Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #385: WoSo W-Day — Alyssa is good, Ertz settling in, Moultrie dime, ACL talk, boots on the ground in Chicago & Louisville

Episode Date: May 3, 2023

Tara, Vince and Belz catch up on NWSL action, go deep on Thorns v Angel City, discuss the ACL epidemic, and offer reports from the homes of the Chicago Red Stars and Racing Louisville. Catwatch resumes this weekend.----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. Hello, hello, there are only six Woso Wednesdays until the World Cup. How are you guys feeling about that? Tara? Thrilled, happy. It's going to go by so quick, and I think, you know, timing couldn't be better. I'm really excited. It sounds to me like we need to up the frequency. I thought.

Just a reminder of the schedule. is USA versus Vietnam on July 21st at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. USA versus Netherlands, July 26th, 9 p.m. Eastern time. And USA versus Portugal on August 1st at 3 a.m. Eastern time, all on Fox. Hell yeah. Oh, yeah. Let's get weird. The Portugal kickoff time is a doozy, but it's been said before. The 2021 Olympics prepared us for this moment.

We're ready. Well, you know, maybe not we, but I am ready. I can't wait. It does seem like they took care of us with those first two start times. Oh, yeah. For sure. And, you know, if Vietnam and Netherlands go well, Portugal won't matter too much. Right.

Send off game against Wales on July 9. The whole deal is that, like, whoever's in that game is on the World Cup roster. It's going to be theatrical. I just, I'm not sure of the timing. Have they announced where that game's going to be? Yeah, California. Well, there's plenty of NWSL action to talk about, and we're going to get to it. But first, Liga-A-A-A-N restarts this weekend.

They kind of took an extended break for the last international window. Do you guys understand why they do that? No, but I am thankful because Lindsay Hrian needs that rest. Yeah. Well, I guess the main reason I bring it up is because we'll find out if Macario is going to be in a, you know, going to at least be in a squad this weekend. And then it'll be Corbyn. Maybe we'll see Corbyn versus Cat in the Coupe de France final next weekend, which is PSG versus Leon.

Would be huge. Speaking of Cat, I mean, did you guys see the athletic article about ACL injuries? Yeah, I did. I mean, it's just awful to think about how many women are going to be missing this World Cup. It's going to be the biggest World Cup yet. it's just heartbreaking. Yeah, five of the 20 Ballandor nominees in 2022 suffered ACL injuries in 2022,

which is a crazy percentage. 25. Yeah. And then I guess the occasion for the article was Leah Williamson, England national team or tearing her ACL more recently. It's kind of troubling. It is. I mean, Leah is a young captain of her team.

She was going to have a huge World Cup. it's heartbreaking. It seems like, you know, there are many people who know more about this than me. I just read one article, but it does seem like at least to a certain extent, this is unavoidable. Is that your guys' take on it? Well, from what I've read, it's not that things aren't being done. Right. It's just that with the growth of the game and with playing more and more consistently at a higher level,

this is this is one of the prices we're paying as of right now but that there is like an end zone like it's it's not going to be forever if if you want to like try and force a light at the end of this ACL tunnel wait what do you mean by that it's not like this is happening at least from what how I've interpreted these articles this is happening because the women's game is at this new level and we're playing more and more and we're playing better and better. And if we continue to keep playing at this level, it's not going to be such a like a shock to our body. I'm saying R as all women kind. Yeah. The collective. Yeah. Yeah.

But I mean, that could be totally off base. That's just how I've interpreted it. Yeah, the abrupt increase in the intensity. of professional women's soccer. Yeah. And maybe like the players, the player pool of women, soccer players, hasn't quite adjusted to that yet is one of the factors. But there's also like anatomical factors,

like the angle of the female tibia, the size of the notch and the femur that the ligament runs through. I mean, even the menstrual cycle. Gets us again. Good grief. Poor ladies. It's scary. It's scary.

Yeah. So, yeah, I mean, no solutions on this podcast episode, but it was kind of eye-opening to me to read all about that. Any other thoughts on ACLs? Who needs them best? Who needs some? What did you say, Tara? I said I wish them the best. Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, that's what it comes down to. Got hope and pray. Yeah. Yeah. That your ACL is spared. So our official stance is thoughts and prayers? Oh, boy. I think so.

I mean, you know, we can get some doctors out there doing some doctrine. Hey, that'd be great. But also, you know, it does seem like, you know, on our, on our esteemed illustrious discord we have professionals of many different disciplines the main one of which being

lawyers but we also got some some physical trainers and whatnot and one thing that one of them mentioned was that you know they this has been a greatly studied and

known fact of, you know, women's propensity to tear their ACL. And so, you know, they're working through it. They're trying to figure out, you know, ways to prevent preventative measures for this. But, you know, we just haven't got to this point yet. But, you know, when you look at the history of sports medicine and everything that we've accomplished so far, you know,

this is just another frontier that will be conquered. Only variable is time. There was an interesting part in this of athletic articles, though, where it talked about the difference between girls and boys, like, when they start playing at a high level and how boys are really, like, identified and plucked out of a group around 10 in girls that's closer to, like, 15. So I think, like, not to be, like, so cringy trying to find a bright side, but with the additions of these new, young, young, young players in the NWSL, maybe getting a feel for a higher level and a faster pace will help some of the muscles develop. Like, is that stupid? What do you guys?

No, I think that was definitely part, like, one of the takeaways from the article that when, that it, as women's soccer develops more, players will get involved at an earlier age. And, yeah, their bodies will sort of be prepared for the rigors of professional soccer in a better way, right? Yeah, and I think Ryan, the PT I've been referring to on the- Ryan McNulty, big shout out. Yes.

I think he also mentioned that girls playing sports younger and different sports before specializing is also an issue because it improves something physiologically. I didn't really, I didn't catch on. It was some, you know, cool name for it. But, yeah, that too. Well, I think about, I guess, one thought that occurred to me, maybe it's not the right thought, but one thought that occurred to me is, you know, my five-year-old daughter, I've been, I've pushed her towards soccer, as you might suspect,

and she's starting to be a decent little player and she likes it, you know? And I'm like, man, I'm going to, I'm going to feel really bad when she's, like, 16, and she tears her ACL because I've been making her play soccer all this time. But, yeah, I don't know. That's just saying that occurred to me. I mean, it is what it is, I guess. All right, well, USA and Mexico, we're a little late to this, but USA and Mexico are going to do a joint bid for the 27 Women's World Cup.

Who else is throwing their hat in the ring? Yeah, I think this is like very much in lighter news. We could be having another World Cup in the United States. South Africa has announced a bid, along with Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. They announced a joint bid. And then Brazil's sports minister said that they intend to bid. I don't believe that that's beneficial yet. Okay.

So lots of great options. I selfishly want the United States and Mexico. go to get it, especially right after the men's World Cup. I just think that that would be really cool. I think FIFA would make a ton of money, which famously has always been priority number one for them. So I think we have a good shot. But take my selfish asks out of it.

Brazil would probably grow the women's game the most if they host, which would also be a pretty big win. Yeah. Yeah, and, you know, if Mexico wants to go to the World Cup, we better win that bid. This is a good way to get in, yeah. It's the only way for them, I think. Do you guys think Canada didn't join the bid just because of how much of a mess they are right now? Who?

Probably. Canada. Who? Okay. Oh, doing a little trick there. Probably, but also, I mean, I don't know. seems like they need money, I guess. Something.

Or maybe they have plenty of money and they're not allocating it correctly. I don't know what the hell is going on here. But yeah, maybe, you know, it could be anything. USA and Mexico colluded to get Canada up out of there. Canada dropped out. I mean, it's impossible to know.

But, but yeah, Canada, you need to go ahead get your house in order. Get your house in order before you try. host the world. Right. Maybe Christine Sinclair can finally quit playing soccer and take over the Fed or something. Put her out of her misery. Now she's been playing very well.

Yeah, but to give the keys to mulchery is what I'm saying. About time. I can't wait to get into that game. Yeah. Well, and one of the little bit of News Challenge Cup has started, right? Yeah. Yeah. And it's the first year that,

The prize money is up to a million dollars. So that's a huge win and motivator for the women's game. Like we've never had prize money this high before. What was the prize money last year just for context? I think it was close to like 30, 40 grand. I might be talking way out of my, you know, but, but it's always been low. Yeah. And, well, I feel like they have to keep rising it, the prize money.

because, you know, that just pure disdain that most of the women, or maybe it's just some, some of the women that comprise the NWSL have for this tournament is. It's huge. It's dark. It's quite incredible. So I guess, well, why did they do it? Why don't they just have a regular season? I don't know, man.

I like it. I like that was good. I like it because most teams still use it as a chance to get rookies minutes. So, like, none of the teams you're going to watch are like the teams you know. For the most part, it's a good chance to get eyes on the rookies. But other than that, it's not that important to me. Okay. I don't like dislike it or anything.

It's just the format kind of confuses me. It confuses everyone. Yeah, okay. Well, we got some games tonight. Who's up? Houston versus Chicago. I think that's going to be a big one. Houston's been in a downward trajectory as of late.

I think they'll have a lot to prove. And then we have North Carolina Courage versus Gotham. And last in the West, we have O'L. Rain versus Angel City. A little note for that one, though, for any Julie Earts heads, she will not be dressing excused absence. She's not hurt or anything. Okay. That's good that she's not hurt because I saw it.

She kind of went off with a little bit of a tweak towards the end of that. Thorn's Angel City game. But let's talk about that game because that was the biggest game of the weekend for our purposes. The most interesting game probably by any standard ended 3-3 in the Rose City. The big takeaway for me was Alyssa Thompson was the best player on the field. Hell yeah She was very good Let me play the audio of

I mean she did score a goal But that's not the only thing she did well She's been under a little bit of pressure from Rainer race Here's Thompson showing off that speed The rookie slices it back Thompson Oh my goodness The Young Star

I mean that was a sort of What I had come to think of as a classic Alyssa Thompson sequence She gets a long ball comes to her at midfield She flicks it 30 yards over the nearest defender races onto it and then cuts onto her right foot beats bella bixby near post but um i'm curious what you guys think about her performance but man i thought she was good in every kind of way yeah i completely agree i thought she was phenomenal tonight like make the roster good

um her speed has rightfully gotten the most attention uh from outsiders but she really is so smart on and off the ball. And I've been heckled before in terms of, you know, the Ashley Sanchez of it all. But she plays with such joy. I just think it is so fun to watch her. And yeah, she was the best player out there. It was awesome. Yeah.

She's so calm with the ball. And she was, she was doing all this to Kelly Hubley, who Kelly Hubley is a good defender. It wasn't like, you know, she was just up against some flop. Portland is a great team and Kelly Hubley is a great defender. But Alyssa made her look slow, made her look uncoordinated. It was just a true testament to how crazy the game got that this happened right away. Yeah, it's one thing to be fast. But it's also, you know, the fact that she can, that she can one, like leverage her

ability to be extremely fast. You know, when she receives that ball, she sees the space and like, you know what? I'm going to just go ahead and dink this because, because Kelly Hubelie is not getting to it before me. And I'm also be able to decelerate and chop that thing back and,

and leave Hewby in the dust before I, before I score this goal. Like Tara said, it's just the type of, she really looks like a real, real national team level player. Like, like, but not that she wasn't before. or anything like that, but it was just like, even if we hadn't had the unfortunate injuries that we had before, this is the type of performance that would have got her on the plane, I think.

Yeah. She's just a difference maker. She was the playmaker for Angel City. Like, she was the one creating all the action and so secure on the ball. And then when she gets down in the final third, just lots of high-quality soccer decisions, you know. like cutbacks and one-two's so tidy. I was really impressed. Yeah, it's exciting.

It's like a secret weapon to have at this point. It could be awkward to, if we'd leave her off for like a Megan Rapino or somebody. It very much would be. That would be heartbreaking. Yeah, yeah, we can't do that. At this point, I just don't see. I mean, yeah, can't do it, can do it.

Yeah, I mean, Vlako had to have been thrilled with this performance because it's not just like a couple flashes of brilliance. It was like a comprehensive performance. Julie Ertz thought she was a little rough. Now, she did score a goal, scored a nice goal, go-ahead her on a near post header on a corner kick, and she kind of got in Bella Bixby's way on the own goal, sort of bodied her in the air.

She did. So that's cool. But man, she did not look in rhythm, in possession, rightly whistled for a penalty when she crashed through the back of Crystal Dunn in the box. Quite a few misplaced passes. You know, it'll be fine. But this wasn't like a fantastic performance at all. No, but it'll be more than fine because Julie was chaotic out there.

For better or for worse, she was. was a big, big player. She bullied tons of players. She was a big, tough mess. And yeah, it's not like anything was too great. But I think all of that aside, like that's not really what's important at this time. Two weeks ago, her debut game for Angel City, she went 70 minutes. This past week, she went 80 minutes. And I think the timeline is just working out really well for us. I think she has a few weeks to continue to shake off this rust. Keep working up to 90 minutes.

We have plenty of time to go. I think it's looking very good. Okay. Yeah. You know, she did have the, you know, the misplaced passes. They're giving up pen and a lot of type of stuff. But they were still like those moments where you could just see her quality. Um, like, like a few times I remember during that match, but she's just, he's just in the midfield, uh, multiple people around it. She's facing people up. He's, he's just, uh, and just a premium display of, I guess, ball security. Like the fact that like nobody could take the ball off of her in that moment, just dribbling people, whatever. Um, so, you know, I, I think as she continues to go, passes will be less misplaced. Yeah.

and whatnot. But yeah, I've been quite encouraged by Julie's play over these two weeks and, you know, the national team match. She had a nice little docee dough with Sophia Smith in the midfield. Did you guys? Yeah. Yeah. And then I think as they're walking back, as they're jogging back towards Portland's goal, Sophia kind of pats Julie on the back.

There was. A friendly gesture. It was right after Portland scored the penalty kick that Julie gave up. And Alyssa Thompson ran over and comforted Julie. And I was like, what world are we living in folks? Like, Alyssa Thompson had to go comfort Julie Earts on her mistake. I thought it was adorable. Yeah.

I, man, that reminds me of the halftime interview with Alyssa. they're like, would you rather, would you rather run in behind or, you know, check to the ball and receive it to feet? And she's like, both? I like to do both. I was like, duh. Sam Coffee looked sharp when I noticed her. But she did give Alyssa one of her few Ls in the game by biding her off the ball. But the thorns gave up a lot of chances in this game.

So that's not ideal if you're the defensive midfielder. Yeah, and like I thought in a lot of ways she was like the opposite of Julie arts. Like Julie, Julie for better or for worse, like even her good and her bad moments, she was top dog. Like she was bigger than that field out there. She was running over people. She was being like a jerk, basically. And Sam, she was poised, but she was behind the scenes. and, you know, I couldn't see her.

Like, she's, she's had, she's had a good season, but she wasn't dynamic. She wasn't in your face about it. And, and that's clearly what we need. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know about that. I'm saying, it's clearly what we need, meaning the national team, which is why we have Julia, that's just to make it. Oh, I thought she meant, okay.

It being someone who's big and mean. Okay, okay, okay. I was okay got you I thought you were saying what we need is that is people behind the scenes like need some more key grips or something yeah I was not clear but I'm happy I had the chance to clarify it for you guys yeah you know

to support the WGA but anyway yeah so the thorns play racing right the week in which we didn't record uh well so Wednesday and and I've just noticed this about saying in this match as well.

Like she really, really tries to stay attached to that back line. And, you know, whenever she can, like, that's the reason why she stays low-key. Because she's just, I guess she's aware of those physical limitations that we discussed on this podcast, and she's not trying to get exposed. And she really will just really retreat to, like, almost inside of her box sometime. Just one thing I've caught. One thing I've clock. And, you know, she did play well against racing,

but there were multiple times where, like, Jalen Howell and Sav to Mello kind of exposed. I think it's also the system that Portland plays, which keeps her back so much. Just something to note. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, totally fair, totally fair. Yeah, I didn't come away.

from watching this with like moving in one direction or another on coffee. I'm still just sort of like, I guess coffee curious, continue to be coffee curious. But she didn't like make a big case. I'm a sucker for a good alliteration. Coffee curious. I'll maintain that position as well. I thought Crystal Dunn was solid but not on the ball enough. Not super influential.

Maybe that's, you know, maybe that's the quiet, or it's effect. I don't know. Well, she did get massively tackled from behind by Julia. I mean, that was like her one notable moment. It was. Julie just came fly and. Yeah, that was chaotic for sure.

But I agree. Nothing special. And then why was Sophia Smith on the bench? She did come in later, but why was she on the bench? So I was nervous when I saw that Sophia wasn't playing. sure she could be rested but it's really it was only like the fifth game of the season so it didn't make

too much sense for me for it to just be resting purposes but um we found out that she had an excused absence the day before she went to a draft party for her boyfriend and a Portland paper ran the story with

his draft with the headline Portland Thorne Starr's boyfriend picked in third round of the draft which I just thought was a hilarious headline I wanted to bring up. Why is that hilarious? Isn't that the appropriate way to handle it? It 100% is, but you never see it like that.

Like to have a now NFL player be labeled as the Portland Stores' star's boyfriend. I just thought it was hilarious. We never see headlines like that on the women's behalf. Yeah. Well, people used to be mad at the way Kalea Watt. Is that how you say it, Kalia? Yeah, yeah. At the way she was referred to.

Which always struck me as a little bit, like, protesting too much because JJ Watt is a star and Kalia Watt is not. Yeah. And Sophia is a star and I don't even know her boyfriend. I don't know her boyfriend's name. Yeah. But all that to say, no reason to. be worried Sophia only played a half.

She just was excused to go to some party. So that's the only note I had. I thought she played very well in the second half. It was just a classic Sophia Smith game. She turned the thorns like engine way up. Yeah. She came on in the 56 minute along with Olivia Moultrie. And Moldry dropped a dime.

Let's listen to that one. this comes Maltrey head up running into the danger looking for runs sees weaver making that one and it's a perfectly weighted pass goalkeeper Harwichhut has to come out and doesn't get to the ball and weaver just takes it round it just doesn't hit it too hard so she keeps it in play and then turns and puts it into the empty net but so it's a um it was a ball so Moultrie picks the ball up near the right touch line takes a few takes a few touches and then it's it's a it's a gorgeous ball as the guy on the broadcast said, played it behind the back line to Morgan Weaver.

She and Weaver are the only people who really saw the play develop that way. Nice job by Weaver, too, to finish off the play. But, you know, we've been skeptical of Moultry a little bit on this podcast, but this was a nice play. I'm thrilled to welcome you both on board because I'm assuming Vince, you're incredibly impressed. Yes, yes, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I can't even front

I can't even front it was just yeah it was absolute dumb it was absolute dumb like bro said on the on the broadcast just the one thing that really struck me about it was the weight

man yeah the weight the weight of that thing was just perfect just perfect she meant every bit of it too yeah yeah meant it you know once you see once you see it once you see it run back and you see

Morgan Weaver's run developed Yeah, like literally that was the only place That Morgan Weaver was going to be able to receive that ball With the way that she was been in the run like with Because you know there were plenty of Angel City defenders in the way And yeah the only window to receive that was right there Kind of close to the touchline and then the fact that Morgan Weaver was able to control that thing and and score as well

Like you said, bills. Just just really impressive all around and yeah You know, we talked about Moultry. And, you know, this is something that we, I don't think we really saw in the U-20 World Cup was just the amount of quality that she does have on the ball, which, you know, we can probably attribute that to Tracy. Yeah, Tracy Kevin. It's a Tracy Kevin. Number one. But not to take, Mrs. Trunchball. Yeah.

Yeah. Not to take anything away from Olivia, who, obviously. I'm really looking forward to seeing how, like, get her more time in the league. When the World Cup happens, let her run. Like, I can't wait. But Morgan Weaver with the Thorns is becoming must-watch TV for me. Like, she's so good. She's so entertaining.

She's got great chemistry with Sophia Smith. I just think it's a blast to watch. Yeah, she's extremely nice. She really does jump off the screen. whenever you wash a thorn. She's beating people a lot, right? She can create her own shot, create her own window.

Yes, yes, definitely. I mean, she really does look like, you know, kind of in the mold of, you know, Sof, Mao, Trinity. You know, she's one of those types of wingers. She's earned, she's earned at least to be in the conversation. And, like, I make it a joke just with myself. I'm just cracking myself up.

Adding all these players' names to the 24 Olympics possibility. Like, I think I think Weaver has to be in the conversation. She may be in the same mold as those others, but she's made of a lesser material, I think. Yeah, yeah. Of course. Of course. But, but, you know, but she's having

she might be top of that next tier though she might be top of that next year yeah she's having a great season and Alex Morgan went on snacks two weeks ago I think it was Sam U.S. podcast and she talked about how Vladko

is the first coach she's ever had with the national team to tell her how important club soccer is right now like how important it is that you're playing regularly and playing well for your club. So if we're even believing that a little bit, Morgan Weaver is, is worth being in the conversation. I don't believe it even a little bit. I don't believe anything anybody says anymore.

Yeah. Oh my gosh. It's tough. It's all just work. People just say whatever comes into their heads and then they do what they want to do. Well, trust issues aside. Let's move on a little bit from the Portland game, I want to play a game and you two have to play along. The rules are simple. I'm going to say something and we all have to say if we're worried about it or if we aren't and why. Okay? Awesome. Vince, you're in?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's get it. It's not like you had a choice, but good. Rose Lavelle is still out. What do you guys think? I'll go last. Not worried. See, this is where This is where it's right to question Blacko

Because, you know, if I'm not worried Because ultimately, you know, he's played both sides At this coin. Club performance matters until it doesn't. And Rose can Sit out until we play Who's that first match? Whale?

Vietnam. Oh, I was. when they kickoff match. Yeah, yeah, I mean, she can even sit out, she can sit out for that one too. You can sit out so we play Vietnam and it'll be all good with me. Be all good with me.

Which, I mean, that would be like almost three months. But, you know, take your time, Rose. It's all good. Unanimous decision. I'm not worried either. Laura Harvey did come out and say she'll be okay in a few weeks. You know, but if we're not

trust no one throw that out. Remember this injury happened in the first Ireland game and Rose spoke to the press before the second game and was like nonchalant about it like yeah I took a hit I'd like to play but we just have to end this

camp without any more injuries which was like at the time kind of a dark joke you know we just we just Mao Swanson's hopes and dreams just got crushed but all that to say I trust Rose.

I think she's got World Cup brain and if she needs a break, she needs a break and it's only going to be good for us. Okay. Next up. Alex Morgan is out. Worried or not? Not worried. Okay.

Yeah, yeah, I'm going to say not worried before a different reason. Because, I mean, really, we have so many candidates to play the nine if needed. You know what I'm saying? it would be great to have Alex Morgan. But, you know. Well, the problem is it's probably going to be Ashley Hatch, right?

Well, there are candidates, but then there's Blackos' choice. Yeah, yeah. But I think Blackcow will have a Greg Burrhalter coming to Jesus type thing. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? If it really came down to it.

The European camp that we had, Alex was out and Hatchel was out and Hatch was in and Sophia Smith played winger. I mean, striker. So a little bit of evidence that he may, you know, see something else. Yeah, give me that, give me that Alyssa Smith Trinity front line. Oh, my gosh. But I agree.

I'm not worried. I think like Rose, she could use a break. The only piece I am worried about is San Diego just lost massively at home, which doesn't really happen. and that only worries me because it makes me think Alex will, you know, want to come back sooner because no one is going to want to see that happen, especially with how much ownership she has over the San Diego Wave team. And I'm pro-break for many of these stars. Okay.

Next, Becky Sauerbrun, out. Any thoughts? How serious is the injury? The only thing we know is that it's a foot injury. Okay, I'm a little worried. That's not a good of foot. A little worried. Okay, a little.

A little bit. Alana, Mark McKenzie Cook, waiting in the wings. I'm not worried. I'm going to be a broken record here. I think a break will do her good. She's not my first or second choice to start in this World Cup. but I understand she's the players captain and you know what she brings to the team is invaluable in experience and leadership she was on men and blazers a few weeks ago and they were like pressing her playfully about what she wants going into these games

you know because she's such a veteran she's won world cups before and she got very serious and like nearly choked up about it and she said she just wants the younger players to know what it feels like to win a World Cup. And I don't want to get choked up about it. It's like so... Get choked up. But no, shake it off, dummy. I'm not worried because we have lots of other talented players. Yeah, Tuna...

I noticed Tuna Davidson did some nice things this weekend, too. She did. She did. She did. Very good. She's very good. Okay. Last up in this very fun game.

two out of our three goalies are either not playing or not playing good enough thoughts yeah this is worrying partly because it does feel like Alyssa Neer's probably going to get the nod no matter what and she's one of the ones not playing well Vince yeah the main the main thing that's concerned me and really has concerned this entire podcast I think we've all voiced concern about Alyssa in there.

Yeah. And yeah. Do we, so really, we just got to hope that, well, actually, I was going to say we got to hope that she's just terrible. But I don't want to wish that upon anybody. Well, let's hope that she gets better. Let's take that approach. Yes, hopes and prayers for Alyssa and ACLs. Who do the sickos say as the top goalkeeper, Aubrey Kingsbury?

I think Kingsbury gets the, like if we were going to replace France, which I think we should. I think it would be Kingsbury because Vladko knows her. She's gotten reps with him before, and she's playing very well. I think Casey Murphy is still our top choice just based in this group. but there's lots of up and coming goalkeepers that haven't gotten a look at yet. So, like, I'm not saying their names just because there's no way they get a chance now. Okay. But I agree.

I'm very, very worried about this one. I was at the Chicago game this past weekend, and I got to see Alyssa, along with one Vladko. Can you guys believe it? Me and Vladko were together. Did you yell at him? No, no, I didn't. But I was thinking, like, what if me and Vladko became friends? Like, you guys would never hear the end of it.

But she wasn't a disaster like she was the week prior against L.L. Rain, but she was still just, like, kind of slow. And then AD has been benched, and it's not injury-related. The coaches come out and said they're rewarding. their other goalkeeper because she's been playing well and since the other goalie has been playing, Kansas City remembered how to win. They've been winning.

So it doesn't look like they're going to switch goalies anytime soon if the whole reason this happened was because they're rewarding her. You know what I mean? Yeah. Okay. That's a bummer for AD. It's a bummer for us all because, you know. Because we've been hyping AD French so much over the last year.

Well, she's, she had a phenomenal year last year. We weren't wrong in doing that. It's just she's probably going to make the World Cup and she's not even playing. Like that is bad, bad news for everyone. Yeah. One more thing. The game's over. So, you know, let your guard down.

We're done playing. But Vince, Vince was at a pretty eventful game this weekend. and if you're capable of taking off, you know, the purple lens lenses, I want to hear your thoughts since we had boots on the ground at racing versus rain. You okay with that? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely okay with it. You know, it was, I was proud and excited to get out to my first match of the season. You know what I'm saying?

Just by myself, solo. Didn't bring the family. I needed to get away from the kids. It was good to just, you know, to stand there in a supporter section and watch a great soccer match. Number one, I guess we'll talk about the O'O.Rane. I'll focus on them real quick. We got a Megan Rapino start. We got a Megarapeno start, which was hilarious because she wasn't good at all.

She was kind of pocketed for the most part. Really? Then, yeah, yeah, for sure. Not even. I mean, really, like, racing dominated this match. Race's midfield is quite serious. That's why I wanted to ask about a few specific players because Rain had a very bad first half.

And it wasn't just like a few players. Like, everyone but Fallon, to me, had a terrible, terrible first half. You agree? Yeah. Yeah, for sure. I was sitting in the they call it the waterfront supporter section so the side that opens up

and it's also the side that all four goals are scored out in this match and yeah yeah Fallon I was so I had a front row seat to watch Fallon go to work in that first half she really just commands her box yeah like it was just impressive to

watch like the physicality and intent with which she came out to like clear crosses and stuff like that that really left an impression on me so we got Alana Cook Alana Cook she

like like overall for the match she was fine but she did have she did have a couple moments she kind of had which really isn't totally our fault but she kind of had an assist

on the first goal the ball just kind of clipped off her feet she wasn't really in a position to clear it away and anything It was kind of a fluky play But you know Had the ball taken on for a few times

You know bad passes But overall I guess I say she was okay And I was laughing at Megan Rapino Because she wasn't good But then we give up We gave up a penalty because our goalkeeper Tackled Jordan Heidema And like I said

I'm sitting behind that goal and so I see that ball played in to Haidema and I see Katie coming out and I'm like, you're not going to get there and I guess Katie had committed at that point and tackled Jordan Haidema whose back was firmly to the goal which is unfortunate but anyway

Megan Pino came up scored the pin as she does and then was immediately subbed off and it was just funny to me because you know it was like the pin was taken and then all of a sudden I'm looking around like what's going on because like you know like within the

within the celebration of the goal and then play starts back and it's like yo where do pinot go well that's that's why you have megan rubino on the field that's the score your penalty kick or you want pin and get the hell out of you i want to go back to alana real quick if that's okay yeah yeah so i i watched this game and she had a bad half first half but so did everyone else So was she worse or was it just like the team was bad? Was she worse than who?

I mean like was she having a particularly bad game or was just the team being bad? Oh, uh, I don't know. Like I'm kind of hyping as far as like, I don't know if I can really qualify. Like, like, so really if anything, she was better than the rest of her teammates in the first half. even though she wasn't necessarily good. Yeah. She was one of the high watermarks for the team. She also got the assist on the tying goal, right?

Yes, yes, yes, because we had Savedamelo sent off controversially, in my opinion, controversially. And so in possession, the rain were playing what essentially amounted to, it seemed to me be a back three. And Alana was able to get up and yeah, service process in. He put quite a few in. And that one for Itima was an absolute dime. It was very nice. And one other player that I want to highlight here, Sophia Wertha. Sophia Werta just look, look, we got to

we got to quit letting mid on the national team. This is the U.S. women's national team we're talking about. Okay. And Sophia Werta, you, you, you're not making the grave. You're just not making the grave for me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I got to get this out there. And I had been thinking it, I had been thinking it myself.

And then once I saw her in person this weekend, just no, no, nope, no, no, no. Big fat, no. Thank you. She can't defend, basically, is the issue, right? She can't defend, uh, really, uh, when she's attacking. You, you know, I mean, she, she can serve in a cross, but, you know, She had multiple times where he was kind of one v1 with somebody. And these struggle dribbles, she was trying to put together.

It was just, I was like, man, get her out of here, dog. It was, a matter of fact, that cross that Alana sent in for Haidama came after a series of where to struggle dribbles where she was just like, herky jerky, like, try and like, do I even, like, you can tell that she's just, she's just not comfortable with, you know, taking a player on and whatnot. She all got it in her bag. I mean, it just says what it is. Yeah, I mean, it's why Emily Fox benched her so quickly when Crystal came back. Right, right.

It's a whole other level. I do reluctantly have a little, a little like space for Huerta, even though I know I'm wrong. Like, I do think she's mid. But the women's national team, the women's national team have so few dual nationals. And like, I just like that she changed from Mexico to the U.S. Like, that's just not common in women's soccer. But, you know, cut the emotional crap out. She can't make it.

I'm with you. So it's got to be like Emily Sonet or? God no, God no. Well. Casey Kruger. Okay. Oh, yeah. Oh, so Emily Sonnet was playing in the.

this game. Yeah, there's a lot of, it's a lot going on. Emily Sonna was also playing in this match. Laura Harvey, who I love in any other time, I think she's a great coach, but she has gone absolutely loony and has convinced herself Emily Sonna is a midfielder. She's not. Yep, yep, yep, and you saw the results like, dude, if y'all watch this match, racing just really just grabbed oil rain by the collar and just you know held them up against a locker for a solid

65 minutes or whatever until Sav was sent off and then it became it became squeaky bum time and we gave up the inevitable goal but yeah it was it was it was extremely impressive and extremely encouraging as a racing fan to see this

performance yeah it should be they were great and Savannah de Mello like I love I love watching her. I think she has a really, really strong future with the national team. I think even her, hold on, hold on. Even her, let me be nice to your player before you burn mine down. She, like, I think this past summer's call-up proves that she's like on the radar, at least.

And I think she'll have her opportunity after the World Cup. at least I'm hoping so because she is a difference maker. But like Vince alluded to, she got a second yellow at this game and she got sent off, which led to the triangle, I think. But I was listening to attacking third and they were basically saying it was a sexist call and how women dare to show emotion and look what happens. And I just got to tell you guys, like, that's crazy talk. like that was not sexist. The whistle blew and Savannah kicked the ball up. Like, you can't do that.

Yeah, I don't know. So I feel like her kicking the ball away and the whistle blowing was kind of simultaneous. You know what I'm saying? If I'm going to look at it from that. And it was funny because, like, you know, that foul was called. And I looked down on my phone. Next thing, I know I see a red card being throwing up. And I was like, what the hell is going on here?

I think it's going to be really good for her, though. because she does play hot sometimes and for sure she's a bulldog out there she went through she went through somebody's back to get her first yellow card

just a just a complete like scissors to somebody's legs whose back was too hurt like it was just nasty all of the all of the commentators who cover NWS out matches like do her and injustice

in particular like they love to throw out that she was the most foul player last year but she was the most foul player because she gets herself into these situations where she's running so hot. Like I hate to label her as like some sort of victim. You know what I mean? Sounds kind of sexist.

Hey, that's it. That's the sexist mark we have. But, but yeah, to get to my main point here, Savannah DeVello really is somewhere between five and ten times the player that Ashley Sanchez is. I'm going to keep it real. I'm going to keep it real. Dog, look, you watch these matches, you watch these performances.

Sav is on a completely different level. I have a question. On a completely different. And, and, you know, we buried the lead. She scored our second goal in that match. A banger,

a certified banger from outside of the box. Caught it. Side wander volley. Come on, man. Come on, man. I have a question. Be real with yourselves. Be real with yourselves.

Be real with yourselves. Sav's like that. Is, is she a better player than Christy Mewis? Without a doubt. Why can't you ever say things like that? Well, look, she better than both of them. Look, I'm taking on all coming.

I'm taking on all non, really just non-Rosevelt midfielder. Like, she's really that good. She's really that good. I'm not even doing like a bit. Like I told you all when I first initially brought it up, I wasn't sure I quite believed that she was better than Ashley's sent. But she's better than Ashley's Scentia. And Christy Meade was, let's throw her in too.

But I'm just saying I think Savannah has a long future. And she has made racing like must watch for me. It was not a team that I was watching regularly last year, but Savannah has made it a priority for me because she's exciting. She really is. Yeah. Oh, and then just to wrap this up, last thing on the match, Jalen Jalen Howe is making the leap. He's making the leap. The one thing I did agree with Black Cohen is that Jalen needs to play better in the NWSL before she can get caught up to the national team.

And she is playing better. She's just, you know, her ball, we talked about it before. Her ball plan was the main issue there as far as what can improve to get her two. play better. And yeah, in possession, she's really started to figure some things out. And I guess the thorns, he played a very nice long ball that put somebody, I forget, it was a race of player, put somebody in on goal. The shot didn't get taken because our, our attackers, we got some injuries. We got some injuries. But anyway, Jalen is coming up. Sav is already there. And you need to, If you enjoy watching the MMA midfield, you should check out. It should be noted racing Louisville still seeking their first win of the season. Yes, yes.

That is correct. We've checked off two goal leads in two of the last three matches. I have a question that is not too important, but please allow me. How old is Jaylen? She's not the same age as. Savannah, right? They're about the same age. They're like one year apart.

Jaylin being older? Younger. Jaylon's 20. Jaylin's a 99. It'll be 24 in November. Sav's like 26, right? No. Sav's

Yeah, Sav just turned 25. Oh. So yeah, they're one year apart. Sav's a 98. I thought for sure Jaylin was older. But like I said, not a boy. Yeah, that's the one thing I think about when you talk about players of the future having, you know, they got a long career ahead of them.

It's like, especially with these draftees, we're getting the younger players in now, the Chloe Ricketts of the world and whatnot. But these, you know, college draftees, by the time they get in the NWSL, they're a solid 23. Yeah. 22, 24 or whatever. But anyway. Speaking of Ricketts, can we talk about a little bit about the Washington Spirit game? I would love to. Like I said, me and my dear friend Vladko and Donovsky were in Chicago this weekend. It wasn't that good of a game.

So what did you and Vladko talk about when you talked? We didn't talk, but to get it right off, kicked off, Ashley Hatch scored a penalty kick. It was a decent penalty kick. neyer guessed right and got her hands on it, but wasn't quick enough. And it got me thinking, like, in some nightmares scenario where Ashley Hatch is on the field in a World Cup game light, I do think she is a good choice for penalty kicks. I would put her ahead of Lindsay Horan in penalty kick lineup world. But again, let's not hope that we get into a scenario like that.

The Hatch missed a free header early on from a nice Rodman cross. She should have got it on frame. But Ashley Hatch runs a little loopy. Her limbs go all over the place. Overall, I think it was a fine game from Ashley Hatch. Yeah. Yeah, hopefully we don't have to depend on her to finish her chances at the World Cup. But, you know, we may have to.

The other Ashley, I would agree, I mean, I think you were more impressed with her, performance, Tara, than Vince was? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I thought it was a quiet performance this week. The week prior, I thought she had a much better game. She hit the crossbar. She was more attacking-minded. But the field mic, like the field mic for broadcasting was right by the spirit bench.

And anyone who watched this game will attest to it. because it was like kind of obnoxious how much you could hear Mark Parsons just screaming all game. And it really reminded me of you too because he was just screaming Sanchez the whole time. He was like, good Sanchez, Sanchez move. And I was like, it's like I'm with my good friend Vince and Adam, only talking about after Sanchez. I mean, she is de facto on the roster for the World Cup. Like, yes. Does she have any goal contributions yet this year?

No, no. I looked it up, zero compared to three for Savannah de Bello. Yeah, this is a new system for her, a new coach, and I think she's adapting well, learning well. And she was, how did McNulty put it, effective? I'm starting to win over McNulty, and, you know, as he comes, the rest will follow. She has some stuff that I like, you know, like she's got great ideas. She's got pizzazz.

Yeah. But, yeah, put up or shut up time, you know. Let's like do something out there. I don't disagree. We're going to keep, we're going to keep growing. Okay. Yeah. I thought Rodman regularly creating chances for her team, just like she just, she's good for it.

She carries the load. She does. Yeah, she was a blast to watch. And I don't even think, like, I think she was maybe 70% effort out there. Like, I don't think it was peak Trinity Rodman at all. And still, she was very, very good and frustrating Chicago's backline, which had a great game. So it's not like Trinity and Sanchez and Hatch were just ineffective. It was Chicago got humiliated the week prior against O'O.Rane, and they had to come to Jesus moment, and they got their act together of it.

Yes, guys. I thought, so I thought we brought this game up to talk about, I'm talking about Chloe Rickett. Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's do it. Okay, you know, love Trinity, love, love both Ashley's, even though, you know, may have a little quibble here. here and there. But, but let's talk about the real star of the show, Sarah. One Chloe Rick's. Yeah, you were at the match. What did you see? I saw a tiny, blonde little burst of lightning. I am consistently shocked that she's this little and this young and this good. I thought like she was amazing. I really, I really can't stress it enough. Like,

like Washington Spirit having this as a regular, consistent off-the-bench tool is going to be wonderful for us this season. And when the national team gals head off to New Zealand, it's the Chloe Ricketts show nonstop. Yeah. Yeah. Once you said a little blonde burst of what it says whatever going on, it kind of reminded me of like, like when Chloe Ricketts is out there it does look like a Disney Channel movie like yeah

like this central casting we got Hillary Duff out here playing soccer and she's just somehow better than all these established pros and just there's a quickness Chloe Ricketts is a must follow

on Twitter just for the adorableness like she's like come out to the game it's important you support I love to meet everyone like she's talking like a 40 year old woman I think like so

the support out out here tonight was unreal so many friendly faces let's go again Saturday I'm like okay 15 year old Chloe Ricketts it's so wholesome and then if like people are saying like nice things she's just like thank you there are pictures of people

get in our jersey and she's like this means the world to me Yeah Yeah She's She's only 15 Yeah Is that correct

She's 16 now Okay Man She's she's tough man Like physically Uh huh That's the thing that really Sticks out to me

She's not gonna get knocked off the ball easily Even though she's small And very very young She fed Trinity A great ball Like Trinity Trinity was pointing it out and Chloe listed, she followed directions perfectly.

Yep, I was just about to mention that. Yeah, recognize the space, played a little ball in for Trinity to run on to, get a shot off. Neer had a, it was, it's definitely a shot you would expect, you know, the U.S. women's national team starting goalkeeper to save. And she did save it. But yeah, man, like, this is like really a thing. Like this isn't a charity case like, oh, you know, 15 year olds out there and she's playing ass, but, you know, she's 15, you know, type of deal.

Like, she's very good. She's actually good. Yeah. She plays, she plays real quick and tidy, you know, kind of like, kind of reminds me a little bit of the way Alyssa Thompson plays. Maybe it's because their frames are somewhat similar. But they both like just play fast. Yeah. Which is not true of, you know, everybody around them.

And certainly not true of the all the midfielder's on the U.S. women's national team. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. So play the game with me. Say, hey, 2024 Olympics. Could be her time. Throw her in the pot.

Let's do it. This is, I think it was a racing game I was watching. Yeah, racing spirit. and they had Tony Miela on the call. And like literally, like every player that was doing something, he was like, yeah, I just can't wait to see him after this World Cup cycle. And then the woman that he was doing the game with was like,

man, Tony, how many people are on this list? And yeah, it's kind of what's happening, you know? It is. It is. You know, we produce very good women's soccer players. And so, yeah, this is, Like as soon as this World Cup's over, it's going to be, it's going to be a madhouse, man. I don't know what the hell is going to happen.

I mean, we might see, you know, there might be somebody on this roster that is just completely just nerfed. There should be a few people, few people. Yeah. But even past them, you know, we're talking about people with, that have, that, you know, that have their career in front of them, not behind them. Yeah. That may find themselves on the outside looking at. Well, speaking of good players, Lynn Williams tied the record again this past weekend. No, no, she didn't.

She tied the record two weeks ago. The bi-weekly schedule is throwing me off. She got her 60th goal, and so did Christine Sinclair. So they remain tied for the most goals in the NWS. Okay. You love to see it. Lynn is carrying Gotham on her back. They got their first lost against Kansas City, but I did think.

it was a very good game still. Talk about Germa and Davidson. Okay. Germa is very fast. It was very much an off week. You do not need to watch this game. Naomi Germa got megged, which hurts to say. But I'm not too worried.

Orlando won three to one against San Diego at home. It was a bad week for Naomi Germa. Yeah. I also have to mention that she got. dunked on as well. Huh. Get it out of your system. I don't,

yeah, get out of your system. I mean, it was one of those tough ones where, you know, where the person that you're marking or whatever gets the leverage on you,

like they, they had their hands all up on Naomi's shoulders, you know what I'm saying? And then when it was time to get up, you know, Naomi couldn't get up. And, uh,

dunking occurred. Dunking occurred. But, you know, That's all good. That's a tricky one because it almost never gets called, but it is impossible to jump when someone is on your shoulders. And then Tierna Davidson, I've mentioned it before,

but Chicago's defenders had a very good game. Tierna and Casey Krueger, I thought maybe the best they've looked all season and couldn't be better timing for us with Becky out. Maybe we finally get a good look at Davidson. The one thing I noticed is her bodying Rodman and, you know, shepherding the ball out of bounds, that Rodman almost never gets physically done like that. Yeah, it's not easy. Tara, what's up with Michelle Cooper?

Listen, I've been saying Michelle Cooper, you know, she doesn't have a goal yet, but she's finding her rhythm, finding her place in this league. And it really clicked into place this game against Gotham this past weekend, And we had a Cooper assist, lots of great play creation. And she could have had another assist, and she could have had a goal. It was a great game for Michelle and won to definitely keep watching. Okay. And you got one more thing, Vince, right?

Yeah, I just want to bring up Jaden Shaw. As we taught about earlier, Alex Morgan is out. And Jaden Shaw played striker for the wave. and was very nice. She scored a goal. I don't want to bury the lead here. And the goal was just, it was just tremendous.

And in my opinion, just because of the fact that, you know, we've seen Jaden Shaw play multiple, like attacking midfielder, either wing, and now she's playing striker and making like quintessential striker run.

Huh. Like, in order to score this goal, she had to, he did that, you know, the pound, the patented, like, striker out to end run where, like, get the centerback's blind spot and then, and they come across to meet the, meet the cross on the ground

right as it's coming to her. Boom. Side footed it, bent that thing into the corner than that. Bro, it was beautiful. And then two minutes later, she's receiving the ball in the midfield, turning the person that was on our back, sends her to the ground and,

and plays somebody in for a shot on goal. And it's just, Jaden is just really, I mean, you know, taught about her talent before. Just an extremely talented player, an extremely fun player. And the fact that she's just,

this polished, I think she'll be 19 at the end of this year. But the fact that she can play all three of these roles and even within the same match, you know, make a strike or run, score a goal. She also found another one-touch chance in the box

that she put wide in the second half. she she would generally like the only good thing San Diego had this past week it it was it was wonderful to see yep yep and uh yeah that just just another one another one yeah there's a lot of players that are gonna yeah i was just gonna agree with that yeah there's so many so many uh so much young talent thanks everybody for listening if you want to join uh the patreon the link is in the show Show notes, we would appreciate it. We'll see you.