer of Northern Super League, said in a statement. "The final is our chance to celebrate everything they've accomplished and to show the world what our athletes are truly capable of. It will be a historic moment — but also the start of something even bigger. We can't wait to share it with Canadians." The game will also be broadcast nationally on TSN and RDS, with international coverage on ESPN+ and the NSL's official YouTube channel. The long-awaited Canadian women's professional soccer league kicked off a 25-game regular season in April with six founding franchises: Montreal, Toronto, Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Ottawa Rapid FC and Vancouver Rise FC. The league's playoff format will see the top four teams at the end of the regular season compete in a home-and-away semifinal series. The two clubs with the highest aggregate scores will advance to the championship match at BMO Field, which will be hosted in partnership with host city club AFC Toronto. BMO Field will also host six games at next summer's FIFA World Cup. Before Friday's action, Toronto (8-3-1) topped the NSL standings with 25 points, seven more than second-place Montreal (5-3-3) with one additional game played. Ottawa (4-4-2) and Calgary (4-5-2) rounded out the top four with 14 points apiece, while Vancouver (3-5-3) and Halifax (3-7-1) ranked fifth and sixth, respectively. "Along with our top players, all of clubs to our partners and sponsors, and especially with fans from across the country, the NSL fiinal and Changemakers Summit will be a powerful celebration of excellence in Canadian women's soccer and the movement around women's sports in Canada," said NSL president Christina Litz in a statement. "This is the beginning of a new tradition – and is a once in a lifetime opportunity to mark this historic occasion of the first-ever Canadian professional women's sports national championship and you don't want to miss it." Tickets for the final go on public sale in early September.
