Expected Own Goals

NWSL Week 5: The Wave Go Surfing in Louisville

The whiparound, like the weekend's NWSL action, doesn't exactly quicken the guys' pulses on today's episode (00:41). But there are many important things to address with the Washington Spirit's 1-0 road win against the Orlando Pride, not least of which is the handling of Ashley Hatch's concussion (10:48). This week's featured game takes us down to Kentucky, where the Wave pasted Racing 4-1. But what was going on beneath the surface? Is San Diego a contender? Do the underlying data or the eye test (plus a soft schedule) tell the realer story of Louisville's first five games (19:07)?Subscribe to our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli Elbogen

NWSL Week 4: Gotham on Fire, North Carolina Courage Adrift

Seven games, six road victories, four of them shutouts. It was a weird weekend in the NWSL, and the guys scan the ups and downs from all of the action (1:14). Then, they peruse Gotham's 3-1 home victory over the North Carolina Courage (23:01). Each club had a starting center back missing, but only one didn't play like it. Is Gotham the sleeping giant that has finally awoken? Has North Carolina reached the end of the road with Nahas-Ball, especially since Jaedyn Shaw and Ashley Sanchez really aren't clicking? What does this result portend for the rest of Gotham's and North Carolina's seasons? Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT Recap: A Split Card against Brazil

One for them, one for us. The USWNT beat Brazil fairly comfortably in Trinity Rodman's return to the U.S. lineup in front of over 32,000 in Los Angeles, while an incredibly green squad went down 2-1 to the Seleção in San Jose. The guys tackle Saturday's victory first (3:05) before noting that each friendly was a mirror image of each other from a tactical and personnel perspective (7:11). This leads into figuring out who might now be at the top of the USWNT goalkeeper depth chart. (16:47) The guys then analyze Tuesday's loss, which highlighted the work still to be done by Emma Hayes and co. (35:06). They scratch their heads at the usage of Jaedyn Shaw over the past year (39:46), while trying to determine what Alana Cook's substitute appearance means for the center back depth chart (44:54). They close with an overview of news contained in the release of the new NWSL collective bargaining agreement, and whether there are big format changes coming in the next few years (46:37).Subscribe to our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 3: Angel City's Up, Seattle Reign are Wayyyyy Down

More draws! With even fewer goals! The guys whip around the league to gawk at some less-than-stellar matches (1:40) before diving into this week's featured contest, Angel City's 2-1 defeat of the Seattle Reign at home. We preamble a bit (17:00), and then peel back what's been suprisingly effective about Angel City's attack (19:00), before trying to understand how Seattle could be even messier than we expected (31:40). We cap it off with a discussion of what kind of a player fans can expect Christen Press to be going forward (37:43). If you're going to the USWNT- Brazil match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this weekend, hit us up! We'd love to see you and chat all things WoSo.Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 2: Clash of the Top-4 Titans

The top four all played each other this weekend, in a couple of tasty fixtures filled with drama and intrigue. After the whiparound of the league's fixtures, the guys get into the main events. (8:28) The Kansas City Current got the officiating calls to go their way and Temwa Chawinga tore the Washington Spirit's heart out at the last second. (26:52) The Orlando Pride didn't score once in open play but dispatched Gotham 2-0 in front of their home fans in New Jersey. What do we now know about these title contenders? Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 1 Power Rankings

One down, 25 to go! The first round of NWSL matches is in the books for 2025, and it was a morass of beatdowns and 1-1 draws. Who's up and who's down relative to our preseason rankings? The guys look at all seven games and figure out who has shifted since they made their initial picks. 
Join our Patreon for only $6/month (or $60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Preview Week: Gotham FC, with Jenna Tonelli

The Bats took flight across the regular season, but were felled in penalties to Washington in the NWSL playoffs. Then the rumors of behind-the-scenes discord kicked up. Then a dozen players departed. Amid all of this upheaval, do they still have the goods to be one of the best teams in the league? Jenna Tonelli of Sports Illustrated dropped by to pitch herself as Gotham's goalie, with Evan as the no. 9 in a pinch. Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Preview Week: North Carolina Courage, with Kim McCauley

The Courage made a massive splash in getting Jaedyn Shaw in the winter. After Kerolin moved on, the club needed a creative artist to help unlock a moribund attack. But can she fit into the broader structure of head coach Sean Nahas's plans? Kim McCauley of the Guardian came on to separate the wheat from the chaff in the club with one of the strongest reputations in the NWSL. Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Preview Week: Kansas City Current, with Thom Bomb of Shea Butter FC

The Kansas City Current were the best team on paper last year. They rostered the league's MVP and producer of one of the greatest seasons in league history, Temwa Chawinga. But they fell to budding rivals Orlando Pride in the semifinal. Are they read to take the next step and win a trophy? Thom Bomb of Shea Butter FC and Shades of Blue walked the guys through the (few) roster changes the club made, and how they can improve upon last year's historic performance. Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Preview Week: Portland Thorns, with Kim McCauley

Who is going to play for the Portland Thorns? With Sophia Wilson gone for the year, and Morgan Weaver on the bench for potentially all season, their attack feels thin. Their defense is getting a hard reboot, too. Portland may. have never had more questions around them than right now. Kim McCauley of the Guardian tries to find some silver lining in the dark clouds, with varying degrees of success.Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs