Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - WoSo W'Day — A goalfest in NWSL so far, Ertz anticipation, Korbin balling in Paris

Episode Date: April 4, 2023

Vince, Tara and Belz work their way through the player pool's exploits ahead of Saturday's match against Ireland. Excitement over Ertz's return builds, Korbin Albert is playing quite well for PSG as a deep-lying midfielder, Sophia Smith got a hat trick over the weekend, and much, much more.----Scuffed is an ad-free podcast. Support that and get exclusive episodes once a week, plus access to the Discord and live call-in shows, by signing up for our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus any bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show, plus all patrons get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedhq.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the scuff podcast where we talk about U.S. soccer. All right, we're going to start with Julie Ertz, then move to a couple little bits of news from Europe, and then we'll dive right into the player pool and its exploits, lots of goals in NWSL. But first, Julie Ertz, there's a great picture of her going around in training. What's your reaction to it, Tara? I am so excited. I cannot wait for the games this weekend, or I can't. guess it's just game this weekend.

But I'm so excited and I've moved to the point of like already, I'm almost already infuriated if she doesn't start. But I mean, like that's just getting a little ahead of myself. On Saturday, it's going to be where her 100th cap. So she must start, right? It's going to be like a Juilliard's party. I think Velaco made clear she's definitely going to get minutes. but you made reference to your position moving.

I think it is fair to say our initial reaction to the news of her inclusion in the roster was a bit labored maybe, maybe a little off. But that's behind us now. Yeah. We're stoked, right? Absolutely stoked. And, you know, I have noticed that it may have annoyed some my hesitation at the beginning. But guess what? I can't apologize for going through my emotions.

We all landed in the same place, though, and we're excited. So, you know, got to just move on. Yep. Unbridled joy and expectation is the place that I've landed at. Vince, how are you doing? Tremendous. Excellent. Couldn't be better.

Good, good. There's nothing really new on Ertz's club status, but, you know, she's in camp very clearly, and she and Sophia Smith are taking questions from reporters this afternoon. So there may be some hints coming out later today. The two bits of European news are that both Leon and PSG have been knocked out of the Champions League. Leone lost to Chelsea on penalties. What were the American implications of that turn of events?

So a few notes about this game. First of all, Vladka was there, and it really got my, you know, brain going. I was like, what is this man doing here? Because it's not as if he has to watch Lindsay Horan, right? I mean, like, she's going to be going to the World Cup and she's going to be playing every single minute, regardless of what her knee looks like. But she still deserves, you know, a little check-in from the coach.

I understand that. But it's a big trip just for Lindsay. So I started thinking maybe he's there to check in on Kat. He did promise us early this month. She would be back on a field and the next game is on the 16th. So that intrigued me a bit. But yeah, Lindsay Horan played. She actually played excellent.

She had an assist. She was strong, consistent all game. But the game went to penalty kicks. And our girl was the fifth one up to go, and she missed her her PK, which led to Leon getting knocked out, them not advancing. She cried. It was hard to watch. I felt terrible for her. But it does lead to an interesting point I think we should get into at some point. It does not need to be now. but we should probably get a grip on who are five penalty takers would be because Lindsay just missed this pretty big one for club and she also missed one for country last year as well. But yeah, Leon's out. She's still in the five though, right?

I think it makes her even more in the five. If she's missed twice in the last year, especially one that was so big that she made her cry, what are the chances she's going to miss again? Right, that's got to be some fuel on that fire, right? Like she's going to be practicing some penalties in the next going weeks. I would hope. But Flatka was there and Lindsay missed a penalty. That is unfortunately the highlights. It ruined all of her good game.

Mojo because she failed to advance the team. It's sad. Yeah, that's a bummer. Also, PSG failed to advance. They drew Wolfsburg in Wolfsburg after losing them at home in the first leg. Corbin Albert came on in the 62nd minute. The game already won one. And I thought she played pretty well, not enough to get the winner.

And then go ahead, go ahead, there. I just wanted to note that I think even more so than just like the clips I've seen in the past of her coming in, I think she's looking more and more familiar with the league and with the game. And it's only good things for our old Corbyn. Oh, she's balling. I'm ready to go on a tirade about it. So she got her first league start on the weekend after this midweek Champions League loss. She had started in a cup match a couple weeks earlier too.

So now she's got two starts for PSG. her Bernard was in the house you know the new French national team coach and I just think she looks so good she's uh she's extremely high usage you know so she's getting on the ball she's 20 years old making her first league start

in Liga-A-eneminin and she she touched the ball 65 times and completed so she was 60 out of 65 passing and this is not just like passing it back all the time she does a fair amount of that she's a very clean metronome. But she also has a lot of good ideas for progressing the ball. She also is able to get herself the space, you know, so she can take a couple dribbles

and give herself the space to make a play, you know. She's really tough to take the ball off of. And we know from her college career that she's, you know, she's goal dangerous too. So, yeah. So, I mean, when this, like, really starts coming together, I think it's going to be, it's probably not going to happen in time for the World Cup, but she's nice.

So, I mean, it should. Probably, maybe, I think. Like, I don't know. I think we can start snipping around the career free there and found somebody that Corbyn could take the spot of. It's very unfortunate that they got knocked out of Champions League because you would have loved to see some type of, you know, primetime matchup.

Yeah. And her performing the big, big, big stage there. But yeah. I don't know. I guess my expectations were kind of low when she signed. Like not just not low as in, you know, she was going to bomb or anything like that, but just to really jump over and just integrate within the team like immediately. Immediately, yeah.

France, I mean, I don't know if she's been taking French classes for a year. year or something, prestigious university like Notre Dame, I assume a global brand. Global brand. The global brand, I assume, you know, to help her out in that regard to make sure this transition was as easy as possible. But yeah, yeah, it's just extremely impressive. And yeah, she's one of the leaders of this new. of this new class of, you know, of talent that's coming through,

this new wave that I guess will be here after this next cycle. More than likely it will probably be this next cycle, but yeah. Yeah. I know I've only spoken to you guys about it a few times, but I have the history of falling for this trick from the United States Women's National Team, where I think it's going to be time for Old Guard out. New Garden and it just never happens. But I'm back to thinking it's going to happen after this World Cup.

It has to. I've fallen for it before, but my hopes are high. Corbyn's going to be in for Paris Olympics. And her time in Paris could be very beneficial for us. Yeah. Well, she's definitely a nicer player, just a nicer soccer player than Andy Sol. and, you know. I mean, I don't know that she's got the, you know, that she's as reliable yet.

I think she still has some demonstrating of reliability to do, but she's a better player than Andy. She's a better player than Christy. She's a better player than Taylor. She's already better than many of our midfielder's. Whoa. And when we talk about when we talk about the New Garden, like even looking at NWC, Sal this past weekend. Messiah Bright scored an amazing goal.

She's got to be in the conversation. Jaden Shaw, Alyssa Thompson. There is a lot to look forward to. Yeah. Yep. It's coming. Well, Terry, you know, I took offense. With one name, you said,

just because I have to at this point, because of the positions that I've, the box that I've, you know, found myself in at this point. But like, like, like, Like, Chrissy Mewis, like for sure. For sure. Like, like the Andrew. Every name that I've said.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, if we're keeping it 100, yes. Yes. But, but the Christy, the Christy Muis one really stuck out to me. Like, like, yeah, there's absolutely no reason why Corbyn Albert shouldn't overtake her. I mean,

it's just. The one thing I can think of that Christy does better, she can ping a long ball better than Corbyn right now. that's that's what chris who does she's got a great left foot but i would take everything else over a great left foot yeah i don't know like uh so i mean yeah she got that she got that audition when we were there in uh nashville for that match but you know i like i don't know how much of a asset that's going to be if she is in fact playing like the eight you know what i'm saying and not being a backup six which hopefully she is not you know what i'm saying

if Julie shows she's up to snuff and you know we got we got Andy behind her then I just remember we have Julie back like this is this is like reawakening every few minutes oh my God yep so let me just give the details on the games that are coming up we're playing the Republic of Ireland twice Saturday at 2.30 p.m. Eastern time in Austin right and then Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. Eastern in St. Louis. It should be fun. Man, really wish I could get to St. Louis, but...

Yeah, I'd like to, too. I'm kicking myself. I don't know why I didn't do it. Tuesday, you know, it's just a... Tuesday. It's a Tuesday, man. But, uh... One other, one other little bit of news that was announced,

I guess this morning or maybe late last night, the NWSL will expand into the San Francisco Bay Area with an ownership group that includes Brandy Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slayton, and Ali Wagner. Something like I think the Equalizer reported is like a $53 million franchise fee. And this will be the 14th NWSL team. Utah will be the 13th. So that's cool. Very cool.

More than merrier. Anything Brandy Chastain does, I'll get behind. for life. I had a poster of her when I was a kid on my wall. Of course. So yeah, I'm thrilled. Can't wait. Let's dive into the player pool because there's a lot, lot, lot, lot to talk about. First of all, a ton to talk about. I'm sorry, I cut you off, but a ton to talk about. And I just want it to be noted, I have never, ever felt better about our chances going into the World Cup than I have after this first two weeks of NWS. Really?

Love it. It is so exciting. So exciting. We're looking so good. I can't wait to see more. You know, a little Cat Macario update. She was supposed to start training on Monday with Leone. I haven't seen any pictures of that, though.

Have you? No, but that doesn't mean it's not true. I am believing. Okay. All right. Well, let's just leave that there. Alex Morgan, two weeks into the NWSL season, has three goals and let's play one of them.

Handled it. She came out. She was big. She forced Shaw to beat her. And she did. Morgan. Looking. San Diego. I got to say, Tara and I were talking about this off air. I got to say the commentary on some these games is pretty bad. Pretty bad. You don't get any description of the action ever. Which I guess makes sense because it's TV. But anyway. Anyway, what happened is Morgan, Morgan got into the, dribbled into the box there, and then she passed it through the legs of the defender and the keeper had no chance. Yeah, it was a great goal. It really was.

But NWSL has like a bit of a Stockholm syndrome hold on me. It's like the commentating is so bad, but at least the TV camera is on. Like sometimes you can't even get a TV camera to work. Like sometimes you're just like frozen on the field in New Jersey. Like it is really, really bad. Yeah. We have some technical difficulties for the racing Louisville game this weekend. Yes, you did.

Yeah. But to take nothing away from Alex, three goals, two weeks, she's off to a great start. The only person who's off to a better start is Sophia Smith. So, good place to be. Two of those Morgan goals are PKs. There's also a great video of her walking into, I don't know where she's walking into, but she's wearing a Padres jersey.

That's making its way around the internet. Yeah, what a queen. What a queen. Oh, okay. So I was going to ask you, what in particular is great about the picture? It's a video. It's like, she just looks good.

She looks good. Okay. Continue. Ashley Hatch, two goals against racing Louisville. both pretty nice goals they were and right when I was counting

Ashley Hatch out she comes out strong okay okay no her goal that came from Trinity I thought was a great finish and let me play that let me play that audio out of trouble

Rodman leading pass to Hatch she gets there Ashley Hatch in the box of race it was a little bit of a transition moment and Robman gets on the ball and then curls up cross. Behind the two centerbacks, between the two centerbacks, hatches running on a straight line right at the goal.

She does well to settle it and hesitates a little bit before passing it in with her left foot. See, it was a nice take. It was a nice finish. But the thing here is that this was a, this was off a spirit corner. So racing Louisville recovers the ball We gave the ball away

Trying to get out Yeah And so Trinity gets it back And the reason why I bring all this up is Ashley wasn't between two centerbacks She was between one centerback And I think the other player was Was kind of from Louisville

Racing Louisville She is a striker Oh that's why she defended so poorly So poorly That gives a little bit better context Yeah Yeah, she is a striker and, you know, so as you see, she made like no opportunity to try. She was monitoring the situation.

Monitoring the situation. Basically ushered Ashley into the goal. So I'm going to give Ashley 0.5 goals on that. Like, it was a very nice take. But, yeah. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to this game because I had both kids. and like a I actually had planned on taking them

but it was like 30 mile per hour winds at the stadium and the baby the baby just wouldn't be able to take it the baby wouldn't be able to take it unfortunately ear infections for months if a baby went in that wind well you give her

one and a half goals but she actually got two goals out of that so it was a good way to good tie away from home I'm really excited about how the spirit are looking so far. If I can just bring up one more thing.

Ask her Sanchez. I am so glad you brought this up. Not looking too hot so far. Well, she played a great first week game against O'O. Raine, and then she had 45 minutes against Racing Louisville, and she came off because she had, she's been playing with a fever, and she's very sick. So I hope you feel bad for whatever snark you were going to say,

because she's sick. My goodness. Yeah, another more to say. Yeah. I don't want you being rude. I can't, I can't hand it. But going into our winger pool, Sophia Smith, she has four goals. It's been two games. She already has four goals.

The first goal was against Orlando in week one. And then three goals against the Kansas City current. in week two, the first of which was a penalty kick, and then she got two goals backed back in the last 15 minutes or so. Yeah, you know, there's a few things here. Well, first, the first goal she scored against the current was a crazy, crazy goal. Let's play the audio. Sophia Smith, challenged by Weinbrunner.

They have to be careful here. She advances on goal, and Sophia Smith has found a way. Yeah, that's the worst announcer in the history of soccer. But she receives the ball in the box with a defender on her back. She turns her, beats her, beats another defender, beats another defender, and then gets to the ball at the same time as another defender and puts it through her legs right past A.D. Franch. Just like cheat code stuff.

Just totally bullying everybody on the field. She wins four duels in the box. scores, just ridiculous solo goal. Yeah, I saw some people commenting on the defending on this goal. And I have to say that it's, that for me, it's just more the brilliance of one Sophia Smith than anything else. Yeah, impossible to knock her off the ball, it seems. Can you imagine, like, missing two national team camps in a row and coming into this next one,

this April one, like right before the World Cup. Coming off a hat trick, her first hat trick ever in the NWSL, like she's just got to be feeling great. And I cannot wait to see what she does. What about A.D. French. I feel like some of you all need to repent for all the hype about her. It's ridiculous. All I hear about is like A.D. French needs to be a goalkeeper.

She's let it in like four soft goals in the first two weeks of NWS. You just said how great that goal was. It was great, but like from the goalkeeper's point of view. Yeah. It's a little so. It's a little son. Oh, Lord. Let's keep it going.

Mallory Swanson. Okay. Mallory Swanson. So no repentance today. Let me play the other Sophia audio. This is the other goal she scored. On the far side. Had a chance to slaughter in and she's got for the hat trick.

And she's got it. she finishes she finished that one with authority when uh side netting from just just inside the box i think um yeah and then i want to mention the first goal she scored this season the one against orlando was off of a a really nice ball from sam coffee same coffee's had a great great first uh two games as well but we'll get into that later yeah we're gonna say we're you're David. Yeah, I was just going to say that these first two weeks at the NWSL season, like I've just been thinking of myself, we definitely have the best two wingers in the world. Without a doubt. Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, we're going into this. And it's also just funny for me,

just thinking about, I guess, like, what our development system must be, like, I don't know the inner workings of it. But the fact that we just produce all these, uh, these, these demon wingers, you know what I'm saying? Like all these, all these children that are just out for violence, ankle breaking, and all these things. And we don't have, and for some reason we're not producing, like, that many midfielders. Like, I don't understand.

I don't understand what's going on. Do we just, uh, is it like an M1 mixtape these, these trainings? Yeah, I don't know. From youth. Yeah, I don't know. because the thing about Sophia and Mallory is they do a lot of violence, but, you know, in a very cheerful way. And they both play centrally, too. For their clubs.

For their club. Yeah. But anyway. Yeah. Yeah. I was just wondering, because we just, it just seems like we just spawn attackers, like, you know, just like, just like, uh, Um, well, I was gonna, well, you know what I will say. You know, they say like these, uh, these feral pigs multiply?

No, I don't know. And they're gonna take over the whole United States. This is, this is what I imagine with our just, with our attackers that we just spawn out. We just, we just produce them. Nonstop, nonstop, nonstop. Uh, it'd be nice we get a midfielder in there too, but. Yeah. That's why we got Corbyn, man.

Yeah. But, but, but even, even Corbyn and, uh, rose you know what I'm saying they're they're more of that archetype but just happen to play in the midfield I guess that I mean Corbyn's not going to be road like roasting people uh down the wing she's not going to be roasting people down there she's going to be roast people in middle field though yeah that's true yeah all right terry you wanted to start talking about swanson so yeah mallory swanson she scored a penalty kick against san diego in week one and in week two she forced a mistake Houston, which resulted in an own goal.

So I'm kind of considering it like she has two goals, but technically only one. And in week two against Houston, she also got an elbow to the throat. And at halftime, the report was that she could breathe but not swallow. And that was given in like an optimistic light, like, hey, we're looking better. She can breathe. She just can't swallow. So I thought that was kind of interesting. Who threw the elbow?

Someone from Houston, I don't know. Burn them down. All right. Midge Purse. Midge Perce, week one. She scored a penalty kick against Angel City, and it was by far the most ludicrous VAR call in the NWSL, which a reminder, VAR has only existed for two weeks. So I guess it's like not that large of a trophy to hold. They finally ponied up for some extra cameras.

Yeah, they did. But it was insane. And I am still not entirely sure what happened. Like Kelly O'Hara flopped way down on the other side of the field. And they called a penalty. And it was insane. But moving on, she didn't have the best week two. But I'm still looking, things are looking up for Gotham, for sure.

Okay. Yeah, it was, so in week one, it also wasn't looking good. but but but but but then like midge and lynn kind of kind of like joined the party finally in that second half against angel city yeah they did Lynn was amazing yes yes so hopefully you know as they work that they work that chemistry out you know what I'm saying we'll see more we'll see more fireworks from them soon and I was like originally feeling kind of bad for Lynn the last minute transfer from Kansas City to Gotham. Like, she went on the podcast snacks. Her podcast was Sam Mewis and talked about the transfer. And it sounds horrible. So, like, I still feel bad that she went through that.

But I'm thinking she got the brighter end of the stick there. Kansas City, like, a ton of people are injured. I think they have nine players out injured right now. And instead, Lynn gets to look. like a hero in in Gotham. Yep. Gotham sitting in a playoff spot at the moment. Sixth in the table.

Kansas City, their goalkeeper leaking a lot of goals as a minus four goal differential. Zero wins, zero draws, two losses. But moving on from Midge into Alyssa Thompson. So there was some thought that maybe we've already spoken. about this, but we didn't because it was a different goal. So in week one, she had a goal within 11 minutes into her first competitive game. And it was incredible. She's so fast. She single-handedly like murdered Kelly O'Hara out there. And I find that real intriguing because Kelly gets a call up to camp when she looked like the slowest human out there. But Alyssa doesn't. And I think I think she

warrants. There should be a conversation at least. Vladko spoke about it. Had had a few great but lengthy quotes I won't get into now. The gist of it was just like he expects Thompson to make a case for a World Cup spot. And if there is a coach that believes in Alyssa Thompson, it's him, which I think was like such a crazy way to say that. It's ridiculous. It's always a big cop out. Well, he was just saying, like, yeah, I played her in front of 80,000 people against one of the best teams in the world. So, you know, if somebody, if anybody believes in her, it's me. I did that when she was 17. I don't know.

He's, you know, English is his second language. I don't doubt how much Vlako believes in her. But I do worry about the quality of her teammates in L.A. Like, she's looking good. But as soon as she passes the ball, it gets lost, you know. Like every time, like, and I watched, I watched the clips from this last game that they played. And she only had, like, I think nine passes total. Right.

But every time she passed it, like, that Messiah Bright goal actually comes from a Thompson pass to a Angel City midfielder that promptly gets depot out, like just completely wrecked off the ball. like I don't know if she didn't know that she had a man on her or whatever like but like completely wrecked for the ball the pride go to the way Messiah Bright gets that goal but but that's just like it happens like every single one of those nine passes almost they were promptly lost by an angel city player like it was it was it was ridiculous yeah and it's not like it's not like she's putting them and she's putting her teammates in tough situations. She's like she's tidy and clean. Yes. Yes. Very much so. She's passing.

She's passing in rhythm. Yeah. In rhythm. She's not taken to me in touches anything like that. I mean, it looks very professional like something you would expect. Like almost like the like the way Tim Way gets rid of the ball. Yeah. Like very smooth, very clean like that.

And you expect smooth and cleanliness from her teammates and it's just not. I worry that YouTube. are not listening to me at all when we have these conversations. Like, I've been telling you guys, when Sydney Leroux comes back, Angel City will be on. But until then, like, we can't expect Alyssa to carry a non-existent midfield. I've been listening to you, Tara, about Sydney Leroux and Kristen Press. But the thing is, like, when are they going to come back? Kristen, maybe never.

But Sydney, I have hoped that it's going to be in the next month. Yeah, I mean, if it does happen, maybe they can just follow each other around and just combine. Yeah, just combine, man, them two. She needs, Alyssa needs somebody who can keep up with her. Yeah. And somebody who is strong. And, like, I, that's, Cindy's going to be able to do that and more. It's, it's going to be incredible.

I do think Alyssa and June Endo are building quite the little chemistry. I've been enjoying what I've been seeing of those two. But to think that Angel City is going to be running over some of these teams is just, it's not going to happen. Yeah. Oh, and you mentioned Sydney LaRue being strong. But one takeaway I've had from these games watching Alyssa is she is quite strong as well. She's written some challenges, held some people. off.

They were trying to get the ball from and all that type of stuff. Yeah, it sticks out. She earned the penalty kick to get Angel City their first goal against Orlando. And it was quite the tackle. She kind of flew over the goalie.

Let's talk about Trinity. She scored a delightful goal in week one against the O.L. Rain. Really a huge goal because it turned out to be the game winner in the 54th minute. Let me play it. It's a little bit black, isn't there?

Yeah, in WSL? Kitts-wise. Now here comes Trinity, Rodman. Takes on the early shot. On it's there! Oh, what a strike! What a finish from the player who has lit up this game. Fabulous opening goal from such a talented player.

She drove through. the, you know, through the middle third, well, from the middle third into the attacking third, and then just teed it up from about 22 yards with her left foot. Meg the defender, which left the goalkeeper a little bit at a disadvantage, and it went side netting. Lovely finish. She, when she was running past, past Raines midfield, it looked like Emily Sonnet was just not even trying to keep up. That's how fast Trinity is.

It was beautiful. We also mentioned she had the assist in, for Hatch's second goal against Louisville. Right. Yeah, she's been, Trinity's been playing well. Coming into camp, hot. I'm excited. Yeah, and you see the one thing about these NWSL matches. Like a lot of time, uh,

I don't know. It's really on the players to provide moments. Like most of the time, you're not getting like a 15, 20 pass buildup or whatever the hell. Like you'll have an opportunity arise or an opening or something like that where Trinity, you know, receives a ball here and turns and then just drives and does her thing. Or when she received the ball against race in Louisville and just bent that thing in for Ashley. It's all about the quality and the people with the quality. really do tend to stick out

just like you can't even you can't turn away from it it's blinding you you know what I'm saying but it's beautiful to see yeah totally I'm gonna have that paint splatter Trinity Robben at my house soon oh I'm so excited I love that Rapino's out injured

not not serious right yeah they they haven't really gone into detail just that she wasn't training with the team even in that preseason Portland Thorns tournament. And then she still isn't training with the team. But Laura Harvey said it's not serious and they expect her back soon.

But she will be missing the April camp. You know, I'm not a fool. I don't think we're going to get an opening for the World Cup soon. But I do think it's intriguing. I wonder who could knock her out. If anyone. Yeah, that is intriguing. I got to say that Spirit rain game, even though Spirit ended up winning 1-0, the rain were pretty clearly the better team, even without Rapino.

Well, they are the, I mean, they were the Shield winners last year. They're a great team. It's just, it was very cool that Spirit held their own and Trinity got a goal. Like, that's a huge win for them. Yeah, yeah. I'm just saying it was against the run of play. That's all. Yeah, sure.

Jaden Shaw? Yeah, Jaden Shaw. I added her in here because there's so much to talk about. I don't think she gets anywhere close to a World Cup spot. But like we were talking about Corby and Albert, like she could be a locked in starter for the Olympics if I allow my brain to think that we're ever going to be able to have a new guard handing off of responsibility, whatever you want to say. But Jaden Shaw, week one, she got a goal.

Week two, she got another goal. The second goal, which came this past Saturday, is one of my absolute least favorite goal recipes. Oh, wow. Yeah. That exists in the world, not just in NWSL. but it may just be me because I don't have

the taste for for San Diego Wave but Hold on. I mean, we talk about recipes, you know what I'm saying? Like everybody, and like, there's a reason why there's a microwave in every household in America. You know what I'm saying? Because sometimes you just got

you just got to do what you do. You just got to do what you got to do. You got to throw something in there, heat it up, take it out, and you know, it may not be gourmet, but it gets a job. I'm done. That's what it is. That's what it is hitting it to Cornyack's head from deep.

It's a microwave dinner. If you look at last year, like the wave had a playoff run, most successful run for a brand new expansion team, so many of the goals were Kailen Sheridan throws it or hits it right to Taylor Cornyack's head. Taylor boops it off her head, pass them defenders. and Alex scores. So Jaden got one of these classic San Diego goals. I'm thrilled for Jaden.

I just hate that it had to come from that. It's a nice finish though. It was a nice. Top ends. Very nice. I wanted to describe the goal in week one. Yep. Because it's like a corner kick that spills out to her at the top of the box.

she takes a nice first touch and then just slots it like it's a really nice finish it reminded me of Mao's goal um against Brazil I think it was it was really really similar but yeah great finish yeah it was just so smooth like like for me the main thing that stuck out was like when that thing came out to her and the way she uh it so it's like she she almost trapped the ball with like the top of her foot and her shin and just set that thing down just right next to her just like like set it down delicately like like how i laid my baby to sleep yeah and and then she she kicked that thing uh so i do not kick my baby but uh but yeah with their with their weak of foot right foot uh bottom corner there just well so once again uh the class the class stands out man

if you got it in the nwsl you got it does she um project, where does she project on the field for you guys right now? Like what position? So it's probably a winger. And like at this point, I mean, at the U20 World Cup, she did play inside quite a bit and she did it quite well. But in these two matches so far, really anytime she like comes inside, she's having a little trouble.

She's either losing it, can't find a teammate, something like that. So for right now, at this point, I would say, probably outside. Okay. Yeah, I agree. But Casey Stoney, the coach of San Diego, she has tried her in the midfield before, so she could be a solution to one of our lingering problems if that continues to, you know, be worked out.

Yeah. I mean, she, she ain't going to get on the field on the wing for the women's national team for a decade. So. Yeah, probably not. but I mean yeah she she can play midfield if if you know the selection problems work out in that manner to where she don't got a spot then yeah midfield I hope so I hope so I just don't know how how good she is now like like wing is their best position now for me yeah okay but speaking speaking of well go ahead you have one more thing on Shaw because I have a nice

I think I was doing the exact same thing you were doing well I was going to say speaking of settling the ball with your shins delicately as if you're putting a baby to sleep, that's what Crystal Dunn did for her goal in week two for the thorns. It was a hot corner hit right at her, like, right at her shins. And she just did that sort of like jump, use both legs to kind of settle it, which is, man, so hard to do. And then she, you know, she just stays cool, takes a touch to her right. and then just drives it in at the near post.

Goalies unsighted because the defender between Dunn and the goal blocks her line of sight. It's just a really, really nasty little goal that I appreciate it. It was very smooth. It came in like, what, the third minute, too? It just rattled Kansas City so hard. Yeah. I was going to say, though, speaking of somebody who should be playing. in the midfield for the United States women's national team.

That was the bit I was doing. There's too many good segues here. Yes. Roosevelt, what's, well, anything else on Dunn? No, just that the world looks a lot brighter when she gets to be an attacker. I don't think we see a goal like this for the national team, but we're just so lucky Crystal Dunn is, you know, back and playing well, she's been consistently subbed out around the 65th minute mark.

So I do not believe we see her go 90 for the national team in these two upcoming games, but she's looking good. I mean, she conceivably could score a goal like this for the national team, given that was on a set piece. She stays back for the national team, I think. Okay. She does. Rose Lavelle, sticking with midfielers, Rose Lavelle. Yeah, she got a good assist in week two. And the ball came from a great play from Huerta.

So love to see those two connecting. But just same old, same old, rose is clean, poised, one of our better players. So I think she's coming into camp also feeling well. I thought there's a video where they ask women's national team players, who's the most famous person in your contacts on your phone? And Alex Morgan says Taylor Swift. And Megan Rapino says Sue Bird, who is. you know, her partner.

And then Roosevelt says for Megan Rapino. I love that. All right. Lindsay Horan, we talked about her already. I think we can kind of skip that, right? Yeah. Rest up, Lindsay. It'll be okay.

Ashley Sanchez, week one, she played against O.L. Rain. As we've been saying, there was such a pretty play, though. It was Trinity got the ball past two defenders with ease, one of which was Emily Sonnet, but that's another story. Sanchez is running in behind. She gets the ball from Trinity and chips it over first touch, over three rain defenders, right to Ashley Hatch's feet. Hatch, chest it down, but it just goes a bit too ahead of her and Fallon. O.L. Rain's goalie picks it up. but it was just such a pretty play

I wanted to highlight it because Sanchez and Trinity just have such a good connection out there. And then week two, she was sick. So Mark Parsons, their coach, came out, said that he was happy. They were even able to get 45 minutes out of her.

Okay, okay. It's very interesting to me because it seems like she was running from the ground. It seems like she was running from the ground. She was aware of the agenda that I proposed. and they won't be exposed. Critiquing a young sick woman.

She's young, exactly. It would be different if it was an old sick woman. If he'd be a little dire. But a young one, you know, Sam, I ain't worried about it. Whatever. On to Sam Coffee, nothing pretty, nothing fancy to say, but she had a great two games. Week one, consistent, strong, week.

too consistent and strong. Nothing super special. But I watch her play and I'm just wondering what the plan is because I would love to have her in a camp with Julie Ertz because I hope that we are thinking about anything after the World Cup. Like we've got we've got to continue to be good. You know, we should be promoting younger players. If you're 100% not as good as someone else is 80%.

Too bad. I was like, what in the world? Which really seems to be a direct, a direct Sam Coffee shot, to be honest. Has to be. That was the first thing I thought about when I heard that. Do we, yeah, I feel like if we get wrapped up in Sam Coffee's absence from this camp, it's just like old people shouting at a cloud or something. Yeah.

It's just, it's hopeless. It's not hopeless. It's just futile. I agree. Christy Mewis? Nothing to report. No big flunders, but, you know. I said flunders. Is that a word? I think you did say flunders. Yeah. Hey, whatever. Gotham is intriguing, though.

They don't look terrible, and they got their first win. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens, but, you know, nothing special to report for old Christy. Okay, yeah, Andy Sullivan's doing all right for the spirit. They're like we said, they're off to a decent start, a draw on the road at Louisville and a win at home versus O'L. Rain. Vince, you got anything on Cornyack? No, nothing much. So I will point out the fact that who wasn't on Twitter? I think it was Scott Ripley

wrote an article about Taylor Cornyack and I think talked to Casey Stoney talked to Alex Morgan about just her as a player, her development and all it. So it was a kind of interesting article. Alex Morgan did agree with me basically she said that Taylor Cornyack is very press resistant. The quote was basically

along the lines of she can get out a lot of things that other people can't. But, yeah, when I watch her for the wave, it's just, it is kind of depressing. Just running around.

And specifically, you know, we talked about Alyssa Thompson's teammates letting her down. Taylor Corniac did a lot of letting down for Jaden Shaw this past week. She didn't even start

week one. She was on the bench. She didn't, Tara. You won't let that go, will you? She was on the bench and she's going to go to the World Cup Can't even start week one You're not going to let that go She came on a half

She came on a half I mean you know if you flip that around That's that's what Ashley Sanchez did this past No no Santa started Yeah but she came off You know she played one half I just want us to hold ourselves to a higher standard

That's all No but in all seriousness I'm I'm letting it go I'm letting it go Uh Taylor Cornack should not be at the World Cup. Mark it. We're going to need that in the coming weeks, for sure.

All right. Let's blow through the full backs, centerbacks, and goalkeepers real quick. Sophia Huerta, you know, Terry, you're saying she had a terrible game week one. Yeah, she had a lot of oopsies, I think, is what we call them when Alana Cook does them. She let a lot of people pass her. Okay. She did set up Jess Fishlock with a lovely ball from wide, and Fishlock headed it at the goal and drew a wonderful save from Casey Murphy.

I noticed that. From Kingsbury. Oh, yeah, Aubrey Kingsbury. My bad. Yeah. I promise you everybody confuses those two. My bad. Yeah, so it was Aubrey Kingsbury, who's, I guess, not really even in the pool at this point.

Um, okay, so Huerta, Kelly O'Hara got cooked by Alyssa Thompson. Emily Fox, what do we have on her? I don't have much to report. North Carolina is off to a slow start, but she's looking like one of the best players on the field. So I do like how she's allowed to be more attacking. I think Vince spoke about that, like when the trade first became news, that racing didn't really. let her be that forward thinking. And it seems like she

is getting to do that in North Carolina. She's playing right back too, right? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I'm about I said. I know she was, she definitely was week one. So yeah, getting all that,

those right back reps in. I mean, seemingly clearing the way for, I mean, we got to be real here. Crystal Donn's going to be playing left back. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. More time for Emily on the right, the better. Yeah.

Because, uh, Yeah, because I do not think anybody else is particularly close to Emily. No, and if Emily's crystals back up too, I think we're looking pretty good. Yep. And then Huerta becomes Emily's backup at right back, basically. I think so. Okay. Haley Mace, she got embarrassed a little bit by...

Oh, she did. Caroline? Yeah, yeah. Ooh, Caroline was... I feel like we've got to take her off this list. Like, Kaylee, thank you for the service. You do not belong anywhere close to this roster. She's had a real bad two games.

I'm over a fan of myself, bro. That cooking was... She got sauteed. Sauteed. Like, it was not microwaved. You know what I'm saying? That was a slow burn. Definitely, you know, you had to turn the burner on low for a second.

But this is exactly like how Kansas City started their season last year. They lost five in a row and then never lost again. Like they were just no one kept track of them because they looked so bad. And then they surprised the world. So I'm going to keep watching, especially as players get healthy again. But ooh, Haley is not looking too hot right now. Generational cooking. It was, yeah, it was crazy.

It didn't result in a goal, which was the only saving grace of it. But she got to turn around two or three times by Carolyn. Centerbacks, we've got Sauerbrun, Germa, Cook, and Casey Kruger on the list. I think Germa gave up a penalty against North Carolina. Yeah, gave up a pin. Hopefully, one and done. We're not going to see that side of her again. You know, new season jitters.

Otherwise, she had a great week one. And that was really the only bad thing she did. But, you know, it's kind of the worst thing she could have done. So I don't want to give too much grace. Okay. Yeah, she should be fine. And then Kruger's back in camp? Yeah, I could not be more thrilled.

I am so excited to see Casey Kruger. Week one, she came out within like 10 minutes. Concussion Protocol. my stomach hurt. I was feeling so upset about it. But week two, she looked very strong, healthy, fast. I really hope we get to see her

get some meaningful minutes in these upcoming friendlies. Okay. And then goalkeepers, we've got Neier, Murphy, and French. I think I've already sort of said my piece on French.

Neier and Murphy have in common that they didn't stop an Alex Morgan penalty kick. Yeah. Didn't stop. We got Morgan goals. We got Sophia goals. So I don't know how hard we want to hit our keepers because those are, you know, two of the best attackers in the world.

But yeah, they're letting in some goals and doesn't feel great. Yeah. Casey Murphy did have a nice save on Jaden Shaw. Did she? Yeah. It was a nice left-footed shot from top of the box that she did a good job on. I will say that. And I will say that I think Franch had a really nice save on a Carolyn shot.

Oh, yeah, for sure. For sure. In the game. Franch is going to look better as the season continues when she has, you know, a defense worth even speaking about. Casey's been doing pretty well. Alyssa looks real slow out there. But, you know, I know she's going to be our starter, so don't want to hammer home too much. And, yeah, camp has already started.

It started yesterday. People are rolling in, but first game on Saturday. Yep, 2.30 p.m. Eastern Time at stadium in Austin against the Republic of Ireland. It should be Julie Ertz's long-awaited return. Whether she starts or not, we don't know. Do we have any obviously Irish last names within the team? Well, here. Ah, there we go.

Okay. I knew there had to be one. I knew there had to be one. I wish she can do a FIFA switch. Is Mewis? Mewis might be Irish too. I don't know. Thanks, guys.

If you would like the Monday review and, you know, access to the Discord, where we do, there is a pretty robust discussion of women's soccer, led in large part by Tara. Join us on the Patreon. The link is in the show notes. Thanks for listening. We'll see you.