Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #374: WoSo W'day — NWSL opening weekend, Cat’s health, prize money, etc.

Episode Date: March 22, 2023

Vince, Tara and Belz run through the bigger topics of the past week or so -- Macario's statements on her return to play outlook, FIFA prize money, Korbin Albert first start for PSG -- and then preview the NWSL season from a USWNT lens.----Their Pitch's interview with Catarina Macario: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/their-pitch/id1605081715?i=1000604016313https://twitter.com/theirpitch----Scuffed is an ad-free podcast. Support that and get exclusive episodes once a week, plus access to the Discord and live call-in shows, by signing up for our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus any bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show, plus all patrons get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedhq.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the SCuff podcast, where we talk about U.S. soccer. All right, it's Wosso Wednesday, and our main order of business is the start of NWSL this weekend, but first we got to talk about Kat Mikario. Yes, she was a guest on the podcast, Their Pitch, last week. She spoke on array of topics from playing soccer in Brazil, moving to the United States, if she'd ever move back to play in the NWSL, her time in France and a whole lot more. But I bring it up because she was asked pretty blatantly,

when are you going to be back on a soccer field? And I want to get your guys' feedback, you know, psychoanalyze this tiny little clip. What do you make of it? When do you think we'll see you back on the playing field on the pitch, playing back? Ooh, that is a lovely question. honestly like the thing with recovery

is that like with rehabilitation and things like that is that you can't really put a you can't really put a timestamp to when it's like when are you going to come back it's really just when you feel good when you feel confident you know to come back and things like that

and so we'll see we'll see but definitely hoping you know April May you know before before for the World Cup, obviously, helping to be there.

But yeah, no, like, yeah, we'll see how it goes. I'm, I mean, I'm being patient with myself and just, like I said, just taking it week by week and just seeing how I feel and, yeah, just leaving the rest of to God. What did you think? So I would have to say that the main thing that I took from that clip, uh, what was really within the first, the first 10 seconds of, of Katz response. You know what I'm saying?

Like, like, like, whenever you get asked a question and the person you ask the question to hits you with a nervous laugh and, and that's a good question. Hey, if it's something serious and something that you want to answer in the affirmative to, it's probably a negative response every time. Yeah. I mean, she, on the one hand, she didn't sound devastated about it or anything. So it's not like it's hopeless, but. It's not hopeless, but it's certainly not. Yeah, yeah. Doesn't sound confident. April or May can become May or June and then it's too late.

I'm glad you guys, I'm glad you guys said that because it's like keeping me realistic. Because when I heard it for the first time, like she obviously sounds very cautious. I don't think she sounds defeated. I do think that there is still help for us. It's just not going to be in this April camp, which feels like it's just days. away at this point. There was a part of me that's like holding out hope for that Crystal Dunn Tiernan and Davidson role of just coming back to train and not to play any games.

But I'm trying to, you know, like knock that bad boy down. Do not get my hopes up. But yeah, otherwise I thought it was a really interesting answer, interesting podcast. But I'm just, you know, I wanted to feel you guys out, see where my expectations should be. Yeah, that is the most, the newsiest thing from the interview, of course, because that's the big question. But she also talked about why she chose not to play and end up NWSL in the first place, you know, the lack of agency on where she could go. Yeah. And she won't go to Louisville.

Right. When I listened to that clip, I was like, actual shots fire that Kentucky this is. Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's not for everybody. That's for sure. Especially that year, it still wasn't looking too good. True. What hints did she give about her club future in the end?

It crushed me. She spoke a whole lot about her relationship with Jill Ellis and her deep love. of her hometown growing up of San Diego. So if she comes back, she's with the wave. And, oh, boy, that's going to be a difficult team if it's anywhere near in the future. Right. Hey, hey, hey. So based on what I'd be hearing about San Diego, it sounds like it's the Kentucky of

Southern California. I'm not going to say too much more, but, you know what I'm saying? But you got to be... You've got to say a little bit more. In what way is it the Kentucky of Southern California? I'm leaving it there. Thank you. Okay.

The ominous. Those are a little ominous. But to keep with our international gals, Lindsay Horan scored a goal this past week. Let me play the clip. A scissorick, baby. It was nice, man. She's a baller.

She's not very mobile, but she's a good soccer player. When she's good, she's great. When she's good, she's great. That was the dumbest thing I could have possibly said, but it's true. It was her fifth goal of the season at Leone, and they play again today. I think it's 145 Eastern. Champions League is back, baby. They play Chelsea.

I'm with Lindsay all the way. Also in France. Also in Champions League is PSG. They play Wolfsburg this afternoon. So the fixtures are coming fast for them, which likely means more minutes for Corbyn Albert, who already got her first start, went 90 in a cup semi-final win over the weekend,

1-0. thought she was very high usage, kind of messy, a little messy with the ball, but it seemed like a good learning experience and she's not afraid to try stuff, drew a good save from a tight angle right at the end of the first half with her right foot, dummy the ball for a teammate in the lead-up to the game's only goal,

definitely up for a scrap in midfield and then got crunched once early on after a loose touch. So I'm going to keep you posted on Corbyn. We will keep you post. posted on Corbyn. Yeah, I saw the clips. I thought she had that Clint Dempsey-esque. You know, she's always trying stuff.

Of course, it's going to be messy if you never stop trying stuff. I am so hopeful. I'm so glad she's getting these minutes already. Yeah, it seems perfect. Yeah, hopefully, possibly, maybe, you know what I'm saying? We could see Corvin sneak up onto consideration for the World Cup roster. I mean, I don't see why she wouldn't. if, uh, ends up, you know, getting, getting big minutes of Champions League and stuff like that.

But, uh, yeah, the messiness is kind of expected if you've watched her, if you watch Corbyn throughout college. Yeah, you would definitely say that, well, like moving up to the professional game, just being able to, to know when to, when to be tidy with it, when to, you know, play, play one touch, two touch football, uh, in the midfield and, and when to do her, Corby-Nobber things. That's just going to be a natural progression for her. So it's coming though. It's coming.

There's no doubt in my mind that she's going to be just amazing soon. Right. She's plugged in very quickly, which is in Paris, which is great. Another midfielder who could maybe, maybe perhaps, sneak in to the World Cup roster. Sam Coffey was talking about how she was at home with a. with a notebook and a pen watching the games that the women played at she believes. Jim rat. I was going to say, is that endearing or kind of pathetic?

The first in and out of the gym. Hey, hey, man, you got to do what you got to do. You got to do what you got to do, man. When it comes to things like this, yeah, you got to put it all out there. Pathetic is not the right word. Pitiable. I mean, I found it. I found it a bit sad.

It's a little sad, yeah. But she's an unknown territory. Like people don't get ousted from this team that often. So, you know, I am watching Sam Coffee like a laser this weekend. I am still hopeful that she can get that one last chance she talked about in April camp. But, yeah, I mean, it was a great article and I am hopeful. Okay. Those are Corbyn and Sam, as everyone knows, play in the midfield.

We still haven't really figured out the midfield under Vladko. Last thing before we get to some other stuff is Mia Fischer, scored the game-winning penalty for Tigris on Monday against Club America in stoppage time. I got to play the clip because, well, you'll find out, the big fish. I wanted to stay I wanted to stay in Mexico forever now I loved that announcer Tiggers

Tiggers plays top of the table Cross town rival Monterey this weekend a big game for both sides and you know fish will keep scoring She does And it doesn't look like any senior team call-ups coming But it's a good way to

Keep her name in the conversation though Keep scoring See what happens Like I said, I told you guys last time I believe Like I've given up on the dream of this round This World Cup But we got the Olympics coming right up after that There's no reason we stop keeping track of me official

She's clearly won for the future Yeah, we'll have to see though Just I just like Vyco seems to have made it pretty clear That he doesn't rate Mexico So I don't know. Like, I just don't know where we go from here. The official's done everything.

Like, I mean, you would probably expect her to keep up, to keep scoring at this rate. Even if she does, it's just like where. But potentially we get rid of Black Co after this World Cup, so we don't got to worry about it. I don't know. But you're saying. But also, we don't rate Mexico really either, right? I mean, did you, we were talking about this a couple episodes ago, or maybe it was last one. Angel City, out of season, playoff misser, up against Club America in a friendly in their midseason form,

look like women against girls a little bit at times. Yeah, that's true. But Vince, are you saying Mia needs a move? Uh, I mean, I don't know. Like, I guess it would be up to her. But I'm just saying if, you know, if plans. playing in the league that she's playing it, is it going to get it to the senior team, then, I mean, I guess she does. But I don't know.

I guess things could potentially be in flux after the World Cup. So you just play it through at this point and see what happens from there. But if Latko is still there or new person comes on, have that conversation with them. And they also do not write Mexico, then between a rock and a hard place. Yeah. The only thing is the only thing. thing, the only thing that I believe keeps her in the conversation, like, even with Flatco is we do not have, you know, strikers. We don't, we don't have a wealth of backups or anything like that. Right. So, I mean, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens, but yeah, I've, I've given up hope that it's this cycle at all. Yeah, but also it's like, so say she stays in

Mexico and then you got Michelle Cooper like what if Michelle Cooper has like a banner rookie season you know I'm saying and and you're risking immediately yeah right and you're risking falling behind her and then yeah it's it's it seems it does seem to be a risk it does seem to be a risk I'm not saying it's fair or anything or whatever whatever but but that charming announcer yells the big fish and I'm one over just like that Yeah. All right.

Other thing before we get to the end of NWSL matches coming this weekend is the prize money discussion for the Women's World Cup. This is a little bit old news at this point, but it's happened since we last convened. FIFA has boosted the prize money available for the Women's World Cup. Still not at parity, but the total amount of prize money, I guess, is $110 million compared to $30 million. compared to 30 million in 2019, so a more than 300% increase. And that's good, right? It's huge. I mean, the more people who start caring about women's soccer, the more profitable it can be.

And look, we're reaping the rewards already. Like, that's a huge increase. That's huge progress. And it can only get better from here. Yeah, Infantino, Johnny Infantino said that. that they want parity by 2027. That's the plan is to have it be equal to the men's prize money. It's still only a third of the men's World Cup prize money,

which is, I think, you know, was sort of the crux of the whole equal pay dispute when it really came down to it was prize money. So this is good. And it's, you know, the real winners here are the men's national teams who are the U.S. men's national team who gets to share the prize money. with women.

So now they're out, you know, they're pooling all their prize money. All anybody who was crying wolf when it came out that the women's national team got such a large chunk of the men's earnings this past year in Qatar, just wait until we introduce you to the women's national team. These boys are going to be getting paid. I'm thrilled. Yeah. If they win, I guess I don't, I haven't done the research to know.

if the women win the World Cup, which they're always in the conversation to do so, does more prize money come in under this new arrangement for that, then came in for the men getting out of the group in Qatar? I guess I don't know. It's interesting, though. We'll get back to you next.

I'll get back to you two weeks from now. The question didn't even occur to me until just now, so that's my excuse for not knowing. one thing that's been made clear to me probably in the in the past year is is just the growth potential for women's sports in in this world um i guess i just really had to consider it too much like i i just always assumed that like status quo was going to go and you know like the like the women's national team would always just be that the u.s women's national team winning all the world cups winning winning all the not all the world cups but but you know what i'm saying um and then that being being like brazil or argentina and that overall parody just just like wouldn't make its way to to the game and uh yeah this this past year's hammer home to me that it's that it's definitely coming and and along with that parody just like the overall popularity and profitability of this of the sport is just uh it's it's limitless like i i guess i just didn't realize that

a women's World Cup can be as big as a men's World Cup. And as I see, like, Barcelona started to sell out, like, sell out the Camp New. I've seen, like, crazy crowds in Italy for women's matches. You know, we've got crazy crowds here in L.A. Louisville, we're getting there. Not always there yet. But, you know, just around leagues, around the world, like, I'm seeing, I'm seeing, just tremendous signs, tremendous signs for where the game can go and where the game is going.

And it's kind of illustrated a little bit to me in women's college basketball too, where like you're seeing where it used to be in women's college basketball. You really didn't have to tune in until like the final four of the tournament because you knew like Yukon would be there. You knew like Tennessee would be there and all that. And if you watch the game now, like the just, just as we get more and more women playing the game, you get more talent and the more talent spread out and you have more good teams to watch throughout the sport. And yeah, just seeing the same effect in soccer.

And it's just, it's going to go up and up and up. And, you know, in the next CBA, maybe we see a decoupling of the prize money because it should be equal at that point. But yeah, I'm just happy it's going the way it's going. I'm just really proud that we, meaning the United States soccer, were able to kind of be the guinea pigs a bit on, you know, merging the two national teams and finding a solution. You see a lot of other, you know, highly developed soccer countries have not figured that out yet. like Canada just went through it. Spain's been going through it.

I think it's something to really, really be proud of. Yeah, I agree. I mean, we were the guinea bigs. We still are the guinea pigs. Has anybody else done that? Pooled the prize money? No, not yet. That I know.

I don't think so. I wanted to say one more thing about the prize money, which is Infantino. He started on this refrain last October, but he's continued. to beat the drum. He's really putting the broadcasters on blast for what they're offering, according to him, to carry the women's World Cup. So he said 100 times less, even more than 100 times in some occasions. So he's saying only 1% that these broadcasters, some of them publicly

funded like TV stations in countries around the world, are offering only 1% of what they offered for the men's broadcast rights. And here's what he said. In some countries, they are quite good at telling us that we should give more emphasis on equal opportunities, on equality, on non-discrimination, on treating men and women in the same way, which is, of course, what we have to do. And we try to do that to the best of our ability, he said. It's important that everyone puts actions as well behind words, and we all start to

treat women's football the same way. So he's basically saying it's not our fault. It's the TV broadcasters. Pathetic. Yeah. Good. I mean, that just goes to my point. Like, in a few years, man, everybody's going to be in line to pay money and everybody's

going to be trying to get in line to receive money too. You know what I'm saying? If you, like, hear about some of the, some of the, like, the South American feds that truly have not already, like, got on board with women's soccer. Like, I know Argentina comes in mind. I've heard some quite troubling stories about our Argentina treats as women footballers. like everybody's going to get in line about 2027 when they see that when they see that money

yeah when they see that prize money roll in everyone's going to start getting serious real quick if they haven't already enough of the enough of the international talk NWSL is back it's back baby six games this weekend I thought it'd be worthwhile to do a little refresher on how the

end the season ended last year. The O-L rain ended top of the table with the thorns, a point below them. San Diego Wave and Houston Dash were even on points at third and fourth. Kansas City Current and the Chicago Red Stars rounded out the teams that made the playoffs. So six teams of the 12 make the playoffs. And of course, the thorns beat the current in the final two to one. So with the new season starting this weekend, let's talk about this first round of games. We've sort of organized it in three categories, must watch, should watch, and can watch.

I don't know how catchy that is, but let's do the first must watch game. Yeah, so we organized it like this with United States women's national team wins. But the first game I have on here is the Washington Spirit versus O.L. Rain. They play this Sunday at 4 p.m. in D.C. So for the Washington Spirit, we're going to do this for each team in hopes of just being like without judgment or agenda. Just talking about each team and then what we think will happen. What do you mean without judgment or agenda? I mean, speak for yourself, Tara.

Yeah. When we talk about San Diego Wave, I'm not going to be like, well, this flop of a team. No, they're clearly very well. What should we watch about them? Okay, gotcha. For Washington Spirit, they were the 2021 champions, and 2022, everything fell apart. So they have a new coach, a big investment was made into the behind-the-scenes work. Dawn Scott was named their senior director of performance, medical, and innovation.

So it's a mouthful of a title, but really putting their money where their mouth is. I think watching the Washington Spirit is fun, but if you're new to the team or new to watching NWSL, they have Andy Sullivan, they have Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez as our national team girls. And then someone else I really think is worthwhile and could be in the conversation of a national team girls. call up at some point is Sam stop. She is their centerback. She's their captain. She is just a really strong and consistent player. It is a tough first game against Rain, but they're at home. I'm cautiously optimistic. What do you guys think? I have to say that you talked a lot about throwing away our judgment and our agenda. But somehow, Tara, you left Ashley Hatch out of the

out of the who to watch. Oh, my goodness. I was like, where is he going with this? I was getting so snarky. Oh, that I did. That I did. Ashley Hatch was very good when they won the championship in 2021, but she also fell apart like the rest of the team.

I'm curious to see what she looks like at the start of the season. Okay, okay, all right. So I'm just saying she was called into the last camp, you know. Yeah, no, it was a grave era on my part. But they play O'L Rain. Go ahead. Did I cut you off? I was just going to ask if either of you wants to be the senior director of performance, medical, and innovation for scuffed.

the thing is I think I would do wonderful okay you're hot I'm naming you that it's such a bizarre title but it really stuck to me so I would throw Pierre Sobriere in the ring

I would love to bring I would love to bring him on myself if we're talking about performance medical and innovation I mean Pierre's the guy King Innovator

my guy needs a job too, yeah. But they play O'L.Reyne. So what to look for if you're watching O'O.Raine in this game? Megan Rapino, she had an excellent year last year. She's always been a player who can rise to the occasion. But she picked up a knock in preseason training, and she didn't train or play or dress or anything in the little preseason tournament in point.

Portland. So that's something to watch, especially with an April camp right around the corner. Will she be healthy? They also have Rose Lavelle, who is consistently one of the most fun players to watch. Sophia Huerta gets to be very attacking with O'L Rain, something she doesn't always get to do with the national team. She's worth a watch. She fits in really well there. Alana Cook is a great young centerback, somebody who I hope starts in the World Cup, but that's definitely not locked in, I don't believe. And then the only other thing with LL. Rain is they have one of the most exciting young goalies in the league, Falunculus Joyce. You know, my hope is that she is part of the national team conversation very soon.

But, you know, it's not promised either. So that's what I would watch in the game, just these, what, four or five players. Yeah. I mean, I would say, isn't Ferse-Rosevelt is probably the most fun player to watch? she's up there the most fun American player to watch I'm gonna have to think about that

I'm not thinking about that but you think Trinity's more fun maybe no I don't have to think she's the top two for sure we have the spirit spirit versus the rain

what do you guys think is going to happen oh I don't know who are you watching the most of Or who are you hoping to see do well? I'm still quietly on Team Sanchez. I want her to take that next step. So that would be the most, you know, you go into a game hoping to see something, right?

That's the thing that matters the most to me is her getting better. I think everybody else is, I'm happy with the way they play for the most part, you know? I wish you were not quietly on. Team Sanchez. It's something to get into later. I don't want to hammer that home.

But yeah, I agree. I'm hoping that Washington Spirit can pull it off. They're at home. They play at Audi Field now, which for anyone who has watched the Spirit in the past, they used to play at one of the worst fields in all of America. but now every home game is going to be at Audi Field where DC United plays and, you know, this new coach, high expectations for sure. TV-wise, you can stream all these games on Paramount Plus and then one of these games, I think the San Diego Wave one. Yeah, Wave versus Red Stars 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday. That's on CBS Sports Network.

I think you can stream all of the games on NWSL's website as well. Like last season, Vince, Vince will attest to this, but last season, you had to do one of the most embarrassing things you could possibly do to watch some of these games. Stream it on Twitch. It was so sad. But we're, that's gone with. So hooray, growth. Why is Twitch embarrassing? It's just because it's.

It's just embarrassing. Yeah. It is. Every time I had to hop on Twitch, like, it took me like a solid 10 minutes to find a game. If I was doing it like on the, I think on the Apple TV, specifically, it was giving me trouble. It was giving me trouble online and on a computer. Slightly easier. But yeah, man, I'm happy to be done dealing with Twitch.

Thank you. Thank you. But the other game in our must watch category is San Diego Wave versus Chicago Reds. stars. They play Saturday, 10 p.m. Eastern in San Diego. Something to note before we get into the teams. They have already sold over 23,000 tickets.

And that's going to be a home opener record for the NWSO. So congrats to everyone over there in the Kentucky of California. Still curious about that. San Diego's got Alex Morgan and Jaden. Taylor Cornec in a different role than what she's been shoehorned into

with the national team, right? Yeah, she gets to be more attacking for sure with the wave. I'm really excited to see what Jaden looks like. Last year, we only got her for the final half of the season, so she didn't get a full season,

is my point. I'm excited to see how she starts out. And San Diego has Naomi Germa. one of, if not the best defender in the league, I would say in the world. And if we're doing World Cup Watch, Kailen Sheridan is their goalie, and she's Canada's goalie. And I would say she's probably the best goalie in the world as well, too. So they're stacked. They should be running people over.

Yeah. Senator, we haven't talked about this, but somebody on the Discord called Naomi Germa, Senator Germa. And I think we should refer to her that way from now on. I'm not going to be a tyrant about it. I think she might be a little too good for it. I think she may be a little too good for it. President? President.

We'll see. We'll see. But San Diego, like they're at home in front of a huge crowd with a stack team. I'm excited to see how they start. They play Chicago Red Stars. So the first question that should be on everyone's mind is can Mow Swanson continue this hot streak? She started with the national team, especially against Naomi Germa. Yeah.

Can Swanson beat Germa is a very interesting. interesting question. Yeah, it's definitely going to get me watching. Also for Chicago, Casey Kruger and Tierna Davidson, those are two well-known United States women's national team defenders who have been battling injury for, it feels like, quite a long time. But per the coach, they are both ready for week one, and that's going to be huge for the Chicago Red Stars. They They definitely weren't at the top of their game last season due to a lot of injuries. And having Casey and Tierna back should be huge for them. And a little less important, but still noteworthy, I think.

Alyssa Neyer is their new captain. So we have our top goalie, the United States top goalie, and she's leading the team for the first time. So I think that's awesome. Okay Yeah, I mean there's just a ton of A ton of relevant players in both of these games That's why they're in the must watch category

Just to repeat Go ahead, sorry No, I'm the one cutting you off all the time But San Diego versus Chicago Tell me your guys' predictions What do you think is going to happen? Yeah, I'm going now

Two goals She's beating Naomi Yeah, yeah I mean, she had the hot streak. I mean, she is currently on the hot streak with the national team. But the hot streak started with Chicago. She's more times than not, she's unplayable. Playing for Chicago.

We'll see if she plays as a nine or not. Sometimes she does. But, but yeah, I'm looking forward to Mao, possibly, probably breaking somebody down around the halfway line, just carrying that thing all the way finishing. Left foot finish. And as a matter fact, you're going to get a left foot finish and a right foot finish.

Two goals. Chicago spoiled San Diego's home day. Home opener. Yeah. That would be nice. Thank you. I am going, I'm going, I think they're going to tie. It's just too stacked

both teams. I don't see how San Diego doesn't get points out of this game. Okay. I guess I kind of rudely shut down the predictions on the spirit and the rain, but does anybody want to predict what happens there? That's a nil-nil.

I'm hoping spirit win. I think Trinity Rodman's too good not to get an opening goal at home. But yeah, I would happily settle for a tie there. Okay. Yeah, I think I'm going to go with a Trinity Robin goal one zero spirit. Let's go to the should watch category. And I'm going to switch these up a little bit. I think we should do Portland Thorns versus Orlando Pride first Sunday at 5 p.m. in Portland.

What are you watching for, Tara? So for Portland, it's going to be all eyes on Sophia Smith. Is she healthy? What does she look like? She missed January and February national team camps. And it's just been too long since we've seen Sophia. So that alone is a reason to watch the game. But we also have midfielder Crystal Dunn. She was looking very good with the national team, but she has not played 90 minutes in a long time. I'm excited to see how she looks. And it's also just a pleasure to be able to see Crystal in her natural position as a midfielder. And they also have, you know, consistent and reliable Becky.

Always, always worth a watch. Yeah, Portland. Portland has plenty of reasons to tune in. I'd love to get my coffee agenda fired back up. So that's interesting for me. And of course, yeah, that's Sophia Smith Health Check. And then Kelly Hubley, she has played every minute of every game last season. She's someone I would love to see get a tryout for the national team, you know, in between

World Cup and Olympic time. She's somebody to keep an eye out, I believe. And then Olivia Moultry, will she get more minutes this season? She played quite a bit in the preseason tournament they had, but, you know, they're not on TV. No one's no one's really like even live tweeting them. So no idea how she looked. But she got she got a good amount of time and it's worthwhile, worthwhile watch, I think. Agreed.

Yeah. With all points. With all points. You know, I've, I've said a few times I'm down on Olivia Moultry, but also at the same time, you know, she could make, she couldn't make that leap at any time. Young people in it. So development, not being linear, all those things, et cetera, et cetera. Yeah. And they play.

They play. They play Orlando, who they have Marta back for the first time in a while, which is exciting. But to be honest, Portland's got to win this one. Three zip. Three zip. Three zip to the thorns in their Ed Hardy kits, hopefully. Absolutely.

Yeah, well, we'll have to see, we'll have to see how the thorns, how the thorns respond after losing their senior director of performance, medical, and innovation. But, I mean, with this amount of talent, should be, should be okay. Should be okay. And then the other game in the should watch category is Angel City versus Gotham, Sunday, 9 p.m. in LA. Is, yeah, you know, I just want to say, this is,

Y'all have no excuses. Y'all have no excuses because MLS has decided to put all their games on Saturday. And you're seeing this amount of Sunday games. So, you know, you're going to be going through that soccer withdrawal anyway. Go ahead and turn it on. Go ahead and turn it on. You got a whole day of Sunday NWSL to keep that existential dread away from the work week. That's right.

go ahead Terry I'm sorry No I'm just thinking about Sunday scaring being solved But if you're tuning in What to watch for in Angel City To me How much can Alyssa Thompson carry on our shoulders Or how much can she

How quickly can she become a high impact player I guess maybe it's the same thing Yeah either way It's it's the Alyssa The Thompson show. Sydney LaRue and Kristen Press have not been training with the team in preseason at all. There is more hope for Sydney coming back, but no clear timeline from what I've seen. So two superstars in terms of the United States women's national team who could elevate

Alyssa to that next level very quickly, but they're both hurt. So I think Alyssa is worth the hype, worth paying attention. to. And if Angel City can get healthy, it's going to be huge growth for the club, for the team, for Alyssa herself. Definitely something to pay attention to. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So if you're if you're more on the on the prospect side of it, this might be a must watch for you to see Alyssa in her NWSL debut. Just to see what she can do. I mean, after seeing that, I got a, like Club America friendly.

I got some, I got some, I got higher hopes than I initially had. Just because, you know, now, you never know how a rookie will hit the ground in the end of BSL. I mean, especially a rookie as young as Alyssa is. Because most, you know, most of these rookies end up being 22, 23, whatever. But, yeah, let's see it. Let's see what you got. Listen, I'm excited.

And I'm especially excited for this game because Gotham is, then rebuild phase. Like, they finished last in 2022. They had a terrible season. And they now have three national team players with a lot to prove. We have Midge Purse. We have Lynn Williams and Christy Mewis. And Midge Purs recently said that this has been the best preseason of her entire career. She also re-signed with Gotham. And that tells me a lot. If Midge is in, I'm in. I'm in. I, I am hoping for a tie here. Yeah, I'm going to say Gotham comes in and spoils Angel City's opener and spoils any prospect watchers, a chance of watching Alyssa Thompson. These hungry events are going to come in and get a one-zero win.

I don't know. Like, Gotham's kind of wishy-washy just in general. Like, that back line can be got at a little bit, even though Angel City don't get. there's not much attacking talent there with with Press Gone and LaRue

But I don't know We'll see I can't call it I can't call it If I had to pick one I'll go Gotham They got slightly better kits

Okay Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time And then let's quickly talk about The other two games These are ones you can watch You can the North Carolina Courage versus Kansas City current Saturday at 2 p.m. Eastern time in North Carolina. This is the runner up from last year's playoffs against a team that just missed the playoffs last season.

Neither has a massive American presence. But yeah. So this is, this is like still plenty worthwhile of a watch. North Carolina, if you're watching North Carolina, this is going to be. Emily Fox's first game with her new team. I love Emily Fox, so I'm definitely going to be tuning in. Casey Murphy didn't have the best year last year. She's their goalie. But she's been good with her national team chances, so I'm excited to see how she does. And they also have a new player, Tyler Lucy. She is a forward from Angel City, who had a really terrific 2022. They're definitely

going to be the underdogs, but I'm watching for those three players. And then a personal goal of mine is to learn more about Brianna Pinto. She was the six in the U23 tournament. And

I'm excited to see how they do. Yeah. And then for Kansas City, they've got they've got Michelle Cooper. Is there anything else to watch for Kansas City besides Michelle?

Yeah, just hugely high expectations. Go ahead, Vince. Yeah, yeah, just that, like, Kansas City, uh, I think I've said it before on this pod, but, but they make me sick. They make me sick because they're just making moves. They, they seem to be a very well-run organization, uh, which, which, you know, is a toss-up in NWS. They seem to know what they're doing.

They seem to be able to identify targets and be, able to go and secure them. So they've built a very good team, a very good team. They, they, they've gotten better from that team that finished runner up, in my opinion. You know, like I'd de Bina, got Michelle Cooper. Yeah, this is, this is a very good team. One, one without too many Americans as we've talked about. But, you know,

Devinia's hurt too right so she's not gonna play this weekend yeah I've never seen a knee brace that beefy on on somebody that that isn't you know about to have ACL surgery or something so so I don't know what the hell's going on if you haven't seen the pick she seemed to be in like a full knee immobilizer which for me made me make me think the worst but you know, there hasn't been any, any huge news about Debiania being out for the season or anything like that. Maybe she's just, maybe she, you know, tweaked a MCL or something slightly and just, it's taking it easy. But, uh, yeah, anytime you see, anytime you see a full knee immobilizer, man, that gets me, uh, gets me kind of worried. But we'll see. Me too. Um, just, but like huge high expectations still. And Haley Mace. She's been on the bubble for the national team called up here and there, but never, never consistently. I'm excited to see how she looks as well.

So one more player for Casey that you need to watch for is their draft pick. Well, their other draft pick, you know, got Michelle Cooper. And then Alexa Spanstra was also with Michelle Cooper for the U23s in France and started at least the first game. Was playing left wing. Seems like a decent little attacking player. So we'll see if she has, if he shows like national team potential. But also, you know, that attack in Kansas City is kind of, it's kind of stacked. You got C.C. Kaiser, you got a glut of talent.

So we'll see how she develops. But, yeah. Okay. That's all for me. Alexa Spanstra from Brighton, Michigan, given the way her name sounds, I'm guessing that's on the west side of the state. So what would it sound like otherwise? Well, it's a Dutch sounding name.

But it's not, Brighton is from, and there's a lot of Dutch people in the Grand Rapids area. But Brighton is just outside Detroit. So I'm not saying there's no Dutch people in Detroit. Make that clear. There probably are. There certainly are. People of Dutch descent almost everywhere.

Okay. So are we doing the dash in Louisville? Yeah, that's last step. Houston Dash, Racing Louisville, Sunday, 7 p.m. Eastern in Houston. If you're watching Houston, I racked my brain to try to find reasons to watch Houston. But if that's what you're doing, I would say Ebony Salmon. Is that how you pronounce it? Yeah, yeah, salmon. Salmon. So Ebony Salmon is one of the most exciting attackers in the league. She's,

she's regularly called up to England's national team. They have not utilized her that much. Will, will this season change things at all? It's a World Cup year. She definitely has something to prove if she wants to play in the World Cup. She's, she's exciting to watch, though. Yes. Very exciting to watch. I know personally she, She was a, she's a former racing Louisville player. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah, yeah, we traded her to Houston last year. Good trade.

It's something that still sticks in my craw a little bit. But she's, like Ebony is just absolutely dynamic. She's a nine, but she can, she's a nine that, It's just not a poacher. She's broken down defenders and scored multiple goals. Like her first goal for racing is just one of the nastiest things you'll ever see in the NWSL. And she followed it up like two or three more times by just completely making centerbacks looking foolish and then slotting goals. So yeah, she's an absolute baller, absolute baller.

Yeah. And then, you know, on the race in Louisville side, it's a team that finished ninth and the NWSA last season and their second season. Second season of existence. Coming up on year number three now, we just released a hideous houndstooth kit. The video just came out while we were recording. I personally am disgusted. But on the team side, you know, we've made some good moves. good moves.

We got Carson Pickett and Abby Erseg in the trade for Emily Fox which if you're going to get Emily Fox at least we addressed a key area of need which is centerback and got a

first team NWSL leftback which I mean you can't do much better than that. And then also we've talked about Jalen Howell a ton on this pod as a potential six and

yeah Jaylon's the one I'm interested in yeah yeah let's see how Jalen how she progresses this season

specifically with the ball specifically with the ball I've talked about this a few times we've talked about it she's an elite athlete her father was a NFL safety and you can see it

just like in her movement skills just like how she changes direction how So yeah, yeah, just her ability to get in duels, win duels. She's just, she's absolutely yoked, just strong as an ox, I guess. An unbelievably strong woman. And just for my money, she should be the sixth of the future if she progresses accordingly.

You know what I'm saying? And she was, you know, you saw Alyssa Thompson getting call-ups before she was in the NWSL with the national team. Jalen Howell was doing that as well. She was kind of anointed as the one that was coming. And I guess in the eyes of WACCO, she had a disappointing rookie campaign,

but our team itself was just a complete mess. Shouldn't be as much of a mess this year. We have continuity for the first time. You know, we're carrying over a coach. from year to year for the first time. And I'm just excited to see. I'm excited to see what's going to happen here. Yeah, I mean, even carrying over a coach is somewhat unheard of in the NWSL.

So that's cool. And then. A magnificent achievement. I'm going to be watching this game fully for Carson Pickett. I think that there is a real chance. It's still, you know, it's not dead yet that Carson could be on the plane to New Zealand. She's been consistently on the bubble of call-ups. She's that next person called up if there's any injury.

And like Vin said, she was in WSL Best of last season. I think it's a great get for racing. And I don't see a world in which they don't get points out of Houston. What do you guys think? Um, two ones, Louisville. Well, well, the, the thing is, uh, scoring, scoring two goals is, scoring goals at all is going to be, it's going to be a stretch. It's going to be a stretch.

Well, we'll see. Uh, still have Jessica McDonald. We've made some, we've made some good attacking signings. Um, in the team. I mean, we still, uh, of course, we got Savannah de Mello, which I'm going to keep my eyes out. I'm going to keep my eyes out for, uh, Savannah. DeMello versus Ashley Sanchez. We'll see who wins this war over the course of the NWSL season.

But Savannah DeMello, because of, she thrived in the chaos a little bit more than Jayland did last year. And had an absolutely outstanding rookie season. We'll see if she follows up on that. But I'll go one-one. What I really like about Savannah, though, is, you know, I felt like a jokester. trying to keep any sort of track of of the Portland Thorns preseason tournament. But what I did know is that Savannah

got, I believe, two yellow cards in that tournament in the, you know, meaningless, pointless. Just practice games. She was out there swinging and I like that in a player. She's a yellow card collector for sure. She's definitely not afraid to get stuck in. But yeah. Hopefully

Hopefully around the verge is something special for racing But we'll see We'll see I'm not going to see too much You don't You sound like you're a little You're kind of of two minds about this attack On one hand you're thinking Savannah might be better than Ashley Sanchez

On the other hand you're saying it's going to be difficult for the team to score goals How do you square those two things Uh If Ashley Sanchez was playing in this attack The team would still have problems scoring goals. Like, you know what I'm saying? It's about the people that are on the end of these passes from, from SAV.

Like, you know, SAV isn't necessarily getting in the box scoring goals. She's more creating. We didn't make any predictions on- Slipping people in, what not. What's that? I'm done, I'm done, I'm done. Okay, prediction for Kansas City versus, or North Carolina versus Kansas City, is what, three-zip Kansas City?

The thing about Kansas City, I feel like they're, at least at the beginning, they're going to have a bit of this national team curse where like even when the national team wins, it's not enough or the goals weren't pretty enough or anything like that. Kansas City has to win and even winning, like, they need to do it, do it well. I'm hoping three nothing. Okay. All right.

Yeah. NWS starts this weekend. And like I said, no, no excuses. Get to a TV. What will the game start? Like Sunday at 4? Yeah. I mean, we do got some Saturday games.

I mean, check those out too. But, I mean, you know, if you're locked in the MLS 360 or whatever the hell on Saturday, there's plenty of action for you on Sunday. So get to it. I'm so excited. I'm so excited for NWSL to come back. I can't wait. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it

I'm excited to see what you guys think as well Come join us in the Discord too Which requires becoming a patron The link is in the show notes You can do it for as little as $2 a month And get the Monday reviews every week So thanks everybody for listening We'll see ya