This week on the Soccer Edition of The IX Sports Podcast, host Kathleen Gier catches listeners up on the developments taking place in the National Women’s Soccer League even as they are on break for the men’s World Cup.
The Athletic reported June 17 that Sam Kerr, the all-time joint top-scorer at Chelsea FC in the Women’s Soccer League will be making a return to the NWSL after six years with Chelsea, and going to Gotham FC in New York City. Kerr previously played for Blue Sky FC in the NWSL, which is now Gotham.
“She is such a dynamic player, a huge global star, and I think it’s going to be really interesting how she pieces into Gotham’s title defense campaign, there are some familiar faces from when she has played on both Sky Blue FC or other teams, and so she should slot in pretty well,” Gier observed.
Angel City FC parted ways with Head Coach Alex Straus today. The club had opened the season with a 3-0 start but now sit at a 4-6-1 record mid-way through the season.
“This was surprising, not just because of that kind of hot start, I think we all had maybe higher expectations for this team […] but also because he’s only been there a little over a year, this will give them their fourth new coach, I believe, since 2022 which is not a lot of patience in your staff,” Gier said.
Angel City also made a big roster move today, trading midfielder Kennedy Fuller and an international roster spot to Bay FC.
“I think part of what makes it so surprising with Fuller is that she just seems like she has a really high ceiling. […] She just played her 50th match back in April, and has two goals and two assists for the team this year, which puts her right at the top, and so you know losing a foundational player like that, it does feel like they’re going to have to bring in somebody flashy,” Gier observed.
Tune in to the episode to hear more insights from Gier, including about a key Boston trade.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women’s Sports Daily, like WNBA news and PWHL expansion updates.
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