Ali Krieger, Gotham win NWSL championship after Megan Rapinoe's career ends with an injury
World Cup winner Esther Gonzรกlez scored the go-ahead goal on a header in first-half stoppage time and Gotham FC survived a wild finish to beat OL Reign 2-1 in the National Womenโs Soccer League championship match.
Press, Rapinoe score, US beats Brazil 2-0 in SheBelieves Cup
The United States sits atop the SheBelieves Cup standings with two wins. But not only a goal, the way we played our attack in the first 20 minutes," Brazil coach Pia Sundhage said. It was Press' 10th goal in her last 13 national team games and 59th international goal. Alex Morgan made her first start for the national team since giving birth to daughter Charlie last year. The U.S. beat Canada 1-0 in its SheBelieves Cup opener on Thursday, while Brazil beat rival Argentina 4-1.
U.S. Soccer president addresses repeal of anthem policy
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone apologized Saturday for the federation's lack of leadership in the fight against racism as she addressed its decision to repeal a policy that required players to stand during the national anthem. We are committed to doing better to help fight racism and discrimination in all its forms, Parlow Cone said. It was the first board meeting Parlow Cone has led as president. The U.S. Womens National Team Players Association also called for an apology from U.S. Soccer and a plan to substantively address racial inequities. Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem at a pair of national team matches in 2016.
US Soccer repeals rule that banned kneeling during anthem
U.S. Soccer's board of directors has voted to repeal a 2017 policy that required national team players to stand during the national anthem, a rule adopted after Megan Rapinoe kneeled in support of Colin Kaepernick. The board made the decision during a conference call, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday. The U.S. Soccer Athletes' Council, which includes current national team players Alex Morgan and Ali Krieger, as well as former players like Landon Donovan, called on U.S. Soccer to also apologize for the policy to foster a "positive relationship to exist going forward." The U.S. Women's National Team Players Association also called for an apology from U.S. Soccer and a plan to substantively address racial inequality. Rapinoe took a knee during the anthem at a pair of national team matches in 2016.