League updates, including interviews with Lyon’s Sonia Bompastor and Fortuna Hjørring’s Lisa-Marie Woods
Several leagues throughout the world are in the midst of contending for the top playoff spot in their given leagues with players setting themselves apart from the rest with impressive stats. Take a look into this update to find out what’s happening right now in the women’s soccer world. Continue reading to see players’ input on how their team is doing and the impact that the Women’s World Cup will have on their season. (more…)
Leagues from U.S. to Japan are set to begin 2011 seasons
It’s a busy time of the year for women’s soccer as many players are preparing for the FIFA Women’s World Cup while also competing with their club teams in the top leagues all over the world. Several teams have high expectations for themselves as preseason is wrapping up and games are about to begin. Our Game has been following what has been happening in offseason and has placed predictions on each league. Read on to see the thoughts of top players and coaches as they give their expectations for their season and the impact they feel the Women’s World Cup will have on their league. (more…)
U.S. wins Algarve Cup, Canada claims Cyprus Cup title
The U.S. Women’s National Team won its eighth Algarve Cup title with a 4-2, come-from-behind win over Iceland, while the Canadian Women’s National Team knocked off Holland, 2-1 in overtime, to win its third Cyprus Cup in the last four years. Japan and France finished in third place at Algarve and Cyprus, respectively. (more…)
U.S. to face Iceland in Algarve Cup finals, Canada and Holland to play for Cyprus Cup title
The U.S. Women’s National Team had already sealed a place in the Algarve Cup finals, but it came down to the final day of group stage play to find out their opponent. Iceland, No. 17 in the FIFA World Rankings, defeated Denmark, 1-0, Monday afternoon in Portugal to advance to their first-ever Algarve Cup final. Iceland, which also beat China and Sweden in Group B, will play the U.S. Wednesday. Dóra María Lárusdóttir (Valur) scored Iceland’s goal. Meanwhile in Cyprus, Canada beat England, 2-0, Monday and coupled with Holland’s 6-0 win Monday over Switzerland, Canada and Holland will play Wednesday in the Cyprus Cup finals. (more…)
Liverpool Ladies sign Scottish trio Sneddon, Lappin, and Littlejohn
Liverpool Ladies, the 2010 Northern Division champions, recently confirmed the signings of Scottish stars Megan Sneddon, Suzanne Lappin, and Ruesha Littlejohn one month ahead of the start of the inaugural FA Women’s Super League. All three come from Glasgow City of the Scottish Women’s Premier League. Sneddon, a midfielder, is currently playing for the Scottish Women’s National Team at the Cyprus Cup. Lappin, another midfielder, recently played for Scotland in a friendly in February against Wales. Littlejohn, a striker, scored seven goals in Glasgow City’s 11-0 win last November over Inverness to claim Glasgow City’s fifth Scottish Championship.
Historic day at both Cyprus Cup and Algarve Cup
Kelly Smith won her 100th cap with England and scored in a 2-0 win over Italy at the Cyprus Cup, while Iceland beat Sweden for the first time ever, shocking the No. 4 FIFA ranked team in the world, 2-1, at the Algarve Cup in Portugal. In other action today at Algarve, the U.S. Women’s National Team beat Japan (2-1), Norway beat Finland (2-1), Denmark beat China (1-0), Portugal beat Wales (3-1), and Romania beat Chile (2-0). In Cyprus, Canada, France, South Korea, and the Netherlands won, while Russia and Mexico played to a scoreless draw. (more…)
Four Nations U-23 tournament update: U.S. draws with England, Sweden beats Norway
The second day of the U-23 Four Nations Tournament in La Manga produced a 1-1 draw between the U.S. and England and 3-1 win by Sweden over Norway. Sweden, which lost, 4-2, on Friday to the U.S., came out Sunday and took a 1-0 lead 12 minutes into the match on a goal from Sofia Jakobsson (Umeå IK). Norway’s Hege Hansen, who scored Norway’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw Friday against England, tied the match in the 24th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, Sweden’s Sarah Storck (LdB FC Malmö) scored what proved to be the game-winner. Before the first half ended, Sweden’s Linnea Liljegård (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC) scored her team’s final goal. (more…)
U.S. tops Sweden, England and Norway draw in opening matches of U-23 Four Nations Tournament
Norway’s Hege Hansen, right, scored Norway’s lone goal against England (photo by Astrid M. Nordhaug/Digitalsport)
Notre Dame forward Melissa Henderson scored two goals for the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in its 4-2 win Friday over Sweden at the Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain. Sarah Hagen (UW-Milwaukee) and Casey Noguiera (Sky Blue FC) also scored for the U.S., while Sofia Jakobsson and Emma Berglund, who both play for Umeå IK, scored for Sweden. (more…)
Maria Karlsson becomes first Swedish international to sign in FA Women’s Super League
Maria Karlsson, who played nine years in Damallsvenskan, is now headed to England to play for Doncaster Rovers Belles in the new FA Women’s Super League, which begins this spring. The 25-year old central midfielder/defender, who had 154 caps and scored 17 goals during her time in Damallsvenskan, becomes the first Swedish international to sign for a team in England’s new semi-professional league. (more…)
