The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup is just around the corner, but until then, fans will have plenty of matches to keep them entertained over the next few weeks.
Here's all you need to know ahead of another week of women's football.
NWSL
Matchday 13 of the 2023 NWSL season starts on Friday, June 23rd with a top of the table clash featuring Portland Thorns, who sit in second place on 22 points and current league leaders Washington Spirit. This game surely will be one not to miss given that once again, the table standings could end up changing by the time matchday 13 finishes on Sunday.
Saturday will be another action-packed day, featuring three games. The triple-header begins with third-placed North Carolina Courage welcoming Racing Louisville; the Courage could theoretically break into the top two depending on the results of the Thorns-Spirit match on Friday. Next will be a game between two teams who are still looking to find their groove after a rough start to the season, with Orlando Pride taking on Kansas City Current. Finally, Saturday's treble of games concludes with San Diego Wave, who have slid into fifth, locking horns with fourth-placed OL Reign. Both teams have 20 points, and it will be interesting to see the outcome of that tie.
Finally, on Sunday, matchday 13 continues as Gotham FC clash with Chicago Red Stars, followed by Angel City vs. Houston Dash.
Here's where you can follow all the upcoming matches in the NWSL:
International friendlies
Several international friendlies are also taking place this week. They include Germany vs Vietnam, which given the talent gulf between the two teams will be a predictably one-sided affair, as well as minnows Gibraltar vs. Panama.
Here's how to catch come of the friendly matches over the next few days:
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News from around the world in women's football
Shocking report reveals lack of pay and medical care for players
As fans look forward to the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which starts next month, a new shocking report has emerged concerning the preparations for the big event.
A total of 362 female football players who took part in qualifying games were polled and it has now emerged that nearly 30 per cent of players were not paid for participation in these matches. To make matters even worse, many of these players played on poorly maintained pitches and did not receive proper medical screens or checks. Indeed, the same report indicates that over half (54 per cent) did not have access to a pre-tournament medical, while 39 per cent didn't receive mental health support and a whopping 70 per cent were not able to undergo proper cardiac screening - a crucial part of keeping players healthy and safe.
It's a worrying fact especially given that the women's game has improved over the past few decades, but reports like this clearly indicate that there is still a lot of work to be done.
That was a pleasant surprise! USWNT star Alex Morgan reveals delight at World Cup call-up
It seems like a lifetime ago that USWNT star Alex Morgan was making her debut during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, during which the Stars and Stripes ended up having to settle for a runners-up medal following a shock loss to Japan in the final.
Flash-forward 12 years later, and Morgan is a seasoned veteran set to feature in her fourth competition as the USA seeks to defend their title. Given her consistency on the highest stage, many fans would have been it was pretty much a guarantee that she would receive a call-up. However, as the player herself indicated in a recent interview, she was still surprised - especially by the method her coach used.
"We knew that we were expecting to receive calls for information on who's coming and who's not and to get that call from Vlatko was a great moment. I was actually expecting a phone call but he FaceTimed me...so that was a little surprise!" she noted.
With a fair portion of the players being newer faces - Morgan is one of nine players who were part of the 2019 squad - current boss Vlatko Andonovski will certainly look to experienced faces like Morgan to help guide the team as they aim to fend off some steep competition to retain their World Cup title.
Damallsvenskan, Toppserien, and Elitedivisionen
In Scandinavia, the top leagues in women's football are all still in process, with ongoing title races in Sweden's Damallsvenskan, Denmark's Elitedivisionen, and Norway's Toppserien.
Here's where you can catch key games in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.
Didn't find your favorite women's league on this list? No worries, as this is just a highlight of some of the exciting games coming up this week. Make sure to check out our special Women's Football Page here at LiveSoccerTV.com for full broadcast info, match updates, news, and more.
