With a berth secured in the postseason and a chance to defend its 2013 W-League Grand Final title, Steph Catley and the Melbourne Victory journeyed to Japan this past weekend to compete in the 2014 International Women’s Club Championship.
The Victory opened the tournament against Japanese side Okayama Yunogo Belle and were unfortunately knocked out in the first round. Catley as usual captained the side and played all 90 minutes in the match.
Melbourne returns home to begin preparations for the semifinals of the W-League playoffs set for Saturday, Dec. 13. The Victory’s opponent is still to be determined with the final week of regular-season play finishing up this week. Check out some photos from Melbourne’s trip here.
Despite being already eliminated from postseason contention, Nadine Angerer and the Brisbane Roar played a bit of the “spoiler” roll during the second to last week of regular-season contests in the W-League.
Angerer made multiple crucial saves in the second half against a Canberra United side in the thick of the hunt for the final spot in the W-League postseason, helping her squad claim a 2-1 victory. Brisbane wraps up its season this weekend with a match against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Christine Sinclair and Canada closed out a busy 2014 with a trip to So Cal to play a pair of closed-door friendlies against Sweden. Sinclair started in both matches, playing all 90 minutes, and tallied a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw in the second match.
Sinclair has a busy week ahead with the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Draw taking place on Saturday, Dec. 6 in Ottawa. She heads east to participate in the live draw that will air on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 9 a.m. (Pacific). Teammate Alex Morgan is set to appear live in studio during the Women’s World Cup Draw show on FOX Sports 1.
Sinclair is also once again in the running for the BMO Canadian Player of the Year and is one of seven players nominated for the top player for the Canada Women’s National Team in 2014. Click here to read more about the award.
Rachel Van Hollebeke helped Iga FC win 4-1 on aggregate in a promotion/relegation playoff in the Nadeshiko League against Nittaidai as she played 89 minutes in the second leg of a 2-1 win and then celebrated Thanksgiving with her teammates.
Not only is it a big weekend for international women’s soccer, but domestically in the United States the top women’s college soccer players will compete in Boca Raton, Fla. for the chance to lift a national championship trophy at the Women’s College Cup. Tune in to watch some of the top players in the country, which could include many potential prospects in the 2015 NWSL College Draft coming up on Jan. 16.
READ:Four things you need to know for the Women’s College Cup
The semifinals begin on Friday, Dec. 5, at FAU Stadium. Thorns FC midfielder Sinead Farrelly’s alma mater, Virginia, faces off against Texas A&M in the first match; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific). The second semifinal features Van Hollebeke’s alma mater Stanford, which plays Florida State at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). The Women’s College Cup final will take place on Sunday, Dec. 7; kickoff is set for 10 a.m. (Pacific). All three matches will air live on ESPNU.
