By Associated Press via Fox News
After a pandemic-induced end to last season, women’s soccer in England seems reborn with the arrival of World Cup-winning Americans, a slew of Australians and robust enthusiasm about the league’s potential.
Women’s teams could only watch as the Premier League restarted and finished its season following a coronavirus stoppage. Their six-month wait is nearly over, and optimism abounds in the Women’s Super League.
“We’re pushing to try and make it the best league in the world,” Manchester City forward Georgia Stanway said.
Defending champion Chelsea takes on Man City — the team it leapfrogged for the 2019-20 title when standings were determined on a points-per-game ratio — in the new season’s curtain raiser: the Community Shield scheduled for Saturday at an empty Wembley Stadium.
It’s the first women’s Community Shield match since 2008 and is part of a doubleheader with the men, which features Liverpool against Arsenal. The Football Association, which runs the WSL, says the twin bill is designed to boost visibility of the women’s game.
The 12-team WSL begins its 2020-21 season the first weekend of September.
Man City made a splash with the signings of United States midfielders Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis
“They’re unbelievably experienced players, both club and internationally,” Stanway said of her new teammates. “They’ve won World Cup medals, Olympic medals. It’s so good to see how competitive the league is getting. It’s exciting to be a part of.”
Manchester United is reportedly pursuing American teammates Tobin Heath and Christen Press.
This follows the January debut of Australia striker Sam Kerr at Chelsea. Many other Aussies have followed.
“The WSL right now has an unbelievable opportunity, just because of the way that 2020 has panned out,” said Wales international Jess Fishlock, who joined Reading this year on loan from OL Reign in the United States. “This year is going to be pretty special.” Read more from Fox News Sports.
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