SoccerWise - NWSL Soccerwise | Reshuffling The Deck

Episode Date: July 21, 2026

Jordan Angeli is joined one more time (for now) by NWSL commentator and znalyst extraordinaire Jill Loyden. The duo react to Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina as La Furia Roja claim their second Men’s World Cup trophy in history and reflect on what this tournament meant to them. NWSL approaches the midway mark of the season and the crew recaps games from the weekend. Women’s African Cup of Nations approaches and a variety of teams will be missing key figures. Lindsey Heaps makes her NWSL return as she and Denver Summit defeat her old club, the Portland Thorns, 2-1. Then, the Soccerwise NWSL Power Rankings are updated for the first time since June and the table has shifted.0:00 World Cup Final reaction and reflections on the entire tournament9:58 Women’s African Cup of Nations player absences16:13 Kansas City Current vs. San Diego Wave playing to a lively 2-2 draw22:12 Bay FC throttle NC Courage 3-029:02 Utah Royals defeat Orlando Pride 1-035:49 Lindsey Heaps' debut as Denver Summit open new stadium with 2-1 win over Portland42:44 NWSL Power Rankings Return52:23 Close

What's up, everybody? Welcome to another edition of Soccerwise. I'm your host, Jordan Angley, and I am welcoming my good friend, Jill Lloyden, to the podcast. Once again, deep breath, Jill. We've made it to another Monday. We have, and this is my last one. So this is going to be the best one. Jill, it's been really so much fun. I love talking football with you, but I hope that the people listening have also like really enjoyed what you've had to say because the thing I love about the way that you do games is you kind of give us this taste of like this in-depth analysis. But during this podcast, I feel like we've gotten to hear a lot of the things that might not make the broadcast, which is a funny thing about what we do, isn't it?

We prep so many things and how much do you think actually makes the broadcast? I know. I was just thinking about this weekend because I had the Kansas City San Diego game. and I had so many things about San Diego that I wanted to say. And just sometimes the game doesn't really dictate that. Yep. So yeah, this has been fun, Jordan. I very much agree and agree with that sentiment.

It's been fantastic just talking football with you. Yeah. I think we probably talk about 10% of the things that we actually prepare. So you get a little glimpse into our brains. And the big thing that happened over the weekend besides, you know, some great NWSL games. I think some really interesting ones was we have a new champion of the world. And it's the first time that there have been men's and women's champions from the same

country. Spain took home the World Cup yesterday. And what I would call an emphatic win, they, football won yesterday, Jill. It really did feel like football won. I think all of us as humans are sad that Messi couldn't go out on top in a way. but the way Spain played, it was beautiful at times. And throughout this tournament, they just kept growing and growing and showing off more of what they could do. And it really felt like they were the right winners of this World Cup in 2026. You know, I love resilience.

Like, I just, I just, I love a good story of resilient people of teams. I feel like both of the teams yesterday were resilient in their, own ways, right? Like Argentina had to come back many times in this tournament and there was definitely humility about the way that they played in terms of like, we're just going to set up our main man. And for Spain, there was a resilience in them of like, we're not going to change who we are. We can't. They literally can't change who they are, right? But there was a resilience about our strategy works and it might not produce four or five goals on a team, but we know that we're going to stay resilient to our game plan and we're eventually going to break through. And they did. And I also

just really appreciate the grace in which they won with, the eloquence and the class of fame. They only gave up one goal, the entire tournament, Jill. And yes, kudos to their goalkeeper. He wins Golden Glob because he is the champion of the world. But we got to give it up for Martinez and some of the saves that he made. The most saves ever in a World Cup final. And as a goalkeeper, you, you, you, You had to be, like, so happy for him in Argentina in those moments where he was keeping them in the game. I mean, we just talk about resilience, right? Like, I've been a fan of this man since he was at Arsenal and wasn't playing and just to see his rise. Like, he got to start during the COVID.

There was like a COVID outbreak or something. And he got a start and he never looked back. And he is, he does have a lot of antics, which, you know, I don't always love. But I do admire his braver. He plays with such courage and bravery off his line. And he makes big time same some big time moments. And you have to appreciate that element of his game. Broken finger.

Did you ever play with a broken finger? No. Well, not that I knew about. Good answer. Good answer. Because sometimes I'm sure it felt like your fingers were broken. Oh, yeah. I have to wear like size 12 rings because of my fat knuckles and all of them have been jam.

Actually, Are there, goalkeeper? Your fingers aren't like too wonky donkey. No, no, no. I've had some colleagues with like it looks like a, you know. Yeah. We all know those. And I like this from Douglas in the chat. Our producer, he's just saying special nod to Cabo Verde. The only team Spain didn't defeat. And it just brings it back up because they were one of our favorite storylines of the tournament. But all in all, Jill, what a summer. Does it? it not just make you so excited for next year? Well, I was just going to ask you, like, what your emotions were for this? Like, what was your overall, like, relationship with the World Cup? Because it revokes so many emotions in me from start to finish. Yeah, I think before the tournament, I was a little upset with the ticket pricing. And I was just like, oh, people aren't going to come to the games. And I just thought that, I don't know. I think, I think it was.

was this whole thing was a really good showing to us that the media will say things and the reality is different. And I thought the reality of this World Cup is everybody was loving on each other. All of these countries were invoking different emotions within us that we're reminding us that we're all not that different. And we can respect and cherish other people's cultures and and like tip our caps to that and also want to be victorious and be really proud of where we came from. And so, yeah, it was, it was way more emotional than I thought. And getting to go to games and just, I did like a little recap on my Instagram last night. I, I can't believe that was my real life that I got to experience that. And to see it firsthand in our country and to be what

felt like really good hosts to the world and, and Mexico and Canada as well. But to experience that. specifically in the United States, I thought it was just, it was just really beautiful. It was beautiful. That's exactly what I was going to say. It was so beautiful. Yesterday during the halftime, I bowled like a little baby, just like thinking about how this incredible sport has changed my life specifically. Just, you know, the message was about unity and love and, and happiness and joy. And I thought to myself, you know, this sport has brought me some of the lowest lows of my life, but some of the highest highs. And I'm so thankful for what, you know, that little ball has done with the relationships in my life, the experiences I've had. And it was just so

overwhelming. And to see Spain win, I cried at the final whistle. Like, I didn't have any horse in that race. Like I didn't care. It just was like, yeah, it's so beautiful. It's not just beautiful now, Jill. I think it's going to continue to be that as we start to see stories in the future about kids whose lives were changed and little boys and little girls who watched this World Cup in first person and were changed. And now one day down in the in the future play for their national team and this was their turning point because I think you and I can both look back at the 99 World Cup and say that was our turning point. Mine yeah. Yeah. Like mine was actually in 1996. I went to the Olympic final and I I got to see.

You did? Yes. I went to, so I went to the semi-final. I begged my Nana to bring me. And she was like, okay, I was like, I'll trade all my track tickets, all my gymnastics tickets. Like, please, I really want to go. So she was like, yeah.

And then after we had such a great experience, she surprised me with the final. And I got to see them win a final. And I said, like, hey, I really want to do that one day. And she left. But like, you know, like, that was like a momentous experience in my life. And yeah, even looking back on the 99 World Cup, I knew, I know exactly. where I was. I knew exactly what I was doing. I remember exactly what I was wearing and what I did after that game to go out and train by myself as a 14-year-old, like just so inspired. And we're certainly

going to feel the effects of that. Even my kids, like, they don't know anything. They're six and four, but my youngest son likes the chickens team. He likes France, the chickens. That is awesome. Yeah, I had a friend who said her kid was crying because Argentina lost. They grew up in Denver. Like these kids, it just is like igniting something within us that we have been able to feel. And I think it's also just pride isn't the right word. I think it is joy that other people are realizing how incredible this game is. And it comes in all different forms and fashions. And you can play the game in a lot of different ways.

But it is, it's just been beautiful. Oh, I'm going to miss. I'm already missing it. I know. It's going to be hard. But it did feel like football won. And yeah, congratulations to Spain as them, both the men and the women right now are reigning champions. There was a really cool interview with Bon Mati and Roderie after the game if you didn't get to see it.

I didn't. Yeah, you're going to have to go watch it. He was talking about how he just has admired Bon Mati and her ability to just be who she is and win everything. And he's like, I'm trying to be like her, which is so cool. The best holding midfielder in the world saying that about a female is pretty cool. Yeah, yeah, really neat. So, yeah, soccer one. And what a beautiful, beautiful summer it has been. And really, you guys don't get to miss out on anything because there's so much to talk about not only in NWSL, but let's get to the big news because actually there are qualifying already. Qualifying has already started for a lot of nations and different qualifying federations. But the women's Afcon championship, the tournament, starts just. In a couple of days, July 25th, it starts on Saturday. It goes through August 16th.

And the big news here, I would say, in this tournament, it's right in the middle of season. It's not during an international window. So players from various NWSL teams all across the board are going to be missing to go and participate in their national team to qualify for the World Cup next year. There's 16 teams. It is kind of a quick little round robin. to a quarterfinal, semi-final, and final. But the big players that are missing, Jill, that are going to go play, they're not missing.

We know exactly where they're going to be. Barbara Banda will be competing for Zambia. I'm just going to read, actually, the list. So that's for Orlando, for Washington. Rosamong Kawasi will play for Ivory Coast, Giff Monday for Nigeria, and Deborah Abiodin for Nigeria as well. They also have Monique Gok, who's a Cameroonian player. She has not yet played for the spirit, but she will be going as well for Chicago. Michelle Alozia will be playing for Nigeria for Bay FC Rachel Kuna Nanji, Angel City, Priska

Shulufia for Zambia, Kansas City, Temwa Shawanga, for Malawi. And Boston has Isata Triori, and she's playing for Molly. So there's a lot of players, Jill. One, kudos to NWSL because I feel like we have really done a good job of bringing in these African players. and bringing in a new look to this league. But this is going to be some big misses for these clubs as these players go and compete. When you look at that list, which teams pop off your mind right away that you say, okay, this is going to be the biggest miss for them?

Well, I don't think that the Washington spirit, not that they're not going to miss Rosamon-Kawesi and Gift Monday and Abiodom, but I feel like they're the most well-rounded team. with depth to them that they can try to cover those areas up with other players filling in in those roles. I mean, Sophia Cantore has been fantastic. Yeah, so I think that they'll probably be the least impact of the teams that actually have an opportunity to make the playoffs. You know, I think it's going to be tough for Chicago to make run on it. So are they really going to miss Michelle as much? I think the team that's going to struggle the most is Orlando. Just seeing them

in the last few weeks not having Barbara Banda available to them. I think that they are a lot more one-dimensional and over-reliant on her to establish their entire playing strategy. I think obviously Showinga's going to be a big mess, but they just still have a Croix Bousoon. They sell Dubinia.

Cooper's coming back. I feel like there's still a lot of pieces there. And actually, missing Shoeinga might really help Kansas City in the long run figure out how to have a play. with that her. Yeah, that's a good point. And I am just thinking back to the beginning of the season when Kansas City didn't have showinga. I think they went one in four. It was a tough start. But also, I think there was a lot of, I think people will say, oh, you don't have showinga. But I think the

biggest miss in that team was actually they didn't have Claire Hutton. And they were playing Croix Bethune as a holding midfielder and shifting players around in order to solidify that space. I think you talked about it last week of winning those second balls in that space in front of the back line. And so they have found that shift. And if you are Kansas City, not that you would say, okay, we don't want to play with Schoenga, but it does feel like they have to have other options. If Schoenga is not scoring goals, if she somehow gets locked down from someone, what is your other option?

And to be able to figure that out now in the middle of season versus what they had to do last year, it feels a little bit like a blessing in some ways. Yeah, I think so. And I think even in their game against San Diego, they were creating through Croy, and they were using Debenia in clever ways, LeBontza, getting outside of San Diego's central compactness. And I think that that was helpful for them.

And obviously, there's a mentality about them that makes them special. They're counter-pressed, their ability to press. They want to win the ball closer to their goal. And we saw that impact their attack last week. And I think that's something as well that they can rely on outside of just individuals in the attack is their mentality and their press. I also think this Boston team without Isata Trieri will struggle a little bit

because they are a team who has relied on her a lot and relied on her to stretch the line to come back in and play this dual forward system. So is that something that they can cover? I know Ellis Stevens has gotten some minutes in there. Is that her in Gutierrez that then play in those two players up top? But I do think Boston, they did lose to the spirit on Sunday. But it does feel like they rely on Isata significantly. And we'll see, maybe it will provide an option for them to see a little bit more of

Nenjamba. I know she's been in and out with injuries. Maybe that's an option. maybe it's Stevens who can play in that pocket and allow Gutierrez to maybe get in behind a little bit more. But that is another one of the teams that I just am curious to see how Felipe Patau just shifts things a little bit with Isata out. So, yeah, Wafcon, Women's African Cup of Nation is about to kick off on Saturday. I don't know how to watch that. Maybe Douglas does.

And he will put that in the chat for us because that's what he does. He always gives me the layup and the assist. So I'm sure he's working on that. As we kind of talk about what happened over the weekend, Jill, there was some standout performances in a game that we were really excited to chat about and that you got to be insight in Kansas City to call was this Kansas City San Diego game. It ended up being a two-to-two draw. And this game was maybe,

played, I would say, a little bit different in times than we thought. I was really, I loved the way that San Diego set up and it was different than they have typically at the beginning of this season. What was the biggest thing to you that you felt like San Diego was doing right when things were clicking for them? I mean, they were just breaking through Kansas City's press so easily in that first half and creating overloads that Kansas City couldn't really cope with. I think they rejigged their midfield a little bit. So it was Fazir holding. And normally we see Asconio and Dali next to each other in deeper pockets. But it was Fazer by herself. And then Dali and Asconio and Corley were like a three. So it looked like a T at times. And they were really overloading

in front of a seam two. We talked about seam two being so important in that game. It overloaded seam two to give the defense something to worry about. And then you've got Lujmila. on the back line who wants to get up to speed. And Trinity Byers, I thought, was low-key very good. Outside of her two goals, take those away from it, I thought she was low-key very good in that first half because of her ability to hold up possession and get players underneath facing forward. But yeah, they moved Lujmela out wide, which I kind of prefer her out wide.

I think that she can make those diagonal runs into dangerous areas where she can pick up the ball a bit more. Plus, like, when you think about a problem. opponent's defensive, like, capabilities, I think in this league, centerbacks have a higher threshold for the defensive capacities where fullbacks are used more as, like, one-v-one defenders and attacking players, right? And so now you move Lou Jemila out onto two players who probably have less defensive capabilities than centerbacks, and now she's got more space and more ability to, you know, stretch her legs a little bit more, to create momentum.

And I also think a fair play to San Diego for just trying to change something to get more out of her so that she can get a little more confident. I also thought there were times in the first half where they would overload the right side and leave Lainey Rouse and Lujmela 1B1 and then try to find her maybe on an early cross or just like a cross that's along the floor into that 1v1 battle. And she didn't find a goal, but it did provide a little optimism, I think, for her future at San Diego. Yeah. And it was just, I felt like San Diego looked different in a lot of scenarios. Like, there were times that looked like Lou Jemila and buyers were almost a two front. And so they were in between the outside backs and the centerbacks and just making centerbacks make decisions. And against this Kansas City team, especially right now, they don't feel as confident as they have been with all. the changes they have in their back line. It doesn't seem like they have found like this is who our backline is going to be and we feel confident with this. So I've liked that Yonis I was like,

let's ask questions of them. Let's try to figure out a way for them to be like, okay, is that actually my responsibility as a centerback or is it an outside back's responsibility? And then especially on that right side, because buyers was tucked in and Luchmilt, like they were occupying the centerbacks, then allowed Dali to have that freedom that she loves to go to the right side. And, to playmake over there. It was, it was really interesting, even the way they set up defensively and that it was almost like a 433. 433. Yes. And Corley would step up into the front line. I think Kansas City was like, what are you doing? And how do we get through this? And they didn't really have answers until they did. And I think that that is maybe a little bit of that

tenacity from this Kansas City team that we're used to seeing. And it felt like in the second half, they were finding Croix a little bit more, maybe playing a little bit more brave through those central pockets. And this is what you need to, like, Kansas City is a team that does not want to lose at home. And I think they proved that in this game, especially roaring back. Yeah, even in the first half, like I felt like at the end of the first half, they grew back into it. And I think they were trying to get their playmakers in space out wide. Like you saw Debenia float out there and Croix and LeBanza. To your point about the 433 is that San Diego didn't want to allow them to play through or beyond.

And I think really what they, you know, in retrospect, I actually was thinking about that 433 shape. And what I think they were trying to do was get pressure on the ball high and up, high up enough, but also have players that could win second balls in central areas. Because if Kansas City went over the press, then you have to be available. You have to manage a space behind, but you also then have to be ready to win the second balls in like dangerous parts of the pitch. So yeah, it was an interesting battle. And credit to Kansas City for coming back because at the beginning when I said that

they're not a team that plays from behind very well, they definitely had a great response. And it wasn't from their high press that they got their self. second goal, but I think they unsettled San Diego just enough to be able to still score from two goals in transition. Yeah. It was worth the popcorn, wasn't it? The popcorn or the price of admission. I love that. What a fun call between you and Allie Cho's Smart in there in Kansas City. So that kicked off the weekend. And then I'm going to talk a little bit about this Bay, North Carolina game. I know you had the later game that day. So I doubt. you've been able to watch this one back. I think you saw that maybe saw the goals. But I thought that

the ideas behind the way that this game started were right. If I am North Carolina and I'm looking at Bay's backline, what are you going to do? You're going to go high press them. They have this, this North Carolina team, I think it was smart of them to go try to press the back line because Bay's back line has not been cohesive, nor has it been really consistent this year. And they've shown that they've been weak in those moments. So I thought that that idea from Mackland was really good. But it was like a little wild the first 15 minutes of this game. There were two goals about really a minute apart for Carly Lima in the I think 14th and maybe 17th minute, but there was only 60 seconds played in between. And North Carolina was just, both teams

are really adamant about high pressing, high pressing, high pressing. And I thought Bay adapted really well and said, all right, if you're going to high press, we've got both Kondananji and Lima up front. The first pass was just a long ball into the space. Lima, I think she ran 60 yards with the ball at her feet, or 60 yards got the ball right behind the back line. And I can't remember who she was running against. But that should have been a bell. Yeah, it should have been a warning shot. Okay. If there's no pressure on the ball, we have to drop because the space and behind is too vulnerable. And then just a minute later, the same thing happened. North Carolina gets the ball.

They get high up on the field, lose it, try to counterpress, don't get enough pressure on B-Barr. And B-B-B-B-B-B-B-bar just pings it to Fyfer. In the right channel, Fifer passes it to Lima in the middle of the box, and it's an easy tap and goal for Lima. It's a different goal than the first one, but it's same. Transition, really good recognition from this Bay team to say, all right, we understand how to break this pressure.

And if you're not going to press us cohesively, then we're going to punish you. The thing I didn't like, and I thought North Carolina looked a lot better in the second half when it just came to their, the way that they played, they started in three back, actually. It was a three to, four one kind of, or a three, four, three, but just two central midfielders. I don't think you can play two central midfielders against this Bay team. I think their midfielder's are too good.

at finding this space, even when it's 3V3 and winning balls and covering ground. And North Carolina got run through in the middle of the field in that 343 formation. And they weren't getting Sanchez on the ball. They switched to a 4-3 in the second half. And I thought it's hard. You're losing 2 to nothing. Then quickly 3-0. It's hard to feel like they ever really like that they were playing a Bay team that,

I don't know how to how to say. It wasn't the same in the second half, right? Because Bay was already up, two to goals, to nothing. But I thought that it looked way more comfortable for North Carolina in the second half. And they just had even number essentially without a rotation. And for them against this Bay team who can cover space so well centrally, it looked a lot better. Yeah, it's interesting because the same thing happened last time these two teams met. North Carolina went down three nil pretty early on in that game.

and then they kind of had authority and possession for the rest of the match. I didn't watch the match, and so I can't definitively say this. However, I am curious about the loss of Monaca and how that impacts this team. Because, yes, to your point, it was two goals in transition, right? But here's the thing, is that I don't care who you put in that midfield. If you had, I don't know, any other attacking midfielder in this league, and then you put them in that North Carolina team, no one is going to be able to replicate exactly what Monaca did.

Specifically on the attacking side of the ball and helping keep possession, right? So no matter what you do, you have to divvy up her responsibilities amongst other people and other parts of the game, right? So maybe the high press, and that's something that they've done, right? That's something they've done. But if you have to rely a little bit more on your press because that needs to create more attack, then you're more vulnerable. And so I'm wondering and I'm curious if the loss of Monaca is going to hurt this team in way more areas than just being able to set up Ashley Sanchez to score goals. I think it will. I will say the other benefit of the second half, not just the formation change, is we got to see Erica Meg Parkinson, this young English international that came over in the break in this last transfer window, I should say, that plays for North Carolina.

She's 10. She was active. I think a little bit too active in moments, you know, running out of spaces that she could have occupied. But she was really bright and lively, not the same player as Monaca. And I think you make a good point, Jill, is there won't be a same player as Monaca. And North Carolina can't just think they're going to plug and play Parkinson and be like, oh, we're good because that's not the case. But what I did like is she floated to the left a little bit at times combined with Ashley Sanchez,

I think there are moments where, as I said, she overworked, but you're a young player coming to a new league. You know it's aggressive. You know the tempo's high. That's just your natural instinct is to do too much. She was lively and she will provide a spark for this team. I don't know what the output of that spark is going to be. But if Macklin can find the role for her and be able to utilize her in that spot. I think it would look good. It also, her moving up top allowed Riley Jackson to get on the ball a little bit more, I thought as well, just in that second half. So big win for Bay, three to three to nothing for them. Lima has four goals in three games. I think her holdup play has been a lot better. It's allowing Bay to get up the field with more numbers, which they want to

under Emma Coates. Coates told me a few weeks ago before the break, she's like, goals for us are like, buses in London. None of them come and then they all come at once. And I just loved that idea from her. And it feels like now that is kind of what's happening for Lima. We'll see if it's sustainable. But I do think that fuller underneath her to provide that layoff ball for Lima has helped with her playing in that central position. So big win for Bay and they are climbing and they need to climb because they were at the bottom of the table. A team that wasn't at the bottom of the table, but actually was falling a little bit is this Utah Royals team, Jill. And they went one to nothing over Orlando.

You were on the call for that game. What did Utah do right? You big smile for you because I think you're excited to chat about this. You know, it's so funny because when you watch the game, you're like, this isn't a beautiful game of football, but it was enjoyable to call. Like it was fun. It was enjoyable to call. There was lots of shenanigans that happened in the game.

game. And it kind of played out exactly the way that we thought it was going to play out. Seb Hines starts with a very aggressive all-in lineup with Nicole Payne, Banda, and Castain up top. And it's clear and evident from the jump. We don't want to muck around with Utah's press, so we're just going to play over it. And, you know, I think Utah had a game plan. They had a game plan for if Banda played. They had a game plan if Marda played. Marda was not available in the end. Banda gets the start. And I think what Seb Hap Hap. Titans was doing was we're going to go out, we're going to get a goal with direct vertical play, and then we're going to try to sit in defensively and hold off Utah because we're going to give

them the ball and they're better without the ball. So we don't even want to, we don't want to contend with that. And what Utah did was, okay, we've got to play it on Banda. And Tatum Alazo and Kate Alfava, I mean, they were physical. They won their battles. They defended well. they weren't too hasty in their decisions on what to do. They were very patient defensively. They control the depth behind them really well. Every single time, you know, as broadcast, we have, you know, a few more camera angles so we can see things a little bit more than people from home. And every single time Tatum Malazzo was on my screen, I saw her having contact on Banda.

And listen, if I'm Theta Malazzo, I'm getting physical contact any time. The ball's not near. Hey, I'm here. I'm getting under your skin. I'm annoying. I'm right up your butt. You're not turning and running at me. And if Banda got a step, there was a foul. And like, it's part of the game, right? And that's something that Malazo has to balance, right? It is part of the game. That Banda is going to get fouled more than every other player in this league. You know? And you have to be smart about when you do it, how you do it. And you have to be smart about when you do it. And you have two yellow. and that's it and then you don't get to play anymore. So it's just part of the game, the match management of those situations. Outside of that, I thought an unlikely hero

in the way that they got their goal. But it was genius to me. There were some wonky goals this weekend. Yes, yes. But I thought it was really smart. Like literally was about to come out of my mouth. It was Utah is so narrow in their attack. And I get it.

But I think they sacrificed a little bit of width on purpose to try to fuel their counterpress. I was going to say, you get more numbers around the ball. So when they did lose it, we can go press and make sure they don't. You stop the counter at its source. But not just that. The other thing I don't think people really give enough credit to on their counterpress is that when Orlando wins the ball, they knew that they were going to be long and direct, right?

So the attacker's jobs are when we are anticipating that turnover, go long, start. vertically running, right? And when you start vertically running forward, that leaves you open on the counterpress if you can win it back. So I think they try to use Mavi to get wide. And there were a few times Delser and her had a good relationship on the right hand side. But all in all, it was like super narrow. And I think that was on purpose. And Rumi, just as is about to come off my tongue, starts dribbling wide. And I think she's like looking to just like pull them apart a little bit. And then she was like, oh, Morehouse's positioning is poor. I'm just going to dink it, right?

And for like the last few years, we've just seen her put the ball where she wants in her sleep. And initially I thought she was crossing. And then at halftime, she said she went for goal. And I was like, good for you. And if you were crossing, never tell anybody. You asked her or she just said it out. No, Lisa asked her at halftime. Oh, yeah, Lisa did.

Because I did hear you on the replay say, if she's, if she's crossed it, I won't ask and she won't tell or something. Yeah, really genius in that moment. And I would say just if you had to take a microcosm of this Utah team and how different they are this year to last year, last year Banda went there and got a hat trick. Yeah. And this year, did she have a sniff at goal? No.

And like here's the thing that really irritated me about Orlando is that, every time they got it that was the only thing they thought about plan a route one balling behind and you know what between the physical contact of the centerbacks and manny mcglin's positioning they were never getting in that space and they continue to do it for 90 minutes 90 minutes i don't understand why you wouldn't try to change something they had no possession um they and even if you're going to go long and direct hit it so that it's diagonally moving away from Manny McGlynn because she came out time and time again. Like I wish we had like a counter on air that was like ding, ding, like three, four. I can't believe it took you that long to talk about how good she was in those spaces.

Yeah, she was very, very good. Credit to her because I think that's the most difficult space to manage, specifically when you're playing against like a player like Banda and she was very brave and decisive. and also had a plethora of different ways to solve that because it's not so straightforward. When the ball's on the ground, it's a little easier, but those bouncing balls can be very difficult. Yeah. Which we saw against Orlando, sorry, against Kansas City the week prior. Right.

With Orlando. Yeah. Right. Well, all in all, what a result for Utah. And I think it stops for them. It regains their confidence, even in a position like a centerback position where without Kaylee Real, they've looked like, okay, who are we going to play in that spot? And I'm not saying it's going to be Tatumelazzo every game.

I don't know because of her speed. It might have been this was the option in this situation, but showed their grit and their ability to score a pretty, I mean, they scored in the first half and they didn't give up anything in the second, which was really big for them. All right. Last game of the weekend, it was a big one here in Denver. And I got to be there, which was so exciting. Denver Summit took on the Portland Thorns, and it was a two to one victory for the home team in their brand new soccer-specific stadium.

Only the second in NWSL, really second in the world for women. And it was a Jill, if I had to say it was a toasty day, that is an understatement. Yeah. This is a fully, most of it is a fully metal structure. And it was 95 degrees. And at one point I looked up, Jill, and there were clouds circumventing the field, none over the field. I was like, please, please, for not just our sake as spectators and people in the stands, but for these players, it was just like the heat was radiating off the field. So first off, I want to say just like kudos to these players, because the game was a lot faster than I had expected.

and the tempo was really high for how hot it was. Because at the beginning of the year, big game in Denver, too, against the spirit at Empower Field, and that tempo was slow. This game was completely different. It was also a big game because it was the first game that Lindsay Heaps could play for her hometown team. And it was really interesting the way that Nick Cushing set up

because you have this kind of overload of midfielders who have been performing really well. And Tosh Flint is now back healthy. She was on the injury list for a little bit. And so you have Sheehan Lynch, Heaps, Flint, and really Ryan, but Ryan can also play up front. I thought it looked like a 4-42 box for this summit team. And they kind of started Lindsay and Olivia Thomas,

Lindsey Heaps and Olivia Thomas up top. And then Heaps could drop into the midfield. and that would release Ryan out wide and overloading that space centrally with a player like Jesse Fleming who can manage those spaces really well. And Bogeri and Moultry, I thought that it was really smart from the summit. And minus, I would say, two occasions in the first half where Portland got out in transition, one of them being the penalty that led to the first goal. I don't think Portland's forwards touched.

the ball. It was that dominant by this summit team, just keeping the ball moving, moving players. It was the best I had seen the summit play this year, which, you know, you got to have a little boost when you get the captain of the U.S. team back in the game. Did you see any, did you get to catch any of this game? I saw some of the highlights. And I think that I had Denver, Houston, last weekend. And I was like, man, after that game, I was like, when Lindsay Heaps gets here, it's going to be an instant upgrade to this team and the way that they play in the foundation that they've already set because it's a really fun team to watch. And I think exactly what Lindsay Heaps brings to the midfield is exactly how they got their goal from Janine Sonis. And it's a cross-centric

team, right? They like to use the Y channel. Sonis in that space that I've been talking. I've stammering on about this space just outside the penalty box that's like in advance half space crossing area and she gets it on her right foot and it's an in-swinger and from that position she can shoot right she can shoot so Arnold's pinned to her line and exactly when you have heaps running exactly exactly and heaps she and what the the point of this and people were like is this Arnold's fault is this her fault this is on her and I'm like no this is is actually a beautifully crafted goal by Denver, right? Because Sonas is in this area. It's an in-swinger. It could be a cross. It could be a shot. Arnold has to stay at her line. But the run of Heaps is the

most important part because that roots Arnold to her line because Heaps could get that ball. So as a goalkeeper, you have to set back and be able to react to if Heaps directs that on goal, right? She doesn't even touch it. Simply her presence is what allows Sonas to score the goal, Because once that ball passes heaps, Arnold can't react to it any longer. Yeah. Yeah. It was perfect. And because of the way that they played Tosh and I think it looked a lot like a box at times with Flint dropping inside as another midfielder.

It allowed Sonas to just go and go and go and go. And I like that the way that Nick Cushing set it up to allow Janine Sonis to continue to be the player on this summit team who is driving the offense. I don't know what number goal. It's like five or six for her this year. I don't know off the top of my head, but incredible for Denver to not only get that tie and goal right before half, but then they find the game winner in the second half. And it was kind of similar. I would say a different, different looking shot from Means, but similar to what you were saying

about Nerumi, where Means was in the in the channel. And she's like, I don't, I don't understand what Arnold's doing right here. I'm going to hit it to the back post and just either she's going to make a save and it's going to be a rebound or tipped over and we get a corner or it's going to go in the back of the net and it ends up being Natalie Means first goal as a professional, a player that has played a really vital role for this club off the bench. For Portland, it felt like they just couldn't get themselves in the game, really. And I do think that it is difficult for them. They had such a thing going with the four that they had at front. And there was a flow with it. And they

understood how each other worked. And now in this game, they play Mueller in the front line and they play Reyes as a right back. And it's just not, it doesn't give you the same bite. I will say, can I give a positive to Portland Thorn's fans? And when I talked to Wilhelm last week, he said this and I got to see Morgan Weaver after the game. And she said she is very close to being back. I'm not saying it's an instant change, but I am saying that this point. Portland team with the way that they're playing, I think it suits Morgan Weaver really well. And just so excited for her to be able to step back out on the field and do what she's loved because it's been a while since we've got to see her. So a really crucial win for Denver, I would say,

especially the opening of the stadium, welcoming Wendy Heaps home. They win two to one against the thorns. All right, Jill, we're going to do something that you and I haven't done. And I was thinking yesterday when I was putting this show together. Remember when we used to do power rankings every week? Well, I got a little out of sorts when Goss left me to do the World Cup. And here we are. We're going to do a little power ranking. So we haven't updated the power rankings since June 2nd, which it has been some time. What were you going to say? Yeah, no, I think, I think we, like, as we've, like, as we've, gone, I don't know, what are we, 40, 45% of the way through the season.

It seems to me that there's like four pots of teams that can kind of just interchange at any moment. But it seems like here's four teams that could win the shield. Here's two more teams that are going to definitely be in the playoffs. And then here's a bunch of teams we don't know who's going to be in the playoffs. And then there's three teams that most likely are fighting for the one spoon. Yeah, I'm not optimistic about it. Yeah.

Okay, so all but six teams in the league have played 15 games. So everybody but those six teams are halfway through their season or even more. There are a couple teams who have played 16 games. All right. So let's talk about those first four about who could win the shield. We are last, I'm going to talk, I'm going to say the first four that we have right now as of June 2nd. And you, you, I think it's going to be changed. Number one, we had Utah, and second, we had Washington.

Third, we had San Diego, and fourth, we had Portland. So those four teams that you have that are shield contenders. Out of those, I'm guessing Gotham and Washington are in that mix. Yeah. Or either one of those in the top spot for you. For me, I think Gotham's a better team. I think they have more ability to dominate games. I think their defenses been fantastic.

And what I've liked about them, specifically this weekend is not just the character to come back down to no, but they got their scoring crescendo. They fight, they push, and sometimes they don't necessarily get that and it doesn't feel inevitable that they're going to score. And they did. They got that scoring crescendo. And again, they still remain as the queens of beating teams by one goal. I think the spirit are getting results, but it hasn't. always been pretty in the last few weeks. They're finding different ways to win and different ways to play games. And it will be interesting to see without their African players, like how if they come up

with a new adaptation or not, but I just, I feel like they're the second team for me. And then three and four would be San Diego and Kansas City. I love the way San Diego play. And I really went into that game the other day thinking it could be three-nailed to either team in San Diego or Kansas City. like all three outcomes were very much on the table. And like it could have been a big win or slim margin. But I do think that those four teams have kind of set themselves apart from everyone else. Yeah, that's interesting because at the beginning of the year, we were really worried about Kansas City. And I do think that going into this stretch, it will be interesting to see where Kansas City sits.

I'm not, I don't, I don't disagree with you. I would say even in that order, I think right now Gotham getting a stare to score a couple of goals too in moments that really. matter. They got an assist from Sam Kerr. And the differentiation factor that I would say between Washington and Gotham, too, I just think Gotham has the best goalkeeper in the league. And if you're going to win the shield, you have to have that. I really do think you have to, or at least be playing the best in this league. And so I would say for Kansas City and even San Diego, as San Diego tries to figure out who their goalkeeper is. They did bring in Sandra Pagos.

She has not debuted yet. I would imagine we're going to see her very soon. Yeah. Can she be that calm difference maker making big saves? Because I think San Diego and Kansas City both gave up goals that goalkeepers wouldn't give up or can't give up if you're going to compete for the shield in this league. So, all right. 1 through 4, Gotham, Washington, San Diego, Kansas City.

Yeah. Okay. And that second pot of this is a bigger. Two. Two teams in this one that I feel like are shoe-ins for the playoffs. Okay. I have Portland and Utah. I think that they've gained enough points.

They stockpiled enough points early on in the season that I think they're a shoe-in. But then there's one, two, three, four, five, six, seven teams I have in the, in the middle pot of like, could make the playoffs. So that would be five and six. would give those two teams Portland and Utah five and six in that order. Yes. And then so you're saying for those next two spots, there's a number of teams and you kind of feel like they're all in this. Okay, I will just say before we, let me just look through this. Before we go on, I would agree with you looking at this. I think from what we saw this weekend, I think Denver would be in that mix. Yeah. I don't know enough about what's going on about Angel City.

I think Angel City might be in that mix. So that would get us to eight teams. And then, so let's go, let's go that. Let's go fifth, Portland. Is that what you would say? Yep. And then sixth, Utah. Yep.

For seventh, you would go. I want to say Denver. Yeah, I do too. And the way the Abby Smith is playing, I just feel like she's making some really big saves that are, she's riding this high. And it's hard to, it's hard to beat a team who confidently feels like that defensively that she's going to stop anything.

So, right. So Portland, Utah, Denver, Angel City. That's our, our eight, one through eight there. I don't know about Angel City yet still. Okay. I'm still on the fence. But maybe they're in the best form of,

all the remaining teams. Yeah. Next would you do Orlando? And ninth? I say rain is better at this point. I like the way Seattle has been playing. I think that since the break, they look a lot more interesting in the attack. So, yeah.

Those are the two teams that I was thinking would be in that pushing to get into the playoffs. Yeah. Then I would say Orlando, North Carolina, Houston. Okay. That gives us your, is it four at the bottom? Louisville, Chicago and Boston. Boston. I would say Boston, Chicago, Louisville. Wait, we're missing Bay. Bay's got to be in there somewhere. Oh, Bay. We miss Bay. I think Bay would be in front of Houston for me right now.

Yeah, I agree with that. I agree with that. Okay. So Bay in 12th, Houston and 13th. This is where it gets. Then Boston. Yeah, then Chicago. Boston, Chicago Louisville. Yeah, unfortunately. I know. Rough down there at the bottom. But I do think out of those teams at the bottom,

oh, Boston, I'm still trying to figure out Boston, to be honest. I know they say this every week. I know. I have them this weekend, so I'll let you know. We'll talk next week, even though we're not going to be on this podcast together, which makes me really sad. We will talk about what is going on with Boston. and you can help me try to divvy that up.

So, okay, let me just read these down the line. So in first we have Gotham right now in our power rankings. Spirit are in second. The wave are in third. Kansas City take up the fourth spot. And then five through eight is Portland, Utah, Denver, and Angel City. Pushing for that playoff spot is Seattle rain, Orlando, North Carolina, and Bay FC. Then we've got Houston, Boston.

Chicago and Louisville. Does that match up with the current standings? I have no idea. I have no idea. Louisville stars are at the bottom, Boston, Houston. We have Bay and Seattle switched. Summit are 10th, Orlando or 9th. So there's some differences.

North Carolina is an eighth, so they might be a little hard done by that. But there are some differences in that, which I think that's what I like about power rankings. It's like, how are you playing right now? And how does that shift you in our own personal rankings? Because that's all that matters. Isn't it, Jill? Right. Oh, my gosh. Last year or maybe it was last year or the year before. I did like my preseason like where I think of, oh my gosh. Those are the worst. I couldn't have been more wrong. So who knows? You're going to ask, look in a week and you're going to be like, oh my gosh, where did?

Maybe that's what Goss and I need to do. next week when he's back is go back to what we said at the beginning of the year and laugh at ourselves and make fun of ourselves because we it's always wrong. That's the nice thing about just predictions is 99% of the time they're going to be wrong. But I like ours. I like our power rankings and I just love having you on the podcast, Jill. So thank you so much for filling in and yeah, being the best at what you do and just bringing us so much insight. So really, really appreciate it. Thanks, Jordan. I appreciate you and your conversations. And also, just from an outside listener's perspective, you guys do a great job on this podcast. And I, uh, I really appreciate

all the time and hard work. It goes into having a podcast like this. It's not just that like having the conversation that's watching, it's analyzing, it's prepping. It's so much. So thank you so much. Of course. It adds to the women, the woe so community of football. We're trying. You know, I think that if you look at every other sport in this league, they are so. many people doing this, like really digging into the things and we're like, all right, let's talk about these tactics and really dig in. And I think, you know, that compliment is well received and we are so grateful of that. And then I know when I got to see Ken Zadali at San Diego training, she said, and I'll shout out Goss because he interviewed her in preseason.

She said, that's still the best interview I've had from someone since I've been in America. And so if you haven't listened to that conversation with Ken Zadali, you should go back and listen to it. And I know it was really insightful. And so those are the kind of things that just keep us going, Jill, you know? Keep us talking about this football life. So thank you, as always. Go hang out with your family. Enjoy what I hope is an off day for the rest of the day.

Thank you. I appreciate you. Yes. Okay. Thank you guys so much for listening to Soccer Wise. We will be back next week with another episode. Until then, everybody, take care.