By OkayGoal 
In this week’s news, the Olympic tournament got expanded; Vivianne Miedema suffered a tough injury; Bayern is set to play at Allianz Arena; and more!
High of the Week
This week the International Olympic Committee announced that the women’s soccer field has been expanded from 12 to 16 teams. The 16-team format will start at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The increase means that female athletes will be the majority for the first time at the Olympics. It was a well overdue change and we can’t wait to watch the expanded tournament!
Booking our tickets to LA immediately ✈️🎫 pic.twitter.com/R8ivIbV1nS
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 9, 2025
Low of the Week
Vivianne Miedema can’t catch a break when it comes to injuries. While on international duty with the Netherlands, the forward suffered a hamstring injury that will likely keep her sidelined for the rest of Manchester City’s season. It’s a tough break for Miedema who has been struggling with various injuries since 2022. She suffered an ACL tear in December of 2022 she then required a minor knee operation in March 2024. Hopefully, the recent injury won’t keep Miedema away for a long period but with City only having four matches left it seems she won’t be playing again this season.
NICK 💬 We lost Viv [during internationals] and the medical team is ongoing with her. She’s positive and we are too, but it’s not looking imminent.
It’s hugely disappointing for Viv, for the role she’s played on the pitch and for me she’s been pivotal for the results we have got… pic.twitter.com/Afz7wKNkfT
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) April 11, 2025
News of the Week
FC Bayern announced they will play their 2025/26 home opener at Allianz Arena. It’ll be the fifth time that the club has played at Allianz but just the second Bundesliga appearance, the other three matches were Champions League games. The arena has a capacity of 75,000, during their Champions League match against Barcelona at Allianz two years ago Bayern brought in 24,000 fans. They haven’t announced the schedule for next season so the opponent is to be determined but it’s great news for Bayern. The club is currently in first place in the Bundesliga.
🚨FC Bayern will play their 2025/2026 Frauen Bundesliga season opener at Allianz Arena!
The team is scheduled to take the pitch on September 6. 🙌 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/xWFaeLa0Jd
— DAZN Women’s Football (@DAZNWFootball) April 10, 2025
Save of the Week
Phallon Tullis-Joyce has certainly had a good week, she made her first appearance for the USWNT and recorded a clean sheet. Fresh off that moment she rejoined Manchester United for their semifinal clash in the FA Women’s Cup and was in spectacular form. She made an incredible double save, first, she made an amazing flying save off of a free kick but the clearance went straight to City and she made a point-blank save off the header. She went on to keep the clean sheet and Manchester United advanced to the FA Women’s Cup Final with a 2-0 scoreline.
INCREDIBLE 😱
Phallon Tullis-Joyce with an unbelievable double save for @ManUtdWomen 🤯#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/Ibry39WCeU
— Adobe Women’s FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) April 13, 2025
Win of the Week
Brazil knocked off the USWNT 2-1 in their second friendly. It was the first time that Brazil had ever beaten the USWNT on American soil. The match started off well for the USWNT with Catarina Macario scoring in the first minute of play. Then Kerolin got the scoring started for Brazil in the 24th minute after some sloppy play in the back for the USWNT. It stayed knotted at one a-piece until the very end when Amanda Gutierres scored in stoppage time to give Brazil the win. Brazil’s goalkeeper, Natascha played well making four crucial saves to keep the USWNT from taking the lead. The USWNT were playing a very inexperienced lineup and it was a good test for them to go up against a good Brazil team. It was a big win for Brazil and gave them some momentum to build off of.
Kerolin equalizes for Brazil in style 😎
Watch USA vs. Brazil on TBS, truTV or Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/mjBBhBqMYc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 9, 2025
Return of the Week
Midge Purce returned to the field for Gotham for the first time since last March. Purce suffered an ACL tear against the Portland Thorns in Gotham’s season opener last season. The forward returned as a substitute in the 73rd minute of Gotham’s 3-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage. She received the captain’s armband when she stepped onto the field. Purce recently signed a new one-year deal to stay with Gotham over the offseason.
She fought. She healed. She’s home. 🖤@100Purcent made her return to the pitch for her 2025 debut 💥 pic.twitter.com/era8sKxW8z
— Gotham FC (@GothamFC) April 13, 2025
Assist of the Week
Ella Stevens has been so good for Gotham since joining them last season. Against the Courage, she showed a bit of fancy footwork to beat her defender 1v1 and send a perfect cross to Esther who sent the ball into the back of the net.
LA MÁQUINA @Estheeer9 🦾
That Ella Stevens 🔄 Esther connection lead to our first goal at home 🙂↕️ pic.twitter.com/OJBC31TgTS
— Gotham FC (@GothamFC) April 13, 2025
Goal of the Week
The Washington Spirit’s Leicy Santos gave us the goal of the week off of a free kick against Racing Louisville. The ball was just outside the box and she was able to send the ball over the wall and curl it into the side of the net, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to stop it. That goal ended up being the game-winner with the Spirit winning 2-0.
ANOTHER AMAZING FREE KICK FROM LEICY 🙌
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) April 12, 2025
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