Expected Own Goals

A USWNT Round-Up, and Our NWSL Awards Ballots!

The USWNT played a couple friendlies against Iceland, walloped them 6-2 across both games, and got four new players their first caps. That's about all there is to report! The guys go pebble hunting to find something to analyze in the most meaningless games of the year. 
Then, they break down their picks for the NWSL awards slate. Most of these are no-brainers, but they make a case for some down-ballot candidates, followed by an in-depth discussion of how to approach Defender of the Year. Join our Patreon for only $6/month to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

PATREON BONUS: Liga MX Femenil Apertura Review, with Amelia Lopez!

We're taking one of our bonus episodes out from behind the table to give you a little taste of what great content you can find on our Patreon! For only $6/month, you get four episodes like these, each and every month. Plus, you get access to our Discord server, as well as our YouTube livestreams, which we're firing up again for the postseason. 
In this episode, we talked to Our Fútbol co-host Amelia Lopez about the Liga MX Femenil Apertura, and what fans should expect from team like Tigres and América once the Liguilla kicks off in November. 
Enjoy this freebie, and please consider subscribing for only $6/month!

NWSL Week 25: Louisville, Portland, and all the Playoff Scenarios Fit to Print

Racing Louisville grabbed all three points against the Portland Thorns thanks to a late corner header from Taylor Flint. Their playoff hopes are still alive, but is it too little too late? The guys cap off the episode with this playoff six-pointer (41:20). Before that, they run through playoff scenarios for the top four (1:01), ruminate on the two dead rubber matches between Angel City and the Utah Royals (20:40), as well as the Seattle Reign and Houston Dash (27:48). Some quick lamentations for the San Diego Wave in their pasting by the Kansas City Current (26:16) and some chuckles about the Washington Spirit-Chicago Red Stars grudge match (32:53). Bay FC are now the dark horse of the playoff field after their convincing defeat of the North Carolina Courage (35:01). And we close with everything that has to happen for Portland, Louisville, and Bay FC to get into the postseason (46:48). Join our Patreon for only $6/month and get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 24: "Stop Laughing, The Chicago Red Stars Suck!!!" And Other Ravings of a Madman

The Chicago Red Stars own one of the worst xG differentials in league history. Only the Utah Royals have played worse in total this season. But Chicago just clinched a playoff berth, and look poised to finish the year in sixth place on a mere 1.3 points per game. No team since 2018 has finished sixth or higher with so few points. Can it really just be luck? Is their low-volume, high-efficiency attack and defense sustainable once they face better teams in the postseason? The guys dissect the Red Stars' 2-0 defeat to Gotham, and whether that result--combined with horrible recent performances against San Diego and Houston--can be overcome once November rolls around. Click here to vote on what Evan has to do if the Red Stars win their quarterfinal match! And join the Patreon for only $6/month to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 23: The Portland Thorns, Racing Louisville, and the Dangling Thread of the Playoff Line

We have got some things to cover, here! The guys get into the news of Angel City's fines and suspensions for salary cap violations, the firing of former Houston Dash head coach Fran Alonso, the absurdity of the Chicago Red Stars conceding at least three xG for the second time in three weeks, Bay FC's four-minute meltdown, and the Orlando Pride's historic Shield win. 
Then, it's on to the main events. Portland has been one of the worst teams in the NWSL since the end of the Olympics break. Racing Louisville has been fighting to get over the playoff line. Neither team did themselves any favors with two very different losses. Which team has the edge to go to the quarterfinals in November? Be sure to subscribe to our Patreon for all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 22: Bay FC are Doing the Damn Thing

A scrappy 1-0 victory on the road to the Seattle Reign may not look like much, but Bay FC are creeping closer and closer to a playoff berth, only a few months removed from looking like one of the worst teams in the NWSL. The guys dig into all of the ways the team has managed to improve since early June, from trusting new players to Albertin Montoya reimagining the team's tactical vision. It's wild. Still not a member of our Patreon? Sign up today for only $6/month to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 21: Kansas City Current Remind Everyone Who They Are

Oh, did you forget that the Current can gut your favorite team like a fish? After a few games of sputtering defensive performance, KC's new back line is locked in and Temwa Chawinga is, well, Temwa Chawinga. Their 3-0 battering of the Washington Spirit was a bit lucky, but was also a scary proposition for any team that will face Kansas City in the playoffs. The guys break it all down. Plus, xG shenanigans with the San Diego Wave! Officiating questions with Angel City and the Portland Thorns! The stretch run is officially here, gang!Join our Patreon for only $6/month to get all of our exlusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 20: The Orlando-Kanas City Staredown and Portland's Continued Implosion

We've got two games to cover this week! One was the matchup of the weekend on paper, but fizzled out to a 0-0 draw between the Pride and Current. The other ended up with significant playoff implications, as the Red Stars snatched a 1-0 road win against the Thorns and shored up their postseason odds, while Portland continued their freefall. What can they do to right the ship? Is Chicago's season-long overperformance about to pay off? Subscribe to our Patreon for only $6/month and get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 19: Au Revoir, Alex Morgan, Hello, Bay FC!

Alex Morgan has retired. As yet another titan of the sport walks into the sunset, the guys reflect on what Morgan's career truly meant beyond the goals and trophies. Then, after rounding up NWSL results across the weekend, they dive into Bay's 1-0 defeat of Racing Louisville. Have Abby Dahlkemper and Penelope Hocking helped Bay find the answers? Is Albertin Montoya finally getting the team to play like he envisioned? How much does this result and performance portend for Louisville's playoff hopes? If you haven't yet, be sure to sign up for our Patreon for only $6/month. We will be doing a livestream commentary for Orlando-Kansas City on Friday for our members!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

NWSL Week 18: Strolling through Gotham, with Jenna Tonelli!

The Orlando Pride continued their unbeaten streak on Sunday, taking down Gotham FC 2-0 after a monsoon nearly flooded Inter&Co Stadium. Gotham was unable to gain any separation from its peers in the top 4. But does it portend anything serious? Eric and Evan talk to Gotham reporter Jenna Tonelli about Gotham's performance, the magic of Ella Stevens, and how dangerous Gotham will be come playoff time. Sign up for our Patreon for only $6/month!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs