Expected Own Goals

NWSL Preview Week: Racing Louisville + Houston Dash, with Theo Lloyd-Hughes

Our second episode today heads down south for the next edition of NWSL Season Preview Week. Louisville has a clear recruitment strategy—buy low on young internationals—but are hoping for a clear stylistic identity with new head coach Bev Yanez. The Dash are doing something similar with Fran Alonso and players like Cece Kizer and rookie Avery Patterson. Dash reporter and Squad Depth podcast host Theo Lloyd-Hughes breaks down Alonso’s approach to making the Dash a playoff contender. This is a good one, folks!
Click here to read ASA's written preview of today's teamsCheck out Theo’s work at the Squad Depth newsletter and podcastArt by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Preview Week: Chicago Red Stars + Kansas City Current

It’s a two-episode day on xOG as we roll along with NWSL Season Preview Week and continue to enjoy our new partnership with American Soccer Analysis! Eric and Evan dig into two teams undergoing massive change. The Chicago Red Stars have new owners, a new GM, and a new head coach, as they begin their long but hopeful rebuild. The Current hired Vlatko Andonovski as their head coach, and want to make a splash in their new stadium. Will any of it work for these two midwest stalwarts?
Click here to check out ASA's written preview of today's teams! Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Preview Week Begins with Utah Royals and Bay FC! Plus, We've Partnered with American Soccer Analysis!

This is a really exciting day. In addition to launch NWSL Season Preview Week--an entire week of content previewing all 14 teams--we are thrilled to announce that we've partnered with American Soccer Analysis to be their women's soccer content partner! If you've already subscribed to us on our feed, no need to do anything; episodes will show up every Tuesday morning as before. If you're coming to us from following ASA Show, welcome! Eric and Evan love talking about the NWSL, the USWNT, and global women's football through the same lens as Kieran and the gang: data, tactics, and the nitty-gritty of the beautiful game. Hope you enjoy the show, and kick back as Kieran joins us for our first two previews, of the Utah Royals and Bay FC. 
Click here to check out ASA's written preview of today's teams! Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

W Gold Cup Final Recap: The Future of the USWNT Looks...Bright?

The USWNT are your inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup champions! A war of attrition broke out between Brazil's hyper-direct 3-4-3 system and the US's defensively resolute 4-2-3-1. Lindsey Horan's end-of-the-first half header won the game, but what now for the US as it heads toward the SheBelieves Cup and the Olympics? Is this hyperdefensive approach perhaps the new style that was promised? Is it simply the first step in a long evolution? Eric and Evan debate what Twila Kilgore and the players achieved.
Plus, we have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT about the show! Art by Eli Elbogen 

Gold Cup Recap: Brazil Dances Its Way to the Final, the USWNT Swims There

The CONCACAF W Gold Cup final is set! Brazil used the experimentation of the tournament to find the right players in the right shape to dominate México. The USWNT and Canada were dragged through Waterworld in a game that should never have been played. Where did Pedro López get his tactics wrong? How much praise should Alyssa Naeher really be getting for her shootout heroics? Can the US stop Debinha and company? Eric and Evan put on their galoshes and go singin' in the rain! Plus, the boys analyze Orlando's surprise landmark signing of Zambian star Barbra Banda!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

Gold Cup Quarterfinal Recap: The USWNT Plays the Hits, But the Record's Scratched

The USWNT is through to the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinals, but my oh my, was it trench warfare against Colombia in the quarterfinals! Goals from Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger, and Jaedyn Shaw made the scoreline comfortable; flying elbows and hip checks from the likes of Linda Caicedo and Catalina Usme made the actual game anything but. Eric and Evan break down the headline-grabbing performances from Alyssa Naeher and Alex Morgan, get postgame reactions from Sam Coffey and Twila Kilgore, and preview their semifinal tussle with old rivals Canada in San Diego this week. Thin end of the wedge here, folks! Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

Olympics Qualifiers Recap + Gold Cup Knockouts Preview: The USWNT Rides the Snake

Spain, Germany, Australia, and Japan have all punched their tickets to the Olympics, while Zambia, Morocco, South Africa, and Tanzania have pushed through to the next and final round of qualification. How will Racheal Kundananji's injury affect both Zambia and Bay FC? Eric and Evan do a quick overview of the week's action, then dig into the CONCACAF W Gold Cup quarterfinals. Is the USWNT in trouble against Colombia? Are Canada as excellent as they've appeared so far? Only one way to find out: listen! Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT vs. México Gold Cup Recap: Dos a Cero in Southern California

The U.S. is not the main character! For the first time in 14 years, México defeated the U.S. and did so in dominating fashion at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. Jacquie Ovalle, Rebeca Bernal, and María Sánchez put on a master class in Carson, using aggressive defense and two world-class finishes to shut down the Americans and top the group. What were Twila Kilgore and Emma Hayes thinking with running out Vlatkoball? Why were Becky Sauerbrunn and Alyssa Naeher in the starting XI? Why did Alex Morgan get an entire half of sub minutes?!?!? Eric and Evan dig through the wreckage from every angle. 
Read Sandra Herrera on México's historic victory
Read Eugene Rupiński on what this game means for Mexican women's soccerArt by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

A USWNT Gold Cup Preview, plus Eugene Rupiński on Liga MX Femenil!

**RECORDED BEFORE MIA FISHEL'S ACL TEAR**
The CONCACAF W Gold Cup is finally here! The USWNT isn't the only team going through transition, as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina are all experiencing a new phase of their evolution. Eric and Evan preview the group stage, and dig into possible lineups and formations Twila Kilgore and Emma Hayes might try out. Then, the boys talk to Liga MX Femenil analyst Eugene Rupiński about the history of the league, and where it's heading. Evan's Article about Possible USWNT Lineups at the Gold CupArt by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Offseason Roundup: A Kundananji-Shaped Explosion in the Bay

Bay FC has not only broken the world transfer record, they have absolutely decimated it. Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji is pulling out of Madrid CFF and heading for San José, where she and Asisat Oshoala will form the most potent attacking duo in the NWSL right now. Eric and Evan break down this historic transfer, and how it changes the league forever. We don't have a joke here; our jaws are still on the floor.Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs