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Three Things We Learned From Fawsl’s Women’s Football Weekend

Naomi Baker – Getty – Alex Morgan

As the FA Women’s Super League wrapped up a busy weekend full of action, we witnessed Chelsea battle into the top three in WSL standings in the highly-anticipated London derby, Tobin Heath give yet another taste of what she brings to the table for Manchester United, Alex Morgan make her starting debut for Tottenham — the list goes on.

So what did we learn from this latest Women’s Football Weekend, and what does it mean for the rest of the 2020/2021 season?

1) Tobin Heath is positioning herself for instant stardom in Manchester.

Heath joined U.S. women’s national teammate Christen Press in a move to the United Kingdom, signing with Manchester United in September. A sensational offensive player, Heath has recorded 33 goals and 40 assists in 168 appearances for the United States, winning two World Cups and two Olympic goal medals with the team. Just as impressive are her stats with the Portland Thorns, with whom she played six seasons — in 70 appearances with the Thorns, Heath logged 13 goals and 21 assists, with 10 of those assists taking place in a single season.

It is obvious that Heath is not only excellent at scoring goals but at creating offense, a skill she has certainly carried over to Manchester United. On everyone’s radar following the weekend was Heath’s laser of a goal to put United on the board during the Manchester derby. A defensive error by Lucy Bronze was quickly intercepted by Heath, who bent a shot over the hands of City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.

Twitter reacted accordingly:

Heath’s presence up top has certainly been felt within the Women’s Super League, with the American already contributing two goals and an assist in United’s seven matches played. It seems that leaving an early impression was Heath’s goal upon her entrance to the league, as she disclosed in an introductory interview with Mark Froggatt:

“I know it is an ambition for this club to compete against the teams that have historically been around for longer and have a stronger history in the WSL. Coming in as a younger team and wanting to make my mark immediately in this league is important, and to build the team in the best way, and to be committed to the players, and the organization, is critical.”

Should Heath continue the trajectory she is on, it is safe to say that she is propelling herself to instant stardom for Manchester United. The rest of the WSL should be on alert.

2) Given time, Alex Morgan can become Tottenham’s saving grace.

Also making headlines this weekend was Alex Morgan, who made her starting debut with Tottenham in Saturday’s match against Bristol City, playing for 45 minutes. Earlier in the season, Morgan came off the bench to make her first appearance for her new club, playing 21 minutes against Reading FC and helping to snap Tottenham’s four-game losing streak with a much-needed draw.

Though Morgan has had to ease into her return to soccer following the birth of her daughter, Charlie, only six months ago, the addition of the striker to the Spurs’ starting lineup is promising — and given time, Morgan can become a sure-fire difference maker for the squad.

One brief look at Morgan’s career can tell you everything you need to know. She is a monster on offense — in 169 appearances with the United States, Morgan has netted 107 goals and assisted another 43, picking up two World Cup wins and an Olympic gold medal along the way. During her tenure in the National Women’s Soccer League, Morgan spent time with the Western New York Flash, the Portland Thorns, and the Orlando Pride, for which she scored a combined 37 goals in 102 games with the three clubs. Undoubtedly, Morgan fills a major void for Tottenham simply given her ability to create offense and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

In seven matches played, the Spurs have only scored six goals and have yet to win a single game during the 2020/2021 season, currently holding a 0-3-4 record. For lack of a better word, Tottenham’s start to the season has been an atrocity, landing them one spot above the relegation zone, superior only to Bristol City, whom the Spurs tied this weekend. [Editor’s note: Tottenham fired their co-head coaches Karen Hills and Juan Amoros Thursday morning. They shortly after named Rehanne Skinner to the position.]

If Morgan is utilized correctly, she can be the remedy that Tottenham needs to meet their full potential. Though she has yet to make an impact, it’s only a matter of time before she will erupt. As the USWNT star is gradually allotted more playing time, there’s no doubt she will find her groove — and open her scoring account along the way. As far as the Spurs are concerned, the sooner Morgan becomes a permanent member of the starting lineup, the better.

3) Put some respect on Chelsea’s name they’ve earned it

Finally, Chelsea and Arsenal faced off in the much-anticipated London derby — and for Chelsea, a break into the top three was well within their grasp with a win or a draw during the match. Though Arsenal drew first blood when Beth Mead scored what seemed to be a late game-winner, Chelsea fought back to equalize as Pernille Harder played in a cross that resulted in an own goal.

With the result, Chelsea remains undefeated, drawing two and winning four of their six contests this season. In fact, only one other undefeated team remains: Manchester United.

Chelsea is considered a “Big Three” in the league and has had no problem handling fellow “Big Three” talents Arsenal and Manchester City, having yet to lose to either opponent this year. Earlier this season, Chelsea swiftly handed Manchester City a 3-1 loss. More recently, the squad held Arsenal to one goal in the aforementioned London derby. This is no small feat, as Arsenal’s roster holds three of the league’s top scorers in Caitlin Foord, Vivianne Miedema, and Jill Roord.

After this weekend’s performance, it is no question that Chelsea is a talented squad and could very well finish in first place in the WSL standings this season, but they have not received nearly the amount of credit that they deserve. From their goalkeeping to their midfielder core to their strikers, there is no weak link — a facet that is very difficult to come by in the fight for talent among Women’s Super League teams. Chelsea currently sits at third place in the table, though only two points separate them from the first place slot.

Stay tuned as Chelsea looks to continue their undefeated streak in a match against West Ham United on December 6th.

Up next in the Women’s Super League: 
December 5th 

Aston Villa vs. Manchester United @ 7:30 a.m. EST

December 6th

Everton vs. Manchester City @ 8:00 a.m. EST

Arsenal vs. Birmingham City @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Chelsea vs. West Ham @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Tottenham vs. Brighton & Hove Albion @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Reading FC vs. Bristol City @ 9:00 a.m. EST

2025 NCAA Soccer Tournament Kicks Off with ACC Teams Taking Top Seeds

A detailed view of a Stanford jersey bearing an NCAA College Cup patch.
Last year's College Cup semifinalist Stanford enters the 2025 NCAA soccer tournament as the overall No. 1 seed. (Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

The road to the College Cup begins this weekend, as the 2025 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament kicks off with a stacked first-round field on Friday.

The strength of the ACC again leads the charge with three of the 64-team bracket's four top seeds hailing from the conference.

Snagging the overall No. 1 seed is Stanford, with the Cardinal outlasting fellow NCAA top-seed Notre Dame in a penalty shootout to claim their first-ever ACC tournament title last weekend.

Joining the Cardinal and Fighting Irish in the remaining No. 1 spots are the ACC's Virginia Cavaliers and the SEC-leading Vanderbilt Commodores.

Meanwhile, the 2025 tournament's No. 2 seeds — Michigan State, TCU, Duke, and Georgetown — are gearing up to play spoiler, with other underdogs also lurking throughout the bracket.

Already eyeing future upsets are four-time national champions and No. 3-seed Florida State, No. 4-seed and Big Ten champion Washington, and undefeated mid-major dark horse Memphis, who enters the 2025 field as a No. 7 seed.

The ACC's on-pitch dominance also sees defending champion North Carolina in an unfamiliar position, entering the 2025 NCAA tournament unseeded after the 22-time title-winners finished seventh in the conference behind a 12-6 overall and 6-4 ACC season record.

How to watch the 2025 NCAA soccer tournament

The 2025 NCAA women's soccer tournament kicks off with 32 first-round matches across Friday and Saturday, all on ESPN+.

The action begins with unseeded Ohio State taking on No. 8-seed Georgia at 3 PM ET, live on ESPN+.

USWNT Icons Tobin Heath & Heather O’Reilly Lead 2026 National Soccer Hall of Fame Class

USWNT star Tobin Heath poses holding the 2019 World Cup trophy.
Recently retired USWNT star Tobin Heath will become a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame in May. (Naomi Baker - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Two USWNT legends are seeing their legacies cemented, as the National Soccer Hall of Fame announced on Thursday that retired forwards Tobin Heath and Heather O'Reilly are first-ballot inductees as members of the Class of 2026.

Both Heath and O'Reilly retired as World Cup champions and Olympic medalists, winning their 2008 and 2012 Olympic golds as well as their 2015 World Cup title as teammates.

The USWNT icons led all voting on the Hall of Fame's Player Ballot of 20 finalists, which only allots two to three athletes per annual class for induction.

O'Reilly snagged 47 of the 48-person selection committee's votes, with Heath earning 45 nods for inclusion.

Fellow former USWNT star Sam Mewis finished fifth on the ballot with 32 votes in her first year of eligibility, while longtime NWSL and USWNT player Amy Rodriguez came in seventh with 28 votes.

Longtime Seattle Reign defender Stephanie Cox — a 2008 Olympic gold medalist with the USWNT — also snagged votes, ranking 15th on the Class of 2026 Player Ballot.

Though they fell short of making the cut, a trio of former USWNT stars also earned votes on the 10-finalist Veteran Ballot, with longtime midfielder-turned-broadcaster Aly Wagner as well as legendary '99ers Tiffany Roberts and Lorrie Fair all snagging tallies.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame will induct Heath and O'Reilly as part of its six-person Class of 2026 in a ceremony at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on May 1st.

Marta Scores Back-to-Back Nominations for Namesake FIFA Best Women’s Goal Award

Orlando Pride attacker Marta celebrates a goal during a 2024 NWSL semifinal.
Orlando Pride captain Marta is the reigning winner of the Marta Award, the FIFA prize named in her honor. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

Orlando Pride captain and Brazil legend Marta is back in the spotlight, topping the 2025 shortlist for the second-annual FIFA Marta Award — the women's goal-of-the-year prize established in her honor in 2024.

The 39-year-old attacking midfielder took home the inaugural trophy at the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony last December, earning the title for a stellar long-range shot that helped lift Brazil over Jamaica 4-0 in a June 2024 friendly.

Marta's 2025 nomination, however, comes from an iconic goal in club play, with the FIFA Award spotlighting the Orlando game-winner against Kansas City in the 2024 NWSL semifinals — a goal that saw the Pride star force four Current players to the ground with her footwork.

Marta has steep competition for this year's trophy, however, with 10 other goal nominees including a viral scorpion kick by former Tigres UANL star Lizbeth Ovalle, Seattle Reign defender Jordyn Bugg's long-range missile against the North Carolina Courage, forward Ally Sentnor's first-ever USWNT goal at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, and more.

How to vote for the 2025 FIFA Marta Award

Holding 50% of the vote, fans can view and rank their top three goals of 2025 until voting closes on December 3rd.

Voting for the second-ever Marta Award winner is now open at FIFA.com.

USC Battles South Carolina in “The Real SC” NCAA Weekend Headliner

USC freshman Jazzy Davidson shoots over a NC State defender during a 2025/26 NCAA basketball game.
USC freshman Jazzy Davidson co-leads the Trojans in scoring early in the 2025/26 NCAA basketball season. (Cory Knowlton/Imagn Images)

South Carolina and USC are bringing fireworks to the 2025/26 NCAA basketball court this weekend, as the No. 2 Gamecocks take on the No. 8 Trojans in "The Real SC" showdown on Saturday.

Both standout programs enter the matchup undefeated in early-season play, with the Trojans touting a Top-10 win after narrowly edging out No. 10 NC State 69-68 last weekend.

"You don't know exactly what you have until you're put in these situations, which is why we schedule them," USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said about the upcoming clash. "And I think it's a chance for us to redefine our identity a little bit."

South Carolina's depth will likely test the new-look Trojans, as USC aims to solidify their identity with star JuJu Watkins sidelined with injury for the season.

That said, freshman Jazzy Davidson is giving the Trojans new life, with the No. 1 high school recruit co-leading the team in scoring with 17.5 points per game.

South Carolina, however, has seen early dividends from familiar faces, as sophomore Joyce Edwards leads the Gamecocks in scoring at 18.3 points per game, with high-profile transfer Ta'Niya Latson close behind with a 16.3 point average.

How to watch USC vs. South Carolina in the "The Real SC" NCAA game

No. 8 USC will welcome No. 2 South Carolina to LA's Crypto.com Arena for the inaugural "Real SC" game on Saturday.

The clash will tip off at 9 PM ET, with live coverage airing on FOX.