Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
With most national team players now scattered around the globe in preparation for the World Cup just weeks away, this past weekend marked the first batch of National Women’s Soccer League regular season matches without its most recognizable stars.
With so many big names away, the time for squad depth to be tested has come. Here’s how the weekend played out:
Mana Shim returns to the NWSL
An entertaining nil-nil draw was in the cards on Sunday between Gotham and Angel City. Gotham had the better chances of the match, with three shots on goal compare to the visitor’s one.
The best moment of the night, however, came when Mana Shim was subbed in just after the hour mark. Shim – who played an instrumental role in pushing for systemic change in the NWSL – signed a short-term injury replacement contract on June 25th. It was her first appearance in the league since June 3rd, 2018.
The point continued Angel City’s positive trajectory since the dismissal of head coach Freya Coombe….
