Fútnotes, Volume 18

Since SB Nation got rid of almost all of its soccer sites, I’ve kept in touch with Alicia Rodriguez (soccermusings on twitter) and a ton of other ex-writers and managers from there. I’ve worked with Alicia for over a decade, and have come to regard her as not only one of the best writers and editors I’ve worked with, but also as a mentor and a friend. This column she wrote about the covering soccer in the United States is something I felt. Almost every writer that has read it has also said the same.

Those of us who cover soccer have dealt with people and teams that make our lives easy. Teams can be fun to cover or at least (for better or worse) give us tons of material to talk about. Fans can be gracious, happy someone is covering their team, and eager to chat. Press officers can be happy to chat, to work to set up an interview, or get a quote to help us keep their team in the public eye..

There’s a flip side of that too. Teams can be dreadfully boring. Bad teams give you as much (if not more) grist for the mill as the good ones do. The middling ones who are mundane on the field are just as mundane to talk about off the field. Fans can be apathetic or down right hostile. Press officers can ignore you, or worse, engage you and then ignore you just when you think you’ve got something lined up. It is what it is, and you move on.

Covering a club or a league can be difficult; it can also be one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. I’m forever grateful for those who have helped me along the way. The teams that have been a blast to write about. The fans who recognize me by my body of work. The press officers who understand my job and help me do it. And you, who took time out of your day to read my work.

Thank you.

México

The FMF announced a slew of changes for the upcoming 2023-24 tournaments, however there wasn’t much announced that would directly impact Liga MX Femenil, although some things would impact the clubs overall, which in turn would impact the Femenil side of things. Of the ones that were announced that would directly impact the women’s game:

• The federation was mandating a centralized model for (television) transmission rights and commercial sponsors in México, the United States, and the rest of the world.

• All clubs are obligated to present financial reports in 2024.

• Player agents are prohibited from double representation and can’t put minors under contract

Ex-México Femenil head coach Mónica Vergara was part of a head coach mentoring workshop put on by FIFA. While the summer of 2022 is never far from my mind, I hope Coach Vergara is continuing to grow as a coach and a person and can in turn help the next generation of women in coaching.

Former Atlético San Luis player Bea Parra has returned to Spain to play at Ultimate Móstoles.

Toluca won the Sub 18 Femenil Championship, defeating América 2-1 on aggregate. (Liga MX Femenil)

Thank you for reading Golazo del Gringo! If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with anyone who enjoys women’s soccer.

Rest of the World

I meant to include this in last week’s Fútnotes, but it’s still worth a read. This details the history of Turbine Potsdam, the history they made, and how it seems like they’ve been left behind in the modern German game. From European glory to relegation: the decline of Turbine Potsdam (The Guardian)

To the surprise of absolutely no one, “The total Premier League 'Big Six' spend on agents' fees last season outstripped that spent on their womens' football programmes since 2011.” Remember this the next time women’s clubs are wearing hand-me-down shirts while the men’s team drops 5 million (dollars/euros/pesos) on a left back. (Telegraph)

A debate is brewing in NWSL circles around the use of strobe lights and flashing light shows during goal celebrations. Twitter user Rachael_With2As is using her platform to try and hold the league to account and get these banned, posting a screenshot of Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby looking visibly distressed during one such celebration. These can be triggering to people with sensory issues, migranes, people on the autism spectrum, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other things. Bixby has stated in the past these are triggering for her ,stating that it was like “(her) neurons are on fire”.

My friends at Shea Butter FC are collaborating with Angel City FC on Juneteenth celebrations ahead of ACFC’s match against the Chicago Red Stars on Monday, June 6th. If you’re in Los Angeles, you should absolutely go to this.

Ajax are one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands on both the men’s and women’s side of things. This season, Ajax Vrouwen were invited by Amsterdam’s mayor to celebrate their championship, but the team declined because they were “concerned any public celebrations would be muted given the poor performance of the men's side” according to ESPN.com.

An Amsterdam brewery is hosting a celebration anyway. The players and mayor are invited, although it’s unclear if they’ll show. Why merely be an ally when you can be an accomplice? (Het Parool)

Gotham FC announced they broke a club ticket sales record with over 10,000 sold for a June 6th match at Red Bull Arena against the San Diego Wave. If you’re in the North Jersey/New York metro area, this should be a good game and Red Bull Arena is a nice stadium. (NJ/NY Gotham FC) 

An amazing story of how Afghanistan Women’s National Team player Laily Armaghan escaped the Taliban, wound up in St. Louis, and is getting settled thanks in part to former United States Women’s National Team player Lori Chalupny. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Don’t ever let them tell you no one pays attention to women’s soccer.

If you have something that should be included in this segment, please reach out to me via twitter or email me at [email protected].