Fútnotes, Volume 48

Because today is Christmas Day, I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for subscribing to this newsletter and wish you and yours a very happy holiday. While writing is sort of my thing, I truly am at a loss for words what the support of each person who interacts with me or my work in any way means to me.

The big news of the past week was that María Sánchez had become the highest-paid player in the NWSL, with a reported deal for three years with an option of a fourth worth roughly $1.5 million over the course of the deal should the option be picked up (The Equalizer - subscription may be required). The inimitable Sandra Herrera put it best, tweeting “All replies will be considered the accurate most truths: Where were you the day a Mexican was the highest played player in #NWSL we must all document this history”

Regarding Sánchez’ signing, Theo Lloyd-Hughes did an amazing job (as usual) on breaking down what it means on his Squad Depth Substack with regards to what seems to be a murky salary cap situation in the NWSL. If you don’t subscribe already, give yourself a Christmas present and pop on over and do so.

While next year’s salary cap numbers haven’t been made public yet, it’s expected to have gotten a significant raise due to the influx of new television money. And while Sánchez may not remain the league’s highest-paid player for very long, it’s absolutely not lost on me that this is a player who had to fight for this the entire way. Bear in mind Sánchez:

• Almost didn’t go to college to play because schools didn’t offer a scholarship because she didn’t play elite club soccer

• Had to fight to transfer to a more competitive school in her junior year, balled out and lead NCAA Division I in assists in her senior year

• Wasn’t selected until the second round of the 2019 NWSL College Draft

• Made just seven appearances in her rookie season with the Chicago Red Stars before leaving the NWSL to play at Chivas

After all of that, Sánchez came back to the league and instantly helped Houston become respectable, and while Houston still needs some help to take that next step, it looks like just another hurdle for Sánchez to clear - and make it look easy while doing it.

México

Time to update your calendars, because Liga MX Femenil released their 2024 Clausura schedule. (Liga MX Femenil) The tournament starts on Friday, January 5 when Querétaro hosts Juárez and ends on Saturday, May 4 when Juárez hosts América. The Final will be played on Friday, May 24 and Monday, May 27.

Necaxa announced that head coach Jorge Gómez had resigned. (Necaxa) That Gómez was allowed to remain in his position for two weeks after the allegations of abuses of power surfaced in a report from Proceso is scandalous, and hopefully there are investigations in to this conduct coming.

Chivas beat Santos 4-2 in Torreón in a pre-season scrimmage that consisted of four 30 minute quarters. (Chivas)

Necaxa and San Luis played to a scoreless draw in preseason. (Necaxa)

Rayadas beat Juárez 2-0 at El Barrial, getting late goals from Karol Bernal and Jermaine Seoposenwe. (Rayadas)

Congratulations to Atlas goalkeeper Ana Gaby Paz and Oswaldo Alanís on the birth of Bastián Alanís Paz

Santos signed former México U15 and Atlas U19 coach Karla Maya as their new head coach. (Santos Laguna)

Thembi Kgatlana transferred from Racing Louisville of NWSL to Tigres for a reported fee of $275,000. (The Equalizer - subscription may be required)

For more Liga MX Femenil transfer news, don’t forget to check out my transfer tracker.

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

Iranian National Team defender Melika Mohammadi lost her life in a car accident. She was only 23. This thread on Twitter/X by SHE Scores Bangers shows what a bright light in this world Mohammadi was.

Erika, Gabi Zanotti and Tamires have all renewed their contracts with Corinthians. (Timãonet)

Herediano, whose men’s team has never been relegated and wone the Costa Rican league 29 times, has decided to wind down their women’s first team prior to the start of the 2024 season. The club will however keep their youth divisions up to and including the U20s. (Semanario Universidad)

A report out of the UK’s Daily Mail said that FIFA was “ready to commit around £25m-a-year to paying clubs who develop professional players” for U23 women’s player. What was not clear rom the reporting was who would administer the funds, what clubs were eligible, and who would oversee how the funds were spent.

Congratulations to all of the new board members of the North American Soccer Reporters (full disclosure: I’m an NASR member), especially friend and fellow Liga MX Femenil writer Rachael Kriger. (NASR via Twitter/X)

Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais owner Y. Michele Kang has purchased the London City Lionesses. (AP)

The NWSL has put together a handy page for tracking transfers. It’s my opinion (and maybe yours) that other leagues should look into doing this as well. (NWSL)

The FAI has appointed Eileen Gleeson as the Republic of Ireland’s next head coach. (FAI)

One of the reasons African teams fared so well in the 2023 World Cup was the CAF providing the teams with access to Opta data. They went in prepared to face every one of their opponents, and it showed. (The Athletic - subscription may be required)

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].