Friday WoSo news roundup

Hey friends, I know Friday doesn’t mean anything to most of y’all anymore, but I hope you have a great weekend if those are indeed a thing for you. It’s a good time to do a news roundup!

Around SB Nation

My colleague Stephanie Yang had a couple of essential reads this week.

Crystal Dunn and Brianna Pinto talk about being Black soccer players | Stars And Stripes FC

You’re gonna learn a lot.

Parent life in the NWSL Challenge Cup bubble | All For XI

I’m so happy that NWSL took this aspect of setting up the Challenge Cup seriously

Transfer news

There’s been more transfer activity in Europe than I can fit in this space, but I’ll get you caught up with some of the big ones from this week.

Rikke Sevecke: Everton Women sign Denmark defender | BBC

Katerina Svitkova: West Ham Women sign Czech Republic forward | BBC

Brighton Women: AC Milan midfielder Nora Heroum signs for WSL side | BBC

Manchester United Women: Ivana Fuso becomes latest signing for Casey Stoney’s side | BBC

Manchester United Women sign Spain international Ona Batlle | Guardian

Emma Mitchell makes move from Gunners to Reading Women | Reading FC

Diana Silva signs for Villa Women | Aston Villa

Atlético Madrid sign German international striker Turid Knaak | WNewsBreak

South Africa captain Janine van Wyk signs for Glasgow City in ‘one of the biggest ever signings in Scottish women’s football’ | Telegraph

Deanna Cooper joins Reading Women | SheKicks

Emily Gielnik heads back to Europe with Vittsjö | Westfield Matildas

News from everywhere

Q&A: Christen Press and Tobin Heath on business interests, life during lockdown | Meg Linehan, The Athletic

Two of the biggest stars not playing in the Challenge Cup have been busy during lockdown.

For NWSL players recovering from injury, 2020 is a different kind of challenge | Jeff Kassouf, The Equalizer

I wish we could have seen the likes of Jess Fishlock and Merritt Mathias have a better chance to get back to their best over the course of a real season.

Fifpro demand ‘systemic review’ of existing sexual harassment and abuse protocols | Telegraph

FIFA got its decision right with the former president of Afghanistan’s FA, but it can do more to prevent a similar situation from happening again.

Liverpool Women: Why were they relegated in same summer men’s team won Premier League? | Tom Garry, BBC

The Oof Meter is turned up to 11 for this one.

Chelsea’s Beth England and Emma Hayes win major awards | Guardian

Firmly believe that Chelsea is the best run women’s club in Europe and we’ll see them rise to the top eventually.

This weekend’s Challenge Cup games

Quarterfinals! Games that matter! No more planned rotation! I’m excited. All times below are ET.

Friday:

North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns — 12:30 p.m.

Houston Dash vs. Utah Royals — 10 p.m.

Saturday:

Washington Spirit vs. Sky Blue FC — 12:30 p.m.

OL Reign vs. Chicago Red Stars — 10 p.m.

All games are on CBS All Access.