Expected Own Goals

World Cup Semis: Spain vs. Sweden - ”Women on the Verge of a Third Place Breakdown”

Spain commanded their quarterfinal match against the Netherlands, but looked shaky at the back at the wrong times. Sweden executed the right game plan against Japan, and weathered the storm for a major upset. Now, the Swedes and Spanish meet in the semifinals on Tuesday. How do these two European powerhouses match up? Spain can strangle a defense, but are they wasting too many shots? Sweden have the set piece skill and the nous to win a tournament, but do they have enough to quiet Spain's relentlessness? And how will the Spanish off-field controversy find its way onto the pitch? Eric and Evan get into it! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

World Cup Quarterfinal Preview: No USA, No Problem (for everyone else)!

The USWNT may be out of the World Cup, but there is so much good football still to play in the quarterfinals. Japan are dominating, but can they contain Sweden's set piece headers? Do Spain and the Netherlands' tactical approaches cancel each other out? Can Australia break the host nation curse and make it to the semifinal? Can Colombia pull out a massive upset against England? Come on this journey with us! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT vs. Sweden: VlatKO’d

The USWNT are out of the Women's World Cup before the semifinals for the first time ever. There will be no three-peat. A cruel penalty shootout that ended thanks to a single millimeter will be the lasting image of what was an improved but still stagnant U.S. performance against Sweden. Eric and Evan sit with those emotions, reflect on what might have been, and what the future holds for both Vlatko Andonovski and for U.S. women's soccer. A lot less data today; a lot more feels.
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT Preview: The Winner Takes It All

You could probably tell by the melodious tones of the intro: Eric and Evan are oddly hopeful for this one. Sweden put the beatdown on the USWNT at the Olympics in 2021, but how good are they, really? Can they score from anything but corner kicks? Will the U.S. forwards find the freedom to do what they do best? HOW NERVOUS SHOULD WE BE??? Fire it up! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT vs. Portugal: ”It’s Like Watching the USMNT”

In the immortal words of some random Marvel character, so THAT just happened. Yes, the USWNT just suffered what might be one of the worst ties in modern soccer history. They just barely scraped through to second place in group E and a likely date with nemeses Sweden in the round of 16. Just how bad was it? Were there any silver linings? What goes on inside the mind of Vlatko Andonovski? Find out! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT Preview: PortuGOALS

If it was easy, would it even count? The USWNT are on top of Group E, but have to score a bunch of goals to assure their place as group winners. Portugal know that if they beat the U.S., they might be able to go through to the knockout stage. And let's not forget that Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle are sitting on yellow cards! Eric and Evan dig into all the permutations this game could offer. tl;dr Goals! Goals! Goals!
 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT vs. The Netherlands: AmsterDAMN

Everyone OK??? The USWNT battled a wild-n-wooly game against the Dutch, conceding a nasty counterattacking goal early in the first half but finding a way to make Lindsey Horan go Hulk Mode in the second. If only some subs had been able to share the spoils! Evan and Eric break down the 1-1 draw and Vlatko Andonovski's approach, which was somehow as bad and not nearly as bad as you thought. Try not to hyperventilate! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT Preview: Dutch Ado About Nothin’

The Netherlands threw out a real doozy of a lineup against Portugal, but couldn't win convincingly. Yay for the USWNT, right? Eric and Evan dig into the challenges the Netherlands presents, the holes the U.S. could exploit, and most importantly, determine who is The Most Important Dutch Person In History (non-tulip edition). Fire it up! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT vs. Vietnam: Rocky Mountain High-Five

The state of Colorado did its job on Friday night when natives Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan lead the USWNT to a comprehensive but still tricky 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the opening game of the World Cup. Vlatko Andonovski threw some surprises into the lineup starting Julie Ertz at center back and Savannah DeMelo in the midfield. Did these curveballs connect? What does the team still need to work on as they head in to their 2019 World Cup final rematch with the Netherlands? Let's get into it! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

The USWNT Path: Spain and England and Germany, Oh My!

There are lots of paths for the USWNT to travel in order to get to the World Cup final. First, they have to get through the group stage. Evan and Eric break down Vietnam, The Netherlands, and Portugal before speculating on possible knockout stage opponents. Get after it! 
Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs