12 Days of Football: Nine Ladies Playing

On the ninth day of football, FIFA gave to me nine ladies playing, Eight managers managing/Seven sides-a-sinking/Six games amazing Five Golden Goals! Four calls blown/Three French clubs/Two title races/ and Antonio Conte and a back three. Welcome to the ninth day of football, in which we finally notice that women play the beautiful game, too. No one said we were quick on the uptick. The USSF certainly was when USWNT star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the Star Spangled Banner before a series of matches while representing both club and country in 2016. She had done so to express solidarity with NFLer Colin Kaepernick. The erstwhile San Francisco 49ers quarterback had done the same to protest discriminatory treatment of black Americans by police. In early 2017, the federation passed an edict requiring all players representing national sides stand and respect the anthem and flag. Rapinoe complied with the new rule while publicly stating she still supported Kaepernick's actions. Here are nine other footballers who put in notable shifts in 2017 while privately uttering thanks that Sepp Blatter wasn't around anymore to suggest they wear skirts. Izzy Christiansen – Manchester City The Macclesfield born midfielder is an interesting case. In and out of the England squad, she seemingly never did enough to impress Mark Sampson, who sparingly awarded her with international caps. Then the England boss was sacked for expressing sexist and racist views behind the scenes. With that bird flown, there’s opportunity in the air for Izzy under the new regime.

Isobel plays her club football for Manchester City, earning accolades. The 26-year-old has put her career into overdrive this season. She's top scorer in the Women's Super League with five goals in as many matches. Interim England manager Mo Marley has unsurprisingly capped Izzy several times as a result. Ada Hegerbeger - Olympique Lyonnais If goals were presents, then you’d want Ada to swing by on Christmas Eve. There would be no room under the tree. The Norwegian-born striker is another goal machine. Only 22, she's just won the treble with Lyon and has several other trophies from seasons past. Her 98 goals in 77 games for Les Bleues is the stuff of legend. It’s crazy to think on all she’s already accomplished. One has to wonder how much is yet to come? Noelle Maritz – VfL Wolfsburg With a name like that, Maritz ought to be playing as you read this, but the Frauen-Bundesliga is on its winter break. The league is thriving, though, with Wolfsburg at the forefront. It's a talented squad with plenty going forward, yet it's also very difficult to break down. That’s where Maritz comes in. Also 22, the American-born Swiss international has won multiple Swiss and Bundesliga titles. She is the sole defender who has appeared in all 11 games this season for die Wolfinnen (She-wolves). With her minding the store, Stephan Lerch's team has conceded just six goals. Like the best defenders love to do, she's also popped up in the opposition box to score one for her side.

Lana Clelland – U.P.C. Tavagnacco What do you call a Scottish woman playing football in North East Italy? Lana Clelland. Seriously, what did you think? People may not be shouting it from the Highlands (they ought), but Clelland could become the next big name in Scottish football. She made the Rangers youth setup, but couldn't find glory in her homeland, only finishing as a runner-up with Spartans, an Edinburgh-based SWPL team. So she took to foreign lands. She has found her glory in Italy, but has had to do it on her own. Her Friuli-based side finished six, ball watching while Clelland claimed the Serie A Capocannoniere. She’s working her magic again this season. Eleven goals in eight games from its taliswoman has powered Tavagnacco into third. Such incredible form has forced Shelley Kerr to select her for the Scottish national side. With Clelland leading the line, FIFA's 21st-ranked women's side might finally reach the World Cup. Giulia Colini – Res Roma In case you were wondering, the women's game features players who would never make Santa's nice list, just as men's football does. Giulia Colini is the John Terry, Roy Keane, and Eric Cantona of women's football, all rolled into one. She's played very little football this year. Why? Like the aforementioned men, she relishes a crunching tackle just a bit too much. Fewer cards and a general lack of red ones are handed out in female leagues. Colini, in fact, is the only player in Europe to have been shown more than one. With the Serie A season just eight games old, she’s been banned for three after seeing straight read and then being dismissed for a second bookable offence. It’s difficult to say what has sparked her fiery side. She hasn't had a history of poor discipline in previous seasons. Equality is a wonderful ideal, but the Italian needn't take her career down the Joey Barton path just to prove a point.