Also in today’s roundup, Tobin Heath set to play Saturday, Kerr and Marta score as the Matildas finalize clean sweep over Brazil, and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup slogan and emblem revealed
The executive board and team representatives for the NWSL PA were announced on Monday night.
Yesterday, the NWSL Players Association announced elected executive board and team representatives. FC Kansas City and NWSL veteran defender Yael Averbuch will serve as president, along with North Carolina Courage midfielder and another NWSL veteran McCall Zerboni as vice president. Nicole Barnhart of FC Kansas City will serve as secretary and Emily Menges of the Portland Thorns will serve as treasurer.
In May a constitution and a set of bylaws were ratified in the formation of the NWSL PA. The NWSL PA represents all non-allocated NWSL players including any rostered amateurs since allocated players are already represented by their respective federation associations. The mission statement vows to build upon their opportunity as professionals in the NWSL and work with the league and the allocated players to continue to improve and advance women’s soccer.
Professional players in the NWSL that are not allocated to national federations have seen massive under-payment since the league started five seasons ago. Although the minimum salary has more than doubled since the league’s inception, the bottom-end salary is only $15,000 for a six month season, not inclusive of preseason or postseason.
The full list of team representatives is below.
Washington Spirit: Kassey Kallman, Tori Huster
FC Kansas City: Yael Averbuch, Nicole Barnhart
Portland Thorns: Emily Menges, Katherine Reynolds
North Carolina Courage: McCall Zerboni, Elizabeth Eddy
Sky Blue FC: Daphne Corboz, Nikki Stanton
Boston Breakers: Abby Smith, Christen Westphal
Seattle Reign: Haley Kopmeyer, Beverly Goebel
Orlando Pride: Jasmyne Spencer, Chioma Ubogagu
Houston Dash: Amber Brooks, Kealia Ohai
Chicago Red Stars: Samantha Johnson, Arin Gilliand
In other NWSL news, Tobin Heath is expected to make her 2017 NWSL season debut on Saturday when the Thorns take on the Orlando Pride per Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian. The USWNT midfielder has missed her entire club season so far due to a back injury. She was first removed from the disabled list on August 28, but has yet to make an appearance for Portland. Head coach Mark Parsons expects that the veteran will see limited minutes in his team’s match against the Pride.
“Hopefully, yes. That’s the plan… I think we’ll see her for a short period in Orlando and look to grow those minutes when we come back for Chicago,” Parsons told The Oregonian.
Matildas overcome early deficit to close out two-game sweep against Brazil in five-goal thriller
Sam Kerr has been brilliants for club and country in 2017. (Getty Images)
Today with two goals from Sky Blue FC forward Sam Kerr, the Matildas defeated Brazil 3-2 in Newcastle in front of a record crowd of 16,829 fans. The win solidified the Matildas two-game sweep against Brazil adding to their 2-1 win from Saturday. The win marks the first time that the Matildas have won five consecutive games as they currently sit on an eight-game unbeaten streak, all of which are against Top 15 opponents.
Brazil scored inside the first minute thanks to Fabiana and a Marta cross, which got them on the board early. The Matildas continued to fight and put pressure on Brazil, which resulted in an opening goal for the Matildas in the 38th minute by none other than forward Sam Kerr, who was able to get her head on the end of an Emily van Egmond free kick to put one in the back of the net and level the game at one goal apiece. In the 47th minute, Caitlin Foord put a loose ball away to increase their lead to 2-1, and 20 minute later, Sam Kerr scored what went on to be the winning goal as she finished a volley off a cross from Chloe Logarzo.
The winning goal from @samkerr1! #AUSvBRA #GoMatildas pic.twitter.com/Len79VRmnL
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) September 19, 2017
In the final minutes, Marta buried a PK to bring Brazil back within one with four minutes of regulation time to go. Unfortunately for Brazil, they were unable to tie it up and the Matildas took home yet another convincing win. With the defeat of Brazil, the Matildas have won three times in a row against Brazil dating back to their early August meeting in the Tournament of Nations.
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup emblem, slogan and schedule released
The USWNT will begin a quest to defend their world championship title in France next June. (Getty Images)
Today, FIFA announced the official emblem and slogan of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup set to take place in France next summer. Official dates and venues for all rounds of the tournament were all released from FIFA as well.
The emblem, which features the competition trophy wrapped in historic mariniere stripes, was designed to be synonymous with both history and style. Those same stripes that were worn by sailors in the past are also a key point in today’s fashion. At the top of the trophy, the stylized soccer ball surrounded by eight decorative shards of light is set to symbolize the eight women’s World Cups that have taken place in history. The official slogan, “Dare to Shine,” was created to reflect the changing nature and evolution of women’s soccer across the world. The emblem and slogan were revealed today at a launch party at the Musee de ‘lHommee in Paris.
“Women’s football has entered a bright new era and we are very much looking forward to seeing a sensational FIFA Women’s World Cup take place in France in 2019,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the launch party. “The official slogan and official emblem of the competition are a perfect mix of history, style and innovation, which France is famous for, and I am certain that the commitment and dedication of the LOC and host cities around the country will make this tournament unique.”
Here it is! #DareToShine
Il est là ! #LeMomentDeBriller
Official emblem was revealed!#FIFAWWC ?? pic.twitter.com/qfHYdM5KiJ— #FIFAWWC ?? (@FIFAWWC) September 19, 2017
The FIFA Women’s World Cup, the stage in which the best player’s in women’s soccer will compete, will begin on June 7 in Paris and will run throughout the month across France in places such as Lyon, Nice and Montpellier. The final is set for July 7.
Full schedule below.
Opening match at Paris, 7 June
Round of 16 matches 22-25 June
Quarter final matches 27-29 June
Semi-final matches Lyon, 2-3 July
Match for the 3rd and 4th places, 6 July
Final match Lyon, 7 July
