SoccerWise - NWSL Soccerwise | Utah Routs Portland + Nighswonger to Bay FC

Episode Date: August 4, 2026

Another wild weekend in the NWSL brings goals, transfer news, and plenty of storylines. David Gass and Jordan Angeli react to Jenna Nighswonger's impending move to Bay FC, Gabi Nunes joining the Orlando Pride, and what the latest signings mean around the league.Plus, the crew breaks down Utah's dominant win over Portland, dives into the biggest talking points from another entertaining NWSL weekend, checks in on WAFCON, and previews the matches to watch this weekend.0:00 Intro & ALERT: Utah Scores Again4:13 WAFCON Roundup11:06 Jenna Nighswonger to Bay FC21:13 Gabi Nunes Joins Orlando24:38 Denver, North Carolina & Transfer News28:01 Utah Royals Rout Portland36:51 Seattle Reign Outlasts Bay FC44:17 Wave, Louisville & Lia Godfrey's Rise50:31 NWSL Weekend Preview👍 Like • Subscribe • Listen • Follow🎧 Listen & follow Soccerwise on your favorite podcast app:https://soccerwise.captivate.fm/🎥 Watch full video episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerwiseHQ🌐 Visit Kickback Soccer for more podcasts, news, and coverage:https://kickbacksoccer.com📰 Subscribe to The Kickback newsletter:https://the-kickback.ghost.io📲 Follow Soccerwise on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swwomenfcBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/soccerwisehq.bsky.social

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to Soccer Wise, David Goss and Jordan Angelie with you for another action-packed episode. Wait, what is that? Breaking news. Utah has just scored another goal. And we have a sound effect with it. Look at us. We're like a TV show. We didn't even have that fully planned.

That is a big shout out to our producer, Douglas, to be quick on the trigger. This is a little bit now self-effacing because he's applauding himself now. But we'll take it. We've got sound effects. We've got soccer. Jordan, we've got it all. Yeah, and we've got my internet trying to stay connected. So we'll see what happens because that has been the name of the game for the last couple of weeks during this show.

It's like it just decides to kaput. So hopefully this stays good and you can hear me chatting. Yeah, it feels like this has been such a fun weekend in NWSL and the sound effects were perfect timing for that. Right on cue. Jordan just disappeared, but now has returned to us. Jordan, can you promise that you'll stay with me for the rest of the time? Yeah, it's one of those, like, it's not you, it's me situations. You know, I don't know why my internet decides, right?

When I start to film things, it's had enough with me. So, yeah, I am back and hopefully I will stay for the remainder of this chat. We have a lot to talk about. So I hope so as well. we've got some breaking news transfers because the windows are open. So we are going to talk about Bay FC, about Orlando, Denver as well, that have made some moves over the last few hours. We are going to catch up on the women's Afghan, of course. We are going to look back at a wild weekend, which was headlined by two five goal performances.

One via Utah, the other one via North Carolina, Utah set their all-time club gold record with four last week against North Carolina. and then they broke it this week against Portland. So we will talk about that. And then, of course, we will look forward to the weekend to come. Note, there is one midweek game in NWS. Denver is hosting North Carolina on Wednesday night. We're not going to dig into that one a ton because the show won't be out very long before that one happens. But we've got plenty of time to talk about both Denver and North Carolina in the rest of our conversations.

Are you going to the game, Jordan? Wednesday night soccer? I believe I am. Three games in a week. It's a lot. It's a lot to squeeze into the schedule. It's nice. The stadium is, I think it's nice. It's exactly what I feel like is needed right now in this interim period before a full stadium is built downtown. And it feels really intimate. And it's just cool to think that Denver has their own stadium. That is just such an anomaly in women's sports. And the fact that they have this and then, are going to go to another new stadium is it kind of just blows my mind. But it's really cool. And I feel like there's a real, I would say pride from the team in trying to make it a fortress because there was a lot of disappointment after the game and not winning at

home when so many fans come up, show up to support the team. I will say, I will loop you in with me, but you don't have to be as old heads who have been around for a little while. Yes. Like anything that is remotely soccer specific to me is like a temple of the game, having grown up in watching an NFL stadiums and converted baseball stadiums and bad college fields and all of that. So like when I see like, oh, the seats are in the right shape and it is cavernous, like this is

the best thing that's ever happened. And then you hear people being like, oh, well, it's just temporary. Like the real one will be nicer. And you're like, oh, there's going to be an up. upgrade on this. Yeah. Yeah, it really is. It's really cool to watch from afar.

It was a great atmosphere for this game against Boston, a little bit of a expansion derby on that one. But let's start on the women's Afghan side of things. We talked about it. The last two weeks coming into the tournament, so the tournament has finally kicked off as the time of recording. Only one group is in the books. So the host, Morocco, have clinched first place in their group just ahead of Algeria,

who have clinched second place. So they will move directly to the quarterfinals. The top two teams in all four groups will move on. The winners of all four quarterfinals will clinch a spot at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, which is, you know, a large part of what they're playing for in this tournament. The other is to be Afghan champions, which Nigeria comes in as the reigning champion. So the other three groups are going to finish up between now recording and Thursday, and it will give us all eight teams in those quarterfinals.

Ivory Coast heading into the last game in first place in their group, Grace Sari, 18-year-old center mid, playing already in Denmark with a brace for Cotevois coming out of midfield playing just behind Rose Kuasi, who of course, we know very well from NWSL days, leading the way. And then the big group, the one that has had everyone circled. It's been electric since it started. Yeah, it really is. Temwa Shwinga and her sister have helped lead Malawi to first place in their group going into the final game day. They beat Nigeria in the opening game who were reigning

champions, three to two, Temo with a brace in that one, and then the three one win over Egypt in which Shwinga had a goal and an assist. And the assist actually might be her best play of the tournament. It was controlled on the top of the box and then flicked over on the volley to an on-running teammate to put it in the back of the net. So Malawi sit in first, Nigeria sitting second, and then Zambia sit in third because Barbara Band has scored four goals. in the opening game before loose to Nigeria in the second game. So it will be Banda versus Schoinger on Wednesday, 4 p.m. Eastern time, August 5th. So if that game hasn't happened yet, make sure it's tune in.

You can go to BN Sport Plus. You can find it on Fubo as well. But I am excited because now, Jordan, I don't have to call Timu's showing of the best player in NWSL anymore. Because once she succeeds on the international stage, I can just say she's the best player in the world. Yeah, it's part of this story, too, with Malawi. as well because they hadn't competed like this and forever. And so they come in really lowly ranked. And so now they're in a group with Nigeria,

with Zambia, two teams that we would expect to see at the Women's World Cup. And I think one of the big stories, Goss, is that one of those three teams is probably not going to make it out of this. Well, they're not going to make it out of this group. Therefore,

it's going to be, I think they still have a road. Do they still have a road to be able to get there? has a road to getting out. The scenario would end up being if Zambia beats Malawi and Nigeria beats Egypt, who have so far a negative six goal differential. So it seems most likely that will happen. All three teams will end up on six points in first place.

And then all three teams have beaten each other heads ahead. So then you end up in a tiebreaker. Yeah. Which is tough. It's tough. And just those now people getting to know, Temu Shuenga, as we have known in NWSL, now on the international level, you say, I want the Schohinga sisters at the World Cup, right? I want to see this on full display on the world level.

And there is a chance that that might not happen, or you don't see Zambia or you don't see Nigeria, which feels crazy. Yeah. And then, of course, whichever two teams do go through, if you lose in the quarterfinals, there is a second route to the World Cup. You can go win another playoff game to get to the Interconfederation playoff, which can get you to the World Cup. But if you lose in the group stage, there is no second opportunity. So whichever of those three teams misses out, it is done. Which can you imagine if that's Nigeria? Yeah.

What a fall from grace. Like perennial winners of Afcon or women's African Cup of nations. And then you don't even make it out of your group. that would be wild. Maybe one of the worst, like the biggest upsets we've seen in women's soccer. And it would be, I think partially it would be a huge sort of nod to the depth that's occurring. Malawi, as you said, a team that has never really competed. They'd never scored a goal at a women's Afcon.

The tournament's gotten larger. I will say, though, it is an indictment on the style of qualifying. I don't believe that World Cup qualifying should come out of a tournament. because part of what happened is Nigeria shows up, they play one bad half to open up. And if that's the reason you go home, I understand there has to be jeopardy at all points, but one of the reasons World Cup qualifying is normally a two-year cycle

with travel and all of that. And it's not for Concafalf either. It's actually not for Asia. So like maybe I'm the one who's at fault. Yeah. And you know what's interesting, they're qualifying for a tournament. So you would think a tournament would qualify for a tournament.

But I get what you're saying more like what they've done in Europe, where it's elongated. And you're playing these leagues. What do they call it? Not Leagues Cup. That's America. Nations League. Nations League.

Yeah. That's interesting. I've never, I guess, had an issue with qualifying in a tournament for a tournament, but that's just an interesting way to think about it. The other piece of this that is weird, and I don't know the exact sort of how it would have ended up. Morocco auto qualifies for the women's Afghan as hosts. But then women's Afcon doubles as World Cup.

qualifying that everyone else had to qualify to get into. So it seems, and I, Morocco are good enough to be here. We saw it at the 2023 Women's World Cup. They made it to the last Afcon, now one they also hosted. So, you know, they are a top 12 team in Africa. But the fact that they get an inserted spot, I think, is a little bit tough. The other thing I was going to say on the Nigeria side, I mean, Oscewala has won six of the last nine women's African player of the year award.

So it would be, you know, arguably the most decorated player in continental history, not making it to a World Cup would be wild. Or Banda, who I think many people would say is the best player on the planet, or Schoinger, who is two-time reigning NWSL MVP, and her sister, who's one of the best players in France, which is one of the best leagues in the world. So stakes are very high in that game. The final group, Cameroon, have already clinched top spot in their group,

and then Ghana play Molly for second place, most likely. Asiat Charore, one goal, two assists through the first two games so far. All right. So it's been the key piece for Molly as they have made this drive towards the World Cup. Okay, let's dig into some of the news around NWSL before we dig into the results we saw. And a big one dropping just before we got ready to record. Jenna Nyswanger is headed to Bay FC on a transfer from Arsenal. The reported fee is around $200,000.

So double what Arsenal paid originally for Nyswanger to bring her over from Gotham. And Nyswonger returns to NWSL, where she started her career with Gotham as a champion and as a rookie of the year coming out of Florida State. It has not been an easy move for her. She's appeared, I believe, five times overall for Arsenal and then spent the first half of 2026 on loan at Aston Villa, who are weirdly going to come up again in this show. So there's a big ass of Villa show for us. And only made eight appearances for Villa. So Jordan, I think this one was a bit of a surprise for people.

Maybe not a shock that Nicewanger came back to NWSL with the struggles she's had. And now a potential roadmap one year to try and make it back into the national team, if not just to get back on the field consistently. But I don't think most people would have had Bay earmarked as the spot to return to. First off, good business by Arsenal, getting double what they paid for because she barely played and really couldn't find her footing in WSL. Even on loan, you know, only playing eight times is not what you would expect from Jenna Nyswonger who had such a role on that Gotham team before she left in NWSL.

The reason I feel like this Bay team actually works and Bay signs another young player who will get to is it does feel like Emma Coates is very adamant about how she, she is building this team. And she says she wants younger players with potential that she can build and grow and create a team that is maybe not successful this year. And I wouldn't say they don't want to be successful this year because it does feel like there is. We need them to be because we both picked them to make the playoffs. Yeah, we did.

So actually, we need you guys to rethink that. There is a longer, which we hadn't seen from Bay. There is a longer term idea behind the players that they're signing. Emma Coates, one of the best, I would say now, after seeing her and how she develops players and the players that she's getting and her ability to identify good players from, you know, these young players from England who might not have a lot of eyeballs on them. And she's like, I want to bring them over here. And we see them perform and play really well.

I think that this is a really interesting signing for a Bay team who wants. wants to be attacking in the way that they utilize their outside backs, I think she'll play in the outside back position. On the left side, I think that when she's healthy, Anuk Denton will play on the other side. And you have these really two high flying outside backs who, you know, maybe need to sharpen up some of the things that they do defensively, but have the ability to break into national teams. And I think Jenna Nyswonger has already been there, but she is not going to get back there.

unless she has a coach who can really invest in her. And if Emma Coates was the coach that was telling me that she could get the most out of me, I would believe it. I think the point on like there is a clear slow build plan. I think this is for anything else of where she fits and what her future is like, this is a pretty good deal. And I think you take a deal. Like what we've seen now over the last 18 months of the movement of Ali's

or in different players, it's like, if a player has perceived value and you can get them below that, there's a good chance that at worst, you can move it around, you know, going forward. And this is not going to sort of put the team in a bad spot where you're carrying this huge transfer fee or all this money. And you know Jenna and Icewinger is talented. Like that part is never in question. It is, is she dangerous enough offensively to be an attacking player? And if not, does she defend enough to be an attacking defensive player? But I think for Bay, what I like is there is a pretty good defensive spine to this group.

And sometimes it feels like the overwhelming need to push numbers forward to create chances is where they get hurt. And so now can you sort of play a little safer maybe where Claire Hutton can sit a little more. Your two centerbacks can stay home and Ny Swinger can give you that verticality. And if it's not the case, on this number, number, if it's a sub, if it's a rotation attacking piece, if you start to move her around the front three, I think all of that's fine to take those risks at this move. And I would say, too, she has the ability of playing up front and tuck it inside as like a dual 10, right? Because she's a, she's a center midfielder by trade and has that attacking

ability from a center midfielder, right? I'm saying that right? Yeah, or she played up front, front. Yeah. But I would actually push back. I don't think this Bay's defensive line is good enough to do big things in NWSL. I think they've relied. At the beginning of the year, we saw that. We saw the weaknesses of their back line. And then I think they strengthened their midfield and really found a really good way to win balls back,

utilizing their midfield talent and setting the tone with their midfielder. But now over these last couple of weeks where there has been more pressure on their back line, you can kind of see teams pick them apart. And so I'm not saying Jenna Nysefonger is the answer to this, but I do think that they're trying to figure out how can we get better outside backs in these positions that can help us be on the front foot and almost Gotham people, right? High press so much that we have so many players in the attack, that we don't have to worry so much about how we're defending so low on the field.

Maybe just a thought that Emma Coates and this Bay staff has thought about. We saw Moreau swap from left back to right back at halftime of the last game. Collins taken off because of the struggles that they had defensively in the opening. 15 minutes, I mean, the second goal for Seattle is Cometti and Collins, it goes through both their legs on sort of a hopeful ball from the back line. Yeah. Super unlucky. Unlucky, but also it felt like they did not show up to play for the opening 15 minutes of this game,

which could be on quality, could be on defensive ability, also might just be on mentality and mistakes. And yet, Bay sort of fought back in this game. And I think it's to the strengths of this team, which, as you mentioned, are that midfield group right now. Bbar gets a goal, Hutton, obviously, in there. Bailey showed her versatility in playing around the field. And listen, there's been a lot of moves over the last year for high-price players and young players.

I think Kennedy Fuller is as good as any of them. And I think that's the part where it's like, okay, the DNA of this team is Claire Hutton and Kennedy Fuller. Players who want to be on the ball, players who don't mind being in tight spaces, players who are young, so they're going to learn how to be leaders on a team. But like, if you can take their soccer DNA and just continue to build a roster around that, that's going to be what I think Bay can be successful with. I'd throw Pfeiffer in there as well because I think she is, she's a young player who wants the ball all the time. and it doesn't seem like when she loses the ball or when things don't go right in the

attacking third for her that it ever rattles her. She's just like, give me the ball again. I'll beat you next time. Like she has this real aura about her that I appreciate. And that feels like what they're trying to build at bay is this young group who can be cohesive for years to come, which we've seen be successful in NWS. I think about the Chicago Red Stars back in the day and how they had that really young group of players who stayed together for a long time and made waves in this league. So I will see. And I think they have the right coach to do that as well. The last piece so far of this transfer window for Bay has been another center forward.

So they've brought in Augustina Holzier, a 22 year old Argentine International on a four-year contract. So not a short-term deal here. And this goes again into the pieces of what can we build towards the future, what type of talent can we bring in that can all fit together. She started, I believe, all three of the She Believes Cups games for Argentina up front and was a part of their Copa America Feminol group last year that helped them qualify for the 27 Women's World Cup has played her whole career in South America, both between Argentina and Brazil and then came back to Argentina. So at least has some experience

of leaving home and having sort of those life experiences, which can be really tough for that first big move. And it's a clear hole for this. Bay team. Lerma obviously has filled in, brings that speed, can stretch the back line. This is sort of a player who can occupy centerbacks and battle for you. And it's another option in there, a player who now you can give the second half of this year, to your point to develop, get settled, get comfortable so you know if she can hit the ground running as potentially a starter next year. And also maybe to fill in minutes for Jarelli, who was on loan through the end of July,

but then appeared in the game August for Bay with no announcement. So breaking news, we think her loan may have been extended. There it is, Douglas. Thank you. Because she's probably still on the team. Yeah. I mean, and if you're a young player too, what a nine to learn from. So we think by all accounts, Jarelli is still on this squad playing in August and beyond.

But if you're a young center forward, that would be another reason that you would want to come join this team to be able to learn from a goal score. like Giserelli and what she can kind of what you can just glean from her in that position. Okay. Let's talk about another center forward addition. Elsewhere in the league, Gabby Nunez has signed for Orlando until the end of the year, 29-year-old Brazilian international center forward, 38 caps, spent the last few years with Aston Villa. So there's our Aston Villa drop once again.

Before that, Corinthians, Madrid, and Levanti. So some of the biggest teams in the world. world in each of their leagues and now coming to sign on with Orlando and Jordan, this to me is like a no-brainer. You don't have a true center forward besides Banda on the roster. You probably wish you had done this in a way so that Nunez could have been playing over the last week while Banda was away at the women's Afghan, but it takes some pressure off of her. And if it's the right piece, then maybe she's able to come back after this season. And I think for Orlando, they will hope so. And we'll see how she fits in. we've seen players struggle coming into NWSL and really finding their footing.

But I think it would go back to the way that Orlando played last year, even in 2023, what really was a 4-4-2. And there was two players up front and you could have Nunez and Banda and maybe utilize Marta as a winger tucking inside at times. What part of those four and maybe her defensive responsibilities are slightly shifted in moments to get the best out of Marta. but I think if you're bringing in Nunez, you're trying to think of, okay,

how can we get her and Banda on the field at the same time, which will have to be a little bit of tinkering for this, this Orlando team and Seb Hines. I don't think they found their best 11, even with Banda on the field. Yeah. Which is interesting. And we saw the worst of it,

I would say, over the weekend, but having two different attacking points, Banda maybe in the space behind, And maybe you can use Nunez as a little bit more of a holdup or play in between the lines. But this is a finisher. She wants to get in the box. She wants to be that goal score from crossing situations. And Orlando like to get not just their wingers into those positions, but they're outside

backs at times into those positions too. So you're bringing in a player who can really help you in those crossing situations inside the box to get your goals that have been hard to come by for them this year. Yeah. It gives Ovae an outlet of what she wants to do. It gives Oane, like every piece on this team has been built to create service for that center forward position. I don't think it's the reason they lost five zero alone that, okay, that goes away now. Mart's not at this point of her career or even her style, that number nine.

And no one really is able to fill that spot. Giving up five goals is not really into that exactly. We'll talk about just a moment. But it gives you that direction. again, I think, to the attack, which is, okay, now we know no matter what we're going to have that nine option. And then maybe can you find a way to play her alongside Banda? Because we have seen, I think, in the past, mainly when Ali Watt was in the group where, okay, now Banda can go and find the game other places if she wants, or sometimes when she stretches the back line, it is more

1V1 than 1V2 because you've had to follow a different center forward and the other center back has responsibilities. So it could be an option to play just to appear 4-4-2. or not, but definitely a necessary move for this Orlando group and a little bit surprising that it took that long. The other two pieces of news to add in here, Gemma Bonner has signed with the Denver Summit, an experienced English centerback, played for Cushing at Man City a long time ago, since then has moved around, played a little bit with racing Louisville, then headed back to England and has been there for the last couple years and now comes to join Denver. And then Ville Day, Boa Rise, a Norwegian international from Athletico, Madrid, has signed with North Carolina,

made her debut on Friday in that 5-0 win. So a pretty good debut for her. It was already 4-0 when she came on the field, but not a bad day. But it feels like two teams that are two of the youngest teams in NWSL, just looking for some experience, whether it's in the locker room or on the field. Yeah, for Denver summit, I would definitely echo that, just trying to get a player in who, one knows what Cushing wants and demands out of his team. Because if you've listened to any of his post games,

it does feel like he's demanding more from this team that they need to have a higher standard in certain moments to finish games out. And so I think Jemma Bonner, even though a centerback can give you that stability, just think about in trainings, right? You're on the team that's not the starting 11 and you're making a little bit more difficult, like a rising tide like brings all boats up right and I think that that's what they're thinking with this and then for North Carolina they've had a big gap to fill right it feels like they knew monaca was leaving for a long time before it actually happened and so they've been able to bring in Erica meg Parkinson now Risa in this center midfield position and I'm not saying

Risa is or Parkinson are players that are Monaca because they're not Monaco because they're not But you're making that central midfield heftier, which you need. You need these types of players with this type of experience to be able to withstand the longevity of this league. So I think there's a really good pickup for Mackland and North Carolina and just interested to see how they continue to improve and continue to create stability in a way that then allows their star players like Sanchez and now maybe E.J. to continue to thrive. Yeah, Carly Wickenhizer brought in preseason a big part of the midfield. But once again, the starting three this week, Riley Jackson, Koyama, and Parkinson, an average age of 19 and a half.

Oh, my gosh. That's even younger than Bay's midfield. Yeah. Those are your three starting midfielder's in this game. They have gone out. They found a few of these young English international players that they've brought in. It's clearly a roadmap for North Carolina, which is they are going to struggle to sign players in their prime who are some of the best players in the world. So they have to develop those stars.

And then they have to move them on at the right time like they did with Monaca and bring in the next player. That's just what will happen. But it's hard to rely on young players week in and week out because you get 4-1 loss to 5-0 win. That's sort of the range that happens as you figure out what the league requires physically, mentally what the matchups are like. So bringing in some experience around that makes a lot of sense, and it feels like North Carolina, sort of building on the fly a little bit with Macklin.

Let's talk about the games that were this weekend, and let's start with those two five goal games that we've alluded to. So North Carolina, 5-0 victory over Orlando on Friday night, and then Utah, Utah, you tour. Yeah, pouring it on late. No kind of accent that was. I don't know either.

Pouring it on late versus the thorns. It's a 5-1 come-from-behind win. It's really hard to call a 5-1 victory come-from-behind. But Sophia Wilson scored in 34 seconds, which is the fastest goal of the NWSL season. And the Thorns felt like that was a pretty good way to start the game. They came out flying, and then Utah is able to build back and get the win. And C.C. Dells are the huge story in this one, a dominant performance for her. She was interviewed pregame, so she promised to be interviewed pregame.

I believe every game going forward because of the club term that it was now created. Which is perfect for us as broadcasters. There you go. It makes it very easy to see who to ask for. But this is like a statement moment for Utah, I think to come out of the break, find their feet once again and then just have this dominant performance over another top five team. I thought it was really interesting what Jimmy Koonauts did in this game. And it felt like it took Utah a little bit to get settled in to have.

how they were going to press and how they were going to play through the lines. But they played in a 4-1-4-1. So they actually had two attacking midfielders in Delser playing more central and not as a winger. And next to her was Tanaka. And so with Naurumi, my goodness, that we were talking a lot of Japanese players. And my brain is kidding. With Naurumi and behind. And what happened is I felt like Utah was like,

we're going to stop this Portland team at the source. We're not going to let them quickly transition and we're going to say we're going to put pressure on the players that provide those outlets for them. So Fleming barely got on the ball. Nystatt barely got on the ball in moments and you could see her trying to figure out a way to get and beyond those two that were pressing her to push onto the front line in moments and nice stat trying to be creative in times, especially in that first half. but I really liked what Koonauts did because then it just allowed Utah to do what they do best.

This Utah team is gritty. And you got to love when Jill Lloyden's on the call because she's going to give you all the stats of how teams score a goal. She tracks every goal that scored and how it scored. And I think she said it had to been like 80% of Utah's goals have come from transition moments, winning second balls or winning the ball up high on the field. And that's how they scored their first. two goals in this game and get themselves not just back in it, but with the lead going into halftime. And you got to love the ingenuity of Utah and how they say, okay, we might, at times,

we will play really good soccer and we'll play through the lines and we'll move the ball and progress it up the field and switch the point of attack, yada, yada. But at times, we're just going to beat you and win the battle and be the first to the ball and have a little, I think they're hopeful in certain times that the flick is going to happen or that little touch is going to be successful. And so they have players surrounding the ball that then can win that next ball and create an attack. So I really like what they did. And gosh, I've been in those games where you're just like literally nothing is going our way. And yeah, I was in a game against Seattle like that. And you just think, when is this going to be over? And you could tell at a certain point, the Portland

team was like, when is this going to be over? We can't do this. this anymore. Yeah, it was tough the last, whatever it was, 10 minutes of the game where it was like, yeah, one team is trying, one team's having fun. They're also in front of their fans. And the other team is checking what time the flight is to make sure that they can get out of there as fast as possible. But I think what you mentioned with Delser and coming inside in the way she played in this game, she mentioned in the pregame when they asked sort of like, what's been the difference this year? And she said, well, I'm really proud of the other work I've done. The, off the ball work, the defensive work,

and it's been a huge focus of Jimmy Coonrots and the coaching staff to me to improve those things. And that then, I think, unlocks the coaching staff to trust her to be able to play more centrally because she is closing down. She is moving to be an option off the ball. I thought Utah in the times where they built out of the back, they were able to drop Naurumi around the field. And yet both of the attacking mids in front of her were giving her options. And there were triangles consistently so that Portland couldn't close on them.

and they could build through that. And then once they're in the attacking third, it's counterpressing chances. And like you talked about, once you're there, you can keep the pressure on. It's about getting there in the shape you want to get there in to be effective.

And I think that's where Palacios has been really good, even with the crazy goal in this game. And it might be the goal of the year. Hasn't scored a ton, but does so much work up top, sets the press, cuts down half the field, is always an option on that early turnover

to lay off to someone. someone who's coming on, who can be more dangerous going towards goal, and all of that fitting together for Utah. And as I said, coming out of the break, they lost the Gotham. They lost midweek to Washington. And they beat an Orlando and North Carolina team, I think they would expect to. This felt like, okay, this one's right in the middle. And maybe we've learned more about Portland than I thought we would, which is maybe Portland

is not really legitimately in that conversation. I think they are. I don't know how to defend that after a 5-1 loss, and they were up. It was two to, or sorry, they were tied 1-1 when Sophia Wilson missed one of the best chances of her life, which she would be the first to admit. It had a 0.89 XG. So it's higher than a penalty kick. The expectation is that's going in the net.

And I think it was like three minutes later where Utah made it to one on the other side of the field. So I would say Portland was in this game. Yeah. then it fell apart pretty badly. And some of the goals that were scored, like you have to tip your hat to this Utah team, but also the main, you know, Achilles heel of this Portland team all season long has been, who are their centerbacks going to be? And they have rotated through a number of centerbacks and have not found the right pairing

or what they deemed to be the right pairing. And they switch again in this game because it's. Jade Impair was suspended on the red card. Yeah, suspension to Perry and, you know, it just, it felt like it just feels like they have so much depth there, but the depth doesn't work together. Like this, they have four players that can play center back on this team, but they have not figured out which pair works together, which to me is like, well, maybe it just doesn't work. So how can we figure out a way to trade for somebody? Because I think you're right. I do think that this Portland team is up there with, it could be one of the best.

teams in in the league come the end of the year, but they got to sort that out. So are you looking to other teams to maybe make a trade, try to get another player in who can fill that spot next to Hyatt? It feels like Hyatt is the consistent here and allow you guys to have a solid backline game in and game out. That's what it feels like it's missing that. And I think if if Hyatt's the consistent, which is fine, you need someone who can cover ground because Hyatt, I think, struggles to defend east to west. And so when you've got shifty attackers who, whether it runs off the ball or in possession attacking her 1 v.1, that's where I think you see her weaknesses. She, I think, organizes fairly well, helps you build

out of the back fairly well. So if you're looking for a partner there, to your point, okay, who's the right partner? I love Jane Perry. I think Jane Perry is one of the best ball playing centerbacks. But the thing I just keyed on is not the skill set that works inverse to. Hyatt. So, as you said, building and pairing, building in tandem. But I would, if I'm a different NWSL team, I might need those skill sets. So can you find the right fit? And can it fit for both the players and the team would be really interesting going out of there. So congrats to Utah, as I said, setting the club record for goals scored for the second time in one week. Not a bad road. I will say this. So they play Denver on Saturday. So watch out Denver because six goals are

on the docket right now. So it could be one to tune in for in that one. It's one we definitely want to look forward to in preview. But from the weekend, don't want to miss this game. Seattle, three to win at Bay. We talked about Bay a little bit. It was a two-zero lead in 10 minutes. Thanks a lot to Maddie, Maddie Delein.

Her performance, it was an assist in a goal in those opening 10 minutes. They then fought back and then Chesh Fishlock, a winner off the bench, I believe it was her first touch, the 85th minute, to win it 3-2 after Bay worked their way back, one goal in the first half, then a goal midway through the second half to make it 2-2, and then Seattle gets the win. So on the one side for Seattle, great, a victory on the road, those are not easy to come by. On the other side for Seattle, another 2-0 lead that they let go, but then they got the win. What do you take away from this Seattle group?

They're going to compete, which I think we weren't really sure about that at the beginning of year. We always have expectations for Laura Harvey teams as to honestly make the playoffs and be a team that is a little bit ruthless in that. And this team is, she's said it. It is the second youngest team she has ever coached and the youngest being the under 20 women's national team. So this is a really young group that has to kind of go through some of these growing pains. And the player that they've been without is not just their leader. It is the catalyst of this group for since the beginning of NWSL, just fish lock. And so not having fish lock, they really had to grow. And I feel like the Seattle team has grown a lot. And since the break, one of the biggest things

that I feel like they've been able to do is be more aggressive in their positionings, look like Seattle of yesteryear and counterpress a little bit more, get more players higher up on the field, make it difficult for teams to play through them. So now they're winning the ball up higher on the field. But also when they're not gosh, I think the movement, being a player in this league, I know. It's hard to go into a game and feel like you can truly change how it's going when you don't have the rhythm of playing week in and week out with the players around you. And I feel like what we're seeing from Sally Menti especially is she's finding how she can

unlock teams in various ways. And a lot of that probably has to do with the tactics that Laura Harvey gives her. But in this game in particular, I thought she slid out to her left side, the right side for Bay and made it just absolutely terrible for Collins. So if Collins stepped up and went to Menti, well, then it was Dahlene in the space and behind. Which is what you saw on that second goal. Which is what you saw. And it was constant that rotation where Menti was just asking questions. Okay, so if you don't stay with me, then we're going to get our outside back higher and it's going to be a 2V1 because the winger is going to post up on me. And there was just so many questions that were asked.

So I feel like they're getting more nuanced in the way that they can attack teams. And we didn't say that at the beginning of the year. It was more like the Seattle team is just defending for their lives and there was nobody in the attack. And now because there is more nuance to it, they're actually more effective on transition moments and isolation moments, which we saw Ryan Brown goal earlier in the year. And now we see this Maddie Dahlene goal. They're more effective at the things that I think they could be great at, which is the counterattacking goals. but they also ask a lot of questions of teams to play through them.

And so, yeah, I've really enjoyed watching them, especially since the summer break. They look like the Seattle we've always known. And because these players, I think, have had to grit through a little bit of, okay, what is our identity? Who do we want to be? How do we make Fishel more included in the play? And they've been able to find that, which is a kudos to them.

That's the part I think with Menti that I think also has been a good ad, which is Fissel and Fissel sort of said it clearly going into the game because it was a bunch of the conversation on the broadcast, wants to get the ball in the box to score goals. Doesn't really want to come out and connect on the wings, doesn't really want to turn and face up and gets the goal in this game because makes a hard run across the near post in a moment that's already set up. So Menti being closer gives like that second forward feel where Fissel doesn't have to drop as often. It also helps you start your pressure. I think a little bit higher and a little bit more organized. But it really felt in this game like, oh, there are moments for mentees that's second forward on that,

in that left channel like you talked about. And Fissel doesn't have to go do these things. Because if you think about the first half of the season, it's getting the ball from deep, Fissel coming back towards her own goal inside of her own half, with a defender on her back, trying to find a way to either turn or lay off. And that's just not her skill set.

Yeah. Right. And I will say, yes, credit Mentee, but also credit McCamp. who's been excellent, a young player who's found her groove and Meza. So you have two ball winning. Another young midfielders. Yeah, behind you that can scoop up the balls and play in Menti in those spaces.

So Menti can not freely flow, but she can float a little bit higher because she knows that those two behind her are going to win the ball. But it didn't come without the trials of the earlier part of season. And I think sometimes we want it to just be a perfect road. And I think the Seattle team, the thing that has impressed me the most is they've been able to take the things that have happened to them and just constantly chip away and grow and grow and grow. And that's why I'm saying they're going to make the playoffs, if not be a team that is going to be difficult to be at the end of the year. Because you got Claudia Dickey and goal. I do think they have a strong back line with especially McLernan, I think keeps getting better.

And probably this is her best year that we've seen her play. So, yeah, I'm going to stick with it, Goss. I'm thinking the Seattle team's on the up and up. You had in the first half a great segment of time in which Jess Fishlock was coaching Laura Harvey. Like the camera just cut to her. And Laura Harvey's listening because it's just Fishlott. And then in the second half, it was Fishlock's 50th career NWSL goal.

So the 10th player in league history to break that mark. And she does. What a way to score it to? With a game winner. Yeah. An unbelievable moment. Lou Barnes back on the bench. as an interim assistant coach.

So the gangs back together for this one and a big performance for Seattle. We have our special U.S. soccer show that we're going to be doing every single week. So U.S. soccer-wise, we're going to be talking men's national team, women's national team, youth national team, everything else. We've got a women's U20 World Cup coming up. I just, Dahlina's gotten better, like the way she takes the goal. in this game is what you want to see from her, which is always stay at speed because no one can catch you.

And if you can get comfortable to line yourself up and score, I think it was literally last week where she slowed herself down and brought the ball inside, this game, she takes it to her left foot, no one can close on you and you have a chance to score. If I'm putting together a national team for a tournament and I need game changers and whatever, I just can't imagine someone. better suited for that role than Maddie DeLean. But she has to continue to perform over the next year to work her way in there. But it would be one that I am watching because I think she has a clear spot on the national team if she's able to get there.

Okay. Some other big results from the weekend, San Diego, going on the road, getting the win over Washington. So their first win in four games, a pretty big moment for that young group. They continue to deal with injuries. but Leah Godfrey gets the game winning goal and they had a appearance from Kenzadali off the bench for a few minutes at the end of the game. So hope is that she's able to work her way back into fitness

after whatever has been keeping her out and be a permanent fixture going forward. It was a tough week for Washington. They went to Utah midweek, got that victory and then come home and then in the rain losing at home. And then speaking of rain, racing Louisville, two wins in a week. they beat Chicago in what ended up being a monsoon to close out this game, took a two zero lead

early. I think the rain maybe affected the inability to keep the shutout with the way maybe it affected goalkeeper hands there. And then Louisville hangs on for a two one win. So two fairly dramatic victories here for two teams that were desperate for the three points. Yeah, absolutely. And I'll just go back. I think you and I were speaking even before this show. I think was before this show. I can't remember if it was recorded. We were talking about Gotham and Jordan Dudley and how she is a candidate for rookie of the year. I think we're overlooking Leah Godfrey. And one of the reasons that that might be happening is because I feel like Jordan Dudley has been so dynamic. And she, like, when she gets the ball, you're like,

what is she going to do? And she's so good in decision making in those attacking places. is and was with this Gotham team who there's a lot of eyeballs on them. Not to say there's not a lot of eyeballs on San Diego, but Godfrey, from what I just checked, five goals, four assists, just gets another game winning goal. She is kind of blowing rookie out of the year out of the water when it comes to her goal production. And for me, after a year where we saw outside back win rookie of the year,

which is great, I'm not saying that that shouldn't have happened because I do think Lily Real had an awesome year. But I think Riley Tiernan also had a really good year. And I just want to say we got to keep Leah Godfrey in this conversation. Because not only does she get the start, but she gets the game winning goal at Washington. It was a torrential downpour, terrible place to like terrible time to play and yet still finds a way to win. That's what you want from a young player, really any player in this league, but really impressed by her. And what a big win for San Diego.

It is, it's a great shout. It's two players where I think part of what got Lily Real over the top last year was that she was on a competitive team where. Yes. Tiernan, which almost probably should be more credit because her life was harder because she had to do more. But that's not the way it was assessed, was not really in a playoff race. Both these players are. Both these players are top four right now.

I think what could jump Godfrey besides the continued performance is, is taking over as a starter, which I think is probably on the books. Like even when Dali comes back with Doudiniya's injury and some of the other struggles around the front three. I think it should be. Yeah, I agree with you. So I think that will be something where she's filtered between starting and being a sub. And Dudley has two more starts as of now for a team that's doing better.

but Dudley's experience is way different. Like Dudley can find the spaces in the game that are open because you're focused on Rose LaVelle and formerly Astaire, now Sam Kern, Jane Shaw, and Mitch Burst where it feels like now for Godfrey. I know. Now for Godfrey, like this game felt like one where it's like, oh, a lot of the game is on her shoulders. And San Diego, they have a very clear identity.

So it's not fully like created out of nothing. It comes in the flow of the game. but right now they're looking for someone to carry some of the attacking load. Porchio injured, so unavailable as well. That goes on the laundry list of other players that aren't available for them. Kat Makario still has not appeared in a game in NWSL this season. And Lujmila has not been the piece that you can build around. I don't think she was ever supposed to be.

I don't think that's her game, but they did give up a lot to bring her in. I always thought it was a weird pickup for San Diego, didn't you? It felt very much like a panic move, which was we, now we have money because we've sold players. We need to replace them. We're losing Cascarino. And I think if it had worked out, if Dugina was still healthy, and so that was your chance creation came down the left.

And Lujmila is either a center forward or a crashing finisher on the right with all the other pieces they could have had, especially Kat Makario, maybe. dropping in and pulling the string centrally, I think it could have worked. I think in all of that, you could have gotten that production or that style from someone for a little bit cheaper. I would just say I was shocked because San Diego is the most, the best possession team in this league. They have the most passes by hundreds and hundreds of any other team.

They do not play direct. And how has Lujmela scored the majority of her goals? But wouldn't you normally say a team like that needs a change of pace? Like wouldn't you say you need to have someone who does the other thing? Yeah, but not in if they're never going to do that. Like San Diego, and they've tried a couple of times. I can't remember what game it was. Actually, I think against Gotham, and they did end up winning.

But there has not been this like adjustment to try to do it more times because they are just, their DNA is we want the ball and we want to move it through the thirds and make it look really pretty, which is great. But I don't know. It didn't seem like it would fit, and I wanted to. I think, as you said, yes, it's nice to have a very different piece, but it hasn't felt like it's fit the puzzle. Well, they will turn around and try and get a victory this weekend against Gotham.

So it is a top four clash between those two teams. We have Orlando, Louisville on Friday night and then Gotham, San Diego, that other game. Jordan, that one feels clear in terms of game styles and game states, although Gotham is the home team. But San Diego, as you said, they're going to dominate possession. And the question is, can Gotham create chances with their pressure or can San Diego pull this Gotham backline around? It'll be interesting.

This game will be interesting. I feel like sometimes when we get two of the best teams in the league, we often don't see some of the best soccer or the best game with the most amount of chances. And so I feel like this one might be a little bit of a stalemate. where a good defense might trump anything that ends up creating on the other end. But for me, this will be maybe a real test, right? Because you're going to get Godfrey in hopefully the starting lineup again against his Gotham team whose midfield is excellent.

And so can she continue to produce in this game is at Gotham, correct? Correct. Yeah. Continue to produce in those areas because, yeah, I feel like she. She can have a role. And even with Corley and her, could Corley play centrally and Godfrey as a winger and tucking inside? There are rules that she can pick up.

But I don't know, this game to me is given draw, which is terrible. The part that I'll be interested in is I do think at some point we're going to have to figure out. Can anyone put specifically writing, but probably midge purse as well, it looks like under pressure. Yeah.

Right. If they're playing forward, they're dictating the game. They are two elite attacking players. Neither of them is a natural fullback. And so the only reason, the only disadvantage there is if you can put them under pressure, with San Diego's possession, can they get Van Zanton high enough that at least they're making those players make decisions in the defensive third? And can you work around them?

Can you play quick one-toos? Can you make them decide, okay, am I stepping wider? Am I coming inside? Like, can you overload those players? and forced decisions. And I think if they can survive that, it would be a real step towards, okay, this is a group that can really start a playoff game and, you know, win in playoff games.

If it becomes the weakness in this, then that becomes the decision of, okay, are we so good going forward that we're just going to live with it and figure out other ways to fix it. So I think that to me stands out as like a big opportunity for San Diego as well as something I'm going to be watching out for because it hasn't fully been tested with Gotham every single week. But this is a group that's capable of doing it. Let's talk on Saturday.

We've got some really great matchups, Washington against North Carolina, Houston again, Kansas City. But I mentioned Denver against Utah. It's the second time. These two teams have faced off in Denver's expansion year. It will be the third game of the week for Denver, as they have that midweek game. But a pretty big opportunity for them, I think, to make a splash across the league. We both put them in the playoffs because of all these home games coming up. But at some point, they have to be three points.

and not one point. Yeah, absolutely. And it'll be interesting because all the advantages that you have against other teams, you don't really have against Utah, it is altitude and it's hot. It's supposed to be 100 degrees on Saturday at kickoff at 2 p.m. It's going to be a very interesting game, which this Utah team, yeah, woof, right? This, especially after a three game week for Denver, this Utah, team has been so good at being aggressive and high pressing and utilizing a lot of energy and

winning the ball back. Can they do that in a game like this where there's no, you know, I think their last game, it was 100 degrees, but it's, it's nighttime. The sun's setting. The, you know, it's cooling off and you have some shade. There's going to be no shade there. And does Utah adapt their game plan at all? Or are they super aggressive, especially in the first 20 minutes, are you as aggressive as you can be, try to go get a goal and then defend because they have a really good defensive line. They've shown that they are capable, especially with their two centerbacks, especially with Manning McGlynn of holding onto a lead once they get it.

I think that will be interesting if Utah adopts for this Denver team. They need to look like they looked a couple weeks ago against Portland where they overloaded the central areas. It felt at times like there was a box. and then Ryan was more active on the right side, trying to get up in behind. They utilized Janine Stonance from the outside back position, flooding into the space that was created by that winger tucking inside to create the box.

I feel like if Denver can play like that, because this is a team that wants to have the ball more than I would say Utah does. But the biggest thing for Denver right now is they have to put their chances away. They're getting chances, especially in that game over the weekend against Boston. had a number of chances and it's not it's not they're not capitalizing on it and that that is you know can be really frustrating or you could look at it as all right we're right there we're knocking on the door it takes one goal to to bust it down but i think this is all just

mentality from a first year team yeah um i'm a huge fan of costler seeing her in person really impressed huge struggle this weekend. There was that three on two moment where I don't think she made the wrong decision. It felt like a long time to make the decision and then plays the past poorly and it runs out. And that's an opportunity three on two in transition where it's like that probably should be a big look on a pullback or an open shot, you know, charging into the box. So, so yeah, I think that's a little bit unfortunate for this group. I thought the penalty kick was a little bit soft for Denver in the last game. I just rewatched it.

Oof. Yeah, I think if you're Bianca St. George of all the things that have happened this season, that's maybe going to be high on the list of the ones that you're annoyed about. And it sort of bailed Denver out of a game in which they were struggling to score a goal and struggling to create chances and got caught a couple times in turnovers deep that Boston was able to turn on and create a goal from. So that's a big one to watch out for on Saturday. North Carolina coming off that huge victory. Evelyn EJ.

just announced as player of the week for this North Carolina team. It's not a bad week to get it when you're born in goals. And she's been incredible so far this season. So that's going to be a huge test for Washington. And of course, Ashley Sanchez against her former team. She's having a great season. So that's one to watch out for. And then on Sunday, Boston playing Portland.

Chicago plays Bay. and then Seattle against Angel City to close out the weekend. Two teams in Seattle and Angel City trying to charge up the standing. So we will have to see if either of them can get the three points and put them firmly in there. We will have our power rankings coming out on our Instagram page in a little bit this week. So follow us on SW WOSO where we have all your coverage across the world of the women's game. we of course have all your NWSL coverage there. We are going to be on with Brianna Pinto, one of our own,

who will be playing in that Chicago Bay game to talk U.S. women's national team, U.S. men's national team, on our new SoccerWise U.S. show that will be coming out every single Wednesday. Myself and Tom will be back on Thursday with a big announcement as well for us here at Soccerwise. So it's something to sort of allude to there as Jordan. Jordan is enticed, so it was very successful. Thank you to Douglas for everything he does. and on the soundboard. Thank you to you, Jordan. Thank you to everyone for listening and we'll talk to you again very, very soon.