A new UEFA Women`s Champions League season kicks off with a massive encounter in England between two European giants. Concurrently, the U.S. Men`s National Team (USMNT) has reconvened to prepare for their upcoming friendly against Ecuador on Friday, marking the start of a busy week in football.
Upcoming Matches
Catch the action with these key fixtures (all times ET):
Monday, October 6
- 🇺🇸 NWSL: Angel City vs. Kansas City Current, 10:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7
- 🇪🇺 UWCL: Juventus vs. Benfica, 12:45 p.m.
- 🇪🇺 UWCL: Arsenal vs. OL Lyon, 3 p.m.
UEFA Women`s Champions League: Arsenal vs. OL Lyon
The UEFA Women`s Champions League commences with a significant fixture as defending champions Arsenal, first-time winners, face eight-time champions OL Lyon. Both teams are eager to make an early statement in European competition.
Lyon enters the season revitalized after an active summer, with Jonatan Giraldez taking the helm as manager and a host of new, exciting talents joining, including American Lily Yohannes and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Their revamped squad appears strategically built for success in the Champions League, a tournament increasingly reflecting the evolving landscape of women`s football. Lyon, historically dominant with a record eight titles (five consecutively from 2016-2020), has not won the trophy since 2022 and is highly motivated to reclaim it this season.
Tuesday`s clash against Arsenal represents Giraldez`s first major challenge in identifying his optimal starting XI from a deep roster. While Lyon enjoys a perfect start in the Première Ligue, domestic league dominance has allowed for rotation. The Champions League, however, provides a more accurate measure of their true capabilities.
Despite Lyon`s newness, they remain favorites for this match. Arsenal, though a quality side, has experienced a rocky start to their Women`s Super League campaign, with only two wins in five games and three consecutive winless matches. This inconsistent form comes at an unfortunate time, just before what could be their toughest group stage fixture. The Gunners possess strong attacking prowess, with 12 goals this season, but their defense has managed only one clean sheet, adding complexity as they navigate the Champions League as reigning champions for the very first time.
The stakes are immediately high, as the UWCL introduces a new Swiss system this season, expanding from 16 to 18 teams. Only the top four teams from the league phase will directly advance to the quarterfinals. This new format emphasizes the importance of every point for teams like Arsenal and Lyon, as they aim for the most direct route to the final on May 24 at Oslo`s Ullevaal Stadion.
USMNT Intensifies World Cup Preparations
With the World Cup on home soil just eight months away, the U.S. Men`s National Team has convened in Austin to ramp up their preparations. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has assembled a strong squad for upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Australia, continuing a trend of facing top-30 FIFA-ranked opponents in the lead-up to next summer`s tournament.
This month`s roster highlights Pochettino`s commitment to finalizing his squad after a year-long process of expanding the player pool. Notably, 12 players on the October roster were not part of the Copa América 2024 squad, which was the last assembled by Pochettino’s predecessor, Gregg Berhalter. Many of these players were not regular fixtures under Berhalter. Pochettino`s squad overhaul means these games are vital for numerous players to demonstrate their capability for a World Cup spot.
While key figures such as Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun in attack, and Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards in defense, are expected to feature prominently, the battle for other starting positions is intensely watched. The goalkeeper situation, appearing to narrow down to veteran Matt Turner and Pochettino`s Gold Cup starter Matt Freese, remains an area of interest. Similarly, the midfield is highly competitive, with a blend of experienced players like Weston McKennie (attending his first camp since March) and rising talents such as Diego Luna and Malik Tillman, whose reputations have grown under Pochettino. The absence of Tyler Adams due to personal reasons could open avenues for further tactical experimentation and new combinations in the central midfield, fueling fierce competition for spots as the World Cup roster progressively takes form.
Football Headlines
- LaLiga and Barca in Miami: UEFA controversially approved Barcelona playing a LaLiga match in the United States this December, despite initial opposition. This decision also extended to Milan`s Serie A game in Australia.
- Pulisic`s Missed Penalty: Christian Pulisic`s penalty miss for AC Milan in their goalless draw against Juventus on Sunday highlights his critical role, as he is expected to retain penalty duties, underscoring his increasing importance for the Italian club.
- UWCL Power Rankings: Despite recent struggles, Arsenal is surprisingly ranked as a top contender for the Women`s Champions League title, leading the initial power rankings for the season.
- Liverpool`s Woes Continue: Chelsea inflicted Liverpool`s third consecutive defeat within a week, signaling significant underlying issues contributing to the Reds` decline in form.
- Barcelona`s Heavy Loss: Sevilla secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Barcelona on Sunday, exposing Hansi Flick`s team`s difficulties, particularly in the absence of the injured Lamine Yamal.
- Man Utd`s Routine Win: Manchester United earned a straightforward win against Sunderland, offering some much-needed relief to manager Ruben Amorim.
Match Analysis: Arsenal vs. OL Lyon
UEFA Women`s Champions League
The Women`s Champions League opens with what is arguably one of the season`s most anticipated matches. While a competitive encounter is expected, OL Lyon stands out as a strong contender at this point in the season. The French team boasts a formidable roster, with players poised to capitalize on Arsenal`s defensive vulnerabilities, as the Gunners have managed only one clean sheet in their first five league games. Although Arsenal might improve later in the season, facing a determined Lyon side, the visitors are favored to secure a victory and launch their European campaign positively.
