Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #452: WoSo — First roster of the Hayes era, China next week

Episode Date: November 22, 2023

Vince, Tara and Belz talk through the roster, some of the comments from the Crocker/Kilgore press conference, possible XIs versus China next weekend, and much more.Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private feed for the Monday Review, which is, among other things, a run-down of club action for national team players every week with Watke and Vince. We have recently added patron-only content that’s available every Friday. Patrons also 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/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. Hey, everybody. Happy Thanksgiving. We have a new roster, the first roster of the Emma Hayes era. Sort of. And it represents a possible turning of the page. Lots of veterans left off the roster. The selection is skewing younger. The team is convening in Fort Lauderdale for the first of two friendlies against the People's Republic of China.

And Steve Goff of the Washington Post asked Matt Crocker, a couple days ago if Emma is going to be there. Here's what he said. Would you expect Emma to be in Fort Lauderdale for part of camp next week? Yeah, we're very much hopeful. I mean, we're just, again, working some final details around her schedule. But like I mentioned, being really respectful for Chelsea. It would be an ideal situation for her to come and meet the players and staff,

and we're very hopeful that can happen. But, I mean, it's clear Emma is not going to be coaching this team. Twyla Kilgore will. and it sounds like, well, I guess I should introduce who is here with me. Vince, how's it going? Tara, it's Wilsaw Wednesday. It's Wilsaw Wednesday. Hi, I'm thankful.

I'm thankful for Emma Hayes. I'm thankful for this roster. And everything I'm confused about, I'm putting on Twyla. There we go. It's all her fault. Everything that's confusing is her fault. Vince, how are you doing? I'm doing great, baby.

I am doing excellent. You know, this is the beginning. This is the beginning of, you know, an era that is going to be very interesting, very different from prior eras. It's just very exciting. This is, so I was excited for the new CBA, right, and getting rid of like allocated players and everything because I thought we would be, We were on the precipice of a merit-based USW&T. And, you know, of course, that did not happen. That did not happen famously.

But now with Emma Hayes-in, I think we're finally here. I think we're finally here, baby. So that's going to turn up everything. Everything's going to mean more than that. Club ball is going to mean more. These performances in these national team games, these performances in these national team camps. So I am just, I'm chuffed.

You know what I'm saying? That's such a crazy word. But yeah, it does feel like everything's going to mean more. The weekend action and WBSL and Champions League. Speaking of which, Lily O'Honis and Corbyn Albert both playing in Champions League tomorrow, I'm excited about that. I can't quit you, soccer. It just keeps going.

And why would you? And why would you want to? You know what I'm saying? So this is where we are, baby. I wanted to play a couple more clips. So beyond the Crocker confirmation that Emma may make an appearance in camp, Kilgore is still the coach. Like I said, it sounds like, I'm reading between the lines here,

but you guys can tell me if you agree after we hear the clip. It sounds like serious engagement with Emma's ideas, let alone implementation of them is a, you know, it's a ways down the road. It's a future thing for Kilgore. She's not, she hasn't done that yet. Here we go. Yeah. In terms of working with Emma in the future, I'm most excited to talk more football,

to continue to listen and learn about how she wants us to play. And those are all things that will happen more and more in the future when she's not as tied to Chelsea. And at interim, we're working on the, overall environment, what it should look like when she comes. And we're in alignment already as humans and football coaches. So it's exciting. And I look forward to the future with her. Go ahead, Tara. I interrupted you with Kilgore's voice. I do think saying we are in alignment as humans is a really robotic way to speak. But that's for another time. I agree with you. I don't think

Emma is putting her stamp or really having any say in how we coach the team yet. I did find it interesting how collaborative Matt Crocker and Twyla said that the roster selection was. I was a little surprised by that. What did you guys think? Well, I want to play the clip of that because it also kind of needs to stand on its own. It's Kilgore kind of left it vague, right? Who actually chose the roster? I don't know if this is Kilgore just trying to gas herself up, you know? That's kind of how I took it.

Yeah. She's like, I'm important too. Like, I'm important. Emma and I are partners. We're equals. You know, you get a little bit of that vibe from her. let's hear the clip. Twyla, can you just talk through a little bit what your working relationship with Emma is?

Are you guys talking on a daily basis? How did you guys discuss this roster? What are your conversations going to be like going forward? Just, you know, kind of give us an idea of how this relationship works over the next six months. Yeah, obviously I need to be a conscience and aware that, you know, Emma is in a full-time job that is very busy right now. and it's one of the top club jobs in the world. I have the ability to reach out to her at any time. She'll make time for me at any point and vice versa.

We are very collaborative. We're sharing information, knowledge sharing. In terms of the roster, you know, rosters start at different times. So there's a provisional roster that comes out first, which I prepared. I was able to share my ideas with Emma. I am I able to share her ideas with me, and we pick this roster collaboratively, and we will do so moving forward. So I don't know. Did Hayes have the final say on the roster? Were there any disagreements?

I just kind of don't believe Twyla when she says that it was that collaborative. I mean, it's a much different roster than September and October. Some big changes that could mean a few different things. It's not all set in stone or anything. but I think Emma definitely had a hand in it. Otherwise, you wouldn't really be coming off that defensive. Yeah, I don't know if you guys have any cut of her jib assessment, but man, I don't like, I don't like it. I don't like the cut of Twyla Kilgore's jib one bit. It's a bit bland.

I mean, so I don't know where y'all getting all this from. Oh, come on. I mean, what What you wanted to say? What do you want to say? I wanted to tell the truth. Who chose the roster? Collaborative process in it.

Because, I mean, it would have to be. So what are y'all saying? That Emma wasn't involved or Twyla wasn't involved? That Emma had final say that I'm sure Twyla brought her a handful of names and they could say they worked on it together. But all of these major changes read to me. like we have a new coach. That's a collaborative process in it. If you bring the names.

Okay. Known Twilight Kilgore Defender Vents is speaking. I got it. It is what it is. She's going to be on the staff for the near future, isn't she? So, hey, I'm rocking with Twilat because Twilat is rocking with us famously. You know what I'm saying? The second half of that, if you saw the second half of that last game of the last window,

You know who she's rocking with. You know what she's rocking with. So, I don't know. I guess it's just, and how much, how much of a grasp do you think Emma can actually have of the full player pool at the moment? So, you know what I'm saying? Of course, Twyla would have to fill in and, you know, speak up on whatever gaps that Emma may or may not have. But, but. I just wanted to be reassured that.

that Emma is the one with the final say on the roster. And Twylo refused to make that reassurance. I don't know if it was because of an inflated view of her own importance or because Emma actually isn't choosing the final, having the final say on the roster, but either way, it would be disappointing to me. It just is what it is. I can't get too worked up over anything like this.

I mean, it's a nice roster in it. You know what I'm saying? At the end of the day, it's a nice roster. So I'm not worried about any of this other stuff. Okay. Anything else stick out to you, Tara, from what Twyla said in the press conference? Yeah, I thought it was interesting. She mentioned how she's going to be traveling to London to work with Emma.

I am curious when that's happening with the Gold Cup quickly approaching and Olympics right around the corner. I'm curious when that's happening. She said a few other bits and pieces that we can get into later about the player pool specifically. But yeah, I thought it was interesting. So when it comes to the omitted players, what did she say about them? That they're... No one's out that she spoke to all of them, made it clear why they weren't being brought in. and that all of them handled it as professionals.

Let's list off some of the key omissions. Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrun, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Neyer, Christy Mewis, Andy Sullivan, Sophia Huerta, and Ashley Sanchez. Yeah, I see it as a long overdue phasing out, but you can't get too excited about this. and by you, I do mean me. I'm trying to reel myself in. Yeah. So that's the thing.

It's like, like, I don't know, but before, the day before this roster was announced, I guess Alex put it on some social that she is going on vacation. Yeah. So, you know, you can, you can look into that what you made. Like, I don't know. Maybe she's theoretically earned it. Well, well, I don't know. I don't know.

Maybe she's, you know, the stature of Alex Morgan, she can just take a vacation whenever she so pleases. Even though this is a big window, we got a new coach in spirit, a new spirit coach at the moment. So, I don't know. We shall see. I think Twyla was pretty clear in the fact that when asked this question that, you know, this wasn't the end for anyone not called up. we hope it is the end. I do think it probably is the end for a few. But who do you think it's the end for?

I mean, sour-bride. I think it's probably the end for Alex, to be honest. We need further proof, right, to be able to, there's a reason why we're not having a party right now here on the Wausau Wednesday. But I do think Alex is just very much, like, without a doubt, without a reasonable doubt, washed. Like, she just is. Disappointing end to her season.

She, I mean, all of the like year-end roundups that are coming out, what she missed the most big chances in the NWSau. She was off-sides the most of any player. They won the shield, but I do think you could consider it a disappointing into her career. And there are a few on this list who I was definitely surprised about, like Crystal Dunn. But even looking at Crystal and Becky specifically, they are both free agents. You could imagine a scenario where they don't want to get hurt before they sign with a new club or they're moving to a new club. or they're moving to a new club already.

They can't drop everything to go to camp. So those two stuck out to me. Emma Hayes has spoken at length about the need for rest and to take that seriously. So this could be a vacation like Vince alluded to to many of these players. But in saying all that, I don't really care. I'm excited about this roster. I want to bask in all of the joy I have around these new players.

Just for reference, Sauerbund's 38, Morgan is 34, and Dunn is 31. So, I mean, it does seem like Sauerbund. Can she really go even until the Olympics next summer? I don't know. But we can't. I hope not. Yeah, we can't give. we don't have a alternative to Crystal Dunn and she's too important and only 31 so

but Crystal not being here is huge for us because we're actually going to get some tryouts which we never took seriously before a few minutes here and there sure but substantial tryouts is what I'm looking forward to mm-hmm substantial trialouts and well well and and and you know I would be remiss uh not to talk about Ashley Sanchez and Andy Sullivan. You know, I would say barring a major improvement in their overall play that it's a rap. I'm not saying they can't do it. Not saying they can't do it.

And maybe this is what Ashley Sanchez needs to go and get it back cracking. Didn't necessarily have a good season this year in the NWSL. And also, you know, with the whole we didn't play Ashley Sanchez. has controversy at the World Cup. I still stand on this fact that, like, there hasn't been a single signature performance from her in a U.S. women's national team shirt. So, you know, by all indications, listening to people that know Emma, that have covered Emma, and watched her teams, nobody's fully out of it.

You can always earn your way back in. But I think Andy and Ashley are going to have to do it in order to. Find their way back. Got to show and proof. And, you know, back to the original point, this is what's so exciting. This is what's so exciting. NWSL season, uh,

2024 is going to be, whew, be beautiful. Well, Tara, before I give you a chance to respond there, Sullivan Huerta and Sanchez are the, only three players on that list of omissions I, I gave earlier,

who were under 30. So there is sort of a signal in that, that they're, um, not here. But what do you think? Do you think Sanchez is out in the cold? I hope not.

But I'm not against their omissions. I do think Andy Sullivan doesn't really deserve another tryout. I do think Ashley Sanchez scoring five goals in the NWSL season means she didn't have a poor season. But I'm happy to report I am giving up defending Ashley Sanchez for Lent this year. for Lent Yeah There was some fake errone in that goal tally There was

Didn't support it Oh But I mean she did score five goals Yeah yeah yeah We're for a national team How about that? She'll She'll get her

She has plenty of chances Over the next 10 years To To raise her level And Nothing to Nothing to cry about for her So let's do the

Let's do the roster. Let's name the roster. It's Jane Campbell. The goalkeepers are Jane Campbell of the Houston Dash, Aubrey Kingsbury of the Washington Spirit, and Casey Murphy from the North Carolina courage. Obviously, again, nay or not there. So I assume Murphy probably gets both starts.

Probably. And I'm really excited about Jane's inclusion because to me, it reads. as if your club play matters again. She won goalie of the year this year in the NWSL. She was the very best and she got rewarded. And that's all we can hope for. Yeah. Yeah, that's great.

I know a lot of people on the Discord are really happy about Campbell getting called up, right? Yeah. Claire, shout out Claire, shout out Ryan, to heroes in the Jane Campbell agenda. Defenders are Alana Cook. No surprise there. Abby Dalkemper from the San Diego wave of Naomi Germa's partner at Centerback.

79 caps for her. What do you think before we move on to the rest of the defenders? I'm not too excited about this. It's her first call up since April of 2022. She somewhat recently has recovered from back surgery, a major injury. I haven't been that impressed with her in San Diego, but partnering up with Naomi Germa is going to make anybody look pretty good, I think. Yeah, I'm not a doll camper expert, but my cursory research indicates that she is not very fleet of foot. And, yeah, I don't know that I love that at centerback.

I would have loved to see Sam Stab get a call-in. But we have many wins in this roster. I won't get too hung up on it. Okay, moving along. Taryn to Davidson of Chicago on the roster, she's got 50 caps in her career. Emily Fox, of course, Naomi Germa, Casey Kruger and M.A. Vignola.

Kruger and Vignola have been sort of regular since the World Cup failure. Big news. I think that's a great sign for us. Both can play different positions. Both can be centerbacks or outside. And that's going to be major when thinking about the Olympics roster. Since it's so small, I'm thrilled that they're both mainstayers, at least seemingly. Yeah.

Okay. To the midfield. The big news for me, of course, is Corbyn Albert's inclusion. Paris-St. Germain midfielder is looking to get her first cap. I have some more to say about Albert, but what are you thinking, guys? Huge. Huge. I got myself in a bit of trouble recently expressing displeasure in Corbyn's performance at the most recent Champions League game against Iax. I wasn't a fan of PSG as a whole,

but I've been watching Corbyn since she went over to PSG. I think it's a great sign that she got called in. She's going to get her tryout. And something I found interesting at the Twyla press conference is when asked about Corbyn, Twyla said that one of the very first things she did, when taking over the team was adding Corbyn to the preliminary roster, which no one wants to talk about vodka anymore,

but I did find it interesting that she wasn't even on the preliminary roster before then. Do you guys care about that? I do, it is interesting to me that Twyla is the one who did that and thought it necessary to mention that at the press. conference. She took great pride. She took great pride in it. She's like, I did this. Yeah. Put some respect on her. That's right. That's right.

But yeah. Huge news. And you know, that first half from Corbyn and PSG was very nasty against IAX. Corbyn did turn it up in the second. Corby did turn it up the second half. So extremely talented player

can play eight. is playing deeper for PSG than I would than I would play it myself because when you really like a really unleashed Corby and Albert is a sight to see when you really get her going through that midfield chopping people up. That's frustrating me, seeing her sit back so deep

it is, I can't lie. It doesn't mean I don't believe in her, but. I got a couple thoughts on this. So one, we need a six, right? Like the national team needs a six. So for her to be playing as a six at PSG, I don't know why that's a negative thing. And I think she kind of could be,

like the way she plays reminds me a little bit of how Tyler Adams plays. You know, like she's not elegant on the half turn, at least not yet in her career. But she is, she's pretty safe and she covers a ton of ground and breaks things up. but then she also she has something Tyler Adams doesn't have which she can hit a bomb from 30 yards

and she wants to all the time and she's gonna like she's getting calibrated even over the weekend you know she came in as a sub against Fleury or something and she you know she took a left footed shot in like the 85th minute or something it wasn't it kind of went right at the keeper but those shots are always respectable

that she takes from a distance and one of these times she's going to hit one and then all hell is going to break loose. So I think I like the idea of her being like a total, like a destroyer six who can get into the final third and like hit a 30-yard shot. I think that's a perfectly wonderful long-term project for her. Understood.

No better time to hit one than it gets the People's Republic of China. Yeah. in Fort Lauderdale or Frisco By the way Go ahead, go ahead No, no, no, go I was just going to say You know, the reaction to that PSG IX game

Everybody's like, this is terrible soccer You got, you know, this is a farmer's league All the, like, you guys with your NWSL agenda Are out of control. You guys are... No, that game wasn't good, bro. I don't, I don't agree With that analysis, really, I mean, it's like it wasn't great.

It wasn't a great soccer game. Is it like your average race in Louisville versus Washington Spirit game way, way, way better? That particular game, I would say yes. I don't think that's even a question, bro. That game specifically, I mean, it only got to be agenda-based. Like, with that, I mean. I don't know. I mean, I just, like, I don't, I'm not trying to say it was a great game, but like this, the agendizing off of it is just, things are out of control.

Everything becomes like an NWSL versus Europe, uh, referendum on the Discord these days. I think that leads us into the perfect next roster. Sam Coffey, you say we need a six and we got one. she's back. She's, yeah. I'm excited about Sam Coffee. I am desperate for you to get off it a little bit. Enjoy Sam Coffee again.

I do. I like Sam Coffee a lot. I worry how much, like, pop she has in the destroyer category. You know, that's always been the concern with her. Like, can she win a duel? Can she cover the ground? I wanted to get her chance for sure. but I have to admit it's a concern.

There we go. People's Republic of China. It's all in front of her. It's all in front of Sam. We'll see. I guess wondering, so maybe we see a little bit of Emma's influence here

if, you know, like last time in that second half, the famous second half of against Columbia, when Sam came on, you know what I'm saying? She's playing eight. it'll be interesting to see if like, I don't know, if Emma does another collaboration with Twyla

and says, hey, Twyla play Sam of the Sixth. Well, we'll see though. Well, I mean, if club form matters, which there's indication that it does once again with some of these call-ups, if you're looking at Emily Sonnet and you're looking at Sam Coffee, the choice is clear.

even for you Vince even for you really hey look when I start an agenda I'm going to the grave with it okay it makes me sad disheartening it is what it is look look

at the end day Sam got a show and proof she comes out and does a thing hey I'll be all for it she was one of the best players in the league yeah very specific situation be one of the best players on the national team

then we could talk look man like you know of course me sitting here doing these things none of this matters but yeah I mean if she can go out there and do her thing I would love to see it I would love to have a a six that I can trust in

but we'll just see we'll just see oh my turn here we go uh uh uh All right, Savannah de Mello.

She's also called up in the midfield this game, this camp. Lindsay Horan, Rose Lavelle, Olivia Moultry, Jenna Nicewanger, and Emily Sonnet. Jenna Nicewanger labeled as a midfielder, very exciting. She was rookie of the year in NW. So it might not mean much to you, Adam. but I'm thrilled about it. She won the final and she got rewarded because of it. This is somebody who's going to be, I hope and pray,

try it out as a Crystal Dun backup. But we've got Orientation Twyla back. I'm not sure what's going to happen. But I'm really excited about her inclusion. Yeah, orientation and onboarding. You need to make a song. I need to make a song about onboarding. I love it.

But Olivia Moultry has already gone through her orientation period. Let's get some Maltry minutes. It's one of my biggest wishes coming out of these games. Can you pretend to be excited about Olivia Moultry for me? I'm excited about Olivia Moultrie. She's a soccer player, man. She's good. She has the ability to change the way.

we play soccer. Absolutely. Along with some other young players on the team, obviously. Yeah, a better young player. I'm excited for Olivia Maltrow, yes. Ready to see it. I'll tell you I'm not really that excited about it. Savannah de Mello.

I mean, fine, let her come in, do her thing. But she's been giving us a lot of mid-sambwiches for the last year. And, you know, time for her to show us. something. Mm-hmm. Year, huh? When she got her first cap right before the World Cup? You know, six months.

Define a year. Six months. Okay. Understood. Understood. Hey. So Savannah gets grace of time, but Sam Caffe with less caps, needs to prove herself for the national team.

Savannah D'emella's put in some good performance. Good. Come on. Good. Like, not bad. I'm not saying she's been bad. Oh, she's putting in some good performances, bro. I'll go to my grave saying she was our best player in the first half of the Netherlands

match. That's trot and true for me. But, I mean, you know, you want to see more? I'm not here to tell you that you're wrong. That you're wrong. Thank you. Like I said, everyone is in a show and prove stage. You know what I'm saying?

There is no spot that is guaranteed. And once again, this is what we all wanted to see. So let the chips fall where they may. Yeah, agreed. 100%. Anything else on Nyswanger from y'all? I'm a little confused why she's listed as a midfielder, but whatever it takes, let's hope we get some Jenna minutes.

So according to people that watched Jenna in college, she was a dominant midfielder. And coming up, I think Toilah talked about this in the press conference, right? that she had her. I think U-23s, I want to say, Twilthe had Jenna, played as midfield there. So, you know,

if we can see that versatility, that would be, that would be tremendous. Big for the Olympics, once again. Yeah, huge for the Olympics and huge for, and, you know,

I don't want to see too much about Gotham, but, but, you know, Gotham came out here, won the ship, missing two players that we brought to the World Cup. man you know what I'm saying I'm just I'm just I'm

I find that very curious and uh very telling you know of course we had problems with those selections when they were selected but uh yeah yeah nobody nobody needs to see Kelly O'Hara or christie Mewis on a roster again that's a rap it's a rap I mean if you're talking about you know Sabda Mello being I mean Christy Mewis. Anyway, I'm not going to say too much. Congratulations on your engagement, Christy. You know what I'm saying? Big rock. Big rock. Friends no more. Friends no more. Now officially, fiancee, that's beautiful to see. It is crazy that those two, that those two players went to the World Cup for us and then weren't even needed by their team

to win the championship like two and a half months later. Dude, that's crazy. Barely played. Barely played. Crispy hit that penalty kick and barely got on. I'm not sure she did get on the field again. Maybe a few minutes. She played in the semifinal. Yeah. Came on a few.

I think she had the assist, assist for the goal in the semifinal. It's a real lesson in the inertia and incumbency dominance of the Blockco era, man. Right, right? I mean, it was just, it was draining, right? You know what I'm saying? And it's like, yo, if you got a best friend that comes to you for counsel on their relationship, and, you know, they're telling you all these things that the person done did to them, and you're like, you know what?

I think you should leave that person. And maybe they get the courage to do it. Maybe they get the courage to do it. But then two weeks later, you know what I'm saying? You look at, you're looking at Insta. You're looking at Snap Stories. Boom. They're right back there.

Every time you look up. It's like, okay. all right like i'm gonna stop i'm gonna stop caring as much at this point don't don't come to me telling me you know i'm saying you got these issues if you're not if you're not willing to fix it the solutions are right there in front of you and uh what are you saying black hole was an abusive relationship that's what i'm saying okay okay i just needed to put the pieces together sorry to me yeah i'm not saying i'm not saying the person and the metaphor was in an abusive relationship, possibly emotionally abusive.

Emotionally. Well, let me list off the four words. We got Mia Fischel from Chelsea, two caps, one goal for her. Ashley Hatch, Midge Purse, had that great run and assist in the championship game for Gotham.

Did miss the World Cup roster. Trinity Rodman, Jaden Shaw, of course, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, and Lynn Williams. I'm nervous to ask this. Who do you guys have a starting striker? I'm going to go Sophia. We will see.

Yeah, yeah, let's go ahead and go Sophia. Just because, I mean, the roster is a little light, which is a sign of intent. Somebody's going to be playing a striker there. That's not me official at some point within this camp. So it's either candidates, I guess, would be Lynn or Soph. And the obvious choice would be Sof. I'm relieved. I'm surprised you didn't mention Ashley Hatch as it came in.

Oh, shoot, I forgot. I forgot Ashley was there. I definitely forgot Ashley was there. I need Sophia minutes, though. I'm happy to have Mia come in in the second game or later in the game. But we haven't seen meaningful Sophia striker minutes since the European camp when we played against England in Spain and occasionally when Flatko had enough courage to take Alex out at the World Cup and like what the 70th minute yeah

you know what you can take back everything I said because I forgot that our proverbial mark Ashley Hatch was a member of this camp um so yeah it's probably gonna be me and Ashley. I would think. I would think. You don't think it's Sophia time? I mean, I'm not, no. If, you know, if I had to, if I had a place a bet on it, I don't think. Oh, no. If I had to place a bet. Yeah, I think that's that I'm the same. But there's always the hope that Emma's like pulling the strings behind the scenes and she knows like, hey, Sophia's the best striker in NWSL.

We should play her at Stryker. Yeah, so if she, you know, if we get our boy JT to send that PJ over there to, I forgot what Chelsea's training grounds called, but, uh, yeah, you get, the stadium, yeah, yeah, Stanford Bridge. If you get, you know, get the PJ sent over there, get in my back, um, that might, that might be why, like a huge benefactor from Emma being there in person, you know, we can get so off to pull her side. I'd be like, yo. And I'm not doing this no more. Play me as Stryker. And then maybe we can get some minutes there. But barring that, I don't see it.

I don't see it. I don't know. And in the long term, I would like to see Jaden Shaw playing midfield. I think. So go ahead. Listening, once again, yeah, let me shout out the crossover that, Diaspora United, diaspora,

the Diaspora United and, Shea Butter FC did, um, in regards to like the Emma hire and every, everything Emma, you know, both pods, um,

let's see, three fourths of both combined pods are, uh, huge Chelsea fans, huge Chelsea women's fans. And, uh, so,

so they gave, they gave a great breakdown to Emma, what she's like, her tendencies, how she runs her teams. blah, blah, blah. The thing that I found was that was very interesting to me. They were talking about Crystal Dunn's time at Chelsea when Emma brought her over.

Emma played Crystal outside. Emma played Crystal, you know, attacking mid, play Crystal as a false nine from time to time. Who plays out wide, plays a false nine and plays attacking mid from time to time? Jaden Shaw. It's going to be, it's going to fit like a glove, baby. It's going to fit like a glove. You know what I'm saying? I know that it is a cause of much consternation for you, Bells and for you, Tara,

that Jaden doesn't get all of our minutes within the midfield. But it's just, it's just going to be a real nice chest piece to move around. And then whenever Katerina McArrio comes back, rest of her soul, you know what I'm saying? We're going to have two of those. We're going on two of those dynamic chess pieces just to move around. round and have fun with and I for one am very excited. Okay. Yeah, I just look into the future.

You know, we got Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, hopefully coming back strong from injury. I don't want Jaden playing. I don't want Jain only playing on the wing, you know, because then that position is crowded when everybody's healthy. But yeah. Yeah, she's a 10 in my book, but being versatile is going to do great for her cause on getting to the Olympics roster. I'm all for it.

It'll be huge. Yeah, so we'll see. So one thing we didn't necessarily talk about that I'm excited about is I think Emily Fox is going to be unleashed under. Emma. I don't know if y'all have been watching Chelsea ever since, you know, this thing's been announced. You know, I've been, like... I have. Emma loves a fullback. I mean, these, the fullbacks are just, like, critical to what's going on, which is, I think, a reason as to why, you know, Casey and Emma find themselves in just to be, I mean, you have to be, like, like, like, like Sophia Wirtza, just can't do it.

In my opinion, she cannot play the way the Emma wants to play. I mean, they have to be high, they're extremely high in attack. They have to get back and defend. They're patrolling that touchline, basically Jedi Robinson style for 90 minutes, just up down, up down. But, you know. Which is Jenna to a T as well. Mm-hmm. But, but, you know, you need that, bring that extra quality to it.

And the fact that, you know, Emily Fox is just a... I mean, just ubered, extremely talented, talented, talented player. And we've just scratched the surface. We have not gotten anything close to what it's going to be, I guess, World Cup time. Even maybe by the time Olympics rolls around under the tutelage of Emma, I think, like, Emily is just going to take it to a whole new level. Just the ability that she has just to do almost everything. I mean, there's not in the box right now, there's not too much quality coming. And, you know, she can get better in the final third and everything, but just her ability, you know, to carry the ball, to receive it, to pass, get it.

I mean, just physically, just robust and just, I just, you know. Yeah, yeah, it's, it's going to be, it's going to be something. Like if she, I, I, yeah, I mean, she. She can maybe be our best player. That's how much I rate the ability that Emily has within her that we still haven't gotten all the way out yet. Like it's going to be something serious. And I'm once again excited to see it.

I'm a huge Emily Fox fan as well. So it's all good news. Well, we're putting a lot of faith in Sister Emma, as they call her on the Shea Butter FC. diaspora United crossover um does her not winning any

champions leagues matter for the past decade matter to anybody like you know all I hear about is how much of a farmer's league the champions league is it's not even that great like who cares

but she can't she hasn't won it yet she's a domestic titles merchant yeah 13 trophies in her time at at Chelsea. The best titles of I think I think being a decorated

coach matters I don't really care that she hasn't won the Champions League in fact I hope she loses it loses it again so she can get to us quicker because everybody has alluded to

this being like her final hurrah at Chelsea she's she's gonna finally get it all and in that may be why she's seeing out the season instead of coming straight over.

I don't care. Yo, yo, so that's all fine and dandy with regards to Chelsea in their season. But hey, Todd Bowley, get on it, man. Find a coach. You know what I'm saying? Find a coach to get them in and let Emma go ahead and make that move.

Let's get it to, you know, the greater Atlanta area sooner rather than later, please. Mr. Bowley, you know what I'm saying? Don't think of, I mean, think about what you can do for your country, sir. You know what I'm saying? I'll be asking what your country can do for you. I assume you don't pay a lot of taxes in the first place.

So, you know what I'm saying? Just go ahead and do at least one part of your civic duty, sir. Yeah, he owes us. Yeah, he owes us for sure. Also, one thing that we kind of skipped over. So, well, not skipped over. A couple other things we skipped over, but go ahead. Yeah.

The NWSL championship. I'm just bringing this up to talk about Rose LaVelle. She was amazing. Yes. She's back. Like, we haven't seen that Rose in a long time. Yes. Yeah.

And I am very excited. Very excited. Because, you know, even if Megan Rapino was on the pitch, you know, it was going to be on Rose. And then when Megan went down, okay, I'm thinking of myself. Three minutes in. Yeah. I'm looking at Rose through my TV, you know. I'm looking at Rose.

I'm thinking to myself, I'm like, yo, if there is going to be any time to show me that you still got it, like this is it, Rose. and she did look all right in the semifinal when she played and she seemed to be moving well and stuff to me and then getting interviewed before the match, before the final match. She's like, yeah, I feel good physically and all that. And that tracked with me just based off what I had seen in the semifinal. And so I'm like, Rose, if you got it, this is on you. And she brought it.

She brought it. Turn back the clock. That was 2019 final Roosevelt. You know what I'm saying? that was that was beautiful and so another thing to be excited about and grateful for is the fact that rose is still rose because you know we we don't know you never know i mean the way that these phantom injuries have been popping up and lingering and lingering and ruining careers and knees have been collected or whatever the hell uh i didn't necessarily know i got a lot of flack i got a lot of flack for being excited that she wasn't called in october um But clearly she needed the rest. She needed some time away because she looked, she looked phenomenal. She really did.

She's rejuvenated. And then the fact that she's here in this camp, like. Oh, this is all we needed was, you know, disgruntled veteran Rose LaVelle leading this team. You know, she's finally, she's finally the one. Yeah, she's back. She's getting stuck in. I mean, yeah. That's wonderful news.

Yeah, she's ready to ride out the rest of her prime. And, yeah, I mean, you know, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a hold a little, a little, uh, something in my heart. Uh, against, uh, Latsco for missing that chance for, for at least another three month. Because, I mean, Rose should have had to go on assist. in that match. I mean, it should have went to, we should have had an even better final than we already had.

It was a good one. If we get that goal from Lascault there, that Rose just set up on a platter after making an absolutely ridiculous turn out of three people. Just, yeah, so we're here. And I assume everyone that listens to this pod watch the final. But if you didn't, you should turn that thing on just to watch a little rose.

It's really a Roseville and, midge purse who super show like they were both incredible yeah and and midge and midge is back too right midge has been dealing with our injuries

you know what I'm saying and before when this was in the period that Lynn was hurt right and so our our wingerers on both side where we had Soph Mal midge and Trent

and like those four like I'm sitting there looking I'm like while Lynn's injured I'm like I don't think Lynn is getting back into this and so midge Lynn is back of course.

And Midge is back to looking, back to that form that had me thinking that Lynn might find her way out of the national team. And so that is beautiful, extremely beautiful. I do, like, Bels Tara. We've talked about Lynn, of course. Very polarizing player. She has a lot of player just because she isn't,

like, extremely aesthetically pleasing. to me, I think to most people, her play style is not extremely aesthetically pleasing. But, uh, so, so I will say that, that Emma might have, there, there, there, there, there might just be something to say just, uh, I mean, her, her defensive abilities are just incredible. As an attack. I mean, it was like, you know, when Rain was trying to like, fashion some chances to, uh, you know, tie the game or whatever. And anytime that thing's coming over to, you know,

Rain's right side, Lynn is just looking like a free safety out there. Picking pass is like, like it's just. So that might be. Yeah, extremely stout, extremely, still extremely quick, fast and all that, even after all the injuries and stuff. So I don't know. I don't know. We'll see.

I do think, like, Twilett shattered out when asked about Midges' performance. performance in the NW's championship game. He talked about Midge's ability to defend as well, which I think all of our, all of our attackers, really just all of our attackers are like solid defenders. Like, you know, we talked about Tran's ability to just tackle people just at any angle cleanly. Lynn is good at it. Midge is good at itself.

You know what I'm saying? So I do wonder if maybe, I don't know, the, I guess the Delta in like Lynn's excellent ability to defend and like everyone else is pretty good ability to defend. I don't know if that's enough to keep her on, but I don't know, we'll just have to see. We'll just have to see. Got a few camps to decide, you know,

five in the new year before Olympics time. I know it's a little bit of a sore subject, but does, like, given how Emma Hayes wants her fullbacks to play and, like, midge purse's skill set and her history as, you know, as a fullback, It's a little different from Crystal Dunn in that way. Is there a possibility purse ends up sliding into right back for us?

I think it's got to be an option with the form she's showing. Just my opinion, though. Okay. Vince? I would love to see it. I would love to see it. I've been on that train for a little bit. So we'll see.

Who do you want to start in December, Tara? Give us an 11. Okay. I would go Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson up top. I would do Jaden Shaw as a 10. I'd do Sam Coffee and Olivia Moultrie as kind of like a double pivot. Moultrie can float around a little bit more. I'd go Casey Kruger, Alana Cook, Naomi Germa, Jenna Nyswanger, and Jane Campbell, Engel.

And that's an incredible lineup. I would like for you guys to congratulate me. It is incredible. I love it. I think, well, go ahead, Vince. Do you have any? No, I was going to say it sounds great. I kind of like to see, of course, I'd like to see Albert start at the 6th.

This is under the understanding of orientation. So I'm not benching Corbyn Albert necessarily. I just didn't think she'd really be an option. Yeah, she's going to be doing a lot of onboarding in this camp, right? Spreadsheets, tax forms, I-90s, yeah. Yeah, webinars, you know, little trainings on special laptops and stuff like that. But, you know, if we can dream, her, I think actually he, her,

Haran and and Shaw as a midfield would be fun, because she can cover a lot of ground behind them. And, uh, you know, we'll see. Yeah. We have a lot, we have a lot of options this time. It's, it's going to be exciting.

Gold Cup is in February, the W. Gold Cup. I would like to know where these games are being played. I haven't been to a competitive women's game since we had Mous Swanson, Katerina McCarillo, and Sophia Smith playing.

So, long time ago. Long time ago, folks. Yeah. Yeah, I need these venues to be announced. I mean, you know,

people got plans, you know, people trying to make plans, you know what I'm saying? Oh, but I'm excited. I'm excited about Gold Cup, get some competitive games.

leading into the spring, spring leads into summer, and all of a sudden, Olympics time. Yeah. I worry a little bit about Gold Cup Fool's Gold. You know, players looking really good

in that tournament and then it not carrying over to more difficult matches, but I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it. Yeah, I suppose so. Can't wait for the games, though. Yeah.

Yeah, I don't mean to do. diminish that part of it at all. Anything else from you two? No. Big roster, thankful for M.A.'s. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The game is on its next Saturday, right? At 3 p.m. Eastern Time in Fort Lauderdale against China. Yep. Thanks everybody for listening. Check out the Patreon. The link is in the show notes. We'll see you.