In Europe there's a pretty established pathway to becoming a professional footballer: get signed to the academy of a professional club at an early age and hope that one day you're good enough to make the first team.
For an American with European dreams, the route is similar: either have a rich family that can send you abroad or hope that a European club somehow spots you.
The 10th annual NWSL Draft was held on Saturday evening, and with the No. 1 overall pick, expansion side San Diego Wave FC selected Stanford defender Naomi Girma, who was U.S. Soccer's 2020 Young Female Player of the Year.
Girma joins a San Diego backline anchored by USWNT veteran Abby Dahlkemper and former Stanford teammate Tegan McGrady. The 21-year-old can also play in midfield, where she may be needed after the club selected a forward, German international Marleen Schimmer out of Grand Canyon University, with its ninth pick in the first round.
This summer, the NCAA abandoned its archaic rules prohibiting college athletes from making money off their name, image and likeness. On Tuesday, UCLA women’s soccer player Reilyn Turner was announced as the first Nike NIL deal, a sign the athletic apparel behemoth is interested in more than putting its products in front of the most eyes possible.
Clemson captured the 2021 Men's College Cup on Sunday after defeating Washington 2-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC, behind two goals from junior forward Isaiah Reid — the first coming just 26 seconds into the match.
A Tigers clearance was launched up the pitch into Washington's third, and Huskies goalkeeper Sam Fowler rushed out to meet the danger with Reid chasing. But the sophomore keeper failed to make any contact with his attempted hoof, and Reid calmly guided a left-footed effort into the empty net.
A year after being denied on penalties in the final, Florida State returned to the title game and again went to a shootout. This time, reigning MAC Hermann Trophy winner Jaelin Howell and FSU would not be denied.
Florida State outlasted BYU 4-3 in a shootout after a scoreless draw to claim the NCAA Division I women’s soccer championship on Monday night. The match was originally scheduled for Sunday, but BYU does not play on Sunday for religious reasons.
Straight from the go I should admit that I did not watch Sunday’s NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament second round match between Duke and UCLA.
By looking at the box score I can, however, deduce exactly what happened. It’s a tale as old as time.
Duke, the No. 7-ranked team in the tournament, was the favorite and hosting the match at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. But with its first and only shot on target of the match, UCLA took the lead in the ninth minute.
For the second time in the men’s program’s history, the University of New Hampshire Wildcats have reached the NCAA Tournament Round of 16. The feat was accomplished Sunday after a 4-1 victory over North Carolina with every goal being scored in the first half.
New Hampshire defender Bridger Hansen opened the floodgates in the 23rd minute with one of my favorite bicycle kicks of all time. I’ve seen hundreds over the last few years — each one exhilarating in its own right — but I’ve never seen one that begins with the high-stepping of a prone defender. Style points achieved.
The field is set and the 2021 NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament bracket has been revealed, showing us the 64 teams that will do battle beginning with the first round on Friday, Nov. 12 and ending with the College Cup final on Sunday, Dec. 5 at Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Selection Show took place on Monday, Nov. 8 and revealed that the four top seeds are Florida St., Rutgers, Virginia and Duke, and they’re joined by other traditional powers such as North Carolina, Stanford, Santa Clara, Notre Dame, Penn State and UCLA.