Notes From North America

Impetus’ North American Women’s Football expert Catherine Paquette brings us up to date with all the action from the NWSL both on and off the pitch

Above: Fifteen year-old Olivia Moultrie, who made her NWSL debut for Portland Thorns last weekend. Photo: Equaliser Soccer.

It has been a busy week and a half in the National Women’s Soccer League.  After the dismissal of Gotham FC general manager Alysa LaHue last month, the NJ/NY based club announced former player Yael Averbuch West was named as interim GM and head of soccer operations last week.  

This week saw the suspension of Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke.  The club had originally announced this Tuesday that Burke had stepped down from his position due to health reasons and had been moved to the front office.  However, a further announcement from the Spirit organization occurred on Wednesday stating that Burke had been suspended.  

The second announcement came after the Washington Post reported alleged long standing abusive behaviour by Burke against present and former players.  The Post’s article stated that Burke had a pattern of behaviour which included insults, tirades, abusive treatment and racist and homophobic language.  An inappropriate contact incident in last weekend’s game against one of his players, Ashley Hatch, has also come to light. 

One former Spirit player, Kaiya McCullough, has since come out publicly to discuss the verbal and emotional abuse which she suffered at the hands of her former coach.  The abuse was so great that McCullough said she lost all her love of soccer and it ultimately led her to retire from the sport last fall.  

SB Nation’s Black and Red United reported that this abusive nature may have predated Burke’s hire at the Spirit.  When first appointed head coach in 2019, the publication wrote of several incidents of inappropriate behaviour.  The first occurred while Burke was a youth coach with FC Virginia.  Another player also came forward from their time with the DC United U-23 PDL 2015 squad.  They both stated alleged abusive incidents by Burke which included insulting, homophobic, sexist and violent outbursts.  

The U-23 PDL player in question stated that Burke’s then assistant-coach Tom Torres witnessed this abuse and did not act upon it.  Torres went on to coach with Burke at the Spirit until last year, when he left to pursue other interests.  The Athletic though have reported that this departure had been preceded by intoxicated inappropriate comments directed at players at a post-NWSL Challenge Cup party.  

Above: Richie Burke – suspended by Washington Spirit. Photo: Black and Red United.

Both the Washington Spirit and the NWSL have since stated they have opened a pending investigation into the allegations against Burke during his time with the capital region club.  The Spirit have since put Kris Ward and Paul Crichton, both current assistant coaches, as interim head coaches while they start a search for a replacement.

While the recent incidents may seem bleak, NWSL player’s association director Meghann Burke stated their importance. Speaking of the incident she told The Athletic “What we are seeing this season is the beginning of a reckoning.  The Players Association will continue to work towards creating an environment in the NWSL that is worthy of the people who play in and support it.”

The following is a resumé of last weekend’s matches.

The first match of last weekend’s NWSL was between NJNY Gotham FC and the North Carolina Courage.  In the tight league table, both teams were looking for a win to try to catch up to the first placed Portland Thorns.  

The first part of the match was a good two way game between both sides.  While the Courage had slightly more possession, neither team threatened in the final third.  This changed in the 38th minute.  Carson Pickett provided a great cross into the box.  After a block from the goalkeeper, Meredith Speck put it in for her first NWSL goal.  A few more chances occurred on both sides, however neither team was able to convert.  The Courage won the match 1-0.  

North Carolina’s Carson Pickett deserves a mention not just for her contribution in the last match but also for her form this year.  Joining the Courage from the Orlando Pride prior to this season, she has gone on to flourish with her new side.  In a team packed with talent, she has become not just the Courage’s but one of the league’s most effective attackers.  So far this season, she leads the NWSL in progressive passes, with 70 more than any other NWSL player, and passes into the final third.  This past weekend she also played the full 90 minute despite picking a serious injury to her thumb that will require surgery.  Pickett is proving that development, progression and grit are alive and well in the league.

The second match of last Saturday was between the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns.  15-year-old Olivia Moultrie, the youngest player to ever play in the league, started her first NWSL match for the Thorns.  It proved to be an inspired decision.  Despite her young age and professional inexperience, she showed her attacking abilities.  Her first shot on goal came just six minutes into the match and narrowly wide of Washington’s net.  She then supplied a fantastic ball into the box in the 29th minute which was headed in by Simone Charley.  

The Thorns’ defensive capabilities were also on full display in the last match.  While their offensive prowess and creativity are often mentioned, Portland’s defence has been an equal strength this season.  This defensive force starts with their press and goes all the way to their back line.  Just this past game, they won 62% of all duels, 11 shots and 64% of all tackles.  Spirit attackers Ashley Sanchez and Ashley Hatch, who have both had a fantastic month while international players have been away at the Olympics, were relatively restrained this past weekend. 

It is this defensive capability that has ensured Portland’s stay at the top of the league.  This past match also saw perhaps the best demonstration of defensive heroics this season. When it looked like Trinity Rodman would put it in for the Spirit, The Thorns’ Christine Westphal came flying in to block her shot.  The match ended 1-0 for Portland. 

The final Saturday match was between the OL Reign and the Houston Dash. The Reign started their 2021 season slowly.  After registering just three wins in their first ten games in which they found the back of the net only six times, they have changed their fortunes in the last three weeks. Their talent-packed squad started to find their attacking power and have scored nine goals in three consecutive victories.  

The latest game can only be described as a Reign first half goal fest.  Bethany Balcer opened the scoring account in the sixth minute of play.  Sofia Huerta doubled the score several minutes later.  The Dash were able to get one in though.  Shea Groom showed some fancy footwork, beating off her defender, before taking her shot on goal.  It was deflected off Alana Cook before going in to make the score 2-1.

Eugénie Le Sommer then made it 3-1 for the Reign when she was able to put her own blocked rebound in.  The goal of the game then came courtesy of Jess Fishlock.  She picked up the ball just inside the Dash’s half before striking an amazing long range effort into the net.  Balcer made it 5-1 several minutes before the first half ended. This was the final result.

Sunday saw two games being played. Racing Louisville met KC in the first match.  Louisville were looking to turn around their form after a month of July with three losses and one draw.  KC for their part, were still looking for their first franchise win.  

Louisville dominated the first 15 minutes with the majority of the possession. However, it was KC who registered the first shot on goal.  Despite this fact, Racing were the more attacking side.  They were able to get ahead in the 43rd minute.  

The wonderful team goal started in the Racing half.  Savannah McCaskill made a run with the ball out of her box.  She then passed it in to Emily Fox, who passed it back to McCaskill as she was making an overlapping run.  McCaskill made a one touch pass to Nadia Nadim who passed it back to McCaskill as she continued her run.  The play ended with McCaskill sending in a cross which was then deflected in by Ebony Salmon.  

KC were able to get a goal just before the half ended.  Kiki Pickett, who has been one of the bright spots for KC, put in a cross.  After a rebound, Darian Jenkins equalized.  Upon her return from the half, McCaskill produced another bit of brilliant work when she was able to fight off her defender and send in a cross that found Nadim.  She headed it home to put Louisville in the lead.  The final goal of the match was another Racing spectacle.  Cheyna Matthews stole the ball off a KC defender, beat goalkeeper Rowlands and then walked the ball into the net.  Racing won the game 3-1.

Racing’s person of the match was Savannah McCaskill.  A terrific creative force, McCaskill has often been inconsistent during her time in the NWSL.  However, she seems to be settling in well with Louisville.  This game was her best one for her new side.  Not only did she dictate the play for her team and wreak havoc for KC but she also took chances on goal as well.  Racing will be hoping that this becomes her permanent form.  

The last match of the weekend was between the Chicago Red Stars and the Orlando Pride.  The Red Stars started the game by attacking.  The Pride were able to gain some control after the 15th minute.  For the second week in a row defender Ali Krieger provided a fantastic ball in for her attacker, this time Jodie Taylor, to finish and score.  

However, the Red Stars did not give up.  Morgan Gautrat’s wonderful 2021 form continued.  The vision, creativity and passing capabilities that lead her to the USWNT when she was still in college have been on full display.  She was able to give one of those great passes to Mal Pugh in the first half who then turned and shot on goal.  Ashlyn Harris, who has also had terrific 2021 form, showed her goalkeeping skills by stopping it. Sydney Leroux was able to double the Pride’s lead late in the second half.  Erika Tymrak provided a great pass in for Leroux to finish. Putting in her seventh of the year, she became the leading NWSL goalscorer. The Pride won it 2-0. 

The game though was overshadowed by poor refereeing.  Two players from Chicago, Danielle Colaprico and Morgan Gautrat, were forced to leave the field after bad tackles.  Like too many NWSL games, the referee never had a grasp on the game nor the proper judgement to reprimand dangerous tackles.

With these results, Portland have increased their lead at the top of the table with 28 points.  Only four points separate the second placed North Carolina Courage from the eighth placed Houston Dash.  KC are still winless at the bottom.  Five matches occur over this coming weekend. 

Pride Park FC’s Junior Sportswriters

Derbyshire based Pride Park are one of Impetus’ partner clubs. Earlier this summer they ran a Young Sports Writing competition for their youngsters. We’re delighted to publish below three of the entries.

First, this piece by under-eights player Edie:

“I couldn’t wait to get back into the routine of getting dressed and going to football. Everything started well, with a brand new kit. Wearing this on Saturday made me feel smart, proud and thrilled. I was once scared of the ball. Feeling nervous on Saturday, however, I scored my first goal on Saturday. This made me feel more confident and I was proud to do it with my teammates. The match was good and I was rewarded with a sausage cob back at home with my family. I love football because its fun, joyful and I learn new skills with my teammates.”
Edie U8

Yumi, from the under-tens submitted this entry:

“The return to football kept me on my feet for one whole week. I was so excited for the matches, training and to see all my teammates again!. In the lockdown, I had missed getting up on the morning of a match and putting on my leather, black boots, ready for a run on the pitch.

“Now, I would be doing that once a week; getting back on the field and playing for my team. What a fabulous feeling to be able to assess – in a match – the progress I have made from training every week on a Tuesday with our coaches at Moorways and at the weekend with my Dad in the garden.

My energy before a match on a Saturday is incredible, no matter who we play, the result or the weather. However, on Saturday 3rd April 2021, my nerves were taking over, it was our first match in a few months! We would be playing against a team we had played a few times before so I knew exactly how well they played and that was overwhelming…

“Though I was anxious for the coming game, I was equally thrilled to get back into play! But I reminded myself that playing football with myself and my team is very enjoyable, we all work together so well as understand the positions we have to be in order to play well in defence and attack whether in an actual match or in a practice at training. This reassured me.

“In addition, I always look forward to football as it takes my mind off things. The cold breeze that blows in my hair, when I run strategically, ready to either ‘pass, run, dribble or shoot’ as my coach always says, is such a nice sensation.

“The night before we went to our first match was so exciting. I couldn’t wait to see the freshly cut grass of the pitch again, or to hear the loud, supporting audience’s voices fading as I would get further and further away from our half!

“Although I was nervous, my eagerness was starting to overpower the butterflies in my tummy. I couldn’t help but think that the game be even, as it was the first one for both teams; we would have all lacked formal practice. Soon, I was running down the wing, tackling, passing and releasing all the energy that had accumulated in my body the past few months. I even scored! I felt proud to be part of Pride Park under 10s.

“I love the team spirit at the end of a match, whatever the end result is. We will always cheer each other up if down or upset. We will always sing the fun, made up songs that we eagerly rehearse at the end of training. We are a GREAT team! I really hope that is the end of the restrictions. I don’t want the football spirit to be taken away from me again.”
Yumi U10

Finally, this piece by Lucy from the U10s

“I have been doing extra goal keeping sessions with my coach, Andy. At first I let a lot in, but as I had more sessions I started to get better. I was doing a lot of drop kicks and managing to get them quite far.

“Eventually, my first training session in a long time with my teammates came, I felt so happy to finally do it again! Our coaches Andy and Chris worked us hard so we were ready for the match on Saturday. On Friday we had another training session at the park. We did a new passing exercise and it was very fun. We all rested well on Friday night ready for the match the next day.

“Finally the first match back came. I was in goal and I felt really nervous about what could happen, it could either go really well or terribly wrong. I tried my hardest and made some amazing saves. When I was having extra goal keeping sessions with Andy he told me to look scary and intimidating, but that didn’t work because it’s really not my thing!

“The first match back felt amazing and everyone was fully committed to the team. I didn’t quite manage to save all the goals but Andy said it didn’t matter. During the match my teammates Polly and Yumi did a great job running down the wing! During the match I felt well protected because I had such great defenders! After the match everyone said I was amazing and Andy wouldn’t stop saying how pleased he was with the whole team. Our team was unstoppable that day.”

Lucy U10s

Here at Impetus we think the writing produced by the Pride Park youngsters is fantastic and really captures the sheer passion and joy the girls have for playing football. We look forward to following Pride Park’s season at all levels from the first team down to the youngest girls side.

Artwork: Graphics by PW

The Swedish Scene

This week saw the transfer window close and the second tier Elitettan return along with some friendly matches between Damallsvenskan sides. @DandalBs rounds up all the action.

Photo: Julia Olsson, newly signed by AIK. Photo: Jesper Zerman/Bildbyrån 

NEWS ROUND-UP:

AIK have continued their signing spree with the arrival of 24 year-old defender Julia Olsson, who graduated at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida this spring and then returned to IF Brommapojkarna. She has joined the Solna based side for the rest of this season.

The club have announced that their 19 year-old defender Clara Härdling has left to study and continue her footballing development at the University of California, Los Angeles and UCLA Bruins. She has 26 caps for Sweden from U15 to U19.

Mia Jalkerud, formerly a prolific forward with Djurgården has joined Eskilstuna United. The 31 year-old most recently played in for Arna-Björnar in Norway where she scored five goals in nine matches.

Above: Mia Jalkerud (left) in action for Djurgården. Photo: Maxim Thoré/Bildbyrån

Eskilstuna United have taken a second person from Arna-Björnar with the arrival of 36 year-old Gudbjörg “Gugga” Gunnarsdóttir, who was also previously at Djurgården player, as a new goalkeeper coach.

Following Melina Loeck’s hand injury, Kristianstad has decided to bring back goalkeeper Moa Olsson who was on loan at third tier side Lörby IF.

Synne Skinnes Hansen, who left Linköping last week, has signed a two year deal with top Norwegian side Rosenborg.

Hammarby have loaned out Jonna Ståhl to Elitettan side IF Brommapojkarna. The 26 year-old is coming back from injury and needs playing time.

Vittsjö‘s promising 20 year-old forward Pauline Nyström has gone out on loan to Eskilstuna United for more playing time.

DAMALLSVENSKAN:   

Whilst the Damallsvenskan is still on a break until 20th August, several friendly matches have been played in recent days.

Last Friday, hosts Hammarby lost 2-1 to Rosengård despite going ahead thanks to Nina Jakobsson’s goal after nine minutes and the home side kept the lead until Stefanie Sanders equalised on 64 minutes and grabbed the winner in injury time.

Above: Stefanie Sanders, who scored for Rosengård in their win over Hammarby in a friendly. Photo: Rosengård

AIK draw 1-1 at home with KIF Örebro last Sunday. Newly signed Kaisa Collin scored the opener for AIK in the first half, with Elli Pikkusjämsä levelling for Örebro in the second period.

On Tuesday, Djurgården went down 1-0 at home to Eskilstuna United thanks to goal by Elise Stenevik after just six minutes.

Also on Tuesday, Vittsjö went down 3-0 at home to BK Häcken. The goals came from Julia Zigiotti Olme, Stine Larsen and Julia Karlernäs. Michella de Jongh played her first game for Vittsjö since returning from France with Tove Almqvist and Ebba Wieder also back for the home side.

Table From: Svensk Fotboll.

The Damallsvenskan is presently on a break for the Olympic Games and returns on 20th August with the set of fixtures below:

Round Thirteen Fixtures:

Växjö v Vittsjö

Hammarby v Eskilstuna United

AIK v Djurgården

Piteå v Linköping

Rosengård v KIF Örebro

Kristianstads v BK Häcken

ELITETTAN

Above: Umeå’s Monica Jusu Bah, scorer of two goals in their 5-1 win over Borgeby FK. Photo: Pelle Börjesson /Bildbyrån

The Elitettan returned from its short break last weekend. Leaders Umeå IK are four points clear at the top after a comprehensive 5-1 win over Borgeby FK in front of 245 fans. Monica Jusu Bah hit two goals with Lisa Björk, Alma Uvell and Alexandra Sandström all on target. Borgeby’s effort came via an own goal. Morön BK are second following their 3-0 win at Sundsvalls DFF. The three goals came in a sixteen minute spell from the 67th minute onwards thanks to strikes from Carla Portillo, Villemo Dahlqvist and Michaela Kovacs. IK Uppsala edged out fellow challengers Älvsjö AIK FF 3-2 in a real rollercoaster of a match watched by 272 supporters. Uppsala were 2-0 up after just 18 minutes thanks to goals from Maria Poli and Angelina Thoreson. Yet midway through the second half, Älvsjö were level thanks to two goals from Alice Ahlberg. It only stayed 2-2 for five minutes as Ellen Toivio hit Uppsala’s winner. The consequences of that defeat for Älvsjö are that they are now highly unlikely to maintain their promotion challenge as they are now six points outside the top three. IFK Kalmar lost a chance to go second when they could only draw 1-1 at home to Alingsås FC United. The visitors took the lead on 25 minutes when Rebecca Cameras netted. An own goal on 56 minutes earned Kalmar a point.

Latest Results: IF Brommapojkarna 2-0 IFK Norrköping, Bollstanäs SK 0-0 Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar 1-1 Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala 3-2 Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 1-1 Lidköpings FK, Sundsvalls DFF 0-3 Morön BK, Umeå IK 5-1 Borgeby FK.

Next Fixtures: Morön BK v IF Brommapojkarna, Borgeby FB v Sundsvalls DFF, Alingsås FC United v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Älvsjö AIK FF v Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK v IK Uppsala, Lidköpings FK v IFK Kalmar, IFK Norrköping v Jitex Mölndal.

Table from: Svensk Fotboll.

Wanderers Re-Sign Key Youngster Matos

Above: Danika Matos (left) in action for Western Sydney Wanderers in the Sydney derby last season. Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

Western Sydney Wanderers have confirmed defender Danika Matos will again play for the club in the upcoming W-League season.

The young defender had a breakout season at the Red & Black in 2020/21 featuring in 11 matches.

Matos joined the Wanderers two seasons ago as a train-on player before being promoted to a senior contract last season.

Head coach Catherine Cannuli praised Matos’ growth and development over the last two years ahead of her third season with the club.

“It has been fantastic to play a role in Danika’s development over the last two years and see her shine in the professional W-League environment,” said Cannuli.

“I am very excited to see where this season goes for Danika as well as support her in her development journey at the club.”

Danika was delighted to be re-signed for the 2021/22 campaign.

“I gained a lot of confidence last season and I grew not only as a footballer but also a person,” said Matos.

“The W-League has grown so much in my last three seasons and it’s so good to see it continue to do.

“Being a young player, it is an amazing opportunity for not only myself but other young players in the same boat to be part of the W-League set-up.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity and I cannot wait to see it continue for the younger generations coming, I think it’s very important for clubs to give young players the opportunity to try and break into the W-League.

“I just want to continue to develop more and at a club level I would love to make the Finals Series again. To be in the Final would be a dream come true.”

Wexford Youths: Successful Past And A Bright Future

Wexford Youths are the most successful club the FAI Women’s National League’s history and are enjoying another great season this time round. The club’s media officer Ronan McCarthy spoke to Impetus editor Ben Gilby about the club, its development and their aims.

Photo above: Wexford Youths.

Wexford Youths are one of the most successful teams in the FAI Women’s National League. They were founder members of the competition for its inaugural 2011/12 season.

“The Women’s National League is now in its tenth year, and there have been a core group of three clubs that have played every season – Wexford Youths, Peamount United and Cork City.  Shelbourne also trace their lineage to Raheny United, who were also in the debut season,” Ronan explained.

“Wexford, Peamount and Shelbourne have mostly shared the silverware in the years since then, and it is another exciting three-way battle for the league this year.  In recent seasons the league has expanded to include new clubs, in Treaty United, Bohemians and Athlone Town.”

“Wexford Youths have seen great success in the years since then thanks to an incredible generation of players, including Kylie Murphy, Rianna Jarrett, Claire O’Riordan, Ciara Rossiter, Lauren Dwyer, Edel Kennedy and Aisling Frawley,” highlighted Ronan.

Above: Kylie Murphy, one of Wexford Youths’ long term stars. Photo: Wexford Mirror.

“We won the Women’s National League four times in its first 10 years of competition, a record unmatched by any club in the league.  We’re continuing our challenge this year, being in the title mix for the 2021 season, with an exciting generation of young players coming through the ranks in the shape of Ellen Molloy, Aoibheann Clancy and Della Doherty.”

This season comes amidst the struggles of the coronavirus pandemic. Ronan outlined how the past sixteen months or so have impacted the club.

“We badly missed our fans during the matches played behind closed doors.  We have a large community of supporters who have a close relationship to our players, and their support was greatly missed during that period.

“We received great support from our sponsors and the FAI in carrying on our league campaign safely and sustainably, and we are pleased to think of that period being behind us now.”

With it looking like there is light at the end of the covid tunnel, Ronan highlighted the other challenges that the club are looking to meet head on off the pitch.

“A major challenge is to expand our fan base, and spread the enjoyment of women’s football to a wider number of society in County Wexford.  Our years of success have certainly helped our exposure in a local sense, and we hope that our hard work in match live streaming has also assisted that process.  However there is certainly more to do, and now that fans can return to matches we hope to really increase attendances for the remainder of this year.”

With the league approaching the half way mark, Ronan is clear about the club’s aims for the campaign: “Our players are well used to success in this league, and they will be aiming to bring the league title back to Ferrycarrig Park in 2021.  We know that Peamount and Shelbourne have also strengthened their squads, and it will be an exciting three-way battle.  We also have a good record of success in the Women’s FAI Cup, and our players will always target silverware for the club.”

It’s far from all about the first team at Wexford though, as Ronan highlighted the player pathway with exists at the Youths: “We were proud to launch a new academy system this August, from U13 to U15 level.  We also enter teams in the U17 and U19 national leagues.  We have excellent relationships with local clubs, and we are proud to further the development of the young players coming from local clubs like North End, St. Leonards, and many more.  I believe we have somewhere in the region of 60 players at Wexford Youths Women from the U17, U19 and senior teams.”

Those sixty players rely on the support of a group of valued volunteers at the club, with Ronan pointing to the work of two people in particular.

“We are always hugely grateful for the work of Eddie Cullen and Tom Dunne, who have kept the club ticking over from the very beginning.  They are hugely important in preparing the kit, equipment, and logistics of the club.”

The conversation ended by looking at the women’s game more widely in the Republic of Ireland. From a WNL perspective, Ronan sees some really positive developments.

Above: Wexford Youths’ young star Ellen Molloy (right). Photo: Kilkenny People.

“The national league has a strong presence in the Irish Women’s National Team, and the domestic leagues are vital for the progression of young women in football.

“We hope the introduction of women’s football livestreaming to LOITV.ie will help promote the profile of women’s football to the wider Irish football fan base, as this will be a huge contributor to the success of women’s football as a whole.”

The future, for Ronan is bright both at Wexford Youths, and internationally for the Repubic of Ireland:

“We are bringing through an exciting new generation of players, and we are hugely excited for their development in the years to come.  Ellen Molloy, Aoibheann Clancy and Della Doherty are already playing a role in the National teams at senior and U19 level, and I am sure they will be an integral part of the senior teams in the years to come.”

Huddersfield Preparations Complete For New Season

by Oliver Eaton

Above: The Huddersfield Town squad for 2021/22. Photo: Jess Hornby.

After a month of preparation, Huddersfield Town Women are gearing up for their FA Women’s National League Northern Premier opener away to Nottingham Forest this Sunday. They will go into the season with great momentum especially after finishing the 2020/21 season top of the league and unbeaten at home.

During pre-season Town played a mixture of teams from divisions above and below. They kicked off their schedule up in Glasgow against Champions League contenders Celtic where they narrowly lost 2-1 after dominating the ball for most of the second half. However, they soon got back to winning ways when they thrashed Fleetwood Town Wrens 9-0 and routinely beat Stockport 2-0.

Huddersfield put on a competitive display against Women’s Championship side Blackburn Rovers with a 1-1 draw at home. Before finishing the pre-season with elite side Sheffield United that ended in a 2-0 loss.

The playing squad has also changed since last season with Sarah Danby (Leeds United), Lauren Joyce (Leeds United) and Emma Samways (Hashtag United) all departing.

Above: Macy Ellis (right) in action for Huddersfield Town in their pre-season friendly with Champions League bound Celtic. Photo: Jess Hornby.

However, the squad has been bolstered with plenty of Championship experience with Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Becky Flaherty (Blackburn) adding competition in goal, Autumn Housley (Sheffield United) boosting the defence and young Ria Montgomery (Blackburn) adding to the attack. Zoe Laughton and Macy Ellis also made the step-up into the first team after impressing in the development squad.

The new season will also see a new manager in charge with Jordan Wimpenny announcing his departure last week due to “personal circumstances”. Highly experienced Steve Appleton will take the interim managerial role for the upcoming season as Town will attempt to fight for promotion once again.

The fixture list looks tasty for the Terriers too with several Yorkshire clashes against the likes of Sheffield FC, Middlesbrough, Hull and close-neighbours Brighouse Town.

Huddersfield open the season away to Nottingham Forest before travelling up to Middlesbrough. Their first home game takes place Wednesday 25th August against Brighouse Town.

Above: Beth Ibbotson celebrates scoring against Championship side Blackburn Rovers in pre-season. Photo: Jess Hornby

Kyah Simon: Spurs Sign The Ultimate Fighter

Above: Kyah Simon after being unveiled as Tottenham Hotspur’s latest signing. Artwork: Tottenham Hotspur.

Kyah Simon’s road to the FA Women’s Super League has not been an easy one.  After all, this is a player some people wrote off when she was 15 years old.  Despite her setbacks though, Simon has come back time and time again, proving in the most recent Olympics that she is still a deadly attacker. Catherine Paquette argues that with her recent announced move to England, Tottenham Hotspur have signed not only a gifted attacker, but also a fighter.

Tottenham Hotspur’s new signing Kyah Simon grew up near Sydney, Australia.  A two sport athlete as a child, in both soccer and rugby league, she later specialized in soccer with hopes of making the Australian women’s national team.  That dream was nearly ripped away at age 15.  Just prior to winning a scholarship with the New South Wales Institute of Sport, Simon broke her leg.

She did not give up though.  After several months of dedication to her rehabilitation, she would go on to get the scholarship six months later.  This would be quickly followed by a Matildas call up and debut, at 16 years of age.  Simon would then become a player in the inaugural 2008 season of the W-League with the now defunct Central Coast Mariners.

For a footballer to face such a mix of adversity and success at such a young age, and be able to come out stronger, says a lot about her character.  In her third W-League season, having moved to Sydney FC, Simon would go on to win the league’s golden boot, young player of the year and Julie Dolan awards while still a teenager.  The latter is given to the best W-League player of the year.  To this day she is the only player to have won this trifecta of honours in the same year.

Above: A young Kyah Simon in action for the now defunct Central Coast Mariners in the early days of the W-League. Photo: Wikipedia

Simon would then start a near decade long journey of playing both at home and abroad.  In the W-League she would go on to don the jerseys of the Western Sydney Wanderers, Sydney FC for a second time and then Melbourne City.  In total she won the W-League Championship three times and the Premiership twice.

She also spent six W-League off seasons playing in the United States, first with the Boston Breakers and then with the Houston Dash.  Again, like in her youth, this decade was not one without its injury woes.  She had a knee reconstruction, two operations on her shoulder, a number of soft tissue tears and an ankle injury.  It was the latter combined with a hamstring strain that kept her from competing in the 2019 Women’s World Cup.  

This is not to say that Simon is necessarily injury prone.  Part of the motivation for many Australians in making the switch from the American NWSL to European clubs in the last few years has been to minimize their playing load. The rotating door of playing the NWSL and W-League non-stop, their respective seasons normally being held in the other league’s off season, has resulted in higher rates of injuries and burnout for many Matildas. 

Simon made the European jump last year, signing for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.  While COVID-19, a calf injury and a subsequent ankle surgery kept her from the field for part of the year, she did go on to help her side to a second placed Eredivisie finish and a win in the Dutch KNVB Cup.  It was the first trophy for the women’s PSV side which was only formed in 2012.

Above: Kyah Simon (right) in action for PSV Eindhoven last season taking on SC Heerenveen’s Wielle Douma in the Dutch Eredivisie Women. Photo: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images.

Simon was back to full form though during the summer.  She started all six of the Matildas’ games at the Olympics and was integral in getting the Aussies to a fourth place finish, the highest ever for the nation.  During the tournament she also passed 100 Australian caps, becoming the ninth Australian to do so and the first person of Indigenous descent to pass the milestone.

Having recently turned 30 years old, her two-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur will open a new chapter in an already impressive footballing career.  The move though was not just another step for Simon.  Speaking to tottenhamhotspur.com she said: 

“I’m really excited to join Spurs, an incredible, historic club that is known around the world.  Playing in the WSL has always been a dream of mine and I’m so happy to be joining such a big club. It’s a fantastic opportunity and a good challenge for me. The club is making strides on and off the pitch and I’m looking forward to meeting the team and helping them achieve success next season.”

Upon her arrival, the Spurs will get a seasoned international player who has participated in two FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympics, and three AFC Women’s Asian Cups.  She also has extensive club experience on three continents.  Her lethality in attack is well proven, as are her leadership and supporting skills.

Above: Kyah Simon in action for Australia at the Olympics. Photo: Getty Images.

More than anything though Tottenham are getting a fighter.  In Simon they have signed a resilient determined footballer who understands how to overcome adversity and what it takes to keep being a winner.

Jets Announce Re-Signing Of Key Pair

Hot on the heels of their retention of head coach Ash Wilson as well as co-captains Gema Simon and Cassidy Davis, Newcastle Jets have re-signed another two important players ahead of November’s W-League kick-off.

Artwork: Newcastle Jets.

Newcastle Jets have announced overnight that they have secured key players Tara Andrews and Hannah Brewer once more for the new W-League campaign.

Andrews, Newcastle born, has played 104 games in the W-League, scoring 40 goals including five last season.

At 27, she is eager to get back on the pitch and adding to her goal scoring tally next season.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Jets again for this season, it’s my hometown club and I love playing in front of my family and friends,” Andrews said.

“Last year, we didn’t do as well as we hoped. So, I’m excited to see the team we put together and I believe we can be successful this season.

Above: Tara Andrews – back for another season with her home town club. Photo: Newcastle Jets.

“I’d love to be able to make the semis again and build on my own performances and of course, try to score lots of goals.”

Coach Ash Wilson said; “I’m very happy to have Tara back for another season. She is a proven goal scorer, bringing a variety of attacking threats through her technically ability, vision and desire to score goals.

“In addition to this, she is someone who has such passion for this team. It’s rare in the W-League to play over 100 games and she has done it with one club.

“That commitment and drive to make the team the best it can be, will be important, as we look to make finals again.”

Hannah Brewer is also back for another season in blue and red. Part of the inaugural W-League season in 2008 at the age of 15, she has developed into one of the competition’s best right sided defenders.

“This season, I believe is our season to really showcase our real potential,” Brewer said. 

Above: Hannah Brewer on the ball for Newcastle Jets. Photo: Newcastle Jets.

“A lot of blood, sweat and tears are shared throughout a season and that’s what really makes a team. I can’t wait to share all these experiences with the girls this year and see where the season takes us. 

“I was fortunate enough at 15, to start my career with the Jets and I am excited to continue the journey playing for and representing this amazing club and city.” 

Brewer is a key signing for coach Ash Wilson’s squad for the upcoming campaign.

“Hannah has been an invaluable member of this Jets team for years,” Wilson said.

“Anyone who has ever watched her play, knows she leaves everything on the field which is reflective of the mentality and the values we strive to promote in our players.

“Defensively, her experience and aggression will be important, however I also expect younger players and players new to the team will be positively influenced by her passion and attitude.”

Things Have To Change

Above: Team GB taking the knee at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Photo: Getty Images

Catherine Paquette observes that football still has a long way to go before it gets rid of its racist, ableist, xenophobic, sexist, and homophobic problems.  At the end of this week, a released PFA report on social media abuse was then followed by a controversial tweet that demonstrates that these are mainstays of football, and a reality in many women’s and men’s player’s existence (8/8/21).

The English Professional Footballers’ Association put out a report on Thursday, August 5th about the propensity of abusive targeted social media messages sent during the 2020/21 season to current players in the Premier League, the English Football League, the Women’s Super League, and to former players from the top divisions of English football. 

The numbers clearly show that racist, ableist, xenophobic, sexist, and homophobic social media messaging is commonplace for top-flight men and women footballers.  The last year saw an increasing trend in these types of abuses, with online discrimination worsening as the pandemic continued.  

In the Premier League, racist messages intensified in the second half of the season, with certain athletes being increasingly targeted with abuse.  However, homophobic messages remain the greatest type of abuse directed at Premier League players, with the December 2020 period being the worst as it coincided with anti-homophobia campaigns.  Racist messages were second followed by ableist and xenophobic comments.  When one dropped down to the English Football League the ratios changed, with racism being half of all discriminatory messages followed by ableism and then homophobia.

In comparison, the Women’s Super League faces different types of targeted abusive messaging.  As one would expect, sexist comments followed by sexual harassment make up for the majority of abuse WSL players have to contend with.  Homophobic messaging is as prevalent as sexual harassment.  In the past season, every club in the WSL except for one has had a player discriminated against online, with 15% of WSL players being the target of abuse. 

The lower the profile of the league, the less Twitter acted on and removed abusive messages directed at players.  While 27% of all abusive posts are removed for Premier League players, this number drops down to 17% in the EFL and only 12% for the WSL.  The majority of this abuse is homegrown.

This problem is not new.  The report clearly shows the well-known fact that social media companies do not do enough to stop discrimination and to shut down abusive accounts.  It was this lack of action that lead the PFA, in conjunction with Premier League, WSL, and EFL teams and players to take action earlier this season to highlight the growing issue.  Over the course of the weekend of 30th April 2021, English football boycotted social media companies in an attempt to demand change.

However, for change to occur, it must take place not just with social media companies but also within football itself. The PFA report came out an hour before Juventus Women put up a post of one of their players portraying themselves in a racist manner against Asians – a tweet which Impetus has made a conscious decision not to re-publish here on the grounds of it being offensive. Juventus have since apologized and put out the following message as a response:

However, as sincere as this explanation may be, it highlights a greater problem. At least two to three individuals were involved in the tweet: the player, the photographer and the social media manager (of which the latter two could have been the same person.)  How the picture and its posting could have passed through a number of individuals, without any of them realizing its severity is concerning.  

Even more disturbing is that the tweet stayed up for almost 30 minutes during which nearly every single reply was a request for deletion.  On a day where Lionel Messi became a free agent, it is revealing that this would be the topic to overtake the Twitter thread of women’s football. 

The tweet is not a huge shock though to those who follow football.  It was less than two years ago that Serie A chose to create an anti-racism campaign through the use of artwork with monkeys.  They did this without consultation of individual clubs, and like yesterday, received quick condemnation and cancelled the advertisements.

English football is not without its outrageous moments as well.  You only have to go back to 2015, when upon their return to England after a third-placed women’s World Cup campaign, the English FA put out the following tweet: 

Reducing a group of players to non-football-related titles without afterthought or knowledge of its blatant sexism follows the same lack of awareness and insensitivity to misogyny as the Juventus tweet and Serie A campaign did to racism.  It demonstrates a greater problem within institutions still blighted by the inability to identify and combat serious problems that propagate hate towards some of their players.

While some would say that the English FA has since improved, the recent numbers put out by the PFA show that not nearly enough is being done.  For football to change there must be a collective effort, with clubs and federations leading the way. 

In their conclusions to tackling systemic abuse problems in football, the PFA identifies clear solutions.  They highlight that abusive accounts can be identified and brought to justice, that clubs do have the power to sanction fans for hate crimes and that all involved in football must use their social platforms to deal with issues.  However, for any of these solutions to be effective though those working in social media at institutions of power in football must be properly vetted and properly trained to combat the problem of hate, not create it.

The actions of Juventus Women’s Twitter feed at the end of last week demonstrate that we are still, sadly, a long way from that occurring.

This is the final part of our series of articles we’re republishing between Christmas and New Year to share once more some of our material from 2021 that makes Impetus who we are.

The first part featured Jean-Pierre Thiesset‘s interview with Selma Bacha from February: https://impetusfootball.org/2021/02/22/selma-bacha-part-of-an-exciting-new-generation-in-french-womens-football/

Part Two was our look back at Kieran Yap‘s analysis of Australia’s performance in reaching the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in August: https://impetusfootball.org/2021/08/08/that-was-fun/

The third part saw us re-publish Abi Ticehurst‘s article looking back at the massive missed opportunity that this year’s Women’s Football Weekend turned out to be: https://impetusfootball.org/2021/11/19/womens-football-weekend-an-opportunity-missed/

Part Four was Ben Gilby‘s account of why a guy born and bred in South-West London has been a massive fan of The Matildas – Australia’s national team – since before 2010: https://impetusfootball.org/2021/07/16/we-are-matildas/

Yesterday, we re-shared Kris Goman‘s article on the social media abuse faced by the USWNT before and during the Olympic Games: https://impetusfootball.org/2021/08/04/uswnt-and-the-x-factor/

That Was Fun

Kieran Yap reviews Australia’s record run at the Olympics and sees huge positives in not only the team’s fortunes and future prospects, but in the way they brought fans together and connected with them (8/8/21).

Above: Sam Kerr celebrates her last gasp goal to take the Quarter-Final with Great Britain into Extra Time. Photo: Getty Images.

That was fun. The Matildas made it to a semi-final and were only denied a bronze medal by some suspect added time and the width of the post.

There are things to analyze about the tournament, the team, and the performances.

There are definitely areas that will need to be improved upon by the 2023 World Cup, but putting aside all of the “if-only’s” and “we should have’s” the Tokyo Olympics was a really good time to be a Matildas fan.

Not only was it the best tournament position reached by an Australian women’s team, it was watched by record numbers of viewers. More than one in 12 Australians watched them overcome Great Britain in an epic goal-fest. Millions again tuned in to see Sam Kerr become the greatest goal scorer in Matildas history.

The family-friendly time zones meant that people could watch together, unburned by a 2am alarm or the need to calculate how many hours sleep are needed to survive the next day at work.

Online communities formed, through official and community-formed channels.

Football Australia organized Zoom watch parties and The Matildas Active support held a Twitter Space at half times and pre-game Facebook session.

The Far Post podcast doubled their output to provide information that in an IOC controlled world is nearly impossible to come across and millions of locked-down Australians were given something to look forward to.

The wider Australian public became suddenly familiar with players like Ellie Carpenter that the football fans have been raving about to blank faces for years.

Onto the scene burst Mary Fowler a young striker long proclaimed as the next big thing but due to her short W-League stay and playing in the hardly broadcast French league, she always seemed slightly overhyped despite little evidence to suggest either way.

Above: Mary Fowler was outstanding at the Olympics. Photo: Getty Images

How good could she possibly be to be worth all the discussion and urge to cap-tie her to Australia? The answer was provided with two touches against Team GB.

First, that touch to control a dropping ball. A mix of instinct, special awareness, and skill allowed her to control it and turn in one touch to face goal.

Then came the finish, it deflected off Lucy Bronze to fly into the net but, here was a young player given a chance to change the game and taking it in spectacular fashion on the big stage.

“How good could she possibly be?” that question is now asked with excitement, not skepticism.

Then there was Sam. After a season of unrelenting pressure with Chelsea, the captain came into the Olympics with no goals in five games.

She insisted she was only focused on the Olympics, that fans needn’t worry, it was all a process that would come together.

Six goals in six games including a last-minute equalizer in the quarter-final have put an end to any doubts about her form.

Are Australia too reliant on Kerr? Perhaps, but her job is to score goals, that is her role in the side, in the same way it is Catley’s to send in crosses or for Hayley Raso to literally roll up her sleeves and terrorize the left flank of the opposition.

Did Australia play well every game? Mostly, did they ever look overawed or nervous? Never.

The players laughed in the tunnels before games, joked after singing the anthem, and posted social media videos of them screaming support for other Olympians.

Above: Togetherness was the key for the Matildas at the Olympic Games. Photo: Football Australia.

Tony Gustavsson, a new coach who has yet to set foot in Australia is measured and detailed when he talks to the media.

On match days he celebrated with the emotion of a lifelong fan, running high-fives and screaming into the sky after goals were scored.

They were having the time of their lives and millions of us were along for the ride.

In the end, the team fell short of a medal, they looked devastated but had done themselves and their country proud.

It did hurt to see how happy the Americans were at their medal presentation but that was fleeting and will be soon forgotten.

What will not be forgotten was that in these last few weeks The Matildas gave us reason to believe, a reason to call your friends in lockdown and just scream down the phone, and reason to be excited for the future.

What a tournament, what a team, what a football community.

That was seriously fun.

Artwork: Football Australia