Editor’s note: Matt J. Wood, a photographer based in Chicago, was on hand for the Chicago Red Stars’ quarterfinal win over Gotham FC on Sunday. What follows are his thoughts and images from the game.
Sunshine and smiles reigned in Chicago for the NWSL quarterfinals.
Mallory Pugh’s decisive second-half strike earned the Red Stars a spot in the semifinals with a 1-0 win over Gotham FC.
After a tense first half, Pugh sent SeatGeek Stadium into elation — and relief — in the 60th minute when she ran onto a pass from Sarah Woldmoe and curled the ball toward the far post and past Gotham goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
Before the game, Red Stars forward Kealia Watt was asked, “How nice is it to be playing this game at home?”
“It’s huge,” Watt said, and the fans did not disappoint, with 7,027 showing up to watch Chicago advance in the NWSL playoffs.
I was lucky enough to catch the action with my camera from the sidelines. Below are my favorite shots from a beautiful day.
When Carli Lloyd removed her cleats and walked off the field for the final time as a member of the United States women’s national team, one of the greatest chapters in soccer history came to an end.
After 17 years with the national team, two World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals, two FIFA Player of the Year awards and the third-most goals on the USWNT’s all-time list, Lloyd is leaving the game as a legend and entering the next phase of her life.
On Tuesday night, in front of 18,115 fans at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., Lloyd gave us one more show. Taking the field against Korea Republic with a lineup full of younger players, the 39-year-old forward created several scoring opportunities in front of net before subbing off in the 66th minute and officially passing the torch.
Bri Lewerke was on the scene Tuesday for Just Women’s Sports to capture Lloyd’s sendoff during the USWNT’s 6-0 win.
Lloyd, one of the most clutch scorers in national team history, celebrated two first-half goals with her teammates. The first came in the ninth minute from Lindsey Horan, who will wear Lloyd’s No. 10 into the next chapter for the USWNT.
Before she left the field to make way for Alex Morgan, Lloyd peeled off her jersey to reveal one underneath. On the back of the second No. 10 jersey was her married name, Hollins.
Lloyd’s husband, Brian Hollins, was in the stands Tuesday along with her mother, father and a large group of family and friends.
At the end of the game, USWNT players and staff gathered around Lloyd at midfield for a video tribute and final remarks.
Addressing the crowd in Minnesota, Lloyd thanked everyone who has played a role in her long and storied career, bid farewell to the sport and delivered a parting message.
“You will not see me on the field, but you best believe that I will be around helping this game grow,” she said.
One. Last. Ride.
Last Wednesday, the Carli Lloyd Farewell Tour made its most important stop … right back to where it all began.
In front of 10,000 fans on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Delran, N.J.’s very own took the field at Subaru Park for one final homecoming game. Before Lloyd officially calls it quits on her legendary soccer career, the 39-year-old did not disappoint.
Just Women’s Sports‘s Jesse Louie was on hand to capture the historic moment in Gotham FC’s 0-0 draw with the Washington Spirit.
Playoff energy was in the air as Gotham and Washington battled it out with seeding on the line. The back-and-forth match went the full 90 minutes without a score, sending both clubs home with a point. The Spirit currently lead Gotham by one point in the NWSL standings.
After the final whistle blew, Lloyd gave a passionate speech, thanking everyone who’s had a hand in her soccer journey, and received a celebratory Body Armor bath courtesy of her Gotham teammates.
“I’m going to miss the big moments, the World Cup, the Olympics,” Lloyd said. “I’m going to miss this, the grind every single day.”
We’ll miss it, too.
My entrance into sports photography began years ago on the sidelines of Yurcak Field to see Lloyd at work. As a fellow New Jersey native and Rutgers alum, I’ve cherished each and every time I’ve been able to capture her on the pitch. To be on the ground for her final stop on the East coast is something I will never forget.
Jesse Louie is the Senior Social Producer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow him on Instagram @jesselouie.
See them, be them.
For every home game, the players of Gotham FC are bringing the heat to Red Bull Arena and giving you the inside scoop on what outfits they’re rocking.
The fourth edition of The Net Gala is no exception.
Midge Purce
The subtle flex of pairing FOG sweats with 11s is something only the queen of cozy could pull off. Add in the monochromatic top, and this look is a completed masterpiece.
Top: Nike Yoga Top
Shoes: Jordan 11 (similar)
Set: Fear of God by Jerry Lorenzo (top) + Fear of God by Jerry Lorenzo (bottom)
Mandy Freeman
Seeing the high-low combo of Burberry, Louis, and vintage pickups is like watching Alain Ducasse cook up an A5 Wagyu burger and topping it with a slice of Kraft Singles. By that, I mean that Mandy is out here reimagining conventional norms and serving us some of the most unique fits in the league.
Top: Burberry (secondhand here)
Leather vest: Vintage from goodwill
Blazer: Vintage
Bag: Louis Vuitton (similar)
Boots: Tommy Hilfiger (similar)
Paige Monaghan
Argyle is having a moment, and Paige is living her best life in it. Add in the tennis skirt (shoutout to the US Open, being played just 20 miles away from Red Bull Arena) and I, like the crowd behind her, am feelin’ it!
Sunglasses: Nordstrom
Top: Garage (sold out but similar)
Bottom: Garage
Shoes: Nike
Domi Richardson
Domi really said, “Summer isn’t over until I say so” with this sherbet-inspired look. And you know what? She’s right.
Top and Pants: Zara (pants) Zara (top)
Blazer: Mandy Freeman’s Closet
Shoes: Nike Pixel AF1
Bag: Urban Outfitters
Caprice Dydasco
Double denim with the Beatle boots??? JEANius, Caprice. Pure JEANius.
Jacket: Aritzia
Shirt: Reformation
Jeans: Ksubi
Boots: Schutz
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Brianna Pinto
Bag secured, literally.
Backpack Brianna™️ is all about that three stripe life.
Top: Find Your Football
Pants: Adicolor Trefoil 3D Track Pants
Shoes: NMD_R1
Nicole Baxter
“Mom, it’s not a phase. It’s a lifestyle!!!” — Nicole Baxter on always using her platform for good and spreading awareness with her fits.
T-shirt: Meg Reyes x Gotham FC
Shoes: Nike (similar)
Imani Dorsey
Easy, breezy. Imani’s pregame vibe is vacation mode, but don’t get it twisted. Once the shades are off and the uniform is on, she’s all business.
Overshirt: ASOS
Tank: ASOS
Shorts: Levi’s
Shoes: Vagabond
Estelle Johnson
When I grow up, I want to be as cool as Estelle. The forces, the paisley shorts, the Gucci crossbody. *chef’s kiss*
Top: Lululemon
Shorts: Ryoko Rain (sold out but similar)
Shoes: Nike
Fanny: Gucci
Ify Onumonu
Rumor has it that NBA teams rock all-black fits in rivalry games to honor the “funeral” of their opponents. I’d like to think that Gotham leading goal-scorer Ify rocked this fit as an homage to all of the ankles she’s snatched this season. 😉
Top: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Pants: Motel Rocks
Shirt: Nordstrom (similar)
McCall Zerboni
🎶 ‘Cause she never goes out of style, she never goes out of style 🎶
McCall 🤝 Taylor
Shirt: poshmark vintage 1989 Taylor Swift (similar)
Jeans: Jamie Skinny Crop Cut
Shoes: Adidas Nizza High top
Purse: Gucci
Bonus round: Kailen Sheridan & Evelyne Viens
Saving the best for last, because when you win gold, you just gotta show it off.
Also, here’s to sneakily hoping this trend continues during the last few weeks of this NWSL season. 🤞
Yukatas: Toyko
Gold Medals: Tokyo
The stars were shining bright as the Phoenix Mercury came into Brooklyn for a Friday night showdown against the New York Liberty.
Queens native and Tennis Icon Naomi Osaka was in the building to cheer on her new bff, Sabrina Ionescu, and take in her first WNBA game, but Skylar Diggins and Diana Taurasi had plans of their own.
Sitting baseline for the first time during this pandemic, I had the best view at Barclays to witness the Mercury snatch their 6th-straight win.
🎶 Gotta hit them angles 🎶
Fits so nice, Gotham FC had to shoot ’em twice. Two photographers were a must for this week’s issue of The Net Gala, which highlights the players’ top pregame outfits before every Gotham home game.
This past weekend, Gotham players showed out before their game with Racing Louisville.
Kailen Sheridan and Erica Skroski
Blessed by Canadian Royalty! Decked out in maple leafs, gold medalist Kailen Sheridan makes her Net Gala debut with BFF Erica Skroski by her side.
Gold Medal: Tokyo
Hoodie: Canada Women’s National Team
Caprice Dydasco
Cap never misses, figuratively and literally. Caprice rocks the leopard-print bucket and overlapped denim jeans all while celebrating a birthday this week. Twenty-eight is off to a great start!
Hat: Lack of Color
Sunglasses: Illesteva
Top: Zara
Pants: Agolde
Shoes: Adidas
Domi Richardson
When you have to turn heads at 8 a.m. and break ankles at 9 — Domi lives by the mantra, “Ball is life.”
Dress: Zara
Bag: Zara
Shoes: Kyrie 7s – Brooklyn Beats
Estelle Johnson
Some people say overalls are back. Estelle says they never left.
Hat: Amazon Fashion
Top: Forever 21
Overalls: Nordstrom Rack (similar cut) (similar color)
Shoes: Superga
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Ify Onumonu
The most casual flex of the week goes to Ify. Wearing open-toed Birks before the game, she flashed the very feet that would smash the equalizer hours later. This is chess, not checkers.
Sunglasses: Ray Bans
Top: Motel Rocks
Shorts: &other stories
Shoes: Birkenstocks
Imani Dorsey
Rockstar vibes ⚡️⚡️⚡️. Imani is levels deep with this fit, including the vest, the flare and the Ministry of Women tee.
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters (similar)
T-shirt: Republica Humana
Vest: L Train Vintage
Jeans: Mango (similar)
Shoes: Steve Madden
Jen Cudjoe
Jen’s fit is icy at first glance. But as you dive deeper, you realize the textures, patterns and complementary colors. This is art.
Top: Shein (now Amazon)
Jeans: Fashion Nova
Sneakers: Abo Sneakers
Bag: Adidas
Mandy Freeman
Mandy pulls up to Red Bull Arena every week with something new and innovative, and we have no choice but to bow down. She is the main character.
Jacket: Vintage from MyUnique thrift
Top: Vintage from 2nd Ave Value Thrift Store
Pants: Vintage
Shoes: Fenty Puma
Bag: Brahmin
Mandy McGlynn
“Checks over stripes. That’s what I like – Drake” – Mandy McGlynn during her Net Gala Debut. ✔
Dress: Nike (similar)
Shoes: Nike
Midge Purce
The sprinklers in the back must have gone off because of all the heat Midge brought to Harrison, N.J. White Oreo 4s, quilted crop, bandana and rose-colored glasses — Midge is different. 😤
Pants: Nike
Top: Nike
Shoes: Air Jordan 4 Retro White Oreo
Bag: Amazon
Paige Monaghan
Paige came through drippin’ in Garage, and we can’t blame her. 🔥
Shirt: Garage
Bottoms: Garage
Nicole Baxter
Rocking docs in the summer and flashing one of the new tops from her Chnge hookup, Nicole is fully committed to the game. Nothing but respect for everything Nicole Baxter does.
Sunglasses: Ray Bans
Shirt: Chnge
Jeans: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Shoes: Doc Martens (similar)
The sideline is the new runway in the NWSL.
Players throughout the league aren’t messing around with pregame fashion this season. While the idea of gameday fits isn’t necessarily new, the range of the players’ styles has reached new levels this year.
Gotham FC has been at the forefront of the movement. To give you a better understanding of what goes into each player’s fashion choices, we’ll be highlighting the fits from every Gotham home game for the rest of the 2021 season.
Welcome to the very first issue of The Net Gala.
Mandy Freeman
Sustain a knee injury, but make it ✨ fashion ✨. Freeman has been bringing it each and every week, so it’s only fitting that she was able to turn her mobility cane into the hottest in-season accessory.
Top: Vintage — JNCO Jeans
Pants: Thrifted
Boots: Ganni
Cane: Hackensack University Medical
Midge Purce
The shades and tank are mandatory in New Jersey’s summer heat, but the purse lets everyone know Purce is all business.
Bag: Dagne Dover
Paige Monaghan
Stripes over checks and a little black dress. Balllllller.
Sunglasses: Quay
Earrings: Mejuri
Necklace: “P initial” David Von
Necklace (Herringbone): Madewell
Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch
Shoes: Adidas
Imani Dorsey
All about those neutrals. Dorsey’s monochromatic game is unmatched — just look at the matching bucket and high-waisted cropped jean combo. 🔥
Hat: Adidas
Shoes: Adidas
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Tank: Zara
Pants: Zara
Estelle Johnson
“They act like two legends cannot coexist.” — Estelle Johnson while rocking the throwback Crystal Dunn jersey.
Boots: Doc Martens
Jeans: Pistola
Kit: Game-worn Crystal Dunn Jersey
Sunglasses: Amazon
Bucket Hat: Burberry
Caprice Dydasco
The floral top with a flowy silhouette is a whole vibe.
Top: Scotch and Soda
Pants: Zara
Shoes: Golden Goose
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Ify Onumonu
Knit fits>>>>
Pants: & other stories
Top: & other stories
Shoes: Clark’s
Domi Richardson
Richardson hails from California, so it’s only right she brought a taste of the West Coast to the Garden State.
Crop top and Button down: H&M
Shorts: Zara
Bag: Zara
Shoes: Steve Madden
Nicole Baxter
A message to the h8rs and a shoutout from the 🐐 — Baxter wins the week, month and year.
HARRISON, N.J — This past weekend at Red Bull Arena was a good reminder that the NWSL is still as competitive as ever.
Two of the league’s top squads, Gotham FC and the Chicago Red Stars, kicked off Sunday afternoon in a game that ended up as a tale of two halves.
Gotham FC closed out the first half with a 1-0 lead after midfielder Allie Long flicked in a perfectly placed cross.
Chicago’s Makenzy Doniak nearly played spoiler with a stoppage time finish that ruined a clean sheet for Gotham.
Gotham FC held on for the win and moved into second place in the NWSL’s standings.
Women’s basketball’s brightest stars descended on Las Vegas this week for the WNBA All-Star Game.
The event was one for the record books. Typically, the WNBA would forgo All-Star festivities in an Olympic year. But in a year that has felt anything but normal, the league kickstarted the Olympic break with a primetime exhibition pitting Team USA against Team WNBA.
The day started with an All-Star breakfast, courtesy of Just Women’s Sports and the WNBA Players Association. The players ate eggs, shared laughs and discussed the possibility of forming a union for Team USA.
After spirited player introductions, the game tipped off at Michelob Ultra Arena. In a tight contest that went down to the wire, Team WNBA, led by All-Star Game MVP Arike Ogunbowale, handed Team USA a 93-85 loss. The game proved to be a good test for the national team players, as they prepare to chase their seventh consecutive gold medal in Tokyo later this month.
At halftime, Allie Quigley made WNBA history when she secured her third 3-point shooting title. The Chicago Sky guard fended off the Connecticut Sun’s Jonquel Jones by hitting 9 of her last 10 shots in the championships round for a final total of 28.
Enjoy the rest of the imagery from a memorable night in Las Vegas.
EAST HARTFORD — A crowd of 27,758 fans, a barrage of first-half goals and celebratory sparklers yielded the ultimate send-off for the U.S. women’s national soccer team.
After a challenging year that pushed the 2020 Summer Olympics back into 2021, the USWNT showed the world just how resilient it is during the Send-Off Series against Mexico. From the opening whistle Sunday, the crowd — the largest ever to watch the USWNT in the state of Connecticut — had Pratt & Whitney Stadium rocking.
Three goals (and one beautifully drawn-up goal wrongly called offsides) in the first 12 minutes indicated this team is ready for Tokyo. The USWNT added two more goals in the 37th and 39th minutes for good measure, and the celebration seemed endless during the 4-0 win.
I was stationed on the end opposite the USWNT’s goal-scoring during the first half, but please enjoy the rest of the imagery captured on this picture-perfect night.
