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

This week was a quiet one with the NWSL on international duty, so we will dive into some hot goss from the world of women’s soccer and keep you up to date with how the UWS and USWNT did.

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

1. USWNT - Emma Hayes’ exciting debut against South Korea

2. NWSL - See which celebs own your favorite teams

3. NWSL - Banda’s early success

4. UWS - Catch our favorite games from week 3

5. Player Spotlight - Naomi Girma

As always, we have more in store with exclusive player interviews, tactical breakdowns, and a closer look at how teams are gearing up for upcoming matches. So 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.

USWNT: Emma Hayes Starts With a Bang

Emma Hayes kicked off her tenure as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team with an impressive 4-0 victory over South Korea in Commerce City, Colorado. The match saw Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson each score twice, delighting a crowd of 19,010. Hayes, in a postgame interview, praised the team's adherence to structure and strategy. This victory marks Swanson’s return to the scoresheet after a long recovery from a torn patellar tendon, while Davidson doubled her career international goals with two headers from corner kicks.

Swanson's performance was particularly stunning, as it was her first game back scoring for the USWNT since her injury in 2023. Her goals were a testament to her resilience and determination. Meanwhile, Davidson capitalized on set pieces to net her second and third international goals, showcasing her aerial prowess. The young lineup, with an average age of 25.5 years, executed Hayes' game plan flawlessly, setting a positive tone for the team's future under her leadership.

The second half saw strategic substitutions from Hayes, allowing her to test various players ahead of the upcoming Olympics. The likes of Casey Krueger, Jaedyn Shaw, Sam Staab, and others got valuable playing time. Jenna Nighswonger and Naomi Girma were standout performers, holding the fort in defense for the full 90 minutes. Girma even took on the captain’s role, further solidifying her status as a key player. This successful debut match for Hayes augurs well for the USWNT as they prepare for the Olympic Games.

NWSL NEWS

There were no games to be played this past weekend, but here’s a juicy feature on which big name celebrities are investors in NWSL teams.

Which Celebs Own Your Favorite Teams?

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is booming, and celebrities are lining up to join the action! With a four-year, $240 million rights deal with ESPN, Prime Video, CBS Sports, and Scripps Sports, the league is more enticing than ever. Here's a fun rundown of the big names behind the teams:

Angel City FC

- Principal Owner: Alexis Ohanian (Reddit Cofounder)

- Founders: Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman, Julie Uhrman

- Star Investors: Uzo Aduba, Christina Aguilera, Shannon Boxx, Sophia Bush, Jessica Chastain, James Corden, Amanda Cromwell, Lorrie Fair, Ronnie Fair, Joy Fawcett, America Ferrera, Julie Foudy, Becky G, Jennifer Garner, Mia Hamm, Lauren Holiday, Angela Hucles, Cobi Jones, Ryan Kalil, Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Eva Longoria, Shannon MacMillan, Casey Neistat, Candace Parker, Lilly Singh, Matthew Stafford, PK Subban, Gabrielle Union, Tisha Venturini, Lindsey Vonn, Abby Wambach, Kaavia Wade, Saskia Webber, Serena Williams, Rachel Van Hollebeke

Bay FC

- Managing Owner: Sixth Street Partners

- Star Investors: Andre Iguodala, Rick Welts, Sheryl Sandberg, Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, Leslie Osborne

Houston Dash

- Majority Owner: Ted Segal

- Star Investors: James Harden, Oscar De La Hoya, Jake Silverstein, Gabriel Brener

Kansas City Current

- Star Investors: Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mahomes

NJ/NY Gotham FC

- Founding Investor: Thomas Hofstetter

- Star Investors: Kevin Durant, Eli Manning, Sue Bird, Carli Lloyd, Tammy Murphy, Phil Murphy, Steven Temares, Ed Nalbandian, Rich Kleiman

North Carolina Courage

- Majority Owner: Steve Malik

- Star Investors: Naomi Osaka, Torry Holt, Ons Jabeur

Seattle Reign FC

- Founding Owners: Bill Predmore, Teresa Predmore

- Star Investors: Tony Parker, Adrian Hanauer, Tacoma Rainiers

Washington Spirit

- Majority Owner: Y. Michele Kang

- Star Investors: Jenna Bush Hager, Chelsea Clinton, Briana Scurry, Dominique Dawes

From sports legends to Hollywood stars, the NWSL is where it's at! 🌟⚽

Star Players Around the Globe

Barbra Banda has been lighting up the NWSL with her incredible performance for Orlando Pride. In May, she scored seven goals in just five games, including three braces against North Carolina Courage, Seattle Reign, and Portland Thorns. Banda's impressive form has played a crucial role in propelling Orlando Pride to the top of the NWSL standings as they head into the June international break. Her decisive goals in close matches highlight her importance to the team and her potential to dominate the league.

Rasheedat Ajibade has also made significant contributions, helping Atlético Madrid move closer to UEFA Women's Champions League qualification. Her standout performance came in a derby against Real Madrid, where she scored and assisted, leading her team to a vital victory. Meanwhile, Jermaine Seoposenwe was pivotal for Monterrey in Mexico, scoring crucial goals that helped her team win the Clausura final against Club America.

Other notable performances include Christy Ucheibe, who secured multiple trophies with Benfica, and Tabitha Chawinga, who finished as the top scorer in the French Division 1 Féminine with PSG. Temwa Chawinga (Tabitha’s sister), Michelle Alozie, Racheal Kundananji, Grace Chanda, and Hildah Magaia also had impactful moments, showcasing the global talent flourishing in women's soccer.

NWSL Updated Table

United Women’s Soccer (UWS)

As the new official partner of the UWS, we will be covering some players, games and stories from the United Women’s Soccer League. We encourage everyone to go check out their website and find your favorite team.

Week 3 from the UWS has came and went and although it was hard to choose, here are our favorite games from this past match week in the UWS:

Santa Clarita Blue Heat FC vs Foothills WFC (1-0)

Santa Clarita just narrowly defeated Foothills WFC by a score of 1-0 on Saturday June 1st. Kaylin Raibon scored the sole goal off of an assist from Chloe Castaneda. Santa Clarita has 13-year old soccer phenom, McKenna "Mak" Whitham, who is the youngest athlete in any sport to sign an NIL deal with Nike. Read more about Mak here.

Los Angeles SC vs FC Arizona (4-0)

Los Angeles SC gave a statement win over FC Arizona by slotting four behind the Arizona net. Rebekah Micu, Chayse Ying and Madeline Traylor all scored in the decisive victory.

New England Mutiny vs Albany Rush (7-1)

New England made it very clear that they mean business with an astounding 7-1 win against Albany Rush. The Mutiny scorers included a hattrick from Madalyn Theriault and one a piece from Catie Bean, Avery Klingensmith, Jess Mazo and a goal + assist from Chioma Okafor.

Missed all of the action from last week’s’ matchweek 2?

Read all about all of the action from a goal-packed matchweek 2 of the UWS HERE.

Player Spotlight: Naomi Girma

Born on June 14, 2000, Naomi Girma grew up in San Jose, California, and attended Stanford University, where she was a standout defender, earning numerous accolades including the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021, and being named to the All-American team. Her leadership and defensive prowess helped Stanford secure the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship in 2019.

After her impressive collegiate career, Girma was selected as the first overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft by the San Diego Wave FC. She quickly became a key player for the team, known for her composure, tactical awareness, and ability to read the game. Her performances earned her a spot on the NWSL Best XI in her rookie season, highlighting her immediate impact in the league. Girma's skills and leadership extend beyond club soccer as she has also represented the United States at various youth levels and made her debut for the senior national team. She most recently captained the U.S. Women’s National Team against South Korea this past week!

Off the field, Naomi Girma is known for her dedication to social justice and community involvement. She has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports, using her platform to speak out on important issues. Girma's commitment to making a difference both on and off the field makes her a role model for young athletes and an inspiring figure in women's soccer.

Shot by Goalside Gossip:
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