Teach Them Well and Let Them Lead The Way

Squad, it’s been a heck of a start to spring. The international break was a bit chaotic here at SBFC, with the USWNT hosting its first match of the window in sunny LA. We were boots on the ground to get some of the best sights and sounds from the day. Because of that, this edition is a biweekly edition, where we’ll cover the last weekend of action before the break, and we’ll touch on some of the standout performances and results from the international window. All of that to say, we are back to our regularly scheduled program with plenty of Black women to celebrate in the beautiful game.

We have merch!

What’s up y’all! We still have our new HBCU merch for sale. Rep your favorite HBCU or organization while supporting SBFC and a good cause. Below is a blurb about why we chose this line. Thank you for your support and we hope you love your new gear!

Elevate, Celebrate, Educate. These are three words that get to the heart of why Shea Butter FC was created. We elevate and celebrate Black women in the game through education and community building. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have lived these principles in support of Black people in America since Reconstruction. It felt right to throw our support behind these institutions that elevate Black intelligence and talent, celebrate our many accomplishments and leaders, and educate Black people in a country that continues to fight against it. Furthermore, HBCUs have men’s and women’s soccer programs that are rarely amplified, despite their success. We want to change that. You can join the movement to Elevate HBCU Soccer with this merch. Tell your family, tell your friends, and support your favorite HBCU by choosing from our many color combinations. HBCUs and young Black people need us now more than ever!

Grab your gear here!

*A portion of sales for this line will be donated to the United Negro College Fund. To find out more about UNCF, pleases read their mission here

Match Recaps and Notable Goal Scorers

*the number next to the name denotes the goal scorer and the minute of the match their goal was scored. (P) means it was a penalty goal, and a plus (+) sign added means the goal was scored in stoppage time

This section is jumpin this week. We had a debut banger from Michelle Agyemang, game winners from Sandy Baltimore, and brace from young Shekiera Martinez against top of the league Chelsea. Speaking of Chelsea, the women continue to drop points, making the WSL title race just a bit closer than they’d like. The NWSL has three unbeaten teams, two we expected, one we did not. Several teams had a “sure, that happened” international break, but a few players made cases for themselves in the meantime. Come and see some goals!

Notable International Goals

Germany 4, Scotland 0 (first match) - Cora Zacai 56

France 2, Norway 0 (both matches) - Sandy (Not Charli) Baltimore 15, Sandy (Not Charli) Baltimore 76

Belgium 3, England 2 (second match) - Michelle Agyemang 81

United States 2, Brazil 0 - Trinity Rodman 5

Brazil 2, United States 1 - Cat Macario 1, Kerolin 24

Barclays Women’s Super League

Chelsea 2, West Ham 2 - Shekiera Martinez 42, 90+1

Leicester City 1, Tottenham 1 - Drew Spence 62

National Women’s Soccer League

Orlando Pride 2, San Diego Wave 1 - Chiamaka Okwuchukwu 62

Kansas City Current 3, Utah Royals 0 - Temwa Chawinga 22, Michelle Cooper 37

Angel City 2, Seattle Reign 1 - Alyssa Thompson 8

Black In Action: Alyssa Thompson

I’m gonna be honest with you, the most transcendent player in this international window was likely one that did not score a goal (though that’s mostly Lorena’s fault). The goal above for Angel City is how Alyssa Thompson began her week of soccer at home, scoring her second goal in three matches for club. It’s a lovely cutback goal that comes from her 1-v-1 ability, pace on the ball, better decision making, and more pinpoint accuracy on those shots. We have jokingly said Alyssa Thompson is the first graduate of the Christen Press School of Finishing (not untrue), but her decision making in the past few months has grown exponentially than anyone expected. She ended the week at home, this time at SoFi Stadium, where she hit Trinity Rodman with a perfectly weighted pass that she got off after putting her defender on the ground. By the time Tuesday’s match with Brazil was done, Brazil was victorious, and also happy to not have to play against Thompson for a while. 21 Can You Do Somethin For Me has quickly become the poster child for Emma Hayes’s developmental approach, but we may have to give her often, and rightly maligned club, and the unique makeup of vets and coaching staff that look like her, some credit here as well. Growth is always down to the player, but it is a much easier lift for them in a safe and challenging environment. Thompson, along with her sister Gisele, signed an extension that keeps her home through the 2028 season, the home Olympics for her. It is a sign that she feels like she can continue to grow in her own backyard, and after her last few weeks, who are we to doubt her. If she is the example we are going to hold up, and we should, then learn the right lessons about what helped her get here. Emma is great, but she only gets her once every six weeks. Just a thought. All of this to say, welcome to the next level of almost unplayable AT21/11, your country has been waiting.

Anatomy of a Goal: Michelle Agyemang

Black women balled this international break, especially the ballers 25 and under. That’s excellent for the future of the sport and the culture. While I think several players scored impressive goals, I couldn’t pass up highlighting Michelle Agyemang’s debut goal 41 seconds into the match. There isn’t much time between when she subbed on and the goal, so this breakdown is pretty quick. The ball in from Williamson is lovely, almost perfectly weighted, but there is still work to do. Agyemang hits an absolutely beautiful first touch off her right thigh to keep the ball at a perfect volleying height for her. Her next motion is a shooting motion. Like your favorite homerun hitter, she catches the ball in perfect spot, the barrel of the bat, and strikes it with authority. There was nothing the keeper could do about it and she knew that would be true before she hit it with her second touch. My friends, this is what we call goal scoring instinct. This is why strikers get paid a lot of money. Michelle Agyemang made her case to remain on the England squad, where she was called in to replace a very in form Alessia Russo, and she’s made sure the price of her bag will continue to go up. What a way to use 41 seconds to your maximum advantage, and what an introduction for a player that will break the hearts of many nations for the next decade. Ball out Michelle, we see you.

Hidden Figures: Chiamaka Okwuchukwu

I’ve made no bones about it in this newsletter or on my social media, I have a very soft spot for the Nigeria U20 and U17 teams from 2024. They are full of audacity and that shooters shoot juice that I love so much. They still play well, and as a team, though they remind you that they are young players like most youth teams that are not North Korea at the moment. But love is love, and I will never quit those players. One of those players is now a member of the San Diego Wave. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu was my “Standout Track” in my preseason San Diego predictions. Much like Agyemang, she has a goal scorer’s instinct, raw though it may be. She scored this very grown up header, knowing she would take contact, less than two minutes into her NWSL debut, for one of the fastest NWSL debut goals. It will be hard to break into a squad where a player like Gia Corley has started off hot, but what a player to sub in, or to give a start to when your team needs something different. There was more noise around other young players before the season started, but with her ability, I don’t think Chiamaka will remain hidden from the rest of the league. Thank you Chiamaka for making me look smart about football.

Cultural Cuts: Riss Willett

As you can see, our newest SBFC Member has been busy the past few weeks. Whether it’s covering her first Spirit match, choppin it up with fellow SBFC Team Member Thom, or hoping on a podcast to talk about SG culture and the problem with Unwell, Riss is putting her expertise to good use. Make sure you give her a follow and get a bit more of the culture!

After a loss to Kansas City Current the previous week, the Spirit make a comeback with a win against Bay FC 2-0. Both goals coming from Ashley Hatch in the 23rd and 27th minute. While the spirit are still working out some kinks, their showing against Bay FC shows improvement in an ever evolving defense and midfield.

Final Thoughts: This Land Ain’t Your Land, This Land Ain’t Our Land

Last week, during the international break, US based NWSL players for both Zambia and Venezuela were kept stateside, a decision made in conjunction with their clubs and federations, as the uncertainty around the kidnapping of citizens and immigrants alike remains as policy for the current U.S. administration. While many other players were able to travel and reenter the country without issue, that we know of, these players that stayed are from and represent nations that have been placed on an arbitrary list by the current administration. Though all parties involved have spoken that this is hopefully a one window occurrence, there is simply no way to know that, and there is an outsized hunt for Black and brown women in this country, particularly because they do not fit the “standard” of femineity and womanhood laid forth by Trump et. al. The truth is, we have struggled to keep a player like Barbra Banda completely safe here, regardless of who is in power. The trans panic, born of lies, endangers trans people, particularly trans women, the most. It is their lives and livelihoods at stake. However, it also harms cis women, particularly non-white ones. This is the time for the league, for teams, for the PA, to not only state their values, but live them. You want the paycheck that comes with leading, then lead dammit. Protect your players because it is the right thing to do. If you cannot do it because it is right, do it because if you don’t, the labor will walk. They will walk right to Europe where they can get paid and not get deported on the whims of a dictator. It is proven that standing up to this bully often means he backs down. Ask China, hell, ask your former NWSL superstar Megan Rapinoe. Fear is natural, but so is bravery. Be brave!