Expected Own Goals

NWSL Week 16: Kansas City Current vs. Orlando Pride Was the Game of the Season

The two best teams in the NWSL had to wait until the final matchweek before the Olympics break to square off,  and dear lord was it worth the wait. Brain-busting goals from Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga, a game-changing second yellow card for Carrie Lawrence, and a feisty, physical encounter all made this fixture an instant classic. Eric and Evan analyze what Seb Hines and Orlando did right, and maybe what Vlatko Andonovski and Kansas City did wrong.
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

BONUS FRIDAY: Olympics Rosters, New Controlling Owners at Angel City, and the Jill Ellis Scandal at the San Diego Wave

We didn't think a U.S. holiday weekend would toss so much news at us. First up, Eric and Evan chat about the announced Olympics rosters for Brazil, Spain, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Nigeria. (01:00) 
Then it's on to the developing news that USC Journalism School dean Willow Bay and husband, Disney CEO Bob Iger, will be buying a majority stake in Angel City FC. What does this mean for the team, and for the league as a whole? (10:26)Finally, Eric and Evan unpack the horrendous allegations from multiple San Diego Wave employees that team president Jill Ellis had fostered a toxic and abusive work environment. (24:18)
Brittany Alvarado's StatementJenny Chuang's StatementBernadette O'Donnell's StatementAbigail Lozano's StatementSan Diego Wave StatementJill Ellis Statement
Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
 

NWSL Midseason Check-In, Pt. 2: Firings, Awards and time to Buckle Up, San Diego?!

Eric and Evan debate another notable NWSL head coach sacking, hand out some Midseason Awards and go deep on Chicago's 3-0 "rout" of San Diego... was it a rout? What even is a rout?
 
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

BONUS THURSDAY: Reactions to the USWNT Olympics Roster

Quiet week, how's everyone doing?LOL JK First up, on the heels of Casey Stoney's firing, Eric and Evan puzzle over the unexpected resignation of Bay FC GM Lucy Rushton. (00:33)
Then, the moment has arrived! Emma Hayes announced her first USWNT major tournament roster, and it's a doozy. No Alex Morgan! Lots of Korbin Albert! Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt as alternates! What does this lineup tell us about Hayes's vision for the side? (11:10) And what do her and Trinity Rodman's comments about Albert tell us about the culture inside the locker room right now? (25:10) Evan and Eric drop some heaviness on today's episode. 
 
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Midseason Check-In, Pt. I: The State of the League

We're now (just over) halfway through the 2024 NWSL regular season, and trends are emerging! Eric and Evan uncover a host of interesting nuggets about how teams are playing this year compared to past seasons.
Why on earth did the San Diego Wave "part ways" with Casey Stoney? (00:16)Where did parity go? Is it simply a byproduct of expansion? (08:37)Does the increase in goalscoring come down to Barbra Banda, Temwa Chawinga, et al.? (18:00)The league still loves transition tactics, but how have they morphed in 2024? (20:36)How do the Chicago Red Stars, Racing Louisville, and Orlando Pride buck current tactical trends? (25:17)Are the Pride or the Kansas City Current the tactical future of the NWSL? (29:16)How has money influenced both tactics and the development of players to fit those tactics? (35:21)Whose first-half results have been real or not real? (42:55)Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

BONUS THURSDAY: The Inaugural xOG NWSL Hall of Fame Class!

It's time to pause and reflect on how much history the NWSL really possesses--something no professional club league in America has been able to accomplish. Using Evan's g+raft Score method, we tapped into ASA's g+ above replacement database to determine the best players in the league's history. 
We induct several players from the Dead Stats Era (2013 - 2015), before advanced stats were available, including a legendary and complicated goalkeeper (11:55), a pioneering defender on and off the field (15:35), two midfielders who shaped their teams on different ends of the pitch (18:48), and two forwards who represented the league in very different ways (24:22).Then, we turn our attention to the Modern Era (2016 - 2024), where three national team defenders dominated their opponents (35:30), two midfield artists who could do anything with the ball (50:46), and three forwards that are absolute gimmes (68:05).
Read Evan's article on g+raft Score to peruse his points system. Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs 

NWSL Week 12: The Bats Take Flight as Gotham FC Start Dominating

Gotham FC's 2-0 victory on the road against Racing Louisville was about as ugly as 2-0 victories get, but dig under the hood and you see that the preseason Shield favorites are finally coming into their own. The galacticos of Dunn, Lavelle, Davidson and Sonnett started their second game in a row together. Ella Stevens can't stop scoring. Ann-Katrin Berger might be the best keeper in the whole league right now. Is it all finally coming together for Juan Carlos Amorós's squad? Eric and Evan debate the finer points of Gotham's resurgence.Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 11: Rappelling Down the Seattle Reign Cavern, with Sylvs of Shea Butter FC!

The Seattle Reign got smoked by the Kansas City Current over the weekend. That such a result would be par for the course shows what kind of season Laura Harvey's crew have had. Sylvs of Shea Butter FC hopped on to talk about Reign history, the struggles of the team in the void of the team sale yet to close, and what glimmers of hope Jordyn Huitema's two goals could represent. Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

USWNT Recap: The Emma Hayes Era Kicks Off With Goals Goals Goals!

The day has come: Emma Hayes is now the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team. The side demolished South Korea for a combined scoreline of 7-0. Sam Staab and Lily Yohannes each earned their first caps. The law firm of Smith, Swanson, and Rodman served papers to their opponents over and over again. Alex Morgan--well, she was present. What did we learn about how Hayes wants the team to play? Eric and Evan uncover all the tactical nuggets across the two friendlies, then project the USWNT's likely 18-player Olympics roster. The takes get spicy.Need a pick-me-up? Four out of five doctors recommend SoMalloTrin!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

BONUS TUESDAY: Wrapping Up the Liga MX Femenil Season, with Adriana Terrazas!

The international break has flipped our schedule this week, so for this week's early bonus episode, we bring you a great conversation Evan had with Our Futbol co-host Adriana Terrazas to break down the recent Clausura final and all the storylines from Liga MX Femenil this season. 
Team by team, we look at how C.D. Guadalajara ("Chivas") came up frustratingly short (11:20). C.F. Pachuca (17:01) won the transfer window heading into the Clausura. Why did they look so limp once they got into the Liguilla? UANL Tigres (26:57) were once again dominant across the entire year, welcoming Jenni Hermoso and Thembi Kgatlana to their ranks. After their semifinal drubbing, are they ready to transition to the next generation? Club América (33:32) looked unstoppable until those chaotic final few minutes in the second leg of the Clausura final. Was it bad luck or a bottle job? C.F. Monterrey ("Rayadas") (42:57) won the most dramatic of penalty shootouts in front of nearly 32,000 screaming home fans. Did new head coach Amelia Valverde built a functional unit that will contend next year? 
Finally, Evan and Adriana talk about the state of the Mexico Women's National Team (51:22), Pedro López's evolution of the side, and which players can expect to make a contribution over coming months. Back to regularly scheduled programming on Thursday with our recap of Emma Hayes's first two games in charge of the USWNT!Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs