Also in today’s roundup, Dutch international Vivianne Miedema signs with Arsenal, Scotland and Brazil announce rosters for June friendlies, and U.S. U-19 WNT falls to Japan
FA WSL was affected by last night’s bombing at Manchester Arena.
Martin Hibbert, an agent representing several FA WSL players, and his daughter were injured in Monday night’s bombing at the Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert. Hibbert’s friend Mark Pilling tweeted the news by replying to Hibbert’s latest tweet, a photo of him and his daughter at dinner before the show.
@MartinHibbert @SanCarlo_Group @ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/YfQA06Czvf
— Mark Pilling (@MJP3012) May 23, 2017
There was no immediate word as to the condition of Hibbert or his daughter. The explosion outside the arena killed at least 22 people and left more than several dozen injured.
The first confirmed fatality, Georgina Callendar, was once part of the Bolton Wanderer’s youth system. According to the club’s website, she played for the club’s U-11 side in 2010. The ladies will observe a moment of silence prior to, and wear black armbands during, their Wednseday friendly against Wigan Athletic.
Arsenal signs Dutch international Vivianne Miedema
Netherlands international and former Bayern Munich striker Vivianne Miedema has signed with Arsenal for the 2017-2018 FA WSL season according to the club. She will start with Arsenal this coming September and will be joining a few other international stars in Heather O’Reilly and Kim Little in a Gunners uniform.
The 20-year old has already appeared 48 times for the Netherlands, including appearances for her country in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. For Bayern Munich this year, the young phenom had 14 goals in 22 games. Prior to joining the Bundesliga, Miedema was the youngest-ever player to debut in the Dutch professional league at 15 years old.
Arsenal boss Pedro Martinez Losa told BBC that “she is seen as one of the best young strikers in the world.”
@VivianneMiedema ? Watch @VivianneMiedema‘s first interview in full ⬇️#GunnerVivianne ?https://t.co/cOruTi9bfH
— Arsenal Ladies (@ArsenalLadies) May 23, 2017
Scotland, Brazil name roster for June friendlies
Anna Signeul named her 20-player squad for a doubleheader friendly series next month where Scotland is set to take on Romania on June 9 followed by a match against Sweden on June 13. Scotland is preparing for this summer’s upcoming EURO championships that are slated to start in July.
Jenny Beattie, Rachel Corsie, Jo Love and Caroline Weir are returning to the Scotland squad after missing the April friendly against Belgium due to injury. Kim Little, who has also been battling injury, was not named to the team.
These two friendlies will be the last chance for the players to impress the coaching staff before the announcement of the official squad for the EURO comes out later in June. The EURO is set to kick off this summer in the Netherlands in July.
See full roster by position below.
Goalkeepers (3): Gemma Fay, Lee Alexander, Shannon Lynn
Defenders (6): Jennifer Beattie, Frankie Brown, Rachel Corsie, Ifeoma Dieke, Kirsty Smith, Rachel McLauchlan
Midfielders (7): Leanne Crichton, Erin Cuthbert, Lisa Evans, Hayley Lauder, Joanne Love, Leanne Ross, Caroline Weir
Forwards (4): Fiona Brown, Lana Clelland, Christie Murray, Jane Ross
The Brazilian women’s national team head coach Emily Lima called in 22 players that will represent Brazil in two June friendlies against Spain on June 10 and Iceland on June 13. Five current NWSL players, including Marta, were named.
Marta, international soccer star, among players set to compete for Brazil in upcoming June friendlies. (photo copyright Lewis Gettier)
See full roster by position below.
Goalkeepers (2): Barbara, Dani Neuhaus
Defenders (7): Rafaelle, Monica, Andreia Rosa, Jucinara, Fabiana, Ramires, Leticia
Midfielders (7): Andressinha, Francielle, Thaisa, Andressa Alves, Maurine, Camila, Gabi Zanotti
Forwards (4): Debinha, Darlene, Marta, Bia Zaneratto
U.S. U-19 WNT falls to Japan, 1-0
The U.S. U-19 WNT fell to Japan U-20 WNT, 1-0, in a match played at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center late last week.
The U.S. squad, whose roster features nine college players with the rest playing youth club soccer right now, was able to stay in the game despite possession falling in favor of the Japanese. In the 14th minute, Honoka Yonei put one away off a deflection, which gave Japan the 1-0 lead that they took through 90 minutes to secure the win.
