Women’s Super League

BETH MEAD joked she prefers coffee when asked about her memories of Alex Morgan’s famous tea-sipping celebration at the 2019 World Cup. The USA striker, 33, went viral on social media with her cuppa-drinking antics after netting in her side’s 2-1 semi-final win over Lionesses.
Beth Mead says England have become a hungrier side since the World Cup in 2019 with the team winning this year’s EurosCredit: PA
The USA went on to win their fourth World Cup that year after knocking England out at the semi-final stageCredit: AFP
Back then, the celebration left some England fans irked.
However, Mead, 27, acknowledged the Euros-winning Lionesses, who play the USA at Wembley, have come a long way since that result.
Mead, who was named England Women’s Player of the Year, said: “It was a tough game and a tough result to take.
“We took it hard, but it’s made us hungrier and more motivated to prove ourselves against a world-class American team.
“We’re looking forward to seeing where we are now (against them).”
Tomorrow’s clash between the Euros champions and the four-time World Cup winners is set to be played in front of a packed Wembley
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In August, 65,000 tickets for the game were sold in the space of 24 hours.
It is thought the match may see the Lionesses smash the attendance record they set in July when 87,912 came to watch their Euros final defeat of Germany at the ground.
The game will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the England Women’s team and heroines who blazed a trail for today’s current stars following the Lionesses’ very first match in 1972.
More than 100 former players are expected at Wembley.
Among this group will be pioneers from the 1972 side, who beat Scotland 3-2 in the Lionesses’ inaugural fixture in November of that year.
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Members of that team, including Lynda Hale who scored for England in the game, expressed disappointment at never having received official caps.
Tomorrow night the players will be presented with bespoke Lionesses caps as part of a celebration of their achievements.
Mead added: “We know as players we wouldn’t be here today without the women (that came) before us.
“They are incredible women and it’s nice to celebrate what they’ve done as much as what we’ve done.”
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses will face a USA outfit currently ranked the world’s number-one international women’s side
Ex-Southampton winger Lynda Hale is among the trailblazing former Lionesses who will be honoured during England’s game against the USACredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Sarina Wiegman wants to see more action taken against abusive behaviour towards players in the women’s gameCredit: Reuters
The team, who have won four World Cups are, like England, regarded among the favourites to triumph in the tournament in Australia and New Zealand next year.
Some fans feel tonight’s game could serve as a precursor if the sides were to go head-to-head in the World Cup next summer.
However, US head coach Vlatko Andonovski said: “It’s going to be a good show, but this isn’t actually as important as a game because the importance is not a World Cup or an Olympic medal.
“But still there’s some importance because of the preparation for (next year’s) World Cup.”
England’s duel with the USA comes in a week in which the women’s top flight in the United States has come under scrutiny following a damning report on abuse of players.
The investigation revealed that “verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct had become systemic” in the National Women’s Soccer League”.
England boss Sarina Wiegman, who spent a year of her playing career at North Carolina Tar Heels, said: “My first reaction is that it’s horrible, unacceptable.
“I feel very sorry for all the victims, and it should stop immediately of course.
“I think it’s a worldwide problem still and it’s time we stepped up to stop these things.”
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Mead added: “I was quite sickened when I found out. Women need to be taken seriously a lot more.
“I’m proud of the victims that stood up. People need to start doing better.” More

LUCY BRONZE says she is saddened by “horrible” cases and allegations of abuse within women’s football and other sports.The England ace joined Rachel Daly in supporting players affected by emotional abuse and sexual misconduct in the women’s top flight in the USA.
Lucy Bronze says tackling abuse in women’s football should be a top priority within the sportCredit: Getty
Former Houston Dash star Rachel Daly says women’s football stands in solidarity with players who are victims of systemic abuseCredit: Getty
The Lionesses duo, who both played football in the United States, were speaking before their team’s duel with the US Women’s national side at Wembley on Friday. 
The match comes days after a report by law firm Sally Yates and King and Spalding, said: “verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct had become systemic in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)”.
The firm, which last year had been commissioned by US Soccer to carry out an investigation, heard from over 200 players from the division.
Bronze, 30, who spent 2009 playing for American college side North Carolina Tar Heels, said: “It’s sad women’s sport, in general, tends to have these issues.
“They have probably been going on for a long time, but people have never been brave enough to speak out, so it’s not necessarily a new thing,
“The new thing is that we’re finally fighting back against it. It’s obviously very sad to read these stories.
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“It’s sad that I have to say that I’m very fortunate to have had a career where I’ve not had any of these problems.
“I’ve never looked back and thought ‘that was a bit funny’.
“I guess I’m fortunate enough to say that, I’d like to think that a lot of my team-mates are fortunate enough to say that as well.”
US Soccer began its independent inquiry last year after England-born head coach Paul Riley was fired by North Carolina Courage following accusations of sexual misconduct.  
Riley, who began his coaching career in the United States in 1986, has denied the allegations.
The investigation, led by Sally Yates and King and Spalding found abuse had become widespread “spanning multiple teams, coaches, and victims”.
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Rachel Daly, who spent six years playing for NWSL side Houston Dash, said it was “terrifying” to think of players going through these experiences.
And the England ace, 30, who moved to Aston Villa in August, applauded players who have spoken out.
Daly told Sky Sports: “It’s absolutely terrifying that girls are still going through this and people are abusing power.
“I think for us as females it’s a very, very dangerous place to be when things like that happen.
“All I can do and say is that I think the rest of the women’s football community stands in solidarity with the girls that have been affected.”
Rachel Daly has backed players who are calling for action against abusive conduct within the NWSLCredit: Getty
Bronze, who helped England to win the Euros this summer, says she hopes the environment the Lionesses have created can help set the benchmark for the women’s game elsewhere.
The Barcelona star added: “As an English national team, we’d like to think that we could be part of helping set the standard.
“It’s not just women’s football that has horrible abusive stories and allegations, these happen in many sports. 
“We support all females coming out and speaking.
“We want to make changes, help support them and show the standard that women’s sport should be at whether that’s professionalism on the pitch and the environments you live, breathe and train in.
“I was part of a campaign with EE in the summer (speaking out) against sexist hate.
“We need to be brave enough to speak about the things that happen to us, whether it’s mentally or physically and just hope the right people are listening to affect the changes that need to happen.
“We’ve said for a long time a lot of things need to change in women’s sport and this is top of the list to change.”
USA skipper Becky Sauerbrunn has called on NWSL decision-makers who failed to protect players affected to be held accountableCredit: Reuters
On Monday USA captain Becky Sauerbrunn, 37, called on officials and bigwigs who failed to protect players in the NWSL to step away from the sport.
The centre-back was speaking to the media on a day when Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson, announced he was stepping down from decision-making at the club.
It is reported the Thorns chief will keep his distance until the publication of a joint investigation involving the NWSL and National Women’s Soccer League Players’ Association.
The Yates investigation says Thorns had “raised specious legal arguments in an attempt to impede” their use of “relevant documents.”
USA winger and former Portland ace Lindsey Horan, 28, echoed Sauerbrunn’s call for action.
The Paris Saint-Germain ace told reporters: “It’s hard. I just want to echo what Becky said in her interview and fully support her in being able to speak out on this.
Lindsey Horan says USA Women’s players have been angered by the findings of the Yates report on systemic abuse in the NWSLCredit: Getty – Contributor
“It’s not an easy thing. We’re here in England preparing for such a cool experience, a cool game against one of the best teams in the world and that’s something to be so, excited for.
“We can cope with this and are able to go out and train and focus on football, but it’s hard and we’re angry.
“It’s not just (in) the NWSL, this is women’s football in general, it’s women in general, we have these problems all over the world, it’s a global systemic problem.” More

ANNA LEAT’s spot-kick heroics helped Aston Villa beat Manchester United on penalties in the Continental Cup group stages.A Rachel Daly header saw Carla Ward’s side fight back from 1-0 down before nabbing a 4-3 on win pens in their Group A opener.
Nikita Parris’s thumping shot gave Manchester United a first-half lead against Aston VillaCredit: Reuters
Rachel Daly levelled the game for the hosts in the 72nd minuteCredit: Reuters
The Villa shot-stopper kept out pens from Hayley Ladd and Ona Batlle before Maz Pacheco buried the winner from the spot.
This afternoon Marc Skinner made nine changes to the starting 11 that beat West Ham last Sunday with Ona Batlle chosen as captain.
Sophie Baggaley started in goal with Adriana Leon, Jade Moore and Nikita Parris among the outfield Red Devils aces facing Villa away from home.
Parris gave the visitors a 16th-minute lead at Bescot Stadium with her first Red Devils goal – a well-struck shot beyond the palms of Leat.
However, Villa battled back with Daly heading home a leveller for the hosts following a late second-half free kick from Kenza Dali.
The game headed into penalties with both sides level-pegging after normal time.
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While Baggaley kept out three pens, Leat denied the visitors twice from the spot in addition to misses from Ella Toone and Hannah Blundell.
The 1-1 draw in normal time saw both teams pick up a point in Group A with Villa notching an extra for winning the penalty shootout.
And Ward’s side will visit Everton on October 26 for their second League Cup group game with United heading to Maiden Castle Sports Park for a duel with Durham.
Meanwhile, Kelly Chambers is looking for “a mentality shift” from her Reading aces with the Royals boss targeting a good run in the Conti Cup.
The club face Tottenham at home on Sunday in their opening group stage game with the team targeting their first win across all competitions this term.
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And they hope to progress to the knockout stages after being eliminated during the group phase last season.
Chambers, 36, told reporters: We had a really good run, but we tailed off in the second half of last season.
“We want to keep consistency, keeping consistency in the performance, results to allow us to be better than we were last year.
“There’s no hiding from the fact that we are probably the smallest club in the league with the smallest budget, but I think we’ve got good quality to compete in this league.
“We want a good cup run and there is no reason why we can’t, it is just making sure that we shift the mentality.”
Kelly Chambers is confident of Reading’s chances of going a good run in the Conti CupCredit: Getty More

JORGE VILDA left several Spain Women aces out of his squad ahead of the team’s friendly duels with Sweden and the USA in October.Skipper Irene Paredes and record scorer Jenni Hermoso are among the stars omitted as well as Manchester United duo Ona Batlle and Lucia Garcia.
Jorge Vilda says the fallout between himself and a number of players is “hurting Spanish football”Credit: Getty
Irene Paredes is among the senior figures who have been left out Spain’s squad ahead of two friendly fixtures in OctoberCredit: Getty
Man City stars Leila Ouahabi and Laia Aleixandri have also been dropped.
And Paredes’ Barcelona team-mates Aitana Bonmati, Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Sandra Panos are among the others cut from the group.
The omission of the stars – many of whom featured for Spain at this summer’s Euros – follows a dispute between the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Vilda and several squad members.
The group have expressed their preference to not be called up for international duty until there is a commitment “to a professional project”.

At a press conference today, Vilda, 41, said “I don’t wish for anybody to go through what I am going through these days.
“I am deeply hurt, it’s an unfair situation that nobody deserves. I think it’s a ridicule on a global scale.
“This mess is hurting Spanish football. It’s a worldwide embarrassment.
“I would like them to say face to face why they have made that decision and why they disagree.”
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Local media in Spain report players as being unhappy with how injuries are managed and with training methods and Vilda’s team selection.
Earlier this month the Spanish Football Federation claimed they received 15 emails from stars threatening to quit the international side unless Vilda was sacked.
In their written statement the Federation also claimed players flagged concerns regarding their “emotional state and health”.
However, these claims were denied by the players – including Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas – who was not part of the group who sent emails.  
Last Friday the midfield star published a joint statement via her Twitter account in response to the Federation.
In it, she slammed their decision to make a private statement “public, in a partial and self-interested way”.
Ona Batlle is among the players who have been left out of Spain’s squad ahead of games against Sweden and the USACredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Spain, who were beaten by England in the quarter-finals of this year’s Euros, finished top of their World Cup qualifying group with eight wins from eight games.
They go into their duels with Sweden and the USA with six uncapped players.
The team will face Sweden on October 7 in Cordoba before a clash with the United States in Pamplona four days later.
And Vilda insists he has not thought about quitting his role despite the fallout with a number of his country’s top pros.
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The head coach added: “I have to call up the players who want to be here 100%.
“In no moment (did I consider resigning). It would be unfair, for what we created in the past and are in the present.” More