Welcome back to another edition of Goalside Gossip, your ultimate source for all things women's soccer!

What to expect on this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip:

1. NWSL News - Houston Parts Ways with GM

2. INT’L - Important Dates & Fixtures

3. INT’L - USWNT vs Zambia (3-0)

4. INT’L - USWNT vs Germany (4-1)

5. INT’L - The Canadian Scandal

6. UWS - Mak Whitham Signs for Gotham FC

Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's blend of Goals, Gossip, and Glory from the world of women's soccer. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the sport, there's something here for everyone as we celebrate the passion and skill of these incredible athletes.

🎙️ In case you haven’t heard, we’ve started a podcast series where you can listen to our newsletter updates, all in a quick 5-7 minute podcast. Posted weekly. Click here to listen.

NWSL

Houston Parts Ways With Singer

The Houston Dash fired general manager Alex Singer on Thursday, with the team currently in 12th place in the 14-team league. The search for a new GM will begin immediately, though no further details were provided. The Dash have won just three of their 16 matches this season (3-8-5) and have been without head coach Fran Alonso for nearly a month due to an undisclosed illness. Assistant Ricky Clarke has been serving as the acting coach and will continue in this role for the upcoming match against Tigres in the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup.

Singer, who took over as GM on August 24, 2022, has seen the Dash cycle through several coaches. After leading Houston to its first playoff appearance as an interim coach, Juan Carlos Amoros declined the permanent coaching position and moved to NJ/NY Gotham FC, where he won the 2023 NWSL Championship. Singer then hired Sam Laity, who was dismissed before the end of the 2023 season, and Fran Alonso was brought in as the fifth coach since 2022. Alonso's start was delayed by visa issues, and early in the season, winger María Sánchez demanded and received a trade to the San Diego Wave for $500,000 in total compensation.

Before her tenure with the Dash, Singer had a professional playing career from 2006-2015 in the U.S., Australia, Sweden, and Germany, including a stint with the NWSL's Washington Spirit. She also worked at the sports agency Octagon prior to joining the Dash.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

(Updated) International Break,
Olympics, Euro Qualifiers

_{Important Dates & Fixtures}

As the NWSL enters its summer break, attention shifts to an exciting array of international tournaments and qualifying matches. From the highly anticipated Olympics in France to the inaugural NWSL Summer Cup and the Concacaf W Champions Cup, fans can look forward to plenty of thrilling football action. Let's dive into what's in store:

• Olympics (Now - August 10):

  • 12 nations compete in France for the coveted gold medal and the tournament is live!

  • USWNT Olympic Group Stage:

    • Thursday, July 25: USA vs. Zambia, 3 p.m. EST (3-0)

    • Sunday, July 28: USA vs. Germany, 3 p.m. EST (4-1)

    • Wednesday, July 31: Australia vs. USA, 1 p.m. EST

  • How to watch Olympic matches in the US:

    • NBC and Peacock will broadcast live Olympic events each morning and afternoon.

    • Soccer fans in the U.S. will be able to watch live throughout the day, with matches starting between 9AM - 3PM EST

• NWSL Summer Cup (Now - October 25):

  • All 14 NWSL clubs and 6 teams from Mexico's Liga MX Femenil participate

  • 30 group stage games followed by a semi-final on August 6

  • Matches from the weekend:

    • Gotham FC vs Washington Spirit (1-0)

    • Seattle Reign vs Club Tijuana (2-3)

    • Houston Dash vs UANL (2-1)

• Concacaf W Champions Cup (Starts August 15):

  • 11 clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean compete

  • Winners qualify for the FIFA Women's Club World Cup

• Euro 2025 Qualifying:

  • Through to finals: Denmark, England (holders), France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland (hosts)

  • Teams that don't qualify through League A have a second chance via playoffs in Oct/Nov, with 7 spots up for grabs

Get your TV’s ready, mark your calendars and get ready for an action-packed summer!

USWNT vs Zambia 🟥 (3-0)

The U.S. Women's National Team started their 2024 Olympic campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Zambia. Trinity Rodman opened the scoring, followed by two quick goals from Mallory Swanson within 70 seconds. Captain Lindsey Horan assisted twice, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher kept a clean sheet. Seven U.S. players made their Olympic debut, showcasing a strong performance under new head coach Emma Hayes. The U.S. will next face Germany in their group stage match.

The match marked a significant milestone for the young U.S. squad, fielding its youngest starting XI in a major tournament since 2008. Crystal Dunn celebrated her 150th cap by anchoring a solid defense that effectively neutralized Zambia's key threats, Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji. Despite Zambia's recent rise in the rankings and improvements, the U.S. team’s early and sustained pressure ensured a comfortable win. The game saw standout performances from Swanson and Rodman, highlighting the team's depth and attacking prowess. The victory sets a positive tone for their upcoming crucial group-stage clash against Germany.

USWNT vs Germany (4-1)

The United States women's soccer team defeated Germany 4-1 in their second group match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Coach Emma Hayes was pleased with the high level of play and tactics, as the U.S. scored three goals by halftime. Sophia Smith netted twice, Mallory Swanson added her third goal of the tournament, and Lynn Williams scored late. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made four saves, helping maintain the team's dominance in possession. Germany started strong but the U.S. quickly took control with Smith's opening goal, followed by Swanson's rebound and Smith's deflected strike. Williams' goal in the 89th minute sealed the victory.

Despite Germany's pressure in the second half, the U.S. defense, bolstered by Naeher and Trinity Rodman, held firm. Hayes noted some lapses in the second half but was overall satisfied with the team's performance. Tierna Davidson's injury led to Emily Sonnett's substitution before halftime. With six points from two matches, the U.S. is well-positioned to advance, aiming to secure the top spot in their group. Their next match is against Australia on Wednesday.

The Canadian Scandal

A growing scandal at the Paris Olympics over Canada Soccer’s unauthorized use of drones to record opponents’ practices took a major turn Thursday when the country’s Olympic committee removed women’s national team coach Bev Priestman. Arriving in France with the goal of winning a second straight gold medal, Priestman instead found herself suspended and facing further discipline. The Canadian Olympic Committee announced she would be replaced by assistant coach Andy Spence. Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue expressed concerns that this incident might reflect a systemic problem affecting both the men’s and women’s programs, citing additional information about previous drone use against opponents.

In a conference call with reporters, Blue stated that Canada’s players were not involved in any unethical behavior and the team had no plans of dropping out of the Olympics. He acknowledged new information suggesting that the women’s team’s recent drone use was not an isolated incident and revealed awareness of an attempted drone use by the men’s team during the Copa America earlier this month. Earlier in the week, Priestman sidelined herself for the women’s Olympic opener Thursday, and two members of her staff were sent home after officials discovered drones had been flown over two recent practices of New Zealand, Canada’s upcoming opponent. Initially, Priestman claimed no knowledge of the recordings, but new information led Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker to believe she was likely aware of the incidents.

The controversy has raised questions about whether Canada’s national soccer programs have long encouraged such practices. Allegations include the use of a drone by Canada’s men’s squad to record a U.S. team practice ahead of a 2019 match in Orlando, under former coach John Herdman. The two staffers sent home by the Canadian Olympic Committee were assistant coach Jasmine Mander and unaccredited analyst Joseph Lombardi. Lombardi, a long-time staffer within Canada Soccer, was arrested in Saint-Étienne for flying a drone over a New Zealand practice, claiming he was working as an independent sports analyst for Canada Soccer. FIFA’s disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against Priestman, Lombardi, Mander, and Canada Soccer. In a statement before her suspension, Priestman acknowledged responsibility, stating the episode did not represent the team’s values and that she was ultimately accountable for conduct within the program.

UWS

Mak Whitham Makes History

NJ/NY Gotham FC has made headlines by signing 13-year-old McKenna "Mak" Whitham, who now holds the record as the youngest contracted player in NWSL history. The club announced the groundbreaking contract just a day before Whitham's 14th birthday. Whitham, a promising forward on the U.S. Youth National Team's U-15, signed a three-year guaranteed contract that ensures her stay with the club until 2028. This move aligns with the NWSL's under-18 entry mechanism, allowing teams to sign young talents while prioritizing their safety, health, and development. Although Whitham's contract officially begins on January 1, 2025, she is set to participate in Gotham's Summer Cup matches, having signed a National Team Replacement Player contract. Mak is coming off of a UWS championship with SC Blue Heat FC and is in prime form to compete in the NWSL. We will be conducting interviews with the players from SC Blue Heat FC so be sure to keep an eye out for those coming soon.

Whitham's debut came as soon as Sunday in a game against the Washington Spirit, part of the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup. Reflecting on her historic signing, Whitham told ESPN, "I processed it, and it's still new to me. But, I mean, I'm not going to be cocky about it. I'm going to stay humble, and I'm still going to keep developing. My goal is to be a top player in the NWSL, and I know that Gotham will help me become that player." In February, Whitham also made history as the youngest athlete to sign an NIL deal with Nike, further underscoring her exceptional potential.

Whitham's journey mirrors the recent trend of teenage players breaking into professional soccer in the U.S. Earlier this month, 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan debuted for the Philadelphia Union, becoming the youngest player in MLS history. Whitham, nearly a year younger than Sullivan, is poised to become the youngest player to debut in a top-level soccer match in the U.S. if she takes the field on Sunday. However, New Jersey labor laws, which restrict 14-year-olds from working past 7 p.m., present a challenge. Gotham FC is actively working to secure a minor work permit for Whitham to comply with state regulations.

This signing continues the trend started by Olivia Moultrie, who joined the NWSL at age 13 after filing an antitrust lawsuit against the league. Since then, several under-18 players have signed with NWSL teams, including Chloe Ricketts of the Washington Spirit, who became the league's youngest goalscorer at 16 last summer. Whitham's addition to Gotham FC exemplifies the league's commitment to nurturing young talent and pushing the boundaries of what young athletes can achieve in professional sports.

Watch some of Mak’s highlights HERE.

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