The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - GOOD FOLLOW - Darian Jenkins on NWSL Playoffs, + Caitlin Clark Tees Off, & More

Episode Date: November 18, 2024

This week on Good Follow: Former NWSL forward and current analyst, Darian Jenkins returns to Good Follow to preview the NWSL semi-finals. Then, Megan and Logan convince you to hop on the NWSL bandwagon with a game of “Bandwagon Fans.” Finally, Megan shares her NWSL DraftKings picks of the week and her latest Good Follow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does possible sound like for your business? It's more cash on hand to grow with up to 55 interest-free days. Redefine possible with Business Platinum. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms and conditions apply. Visit mx.ca slash Business Platinum. Welcome to Good Follow presented by DraftKings. I'm Megan Reyes. Joining me is Logan Hackett, and today's guest is former NWSL Forward, current soccer

analyst and friend of the show Darian Jenkins. Darian, it's so great to have you back on Good Follow. Yeah, it's great to be back. I was hyped when I heard that you guys wanted me back on today. It's talk the final that we thought was going to be the final, but it's actually the semifinal and all of the things happening at NWSL. It's going to be a good chat. Well, let's jump right into it.

I'm always excited to learn from you because as we know, the NWSL semifinals are set and taking place this weekend. So on one side of the bracket, we have Orlando taking on Casey Curran and Gotham taking on Washington Spirit, winners of both meeting next week at the NWCEL Championship in Kansas City. So you kind of mentioned it, Darian, but did we expect anything different than the top four teams making it to the semis slash as you said, we have what we thought was a final happening in the semifinals.

No, not surprised at all. I think maybe could have been two months ago. People probably could have predicted that these were going to be the semifinal going into the final. Although I do wish we were seeing Orlando and Kansas City meet in the final, I think it's just going to be great getting this much excitement this early on before the end of the championship is huge. Kansas City hosting it, I think is massive. But I like these teams matching up. There has been really fun games throughout the season watching both of these.

The both the brackets match up against each other. And I will say on attacking third, we made brackets. Mine has yet to be busted. So I'm on the right track. I hope, yeah. If everything goes well this weekend, I'll have made it to the final with nothing going wrong. Knock on wood, famous last words.

But I like this. I think especially even from the coaching perspective, these are really tactical technicians that almost play chess in the way that they play. So we're in for a good weekend of NWSL matches. OK, well, let's start with your former team, Orlando. They lost two of their final three regular season games, but they have looked really unstoppable, especially against Chicago

last weekend, winning 4-1. Were those two losses the reset that you think the pride may have needed heading into the playoffs? I wouldn't even call it a reset. I think that you think the Pride may have needed heading into the playoffs? I wouldn't even call it a reset. I think that they won the shield, they clinched a playoff spot, the number one seed. They nearly went undefeated through the season, which is so hard to do. I think that they rested their players that they needed to. They gave them a little bit of time to sit back. These losses didn't mean anything to Orlando, quite frankly. They'd have nothing to prove to anybody.

And I liked that when they did lose, they were like, yeah, who cares? Who else has got the shield? We do. So I think that they did it at the right time. They let the star players take a little bit of a break. They let other players who are also stars get minutes and look good.

I think it just added to maybe a little bit more of a chip on their shoulder going into playoffs to be like, yeah, that's why we let those two games slide. But I don't think it reset them. Maybe it gave them an extra little something to prove going into the playoffs. I liked on the broadcast how they shared that Seb Hines was like, listen,

put the record and everything behind you. Like we're here now in the moment. Like we kind of start at zero. I think that says a lot about his coaching and also the players that are on the team. Logan, what stood out to you from Orlando last weekend? They looked so good. I mean, we were just talking about the break.

It did look like they kind of took a break, not so much reset, but they had other players having time. They kind of rested their star players and they look ready for playoffs. I mean, I don't know if the record really has anything to do with it, but I'm really interested now to see how they play against KC because you have to think about Chicago. They came in with no momentum whatsoever. Three losses I think they were coming off of. I mean, it wasn't it didn't even look like a mid season Chicago team.

It just kind of looked depleted, especially when you take how strong Orlando was playing. So I guess the big kind of test is going to be this weekend. But based on what we saw last weekend, I think they have it in the bag in a sense. Well, question for you, Darian. So pre-Olympic break, Barbara Banda had 12 goals in 12 games. And since then, she has been sort of quiet, I guess you could say, depending on how you want to define it with one goal in 10 games.

But then last week, she became the only player in Pride history to have a brace in the playoffs with this goal. Do you think the Pride hinge their ability to win on Barbara Banda scoring goals? Like how key is she to their offensive power? And are they sort of like resting on the laurels of Barbara Banda? I don't necessarily think that they're resting. They have such a stacked team. I think Ali Watt, this is the best I've ever seen Ali play.

Marta's with her vengeance tour being back into playoffs. She was there in 2017 when they lost in Portland, who I also lost to when I was with the courage. Sadly, they ended up winning the whole thing. I think this team has Adriana, Summer Yates, Ali Watt, Julie Doyle, Angelina. Like there's so many incredible players on this team that if you take Barbara Banda out of it,

I think that so many others can still score. But the fact that she is looming, I don't really take her not scoring as, oh, she's not as effective because how many other players scored in those 10 games, they were still winning. And that's because teams have to completely adjust the way that they defend against Orlando when she's on the field. I mean, that takes two to three players to shut her down. And then you look at how much other, how much time and space other players have. I mean, the goal Martha scored last week,

she kind of faked out the defender. I mean, Chicago's not the best example because they've had a rough season, I feel for my Chicago girls, but she does it with her right. You know, she's going to her left. You know, she's going to her left. The frame of the goal is to her left and you give it to her. I mean, and it's because Banda attracts so many

players. So I think she was a huge asset in that way. Do I think she defines the attack for Orlando? No, but it does make teams have to adjust the way that they set up against them. But it's the same battle with Kansas City. I mean, Shewinga muscle the last time she scored against them, she muscled off a couple of players. More Lando went five V one and ended up sliding on past Anna Morehouse. I mean, it's it's a good match up of let's see how these coaches decide to defend against these two players and everybody else better step up. OK, well, let's talk more about Casey, another one of your former teams.

As you mentioned, Temwa has been obviously vital for Casey this season. And in last week's game in their win against North Carolina, Vlachko may have possibly left her in a little bit longer than he should have. Let's actually take a look at this video. Not happy with because there's the challenge. St. George. It stands over. That's what Kansas City is not happy about. There's a shove in the end. So how will the physicality from this last match against North Carolina impact Casey, if at all, in this game against Orlando?

I don't think it affects them at all. In fact, I think that is something that that team needed watching. Not that I'm saying there should be violence, but I like in women's sports when somebody's just ready to hit, somebody's ready to kind of bunk up and be like, back the hell off.

We need more of this like villain era in women's sports because men do it all the time. They're not criticizing. I mean, men do crazy stuff and they're so allowed to come back and play. Don't even get me started on that. But to just show that, hey, we're here for her. We're rallying around Tamwa Shawinga and that they're not here to play. You're going to stand over our girl. Like I think it just added a little bit more fire that Kansas City honestly didn't even need going into this match, knowing that showing that is a player we saw Flacco say it numerous press conferences is targeted. She is. There's

no way to stop this player unless you try to hit her before she starts running, because as soon as she starts going, it's a goal scoring opportunity. So that's how players are just going to have to deal with it. I do not want that player to get hurt. Absolutely not. But it comes with being an incredible athlete. I mean, we watch Messi get hacked, especially when he was still in Europe all the time. So it's not a bad comparison to have teams have to try to knock you down

before you get going to Lionel Messi. My biggest fear with this game coming up is two games ago, she was with her knee, just as like a precautionary type thing, but it did look like she was nursing it a bit, or like whenever she went down, it was immediately her knee. It just sounds like a precautionary type thing, but it did look like she was nursing it a bit or like whenever she went down it was immediately her knee, which we know also in soccer like sometimes you just go to that limb like it's she didn't take time out or anything like that. I think she had to come out the end of the game but just because of the way she went down the trainer had to come out. But do you think that that'll have an effect or do you think that they

would have a great recovery week and she'd be able to kind of be normal 10 what this week? I think she they probably had a great recovery week. I mean, you've seen Kansas City in their field and their assets and all their trainers and all the fancy things they have there now. I'm sure she's fully recovered rested up. I expect 100% Tom Washoe winger to come show out. I think she lives for games like this as well. There's not a team I've ever seen her play intimidated against or like she can't handle what's coming to her, especially when it's do or die as playoffs in the semifinals. And you could get to host at your home stadium if you win this match. I think that she'll she'll be good. And if she's not, we're not going to know.

I don't I don't think she's going to show it at all. Well let's talk about the other side of the bracket with Spirit and Gotham matching up in a kind of a big surprise. Washington were down 1-0 to AFC with five minutes left in regulation until this goal. Let's take a look. They appeal for a handball. It's going to be checked by VAR. McKeown forward, forward, scores! Left off at Arnie Field! Ugh, okay, so despite the win, the Bay of Sea frustrated Washington defensively all the way to the end. Should Washington be concerned heading into this weekend's matchup? Logan, I'll start with you.

What are your thoughts on Washington last week against BFC and what you think they need to do moving into this weekend? I always go back to the peak Washington that we saw, and I feel like if we had that peak Washington kind of right before the Olympic break, I believe it was maybe just a little bit after. I think that game would have gone a lot different. Granted, Bay did play extremely well and they were fighting, fighting, fighting,

but it is kind of a different team. And I don't think that they've really, they've done well to get past the players that they've lost to injury and work together as a team, but I don't think they've done well enough to kind of get back to the caliber that they were at. So I think concern, no, because they're playing with what they're playing with and they have to deal with it. But I think they could be better if it wasn't for injuries. How much of a loss do you think it is for Spirit to not have Andy Sullivan?

Oh, it's huge. Andy is a player that is kind of the unsung hero every season. She's one of those players that she's not doing the flashiest of stuff, but you watch the way that Andy plays. And I know this from playing with her. She's constantly organizing, constantly setting you up to poke holes defensively. She's always thinking worst case scenarios so that she is there to either hit somebody or pick the ball up and regain possession. And I think you're seeing that with the spirit. It's not that they're worse off or that they don't have good enough players. You're

just seeing the organization break down where I think Andy was the linchpin for it to be so successful. And we're seeing teams break through the middle of the pitch a lot easier, get to go at their back line much easier. And Spear just have to then respond on the front line. They still have a ton of talent, especially having every rookie on your team score a goal in a single calendar season is not an easy feat. They have a great coach who's come from Barcelona and won everything you possibly could have. But it's going to be a tactical game of shutting down

Gotham's attack and then outscoring Gotham. Well, let's talk about Gotham then. So they are looking, as we know, to be the first NWSL team to go back to back. And during last time you were on the show, when we asked you if you thought Gotham could do it, you were unsure that they would be able to go back to back. Do you still feel that way at this current day? I do. I was like, dang, what did I say? I love it. Standing on business. Yes. I say so many things. I have an idea.

Yeah. I think going up against goth, Gotham plays in such a fun way that's tactically really interesting to watch. They play with a really high back line there. Everybody's in front of the half, almost. You look at the last time they played Spirit. Trinity Rodman had a couple breakaways over the top. You had Ulay Sar, who sadly is out. But Ashley Hatch is just as fast. Britton Radcliffe is just as fast, who can take advantage of the way Gotham plays. But then when they do have the ball, it's such a beautiful, poetic. They move it quickly. They're constantly switching positions.

They have these crazy shots on goal. Astera doesn't know how to just score one goal. She scores a brace every time she's on the pitch. Like they have such a talented team and no starting lineup is the same. But I think that that can also hurt them, not just against the spirit, but against the potential Kansas City with a show Wenga or Orlando with Barbara Banda. Well, given their star power and the talent that they have, what I guess like what will be Gotham's Achilles heel then?

Their high back line, I think. Any team if I'm looking at a scouting report and I'm one of the players that's thinking, especially as a forward, thinking about going against them, I'm thinking as soon as we win it, spend a ball over the top and let's run. Most teams haven't had Gotham hasn't passed it necessarily respect them so much in the front line that they play against. And I think spirit with Trinity Rodman, Ashley Hatch, Brittany Ratcliffe, is a team that they will have to respect and maybe, actually, you know, I know Juan Carlos, he's not going to adjust at all, but they're going to have to try to close down those passes that can go long from a Casey Krueger.

Logan, what are your thoughts on Gotham? Yeah, I completely agree with that. I mean, Gotham, I almost have a sense, I feel like they're hot and cold and it's hard to conceptualize them now because before, what did they have? Like a Concord Cuff summer league game, I think, or something where they won. Thumb or cup, yeah. Some crazy score, like either 14-1 or 6-1.

I don't know which one that is. But after that, they came back and they started scoring consistently. Like beforehand, it was like one or two goals a game. And they started putting up like four. And it was like, well, where is this coming from? But they have their goal scoring activated and the best availability that they've had pretty much all season. With that said, it's like what type of Gotham is coming to play? Because even last week watching their games after they scored, they get real kind of bouncy

and you'd see that spark in them and then it would slowly kind of fade away and Portland would get a run and then it kind of went back and forth. But if you get the bouncy Gotham that are like hungry for it, I think then they are going to go to the finals. With that said, whatever team comes out of Casey and Orlando, I just don't think that they can beat. So we mentioned that a little bit earlier, how BFC, you know, frustrated Washington defensively. How can Gotham do the same?

I guess like on the other side of the ball, we know a little bit of their weakness and with the back line, but on their forward line, how can they do the same to make sure that they get their goals against Spirit? I mean, start one of their stars. I mean, you have Esther, who's brilliant at top, Alice Stevens is out of great breakout season. I think Lynn Williams, you have Crystal Dunn, who could potentially play like, Yasmin Ryan.

They have so many players that I think individually can cause chaos for Spirit's back line. Now, when you put them all together and they're vibing, how quickly they transition and you have Roosevelt who can dribble past anybody, the way that they can break down spirit, I think, is relying on those one V one players and then their combination play to get in front of goal. Because as soon as they are, soon as they start heating up and they're bouncing the ball around quickly with their front, maybe five players, I don't know if spirit can stop them because we've seen even in their last match leading up to playoffs. They just look like they're in the zone. They feel it right now.

And I don't know if Spirit can handle that, especially with how many players they're missing. Okay. Well, before we go into break, we're going to do a quick, quick official pick. So from both you and Logan, who do you have winning between Orlando and Casey? I'll go with you first, Daring. I have Orlando. I'm going to stick loyal to my bracket. My pride girls are going through.

What about you, Logan? I've had an intuition since the second I saw this, Casey is going to pull off the upset. I don't know. It, technically everything on paper, I don't believe it, but I go with my gut today. She's just here for a little bit of chaos. That's okay. I'm not mad at it. I also have Orlando going through, so we will see who is right there. And what about Spirit and Gotham?

Logan, who's your pick? I'm going to go with Gotham. Okay. What about you, Darian? I also have Gotham going through. I see them making it to the final, but they don't have the Allie Krieger to fight for this year. I think it's going to be fine. Okay. So we have, I agree with both of you on Gotham. So we are split decision a little bit,

but we have Orlando versus Gotham and Casey versus Gotham. And I'm also with Orlando versus Gotham. I feel like this is the correct answer. Although the Kansas City playing at home for their final would be epic. It really would be. The hearing is going for the perfect bracket. I please I should have bet something on this. So you should have.

Well, coming up, we continue talking about NWSL. We'll be right back. Welcome back to Good Follow. Let's continue our NWSL talk and like spend a little time on a few of the eliminated teams. Portland Thorns had a real shot after Ryland Turner scored this goal. Let's take a look. So the equalizer came with only 15 minutes left in regulation and would have ultimately sent the game to extra time where Rose Lavelle called game with this goal. is open if she can get it there across. Look out! Goal! So the Thorns have now been eliminated in back to back years since winning their championship in 2022. Darian, what do you think they need to do to get back on top?

I mean, they've got a lot to replace in Christine Sinclair. She's been the part of this team, I think since she became part of it in the inaugural season. Having somebody to fight for like Christine Sinclair obviously gives you an extra push going into playoffs which Portland desperately needed alongside Sophia Smith coming back. If I'm not mistaken, I think Sophia Smith is potentially up for contracts or up for negotiating a new contract after this season. They need her there. This is a team that I don't think we saw enough dynamic goal scores in the front line without her and Morgan Weaver.

They also need, I think, another midfielder. They lost a couple of players like a Rocky Rodriguez, somebody that's a little more daring in the midfield. They had very similar profiles in their midfield three that didn't offer enough. And I think this team can get back to where they are. I mean, it's weird to think of NWSL playoffs without the Portland Thorns in them, which we almost had that case. But they really need to acquire some players and have some stability with Rob Gale next year that can just make them the really dangerous team that isn't solely through Sophia Smith. So obviously, you mentioned the loss of Christine Sinclair

is greatly impactful to the team and also to this women's game in general. But in addition to filling in those holes in Portland's midfield, who currently do they have that will need to step up for them next year? I'm going to give a shout to my fellow Bruin UCLA, Jesse Fleming. She's a player that is so dynamic and can be really dangerous in the attack. We've seen her do it for Canada and college, she did it for Chelsea, she did it. And I feel at Portland, she's that back so much more. We didn't see her making those daring passes, daring dribbles, the game changing moments that we're used to having from Jesse Fleming.

He's a player that I think they can build around that they can growl around, they can rely on for that stability and to be a leader. But we need to see it on the pitch. I will say going from Chelsea to the end of yourself. It's a huge adjustment. It's a huge adjustment. Every single game feels like it could be a final. Every single game is much more physical and physically taxing and everybody's faster than you. It's a huge adjustment. And I think she needed this year to have that.

And hopefully next year, she can really grow into that role that we've seen her have with all of her other teams. Logan, what are your thoughts on Portland? I mean, Jesse Fleming is basically kind of like Christine Sinclair, because she's Canadian. So it's our little she's got a next in line, if you think about it, like, especially with there's multiple players retiring.

But I think when it comes to the end of your cell, she she is a huge impact. But I feel like I haven't heard her name enough. But going back to somebody whose name I'm hearing more is actually Olivia Moultrie. And I don't I haven't heard her name enough. But going back to somebody whose name I'm hearing more is actually Olivia Maltry. And I don't know how old she is right now, maybe 18, 19. She came in when she was pretty young, but I feel like she's kind of finally settled into the league, settled into her role. It's no longer, whoa, look at this very young player who had to fight to play in the league playing. She's now making impact. She's in the team,

and she is up there with a goal scorer. So I'm excited to see how next year, if she's still with the team next year, I think her contract is fine, how she can become a more present goal scorer and kind of be up there with Sofia if Sofia were to stay. But if not, they need a goal scorer. Cause I was kind of thinking back to their team

when they won the championships. And they just had something special, like a little secret sauce to their whole team. And that's just gone now. Well, Portland wasn't the only team to lose an extra time in their inaugural season, Bay of Sea. They made it to the playoffs, but then they came up short to Washington. However, I even hate to bring this up, but their winning goal didn't come from the spirit. Let's take a look at this.

And then Angie says she's got a facial injury. Cross comes in. Oh, I feel for Caprice so deeply. And again, I even hate that we're having to talk about it. But if they had not scored on themselves, do you think Darian that they could have pulled off an upset? A hundred percent. That was the game of the weekend where I think that was the one we all predicted. That could be the only match where there is an upset realistically. They fought really hard. We have to give a lot of credit to that team and Albertine Montoya.

They overcame so much adversity throughout the year of being an expansion team, doing that well, making it to playoffs. And then it finally coming together during playoffs, the attack and defense, it was kind of one or the other. That was the story for Bay every single game throughout the season until the last few weeks. So I love this. I think it's very promising for the future for Bay and seeing what they can do next year now that Albertin Montoya is more used to the league and what it

requires and maybe bringing in personnel that he can build around like a Tess Bodie and Rachel Kundunanji and Oshwala and Abbie Dahlkampur. But it is tough to go out like that. And another fellow Brune of mine, Caprice, I feel for her, that's sex is scoring on goal, especially in a moment like that. But she's a vet, she'll get over it. And I think, like I said, it's really promising for Bay's future. Well, let's talk about a little bit, because I think they have so much to be proud of again in your inaugural season to make it this far and to be so close to pulling off an upset. I think we talked about it on a prior episode. Personally, I think the absence of Alex Laweyda has hurt them a little bit. But what do you expect from them next year? And what do you think, I guess,

what can we expect from them and which players are you really looking out for in their next season? I'm really looking to see the growth that Rachel Kondonaji, we finally saw her become that X factor forward. It was this close all year to her being it. It was just the final product, the final type of shot decision making or pass it. Do I shoot it? And it was always

kind of the opposite was chosen of what she should have done. But she's a young player. Seen a lot of growth. I'm excited to see her back next year. Same with Tess Bodie. She is on Sanquiro of Bay. I think that every coach I talked to when I was covering matches before coaches calls was who's a player that you're looking to shut down? Who can you shut down that'll affect the game? Every coach would say Tess Bodie for Bay.

So she's a player I'm looking forward to seeing her game. And I think they need another midfielder, a pure midfielder, Kiki did great, but I think they need a six that can really help distribute play that's like the Andy Sullivan that directs everybody and breaks things up and can organize so that it's not so reliant on their back line

to have their together, but make sure they have everything together in the back. But it's gonna be good for them next year. They're just missing a couple of key pieces to have that consistent season to get them to a final. Logan, what's set out for you about BFC this year? Rachel couldn't, Anje. I feel like I expected to hear her name more,

but as you said, she kind of made perfect progress. And then the, I'm not too sure what game it was, but there's a clip where she stands on top of the ball, tells the defender to come to go. Oh, that was against Houston. Yeah. Oh my gosh, that was like but there's a clip where she stands on top of the ball, tells the defender to come to him. Yeah. Oh, my gosh. I was like, she's here.

This is what I've been waiting to see. I'm so excited. So I'm excited to see that type of play carry on because it's fun. It's kind of like adding to a template of the league. Like, will she be up there with Tamwa and Barbara when it comes to a Golden Boot race next year? Who knows? I think she could really make a huge impact. But then I kind of go back to think, were they not getting her the ball? Did she have the full opportunity to make that type of impact, especially because you see it with KC, they know exactly how to feed the ball to Tamwa. With Barbara, Orlando's offense is incredible. She's

always getting touches. So I think they could really work on that and kind of develop Rachel into one of those key players. It is also to your point, it is fun to see like Barbara and Tamla and Kununaji and even O'Shaula, like the style of play that they have brought to NWSL and it's just made the game really fun. The African takeover. I love it. The fact that most of the players we're talking about for.

Golden Boot are players of color, most impact on the league are players of color, players from Africa. I mean, I can't wait to see next year. I was joking with Latko Andonovsky, like because Timur, her sister, Tabitha plays for Lyon. And I'm like, you need to get tap with over here. You all will be unstoppable. Imagine. Right. I know. I agree. Um, well, we're gonna really quick

move over to some a little bit of other NWSL news earlier this week, San Diego Wave signed University of Texas forward Trinity Byers, and she is the first player or first active college player to sign for an NWSL club since the elimination of the NWSL draft. The college soccer season is getting ready to come to an end. Who do you think we could see getting signed next? Daring, do you have thoughts on this?

Ooh, you guys are putting me on the spot. I'm gonna stick with a player that's impressed me since she entered college. Sorry, I'm sticking with UCLA. Like I've said it five times in this podcast, but Lily Reel plays center back for UCLA, Honda award-winning, Mac Herman trophy finalist. She was a forward converted to center back.

And I think we see elements of her game that's similar to an Emily Sams that would be great for any team in the league. She would have a huge impact. Um, Logan, how closely have you been following college soccer? I know you've been paying a little bit of attention. Are there any schools, schools or players that are standing out to you? I'm not gonna lie. I originally know because I completely forgot about the fact that they took away the end of yourself draft. Even when I saw they're signing Trinity, I'm like going to lie, I originally know because I completely forgot about the fact that they took away the end of your self-draft. Even when I saw they were signing Trinity, I was like, why are we signing her out of college? That's weird. And then I was like, oh, this is like the drafting process. So I do still have to kind of go back and look at the players.

But I am excited to see the class that comes in, especially because I feel like year after year, the rookie classes are just getting more and more talented and they come in and you're hearing their names more. So I'm excited to see if that's the case next year. Well, Darian, before we let you go, as you know, the foundation of the show is that communities get built one good follow at a time and each week we like to highlight a person, page or brand as our good follow. So who is your good follow of the week? I'm going to wreck the Cooligans. One of my coworkers. Yes, yeah, that's as gross and Christian Blanco have a podcast called the cool against two comedians hilarious. They drop news, but in the most digestible great way to great human beings, but follow there and watch their podcast called the cool against it.

You won't regret it. Oh, sign, but as you it, you won't regret it. Post-sign, but as you said, both just really great people. I love them. Well, Darian, thank you so much for joining us on Good Follow. It's always so great to learn from you. It has been amazing to have you on the show again.

Thanks for having me, ladies. Up next, Logan and I will convince you to hop on the NWSL bandwagon. We'll be right back. Welcome back to Good Follow. Today Logan and I will be putting your sports loyalty to the test with a game we're calling bandwagon fans. So here's how it's going to work. We will be showing a team in the NWSL semi-finals and Logan and I will each sell you on why

you should hitch a ride on their bandwagon. Are you ready? Ready. Okay, this should be fun. I'm all about bringing new fans into the league, so we will sell them as best as we can. So let's take a look at the first bandwagon. OK, we have Orlando Pride. Logan, why should someone become a fan of the Pride? If you love Brazilian football, which I personally do, it is so much fun and so fast and so precise, then you should definitely hop on board because they just seem to get all the Brazilians. I mean, they have Marta, Adriana, Rafael, Angelina, Luana. So incredibly good. And their style fits so well with the team. It is kind of like really cool how many Brazilians

they have. I know that's what they're known for. And especially when they're on an international break, like the whole team is gone. Yeah, it's like the it's like a pipeline. Yes. Especially well, more to be in there. I think I'm sure has a lot to do with it. I like your reason. My reason to hitch a ride on the van wagon is if you're a sucker for a good jersey for football and fashion, this citrus kit. Oh, I have it hanging, but it's not showing right now is one of the best in a while.

I think it kind of speaks for itself. I remember when they debuted it and it just, it was so above all the other jerseys, like just the way it pops and the colors, it is just perfectly made. I know Orlando do a really good job with their PR boxes. I've been fortunate to receive a few. And when I got this citrus kit, they also sent it with like orange marmalade, like actual spread. It's also like, I really love the theme

that they were leaning into. Yes. Oh, they're really going for it. I also love actually just to add on, their normal color is purple and there's really nothing but like citrus or like oranges, but it's going like with the Florida theme. So I love how they just like brought something in with them

because Pride, like, I mean, I feel like there's multiple meanings for that and it's kind of hard to like embody that with your Jersey and as a team and everything. So I love the little added touch of that orange citrus. Yeah, they look good on the field. And for on the field reasons, as we all know, but if you need a reason to support the Pride,

2024 NWSL Shield winners, they had a 27 game winning streak that lasted over a year, like over 365 days without losing. They of course have goalkeeper Anna Morehouse anchoring them in the back, who is up for goalkeeper of the year. Legends like Marta, Barbara Band on the field scoring goals. And also they have seemed to really perfected the balance of Coach Seb Hines's 442 formation. So these are our reasons to hitch a ride on the Orlando bandwagon. I love Coach Seb Hines too. I'm not too sure Coach of the Year has come up, but if he's, if he doesn't win,

I'd be very, very surprised. It's him, Juan Carlos from Gotham and Vlachko. So, um, yeah, those are, that's a tough coach of the year race, but I think Seb has definitely, uh, made his case. So let's move on to the next team. Who do we have here? Casey current. Okay.

Logan, why should someone get on the current bandwagon? First of all, shout out to the graphics people we have because these are very, very cool. But if you want to watch the player that is absolutely running, dominating the end of yourself right now, tell much Ringo, then that's just the only in you need. I mean, she scored against every single team

that she's faced, which is just so incredible. And she broke Sam Kerr's scoring record for the season. I don't know what she's at, but she did score their last playoff goal. So it's just so incredible to watch her and the way that they feed the ball to her, she just goes into open space and don't- And it's ugly from there.

Yeah, I don't even know how to explain it. It's just, if the ball is like anywhere near her, then she's probably gonna score. Well, I also have a very similar reason. If you want to become a fan of Casey Current, is their attacking presence they have had. Oh, my gosh. This is so cute. I record 57 goals scored this season with 18 different goal scorers. So that says a lot about Casey's offense when you have a player like Tema Shewenga who is breaking records at her first year in the league and then you also have 17 different goal scores

the team as well. And then also my reason they may have one of the best midfields in the league, which is also led by veteran Lola Bonta and whenever love scores she has one of the best celebrations. So this is my reason. I'm sure people who are a general sports fan that may not know a lot about the league yet have definitely seen a Lola Bonta goal of Selle on social media.

Also, I know Vlatko got so much hate with the US on his national team, and I mean, I don't think he was fit for it. But the way that he has coached this team has been incredible. And he's kind of had his own little redemption arc this year. I think that's the thing is a lot of people were saying is on the international stage and may not have been his fit. But as a club coach, he has been and he's had a successful track record and he's continuing to show that in Casey.

But let's move on. OK, where are my bandwagon Gotham fans at? Logan, why should someone get aboard the Gotham bandwagon? Pretty easy. They're the villains and they formed a super team. It's like the Avengers. They form the Avengers team. Literally in the off season when they were like, oh, we got Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle. And even last year we got Astaire and now we have Emily Sonnet. It's like, okay, we get it. Easy there.

We get it. You want to go back to back. For me, my reason is, okay, they're literally named after Batman they are named after Gotham City and they call themselves the bats they do their little bat celebration they call themselves baddies I don't think you need any other reason to be a fan of Gotham other than the I don't want to say the mythical but the fictional city that is Gotham City after having your club named after that is iconic. Lynn has like her hand thing.

I can't do it, but like she. I don't know how they do it. I don't know, but they call themselves the bats and that is, like I said, that is so cute. And also as we know, Gotham are chasing back to back championships. They have a very deep bench again, as we've mentioned, they have so many US women's

national team stars. But beyond that, they have a lot of international stars as well. Juan Carlos is also up for coach of the year. I think if you like a championship pedigree team, if you like going for the super teams, then I think Gotham is your club. Also with name recognition, even there was a name, I don't fully remember. I want to say

it was Jess Carter, but I know it wasn't, but you just kind of associate with like, oh, England or like AKB, oh, Germany. It's names that you're hearing maybe like during the World Cup or any friendlies or qualifier from other teams. And I think that's really cool because some of them, it's like you only hear them in the States or if you're watching it and of yourself. So it's just a little, oh, what was the word from a few weeks ago? Amalgamation. Amalgamation of superstars. Yes.

OK, last but not least, let's do our final bandwagon, Washington Spirit. Logan, what is your reason for someone to hitch a ride on the Spirit bandwagon? If you hitch a ride on this bandwagon, then it will be paying off in the next few years because their rookie class is insane and you can be one of those people who are like, oh my gosh, I watched her the first time she was in the league her very first year she was doing so well and now look at her she's a big star and those hers you have six

options. You have Corbithune who is unfortunately out, Kate Weiser, McKenna Morris, Courtney Brown, Heather Stambrook and Hal Hirschfeld which is just insane. The impact that they've had, especially you hear me talk about McKenna Morris all the time, all of them have had an impact on this team and have led to their depth that has pushed them through the season. And you don't see that very often. They've also all scored, which is, I forget the number, I think 15 of their 54 goals this year they account for. And that's pretty impressive. Well, I love your reason. And mine, while not a rookie, is one of my favorite players. Two words to support Washington Spirit. Trinity Rodman, one of the most prolific scorers both in NWSL and also in the international stage.

I mean, she was on the list for, correct me if I'm wrong, she's on the list for a Ballon d'Or nominee and obviously won an Olympic gold with the US, but she signed a four-year deal in 2021 for 1.1 million, which at the time was a record-breaking deal. And she's yet to disappoint. She's known as an entertainer. When she puts her opponent on a spin cycle, it is so ugly and it is so disrespectful, but you can't help but just admire it. I love her for her fashion. She is so stylish and she is so, um, I just love how expressive she is both as a person and then also as, um, on the field as well. She is not afraid to get scrappy and to get in your face and talk a little smack.

I made it very clear early on in good follow that I am the president of the Trinity Rodman fan club and I stand by that to this day. She just makes it seem like she's been in the league for years, like she's a veteran. She has kind of a veteran presence, which is so crazy because the other day I was even Googling her and she's only like 22. Yes.

So young. And we've seen her for so long. She's been around. We've just adapted to her. But I completely agree with all your reasons. I love her. Well, that is it for our game of bandwagon fans. Choose your team wisely. No pressure at all. It's just your NWCEL fandom at stake. Coming up, I reveal my DraftKings pick of the week and I share my latest GoodFollow.

We'll be right back. ["GoodFollow Theme Song"] Welcome back into Good Follow. Before we get into our weekly picks, our partners at DraftKings have an offer that's perfect for any game day. Right now, new customers who bet $5 will instantly get $250 in bonus bets. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up using promo code GOODFOLLOW. That's $250 in bonus bets to spend on parlay, live betting, or picking straight up winners after betting just $5.

And if sports betting is not yet available in your state, you can still join in on all the fun with DraftKings Daily Fantasy and have the shot to win cash prizes. Again, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app now and use promo code GOODFOLLOW for $250 in bonus bets instantly after betting just $5 only at DraftKings Sportsbook. Okay now it's time for this week's DraftKings Sportsbook pick. With a trip to the championship on the line, my game of the week is Orlando Pride and Kansas City. We've already discussed how dynamic both teams are and if both teams are firing on all cylinders, this

will be a really good one and probably very high scoring. As we know in soccer, the team that starts on the front foot has the better chance of winning and while it might be a great storyline for Casey to play for the championship in their home stadium, I am picking Orlando to score early with a Barbara Banda goal and I think Orlando will send Casey home, and they're going to get the win. So, Logan, what are your final thoughts on this game? It's going to be very exciting.

I cannot believe that this is even a matchup that is existing, especially because Casey is back to playing how they were playing earlier in the season when they were undefeated. The whole storyline, I mean, Orlando were the ones who broke that undefeated streak. Casey wants this so bad and the fact that they're going to Orlando to potentially hand them a loss to go back home and play for the championships is just so cool. But this could be a final game. I kind of wish it was.

With that said, I kind of feel like there could be an upset just because of how much Casey wants it. But as you said, if both teams are five and all cylinders, it's going to be absolutely insane, probably high scoring and probably extremely close down to the very end. Manager picked for an upset. I could see it. That's what's really special about this game is there, in my opinion, pretty even. I think anything could happen. Well, we are going to move on to a little bit of non NWSL news. Earlier this week, Caitlin Clark teed off with Nellie Korda at the Anika Pro-Am Logan.

Is this a duo that you thought you would see, especially with how much you cover women's golf? It actually is, which I feel about saying that. But the second I saw that Caitlin Clarke played golf, I think it was in her senior year, they had it up on the TV. I was like, oh, there's going to be a Nellie collab somewhere. And her and Nellie are actually similar in like an odd way.

I feel like personality wise, and they're kind of low, like cracking jokes, but kind of a low key personality sometimes as well. They match each other so well, but to of a low key personality sometimes as well. They match each other so well, but to see these two top athletes playing together is insanely cool. Well, Katelyn had, I think objectively, a pretty terrible first tee off. Let's take a look. Oh! The reaction is hilarious. And I am not one to judge because listen, I am terrible at golf.

But is this proof that Caitlin Clarke is human after all? Maybe she's not good at everything. Absolutely. I actually, it keeps on coming up playing a pro-WAM or the event right before with the players for the LPGA. And that was my biggest fear going into it. I was like, I literally just need to practice my first tee shot because that is terrifying. So honestly, I do not blame Caitlin at all, especially because obviously she's a much bigger name, but everybody does it. It happens. She already had the other ball ready to put down.

She said a little sorry, but I love how the crowd at first is like, oh, is everything okay? And then like they laugh it off. And listen, it's better than I would have done. Well, in other women's sports news as well, Whoopi Goldberg also announced she's launching the first global women's sports channel called the All Women's Sports Network. She said, everything from soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket, curling, you name it. If a woman is playing it, we're showing it. Logan, is this actually what we've been needing in women's sports? I feel like this is very long overdue. Absolutely. It's like women's sports on demand, and that has never, ever been a possibility. I mean, even with having the W they have their league pasts, then end of yourself.

Plus, to be honest, even finding the end of yourself, um, quarterfinal games this past weekend was a little tricky. I mean, it is different because I live in Canada, so the access isn't as good, but there's so many different sports in so many different places. And a lot of times it's not that easily accessible. So now you can just have a platform where you go and want to watch or you watch whatever you want to watch and it's right there for you. And I love that.

Also kind of unexpected that somebody like Whoopi Goldberg would do that. Like, I never expected to hear her name. I know it was a name where you're kind of like, oh, well, OK. I mean, I respect it. Yes. Well, this is exactly what we've needed. Well, as we close the show, as you all know, the foundation of a good follow is that communities get built one good follow at a time. And each week, one of us highlights a person, page or brand

as our good follow of the week. And I am up this week and I want to celebrate and shout out the Women's Lacrosse League, aka WLL on Instagram. Earlier this week, the Premier Lacrosse League announced it's starting a new Women's League that is set to begin competition in 2025 with four teams and cities that have yet to be announced. The Women's League will make its debut at the PLL's 2025 Championship Series in February. Logan, what are your... Well I guess like first I'll share.

I think this is really incredible again, as we keep talking about the rise of women's sports and more leagues forming. Again, we've seen people like Michelle King invest in women's leagues. We've seen like Flava Flav helping out women's water polo. And so to see more professional women's league pop up is really exciting.

I personally actually don't know a lot about lacrosse. So I'm kind of excited to learn along the way. But do you know much about lacrosse? Yeah, I actually played growing up. I played like yeah, love on something. A lot of my friends played for teen kinder and went to school for lacrosse. So actually, when I saw the announcement, the first thing I thought of was kind of the gateway that they have after school because a lot of them have no clue what to do. My best friend and literal sister, she played D1 and she has no clue what to do afterwards because there's not a lot of options. I mean, there's athletes unlimited, but that's the top of the top players. And so now to see that there's a league is so exciting, A, but B, I feel like it gives something more to work towards rather than just kind of going through

the pathway where you play your career, go to school, and then you're like, oh, well, I have no options now. FellaCross is so incredibly fun. It's such a fast sport too. Actually, decently easy to play. Really? Yeah, but I'm really interested to see how everybody else kind of like perceives it and how well it does. I think it's going to do really well. But I want to see the viewership numbers, and I cannot wait to see them grow year by year,

because I really feel like they're going to. Oh my gosh, I did not know you played lacrosse. Yeah, I played a little bit of everything. I love that. Well, I'm excited to tune in, and that is my Good Follow of the week. So everyone go follow at WLL on social media. And we want to hear from our fans. Who is your Good Follow?

Send your nominations to at Good Follow Show and tell us why your Good Follow should be featured on our show. Good Follow is brought to you by DraftKings. We'll see you next week.