Also in today’s roundup, Heath expected to be out at least two more weeks with injury, 16,000 tickets already sold for opening EURO 2017 match, Carli Lloyd, other soccer legends, appear at FIFA event, and Boston Breakers waive Libby Stout
USWNT and Portland Thorns midfielder Allie Long said to be a prospect for Lyon (Photo Copyright Patricia Giobetti for The Equalizer)
Earlier today, Grant Wahl reported for Sports Illustrated that U.S. Soccer filed a complaint of player tampering with FIFA against Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas. The complaint was filed due to a tweet that Aulas sent to Long.
@alexmorgan13 @ALLIE_LONG hello Allie everyone hope you come in OL with Alex next year to win the next title in French and EUROP ??
— Jean-Michel AULAS (@JM_Aulas) May 7, 2017
The tweet from Aulas showcased his desire to bring Allie Long to Lyon to join USWNT teammate Alex Morgan who has been with the club this season. Merritt Paulson, owner of the Portland Thorns, fired back at Aulas on Twitter as well about tampering with players who are under contract. It now appears that U.S. Soccer has taken this a step further by filing a formal and official complaint with FIFA.
The Lyon boss is by no means new to Twitter. Before signing Alex Morgan, he also consistently tweeted at her in a similar way, hoping to entice her to join Lyon. Later in the day Paulson tweeted–and then deleted–that the tampering went beyond just the tweets directed at Long.
Tobin Heath sidelined at least two more weeks with back injury
Tobin Heath remains sidelined with back injury that occurred during preseason with Portland (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)
Yesterday, it became clear that Portland Thorns and USWNT midfielder Tobin Heath will remain sidelined for at least two more weeks, putting her total injury timeline to more than six weeks, after suffering a back injury in preseason.
Thorns coach Mark Parsons told Jamie Goldberg at The Oregonian that she would be out another 2-3 weeks, hoping she may make a return when the Thorns welcome the Boston Breakers to Providence Park on May 27.
Parsons also said that Australian international Ashleigh Sykes will join the Thorns in June, sometime between June 10-15. Princeton alum and No. 21 pick Tyler Lussi will also be joining the team on trial mid-June.
Tickets for EURO Opening Match reach 16,000
Early this morning @UEFAWomensEURO tweeted that the number of tickets sold for the first match of the 2017 European Championships is 16,000 to date. The first game of the EURO this summer will take place on July 16 where the Netherlands take on Norway in Utrecht.
RECORD! 16.000 bezoekers bij de openingswedstrijd!?⚽️ Vorige record vrouwenwedstrijd in NL: 15.637 bij #twebar ! #WEURO2017 #LetsCelebrate pic.twitter.com/jqeFaCIXOY
— WomensEuro2017 (@WomensEuro2017) May 10, 2017
Carli Lloyd among FIFA Legends at fan event in Manama
Carli Lloyd appeared with other FIFA legends Argentinian Diego Maradona and Brazil superstar Ronaldinho yesterday at Seef Mall in Manama. Fans were able to meet many of the sport’s greatest players at this event. Some of these stars competed today in a closed door friendly which was held in conjunction with the 67th FIFA Congress.
#FIFALegends interacted with thousands of fans at Seef Mall in Manama today. Thanks to all who came out! ?⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3eA9AcTwQ0
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) May 9, 2017
Breakers waive goalkeeper Libby Stout
In 2016, Libby Stout posted a 2.1 goals against average. (photo copyright Linehan Photography for The Equalizer)
In an official release, the Boston Breakers announced that they have waived goalkeeper Libby Stout. Head Coach Matt Beard said, “I would like to thank Libby for all her hard work and dedication. We will miss her personality around the locker room, and I wish her every success in the future.” Stout started in Boston in November 2015 after being signed as a discovery player. She spent two years prior to that with Liverpool in the FA WSL where she played for Beard. For the Breakers, she made 10 appearances and nine starts in 2016 and led the team with 42 saves.
In other NWSL news, the NWSL announced today that the Game of the Week of Lifetime set for June 3 featuring FC Kansas City and North Carolina Courage will now be listed at 3:30 pm ET on the schedule with kickoff slated for 3:50 pm ET.
