The European club soccer season has drawn to a close following Paris Saint-Germain`s victory in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday. However, this doesn`t mean the end of soccer action; a busy summer slate of matches is still on the horizon.
Upcoming Matches
- 🇪🇺 UWNL: Spain vs. England – June 3
- 🌎 Friendly: USWNT vs. Jamaica – June 3
⚽ The Forward Line
🇺🇸 USWNT youngsters begin to click
The U.S. Women`s National Team commenced their international fixtures with a decisive 3-0 win over China last Saturday. The match demonstrated the significant headway Emma Hayes` young squad is making as they navigate a phase of tactical experimentation.
Saturday`s match offered another look at the evolving USWNT roster, where players are increasingly finding cohesion after several months working together. The team effectively broke down China`s high defensive line throughout the game. Catarina Macario was a notable performer, contributing both a goal and an assist. Coach Hayes attributed the strong showing to the team`s consistent effort, suggesting that the initial learning curve is subsiding.
Hayes observed a decrease in necessary tactical corrections, indicating improved understanding among players like Avery Patterson, Lily Yohannes, and Michelle Cooper regarding their positioning and roles, which in turn elevates the team`s overall level.
The attacking trio of Macario, Alyssa Thompson, and Michelle Cooper performed well, stepping into significant roles as Hayes explores offensive options while Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson – often referred to as “triple espresso” – remain unavailable. For the upcoming match against Jamaica on Tuesday, Hayes has other players at her disposal, including youngsters Ally Sentnor and Emma Sears, as well as veteran Lynn Williams. Regardless of the specific lineup, she identified areas for improvement for the relatively young group as they continue their extensive preparation for the 2027 Women`s World Cup.
Hayes noted the desire for more dynamic rotations to create space by pulling wide defenders out. While she felt this was done effectively in the first half against China, the team sometimes looked for spaces between defenders when the better opportunity was in behind. Despite some instances of overplaying, she expressed satisfaction with the tactical progression and the increased control and performance level shown by many players.
🔗 Midfield Link Play
☀️ Soccer in the summertime
While the off-season is either beginning or fast approaching for many of the world`s top players, the next two months are packed with significant soccer events. A unique summer of high-stakes football awaits.
World Cup qualifying resumes
June 11 marks one year until the 2026 Men`s World Cup. Many national teams will be focused on securing their place in the expanded 48-team tournament in North America. Four teams – Japan, New Zealand, Iran, and Argentina – have already qualified alongside the three hosts, and more could join them this month.
While some confederations are well into their campaigns, Europe is just starting its qualification process. Several prominent European nations, including past World Cup winners Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, will play their first qualifiers this month. Luciano Spaletti`s Italy will be particularly watched, having missed the last two World Cups despite winning the Euros in 2021.
New-look Club World Cup gets underway
Meanwhile, 32 clubs globally are finalizing preparations for the significantly expanded Club World Cup. This tournament, held in the U.S. and starting on June 14, will feature the new Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, alongside European giants Real Madrid and Chelsea, and Lionel Messi`s Inter Miami. MLS representative LAFC recently secured the final spot by winning a play-in match against Club America.
How each team will approach this competition remains a key question, likely varying by club. Al-Hilal, backed by Saudi Arabia`s sovereign wealth fund, might pursue signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Al-Nassr, though they face a June 10 deadline. European clubs` approach is uncertain, given this tournament concludes a demanding season that could potentially run until July 13 for finalists.
Women`s Euro returns in July
This summer`s major international tournament is the Women`s Euro in Switzerland, featuring 16 teams. England enters as the defending champion, having won on home soil in 2022 in a record-setting tournament for attendance and viewership. However, the European landscape has shifted since then. Most notably, Spain has transformed from a team with potential but little history of deep tournament runs (exiting the 2022 Euros in the quarterfinals to the hosts) into World Cup winners just a year later, beating England in the final. They arrive in Switzerland as strong favorites.
England still holds high hopes, though they will be without goalkeeper Mary Earps, who announced her international retirement last month. Earps had recently lost her starting position to Chelsea`s Hannah Hampton, who is expected to be England`s starting goalkeeper at the Euros.
