u/NarrowPiccolo9069

Girelli: "My first goal in the US was a relief, I hope to score many more. The 2027 World Cup? It's already at the forefront of my mind."

by Alessandro Vinci

Juventus Women's all-time leading scorer, now at Bay FC, (finally) made her mark in the NWSL a week ago. Her loan was then renewed until June: "I'm happy, it was the best solution for everyone."

It took a little longer than expected, but on the Italian night between Sunday, August 23rd and Monday, August 24th,  Cristiana Girelli scored her first NWSL goal . Her joy was uncontainable— just look at the photos to believe it . Scored two minutes from the end, it gave her Bay FC a 1-0 victory over Lisa Boattin's Houston Dash (her teammate for the national team and, until last year, also at Juventus). A prompt rebound from a free kick that hit the post by Keira Barry: not the most spectacular of her over 400 goals (62 of which were for Italy and a whopping 150 in her seven and a half seasons in black and white), but certainly one of the most significant. "Yes, on a personal level, it will always be a special goal," she confirmed to (Non è) Calcio Femminile on the eve of her departure for the next match, on the difficult pitch of Sofia Cantore and Lucia Di Guglielmo's Washington Spirit. "Obviously, if I had to rank it, I wouldn't put it ahead of goals that meant something huge to clubs or Italy," she clarifies, "but at the same time, there's no doubt it represents something different: the culmination of a new experience, a new challenge. A path I decided to take to challenge myself and have an extra motivation at the end of my career." A career that— news of the last few hours —will see her return to the Old Lady not for the imminent start of the Women's Serie A ( as initially reported ), but in June, that is, before the World Cup in Brazil.

The ball's in the back of the net after 16 appearances, nine of them as a starter: what prompted such a wait? "Exactly what I was referring to: leaving my comfort zone. Because in my nearly eight years at Juve, I played with friends, rather than teammates. They knew me by heart, and I knew them by heart. Even in life. Here, however, football is different: more physical and with constant transitions, so there's more of a habit of attacking space rather than relying on the striker, which would suit my characteristics well. However, the coach (Emma Coates, Englishwoman ) was trying to change this approach even before my arrival, focusing on a more European style of play. The fact is that, like all new things, this too took time."

The half is finally over: what emotions did you feel when you saw the ball cross the line? "It was liberating: looking at the glass half full, all the anticipation made the joy even greater. And to think that at first I had thought about taking that free kick, but when Barry arrived I agreed to let her take it. All this at the end of a very important match for our pursuit of the playoffs (currently six points away, ed. )"

It's no coincidence that her teammates' celebrations were equally enormous, with everyone rushing to celebrate with post-match water fights. "If there's one value I'll never change, even off the field, it's sharing. Because sharing a moment of happiness is the most beautiful thing in the world. In this case, my teammates had been through that period with me and had also sensed a bit of frustration, so in a certain sense, it's as if they all helped me kick that ball in. Also because they made me feel welcomed from day one."

The icing on the cake was that you were also playing in front of nearly 13,000 spectators, which is standard for your matches at PayPal Park in San Jose. But is there more to it than the numbers? "Of course. The first time I was there, before I even received my visa, I was in disbelief. What struck me most was their enthusiasm, their energy, the way they cheer regardless of the score or the importance of the match. They treat it like a party: entire families arrive at the stadium hours early because they know they're in for a spectacular show. Soccer, yes, but also children's games, the national anthem with fireworks, the halftime show, bars, restaurants, themed days, and so much more. It's all thanks to the club's great commitment to developing women's soccer."

Her eyes were shining when she celebrated, and during interviews, she seemed more like a young player making her debut than a veteran, even a candidate for the latest Ballon d'Or. Does scoring really still have this effect on her, as if she hadn't gotten used to it in these twenty years? "It's something that simply comes from the love and passion I have for this sport. And then, in reality, there's always a different story behind every goal: this one brought with it five months of not just difficult ones, but at least of adaptation. And of course, now that I've unlocked myself, I hope this is just the first of many."

Messages, calls, and compliments from Italy, too? "A bit of everything, yes! From those I like to call 'my people,' I received so much affection, and I was happy about it. Martina and Barbara (Rosucci and Bonansea, ed. ) even watched a snippet of the match, even though they had training the next day. If I'm not mistaken, it started a few minutes after midnight."

Exactly. "It's a shame" that Martina herself, on Wednesday night against St. Polten, decided to compete with her ... "Well, we actually joked about it: first one, then the other. But objectively, her goal was the better one, and I'm really happy for her. She totally deserves it."

It's fair that forwards are judged on their goals, but she was also hired at Bay FC to bring experience to a very young squad. One name stands out: Claire Hutton, already tipped by many as the future captain of the US national team. "She's also one of the new teammates I've bonded with the most, and in fact, when I think of her strong personality and innate leadership, I can hardly believe she's only 20 years old. And if you add to that her technical ability, it's easy to see she has a truly brilliant future ahead of her. Another player I get along with very well is Jordan (Silkowitz, goalkeeper born in 2000, ed. ), and she's also having a fantastic year. They have one thing in common, which is determination: you can see that football is their reason for living, driven as they are by the dream of carving out a place for themselves in such a prestigious national team. And yes, even if at times it was precisely inexperience that cost us a few points, I have to say that in this team there are many players who show great potential."

Most come from the college system, which, unlike the men's system, has always been at the forefront of developing top-tier female soccer players. "Exactly, I'm curious, and I even asked: they told me they hit the gym here almost every day, starting in high school. Consequently, since at 16 your body responds immediately, it's clear that by the time you get to the first team, you're already ready. This is where the intensity of this league comes from, which, of all the factors, is the one that impressed me the most: the pace is always high and you never stop going a thousand miles an hour. All this without mentioning the fact that you find thousands of people at college games: when I saw it with my own eyes, I was amazed. So, that explains why 12, 13, 14,000 people come to watch the NWSL."

Emma Coates, born in England in 1991, is also very young: how does it feel to think of herself as being a year older than her coach? "It's a somewhat unusual situation, and in a way even fun, but when you're working on the pitch, that issue is completely secondary. Or rather, perhaps being practically the same age can also make certain communication dynamics more immediate. So, we have a very professional relationship, and I have great respect for her role and for the idea of ​​'European' football she's having the courage to bring to the States."

The opponent who has impressed her most so far? "Rose Lavelle, against whom I had already played last year with the national team in Florida : pace, intensity, change of pace, feel on the ball, football intelligence. Need I say more?"

I'd say definitely not. Let's talk about the renewal of your loan until June 2027, along with a simultaneous contract extension with Juventus until 2028. What prompted this change of plans? "On the one hand, I wanted to continue the journey I started here and have the opportunity to enjoy this experience until the end of the season. On the other hand, given the different calendars of the two leagues, a possible return in January would have meant inserting myself into a pre-determined situation mid-season: in the year of a potential World Cup, that wouldn't have been ideal. Therefore, we jointly evaluated the best solution for all parties, and we reached this decision. I'm very grateful to Bay FC for their trust and their desire to continue investing in me, as well as to Juventus for believing in this project and my journey. The loan renewal and contract extension represent a great demonstration of trust for me, and I'm happy to be able to continue this journey with peace of mind."

These words suggest that her goal of ending his career in black and white remains unchanged. "Absolutely, that's what I've always said and hoped for, because I don't see myself ending up playing for another team. Of course, these developments don't depend solely on me, and anything can happen in this world, but that's the way things are today."

Are you intrigued by Isaac Guerrero 's new game plan ? Can you follow the matches live? "Absolutely, if they fit my schedule (California is nine hours behind Italy, ed. ). For example, in the last few days I've watched both the Como game and the second half in St. Polten. And I have to say, watching the team play is fun; in fact, when I talk to Martina and Barbara, I never miss an opportunity to ask them about tactics. They're very enthusiastic; it's a style of football where you touch the ball a lot and are always in the thick of the action. Very nice, yes."

You mentioned the World Cup: is your mind already there? "Yes, even though it's still a long way off, it's my first thought. I wouldn't say every morning, but it's almost there. I even talked about it with the coach when he came to visit me , and then, having seen a few matches from the men's World Cup live, I obviously couldn't help but think about next year's women's World Cup. So, in the playoffs , we hope to earn the spot we deserve, and after that, I'll do everything I can to make things difficult for the coach and be part of the expedition."

Let's end with something off-the-beaten-path: what do you enjoy doing in your free time in California? "We live in San Jose, 45 minutes from San Francisco. I really enjoy exploring and have started to live more in touch with nature, which is amazing here. So sometimes I grab a good book and go hiking among the hills and giant trees, then I stop to read. Or I head to the ocean: there are wonderful trails there too, and there are tons of beaches with beautiful views."

What books have you read lately? "Gianluca Gotto's, which I have shipped from Italy. But now I'm reading Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist in English, because I came to America partly to improve my English, and Imogen Clark's Rainy Days ."

Rainy days, but they're rare in those parts... "Since I've been here, there's been zero. Zero! I know it seems impossible, but it's true."

Have you also been to Silicon Valley, which is right next door? "Yes, having seen the movie about Steve Jobs, I was curious. But I also like to go to San Francisco, where, speaking of the weather, it's amazing how usually there are more clouds and four or five degrees cooler than in San Jose. In fact, I find it a very artistic and colorful city."

She's always on the move, in short. As if she didn't do enough already between games and practices. "I like being at home, but sometimes I feel like I'm wasting time. Time that is precious to me here in the United States, since it's limited. That's why I try to enjoy this experience outdoors as much as possible, depending on the occasion. For example, here in the Bay Area there are also tons of concerts."

What kind? "Country, a genre I wasn't familiar with and which turned out to be a great discovery. But also internationally renowned artists. So far, I've heard, for example, Olivia Dean, Ed Sheeran, Karol G, Akon, Ne-Yo, and on Tuesday, Usher and Chris Brown will be coming too."

Not bad. But the food? "Well, I miss the food from our country, indeed. Especially pasta, but luckily in San Francisco I've found some really good Italian restaurants, so when I want to treat myself, I'm happy to stop by. But of course, what I miss even more are 'my people': friends, grandchildren, family. I'll repeat something I've told them too: that you can truly be anywhere in the world, but metaphorically speaking, home will always be one and only one: your people."

Who's visited her so far? "Martina (Rosucci again, ed. ) and initially a friend of mine from Verona who accompanied me and helped me in the first few days. This week, Chiara Beccari will be coming, taking advantage of a break from rehab for her cruciate ligament injury. I'll be happy to show her where I live and share my life with her."

And so we return to the concept of sharing. "Exactly, because having loved ones nearby is very beneficial, especially if you're on the other side of the world. It's a difficult situation, but it's also a source of growth: exactly what drove me to come here."

And, judging by the latest news, they don't want to go back just yet.

>Almost two weeks before its season opener Sept. 8 against Middletown, the Tuscarora girls soccer team made the trip to Leesburg to spend a few hours observing the Washington Spirit’s practice and interacting with their players, who play professionally in the National Women’s Soccer League.

>The field trip was spearheaded by Kowalsky’s mother, Tiffany, and coordinated through the Spirit’s Behind the Game Program, which aims to keep girls involved in sports. Almost 40 players on the Titans’ varsity and junior varsity teams and the coaching staffs were able to attend.

>“What [the Spirit] has recognized is there’s a level of participation that has dropped within girls soccer, and it tends to drop around the end of middle school at the high school age,” Borel said. “And they put a full effort into what they are doing in terms of trying to inspire some girls a little bit more, keep players and keep kids in the game a little bit more, make it tangible. Once the opportunity came up, I got excited right away.”

Mutual respect, total openness to dialogue, and many useful insights for the present and future of the Italian national team. Andrea Soncin, returning from the United States, where he had the opportunity to interact with one of the most brilliant players in global women's soccer, brings with him a wealth of experience and information that will enable the national team's coaching staff to optimize their work on the field and the athletes' support program ahead of the World Cup playoffs. The trip, that of the coach and his assistant Viviana Schiavi, served to reunite with Cristiana Girelli, Lisa Boattin, Lucia Di Guglielmo, and Sofia Cantore and to consolidate the operational alliance with their clubs.

"It was an intense week," Soncin said, "characterized by an incredible and very warm welcome. The overall outcome is extremely positive: we started with the idea of ​​creating increasingly strong connections with overseas clubs, and we found great professionalism and maximum openness to dialogue. It was wonderful to talk with the girls, learn about their current habits, and be able to have direct discussions with the management and staff of Bay FC, Houston Dash, and Washington Spirit." During the trip, which included four flights and more than twenty thousand kilometers traveled, Soncin and Schiavi focused on several points, starting with the 'player-centered' model: "In the US, the person-centered approach is almost exaggerated. There is extreme attention to everything the girls need and everything that can help them perform at their best. They pay great attention to the individual improvement of the athlete and physical recovery between matches."

The focus on extra-sports development and individual development plans, with the permanent presence of dedicated staff (chef, nutritionist, and more), are now central factors in the Azzurri's history and in the organizational charts of Italian clubs. However, we can draw inspiration from the American organizational efficiency—especially in training methodology, load management, climate adaptation strategies, and, last but not least, match preparation—to continue the growth path of the entire movement, which is being followed with great attention and curiosity by American insiders and fans. "I'm satisfied because we've seen that we're on the right track. We want to continue moving in this direction, with confidence and enthusiasm, to achieve the results we seek."

After reporting on the visit to the club headquarters, Soncin focused on the matches he followed live, which featured three of the four Italian players who have joined the NWSL (Di Guglielmo was absent due to injury). "I saw them perform well and fully integrated into their new environment. They are calm and happy with what they are experiencing, while also focusing on the national team's next goal." The entire team is already focused on the first play-off against Belarus, scheduled for October 9th and 13th. After the week of matches in the US, the coach will have the opportunity to follow the kick-off of Serie A (preceded on August 22nd by the start of the Serie A Women's Cup) and the other European championships in which Italian players compete, before returning to lead the team toward the great dream of Brazil 2027.

A journey that will also include the 'Franchi' stadium in Florence , where in the return match against the Belarusian team, the Azzurre hope to experience a festive evening on the pitch and in the stands, drawing on their American experience. "There, they focus heavily on the event, not just the 90 minutes of play. They treat the stadium experience as a big party and a moment of togetherness, with live music, food, and entertainment for the children. The fans feel involved and are very participatory. Even though the sporting cultures of the two countries are different, we can certainly draw some interesting insights from their organization. But I'm very confident because we too have been on the right path in recent years..."

22 year old Argentine striker, become a regular in their national team the last couple years

Vilde Bøe Risa (31)'s football career continues at North Carolina Courage.

The 31-year-old has decided where her career will go next after she did not extend her contract with Spanish club Atlético Madrid this summer.

According to BA, the move is now on to the American women's top league, NWSL, and the team North Carolina Courage. Only details remain before the agreement is in place.

The midfielder's new club is from the city of Cary in the US state of North Carolina, and is in 8th place in the league after 14 games played.

The club is coached by Mak Adam Lind, who should know Vilde Bøe Risa well from her time in Swedish football. The Swedish-Lebanese has a long career as a coach for Swedish women's teams. He took over the North Carolina Courage at the beginning of this year.

Vilde Bøe Risa has not responded to BA's inquiries.

We picked up Bolt's option for 2027 and signed Haugen through the end of the season. Carter said at her press conference today that we've also made three signings this window--from the context it sounded likely to be younger players.

>From time to time, she will ask her mother: “Is it bad to say that D.C. feels like my hometown and not California?’”

>“She’s like, ‘Don’t say that!’” Rodman laughed. “But this is my home, and every single time I drive to the games, I’m super excited. It feels like I’m going to hang out at my best friend’s house.”

The home press conferences are always a lot more interesting than the away ones.

Hal & Trin

--This our highest laughter per question press conference pairing.

--Hal says great that we won but didn't think it was a great performance. Thinks the break will be helpful in giving us a chance to reset.

--Hal asked about the amount of space available in front of her on the goal, which hasn't been there much in the matches against Seattle. She says the defense dropped back when Trin was dribbling ("we have a lot of fast players") and that Claudia made a good run to draw some defenders. "It wasn't the cutest shot ever".

--Trin asked what happened as the game went on that allowed her to be more involved. She's stumped by that one, doesn't remember it that way. Was struggling to get on the ball early in the second half, we were having success on the right because Rose was winning her 1v1 battles. Thought Seattle was less aggressive in the second half. We needed to be more patient in situations where we had time, so she was trying to "put the brakes on" more. Good for us to win a scrappy game.

--Hal also talks about needed to be more patient, control the match more.

--Hal didn't have much of a celebration on the goal because she was still pissed about the miss a few minutes earlier.

--Trin says we have so many good players now that we don't have to rely on a specific player to make things happen, contributes however she can even if not scoring.

--Apparently Tara and Sofia said Hal could score more if she shot more. Trin says they were all yelling for her to shoot. Happy to see Hal more involved in the attack this season.

--Trin says she and Rose defended a lot lower than in the first match against Seattle, which allowed them to be moving forward rather than having to track back as much.

--Asked about jerseys being similar in color, Trin says more difficult for the center backs because they are trying to break the lines and find midfielders in a crowded space.

--Asked about Eli, Trin says most difficult part of coming to the league is adjusting to the speed. They both say nice things about her.

Adrian

--They surprised us with how aggressively they pressed in Seattle, this time we were more prepared. Important to identify which of their wingers was jumping and to find options with the fullbacks. Knew that Hal and Rebe would be under pressure and would be hard to get them the ball, sometimes looked to get the ball directly to Sofia and Leicy.

--Asked about Hal and Trin indicating that it wasn't a great performance. With our crowded schedule, not everyone was 100% recovered. Found a way to win. Had opportunities to score more goals and then we would be having a different conversation regarding the performance.

--Andre asks about defensive performance today and Adrian thanks him for asking about it. Seattle is very uncomfortable to play against because of the way they press and attack, we wanted to be aggressive pressing high, but also expected that we might get too tired to do that so we also needed to be able to be compact. Worked on box defending this week and did a good job today. Calls out Trin and Rose for doing a good job defensively as well.

--Wants to be more unpredictable in attack in the second part of the season, which is also something he talked about in the preseason. Different shapes, players in different spaces than normal.

--Thought Eli played great against Pachuca. She was doing great in preseason but then got injured and took a while to catch up. Wants to have competition at all spots. She is improving in possession and is going to be a great player.

--Asked about Hal handling the adjustment to different roles and getting forward more. "Whatever you ask her, she is going to do it. I haven't seen a player like her in my life." Details all the different ways he has used her. Gushes a bit.

--Asked about how you deal with a player after an own goal, says Lucia has a lot of experience and mentally strong, didn't feel he needed to say anything to her.

--Asked what we were looking for from the subs, says pretty much what you would expect about the specific players. Made the center back sub because Eli had the card.

Bilingual. Adrian says everyone is available.

Only saw FB and IG links for this, hopefully someone with better Spanish can translate. I think she says that the teammates and coaches have been helpful and that she has an English teacher.