A top-of-the table English Women’s Soccer League game with a crowd of nearly 33,000 has suffered a delayed kickoff in London because the teams had matching socks.

Australia already captivated a nation as co-hosts of the Women’s World Cup.

Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd each scored a pair of goals and the United States won the bronze medal in women’s soccer at the Tokyo Olympics with a 4-3 victory over Australia.

The United States made it through to the quarterfinals of the women’s Olympic soccer competition after a 0-0 draw with Australia.

After a pandemic-induced end to last season, women's soccer in England seems reborn with the arrival of World Cup-winning Americans, a slew of Australians and robust enthusiasm about the league's potential. Women's teams could only watch as the Premier League restarted and finished its season following a coronavirus stoppage. Their six-month wait is nearly over, and optimism abounds in the Womens Super League. The Football Association, which runs the WSL, says the twin bill is designed to boost visibility of the womens game. Before the pandemic, attendance was rising, likely boosted by England reaching back-to-back Womens World Cup semifinals.