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It’s a big weekend in men’s soccer. Like, really big. But you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t also paying attention to women’s soccer this weekend.
The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off on Friday night and on Saturday we’ll be introduced to Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC when the two face off in the first-ever match for both clubs. There are also some big matches elsewhere around the world, including Women’s FA Cup action, Roma-AC Milan, Wolfsburg-Hoffenheim, Bayern-Frankfurt and Juventus-Napoli.
The weekend kicked off with D1 Féminine leader Lyon traveling to eighth-place Dijon, where American Catarina Macario put on a show with a first-half brace on the way to a 3-0 win for the visitors.
Lyon, as is often the case, dominated the match, racking up 31 shots while allowing none.
Catarina Macario Goals vs. Dijon
Macario broke through with the opener in the ninth minute, showing excellent control in tight spaces before ripping a low shot from the edge of the 18.
Who else but @catarinamacario to open the score
It’s the @USWNT player’s 10th goal for Lyon this season #WatchWithAta #D1Arkema pic.twitter.com/GpCcoejqah— ata football (@atafball) March 18, 2022
Macario’s second was reminiscent of her first goal against Iceland last month, curling in a beauty from the left side of the 18. Macario was left wide open in the box and punished the Dijon defense for ignoring her. Seriously, how do you leave her so open?
MACARIO BRACE Could this be the goal of the weekend already!? #WatchWithAta #D1Arkema @USWNT pic.twitter.com/py2hpB1I6q
— ata football (@atafball) March 18, 2022
Macario could have had a hat trick if not for an impressive point-blank save from Solène Durand in the Dijon goal. Still, the 22-year-old has 11 goals for Lyon this season, her first full campaign as a professional.
Durand finished with eight saves on the night but couldn’t keep this Melvine Malard header out for the final goal Friday.
This Malard header is ’#WatchWithAta #D1Arkema pic.twitter.com/m5Gv5qHbnn
— ata football (@atafball) March 18, 2022
With the win, Lyon remained three points ahead of PSG atop the D1 Féminine table. PSG beat Soyaux-Charente 2-0 with goals from Sakina Karchaoui and Aminata Diallo on Friday. Five matches remain in the 2021-22 campaign, with the May 28 meeting between PSG and Lyon on the penultimate week likely to determine the champion.
