Monday cannon fodder: broken expansion drought

World Cup

USA beat Netherlands to win Women’s World Cup | Football | The Guardian
USA have won the Women’s World Cup for the fourth time with a 2-0 win over Netherlands in the final in Lyon

Why the USWNT’s open queerness matters - SBNation.com
A story about LGBT+ people learning that it’s going to be OK.

Women’s World Cup: USA’s Megan Rapinoe wins Golden Boot - BBC Sport
The USA striker finishes the tournament as top scorer.

‘We put our bodies through hell and back’: behind the scenes with the stars of the Women’s World Cup | Football | The Guardian
In the run-up to the tournament, Lucy Bronze, Kelley O’Hara and other international players were given disposable cameras.

FIFA proposes Women’s World Cup expansion to 32 teams, increased investment | Pro Soccer USA
FIFA president Gianni Infantino nearly ran out of superlatives to describe the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

World Cup a triumph for women’s football but broken culture cannot be ignored | Kelly Lindsey | Football | The Guardian
As the Afghanistan Women’s coach I have witnessed a blatant disregard for the protection of women and girls in football.

Premier League/England

Some Women’s Super League games to be double-headers with men’s matches | Football | The Guardian
Women’s Super League matches will be played as double-headers alongside Premier League fixtures next season.

Fred’s absence from Man Utd tour squad explained - Football365
Fred is nothing if not optimistic. He planned his wedding around a Brazil call-up which never came.

“They sold a team and built a stand”: how Ipswich went from European champions to relegation in five years
Under Bobby Robson they were one of England’s finest, but the desire to build a stand would see Ipswich eventually tumble out of the top-flight.

Europe

Sources: Britain’s richest man to buy Nice
The takeover of Ligue 1 side Nice by Britain’s wealthiest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be confirmed on Tuesday.

How Jürgen Klopp built an empire out of ruin at Borussia Dortmund
After the troubles of the mid-2000s when destruction loomed large, in stepped Jürgen Klopp to make Borussia Dortmund a power once more.

Gold Cup/Copa America/MLS/Americas

Mexico win Gold Cup 1-0 | ESPN Soccer
The US men couldn’t replicate the success of the US women.

Brazil end Copa América drought with victory over Peru in final | Football | The Guardian
First-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and a late Richarlison penalty helped see off Peru 3-1 in Rio.

Watch: Lionel Messi gets sent off, goes on angry rant, refuses medal in protest - Planet Football
Argentina beat Chile in a fiery encounter in the Copa America’s third-place play-off.

NWSL moves slowly toward expansion during next three years | Pro Soccer USA
NWSL president Amanda Duffy: “We’ll be looking to expand at the right timeline and making sure that we have the right owners.”

AFCON/Rest of the World

Africa Cup of Nations: Egypt sack head coach Javier Aguirre after last-16 exit - BBC Sport
The hosts suffer a shock defeat by South Africa in the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Madagascar vs. Congo DR - Football Match Report - July 7, 2019 - ESPN
Madagascar kept up their fairytale run at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Other

Carlos Tevez: A priceless striker who even proved Fergie wrong - Planet Football
A decade on from ‘Welcome to Manchester’, Carlos Tevez remains a controversial but ultimately brilliant footballer.