With a FIFA break and the 2021 SheBelieves Cup, Presented by Visa coming soon, it was a busy weekend of club competition for the U.S. Women’s National Team contingent competing in Europe.
Midfielder Catarina Macario, who made her USWNT debut on Jan. 18 against Colombia and scored her first international goal four days later, continued her memorable start to 2021 as she made her professional club debut for French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday. She came on as a 37th minute substitute for French legend Amandine Henry and just three minutes later she played a role in an offensive flurry that resulted in an own goal by Montpellier that turned out to be the game-winner.
Defender Alana Cook did not feature in Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 victory over Fluery.
Will power meets skill. @catarinamacario only needed a bit of luck to go full circle.#OLMHSC pic.twitter.com/7uojzkoDOx
— Ata Football (@atafball) February 6, 2021
In the FA Women’s Super League, Manchester City came away with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday to move with two points of the top of the table. USWNT defender Abby Dahlkemper, who made her Man City debut the weekend prior, once again earned the starting nod and played the full 90 minutes in the victory while USA teammate Rose Lavelle came on in the 86th minute. Samantha Mewis was unavailable for Manchester City while recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the USA’s 6-0 win over Colombia on Jan. 22. With the win, Manchester City extends its league winning streak to six in a row and is now unbeaten in its last nine league outings.
Crosstown rival Manchester United suffered a setback on Sunday, dropping its first home match in over a year with a 2-0 loss to Reading. Christen Press rattled off a pair of shots and put together her first 90-minute performance for Manchester United in league play, but it was not enough as Reading scored in the 63rd and 65th minutes to come away with the victory. Tobin Heath was unavailable for Manchester United and is expected through the end of April while recovering from an ankle injury sustained while training with the club in January.
Both Manchester clubs will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 12 with the third Manchester Derby of the season (2 p.m. ET on NBCSN), a meeting that carries significant implications for the league title. The clubs played to a 2-2 draw in their league clash on November 14, with Heath spurring a United comeback with a goal in the 54th minute. The teams played to a 0-0 deadlock five days later in the group stages of the Continental Cup, with Manchester United ultimately prevailing on penalties, 4-3.
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Friday, Feb. 12 |
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Christen Press vs. Abby Dahlkemper, Rose Lavelle, Samantha Mewis |
Manchester City vs. Manchester United |
2:00 p.m. |
NBCSN |