Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 21st round of 2022-2023 D1 Arkema season(23/5/23).
Above: Emotion overcomes Signe Bruun after she scores Olympique Lyonnais’ championship-winning goal. Photo: Damien LG.
Paris Saint-Germain 0–1 Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais won their 16th D1 Arkema title by winning 1-0 against Paris SG in Paris’s Parc des Princes stadium in front of 18,900 spectators.
Lyon had multiple opportunities to score in the first half starting in the third minute when Ada Hegerberg attempted a lob from 35 metres out. The PSG defence delivered a great performance to repel Lyon and throughout the first half, and the visitor’s pressure did not allow Paris SG’s players to play their usual game at all.
The second half was more even with both teams creating plenty of chances without scoring. And then on 88 minutes, substitute Amel Majri, who had only joined the game two minutes before, delivered a perfect cross to Signe Bruun who headed home the winner.
A worry though for Delphine Cascarino who was replaced on 55 minutes because of an injury to her right knee. We will know this week if she will be fit for the World Cup. Goal: Lyon – Signe Bruun (88).
Next week, on Saturday 27th May, Lyon’s players will be able to party with their fans in Groupama stadium for the last game of the season with their 10th Coupe de France and their 16th D1 Arkema title.
Reims 3-1 Dijon
Reims secured sixth place in the table with this comfortable win which included two goals from Melchie Dumornay who will be playing for Lyon next year. Dijon can still mathematically save their place but they face a Montpellier side who are playing for third spot and so it will be difficult, even at home. Goals:Reims – Melchie Dumornay (4, 69), Rofiat Imuran (89). Dijon – Maria Diaz (52).
Guingamp 2-1 Rodez
A narrow win for Guingamp that means Rodez are still not sure of D1 Arkema football next season. They are level on points with Dijon – the positive thing for Rodez is that they have a better goal difference: -28 versus -42 for Dijon. Goals:Guingamp – Eloïse Sévenne (17 Own Goal), Anissa Lahmari (77 Penalty). Rodez – Océane Saunier (27).
Paris FC 5-2 Soyaux
Paris FC were the dominant side, and the final score reflects their efficiency in attack. Soyaux are now surely relegated to D2. Ouleymata Sarr scored a D1 Arkema hat-trick for the first time since 2018. Goals: Paris FC – Ouleymata Sarr (20, 33 Penalty, 64), Clara Matéo (82), Mathilde Bourdieu (89). Soyaux – Laura Bourgoin (28), Morgane Belkhiter (72).
Above: Paris FC players celebrate their win over Soyaux. Photo: Paris FC.
Bordeaux 1-1 Fleury
In a very even game with several opportunities for both teams, neither was able take the lead at the end. Fleury could be disappointed as they should have had a penalty at the 54th minute. With this draw, Fleury let Paris FC move three points ahead of them and are now fifth in the standings, one point behind Montpellier. Goals: Bordeaux – Maëlle Garbino (83). Fleury – Marine Dafeur (76).
Montpellier 2-1 Le Havre
The run for the third qualifying spot in the Champions League is not finished yet. Montpellier’s win in this close game takes them into fourth place – two points behind Paris FC and one ahead of Fleury. Goals: Montpellier – Maelys Mpomé (78), Faustine Robert (90+7). Le Havre – Silke Demeyere (53).
Above: Rossvale (black) in action during their excellent win at SWF Championship winners Livingston. Photo: Alex Todd/Sportpix.
SWF Championship
Glasgow side Rossvale have gained the upper hand in the race for a play-off spot to gain entry to SWPL 2.
In the last Sunday for the Scottish Women’s Championship which saw Livingston lift the trophy, Renfrew Ladies were beaten by Ayr United while Rossvale beat the champions 2-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena to move into second.
Renfrew now face their rivals at home tonight (Tuesday) knowing only a win will do, in a match rearranged due to an abandonment of the game on the 14th May because of a serious injury to Renfrew player Aimee Morrison. Renfrew have announced entry to the match will be free, with a 7:45 kick-off at New Western Park.
The side which finishes second will face Stirling University at Broadwood Stadium on Sunday 4th June for a place in the SWPL 2.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Dryburgh Athletic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle ended their seasons on a high with wins over Morton and Hutchison Vale respectively.
Biffa SWFL
Above: Forfar Farmington lift the Biffa SWFL North trophy. Photo: Mal Turnbull.
In the regional Biffa SWFL, Forfar Farmington clinched the North league with a 6-2 win at Stonehaven.
The league title marks a recovery for the club that withdrew from the SWPL in 2021 and will now host Bonnyrigg Rose in the play-offs for a place in the national SWF League One.
The Midlothian side secured second place in SWFL East with a 3-0 victory over McDermid Ladies, and enter the play-offs because title winners Livingston Reserves don’t qualify for promotion as a development side of a club already in the national leagues.
The other play-off will see South league winners Queen of the South host West champions Harmony Row on the 4th June with the losers of both games facing each other at a neutral venue on the following Sunday for the third and final place in the national leagues.
Darrell Allen rounds up all the women’s football action inNorfolk over the past week (23/5/23).
Above: Millie Daviss and Anna Larkins lift the Norfolk Women’s Cup for Norwich City. Photo: Ben Cunningham.
Norfolk Women’s Cup Final
On Friday night, tier four Norwich City eventually defeated Mulbarton Belles from three leagues below 3-0 at Carrow Road. After a goalless first half, goals from Ceri Flye, Katie Knights, and Olivia Cook saw the favourites claim the victory. It was a fitting finale for both manager Shaun Howes and the club’s physical preparation coach Matt Stebbings, with both men leaving the club following this game.
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division One
Less than 48 hours after their cup final against Norwich City, Mulbarton Belles were in action again as they beat Caister 7-3 at The Allendale thanks to a hat-trick from Annie Smith, a brace from Sophie Jermy and one each from Rebekah Lake and Eloise Peek. Caister’s goals came from Ellie Blaxell, Sam Hunn, and Beth Turner.
In the day’s other game, the University of East Anglia recorded their first league win since November by beating Stalham Town 2-1 thanks to goals from Freya Standing and Tegan Collier with Stalham’s reply coming from Emma Macmillan.
Above: Jordan Arnoup (centre) leads the celebrations as Aylsham secured the Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two title on Thursday night. Photo: Ben Cunningham.
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division Two
On Thursday night, Aylsham secured the title with a 3-0 win at Thorpe St. Andrew with their goals coming from Jordan Arnoup, Rhiannon Dack, and Sophie Lubbock.
Meanwhile, in Sunday’s three games, there was a staggering 21 goals. Thorpe St. Andrew responded to Thursday’s defeat with a 5-1 victory over Horsford in what was Thorpe manager Tony Allen’s last game in charge. Sarah Rooke scored a hat-trick with Tabitha Mileham adding two. Maisie Nichols scored for Horsford.
Jordan Turner scored four as King’s Lynn Soccer Club beat Shrublands 8-0, the other four goals coming from Viktorija Burkauskaite, Lucy Clarke, Taeya Mayes, and Trinity Tokaji.
Kiera Brown netted five in North Walsham Town’s 6-1 win over Bulldogs FC, the other North Walsham goal was scored by Rio Dobbie with Niamh Underhill scoring for Bulldogs.
Above: Smiles all round as Thorpe St Andrew beat Horsford 5-1 to win Tony Allen’s final game in charge. Photo: Thorpe St. Andrew FC.
Jon Smalldon was at the Pilot Field to capture all the action as well as a brief reportfrom this tier six London & South-East Division One South encounter(22/5/23).
Above: Celebration time for Herne Bay yesterday. Photo: Jon Smalldon for Impetus.
Hastings Town 3-2 Herne Bay
A penalty from player-of-the-match Rubie Harris was the difference in this five-goal thriller at the Pilot Field.
Hastings, looking to end the season and bid farewell to manager Billy Wood with a win raced to a 2-0 lead inside the opening fifteen minutes before being pegged back after halftime. Both sides had plenty of chances in an end-to-end encounter, but it was Harris’s penalty that was decisive.
United finish the season in second, just missing out on promotion, with Herne Bay ending in fifth place.
Suvadeep Biswas was at Villa Park yesterday to capture this set of images from the WSL’s six-goal thriller (22/5/23).
Above: Tash Dowie shows her delight after putting Liverpool 2-1 up yesterday. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool
Aston Villa and Liverpool shared the points in a game that see-sawed back and forth at Villa Park yesterday.
Kirsty Hanson put Villa ahead after seven minutes but two goals in three minutes saw Liverpool leapfrog the Midlanders to hit the front thanks to Katie Stengel and Tash Dowie. There was still time for Rachel Daly to level matters with her 21st WSL goal in as many games before the break.
Just after the hour mark, Stengel restored Liverpool’s lead, only for Hanson to strike again with 20 minutes remaining. The draw ensures that Aston Villa will finish the season in a best-ever fifth place in the WSL.
Suvadeep Biswas’ EXCLUSIVE photo gallery for Impetus from Villa Park:
Teams: ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Hampton, Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco, Hanson, Staniforth, Dali, Nobbs, Daly, Lehmann. Substitutes used: Magill (for Nobbs 32′), Allen (for Dali 45+2′), Boye-Hlorkah (for Lehmann 80′).
Scorers: Hanson 7′, 70′. Daly 45+1′.
LIVERPOOL (3-4-1-2): Kirby, Fahey, Bonner, Matthews, Koivisto, Taylor, Nagano, Hinds, Kearns, Stengel, Dowie. Substitutes used: van de Sanden (for Fahey 45′), Roberts (for Koivisto 58′), Kiernan (for Dowie 59′), Lundgaard (for Taylor 59′).
Matthew Appleby was pitchside at the Leigh Sports Village last night to capture all the action from a dramatic Manchester derby (22/5/23).
Above: Manchester United’s Hayley Ladd shows her sheer delight last night. Photo: Matthew Appleby for Impetus.
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
Lucia Garcia’s goal in second-half injury time sealed a dramatic win for Manchester United over cross-city rivals City that not only takes the WSL title race to the final day but is highly likely to deny the Sky Blues Champions League football next season as well.
The home side, backed by a large crowd at the LSV, hit the front after just two minutes thanks to a long-range effort from Hayley Ladd. Things got worse for Gareth Taylor’s side just before the break when goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck saw red after a foul on Nikita Parris.
However, with just over 20 minutes remaining, City levelled through Filipa Angeldahl. But, into stoppage time at the end of the match, Garcia was fed by Vilde Boe Risa and sealed United’s win to raucous scenes.
Manchester United will most likely need Reading to defeat Chelsea next week – something that the Royals need to do in order to avoid relegation – in order to take the WSL title. Marc Skinner’s men travel to Liverpool.
Matthew Appleby’s EXCLUSIVE photo gallery for Impetus from the Leigh Sports Village:
Teams: MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps, Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell Ladd, Zelem, Parris, Toone, Galton, Russo. Substitutes used: Williams (for Russo 66′), Boe Risa (for Toone 75′), Garcia (for Parris 75′), Thomas (for Galton 90+3′).
Scorers: Ladd 2′, Garcia 90+1′.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Roebuck, Morgan, Houghton, Greenwood, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Angeldahl, Kelly, Coombs, Hemp, Shaw. Substitutes used: Keating (GK – for Ouahabi – Roebuck red card 44′), Raso (for Hemp 76′), Castellanos (for Coombs 82′).
Ben Gilby provides a full report from the game of the week, plus all the details from the other matches in Western Australia’s NPL Women’s competition (22/5/23).
Above: Reina Kagami (left), Perth RedStar’s match-winner on Sunday,captured in action during the Night Series. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Perth RedStar.
Midweek update:
Hyundai NTC 1-5 Murdoch University Melville
MUM FC gained a superb result in becoming only the second side to defeat the NTC this season and extended their own winning run to four matches as they won the encounter originally scheduled for round three on Wednesday night.
Murdoch ended the match level on points with the NTC who went into the match in second, and just a single point behind leaders Perth RedStar. They had to come from behind to win. Klaudia Houlis continued her rich vein of goalscoring form for the NTC when she hit a shot across Stacey Cavill and into the left-hand corner of the net less than four minutes before the break.
Within three minutes of the second-half opening, Murdoch University Melville were level when Sam Mathers headed home a corner that came in from the right. They hit the front with 64 on the clock as Mathers fed Charli Wainwright who was positioned centrally at the top of the 18-yard box, and her low shot rolled home.
Goal!! for Murdoch University Melville out of NPL Women – Western Australia at E&D Litis Stadium in the 78:22 mark of the Second Half. Score Hyundai NTC 1:3 MU Melville
NTC then suffered a sending off and three further goals in the final 12 minutes sealed MUM FC’s win. First, Sophie Meaden fed Jessica Johnson out on the right who advanced and cracked home a stunning shot from the edge of the box. Then, less than 120 seconds later, Nikita Strickling nodded on for Mathers to advance into the area and slot in across two would-be tacklers, and Mathers completed her hattrick with less than two minutes of normal time remaining when she lifted a shot over NTC keeper Megan Phillips and into the net from just over 20 yards out.
Round Eight Game of the Week:
Perth RedStar 1-0 Murdoch University Melville
Perth RedStar produced a dominant display to defeat in-form Murdoch University Melville and extend their lead at the top of the NPLW WA on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides went into the match having won their last four NPLW WA matches in a row, and this was a hugely important match in the context of the season so far as whoever won would go clear at the top.
The home side imposed themselves from the start and looked to use both flanks to build attacks. RedStar earned their first corner with just three minutes on the clock as Reina Kagami’s ball in was volleyed over by Bronwyn Studman.
Studman and Andreia Teixeira were prominent in construct offensive play with MUM FC attacker Sophie Meaden working hard to assist her defence in these early exchanges. On the rare moments that the visitors were able to attack, young gun Jessica Johnson showed great pace and footwork to escape her markers and deliver into the box.
RedStar came close with 13 minutes played when Kagami pounced on loose possession at the back from MUM FC and unleashed a drive that Stacey Cavill held in the visitors’ goal.
The home side were pressing the life out of Murdoch University Melville and always seemed able to have more time on the ball to consider which pass to play. However, despite this advantage, Carlos Vega Mena’s side were unable to transfer dominance of possession and territory into a scoreboard lead.
Above: Bronwyn Studman in possession for Perth RedStar against Murdoch University Melville. Image: Streamer.
After the half-hour mark, MUM FC started to get a foothold into the game, and the key influence in this was Vanessa Miller seeing more of the ball on the right. The first signs of the pendulum changing direction came when a free kick, 30 yards out to the right of centre was played in and a header flicked goalwards which RedStar cleared at the cost of a corner as Miller looked to follow up.
Moments later, Miller’s cross-shot needed to be tipped over the top by returning RedStar goalkeeper Shivani Battaglia.
Just before the break, great footwork from Clara Hoarau led to a corner for MUM FC. Charli Wainwright’s ball in eventually found Hoarau to fire just over the top. It was very much game on as the half-time whistle went.
However, as the second half opened, it was apparent that the 15-minute break had taken away all of the visitors’ momentum as RedStar imposed themselves on the game once more and simply would not let go of it.
With just two minutes of the second period played, Kagami got through, but just as she was about to pull the trigger, Rosie Lehane put in a superb tackle to deny her. RedStar had another opportunity when Renee Leota fed substitute Chiori Ikeda brilliantly before the Japanese star found Jayna Ridley who won a corner. As the flag kick came in, Jay Coleman fired in two shots from close range which Cavill repelled magnificently at the left-hand post.
Goal!! for Perth RedStar FC (women) out of NPL Women – Western Australia at ECU Joondalup Football Stadium in the 61:48 mark of the Second Half. Score Perth RedStar FC 1:0 MU Melville
A minute after the hour mark, RedStar finally got the goal that their dominance deserved as Kagami put a vicious curl on her corner kick which Cavill looked to have got a hand to, but could not keep out.
The home side conjured up another three chances to add to their lead. First, when MUM FC couldn’t clear Kagami’s free-kick, allowing Ikeda to fire in a shot from the edge of the box.
Then, Leota combined with Ridley whose shot was held by Cavill, and then Kagami’s turn and shot was pounced on by the MUM FC shot-stopper.
Despite a late flurry by the visitors, they could not find an equaliser. Perth RedStar look to be back to their imperious best. MUM FC had some chances, but the old adage that if you don’t take them against RedStar when they come, then you will pay the price rang true once more.
With results elsewhere this weekend going in their favour, Carlos Vega Mena’s side are, once more, the team to beat this season in WA.
Above: Perth RedStar in the huddle before the start of the second half yesterday. Image: Streamer.
MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MELVILLE: Cavill, C. Meaden, Schubert, Hope, C. Wainwright, Hoarau, Johnson, Lehane, S. Meaden, Mathers. Substitutes: Brown, Shore, I. Wainwright, Ierino, Strickling.
Weekly Wrap:
Balcatta Etna 3-0 Hyundai NTC
Above: Monique Prinsloo (9) escapes from Nelli Johnson in the build-up to Balcatta Etna’s first goal yesterday. Image Streamer.
Balcatta Etna look to have finally found their feet this season after claiming their second successive win over a top-four side.
The home side hit the front with just four minutes played as superb footwork from Tia Stonehill allowed her to find Monique Prinsloo outside her on the right to play a ball across for Stonehill. The attacker’s shot headed over to the left where Epril Nossent pounced to score.
Balcatta doubled their lead just after the hour mark when Lauren Continibali’s free-kick from the right-hand touchline was brilliantly headed home by Prinsloo. The scoring was completed with nine minutes remaining as Stonehill turned a ball across the box from the back post for Nossent to turn in from close range.
Subiaco 3-1 Curtin University
Subiaco gained their second win of the season against Curtin University at Rosalie Park on Sunday afternoon.
Subi went ahead after 18 minutes when Phoenix Brownlie’s shot took a deflection off Curtin’s Danielle Petch and fell kindly for Frankie Murray to pounce from close range. Murray was on target again just four minutes later when a flick pass allowed Dakota van Vugt to advance towards the Curtin keeper and play a ball across for Murray to score hers and Subiaco’s second.
Goal!! for Subiaco AFC out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Rosalie Park East 1 in the 33:10 mark of the First Half. Score Subiaco AFC 3:0 Curtin Uni FC
The third goal arrived just after the half-hour mark as van Vugt played a perfectly weighted pass into the run of Shelby Cochran who broke through to poke home.
With just under 15 minutes remaining, Curtin grabbed a consolation, with a great move that saw Tiana Botha charge through the middle to feed Pavitra Prem Kumar who broke into the box and calmly finished.
Perth SC 2-3 Fremantle City
Above: Fremantle City celebrate after scoring against Perth SC on Sunday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
Perth SC’s hopes of remaining close to leaders Perth RedStar fell apart as Abbey Green created all three of Fremantle City’s goals at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday.
Despite being without injured attacking duo Gemma Craine and Ellie Lamonte, Perth SC hit the front with 19 minutes played as Matilda Bohm’s throw on the left found Cameron Barreiro who played a ball back for Monique Godding whose first effort came back off of Nina Boorman, and rolled back to her to lift a shot into the net from the edge of the box.
Freo leveled seven minutes before the break thanks to their Perth Glory combination. Green danced along the left and played a ball in at the second attempt for Tash Rigby to head home at the back post.
Goal!! for Fremantle City FC (women) out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Dorrien Gardens in the 60:44 mark of the Second Half. Score Perth SC 1:2 Fremantle City
Just after the hour mark, the visitors went ahead as Green took possession and fed Kat Jukic on the edge of the box who turned and fired a superb shot into the net. It was 3-1 when after 74 minutes with Green once more the creator. Gaining possession on the left, she played a centimetre perfect through ball for Jamie-Lee Gale to run onto and crack a low shot into the left corner of the net.
Above: Judy Connolly, the scorer of Perth’s SC’s second goal against Fremantle City on Sunday.Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
The Azzurri grabbed a lifeline with 10 minutes to play. Abbey Meakins picked out Judy Connelly and laid a low ball across the box for the former NTC player to hit a first-time shot into the net. But they couldn’t find an equaliser, and are now fourth, six points behind Perth RedStar who top of the table.
Andy Wicks was pitchside at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium yesterday to capture all the action in this vital game at the bottom of the WSL (21/5/23).
Above: Beth England, scorer of two of Spurs’ four goals, in action yesterday. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Reading
Tottenham Hotspur finally confirmed their WSL status for another season after a crushing win over a Reading side whose own hopes of avoiding relegation are now hanging by the slenderest of threads.
Spurs took the lead through talismanic striker Beth England, who nodded home Molly Bartrip’s cross. Celin Bizet made it 2-0 four minutes before the break.
England hit the target again just after the hour mark when she took the ball round Royals’ keeper Grace Moloney and dispatched it into the net. Kit Graham added a fourth before Justine Vanhaevermaet got one back for the visitors.
Reading will be relegated today if Leicester City beat a West Ham United side who have lost their last 10 WSL matches. If the battle goes down to the final day, Kelly Chambers’ side would have to beat a Chelsea team who may well need a victory to clinch the WSL title.
Andy Wicks’ EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Impetus:
by Freya Ward at Stadium: MK for Impetus(20/5/23).
Above: Poppy Wilson heads home Watford’s winning goal. Photo: Watford FC Women.
Watford have been promoted back to the Barclays Women’s Championship after a year in the FAWNL Southern Premier division thanks to Poppy Wilson’s goal early into the first half, which sealed their 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest earlier today.
Unfortunately, this meant that the afternoon ended in heartbreak for Nottingham Forest. After putting in blood, sweat, and tears, and an astonishing second-half performance to try and secure their spot for a season full of new challenges, they couldn’t quite get an equaliser.
So for the East Midlands side, dreams of playing the likes of Birmingham City (a team that won the Women’s FA Cup in the 2011/12 season) are over. This loss was made worse by the newly introduced rules by the FA meaning that next season both, winners of the Northern Premier and Southern Premier divisions would both be promoted straight up to the penultimate league in English domestic women’s football. If we had been a season ahead, Forest would automatically be heading into an action-packed season in the Championship.
Watford came out of the blocks strongest with a third-minute cross into the box from Baptiste this was quickly defended by Forest’s tuned-in defence. Shortly afterwards, the East Midlands side showed their hand for the first time when passing around inside the box ended with a corner that fell safely into the hands of Goldsmid.
Above: Watford goalscorer Poppy Wilson is held aloft by delighted team mates. Photo: FA.
However, with 17 minutes on the clock, Watford managed to score from open play courtesy of a header from Poppy Wilson, only slightly missing the hand of Emily Batty. Yet back came Forest with an amazing turn of play which ended in a shot that Goldsmid had to get her hands on at the cost of a corner.
The remainder of the half was relatively quiet with some excitement coming for Watford fans after a long-range shot was nearly converted, but it remained 1-0 at the break.
Forest started the second half with fire inside of them, just three minutes in forcing a save from Goldsmid, soon after they had another promising pass of play, shooting and missing the goal by millimetres. On the other side of the pitch, Emily Batty was working hard, staying tuned in, and saving a ball that came in from Head.
Above: Nottingham Forest looking to attack in the second half. Photo: NFFC Women.
With 62 minutes played, Watford’s Gemma Davidson looked initially to have doubled the Hornets’ lead before it was quickly ruled offside. Nottingham Forest got extremely close once more when Amy West’s powerful shot missed the goal by the skin of her teeth, adding to her side’s tally of extremely close goalscoring opportunities.
A double substitution for Forest gave them a second wind, before a head injury to Forest’s Olivia Cook resulted in a yellow card for Watford’s Annie Rossiter. The East Midland side continued to dominate the second half, being awarded many free kicks around the box.
Four minutes into added time at the end, Watford’s keeper ran straight into an opponent, receiving a yellow card. The resulting free kick was directly in front of goal, but failed to hit the target. This, unfortunately for Forest was their last chance to change their fate.
Above: Catarina Macario for action for Olympique Lyon. Photo: OL Feminin.
With USWNT starlet Catarina Macario set to join Chelsea, here’s a look at what she could bring to the Blues.
Catarina Macario is a superstar. Anyone with eyes can see that. A prototype of an attacking midfielder, the Brazilian-born player brings pace, strength, vision, and control. Watching her is like watching poetry in motion. She is unpredictable and incredibly smart with the ball, making her link-up play one of her best attributes.
Macario has been hailed as one of the best prospects in women’s football for years now. She first came on the radar of the football community while playing for Stanford University, where she scored 63 goals in 69 appearances. That is an impressive record for anyone, but it means more considering that Macario is a midfielder. Among her many accolades there were the prestigious Mac Hermann Trophy in 2018 and 2019, EPSNW Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2018, as well as TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Freshman of the Year in 2017 and Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Along with these, Macario was frequently named to all-district and all-American first teams.
After feeling that she couldn’t get much more out of her illustrious college career, Macario forwent her senior season and earned herself a two-and-a-half-year contract with arguably the best club in the world, Olympique Lyonnaise. The French powerhouse became a great new home for the midfielder, providing her with top-quality facilities, experiences, and competition at the highest level.
In 44 appearances across Division One Féminine, UEFA Women’s Champions League, and French Cup games, she scored 28 goals. Unfortunately, her time was cut short at Lyon. However, even with this injury-shortened stretch, Macario made a huge impact that cannot be done justice by statistics. She helped lead Lyon to a record eighth UEFA Champion’s League title, assisting and scoring throughout the tournament, and even sealing the deal by scoring a lucrative goal in the final. She brings that experience in winning the trophy that Chelsea so badly desires.
Macario could be the key to bringing Chelsea to that next level, hoping to be not only an English powerhouse, but a European one. Although stacked with talent in the midfield, she is a certainty to walk straight into their starting 11, especially given Pernille Harder’s departure. Not only will Macario fill the important gap that Harder will leave, but the way she combines with forwards will be crucial to Chelsea’s success. Chelsea manager Emma Hayes values a versatile front line, which Macario will slot into nicely. She can create chances that ordinary players would not be able to see. Enter Sam Kerr.
Macario and Kerr are deceptively similar players who will surely thrive together. Macario makes frequent forward runs, which will complement Kerr’s style of play of dropping back to assist those around her. Macario has previously said her favorite position to play is a false nine, where she can occupy that space up top yet still focus more on creativity.
The two of them could have a flexible relationship with one another, one dropping back to create and the other finishing the chance. Both of them can pull off almost ridiculous plays, no-look passes, backheels, and the like. With Macario, Kerr could reach new levels with Chelsea. With the number of chances Macario creates, Kerr will have more opportunities to finish. This could be a symbiotic relationship. Macario is known for being a high-scoring midfielder, but with Kerr’s ability to see even the slightest of chances, she could score even higher than anyone expects.
Macario has spent the entirety of the season on the sidelines, recovering from a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament last June. Her journey to the World Cup is not an easy one, but she is optimistic that she will be there. Although this seems risky for Chelsea to put so much faith in an uncertain thing, this injury will only make her more determined to prove herself.
With her position on the USWNT being a highly contentious one, due to the competition from other players, Macario will want to show US head coach Vlatko Andonovski what she is made of. As long as Chelsea manages her rehabilitation well, they could be gaining the key to making all their dreams come true.
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