Just watched the Lyon goals again, and am not sure Earps had that bad of a game given that a) it was her first game for us, and b) it was against probably one of the top three teams in Europe this coming season.

I think it was only really the first goal that we could say Earps is to blame for, but Linari and Kennedy also contributed by losing the ball. Earps should probably have kicked it long (other players in the team seemed to be expecting that - e.g Lucia was waiting on the half-way line), but decided to twice play it short to Linari and Kennedy, who were then dispossessed by Lyon's press. She had the option of Mapi on the other side, but didn't take it.

After we lost the ball, both Mapi and Earps ran towards Weir, leaving an open goal for Weir to pass the ball into. Arguably another mistake by Earps, but again, something she will learn from - I'm sure Mapi will have a conversation with her!

For the second goal (direct from the corner), I don't think Earps was to blame - she was positioned in the centre of the goal, and the ball went over the crossbar and then dipped to go into the far corner. Earps jumped, reaching the crossbar, but not the ball. Just a great corner kick.

For the third goal, Linari gave the ball away causing a one-on-one with Dumornay. Perhaps Earps could have made it harder, but again, not many keepers would have stopped Dumornay in that situation, who sold a dummy to go round Earps and finish nicely.

Fourth goal looked to be a foul on Mapi, then Earps saved the first attempt, only for the ball to fall to Weir who crossed to Dumornay for a tap-in.

I'm a.big fan of Lete, and she had some good performances in pre-season, but she didn't face Dumornay and Weir, so I think it's hard to compare.

So I don't think I'll mind who starts on Friday - whilst the scoreline against Lyon wasn't flattering to Earps, it was only really her decision making in the first goal that I think we can criticise her for - with the main decision being that you don't pass to Linari or Kennedy when they are under pressure and you have Mapi standing next to you!

When and how do we receive the season ticket?
I’ve only had the gift so far.

Has anyone started a league?
If not I can set one up if people are keen! :)

Saki Kumagai is one of the most decorated footballers in history. Here is a look through her career journey:

• 📍 Birthplace: Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
• 🔴 First Club: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (2009 League Winner)
• 🏆 World Cup Winner: Scored the winning PK in the 2011 World Cup Final vs USA
• 🇪🇺 UWCL Queen: 5x Champions League winner with Olympique Lyonnais; LCL player with the highest number of Champions League appearances (96)
• ⚽ First Japan Goal: November 10, 2019 vs South Africa
• 🦁 First London City Lionesses Goal: November 16, 2025 vs Aston Villa (Scored a brace!)

Truly a legend of the game. Long may we see her shine!

One week to go. Fire away your thoughts about the coming season!

First episode live at 20:30 BST (GMT+1) today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNjKuPTZcYk

A podcast hosted by actual LCL fans.

Let’s go Ladies ⚽️

Venue: Copperjax Community Stadium (Hayes Lane, Bromley)
Kick-off: Sun 23rd August 2026, 12:00 BST (GMT+1)

Live stream:

London City YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYXLopCu16w

Starting line-up:

Elene Lete
Maria Perez
Lucía Corrales
Daniëlle van de Donk
Alexia Putellas (C)
Elena Linari
Delphine Cascarino
Alanna Kennedy
Mapi León
Sienna Loom
Janni Thomsen

Subs:

Mary Earps
Sophie Hillyerd
Jana Fernández
Poppy Pattinson
Isa Kardinaal
Saki Kumagai
Daniela Arques
Nikita Parris
Aya El Bergui
Rosa Kafaji
Grace Geyoro
Corinne Henson

Match events:

31' SUB Jana Fernández replaces Sienna Loom
35' GOAL London City 1 - 0 Atlético Madrid (van de Donk)

H/T subs - Kumagai,, Arques, Parris, Kafaji replace Putellas, Linari, Cascarino, Perez

67' SUB Aya El Bergui replaces Alanna Kennedy
67' SUB Corinne Henson replaces Janni Thomsen
67' SUB Isa Kardinaal replaces Daniëlle van de Donk
67' SUB Poppy Pattinson replaces Lucía Corrales
67' SUB Grace Geyoro replaces Mapi Leon

The camera angle at the Copperjax is absolutely horrid. It’s worse than what you get from a typical youth game filmed on a Veo camera. They’ve got to do something to get a higher angle, or it’s going to be very hard to attract international fans to watch matches. It’s headache-inducing how much the camera has to move, and how you can see so little of what’s happening. Arsenal have always had a pretty bad one when they played at Borehamwood, but this is somehow even worse.