Hide a Body Kinda Teams: NWSL Championship Weekend with Washington Spirit & Gotham FC

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Good Game of Sarah Spain, where we're going
back and forth and back and forth and we just
can't pick a winner for Saturday's NWSL Championship and you
can't make us. It's Friday, November twenty first, and we're
recording today's show from the San Jose Civic Center, not
to be confused with Civic Center San Jose, to get
your hype for Tomorrow's title game between the Washington Spirit
and Got the FC. First, we'll bring you tons of

(00:23):
content from the first ever NWSL media row, where we
caught up with a bunch of players from both the
Washington Spirit and Got the FC, including Trinity Rodman, Kroi,
Bethune Jadenshaw.

Speaker 2 (00:32):
And Emily's Sonnet.

Speaker 1 (00:33):
You can hear their preparation and predictions for Saturday's championship game,
plus who they'd like to see.

Speaker 2 (00:38):
Cheering them on pitch side, and more.

Speaker 1 (00:41):
Then, Alex and I work the blue carpet at the
first ever NWSL Awards on Wednesday. You'll hear from the
league's top talent as they choose the winners of our
made up Good Game Awards and play our version of
Red Rover Red Rover Red Rover let another team's player.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Come over, and don't worry.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
We'll have plenty of title game takeaways and even more
interviews from NWSL Championship weekend next week, plus everything you need.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
To know from the rest of the women's sports world.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
But today, it's all things San Jose, and it's coming
up right after this.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
Welcome back slices.

Speaker 1 (01:19):
During Thursday's media row event, I caught up with a
few Washington Spirit stars to talk about what makes their
team special, secrets to slowing down Gotham in Saturday's title game,
and more.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Take a listen joining us now.

Speaker 1 (01:32):
She's a forward for the Washington Spirit, an Olympic gold medalist,
and the reason why young players around the world are
practicing the trend spin in the backyard is Trinity Rodman.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Let's up, Trinity. Are you tired of talking yet?

Speaker 3 (01:41):
I'm not?

Speaker 4 (01:42):
Hi?

Speaker 2 (01:43):
How are you?

Speaker 1 (01:44):
You're such an outgoing person that I feel like you're
like me, where you can go, go, go, and then
you just have to stare at a wall for like
an hour. You're in a relationship with a super successful
pro athlete. What have you taught him about winning and
handling success?

Speaker 5 (01:56):
Oh, get right into it. I don't know if I
teach him a lot. He teaches me a lot, but no,
I think we relate a lot on like the emotional
and mental balance of being a professional athlete during the
wins and the losses.

Speaker 3 (02:14):
I don't teach him much.

Speaker 5 (02:16):
Maybe he can speak on that, but I feel like
he is my sanity.

Speaker 2 (02:20):
Oh, I love that. Have you taught him the trend spin?

Speaker 4 (02:23):
No?

Speaker 5 (02:23):
I can do it like on him and break his
ankles and do all that, but like, I haven't taught
him that yet.

Speaker 1 (02:28):
You gotta keep him healthy, yeah, breaking angles. Is there
any part of you that is preparing for this game
on Saturday? Is potentially your last NWSL game?

Speaker 5 (02:37):
No, I think I can't even think about that right now,
and if I were to, I would overwhelm myself. So
I think, yeah, just focusing on winning. That's all I
want right now is for us to win this championship
on Saturday.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
How are you feeling health wise about how much you
can give your team on Saturday.

Speaker 5 (02:55):
This week's been really good and I'm really happy that
I've gotten another full week of training going into this game.
But yeah, more minutes than last weekend for sure. But again,
I think it's all depending on how the game goes,
Because if we got Rose and Monday doing their thing,
then I'm totally okay being on the bench and keeping
the momentum. So I'm ready whenever my name's called.

Speaker 3 (03:17):
But I'm just excited that I'm healthy.

Speaker 1 (03:19):
You mentioned the pressure that you would put on yourself
if you overdid it, like, oh, this might be the
last time I'm in this uniform. In general, how do
you handle pressure when you're approaching a really big game
like Saturday. Do you have any different ways of grounding
yourself or mantras or do you treat it the same
as every other game?

Speaker 5 (03:36):
I think, yeah, talking on Ben, like he's taught me that,
like I am the driver in every situation, Like I
have complete control and the moment's only as big as
I make it. So I think just reassuring myself that
I do have more power than I think in some situations.
And yeah, for this week, I'm just like, it will

(03:57):
only overwhelm you if you let it, So I'm just yeah,
trying to stay calm and have fun with my team
and just be the normal train in a normal week
going into a normal game.

Speaker 1 (04:06):
It's hard to be normal right now when you are
the face of a league, especially with a lot of
your triple Espresso both of your triple Espresso linemates out
with pregnancy. You sort of take on this outsized pressure
as someone who's helping this really important league experience exponential growth.

Speaker 2 (04:24):
When you're injured.

Speaker 1 (04:24):
When you're in and out, do you feel more of that, like, oh, gosh,
I really want to be out on the field and
like helping continue to grow this league.

Speaker 5 (04:32):
I mean, yeah, being out is not ideal at all,
just for the sake of like, I want to be healthy,
I want to get those minutes. But yeah, at the
same time, like at this point in my career, with
decisions needing to be made and just the momentum of
who I've been on the field and off the field
and the power and platform that I've had, the timing

(04:53):
of my injuries have not been ideal for me. So
that's been unfortunate. But I try to take again the
wretch are off of it and just control what I can,
which is progressing as fastly as humanly possible.

Speaker 3 (05:06):
To get back on the field.

Speaker 5 (05:07):
But no, I've gotten a lot better at managing the
injury situation since the beginning of the back.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yeah, what do you think makes your team so special?

Speaker 5 (05:17):
I think just the togetherness that we have. I think
there's teams in the league, and even just our team
last year, like we were close, but not as close
as we are this year. Like genuinely, I think we
would all do anything for each other. It's not just
like on the field we'd tackle for each other. It's
like if we needed anything, like we could call everybody
and they'd be there. So I think just understanding each

(05:38):
other and learning each other off the field gives you
more of a reason to like fight for somebody rather
than just being like we're going after a ball.

Speaker 2 (05:48):
Ye got to hide a body kind of.

Speaker 1 (05:50):
Yeah, what do you think makes Gotham special?

Speaker 5 (05:56):
And I'm just kidding, well, I'm obviously gonna speak on
the fields because I don't know.

Speaker 3 (06:04):
I think.

Speaker 5 (06:07):
They put their foot on the gas at all times,
Like even when you think they're out, they're not. And
I think that's really special and hard for teams to
have and to not get defeated or deflated in big
moments when.

Speaker 2 (06:20):
You're considering how to beat them.

Speaker 1 (06:22):
What's the one area of the game they're attacked, their
approach that you're most focused on stopping.

Speaker 2 (06:28):
Getting inson its head. Not just kidding, I'm just kidding
you personally.

Speaker 5 (06:37):
I think, honestly not too much like on like their
game plan. I think the more you try to change
yours based off of the intensity of the game or
the way that they're coming, the more lost you get
and what you're supposed to do. So again, just treating
it like a normal game. We've played them a million times,
so keeping our head down and not allowing like their

(06:58):
surprises and quote marks to like throw us off.

Speaker 1 (07:01):
Who's the one celebrity not your man that you most
want to see pitch side Saturday that would get you
the most of ease?

Speaker 5 (07:07):
So I don't wish hmmm, I'll just say Zinda because
I always say her for everything.

Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yeah, who do you look like? Who's playing in the movie?

Speaker 3 (07:18):
Do you want to be.

Speaker 2 (07:20):
Good luck on Saturday?

Speaker 3 (07:21):
Thank you?

Speaker 1 (07:22):
Hailing from Nigeria, she's a forward for the Washington Spirit
who signed with the team earlier this year after spending
three seasons playing in Spain. And we can count on
our Instagram videos to deliver all the good dance moves.
It's Gift Monday. Hi, gift Ic, So nice to meet you.

Speaker 3 (07:37):
Thank you so much.

Speaker 2 (07:38):
What do you think makes your team special?

Speaker 6 (07:43):
First of all, I think the name, which is Spirit.
It's just, uh, it's unique. And coming down to this team,
I saw like a family like.

Speaker 4 (07:58):
Me.

Speaker 6 (07:58):
We just well not estimates with sisters, with siblings, from
the coaching staffs down to you know, medical staff down
to the outside staffs.

Speaker 7 (08:10):
Like I just feel like there's these.

Speaker 6 (08:13):
Unique feelings that I get anytime I go out, I
go to training, anytime I'm in the midst of these
amazing people. So I just think the Spirits first of all.
The name and being among the Spirits is amazing.

Speaker 2 (08:29):
What do you think makes catom so special?

Speaker 6 (08:32):
Oh, we played against Gottam thrice this year and it's
a big deal. Like they are really an amazing team.

Speaker 2 (08:42):
Uh.

Speaker 6 (08:42):
They have good players and they have this huge to
win every game. And for me, I like this kind
of spirit and I like that we are going to
be playing them in the final.

Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yeah. When you're thinking about their game, whether it's how
they attack or their strategy or some of their strengths,
what are you most focused on stopping?

Speaker 6 (09:03):
For me, I focus more on the defense because I'm
an attacker, so all I have to do is know
what to do to bypass the defense. So but stopping
is also like trying to like win balls if I
can when they start to play for their defense. So yeah,

(09:23):
I just try to do my little bit.

Speaker 1 (09:25):
Have you found any weaknesses? And Captain Berger yet.

Speaker 2 (09:28):
She's amazing.

Speaker 6 (09:30):
Yesterday I got to say that she's one of the
best goalkeeper nominees. I just I think she actually deserved that.
And for weakness, I don't know. I don't think it
wise for me to, like, you know, play according to
the weakness with the weakness of my opponents. But instead,

(09:53):
rather I have to play to my strength and it
has been working for me.

Speaker 2 (09:58):
I love that.

Speaker 1 (09:59):
Who is the celebrity from around the world from any
industry that you'd be most excited to see at Saturday's
game watching?

Speaker 6 (10:06):
Is it possible because I want to see Leono Messi.

Speaker 2 (10:10):
Lionel Massy?

Speaker 1 (10:11):
Okay, it's not your favorite talking put Yeah okay, yeah,
you know, I've heard teammates describe you as sort of quiet.
What's the one topic, other maybe than Lionel Messy that
I could bring up that you'd be the loudest and
most passionate about.

Speaker 6 (10:25):
Dance When you talk about dancing way you talk about entertainment,
call on me.

Speaker 2 (10:32):
Okay, I love that. What's your favorite kind of dancing.

Speaker 6 (10:35):
I grew up in a country with afrobitis all main thing,
so yeah, Afro dance and stuff.

Speaker 7 (10:41):
But I've also.

Speaker 6 (10:42):
Learned out to dance South South, a little bit of bata,
you know, a little bit of everything. Yeah, break dance.
I'm just you know everyway.

Speaker 1 (10:52):
Okay, Who's who's dancing more? You are Trinity?

Speaker 6 (10:57):
Uh oh, I'll say me because Trinity is very good
at dancing, probably the American style of dance, but I
am good at everything.

Speaker 2 (11:09):
She is a TikTok dancer. You're a real dancer?

Speaker 3 (11:12):
Is that?

Speaker 2 (11:12):
That's right? And then first year and the end of yourself.

Speaker 1 (11:16):
What was the biggest surprise for you as you transitioned
to life in the league in the US.

Speaker 6 (11:20):
Oh yeah, coming down to the US, I already knew
it was like a physical league. It's a very competitive league,
and I just felt like it's a place for me
to be because I loved competitions. I love physicality, So
coming down here, it wasn't like really too difficult to
like get used to the pattern of the game.

Speaker 1 (11:41):
Yea, So yeah, thank you, good luck on Saturday. Thank
you joining us back on the show. Now in her
second year with the Washington Spirit, she's the twenty twenty
four NWSL Rookie of the Year and Olympic gold medalist,
And when she joined us last year, we learned she
once scored a two hundred in bowling.

Speaker 2 (11:55):
It's croy baton bowling. Lately, I have not, but we'll
be back to it soon, probably for the best. Yeah,
safety first. You don't want to like throw out an
arm or injury yourself exactly.

Speaker 1 (12:06):
You mentioned on a recent podcast that I was listening
to with sam Us who we love, that some of
the injuries and pregnancies on the team has kind of
pushed you into more of a leadership role down the stretch.

Speaker 2 (12:15):
What does that look like for you?

Speaker 4 (12:18):
I mean, we have a lot of leaders on this
on this team, but I feel like for me, it's
not necessarily being a verbal leader, just kind of leading
with my actions on the field or being a good
example off the field.

Speaker 2 (12:29):
You are wisely on your years.

Speaker 1 (12:30):
The first time you came on the show, I remember
just being blown away by how smart and thoughtful you
were and how confident in control you felt. Does it
feel even more so in your second year.

Speaker 3 (12:39):
Now, thank you.

Speaker 4 (12:40):
Yeah, most definitely the first year you're kind of like
going through the ropes, even though for me more confident,
just like being myself, but now getting used to things,
especially being back at the championship game, being able to
play this time, she's getting more comfortable and familiar.

Speaker 7 (12:55):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (12:55):
The ACL tear last year was a real bummer, and
it's not the first time you've had to endure a
very serious injury and rehab.

Speaker 2 (13:03):
How is this year, Ben?

Speaker 1 (13:05):
And is there any apprehension ever about like or worry
about the next injury because you've had to deal with
it often in the past.

Speaker 3 (13:13):
Honestly, no thought about it.

Speaker 4 (13:14):
That one last year was my meniscus, so it was oh, yeah,
that's right. Yeah, but yeah, I mean if you think
about it, it's more likely to happen. And for me,
I'm just out there playing, grateful to still be able
to play, but yeah, just not thinking about it and
just being myself.

Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah. What do you think makes the Washington Spirit so special?

Speaker 4 (13:34):
The group of women on the team. I feel like
everyone can just say, yeah, I love this team. They're
so sweet. There's so great and genuine. But if you're
with us every day. You see how much we genuinely
love each other, how much fun we have off of
the field, and I feel like that's a prime example
of how great we play and why we are here

(13:55):
in this championship today.

Speaker 1 (13:57):
There hasn't been that much talk of switching coaches MIDI,
because y'all had such incredible success in spite of it.
You reeled off I think sixteen straight games undefeated shortly
after the switch. How do you process the idea that
you made it to the title game in a year
We're in theory, you could have had a really good
excuse to say, like we had too much change and
we were switching coaches and all that.

Speaker 4 (14:19):
That's the key word is excuse. Just because it's happening
doesn't mean you dwell on that and use that as
an example to not be the best you can this year.

Speaker 7 (14:29):
Of course, we've had a lot of things happening.

Speaker 4 (14:30):
Last year we had a lot of things happening as well,
but like you said, that's not an excuse. We also
have a little bit of a different team this year,
but I feel like we've used that as motivation to
show that we are one of the best teams in
the league and that we want to win. We've had
asiering with us two years, so him stepping up in

(14:51):
that head coach roll wasn't necessarily a big change for us,
just a change to the title.

Speaker 2 (14:57):
Yeah. What do you think makes Scotham special?

Speaker 4 (15:01):
They're great, They're cheeky. They have a lot of talented
players individually, and I feel like for them, they've done
well fighting back and getting to where they are.

Speaker 1 (15:10):
Cheeky is a new word that I've heard. How else
would you describe them?

Speaker 4 (15:14):
Confident for sure, confidence, spicy.

Speaker 1 (15:19):
Yeah, when you're considering how to beat Gotham, is there
one aspect of their game, their attack, or their approach
that you're most focused on stopping in order to win?

Speaker 4 (15:27):
I feel like the biggest focus that we have is
on ourselves. At the end of the day, we can
control only ourselves, So if we come prepared and do
the best, I think that can get the job done.

Speaker 1 (15:39):
Who's the celebrity from any industry that you'd most like
to see pitch side at Saturday's game?

Speaker 4 (15:45):
I said Kyrie before, I'd love to see Rihanna at
a game.

Speaker 7 (15:52):
Yeah, those are my top two right now.

Speaker 1 (15:54):
And is there any sort of mantra or slogan or
cry from the spirit behind the scenes that you guys
tend to go back to or have been saying throughout
this season.

Speaker 4 (16:04):
The past two games are motto has been and quote
it like this team team, team, team, team, team, team.

Speaker 3 (16:14):
Yeah. Have you focused on team?

Speaker 2 (16:15):
Have you focus on team? Because they got underdog my ass?

Speaker 1 (16:19):
So y'all got team team team team team team team Yeah.

Speaker 2 (16:23):
Sorry, team team team team team team Team. Thank you
so much, Croy. Thanks, I'm talking to you as well,
joining us again on the show.

Speaker 1 (16:32):
She's a goalkeeper for the Washington Spirit, a two time
NWSL Goalkeeper.

Speaker 2 (16:35):
Of the Year.

Speaker 1 (16:35):
And it's her birthday, which means it's her twin sister's birthday.
Te Yes, it's Aubrey Kingsbury. Let's start there. Where is
the twin? And is she mad you're not celebrating together?

Speaker 8 (16:44):
Oh, she lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but she will be
here tomorrow, so we will keep the celebrations going through
the weekend.

Speaker 2 (16:50):
Did your team do anything for you today so far?

Speaker 7 (16:52):
Yeah?

Speaker 8 (16:53):
I got a cupcake, which I was really shocked because usually.

Speaker 7 (16:56):
It's like a no sweets allowed.

Speaker 8 (16:58):
So forty to whom won't name names, but the coaching
staff and a little bouquet of flowers.

Speaker 2 (17:06):
So I feel very loved.

Speaker 1 (17:08):
Yeah, a lot of pressure to try to get a
big old win on your birthday week upd.

Speaker 8 (17:11):
Yeah right, well it always comes during finals week. So
I actually won my first championship in twenty twenty one
on my thirtieth birthday.

Speaker 1 (17:20):
I was there, were you as an owner of the
Chicago Color Mutual Stars at the time.

Speaker 2 (17:26):
No, no, no, it's great. It's really congratulations.

Speaker 7 (17:29):
Thank you.

Speaker 8 (17:30):
Yeah, Sovely, we can repeat and my birthday won't suck
like it did last year.

Speaker 2 (17:35):
There you go.

Speaker 1 (17:36):
Do you speaking of pressure, do you have any specific
mantras or grounding techniques when you get into net ahead
of a really big game.

Speaker 8 (17:43):
Just like staying focused, which for me is mainly just
communicating to my back line, not trying to get in
my head and thinking about like, oh, we're up, like
we're gonna win, or we're down, we're gonna lose kind
of thing. But just like staying connected to the back
line and yeah, just scanning, seeing where the opponent's threats
are and making sure I'm focused and ready to react.

Speaker 1 (18:06):
What about on the rare occasion when you give up
a goal, do you have to say in your head
like new games starts now, like put that behind you,
or I'm a goldfisher, I.

Speaker 8 (18:14):
Don't really say anything, but I will watch the goal
on the video board. So it's kind of my way
of like, okay, quick learn my lesson if there's something
to learn or take away from it, and then it's like, okay,
then put it out of my head. I'll definitely review
it later with my goalkeeper coach. But the video board
definitely helps. Something you don't have as a kid. You
have that instant kind of feedback of what happened or

(18:36):
what led to it that you could see and then
put it in the back.

Speaker 7 (18:39):
Of your mind.

Speaker 2 (18:40):
What makes your team so special?

Speaker 7 (18:43):
Think our diversity.

Speaker 8 (18:44):
We I mean literally have players from twelve different countries,
but everyone brings like such a uniqueness and very different
skills and talents on the field, but then also different
personalities off the field. And we've just really come to
to embrace that and like everyone is able to, you know,

(19:05):
bring what they offer to this team, and I think
it's really unique and really dangerous as well, very dynamic
attacking team. I think people have seen that all season long.
But yeah, just so many unique, versatile players with a
lot of different skills and a lot of crazy abilities

(19:26):
to score.

Speaker 2 (19:27):
Yeah, yeah, helps you out.

Speaker 1 (19:28):
Oh yeah, what do you think makes Scotam special?

Speaker 8 (19:34):
They're also a team of perennial winners. I would say,
like a lot of experience on their roster internationally, they're
smart in terms of gamesmanship. Maybe a little too much,
a lot of keeper timeouts, I would say, okay, but yeah,

(19:54):
a little bit. But yeah, they they show up for
big games.

Speaker 7 (19:59):
They have a lot of ti talent on their roster.

Speaker 8 (20:02):
Yeah, it always gets a little feisty with Sonnet and
yeah she's played for the Spirit, so that's that's fun.

Speaker 7 (20:10):
But yeah, they're a good team. They have a lot
of talent as well.

Speaker 8 (20:12):
And I think they show up well for big games,
as we've seen with them beating Kansas City and then
beating Orlando.

Speaker 1 (20:19):
When you're considering how to beat Gotham, what's the one
area of their game, their attack, their approach you're most
focused on ahead of Saturday.

Speaker 7 (20:28):
They do well keeping possession.

Speaker 8 (20:30):
I have a lot of great players inside, a lot
of little combos between Jaden Rose a Stare, So I
think it'll be important for us to be compact and
force them to play outside.

Speaker 1 (20:42):
Who's the celebrity from any industry you would most like
to see pitch side at Saturday's game.

Speaker 8 (20:49):
I would like to see Caitlyn Clark just because she's
just a total badass, incredible athlete, So I'd love to
see her not pitchside, but wearing a Spirit jersey.

Speaker 1 (20:58):
Oh okay, we're going up more than just attending for us.

Speaker 3 (21:03):
Thank you, good luck on side, Thank you very much.

Speaker 1 (21:07):
I just love to hear all those players rave about
the camaraderie on this Spirit team. It feels like a
really special bond. We're gonna take a quick break when
we come back. We talked to the batties of Got
Them FC.

Speaker 2 (21:21):
Welcome back, slices. Let's get you back.

Speaker 1 (21:23):
To the action at NWSL media row as we sat
down with a few of Got Them FC's finest.

Speaker 2 (21:30):
Joining us now.

Speaker 1 (21:30):
She patrols the backline for Got Them FC. Has suited
up for four other NWSL teams, including Saturday's opponent, the
Washington Spirit. She's a World Cup champ, Olympic Gold and
Rose Gold medalist, and a seven times she believes Cup champion,
voted most likely to cut a bitch. It's Emily's sonnet Emily.

Speaker 7 (21:47):
Hi, what's going on? Thank you for those kind words.

Speaker 2 (21:50):
Yeah, I mean accurate words.

Speaker 7 (21:52):
Accurate for sure.

Speaker 1 (21:53):
Yesterday we took a non official limited sample pull and
you were voted most likely to talk trash and best
trash talker in the.

Speaker 7 (22:00):
League if it is on best right.

Speaker 2 (22:02):
Yeah, have you always been a trash talker?

Speaker 3 (22:05):
No?

Speaker 7 (22:06):
Maybe.

Speaker 9 (22:09):
I think one of the lines I've always used my
mom so she want to get you're allowed to misbehave
in between the white lines, you know what I mean.
So I think I think the competitiveness and the fiery
comes down a lot of people. Yes, it's great to
know that people are listening and they're hearing me. I
think that's a positive to take from this. That's good feedback.
But I think you just see a lot of competitiveness

(22:31):
come out.

Speaker 1 (22:32):
I mean, part of sports is that you do get
to essentially commit assault legally yin reason, Yeah, totally. So
if you have something to get out, it's a good
place for it.

Speaker 7 (22:41):
Within the rule, I would say it's the best place
for it.

Speaker 9 (22:43):
I think sports teach you a lot, right, Yeah, you know,
as a child, and I'm still learning as an adult.
But I'm very happy to still be part of the game.

Speaker 1 (22:51):
Yeah, I do wonder if you worry about whether what
you say inside the lines is heard outside of them,
because there was a guy in the comments of the
video I posted where you were voted best trash talker
who said, I have pitch side seats and the things
I've heard come on for mouth totally.

Speaker 7 (23:08):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (23:08):
Maybe not worried.

Speaker 7 (23:10):
Because ears are working, Yeah, for sure.

Speaker 9 (23:13):
Yeah, I think I do think there's a lot of
competitiveness in this league, and if if people are listening,
that's that's great. I don't I don't know if I'm
doing it on purpose, but it's definitely it's definitely, like
you said, it's heard.

Speaker 7 (23:26):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (23:26):
My producer Alex wants to know if you've ever insulted
anyone's dog, which is something that we've heard from someone
in the w NBA dog.

Speaker 2 (23:32):
Yeah, like during the trash talk.

Speaker 1 (23:34):
No, she didn't even realize what she was saying, and
she just randomly took out someone like.

Speaker 7 (23:38):
No, Yeah, I don't think. I don't think I'm nasty
if it does.

Speaker 9 (23:41):
If it does, come on, I'm usually saying something pretty
funny where maybe like my teammates might hear laugh, right,
But I don't think so.

Speaker 2 (23:47):
Not personal attacks. I just like you.

Speaker 7 (23:50):
I don't I don't think so.

Speaker 1 (23:51):
I hope you're Yeah, you played for a number of clubs.
I'm curious what stands out to you most about how
they differ and how they're the same.

Speaker 9 (24:00):
Oh okay, that's great. Uh to go through them quickly.
Portland was a great spot, I think, landing first out
of college, great fan base, you know, I'm seeing other
famises grow just similar, great place to play. Learned a
lot there, play with a lot of legends. Looking at
Gotham now or just even DC, I loved playing for
DC now seeing what they're doing at Audi is absolutely incredible.

(24:22):
With the fan base coming out, I mean, being able
to travel to different markets and play in front of
you know, excited soccer fans is something that we're definitely
as a league wanting and leaning into. So it's incredible
to see. Yeah, now moving to Gotham, being back on
the East Coast, close to family, and I don't know,
it's it feel.

Speaker 7 (24:40):
It feels like a good fit.

Speaker 9 (24:41):
I have a lot of friends on this team from
previous teams, but international experience teammates, so to be able
to have those connections and build those connections. Not only
a country button club is obviously beneficial for me.

Speaker 1 (24:53):
Sometimes a no comment is intentional and sometimes it's not.
Did you intentionally leave out the Orlando Pride.

Speaker 7 (24:58):
I did not, I was I did not. Actually I
wasn't there for very long.

Speaker 9 (25:03):
But uh yeah, I don't know if I did not
play a game for them.

Speaker 7 (25:08):
So maybe it doesn't.

Speaker 2 (25:09):
Really it's just a bleep.

Speaker 1 (25:10):
Definitely, it was definitely there. Blip I should say not.
It's probably a bla But.

Speaker 7 (25:15):
Yeah, I think everyone we could have just rolled right
over that. It would have been great.

Speaker 2 (25:19):
What makes got them so special?

Speaker 7 (25:21):
Great question?

Speaker 9 (25:22):
I think the people being able to want to play
with some of the best players in the world. That's
not just saying US players, but you know, having Ann
from Germany, Spain, uh Estaire, the Brazilian players who am
leaving out England, uh Jess Carter, being able to learn
from what makes it special? Being able to learn from
so many different people kind of like in their peak

(25:44):
is something that I think makes it really special for
me and what makes it attractive to be here.

Speaker 2 (25:48):
What do you think makes the spirit special?

Speaker 9 (25:50):
They're They're a team that's absolutely has so much talent,
there coach really well, they're they're they're definitely and I
mean it's the best way they are.

Speaker 7 (25:58):
They are a problem in the attack.

Speaker 9 (26:00):
And I think that's why every time Gotham and or yeah,
Gotham and Spirit Plague, that you're seeing an incredible match
two teams that really want to win, two teams with
a lot of talent and we don't want to give
up a lot on both sides. I think that's why, Well,
that's what's special about them, but why I think the
matchup means that being really really great.

Speaker 1 (26:21):
Yeah, people have said cheeky, saucy, totally chippy, totally a
little bit.

Speaker 7 (26:27):
I think it's competitive. Yeah, yeah, I think it just
means a lot to both teams.

Speaker 9 (26:30):
So it's being able to have obviously talented players with
who they really want, and then obviously having the champ
Now being a championship game, you know, the stakes are
that much higher.

Speaker 2 (26:41):
When you're considering how to beat the Spirit.

Speaker 1 (26:43):
Is there one aspect of their game, whether it's their
attack or their approach or their strategy that you focus
most on trying to stop.

Speaker 9 (26:51):
I think the first thing that I think about is
if you're limiting their best players with what they want,
whether they want the ball to the feet or the space,
and behind limiting that give yourself the best chance.

Speaker 7 (27:05):
And I would say that I think the team.

Speaker 9 (27:08):
That figures out what the other team is doing first
is going to have the upper hand on the day.
And I think that just comes down to how how
well both teams were coached and the type of player
that you have for both teams.

Speaker 2 (27:19):
We saw that.

Speaker 1 (27:21):
The Spirit perhaps unintentionally, perhaps a social media manager slipped
up and put a graphic promoting that the fans should
support them at the final against the Orlando Pride before
the Gotham Pride semi final? Is that bulletin board material?
Are you guys? Are you guys talking about that in
the locker room?

Speaker 7 (27:42):
I haven't talked about it.

Speaker 9 (27:44):
I'm also someone who doesn't really stay on social media,
so I mean that might have been brought up. I
feel like that's a little bit of an outside noise
that I'm not really talking about.

Speaker 2 (27:57):
Stay locked in.

Speaker 7 (27:58):
I feel like we do.

Speaker 9 (27:59):
I think this is definitely staying locked in. But also
I keep saying it sounds cuche, but having the process
and not letting outside noise in really does help. So
you can continue your regular process going to the last
game of the season.

Speaker 1 (28:14):
Who's the celebrity from any industry that you'd most be
excited to see pitchside on Saturday?

Speaker 9 (28:19):
Uh? Probably I immediately had an answer, probably like Tina Fey,
Ammy Pohlar like that combination. There, Yes, anyone SNL but
mostly those two.

Speaker 3 (28:27):
Yeah.

Speaker 9 (28:27):
There was a game with national team that we wore
names on the back of our shirts and I had Fae.

Speaker 8 (28:32):
Yeah.

Speaker 9 (28:32):
I didn't get to talk to her yet, but that's
who I'd be pretty pumped to sy that, as would I.

Speaker 7 (28:38):
Yeah, best, totally perfect, good luck on Saturday.

Speaker 1 (28:41):
Pretty sweet joining us now. She's a defender Forgot the
FC and was named Rookie of the Year Wednesday night
in front of her adoring and adorable grandfather.

Speaker 2 (28:49):
She's from Hanging a mass A Leo Queen like me.
It's Lily reel Hi Lily Hello. I love that intro. Yeah,
Leo Queens.

Speaker 1 (28:56):
Yeah, I mean we know how to take up space
and shine a spotlight on others.

Speaker 2 (29:00):
It's the perfect combo.

Speaker 1 (29:02):
Speaking of the spotlight, how did it feel last night
being up on stage Rookie of the Year with the
best of the best of the NWSL all looking at
you like, hey, your star.

Speaker 10 (29:11):
Yeah, I think, you know, first and foremost, it's been
an incredible year just learning from the people around me.
I think I owe a lot to the players that
I've been privileged to learn from and grow from this
entire season, and then also the coaches.

Speaker 2 (29:27):
I think, yeah, just.

Speaker 10 (29:29):
The organization in general has really had my back. So
it felt good to win an award for the club.

Speaker 1 (29:35):
Who are some of those mentors from the team, Yeah,
I think for me, honestly, the entire back line. You know,
you have Ann and Gole, you have Jess Carter, I'm
playing next to Emily Sonnet even Tierna right now, who's
unfortunately out. But just learning from players who have had,
you know, a multitude of experiences at the club and
international level, and just you know, the way that they

(29:58):
look to help me and guide me is just something
that I really don't take for granted.

Speaker 2 (30:02):
It's been incredible.

Speaker 1 (30:04):
Yeah, what's the most you can get out of AKB? Honestly,
I've been working on my pks.

Speaker 10 (30:11):
That's something she definitely has the upper hand on for
me right now. I'm still working on being able to
bury them against her, but she definitely has my name
on those ones.

Speaker 1 (30:22):
Yeah, tell me about your grandfather, because there was an
amazing video from Wednesday night where the camera's focused on
you surrounded by media after you won your award, and
then panned over to him standing against the wall with
just like the biggest, most proud smile on his face, Like,
tell me about him being here, tell me about your relationship.

Speaker 3 (30:42):
Yeah.

Speaker 10 (30:43):
Honestly, for me, when that video was posted, I couldn't
even watch it because I was with a bunch of
people and I knew I would cry. But yeah, I
really think that just speaks to the type of person
that he is. He's really, I would say, the rock
of our family. He's my father's dad, so and then
my dad also has three other siblings, so yeah, we

(31:05):
come from a pretty big family. And just to have
someone like him who is our number one fan, you know,
I have a bunch of cousins growing up that he
was always, you know, in the stands yelling for us,
And the same goes for in these NWSL stadiums. Maybe
I don't hear him as much, but he's always out
there yelling, and I just couldn't be more grateful to

(31:26):
really just have the support of my family in general.

Speaker 2 (31:28):
Yeah, I love that.

Speaker 1 (31:30):
I tell people this all the time. But my last
grandparent passed away when I was twelve. Okay, so whenever
people have them in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, like
the later they I'm just like really like lean on
them and like, don't just ask them for advice. I
feel like old people are more useful than just being.

Speaker 2 (31:44):
As revised all the time on the but like it's
just a really special thing to happen to have a
relationship with.

Speaker 1 (31:49):
So you're really lucky being a special What do you
think makes Gotham special? I think for me, you know,
And one of the main reasons I came here was
really just to learn from the players around me. Like
I said, everyone has so many different experiences. They also
have had, you know, their ups and downs, but being
able to see how they've embodied different words such as

(32:14):
you know, grit, passion, aggressiveness, you know, things that you'll
see in the Northeast.

Speaker 2 (32:19):
I'm biased because I'm from there, but just really.

Speaker 10 (32:21):
Seeing how this club embodies that in general, I think
was something that drew me to it. And then also
just being able to be at a place that really
feels like family. I think I I kind of saw
that when I trained here, you know, the senior my
senior year, I was able to go into the Gotham
environment and just see how it all works, and you know,

(32:43):
see how they interact as a team and how the
coaches developed them. And I really just saw this place
as as the best fit for me, and I you know,
really couldn't be more glad and proud of the choice
that I made. I feel like I've gotten so much
out of this year that I never expect it, and
then yeah, it's just been awesome.

Speaker 2 (33:02):
You mentioned choice.

Speaker 1 (33:04):
This is the first year that players got to pick
no draft. What was the toughest part about that or
what was that experience like of having teams actually court
you in a way almost like free agency, but right
off the bat, before you know anything about anything exactly. Yeah,
I think, as you mentioned at the end, there just
not really knowing anything about a lot of the teams
and having to do that process of meeting with different

(33:27):
coaches and hoping that you know they're giving you you
know their style of play, and you know what their
culture of their team is like, and just you know,
taking that for word, I think that was a difficult part,
and then just trying to figure out different reasons for
why you're looking at different clubs, being able to see,
you know, obviously everyone wants to play, but I think

(33:49):
that it should be bigger than that when you're making
this type of decision, and you know, same goes for college.
I think it was kind of similar to that, just
being able to see which program for you was gonna,
you know, get the best out of you and also
challenge you the most. I think that's part of the
reason I landed on Gotham. You know, going into this year,
I really didn't expect to play. I thought that it

(34:09):
was going to be more of a learning year, just
learning from the players around me. But you know, with
a couple of the injuries and adaptations moving to outside back,
I've you know.

Speaker 10 (34:18):
Been able to play a bigger role for this team.
So yeah, it's just been awesome. I'm really just taking
all of the blessings as they come, but I think, yeah,
I've learned a lot from this team in general this year.

Speaker 2 (34:30):
What makes the Spirit special, Yeah.

Speaker 10 (34:33):
That's a good question. I think they're definitely a team
who brings.

Speaker 2 (34:38):
A lot of flair.

Speaker 10 (34:39):
I would say that's the biggest word that I think
of when I think of their team in general. I
actually know a couple of the girls on that team,
and I think that they have a pretty good culture
over there as well. It seems like they are very
close as a team, but also just good people. So
being able to you know, put that aside for now

(35:00):
and keep the game the game, I think is also
challenging because you know, at the end of the day,
we're all a part of the NWSL, We're a part
of something bigger and maybe you'll you know, play with
some of those players at the youth or the international level.
So it's always funny, you know, keeping a rivalry or rivalry,
but for the sake of this weekend, it's definitely gonna
stay that. And then you know, friends after channel your

(35:22):
inner son exactly.

Speaker 1 (35:24):
Yeah, right, when you're considering how to beat this team,
what's the one area, attack, approach, strategy, whatever it is
that you're most focused on trying to stop Saturday, Yeah.

Speaker 10 (35:33):
I think for us, and you know, I could say
the same goes for the entire season. I think it
starts with our play and I think, you know, sometimes
that's where people, you know, get ahead of themselves looking
at the opponent and trying to figure out what they
can do to stop them. And it's more, you know,
looking inward and seeing what you can do to put

(35:56):
forth the best performance to you know, hopefully score more
goals than them and lock them down on defense. It's
just for us, I think, looking to put together a
full ninety, a consistent ninety that maybe we haven't seen
at times throughout this season for Gotham in general. But
I think, yeah, it's something that we're building on and
have put forward throughout the entire playoffs. So I'm really

(36:18):
proud of the progress that we've made.

Speaker 1 (36:21):
Yeah, I mean, it definitely feels like if you focus
on your game, you can beat anyone. You've showed that
already through the postseason. Underdog's my ass, obviously, the rallying cry.
We've seen some opportunities for bulletin board.

Speaker 2 (36:32):
Material, whether that's just being the eighth seed.

Speaker 1 (36:34):
I mean, that's what you earned, but still you can
decide that that doesn't define you. There's also a graphic
that went up on the website for the Washington Spirit
after they won their semi final match, saying, come see
us and support us against the Pride and the Final,
even though y'all hadn't played the Pride yet and they
didn't make it.

Speaker 2 (36:50):
Do you think about that? Do you channel that as
you're getting ready for Saturday?

Speaker 10 (36:53):
Yeah, I'm someone who definitely stays away from the media.
I think in big moments like this, for me, I'm
you know, just trying to lean on the people around me,
and there's all where you know, there's already enough pressure,
I think, so it's not engaging with any of the media.
It's always you know, fun in games, but I think
for me it's best to just kind of stay away

(37:14):
from that before games and channel, you know, what I
can do in the game, not add anything extra to it.

Speaker 1 (37:20):
It's also a roll of dice, because like you might
see something that you fired up, or you might see
something and you're like, oh, now I'm.

Speaker 2 (37:26):
Thinking about that, Yeah exactly.

Speaker 1 (37:28):
Yeah, who's the celebrity from any industry you'd most be
excited to see pitch that on Saturday?

Speaker 7 (37:33):
Ooh, that's a good question.

Speaker 10 (37:35):
I think the first one that comes to mind, only
because I'm watching Scandal right now, is Olivia Pope, and
just like her character in general, Yeah, my roommate, her
aunt actually represents her, so I think she has met
her before, but just always talks about how she carries
that that character kind of into her life and.

Speaker 2 (37:55):
She like embodies it in general. So I think that's
super cool.

Speaker 10 (37:59):
But also just players from like other leagues and just
being able to see different women and male.

Speaker 2 (38:05):
Athletes show up for us in general.

Speaker 10 (38:07):
So yeah, I'm excited to see who does show out,
but at the same time, I think most of it
will just be I'm just trying to lot on the.

Speaker 2 (38:15):
Field, right.

Speaker 1 (38:17):
Fun random carry Washington fact is that before she married
Nomdi awesome lob, back in the day, she was dating
the guy who played the younger kid in Big Okry
Hanks movie, the.

Speaker 2 (38:26):
Guy Josh Baskin.

Speaker 1 (38:27):
I don't know his real name, and I randomly was
in a flag football game against him and she was
there watching his girlfriend, and it was like.

Speaker 2 (38:35):
Wait, what a random event.

Speaker 1 (38:37):
He was like before scandal, but she was kind of
a little bit known a little bit, and I was like, wait,
that actress lady is dating Josh Baskin. And then like
years later I was like, whoa, that was Kerry Washington.
I have a lot of random stories from like my twenties.
That's also and it's just the most random ass people.

Speaker 10 (38:51):
Awesome, good luck on Zeay, thank you so much, appreciate it.

Speaker 1 (38:54):
She's a forward who joined got them in September from
the North Carolina Courage and won.

Speaker 2 (38:58):
Gold but the national team in Paris.

Speaker 1 (39:00):
A Frisco, Texas native, she brings the country to the
big city. She's a dog, but she's no underdog. It's
her birthday. It's Jada Cho twenty one.

Speaker 3 (39:11):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (39:12):
Shot, shot, shot, shot, not yet, shot, not yet after party.

Speaker 3 (39:15):
No, you have to wait to that after party.

Speaker 2 (39:17):
Okay, Okay. I heard you had a little celebration.

Speaker 1 (39:21):
Team had a little celebration after the semi final win
and you were just sitting there.

Speaker 2 (39:24):
Like, oh so close.

Speaker 11 (39:26):
Yeah, there was like champagne on the plane from like
I think Kansas City to home.

Speaker 3 (39:31):
Like I was like, you know what, it's not worth
it right now.

Speaker 11 (39:34):
I have one week, like one more game and yeah, we're.

Speaker 3 (39:39):
Gonna have a big celebration after.

Speaker 2 (39:41):
So it's not the time to have your first drink
wink wink.

Speaker 1 (39:46):
You just never know reacted so right, safety first, I mean,
what's it like celebrating a birthday twenty one with this
incredible success all season?

Speaker 2 (39:59):
Barber Chick.

Speaker 1 (40:00):
The last couple of weeks preparing for a title game,
I presume family coming in to see, like, yeah, it's
a lot, like you've already accomplished more than most people
ever could dream of and you're just twenty one.

Speaker 2 (40:10):
Now.

Speaker 3 (40:11):
Yeah, I mean it is so crazy.

Speaker 11 (40:13):
But I'm like, I keep saying high risk hy reward
for my birthday, Like we're here in the championship, like
we're going to win, We're gonna have a big celebration,
And there's actually a lot of birthdays this week, like
Callan's tomorrow, Josie's birthday is also today. Yeah, I'll my
team Sonnets is coming up after the game, so yeah,
it'll be it's a fun week. So yeah, I think

(40:35):
we're all just like keeping the good vibes going into
the game, and knowing that we're playing for the trophy,
we're playing for all the vibes, and we're playing for
my birthday.

Speaker 1 (40:45):
I was gonna say, you just made me think of
this like high risk Kyroward, because it is the kind.

Speaker 2 (40:50):
Of birthday where you're like, oh, this is what I
did for.

Speaker 1 (40:52):
My sweet sixteen, or like I remember my twenty first
and you're gonna be like I'll feel lost, or like
we've won.

Speaker 2 (40:58):
Okay, give me that fit. I'm just saying like it could.

Speaker 1 (41:01):
Be the story of your life that you're like, yeah,
I remember my twenty verse or yeah my twenty first
was amazing, Like we won the freaking title. I've been
celebrating with all my teammates. Okay, take me to the kick.
The free kick in the semi final. Were you going
for goal? Were you trying to set up team? It's like,
what did you have in your mind as you prepared?

Speaker 11 (41:23):
Yeah, I mean it was a little bit far out,
but I was still going for goal. I think me
and Rose, like I said before, has a really good
understanding of what we want our picture to look like
for who's gonna take it, and I think we're very
clear on that.

Speaker 3 (41:37):
And yeah, just like knowing.

Speaker 11 (41:38):
That I've prepared all week, like even the past couple
of weeks, just like working on the free kicks, working
on the range and what I want to put on it,
and yeah, I think just stepping up in that moment
I was going for a goal. I was trying to
slot it in the you know, lower corner. It was
like obviously, like really nice to have my teammates like

(41:59):
there to like make it chaos, which is part of
our free kicks. So that's also really helpful to know that,
like as long as I put it on frame, like
my teamates are gonna do their job as well.

Speaker 3 (42:09):
So but yeah, I'm just like really happy. I mean,
it was so late in the game. I was like
I couldn't believe it.

Speaker 11 (42:13):
Like I had my hands on my head, like I
was like so tired at that point.

Speaker 3 (42:18):
So it was just like really nice to see it
that goal for everyone.

Speaker 1 (42:22):
The scene of you and Rose looking at each other
right after it went in and embracing.

Speaker 3 (42:26):
We kind of hesitated a little, mate.

Speaker 2 (42:28):
It was almost like neither of you could believe it.
Wait you went in.

Speaker 3 (42:31):
Yeah, we were like, are you gonna run some mirror?
I'm gonna run to you.

Speaker 1 (42:34):
So in that moment when you're both lined up, is
it a number that your coach calls that decides which.

Speaker 2 (42:38):
One of you is actually kicking? Between you?

Speaker 3 (42:41):
It's us, So right.

Speaker 2 (42:42):
Before you decide, and how do you what if you're
both like I got this, I.

Speaker 11 (42:45):
Feel it Just like it depends on you know, like
where the wall sets up, where the goalkeeper sets up,
Like obviously it makes it a little difficult for the
goalkeeper because you don't know which one of us is
gonna take it, so that obviously helps. But yeah, we
just like try to see where they set up and
who has the better angle to put it where they've
trained all weeks.

Speaker 2 (43:04):
So that is teamwork. Yeah, that is teamwork.

Speaker 1 (43:07):
Okay, why do you think you've had such success since
arriving I got them.

Speaker 11 (43:12):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's hard not to be
successful in this environment. I think there's so much support,
so much encouragement here. I think I just feel so
comfortable in this environment.

Speaker 3 (43:23):
I feel so free on the field.

Speaker 11 (43:25):
I feel like everyone wants me to win and everybody
you know, wants me to be the best version of
myself and vice versa.

Speaker 3 (43:31):
So yeah, I just feel so supported in this environment.

Speaker 11 (43:33):
Whether I make a mistake or I score, you know,
the winning goal, I think I just yeah, I love
being here. I'm happy and I feel like truly like
these are my sisters and I want to like fight
for them and you know, go to war every weekend
for these girls. So yeah, it's it's been really fun
being a part of this group, and I'm really grateful,
you know, from you know, the owners all the way

(43:54):
down to my peers around me in the locker room.

Speaker 3 (43:57):
So yeah, it's been great.

Speaker 2 (43:58):
You made a specific quote game or two ago.

Speaker 1 (44:01):
Trying something again without hesitation and not getting screamed at
or pulled off the field or feeling like someone's gonna
come in and replace you after you make a mistake
is something I really feel in this environment, like you
are able to try, try again, make a mistake and
be okay.

Speaker 2 (44:15):
Tell me more about that.

Speaker 11 (44:16):
Yeah, I mean I think for me, like with the
way that I like to play, it's with so much
confidence and like a little bit of swag, a little
bit of like I know, like that I can you know,
beat you. That I'm gonna like take more risk and
that I'm gonna you know, step up for this team.
And I think that's something that I really feel that
I'm allowed to do in this environment, and that you know,
the coaches support me in that, and they want me

(44:38):
to make mistakes, they want me to take risks. They
want me to you know, dribble and shoot and do
it again and again whether it goes in the goal
or not.

Speaker 3 (44:45):
And they trust me in that, and I.

Speaker 11 (44:48):
Think that's really important for me and the continued growth
of me as a player and as a person, just
knowing that I bring value to this team and I
bring value to the game and playing through that, and
also like leaning on my teammates. I think, like everyone
plays with so much confidence, so much swag, Like it's
so hard not to be that as well, and me
coming in like even like I've been in the league

(45:09):
for a few years now, but like being a young
player still, like I feel like I look up to
so many of these players, Like we have some of
the best players in the world here, and it's it's
hard not to feel like like you're on top of
the world every time you step out on the pitch.

Speaker 1 (45:22):
Even when you're the eighth seed, which leads you to
saying things like underdog mine. Did you think that would
end up on T shirts?

Speaker 11 (45:29):
Absolutely not, absolutely not. If I knew that, I would
probably have not said it. But I mean it was
the truth. That was how I felt in that moment,
and I think like the team ate it up, like
I was really happy that everybody was happy that I
said that, Like I was like, okay, so we.

Speaker 3 (45:43):
Lifted off my shoulders. I'm sorry on my cuss And
now it's on a T shirt.

Speaker 11 (45:47):
But she we oh, she's gonna be wearing Okay, good,
she will be wearing all I think. Yes, I'm pretty
sure it is like bleeped out. But she's like she
grew on her. She like lookey, like to that out
of me because I'm typically like a little bit more
like I'm not a huge like mess talker trash talker,
and she definitely is so like she was like, yes, like, mom,

(46:09):
I can see it.

Speaker 3 (46:10):
I can see it, bruin, Oh, Mama, Shaw can go
to war. Yeah she is. She will forever be my
emergency contact. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (46:19):
What do you think makes Gotham so special? What makes
this team so special?

Speaker 11 (46:23):
I mean there are so many things. I think just
looking around the room. I think just knowing that I
have the absolute best players in the world around me,
knowing that you know, we're going up against another team,
and I see a I look around me and like,
I just have amazing players. And I think like the
grit that this team has, like finding a way to

(46:45):
win even when it isn't looking pretty, just like working together,
like fighting for each other, like I said before, going
to war for each other.

Speaker 3 (46:53):
Like I feel like has what's gotten us to this point.

Speaker 11 (46:55):
Like I haven't been here that long, but that's something
that I like truly feel in my heart, like when
I'm on the field, like I'm just like when I
see someone, you know, put in a nasty tackle or
like a slide or like you know, celebrate after something,
like it's so contagious and it's something that I want to.

Speaker 3 (47:11):
Be for the next person.

Speaker 11 (47:13):
And I don't know if you guys heard, but like
before the Kansas City game, the locker room was a
lot quieter than typical, like not as many people, you know,
up dancing around, Like everybody was like in their zone.

Speaker 3 (47:23):
They knew exactly what they had to.

Speaker 11 (47:24):
Do going into that game, and it ultimately showed. So yeah,
I mean there's so many things I could go on
all day about this team, Like it's so special to
be a part of this group and to be in
this moment getting ready for the championship game.

Speaker 1 (47:36):
All right, let's see if you could go on all
day about this next question. It makes the Spirit special.

Speaker 11 (47:42):
I do have a little special plays in my heart
for the Spirit. That's where I kind of started, not officially,
but started. So yeah, I mean they have an incredible
group obviously, they have so many threats. They have, you know,
so many players that have been you know, amazing this year,
and people say that this.

Speaker 3 (48:00):
Arrival, I don't really know. I just got here if
it's a rivalry or not.

Speaker 2 (48:03):
But you know, the forty fourth meeting the most.

Speaker 4 (48:07):
History.

Speaker 3 (48:07):
That's actually crazy. I didn't pick out.

Speaker 11 (48:10):
I didn't know that, but yeah, I mean I think
that they're going to bring their a game as well,
and it's up to us to better it. And I think, yeah,
just looking at their team, like you said, we played
them a million times, so just knowing that this one
is the one that really matters.

Speaker 1 (48:26):
When you're thinking about how to beat them, what's the
one area of focus, game, attack, approach, strategy that you
most have to think about stopping?

Speaker 3 (48:33):
Well, of course, they're forward threats.

Speaker 11 (48:35):
I think Kroy is incredible, Like we're friends. Like she's
like so creative and has like those little like twinkled toes,
like she's just like so good on the ball and
Tren Obviously, I don't know if she'll you know, fully
be back after ne but like if she is, like
it's awesome for her and I'm you know, happy that
she's back from her injury.

Speaker 3 (48:57):
She obviously brings so much.

Speaker 11 (49:00):
She's so dynamic up top and she's lethal in front
of goal.

Speaker 3 (49:03):
So how we.

Speaker 11 (49:04):
Can minimize that obviously, Quasi give a gift Monday, bring
a lot. Tara McKeown just one defender of the year. Like,
she's obviously a really good table for their back line.
So just knowing that they're gonna have, you know, players
in place to bring a good game, and like I said,
it's up to us to match it and better it
and bring you know what we know that we can

(49:26):
to this game.

Speaker 1 (49:27):
Who's the celebrity that you get most excited if you
saw they were pitched that on Saturday?

Speaker 11 (49:32):
There are so many, Like I've been saying, someoneboos today,
that's kind of what I'm going for. Yeah, I saw
the stud Budzer here or my friends, so fun to
see them here. Maybe like Tom Cruise, like so random,
but like that was just like that was the most
random thing I think I've had all day.

Speaker 3 (49:50):
Tom Cruise.

Speaker 2 (49:51):
Okay, Tom Cruise, good luck on Saturday.

Speaker 7 (49:53):
Thank you.

Speaker 1 (49:55):
Great to hear from the ladies of New York, New Jersey.
We got to take a another quick break when we return.
Best trash Talker and best fits. When the Good Game
Awards crashed, the NWSL Awards.

Speaker 2 (50:11):
Welcome back Slices.

Speaker 1 (50:12):
Part of this week's festivities included the first ever NWSL
Awards on Wednesday at the San Jose Civic Center, again
not the Civic Center, San Jose. Producer Alex and I
were there work in the blue carpet and rubb and
elbows and shoulders and hips and knees and outstretched arms
holding mics with our fave soccer media y'all. The carpet
was packed packed ahead of the league handing.

Speaker 2 (50:34):
Out MVP and more.

Speaker 1 (50:35):
We invented a few new awards of our own, first
Best trash Talker, and I almost bet you can guess
who got the most votes. I'll let Gotham's Jess Carter,
the Currents Kayla Sharples, and the Spirits Tara Mickey Oone
tell you. Okay, So we've invented two new awards. One
is the best trash talker in the NWSL.

Speaker 9 (50:54):
Who you got emiy Sonnet She would make me once
at all step foot back on that footble fitch, and
she was against me.

Speaker 4 (51:00):
I have heard I don't get a experience a love,
but I've heard Emily saw it.

Speaker 3 (51:04):
Probably Emily saw in it.

Speaker 2 (51:06):
Yes, I believe she's gonna get all the votes. I'll
be excited.

Speaker 6 (51:08):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (51:09):
Trinity Rodman also said Emily's on it, but only after
giving herself top honors first, and teammate Croy Bethune said
Trin too also seems like the Washington Spirits, asmy Morgan
and hal hirshfelt get pretty spicy in practice together.

Speaker 2 (51:22):
Take a listen.

Speaker 3 (51:24):
Maybe cal hirshfelt, I'm.

Speaker 10 (51:26):
Tired of it as we chatting me at practice, that's
for sure.

Speaker 1 (51:28):
That's funny because she named you no the next invented
Good Game Award best fits in the NWSL the Casey
Currents Izzy Rodriguez named one of her teammates.

Speaker 8 (51:38):
I'm gonna say, Michelle Cooper has some pretty good fits
for our team for sure.

Speaker 2 (51:42):
Gotham's Jess Carter shouted out one of her teammates.

Speaker 3 (51:45):
Money freemum every day, I see you.

Speaker 9 (51:48):
Just found yesterday in like ten minutes and puts together
every game day fit.

Speaker 3 (51:52):
She always looks.

Speaker 1 (51:53):
Fire, but by far and away, a pair of Washington
Spirit players earned the most votes for this one. Here's
Tara mickeyon asby Morgan hal Hirschfelt, Riley Tiernan, and Kayla
Sharples giving them their props.

Speaker 5 (52:05):
I've been saying Trinity Rodman best fits Trinn and Kroy.

Speaker 3 (52:08):
They always slay absolutely icons, probably Trinn and Croy.

Speaker 5 (52:12):
I can't decide between which one, but both of those
girls bring it every single time we got to fit
up for some bed.

Speaker 7 (52:18):
I would have to say Trinity Rodman's.

Speaker 3 (52:21):
Trinity or Croy. I think that they always consistent.

Speaker 2 (52:25):
And look fired Croy.

Speaker 1 (52:26):
Bethune tried to shout out Trinity as well, but got
nudged by Trent to give another answer.

Speaker 4 (52:30):
Okay, see something, Okay bring Michelle Alosier. I look Crowdfitch.
She's actually here today in rout Milisotian sounds awesome.

Speaker 1 (52:37):
As for Trinity herself, she had a big list of
stylish players and included herself too.

Speaker 5 (52:42):
Match definitely Michelle, I would say Croy.

Speaker 3 (52:48):
I would say Mandy Freeman, myself, Monday dev I don't know.

Speaker 5 (52:53):
Everybody has their own thing going, which I think is cool.

Speaker 1 (52:56):
Finally, a little game of good game Red Rover, we
asked the player which opponent they'd most like to turn
into a teammate. First, Tara mickeyone, who reluctantly selected a
pair of strikers.

Speaker 3 (53:07):
Probably Bander Chewinga.

Speaker 2 (53:08):
Yeah, smart as me. Morgan wanted to be reunited with
an old friend.

Speaker 3 (53:13):
That's a good.

Speaker 11 (53:13):
Question, Raisa vel I played with her at Months Day
and she was just seeing Credibiles, so I'd probably won't
just try and steal her.

Speaker 3 (53:19):
Could her and Croy in midfield would be crazy?

Speaker 1 (53:22):
Hal hirsch Felt hoped for a college reunion, probably Caroline.

Speaker 3 (53:25):
Conti and my college roommate from afc.

Speaker 2 (53:29):
Riley Tiernan chose a spirit standout.

Speaker 10 (53:32):
I'm gonna have to say Croy.

Speaker 2 (53:35):
Kayla Sharples was just looking out for her best interest.

Speaker 3 (53:38):
I'm constantly going up against boards. I would honestly say
Trinity as well.

Speaker 1 (53:42):
Then you don't have to worry about exactly Sharpele's teammate
is he Rodriguez chose a standout forward.

Speaker 3 (53:48):
Really cool to watch Ludila. I think she had some
really fun breakout games, and I think she'd be a
fun player of player.

Speaker 1 (53:53):
Trinity Rodman went for a legend I mean Martha, Yeah, yeah,
and so did.

Speaker 2 (53:58):
Croy Bethune Yeah, I say Marta.

Speaker 1 (54:02):
I'm starting to think Tren and Croy spend too much
time together sharing a brain those two. As for the
actual awards given out by the NWSL, tien Wishewinga earned
MVP honors, becoming the first ever back to back.

Speaker 2 (54:13):
MVP of the league. She also took home the.

Speaker 1 (54:15):
Golden Boode Award and won First Team Best Eleven honors
along with four of her Kansas City Current teammates, the
Washington Spirits Tara mckeyon one Defender of the Year. Midfielder
of the Year went to Monaka Matsukoba of the North
Carolina Courage got the FC's Lily Reel One Rookie of
the Year. The Kansas City Currents Lorrainer earned Keeper of
the Year and Racing Louisville's Bevan as one Coach of

(54:36):
the Year. And if there was an award for most
beautiful mermaid inspired red carpet Goddess, it would have to
be Angel City's Ali Riley. Perfection Gorgeous put her in
the Louver, steal her from the Louver.

Speaker 2 (54:49):
No notes.

Speaker 1 (54:50):
Also, congrats to the NWSL on two great new events.
We love to see Championship Weekend expand and to see
the players and teams get the coverage, attention, adoration, and
some they deserve.

Speaker 2 (55:01):
All right, we got to take another quick break when
we come back.

Speaker 1 (55:04):
Your biggest homework assignment yet, Welcome back, Slaics. We always
love that you listen, but we want you to get
in the game every day too. So here's our good
game plays of the day. Watch the NWSL Championship. It
kicks off at five pm Local time eight pm Eastern
and you can watch on CBS and Paramount Plus. And

(55:26):
don't forget that Season three of the PWHL begins with
a double header tonight. The two time defending champion Minnesota
Frost hosts the Toronto Scepters at seven pm Eastern, and
the league's two new teams meet when the Vancouver Goldeneyes
hosts the Seattle Torrent at ten pm Eastern. Plus, you
got the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament continuing today with.

Speaker 2 (55:44):
The final four.

Speaker 1 (55:45):
Number two Princeton faces number three Harvard at twelve pm Eastern.
Then the defending champions Northwestern take on number one seed
UNC at two thirty Eastern. The title game is on
Sunday at one. We'll link to the bracket in our
show notes. The NCBLE Women's Soccer Tournament continues this weekend
as well, so we'll link to that bracket too, and
don't miss one of the best hoops matchups of this

(56:07):
young season as number one Yukon host Number six Michigan
tonight at eight eastern on Fox. Okay, we know that's
a lot of homework slices, but we believe in you
and we always love to hear from you, So hit
us up on email good game at Wondermedia neetwork dot com,
or leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two
o four fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe, rate

(56:28):
and review. It's easy watch Kenza Dolly's MJ inspired fit
rating one of one pair of suspenders spotted on the
Blue Carpet review the San Diego Waves. Kenza Dolly nominated
for NWSL Midfielder of the Year was Rocket, a blue
carpet look inspired by none other than the Goat himself,
Michael Jordan, who she's mentioned that she admires in many

(56:51):
interviews over the years. Brown trousers, suspenders, white dress shirt
and a brown, orange and beige Paisley tie, almost a
perfect match to MJ's mid nineties locker room look. We'll
link to Kenza and MJ Twinning in the show notes.
Now it's your turn, y'all, rate and review. Thanks for listening,
See you next week. Good Game, Spirit, Good Game Gotham

(57:14):
c two civic centers in San Jose, the San Jose
Civic Center where I was supposed to be on Thursday,
and the Civic Center in San Jose, which is actually
a light rail stop ten minutes away that shows up
on Google Maps when you put in Civic Center, and
where I made an unexpected first stop on Thursday before
finding my way to the actual San Jose Civic Center.

Speaker 2 (57:32):
Get It Together, San Jose.

Speaker 1 (57:37):
Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You
can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or
wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network,
our producers are Alex Azie, Grace Lynch, Taylor Williamson, and
Lucy Jones. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz,
Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Writer,

(58:00):
Britney Martinez, and Gianna Palmer. Production assistants from Avery Loftus
and I'm your host, Sarah Spain

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Hide a Body Kinda Teams: NWSL Championship Weekend with Washington Spirit & Gotham FC