An entertaining and action-packed week of soccer across the Atlantic was punctuated by goals from U.S. Women’s National Team forward Christen Press and midfielder Catarina Macario, who helped lead their respective clubs to victories in league play.
The first ever match for Manchester United women at iconic Old Trafford resulted in a victory for the hosts, as the Red Devils downed West Ham United, 2-0. After a scoreless first 45 minutes, United took the lead in the 49th minute off a header from England youth international Lauren James. Six minutes later, Press doubled Manchester’s lead with her third goal of the season, darting behind the West Ham defense and rifling a left-footed shot into the back of the net following a well-timed pass from Dutch international Jackie Groenen. Press played 86 minutes on the day and helped secure an important three points for Manchester United, who remain third in the FA Women’s Super League standings. The top three teams in the league will qualify for the 2021-22 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
In France, Macario added another milestone to her already eventful 2021, scoring her first professional goal at the club level in Olympique Lyonnais’ 3-0 victory over Dijon, The 21-year-old midfielder, who made her USWNT debut on Jan. 18 and scored in her first international start four days later, started and played the full 90 minutes for the French powerhouse. Macario’s goal came in the 55th minute, a left-footed first-time finish from seven yards following a centering pass from German international Dzsenifer Marozsán.
Along with her goal during league play, Macario also saw time off the bench in the highly anticipated UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal matchup between Lyon and longtime rival Paris Saint-German. Macario came on the 76th minute with the match still scoreless. Ten minutes later, OL scored the game’s only goal when French international Wendie Renard converted from the penalty spot following a handball by PSG in the area. The second leg is scheduled to be played on Wednesday, March 31, though OL has requested that UEFA postpone the match due to recent positive COVID tests within the team. USWNT defender Alana Cook was available for PSG but did not see action in the first leg Champions League tilt against Lyon. However, she went the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Montpellier to keep PSG atop the league table. Paris Saint-Germain leads the D1 Arkema, just one point ahead of Lyon.
Manchester City fell to FC Barcelona, 3-0, in the first leg of its Champions League quarterfinal matchup, which was played in Monza, Italy due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Women’s National Team defender Abby Dahlkemper and midfielder Samantha Mewis both started and played the full 90 minutes for the Cityzens in the loss, while USA teammate Rose Lavelle played the final 20 minutes. The defeat snapped a streak of nine consecutive wins for Manchester City in all competitions. Trailing 3-0 on aggregate, Manchester City will need an inspired response in the second leg, which will be played in Manchester on Wednesday, March 31, to secure a spot in the semifinal round.
Despite the setback in Champions League, Manchester City responded with a 1-0 victory over Reading on Saturday to extend its WSL win streak to 11 in a row. Lavelle earned the starting nod and led all players in both shots (5) and shots on goal (4) before making way for Mewis in the 62nd minute. Dahlkemper played the full 90 minutes, helping Manchester City record its fifth consecutive clean sheet in league play.
Domestically, a new NWSL season is just around the corner with the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup kicking off on April 9. The 21-game tournament opens with a rematch of the teams which contested the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Final as Houston and Chicago meet at BBVA Stadium on CBS Sports Network. The full schedule and viewing information can be found here.
Information on upcoming matches featuring U.S. Women’s National Team players can be found below. All times listed are ET.
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Wednesday, March 31 |
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Abby Dahlkemper, Rose Lavelle, Samantha Mewis |
Manchester City vs. Barcelona |
11:00 a.m. |
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Alana Cook, Catarina Macario |
Olympique Lyonnais vs. Paris Saint-Germain |
12:30 p.m. |
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Sunday, April 4 |
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Alana Cook |
Paris Saint-Germain vs. ASJ Soyaux-Charente |
7:00 a.m. |
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Catarina Macario |
Guingamp vs. Olympique Lyonnais |
7:00 a.m. |
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Abby Dahlkemper, Rose Lavelle, Samantha Mewis |
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City |
9:00 a.m. |
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Christen Press |
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester United |
9:00 a.m. |
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