SoccerWise - Savannah McCaskill (San Diego Wave) On Electric Start To The Year

Episode Date: July 16, 2025

As the NWSL break continues the latest guest joins the show this time from San Deigo Wave midfield. Savannah McCaskill and her team have overporformed the expectations so far this season. But most importantly is how they have done it playing open an exciting soccer. McCaskill talks through what makes this team special, the attributes of some young phenoms, her lack of surprise watching Delphine Cascarino crush the Euros, and their stated goals for the rest of the year.

Hey everybody, welcome back to Sakawai's David Goss with me here for our NWSL episode. It is of course the international break, so join Angeley on a quick little vacation up in the mountains but we have a great episode for you. We are going to talk with Savannah McCaskill who has been the anchor in central midfield for this San Diego Wave team. I would argue they have been the story of the season so far even with how big of a lead Kansas City has taken at the top of the table, even with some of the other strong performances like racing Louisville, which maybe were surprises or maybe some of the weaker performances than expected like a Gotham, the way San Diego play soccer and the success they've had so quickly under a new head coach with a number

of new players has to be up there. They are currently second in the league in goal scored but they have also been one of the best defensive teams as the season has gone along and they are just so much fun to watch and it's amazing to talk with Savannah about it because she knows so much or she's able to explain so much about what's going on and why it's happening and so I'm really really excited for all of you to hear that interview and we'll continue to cover NWSL until it comes back from its break. We will continue to talk about the international tournaments, which are into the quarterfinals.

Italy just knocking off Norway as I am recording this. You will hear in the background of that Savannah McCaskill interview people in the San Diego training facility celebrating as they were able to get as Italy, I think scored their first goal or got the second goal for the winner, which is really funny. And Savannah talks about it, but goes to how you know connected these players are to the tournaments that are going on for many of them. Teammates playing both in Copa America in the Women's African Nations Cup as well as over in Europe. And so really, really cool to see, really, really cool to see the end of the sale players

that are killing it. Delphine Cascareño being the biggest of them probably so far, but a number of players being huge factors and what a tournament. I mean the quarterfinals could be World Cup finals in some of these Euros games. Let's hit a little bit of news before we get into the interview. These are all fairly random. Taylor Flint has signed a contract extension to remain with Louisville. I think one of the best central midfielders in the league this year, I think pivotal to the way Louisville plays and even when Louisville has played more conservative, less high pressing in the past, still in my mind, one of the

best central midfielders, both in terms of ability to win the ball back and then passing out of that central midfield. I've said many times, I don't understand how she hasn't gotten the opportunities with the national team. And I think we're looking at Vanessa Di Bernardo, maybe Casey Krueger type who just never really gets the call ups that line opportunities with the national team. And I think we're looking at Vanessa DiBernardo, maybe Casey Kruger type who just never really gets the call-ups that line up with the career success because of circumstance or whatever else ends up happening. But for Louisville, this is huge. And Bethany Balser has put out a social media post

sort of thanking everyone that has supported her as she's been stepped away from the game in the first half of the season and in her excitement in coming back. And that would be a huge addition for this Louisville team. They have played some of the best soccer and they've played high pressing. They've changed the way they play. They've been able to get some big results, but I think having stability and elite finishing at that center forward position would take this to the next level

They've got really great options coming from you know attacking fullback positions from wide positions They win the ball back quickly they get crosses in early to win those 5050s right to get to the near post that little bit quicker to win balls in the air to be an option on all of that crossing I think would be massive for this team and Balser could be a huge improvement for them. So something to watch out for, Angel City and Bay of Boat both brought in young players to play with them that they are excited about. And for Bay of Sea, a little bit of an injury,

but still hoping that these players can be a factor for this season. Tiana Davidson, speaking of injury, out with the ACL but assigned a contract extension showing her confidence in the project at Gotham. Gotham is going to be one of the mystery teams I think in the second half of the year. Esther continuing to be on just an incredible hot streak of goal scoring, but Gotham was not able to get the results all the time while she was doing that so far this season. We may have a coach in Denver.

The rumors are the reports are excuse me, that Nick Cushing could be on the verge of signing on as the first head coach in for Denver history or Denver and NWSL. Jeff Kussouf with the report for ESPN. Cushing, formerly, most recently coaching NYCFC in MLS, came over because he was a part of the CFG family as head coach of Manchester City's women's squad. Been a part of, was a part of CFG all the way back to 2006 and had an opportunity of course to coach a high level team in that Manchester City women's team for seven years Led the team to a title in 2016 and an FA women's cup title the following year helped sort of put Manchester City back

Onto the map or onto the map on to the women's side now We had heard his name connected with the Arsenal job that it opened up when you want us I'd of all was let go and then with the Arsenal job that had opened up when Jonas Eidevall was let go and then eventually ended up at San Diego where he's had all of this success. And it seemed like he turned down the opportunity, whether it was to interview or take that job. Some people thought that maybe was his intention to not go back to the women's game. Other people wondered if it wasn't to go back to Europe or England already living over here. Clearly the second one more important than the first one I can say is someone who covers MLS and NWSL. There wasn't the highest of opinion at times in the teams that Nick Cushing was putting together or the teams he was rolling out for NYCFC. Their results struggled. Now they

are also a club that after winning sold the majority of their players to kind of revamp the roster for a second time. They want to be a development team and so maybe didn't always get the opportunity but I've talked to players who have played for him especially as these reports came out and they always said you really enjoy being around him. Really personable, super friendly. Some people say maybe that leads to more of the personality of a high level assisting coach which you hear about some coaches that that's just the right role for them. Others maybe think that it could work from a head coaching point of view.

Obviously for him, he will continue to try and develop and grow, but it would be a really interesting signing for this Denver team that is going to have to put a lot of work in in a very short amount of time. They hired Curt Johnson because of his knowledge with NWSL. So it's interesting to then turn in the other direction with the head coaching hire and not go with that NWSL experience or knowledge at all.

Final note before we get to the interview, everyone has seen it, but Tobin Heath has officially announced her retirement. One of the most electric, awe inspiring, exciting players we've ever had in the sport could get you out of your seat consistently was also a factor though at all times when healthy and that is so hard for players like that that have that flair and have that personality to consistently affect the game. One of the greats all time. Tom would like me to say, a New Jersey legend. And it has been awesome watching her step out of her playing career

and into these other facets. We saw her work with the seven world sevens tournament, helping set up some of the rules and create the environment has done some stuff with FIFA, and of course, we watch her show all the time on the recap. So congratulations to Tobin, one of the best of all time and continuing to be celebrated as she deserves. But let's now go to the story of the year. The San Diego Wave, Savannah McCaskill, coming into this team and attacking player her whole career, pulled into a little bit of a deeper,

more defensive position, and has been one of the main sparks alongside Ken Zadali to lifting this San Diego team from preseason expectations floating maybe around the playoff line to going into the break, one point behind Orlando in third place in the table and one of the stories of the year. Well, no Jordan here today as she's off up in the mountains but we have have I wouldn't call it a replacement at all. A great show, a great opportunity for us to sit down and

talk with one of the best midfielders in the league on one of the best stories in the league. San Diego Wave's own Savannah McCaskill. Savannah, thanks for joining us. Yeah, thanks for having me. It has been a long time since we've watched you play soccer. So we figured we should have you on so that people can get a little bit of a taste of it. It's been this wild break with the international layoff. What have you done? What's it been like for you? Yeah, we had our CBA break right after the last game at the end

of June, which was really nice. We had time to get away with family friends, kind of detached from the soccer world for a bit. And I know that was really good for everyone. Obviously a lot of our internationals had to go play games for their countries. And we still have Hannah and Delph that are representing in the Euros and Danny that's representing for her country as well for Colombia. So they're off doing great things representing the Wave in their countries really well. And the rest of us have come back in and gotten straight back into work. This is a time for everyone to kind of pick one or two things that they really want to

get better at, which is rare in the professional game except for in the offseason really. And so I think that's really been the focus of whether it's physically, mentally, tactically, just really honing in on what you can control during these couple of weeks. And we've been able to play Utah once and we'll play them again. And so that's given people a lot of different, you know, where they're at in their season of getting minutes under people's belts, giving some people the rest and just being able to manage that to be able to

have a good push going into the back half of the year. First off, did you do anything fun in your break? Like you live in San Diego, how do you go on vacation from San Diego? I know. I actually did. I did. I spent a week in Vancouver with my best friend. She's playing in the Northern Super League for Vancouver Rise up there. And so I went up there and got to backpack in the mountains and see what Canada is all about, which was really cool. And then the second half, we actually got two weeks off.

We had our CBA break and then we got an extra week on top of that. And so I spent the second week with my fiance, Logan, in Denver, also in the mountains. So no beach? Beach is done. No beach. also in the mountains, but so So no beach beach was no beach is done Yeah, beaches look I'm lucky enough to get the beach pretty much every day if I want it And so yeah, I escaped to the mountains and it was it was really good good reset Did you get an impression of the Northern Super League at all or what people think about it that are playing in it? Yeah Um, I think it's actually it's well one, it's really cool that it's

pretty much created by former players so they know the ins and outs of what it takes to be both successful as far as the league goes but also how to take care of your players and so I think where they're at right now is it's the first year right but I think they're trying to do it right and trying to do it where Players are getting taken players are getting taken care of they're getting like decent salaries where they can live And I know it's only six teams right now But it's just it's huge for Canada to be able to have their own women's professional league for the first time ever able to have their own women's professional league for the first time ever while also just giving more and more space for young talent to be able to be developed.

I know there's a lot of US players up there that are playing and so I just think it's a really cool opportunity for that to grow and the sport of soccer to grow in Canada in general. Yeah, we've been really excited about it here at SoccerWise. Just more opportunity for more players, coaches, scouts, everything under the sun. And I think you did it right. Leaving the beach to do a couple mountains weeks, I think that's the right vibe.

Get out of any humidity, get out and get some fresh air. I can fully understand that. I'm curious on the other side, you talked about the teammates who are playing internationally. Now that you're back, does the whole team get together and watch? I'm curious on the other side, you talked about the teammates who are playing internationally. Now that you're back, does the whole team get together and watch? Is there France and Sweden and Colombia viewing parties?

Yeah, a lot of the games are actually on there at noon our time here. So they're on as soon as we get in from training. And so everyone's right now in the cafeteria watching the game. Italy, Norway for anyone who does the magic of television. This is when we're recording it. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, it's pretty fun.

Everyone really tunes in whenever they're on at the facility. One of the big stories, maybe the big story of the Euros has been Cascarina's play and how explosive she is and how good France is. What's it like watching her at that? Is this sort of your moment for you of like, yeah, this is what I have to deal with in training every single day? Yeah, absolutely. Delph has always been a super dynamic player. She's been in and out of different teams and she's always had this capability of she will

take you on 1v1, she will make you look silly, and she will get a cross off. Early whipped in balls, balls delivered on a platter, she's incredible. I think now what you're seeing is what she's doing for San Diego for us day in and day out of creating chances, scoring goals, She's now like taking over the Euros and it's like incredible to see her perform at her best for her country and France is like killing it against really good opposition. And so it's just really cool to see and I think we're all just really proud of her here of yeah, like we have to deal with this every single day of training. And now someone

else has to deal with it, which is nice. But we're also just like cheering her on and super proud of what she's able to do and continue to do on the international stage. It is wild. Hannah will face off against England in a quarterfinal and Delph will face off against Germany. Those are basically World Cup final level matches in a quarterfinal. So it is a wild tournament. It's been fun to watch. It's been really, really impressive. And of course, these players have made it there because of their play with San Diego. So you're back into training. You talked about working on things. How does the coaching staff handle coming back, having some of

the group and sort of where you stand in terms of how the season's gone so far? I think for us, like nothing changes, despite people being gone, people coming back in at different stages. Principally and tactically, we haven't changed. And I think that's the biggest message when we were coming back in is nothing changes from the first half of the season to the summer season

to the fall season, if that's what you would like, how you wanna look at it. We still play like us, train like us, the environment's still the same and it's on the group of players that is here now to uphold all of those things and continue to push the like group forward during these weeks so that whenever everyone is back in together, it's a seamless transition of this is where we're at, this is where we're going. Everyone's kind of on the same train, if you want to call it that. So I think that's really what's motivating everyone is we're not done yet. We had a great first half of the year.

We know we have to have a huge back half of the year if we want to achieve our goals of potentially winning the shield, making playoffs, winning the tournament. We have big goals as a group, but we know these moments as a collective, it's going to take everyone the back half of the year. So the more that we can get everyone prepared to play minutes, understanding their roles, their responsibilities, and then be 90 minute fit for the last half of the season, the more success we're going to have and chance of winning and achieving those goals. Those goals and of course, elite athletes, NWSL, you never know what happens, like you always have those expectations, but it is year one for many of us from the outside of new coach, new regime, a lot of new players.

Were those the goals preseason or was there an aha moment some point where it was like uh oh no, we can do this right now. Yeah, I mean obviously as a professional organization, group of professional players, coaches, you wanna win like that's why we're here. Like if we didn't want to win, that we wouldn't be playing professional sports. Like that's just kind of how it is. But I think, you know, when you're coming into a new group, new coach, it like in the

back of your head, you're like, I wonder how fast this is going to click. I wonder like how fast people are going to gel on the field. Is the chemistry going to be there? Are we going to score goals? Kind of where are those goals going to come from? What's our style of play going to look like? All of those questions are asked in the first month of preseason. And I think we had moments where we were like, oh, okay, we can play soccer.

We're pretty good. But the first month it was like glimpses, I guess. We couldn't put together the full package. And going into the back half of preseason, there was this moment of just like, huh, okay, that's getting better. We're gelling better. You have these little moments of chemistry that is in the attack that you just realize that people aren't having to overthink. It's just coming out organically. And so I think from that moment going into

the first, not so much like the Angel City game, I think you saw that being the first game for this group and there was a bit of nerves, but I think we still had those moments. But then really going into the first half against Utah in that second game, it was clicking. It was gelling. We were going and obviously we had to still have growing pains. Utah was able to get back into that game and we have to have those learning moments throughout the first part of the season, but it was clicking. So I think at

that point, obviously whatever doubts anyone might have had in the organization of what we can do, we immediately were like, our goal is to win. Like we want to win. And I think that's always been the goal, but like I said, you always have that like, oh, new group, new, like trying to feel out moment. But since then, like the goal has been to win whatever we possibly can win.

The thing about the flashes like you talk about is, with some teams It's okay because they're gonna sit in and manage moments and the flash has come that's not the case And that was what was interesting out the gate was like this is high risk high reward And it's open and you are going for it every single time you touch the ball every time the ball comes out of your own Goal kick. What has it been like for you being at the center of that? I mean the only phrase you can use is you're on the island very often and it's the pivot moment for whether or not it's Success and you're doing it throughout large stretches of this first half the season around players that you haven't been in these high-leverage moments with before

Yeah Going into this season I obviously thought I would play as a little bit higher, more of an attacking mid than I have found myself. Um, about week two of preseason, maybe even week one, Jonas came up to me and was like, Sab, you're going to be playing the six, like, don't know how long, but play it as a six. And I was like, okay, well, interesting. Um, and I've never been a part

of a team that has built out the way that we are building out now and so I was a little bit like am I gonna be involved like what's our style of play gonna be like like I don't want to just have to defend all the time and so I had all these like questions of like am I gonna this? But quickly I realized how Jonas wanted to play and he loves football, like possession based football, but with a purpose, which I think gets misconstrued at times of we don't want to go forward because we absolutely do. But we want to do it in a manner where we can move as a unit, unless it's on the counter, of course.

But we want to break teams down so that we can play in between the lines and then have numbers and sustained attacks. So I got on board with that. But we weren't having this free flowing build out at first. And so I was getting frustrated a little bit because I wanted to play soccer. I wanted to be a 10. But after a couple of weeks where we were just like doing it over and over and over and over again, like I said, even for the chemistry piece, like these moments start to click and connections happened and then Kinza came in. And so then we were playing with a double pivot

and that allowed me to float in and out of spaces, but also knowing that I can give Kenza the ball at any point and she can give me the ball at any point. And we trust each other. Like as a back unit, a build out, like everyone trusts each other, which is so rare. And so like, it just gives you so much confidence to be able to like back yourself that even if Kailin gives me

the ball and like a really tight situation for some reason and I lose the ball, I know that my teammates are going to go back and win it and we're going to do it over and over and over again. It's not going to, you're not going to shy away from it. And so it's just been really fun like to connect with anyone that plays back there. And especially the relationship Kenza and I have had on the field of just being able to break lines. If one of us goes forward, the other one's covering, there's like no hesitation about it. And then obviously it's, it's shown in in games and so it's just been really fun.

Do you guys have a convo? Because Kenza is also someone where we thought maybe, are we looking at a 10? Could she play in the wing? A pocket wing or whatever it is. Do you guys talk about like, you know, whatever, at least we get to touch the ball a lot? Yeah, for sure. We make jokes about it all the time. There's times where she's been able to rotate higher and

I've kind of filled in as like a lone six. But I think it's rewarding and I don't really want to speak for her. But I can say for myself, it's rewarding that we're playing such exciting football and really fun football that even though we're not always the ones that are getting to fly forward or like Create these chances we have such a huge impact on given our tens our wingers our nine more space in the attack that I think it's just been fun for us to like find our groove and pick and choose our moments of like When we can go impact the attack right away or like when we have to be more of like the pivot players. You mentioned the conversation with Jonas Eidemal the second week, obviously new to the league. Tell us a little bit about him. What's it like playing under him?

What's he like as a personality? And you know, we see the ideas in the, you know, on the field from him, but what's it like learning it through his his eyes? Yeah, I didn't know much about Jonas whenever he came in, honestly. I had a couple of conversations with him after he got the job of just like style of play, how he saw me, like all these kinds of things. But obviously you don't really get to know each other until you're on the field working together or in a working environment. But right away I knew that he understood the game of football, which I am a tactics nerd. I love anything Xs and Os, tactics, but how they apply to the actual game. How the theory becomes reality. And that's exactly how Jonas sees the game.

So we got along really well about just like nerding out talking tactics and how I see it, how he sees it. And there's just a level of respect when you know that a coach respects you as a player and you can have that conversation. And I feel like that's been a huge spotlight and bright, bright setback point in this environment of just like, he knows how he wants to play. He has some non-negotiables, but that holds standards in the environment, holds everyone accountable to how they show up day in, day out. And he will make decisions of who plays in the games based on those standards and how

you perform in training, which I think is amazing. And so I just think he's come in and done a great job with the group and really has gotten the best out of everyone to this point. And obviously it's going to be a team effort going forward of how we achieve our goals. Listening to you talk about it, you mentioned being a tactics learner, not accelerating anything, just question,

is coaching in your future? Do you want to? You know, I don't know. I have toyed with the idea of coaching, going and getting my coaching licenses while I'm still playing. I always said growing up that I wanted to be involved in the game in some capacity. I don't know if coaching is exactly the way that I would go. It's not completely off the table because I love the sport.

But yeah, we'll have to have to wait and see one of the things that's been really fun about San Diego And I know you've had an impact on this and obviously Jonas has as well as the young players who have come in and made a real difference You have a number in the attack and that's something that we kind of expected just not knowing where all the pieces would be But one of the big ones along the back line has been Trinity Armstrong, stepping into one of the biggest gaps maybe in world soccer, in Naomi Gurmo. What have you seen from her? What is she like? And what's her ceiling? Yeah. Trinity is like, I'm trying to like figure out a player to describe her as but anyways.

But you can't do Naomi. It's just not fair. No, no. I, but like, she is more mature than I guess you would expect out of a 17 year old. But it's really, it was really cool to see because Trinity came in and obviously new to the environment, new to being a pro and she's 17. But it's really cool to see the dynamic that her, Mel and Kimmy all have together because Mel and Kimmy being in the environment for the last three seasons or so have seen what it means to be a pro, what's expected, the standards, and just the reality of being

a young pro. They had to skip college where the rest of us went through college of learning who we are, growing up, making mistakes in a pretty safe environment. Whereas they're still in high school. I know Trinity did a year at UNC, but she is still 17. And so seeing where she was at when she came in, having to learn the environment, and then she wasn't in the starting lineup at the beginning of the year. And that for a lot of players, especially young players, can be mentally challenging.

Like why am I here? Why did I skip college? All of these questions come up. But she was dedicated to getting better. And every single day she was asking questions she was learning and I just think it's really cool to see how she just fit right in with Mel and Kimmy and how they are in the environment but she was her own player and took it upon herself to continue to getting better get better and now she's she's performing and has

been a starter for us for the last I don't even know how many games like at least six or so. Yeah, and so It's just been really cool to see and she knows that she still has areas of her game to improve She doesn't think that she's at her ceiling and she's far from her ceiling like of what she's capable of in my opinion And I just think it's really exciting to see a young player like that really step into their potential and know that that's not their ceiling, that they still have more to learn and give to the game. So you're stepping into what is an impressive class of young centerbacks and defenders that

we just saw with the national team. We've talked with Jordan Bug, who of course trained with San Diego, but then signed with Seattle, but also in that conversation, it's really really impressive to watch. There's every player on the team I could ask you about because it's been great, but I want to do one more then I promise I will get out of your way. Gia Coralie was a player that we didn't know a ton about when she came in. Comes in electric out wide. Okay, that's her game. Now all of a sudden she moves inside. came in, comes in electric out wide. Okay, that's her game. Now all of a sudden she moves inside confident sort of pulling the strings as well. An area that you and Kenza have both played

in in your careers. What is she like? And sort of what is her best skill set? Or where does this all land with her of like, when we define her as a player, where will it be? Yeah, she is funny, man. man. She is someone that is always living on vibes. On the field, off the field, she is a vibes person. It's just so funny to see, but she's also a competitive person. She loves football. She loves playing.

But yeah, it's been really cool to see. She came into preseason and was like this little lightning like shifty midfielder that could play out wide, could play as a 10. The question was like, because she's so much on vibes, like, is she going to fit into the system? Because so much of how Jonas plays is like, pretty structured to start. But from like a week later, there was no question that she was going to fit into the lineup, like fit into the team. And she just adds a spark to the attack. She adds an element of shiftiness, an element of drawing defenders in and then be able to skip past them. And you see defensively she's getting better every single game. She's

getting more in tune of where she needs to be. The fitness required to do both sides of the ball I think has been a huge elevation in her game since preseason and now it's just evolving as a 10 more in those little half spaces and how can I get away from defenders with my first touch without having to wiggle out of those situations. But she's been a great piece for the team and created so many goals for us, so many opportunities for us and will continue'll continue to do so, you know, hopefully for the back half of the year, as long as she can stay healthy and fit. And just really excited to see where she's able

to go as a player. Last year, we saw the second half of the year, just an incredible race down the run. The top four teams really all battling, and then we got Orlando and Washington elevating to the top. You guys are in that conversation right now. You said it. There's belief inside the group.

What does the whiteboard look like? What is the, these are the stated goals and this is what we're aiming for right now? I mean, obviously high level is, it would be great if we put ourselves in contention to win the shield. I think we didn't have our best game against Kansas City. I think that was coming off of an international break and players were coming in on one day rest after travel and having to play that game. I think we were a little conservative and also a little discombobulated as far as just getting our chemistry and feedback.

But I think the way we've played since that game, if we play them again, I think we have a really good shot of competing with them and winning against them. And same with Orlando. We were right there. If it wasn't for a pen, we could have won that game. And so I think that's obviously a realistic goal. And then outside of that, it's making playoffs and then making the push once we get to playoffs.

But playoffs is kind of their own season. We have to just put ourselves into playoffs in order to then have a chance at the championship. But outside of that, it's been really cool to see how the group manages those goals because it's easy to look at them and be like, oh, these are these big goals, how are we going to get there? You kind of take your eyesight off of the day to day. And this group really is committed to getting better every single day in training

and learning from games and making in-game decisions and learning during the match of problem solving. The level of problem solving that this team is capable of is way farther along than any team I've ever been a part of. It doesn't matter how teams come out and process. We have an answer. It might take five to 15 minutes, but like we're gonna solve it. And that's coming from the group like that's before Jonas even has a chance to like communicate that onto the field or even halftime like most of the time we're able to you know, problem solve on the field. And

I think that's the really exciting pieces. How can we get that improved every single game, so that we put ourselves in the best chance to achieve these big goals? Is that a high IQ thing? Is that a relationship thing? Or is that one of the things I feel from the outside that you could tell is the technical level across the board. There are, I mean, part of you and Kenza being able to play out of position and Gia play four spots and position and Gia play four spots and left backs playing center back and then right back and whatever feels like It is a soccer level where everyone's comfortable in a lot of different positions Yeah, I think it's everything you just said it's Tactically like soccer IQ wise like being able to understand the game No matter where you are on the field and then technically executing those ideas. Because really if you can't see the game, then you don't give yourself a chance to technically

execute. And so I think it's just like a combination of both of those. We have a team of footballers through and through. Technically tactically, we're footballers and it's just really fun to be a part of. It is going to be fun to watch the second half of the season before we get there You've got a couple more friendlies you are playing, Utah. Is there such thing as a friendly between NWSL teams? No, I don't think so This past weekend. It was definitely not a friendly everyone was there to win and compete and at the end of the day

I mean, I've never been a part of an actually friendly game. So bring your game, I think. I'm sorry, I'll miss it. But I'm excited for the season to get back to see you back out on the field. A chance to play Angel City right out the gate as well, which is going to be awesome. And of course, the WSL Championship is in California this year. So if we do end up after that second season of playoffs all the way back there, could be a little bit of home cooking for the San Diego squad.

But it's been amazing to watch you all play. Thank you for taking the time to join us. If you ever wanna come back on, the microphone is yours. Cool, appreciate it, thank you. One of the best interviews I've ever done. So thank you so much to San Diego for setting that up. Thank you to Sav for taking the time to talk to us. Cannot wait to see her back out on the field for this San Diego for setting that up. Thank you to Sav for taking the time to talk to us. Cannot wait to see her back out on the field

for this San Diego Wave team when they come back into the season. So reminder, we still have the international break. That runs until August 2nd for San Diego. They will go back into play against North Carolina. And I mentioned it, they are facing off at home against Angel City on August 9th in their home return after

the national break and we will continue all your coverage here. If you were online at all today, you saw all the news that we were putting out around our announcement of the Kickback Media Network. We are so excited about this project, but do not worry. Soccerwise is not going anywhere. It is just expanding. So we're adding other shows with other names. Some will have our hosts, myself, Tom Jordan on them.

Some will have other hosts. We have Susanna Fuller already joining a board for us. We have some other people who have been around the pro game like Mark Anthony Kay, Heath Pierce, Claudio Pagan, who will be involved as well. We are talking to some current NWSL players and some past NWSL players about joining us in this project and we are always committed to covering the sport, these leagues and the game here as well as we possibly can. So no fear if you enjoy things here at Soccerwise, you will just be getting more and more of that as we go forward. But thank you to all of the support. Thank you

to all of the kind words that have come our way. And we will continue to hopefully see this sport and the game change women soccer growing more and more every day and the sport in general growing in this region. There's a couple big years around the corner with the 2026 World Cup here and then the 2027 World Cup in our time zone in Brazil, the Olympics in LA. It is going to be a time to remember and we are going to try and help you do that here at the Kickback Media Network and the Kickback Committee will launch coming out of our live show in Austin,

Texas next week. So if you are in Austin please come out to Haymaker at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Join us in advance of the skills challenge if you don't plan on going to the skills challenge. You could watch it there with us. We're gonna have Danny Pereira of Austin FC join us as well as a number of Austin local podcasts to do a fun fantasy league show and then we will have some of our friends in Susanna Fuller, Heath Piers, Mark Anthony Kaye. All of them will be there. Jordan and Tom, of course.

So come on, hang out with us, swing by, have a drink, and chat some soccer. Thank you to all of you for listening, and we'll talk to you again very, very soon. You