Saturday’s North London derby was on for the history books, with Arsenal smashing the Women’s Super League attendance record.

Emirates Stadium welcomed 47,367 fans after Arsenal announced 53,757 tickets had been sold for the Tottenham fixture.

The matchup eclipsed the previous WSL attendance record of 32,362 set by the Hotspurs in 2019.

The Gunners gave the packed Emirates crowd plenty to cheer for, blanking Tottenham 4-0 in a dominant showing.

Beth Mead continued her sensational season, opening up scoring for the Gunners in the game’s fifth minute. The England star gathered a deflected clearance before striking a curler into the far post for the go-ahead goal.

Vivianne Miedema added a brace to Arsenal’s tally, while Rafaella Souza nodded in a cheeky header to secure the Gunners a blowout victory against their rivals.

Arsenal will play six matches at Emirates Stadium, the club’s main venue, this season, giving fans an opportunity to watch the Gunners on the big stage. Meadow Park serves as Arsenal’s home stadium, with a maximum capacity of 4,5000.

The Gunners are one of four WSL teams competing in their club’s main stadium this weekend, with a record 80,000 fans expected to attend the league’s fixtures.

Players on Spain’s national team are speaking out after the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said 15 players resigned from the team over a coaching dispute.

The federation said 15 players resigned in refusal to play under coach Jorge Vilda, but the players took issue with that characterization.

“The RFEF can confirm that, throughout today, we received 15 emails from 15 players of the women’s senior soccer team… in which they state that the current situation affects ‘significantly’ their emotional state and their health and that, ‘as long as it is not reversed,’ they resign from the Spanish national team,” the Spanish federation said in a statement.

Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas joined other Spanish national team players in responding to the RFEF’s account.

“We have never asked for the dismissal of the coach as has been commented,” the statement read in Spanish. “We understand that our work is not in any case to choose said position, but to express constructively and honestly what we consider can improve the performance of the group.”

The players did not resign, they said in their statement, and indeed “maintain an unquestionable commitment” to the national team. Rather, they asked “not to be summoned” until concerns regarding their physical and emotional well-being were addressed.

The players’ response also makes clear that they wished the correspondence with the federation to remain private, but RFEF went public with the dispute Thursday.

“We regret that in the context of women’s sport we have to go to the extreme, as unfortunately has happened in other national teams and other sports historically worldwide, in order to advance in a powerful and ambitious professional project for the present and for future generations,” the players’ statement concluded.

The move comes after a disappointing quarterfinal Euros run for Spain and just months ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

The U.S. women’s national team is set to travel to Spain for an Oct. 11 friendly as a part of the squad’s European swing.

WNBA star Candice Dupree is joining the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach, the team announced Friday.

Dupree spent 16 years in the WNBA, was a seven-time All-Star and won the 2014 championship with the Phoenix Mercury. The 38-year-old boasted a career average of 14 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists, ranking fourth in WNBA career points and sixth in career rebounds.

The former WNBA All-Star participated in the NBA Assistant Coaches Program (ACP), created to expand the player-to-coach pipeline.

Dupree has said she looks up to Ervin Monier, who coached her during her tenure at Temple from 2002-2006, and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.

“You’re starting to see a lot of women that are breaking into the NBA ranks and so they’re just like, ‘soak up as much as you can,’” Dupree told The Next of Ervin and Staley.

Dupree’s hiring comes after Becky Hammon left Gregg Popovich’s Spurs program to take over as the head coach of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, winning the league championship in her inaugural campaign.

Dupree becomes the 10th WNBA player to serve as an assistant in the NBA and joins five other women as active coaches in the NBA.

U.S. women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe expressed her support for the Spanish national team in a message posted Thursday to her Instagram.

Fifteen players on Spain’s national team asked not to be called up to the squad until their concerns were addressed.

The Spanish federation claimed the players had resigned the team in refusal to play under coach Jorge Vilda, but the players took issue with that characterization. In any case, the Spanish federation threw its support behind Vilda, taking a hard-line approach.

“The RFEF is not going to allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, since making those decisions does not fall within their powers,” the Spanish soccer association said.

Rapinoe added her voice to the player protest, backing the Spanish team on social media.

“You got a 16th standing with you in (the United States),” Rapinoe wrote. “This many players together like this is so powerful. We should all listen.”

The USWNT is scheduled to travel to Spain for an Oct. 11 friendly in Pamplona.

Fifteen players on Spain’s national team have asked not to be called up to the squad, sparking a standoff with the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF).

The federation claimed Thursday that the 15 players resigned in refusal to play under coach Jorge Vilda. but the players took issue with that characterization.

The group of players submitted identical letters this week threatening to quit if Vilda, who took over the head coaching role in 2015, was not fired, according to the federation. In contrast, the players said they asked not to be called to play for the national team until their concerns regarding their health and well-being were addressed.

“The RFEF can confirm that, throughout today, we received 15 emails from 15 players of the women’s senior soccer team… in which they state that the current situation affects ‘significantly’ their emotional state and their health and that, ‘as long as it is not reversed,’ they resign from the Spanish national team,” the Spanish FA said in a statement.

The federation took a hard line in response, declining to fire Vilda and demanding that players apologize if they want to return to the team.

“The RFEF is not going to allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, since making those decisions does not fall within their powers,” the Spanish FA said, warning players that refusing a national team call-up is classified as “very serious infraction and can carry sanctions of two and five years of disqualification.”

Tensions have been building within the national team, with the conflict coming to a head over the last month. Players contacted RFEF President Luis Rubiales and directly confronted Vilda in recent weeks, per Spanish media.

According to those reports, Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was not among the 15 players to send a letter, but she joined other players in responding to the RFEF statement.

Fellow Ballon d’Or winner Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. women’s national team offered her support to the Spanish players Thursday.

The USWNT is scheduled to travel to Spain for an Oct. 11 friendly as a part of the team’s European swing.

The Spanish team’s revolt comes after a disappointing run at the Euros this past summer. Bounced by eventual champion England in the quarterfinals, Spain failed to clinch another major tournament trophy despite an influx of talent and growing expectations.

Spain is expected to be a top contender at the 2023 World Cup in Australia, though the in-team turmoil could threaten their chances of a deep run.

The Dallas Wings chose not to exercise the option on coach Vickie Johnson’s contract, the team announced Monday.

“While our organization has taken steps forward this season, at this time I believe a change provides our team with the best opportunity to achieve our long-term goals of advancing in the playoffs and ultimately competing for a WNBA Championship,” team president and CEO Greg Bibb said in a statement. “I would like to thank Vickie for her work on behalf of the organization and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Johnson served as the Wings head coach for two seasons, leading the team to a regular season record of 32-36 and back-to-back first-round playoff appearances. Dallas won one game in the team’s first-round series against the Connecticut Sun this year.

The move comes after Wings star Isabelle Harrison aired her grievances against Johnson in social media posts in July.

Harrison posted a TikTok video of herself with the text, “When coach only calls plays for the guards.” The caption read, “like damnnnn i dont want to just rebound.” The video was later deleted.

A search for the organization’s new head coach will begin immediately, according to the Wings.

The Women’s Super League kicked off its season over the weekend after a week’s delay to honor Queen Elizabeth II, who died Sept. 8 at 96.

The opening matches featured new names, familiar faces and stunning upsets amid a swell of excitement and record ticket sales.

WSL plays of the Week

Rachel Daly’s dream debut

Rachel Daly returned to the WSL in style.

The English international notched a brace and an assist in her debut with Aston Villa, helping her side to a 4-3 win over Manchester City.

Daly signed with the club in August, ending her six-season stint with the NWSL’s Houston Dash.

It took just 22 minutes with her new club for Daly to make her mark, as she assisted Alisha Lehman for Aston Villa’s opening goal. Ten minutes later, Daly buried a goal of her own, rifling a curler to put her side up 2-0.

Daly’s most consequential contribution, however, came in the 76th minute, when she tapped in the game-winner to secure Aston Villa a thrilling victory.

“Some would say a dream debut,” Daly said after the match. “Obviously it’s nice to get on the scoresheet not one but twice, but importantly three points at Villa Park in front of a great crowd.”

Beth Mead’s brace

Beth Mead is on a tear, riding momentum from the Euros into the WSL season.

The England national team forward logged two goals and an assist while creating four chances in Arsenal’s 4-0 shutout over Brighton.

Both of Mead’s goals came in the second half, as she buried her first in the 63rd minute and her second in the 83rd minute.

The 27-year-old’s impressive season opener comes after a breakthrough 2022 Euro tournament in which Mead clinched the Golden Boot award, logging six goals and five assists for the Lionesses.

Ashleigh Neville’s rocket  

Ashleigh Neville struck the rocket of the weekend, powering a long-range banger to help Tottenham to a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

The 29-year-old ripped a stunning shot from 35 yards out to put the Hotspurs up 1-0 early.

“I took that kind of touch and saw it and just thought why not,” Neville said after the match. “It went in, so yeah, happy with that.”

Angel City FC will continue its postseason push without star defender Vanessa Gilles, with the Canadian international joining Olympique Lyonnais on loan.

The French club announced the news Monday, revealing that the 26-year-old would join Lyon on loan through June 30, 2023, ahead of the World Cup.

Angel City will retain Gilles’ rights and has extended her contract through December 2023.

“Being a part of Angel City this year has been an incredible experience, both on and off the pitch. The fans, my teammates, and the entire Angel City family have made representing this crest mean so much,” Gilles said in a statement. “Leaving before the end of the season was a very difficult decision to make both because we are in a run for playoffs, and because I have been injured and unable to contribute as much as I would have liked. It is very bittersweet.

“However, having the opportunity to go on loan to Lyon and compete in the Champions League among some of the best in the world has always been a dream of mine, and is one that I couldn’t pass up.”

Gilles has appeared in seven matches for Angel City, notching a goal and assist for the NWSL expansion club.

“We’ve been fortunate in our first year to attract world-class talent and players like Vanessa,” ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano said. “While her presence will be greatly missed, we feel that by extending her contract through December 2023 and retaining her rights, we are supporting her as a player in what we know is a dream opportunity for her.”

Gilles won Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games last summer with the Canadian national team before joining ACFC for its debut season following a four-year stint with FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France’s Division 1 Féminine.

The center-back’s absence will be felt as ACFC makes a postseason push. The club sits in fifth place with 31 points, and the top six teams make the playoffs.

The U.S. women’s national soccer team will travel to Europe in October to face off against their stiffest competition so far this year.

The squad will take on England on Oct. 7, followed by Spain on Oct. 11. While the USWNT sits atop the FIFA world rankings, England holds the No. 4 spot and Spain sits at No. 8.

Which 23 players will coach Vlatko Andonovski bring on the trip? Just Women’s Sports predicts the roster as the USWNT takes shape ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Predicting the USWNT’s European roster

Goalkeepers

  • Alyssa Naeher
  • Casey Murphy
  • Aubrey Kingsbury

Andonovski’s goalie lineup has remained relatively consistent despite a deep NWSL pool. Kansas City’s Adrianna Franch, and OL Reign’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce, among others, have impressed in the domestic league but have yet to break into the USWNT roster this year.

The England and Spain friendlies will likely feature the familiar lineup of Naeher, Murphy and Kingsbury, with Andonovski still yet to name a starting goalkeeper.

Naeher and Murphy each got a start in the USWNT’s September friendlies against Nigeria. Expect each to get a shout between the England and Spain fixtures as the two make their case for the starting position.

Defenders

  • Naomi Girma
  • Alana Cook
  • Becky Sauerbrunn
  • Crystal Dunn
  • Emily Fox
  • Sofia Huerta

The USWNT’s backline has started to coalesce, with Cook and Sauerbrunn seeming to have locked up the starting center-back roles. Girma also has impressed down the spine of the pitch, cycling in for Sauerbrunn throughout the 2022 campaign.

While Andonovski acknowledged that Cook is “slightly ahead” of Girma during the USWNT’s September camp, he also said: “I think that Naomi is making big strides. One thing that I like about them, they’re brave, not just off the ball, but on the ball.”

Huerta and Fox have earned regular starts on the flanks, but Dunn’s return from parental leave could change that. Andonovski sounded eager to get Dunn back in the mix during the team’s September training, telling reporters, “I would not be surprised if we see her on the field soon.”

Dunn’s return comes as mainstay Kelley O’Hara continues to battle a hip injury that sidelined the star right back for the USNWT’s Nigeria friendlies.

Midfielders

  • Rose Lavelle
  • Lindsay Horan
  • Andi Sullivan
  • Ashley Sanchez
  • Kristie Mewis
  • Sam Coffey
  • Taylor Kornieck

The midfield has been the biggest question mark on Andonovski’s roster, with stars Sam Mewis and Julie Ertz absent from the team due to injury and parental leave, respectively.

Lavelle, Horan and Sullivan have consistently appeared in the starting XI but have yet to fully gel on the pitch.

Andonovski has brought in a range of players to try out in the midfield, including Racing Louisville’s Savannah DeMelo, who earned her first senior team call-up replacing Trinity Rodman in the team’s September camp.

Coffey earned her first cap against Nigeria as Andonovski looks to build out depth in the defensive midfield position.

Forwards

  • Alex Morgan
  • Sophia Smith
  • Mallory Pugh
  • Megan Rapinoe
  • Ashley Hatch
  • Trinity Rodman
  • Margaret Purce

The starting forward lineup is all but locked up heading into the 2023 World Cup cycle, with Smith, Morgan and Pugh dominating the front line.

Rapinoe has earned her place as a game-changer, proving she knows how to make an impact off the bench. Andonovski also has been vocal about the critical presence and experience Rapinoe brings as a veteran.

Rodman has shown flashes of brilliance and is seen as the future of the USWNT, while Hatch and Purce will look for precious minutes to prove their cases.

The race to the NWSL postseason is heating up, with only two weeks of competition remaining in the regular season.

U.S. women’s national team stars Megan Rapinoe and Mallory Pugh and recent call-up Hailie Mace all provided needed boosts for their NWSL clubs in the midst of the playoff race, in which just four points separate the top six teams.

NWSL Plays of the Week

Megan Rapinoe’s long-range stunner

OL Reign eked out a critical 2-1 victory Saturday over the North Carolina Courage, with Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle scoring the club’s two goals.

Rapinoe’s go-ahead finish came in the game’s 26th minute, with the OL Reign forward striking a long-range free kick past the Courage line and into the near post.

“Shooters shoot,” Rapinoe told reporters of her set-piece stunner, adding that she went for goal when she saw North Carolina goalkeeper Casey Murphy was slightly off her line.

The 37-year-old now has five goals and four assists through 11 matches played.

“Well, it was pretty ugly, but we got three points on the road and that’s great,” Rapinoe added. OL Reign are in fifth place in the league with 31 points, three back of the San Diego Wave at the top of the table.

Mallory Pugh’s fast break

Mallory Pugh put on a show Wednesday night, notching a brace and an assist to help the Chicago Red Stars to a 4-0 shutout over the Kansas Current.

The USWNT forward’s first goal came in the eighth minute, as she nutmegged two defenders while going on a fast break the length of the field. Dribbling around the Current keeper, Pugh finished off her stunning effort with a low shot into an open net.

Pugh stamped her name on the scoresheet again in the 60th minute, picking up the ball at midfield before beating her defender and letting off a low shot from the top of the box.

The 24-year-old capped off her dominant outing with an assist in the 72nd minute, finding Amanda Kowalski at the back post to convert a Red Stars corner kick into the team’s fourth goal of the night.

Pugh now has 10 goals and six assists through 14 matches played, putting her front and center in the NWSL’s MVP conversation.

Hailie Mace’s stoppage time rocket

Hailie Mace played hero for the Kansas City Current on Sunday night, salvaging a point for her team with a stoppage-time equalizer against the Portland Thorns.

The Current midfield lined up at the top of the box before striking a top-shelf rocket past the Thorns keeper to pull level with Portland.

Mace’s late-game banger marks her fourth goal of the NWSL regular season.

“The fight, the mentality of the group as a whole, how much they care about each other, how much they care about the people in the stands, they just want to continually drive themselves forward,” Current coach Matt Potter said after the game.

After Sunday’s draw, the Current sit third in the NWSL standings, one point back from the league-leading Wave.