Episode 164! Dino and Grant look ahead to this weekend's NWSL action and preview all seven week 18 matchups:
Racing Louisville v Houston Dash
Orlando Pride v Gotham FC
Seattle Reign v San Diego Wave
Portland Thorns v Utah Royals
KC Current v North Carolina Courage
Washington Spirit v Chicago Stars
Angel City v Bay FC
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Your Hosts: Dino Decespedes & Grant Engle
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:03):
Hello, OK, welcome to Into the Channel podcast premiere about
What's football. I'm your host Dino de Cespedes
and as always I'm joined by my Co host Mr. Grant Engel.
What is that man? I'm feeling fantastic, buddy
Match week 18 is upon us and I'mjust, I'm just ready to talk
about some more football with you.
I'm ready man. I think week 17 probably
(00:26):
represented like the league swing back into maybe maybe
shaking off some of that rust. I feel like we got some some
good football, not not great peak football, but I think we're
just about back match week 18. I hope we'll have a lot in the
store, some good match ups and shout out to us.
We did a thing. It's tough kind of knocking
(00:48):
through these seven match ups. You know, we don't necessarily
want to go chronology every time.
So shout out to you, you, you, you set up some tears for us.
And then I think we're able to group this week's 7 matchups
into 3 tiers. Excellent love a good tie ring
system, you know, a a watch guide, if you will the into the
channel. What should you watch and what
(01:10):
should you maybe put on the second screen while other things
are happening? Who knows?
But you know, we're not here to tell you how to live your life.
We're just here to to throw out informed suggestions.
I like it tier #1 we've we're we're calling this the absolute
must watch tear. This is basically clear the
(01:30):
schedule and for this week. I don't know, I'm not sure if
you agree. I'm I'm I'm I'm curious about
your take on this, but the matchup that I'm dying to see for for
a few different reasons. Give me the Orlando pride
hosting Gotham FC. Obviously you get you get
Orlando, you get the the the post band Orlando situation.
(01:52):
You get potentially Lizbeth ovale situation, maybe join the
team. You get Orlando on an icy cold
streak. Have not won a match since June
13th. I mean that's not tough.
If if you if you bet that one props to you.
I don't think anybody had that. And and then on the other side,
you get Gotham who need need something.
(02:16):
I think you know, they're they're very dangerously close
to being on the outside looking in.
They're they're tied for 8th right now with North Carolina
Courage pretty healthy advantagegoal differential wise, but they
really are hanging on to that final playoff spot.
And this is a team that had to have, I think, more lofty, you
know, aspirations than that coming into the year.
Yeah, no doubt. I mean, I think it's been a
(02:37):
frustrating season for Gotham. You have a stare, you know,
playing lights out, getting a lot of goals early, especially
before the especially before theinternational break.
And like you said, they're just kind of barely staying afloat.
So they're going to have to go to Orlando, probably play in
some more extreme heat. I don't know what the exact
(02:58):
forecast is down in Orlando. I'm going to take a wild shot in
the dark and guess very hot would be my assumption.
And yeah, we'll see if Elizabethof IA Plays makes your debut in
front of the home crowd, nicknamed La MAGA for the
Magician. And I got to say, people down in
Florida probably very psyched when they read that her nickname
(03:21):
is La Maga MAGA. But then I think they'll be very
disappointed after they realize that it's a women's football
team. But I digress.
I had to get the La Maga joke inthere.
I I'm very excited to see OVA play and I hope she does.
I love it. I'm the fully behind that
rebrand and actually you, you bring up a I'm glad you brought
(03:43):
brought this to brought this up refreshed in my mind.
Did did you ever see the Ali documentary When We Were Kings
or the Ali movie starring Will Smith?
Oh, I think I've seen most of the Ali movie with Will Smith.
I haven't seen the documentary though.
I should I should watch it? Must watch documentary it it
(04:06):
recounts the rumble in jungle, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman,
you know, from Kinshasa and Zaire.
Just a very super cool. I mean one of the it's my
favorite sports documentary for sure.
But in that documentary, there'sa famous segment that was
recreated in the Will Smith movie where the crowd starts
(04:26):
screaming Ali Bumaye, which transit to Ali, kill him.
And I'm going to put the call out right now to everybody we
know. Orlando, John Luis Adastra,
Hayley Carter, Seb Hines. I need Lizbeth Obaye to the tune
of Ali Bumaye as often as possible.
(04:50):
Can we can can we make this happen?
Like I just want I just want this to be a thing.
You know, there there's an Orlando Pride sized hole in my
heart. I miss that glove.
I miss covering that glove everytime I see something's happening
and I want to ask Kylie Nadaner about or said Heinz about.
It's a real bummer. But this would be, you know, me
having a little little foot footstill in Orlando with what's
(05:12):
going on. So our friends of Orlando,
please help us make that happen.I love it.
I know Ed Astra's like plugged into the supporters club down
there as as far as I know. So, you know, I think, I think
we could make it happen. Love it, Let's do it.
Some ovaa. Some OVAA.
That's all I had there. You go, how about 80?
(05:34):
That's the rhythm. 81 Maybe I can talk myself into a quarter.
81 appearances for the Mexican national team. 20 goals.
Eight years for Tigris, the club's all time leading scorer
for Ovi. 100 I love this part. 136 Goals, 103 assists, 239 goal
contributions and 294 appearances.
So a team that needs goals, needs assist, needs creativity.
(05:58):
A player like Ovi, much, much, much needed, but I think
Orlando's going to need more than that.
I think, you know, in our last episode, we talked about
Chulufia kind of on the ascent, but maybe needing to now take
another two or three steps up, you know, if if this year is
going to be salvageable. But another player I wanted to
call out Carrie Abello. We just have not seen Carrie
(06:20):
Abello affect matches the same way she did last season.
You know, so obviously last year29 appearances, 28 starts.
This year, I think she's at like10 starts from 17 matches.
And then you look at her shot creating actions per 90 and
they've, they've dropped the last three seasons, 2.79 per 90
(06:40):
down to 2.14 last year down to 1.66 this year.
So in a year where you need morestuff, you need, I don't know,
you just need stuff. I I feel like Abella is a player
that if you could get, if you can get her reinvigorated,
reintroduce into this offense that like, you know, like just
creating more. I think, I think that could
(07:01):
maybe also be an unlock along with a couple of players that we
are we have already mentioned. Yeah, for sure.
They need, they need something, they need a boost from one or a
couple different areas on the pitch.
Well, I love the Abello call out, you know, because we when
when she is really going, the attack looks completely
(07:23):
different. She changes the geometry of the
field. So from from your lips to God's
ears, my good man. Yeah, Speaking of the big guy
upstairs and Cariobello downstairs, let's let's let's
crack a beer to to some of the some of the All Star players
that we're talking about and highlighting in this episode.
You know, things are getting dryand thirsty around here and it's
(07:47):
just a lot to celebrate. It's a match Week 18, man.
You know, the football doesn't last forever each season,
unfortunately, maybe fortunatelyfor the athletes rest and for
their well-being. But you know what?
We got this. And I guess that means nine
matches remaining in the in the regular season.
So some moving and shaking to bedone on the table, except maybe
(08:11):
the number one spot. I think that one's pretty sewn
up. But yeah, I'll be interested.
I'll be very interested to see how this one plays out, because
if it's a straight up loss for Gotham, we're talking real scary
hours I think. Yep, getting very dangerous and
yeah, good math by you. I had some math from from my end
as well. I went to talk a little Ester
(08:32):
obviously leading the Golden Boot race, eleven goals this
season. I, I I want to zoom in a little
bit because what esters are ableto do and it's going to lead me
to another discussion as well. But Ester in the box, she just
turns every chance into a shot. So I, I actually went and looked
at the numbers. I'm like, how, how drastic is
(08:54):
this? So this season you've got Ester
and Chewinga both on eleven goals.
Banda, obviously she's got the injury, she's got eight goals.
I'm going to compare numbers for, for these three players for
Banda to get a goal. She's averaging 17.1 box touches
this season. So every 17 touches, Banda,
Banda gets a goal. You look at Tem with Chewinga
(09:16):
9.8 box touches to get a goal. You look at Ester Gonzalez 7.5
box such as she's getting a goalevery 7 1/2 box, such as that is
out of this world. That's out of this world that
you can get out of the ball 8 times in the box in a match and
you know you're getting a goal, You know you're walking away
with a goal. Not, not, not just like it could
(09:38):
be an assist, could be others, you know, like that's just off
the charts. I mean, she's just super lethal.
And it leads me to a point that I think is a real issue for what
what I'm going to call the American striker.
And it it, it really, it's been kind of ruminating in my head
for a while. But in the Angel City versus
Orlando Pride match last season last week, I'm sorry, the, the,
(10:02):
the match opens with Riley Tiernan kind of like breaking
away, getting a look and then like essentially rolling a shot
to Anna Warhouse. And the announcer's like, Oh
yeah, I, I love that, you know, like, you know, make Anna
Morehouse feel you're there, youknow, put a shot on frame.
And I'm like, I can guarantee you nothing worries Anna
(10:23):
Morehouse less than a ball rolling at her at 2 miles an
hour, like 3 minutes into the match.
I can guarantee you that had zero effect on the match
whatsoever. And I keep seeing this with like
American Strikers. It's like, put it on frame, you
know, just like, just put it or roll it.
You know, they they had this toowith, with Adriana Lyon against
Bloomer where Adrian Leon smokesa shot 120 miles an hour, looked
(10:47):
like it was going, it goes high.And then she was like, well, you
got to put that one on frame. I'm like, how about Jordan
Bloomer saving everything? That might be the only window
that you have. And it's a weird thing with with
it feels like the American strikers have this tendency to
like have this feel like it's additive when really it's not in
(11:08):
a game like, you know, like Angel City Orlando, that might
have been the only shot. I mean, Angel City's got to wait
another 70 plus minutes to actually get their goal at the
end of the match. So I don't I I don't think in
this league you can really give away those chances.
I'm very curious to hear it. Am IA weirdo?
Am IA little bit of a psycho or or does this kind of rub you the
wrong way as well? If you you know, if you can't
(11:29):
get around on one or if a defender is on top of you and
you can't get power on it, or ifyou're kind of falling in the
other direction and you and you think you can get a good hit on
it and you can't. I think that's all
understandable. But I'm I'm 100% with you that
that soft ass shot from right around the the top of the 18.
I don't think it does anything. Yeah, I don't.
(11:51):
It doesn't put any pressure on the goalkeeper.
All it does is give them some time to to pick it up and look
around and figure out how they're going to redistribute.
And when you think about a player like a stare and why, why
it's 7 1/2 box touches to get a goal, it's because what doesn't
she do right? She has a genius first touch.
(12:12):
She has great hold up play she had for a diminutive player.
She's she's really strong, like especially compared to a lot of
the defenders out there. And again, for someone her size,
she can win the ball in the air.These these are the kind of
things that you need to be, you know, the top, top tier as a
striker. Yeah, no doubt.
And I think Orlando will definitely have their hands full
(12:35):
with a stare. But you know, Gotham's they
they've definitely sputtered offensively.
So it could be, could be an opportunity for each of these
teams to get right against each other.
We'll see who comes out on top. That was my I don't know.
Did you have another absolute must watch?
I apologize. I kind of tiered these things.
I've got the next I've got four matches and Tier 2, which I I'm
(12:57):
calling strong watch and then football is football Tier 3
named by you Appreciate that. I've got two matches there.
How do you feel about how I've kind of how I've kind of set
these up to to date? The only ones that I think I
might bump up to a must watch isI, I think I'm with you on
(13:20):
Louisville Houston dash. Like I'm very I, I'm very
interested to see what that's going to look like.
Now, how well does Houston travel?
You know, what do they look likeagainst Louisville who who
looked great in their win over San Diego?
And then I, I mean, obviously it's a must watch because I have
a press credential and I must gothere to watch it to cover it.
(13:42):
But I mean, Seattle rain is 6th on the table.
San Diego wave is third on the table.
And the rain need a win about asbadly as you could need it while
you're sitting at 6th in the table.
And if it's a six point swing, if they get it done, they will
tie San Diego Wave on points. They'll still, unless they beat
(14:03):
them five to nothing, they'll bebehind them on goal differential
No 3. 3 Nothing because it was just plus 3 and -3.
Oh yeah, yeah, look at you. See, I, I I thought I was
crushing the math earlier and then here it comes to bite me.
But yeah, so I mean, although I'm not going to hold my breath
that they'll beat them 3 nothing.
(14:24):
But yeah, I think it's I think it's just a it's a pretty
important match. And if you look at San Diego
coming out of the break, what their one win, 2 draws, one
loss. So it's it's kind of a, it feels
like a gotta have it game for both of those clubs.
Yeah, I I agree with you that I don't foresee A3 nil Seattle
(14:46):
win. In my notes I've got first goal
wins. I have like either of these team
teams have a have any kind of rhythm offensively to the point
where you know, they're going tofeel comfortable.
And I think each of these seems defensively can make it
difficult. You know, obviously the wave
don't let you get the ball. They connect every pass.
They press Seattle's physical and you know, they they do a
(15:08):
little bit of the same. And we'll see, you know, if if
San Diego's got the quality all the way up field to be able to
cash in And and if Seattle, I don't know, I I think Seattle
for me, the first thing I'm looking at is a line up.
You know, like how much firepower are they including the
last few line UPS we talked about last episode have been you
just look at the line and be like, this is going to be a lot
(15:30):
of things need to go right for them to even get one on the
board, let alone two, let alone walk away with some points.
So that's going to be the first place I'm going to look.
I wanted to rewind though, real quick to the Louisville Houston
dash that the other match up that we thought could be a
fringe absolute must watch. Yeah, I'm going to be watching
in this one. Emma Sears VS Avery Patterson.
(15:51):
I like that. I love that US women's actual
team matchup. We didn't talk about last
episode, but I got a such a kickout of Sam Coffey just
terrorizing Claire Hutton, Ali Sentinor, you know, for KZ
Curry, like, you know, just sending that US women's action
Team alpha message to those players looking over at the
sideline. Where's Michelle Cooper?
(16:11):
Why is she in the game? Oh, she's in the game now.
I'm going to go foul her. Like she was like, just like
that. I just love that energy.
Maybe we get a little bit of that with Emma Sears versus
Avery Patterson as well. Louisville, I mentioned to you
last episode, I've got them ranked three in my power
ranking, so check this out. They're currently in 7th, 4
points behind San Diego Wave, who they just beat away handily.
(16:33):
But the key thing that you're looking at here, so I mentioned
they're in 7th. They've already played two games
versus the Kansas City Current, two games versus the Washington
Spirit, two games versus the Orlando Pride and two games
versus the San Diego wave. So OK left on Louisville's
schedule, Houston, Portland, Seattle, Utah, Angel City, the
(16:58):
courage, Chicago stars, Gotham and Bay FC.
There might be two playoff teamsamongst those nine.
So if you're Louisville, I'm go ahead.
If do it, go ahead and do it. I'm I'm not going to do
anything. I'm not going to do anything
crazy. I've already got them ranked
three in my power rankings. I, I defy anyone on the Internet
(17:20):
to have them ranked higher in their power rankings.
And you know, I'll send you an angry post on blue sky.
Or maybe I won't. Maybe I'll just ignore it.
But either way, I'm out here. I've got Louisville at least
earning themselves a home playoff match.
I'll I'll put my name. OK.
All right. That's where you that's where I
wanted you to go. OK, I was going to say if
they're 3 in your power rankingsto me, I mean, the logic would
(17:42):
dictate they're hosting the playoff game.
Yeah, I was like, what are they?Are they lifting trophy?
I'm not going to, you know, you know, I go, OK, I take it.
I take it all the way out, take it all the way out to the.
You know, yeah, that's understandable.
That's why, that's why, you know, that's why the streets
love you, man. That's what we're that's what
we're doing out here. You know, out there playing Big
10 football. They got Sarah Weber and Emma
(18:03):
Sears from The Ohio State University leading the way.
I mean, really, Sarah Weber's not really leading the way, but
she's she's contributing. She's pretty well.
I like it playing pretty well. Yeah, I got got some edge to her
too. But yeah, like we talk about
Taylor Flint every single time. She's just been an absolute
beast all over the field, you know, bloomer and goal.
(18:25):
Yeah, I I like it. I think I arrow pointing up for
racing Louisville. Let's just see.
I mean, we've been warned. We've seen them kind of, you
know, have weird swoons at the wrong time in these last few
years of us following the league.
So let's see how it works. But I mean, I think they're
built. I think they're built a little
(18:47):
differently this year than the past couple years that we've
been paying attention to. Yeah, they're, they're, they're
so nasty. And I and I love how often
Bevyanez comes up when they whenthey talk about their identity
and like, you could just kind ofsee how it's woven through.
I don't really I'm not really too familiar with Bevyanez's
game when she was a player, but you can already you can just see
all you need to know from how how things get discussed and the
(19:10):
little snippets that we do get into our coaching.
But I continue to love this team.
I'm really pumped about this team.
Let's go to the match up that features the team at the very
top of the table against the team that's, you know, on the on
the outskirts for sure of the playoff picture.
Kansas City current hosting North Carolina Courage.
(19:31):
I think I think he had this one labeled exactly right.
This is a strong watch because Kansas City current is involved.
I mean, I think for anybody who who pays any little bit of
attention to the NFL, if PatrickMahomes is playing, probably
going to watch. If Tim Watshawinga is playing,
probably going to watch. Like, I mean, this is kind of
this is kind of where we are. I think courage looks better
(19:55):
since the departure of Shawnee House.
I think they're probably. You know, a multitude of factors
or why they they are looking better, but I think they might
be in real trouble in this one because I mean it like what
other way? What other way do you see it
going other than another Kansas City current victory?
(20:17):
I think you know the thing aboutthe Nahaw situation.
You know, you don't really know.You know what what the new
manager bounce situation was necessarily, but I'm not sure
how much better they look. They look different.
I'll say, you know, they're playing more wide open.
They're utilizing more of the skills that some of their
players have, like Lucy or JadenShaw or you know, like just kind
(20:40):
of like opening things up and then letting players giving a
little bit more freedom. I think that's kind of paying
off a little bit. They're also giving up goals the
other way, I think against Caseycurrent on the road, I think
they're going to have to play somewhat of a perfect match even
just to get a result. But we talked about it on the
the week 17 recap episode. If you're Vladco, you know, we
(21:01):
saw him play Michelle Prince. We've seen some line up, you
know, sort of like we're gettingto that point of the season.
I think you you kind of clinchedthe shield for them too last
episode. And if that's the case, if
that's kind of how they're feeling, you could see some not
necessarily take the foot off the gas, but maybe experiment on
some stuff, some different player combinations.
And sure, I I think they could still kind of cruise against the
(21:22):
North Carolina curbside at home even with some of that
experimentation. Probably, and it is weird too,
because, you know, I like so many other defensive players.
I mean, you already know what time it is with Ryan Williams
and Kaylee Kurtz, but they've just been they courage has just
looked so easy to beat in some of these, you know, attacking
runs where you're just kind of able to run through them.
(21:43):
So the last team in the United States of America that you would
want to look easy to beat on defense against would be the
Kansas City Current. So I don't have high hopes for
him, but I'm going to watch because it's the Kansas City
Current. We'll see.
I had one more match in the strong watch category and that
is the Washington's period versus the Chicago Lucia Milos.
(22:06):
Let's fucking go. I'm kind of, I'm into this one.
I think. I think we've seen Washington.
I mean, obviously Washington, they gave up two goals and they
were dying to give up another one to BFC and they they've,
they've just been beatable. So you're talking about teams
that look beatable defensively. I think they're right up at the
top of the list, especially for the good teams.
And it's very rare that you see a player.
(22:31):
I, I loved your Christian Okoye call off from last episode.
It was just so good because you rarely see a player that
physically has the tools where you're just like, if that player
does the right thing, if they ifthey make a precise run that's
perfectly timed, there's no defense.
And I think we saw Lujemila do that to North Carolina three
(22:55):
different times last weekend. And and it's just such a special
treat to watch a player that physically can offer something
that there is no counter for. And I think there could be
something in this Washington Spirit match where, you know
what we talked about Ali Schlagel ball Lugemila, we saw
(23:15):
Jimmy's Joseph get, you know, get some minutes.
I think I don't know the, the Chicago side's starting to get a
little bit of their mojo. And I don't know, it could be,
it could be a good formula for for some productivity from that
side against the Spirit side that's, that's looked a little
bit gettable. You ready for the heavyweight
fight or the match? It will be 1 Lugemila versus 1
(23:36):
Tara Mickey own, assuming she's healthy after.
I mean, she was really, she was kind of taking an ass kicking in
that match first Bay. I mean, she had a couple, yeah,
a couple rough spots there. I was, you know, really
concerned for her in a couple different spots.
But she's fucking tough, dude. I mean, she's she's got to be
one of the absolute toughest players in the league.
(23:57):
And I think that therefore one of the toughest players in the
world. So I'll be interested to see if
she gets the start. I mean, she was an Iron Woman
last year, I think one of the seven in the league last year.
You know, she never came out of the match against Bay FC either.
So I'll be, I'll be, you know, real interested to see what that
looks like. And you know, Esme Morgan gonna
(24:19):
have to try to slow down Luzhmila as well.
You still have Rebecca Bernal and how Hirschfeld kind of in
those defensive midfielder positions.
So Luzhmila's gonna have her work cut out for her.
But I mean, the 30 year old Brazilian feels like she is apex
of her prime ish right? She hits the the handspring into
(24:42):
the backflip after she scores one of those goals last week.
Like she's she's cooking on all cylinders.
So you know, I don't think she'sgoing to be afraid of a physical
game. I expect Washington Spear to
play a physical game against herthough.
It's funny because she hit the back, the back, the back spring,
(25:03):
the back, flip hand, whatever it.
Was I don't even know, I said back Spring.
I don't know what I'm talking about.
Back spring sounds right. Well, she she hit the maneuver
and the camera was still at the zoomed out angle like, you know,
usually like there's like this, but she did it so fast.
She's like her balls and she does she does like her her sick
tumble. I mean, just what a player to be
watching on the Washington side,though, I think offensively, you
(25:28):
know, they're they're they've got that All Star team issue
where they've got so many good players.
Like this weekend was just like,all right, this was not going to
be a quasi gift. You know, like they're, they're,
they just move the pieces aroundand, and I think like, I'm
really interested to see if somehierarchy starts to develop
offensively with them because, you know, they, they've, they've
(25:51):
got the firepower, they've got the talent.
But now the chemistry I think isstill a little bit up in the
air, but plenty of time to get it done.
And I think a home match versus Chicago may be a good
opportunity to start, you know, cranking up some of that
chemistry. You know, and as we gear up for
our show, as we gear up for the UEFA Women's Champions League
(26:13):
over in Europe, you know, I often forget and lose sight of
Kagaf W Champions Cup, where Washington Spirit defeated
Alianza. Where's Alianza?
From El Salvador? They beat them by a humble score
of seven to nothing, where Kowasi had a hat trick, Ricketts
(26:33):
got one, Ratcliffe got 1, Rodmangot 1 and Cantori got 1.
So I think that was partly responsible for some of the
rotation in the squad. But to your point, when you got
a ton of great players, you're able to do that kind of thing.
Yeah, I mean, but you also want to have, you know, every team
(26:54):
outside of the Kansas City Current, if they want to really
compete, if they're serious about competing, has to make two
or three or four strides betweennow and the end of the season.
You know, So if you're the spirit, you're not, you know,
you're nowhere near where you need to be.
I think I think anybody would kind of like think that even
within the organization. You mean look at Hedaldo's
(27:15):
moving on, you know, and I thinklike the the the change there
and like figuring out right, howdo we establish ourselves?
So we're going to have to see a little bit more, you know,
consistency in the lineup in theattack.
You know, I think like, you know, I love your McKeon poet.
You know, they McKeon and Hirschfeldt combined on a take
away. I think it was Taylor health
(27:35):
that they took the ball away from that ends up leading
leading to the Corey Bethune goal.
Like I think it was 1 pass away.I think it was a McKeon take
away Hirschfeldt to Bethune and then the balls in the back.
And that that just had quickly reminded me of the the tandem
interview when I when Hal Hershfeld told me that they won
the Challenge Cup by thugging itout and then Terry McGill was
was behind. Hershfeld was like she's like,
(27:56):
yeah, quote that like. And I was yeah, I will.
That was a great quote. I appreciate it.
Thanks, Al Thanks, Sarah. So yeah, they did Terry McGill
and Hal Hershel continue to collab and cause trouble, you
know, within the most world. So I appreciate that for sure.
Two more matches to hit, though these two both in the football's
football category. Doesn't mean we're not going to
(28:17):
watch, but suffice it to say, we're not going to.
We're not cancelling any appointments or clearing any
schedules or moving moving anything around to to make sure
that we're in prime position to catch these two matchups.
But let's start with the first one.
Portland Thorns, Utah Royals. What do we need to know about
this one? I mean, I think it's bad news
(28:39):
for Utah Royals. I mentioned it on the last
episode. Portland tends to seems like
they have the ability to bounce back from a disappointing loss.
They did that when they defeatedSeattle Rain FC in the Cascadia
rivalry. And I think you know, they're
they're coming off this the difficult loss versus Kansas
City current. I think they might take it out
(29:01):
on a Utah Royals team that is just understandably going to be
outgunned in this match up. So I don't know what the line's
looking like. I don't know what the goal line
is looking like. But if if there was a, if there
is a -, 1 1/2 available for a reasonable price, I'd absolutely
take it. And I might even take a look at
(29:21):
the -2 and. 1/2 Interesting. Let me make the case the other
way. Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I, you
know, kind of like play a littledevil's advocate.
Utah, to their credit, since moving on from Ali Settinore
last four matches, just two goals allowed.
Like I said, I think they've been playing some spirited ball
no wins over that stretch, but they they did notch 3 draws one
(29:45):
against the Orlando pride once against one against Gotham FC,
one against Angel City. So this team not necessarily
getting rolled, you know, since since Ali 7 or leaves, you know,
as mentioned, 3 points in their last four, just eight points on
the season. So a little bit of a heater.
You can call it that, but eitherway, I think they're they're
(30:06):
going to show up and and try to continue to like put put good
film on tape. But Portland, I, I think I agree
with you. I think this they're going to
treat this as a little bit of like a sparring session.
You know, take it out on the heavy bag a little bit that that
is Utah. I think they are kind of like a
a notch below that that top thattop class.
But I do have them in my top 6. Interesting couple stats here
(30:27):
for Portland. Fourth most goals scored this
season for Portland and 4th fewest goals allowed this season
for Portland. So for on those two metrics,
this is a top four team. The one thing that I think is a
problem is, you know, we mentioned this at the beginning
of the season. No Sophia Wilson, that was going
to be an issue. No Christine Sinclair, that was
going to be an issue. The goals are going to have to
(30:49):
come from somewhere. I think they got, you know, a
nice boost from Raylyn Turner, anice boost from Pietro Torden.
But these four players, I'm going to read you the number of
shots they've attempted, the number of goals they've scored,
OK. Hina Sugita, 28 shots, zero
goals. Dana Castellanos, 28 shots, One
(31:11):
goal. Mimi Alidou, who looks shredded,
by the way. Shout out to the strength and
conditioning in Portland. I could barely recognize Mimi.
They're just fucking out here doing it.
Ten shots, one goal. Olivia Moultrie, 38 shots, three
goals. You look at those four players,
Sugita Moultrie, Alidou Castellanos, that's 100 and four
(31:32):
shots this season, 5 goals across those four players.
I think if Portland's going to be really serious about
contending with some of the big dogs, it can't be 5 out of one O
4. It's got to be 10131450.
They've got to do a little bit better than that.
They, they, they need these players to kind of stretch
outside of what's normal for them to make up for, you know,
(31:55):
sort of like the lack of firepower up front.
It'll be interesting to see if there is like a, whatever you
want to call it, a maybe not a regression to the mean, but an
advancement toward the mean. I guess.
I mean, Sugeeta, like from my recollection of the match
against Seattle Rain, she had something that looked like a
(32:16):
sitter. And, you know, Claudia Dickey
kind of like swallowed it up andlike got it like right in her,
in her stomach. But I mean, it was a great
effort by Dickey. But if you're Sugeeta and you're
of her, especially of her quality, you feel like you got
to score that like from point blank range.
So I'll be interested to see if they're able to kind of, you
know, get it going and maybe they maybe they stop, you know,
(32:39):
hitting the rim and start going in like in basketball.
But it's a great point by you. Like if if you're taking shots
from inopportune areas and othersituations and you're just
hitting those shots that we talked about like at the top of
the show where it's like I'm getting a shot but there's no
real danger whatsoever of the keeper letting it in, then
(32:59):
really it's just a shot for the sake of a shot.
And you're not going to win matches that way.
Yeah, no doubt. I think, yeah, we'll, we'll,
we'll see if Portland's able to kind of like generate.
I mean, they don't need much. They're in all these matches.
They're they're not really getting blown.
I don't think they've lost. I think they've got 2 losses by
two goals. There are other three losses I
(33:21):
believe are by one goal. So they're in every single one
of these matches. They don't need a lot, but they
need more than what they're getting for sure.
And again, that's just against this upper the upper echelon of
league. So Utah, probably a good
opportunity to kind of like get back on track here.
One more match to hit football'sfootball.
What are you going to say? The battle of the big California
(33:41):
metropolis is Angel City FC versus Bay FC.
I think it's safe to say these two two teams are probably non
playoff teams, maybe arrows pointing, I think slightly up
for Angel City and maybe at best, you know, spinning in a
circle from from B for Bay FC. How are how are you thinking
(34:02):
about these two teams? I want to see what Angel City
looks like the rest of the year.I mean, you know, they're one
point behind Gotham now. Obviously, they're nine behind
them in the goal differential. But, you know, here's here's my
principle again. I like their roster.
They have good, talented players.
(34:23):
Yeah. I think it's going to take a
little bit for them to kind of get everything up and running.
It's a, it's, you know, a quality win over our Orlando
Pride. As heartbroken, as heartbreaking
as it was, Alexander Strauss needs to implement his system
and kind of figure out these players.
(34:43):
One thing that I think we did miss discussing, so we're going
to be way late on this discussing it, but did you see
after the after Angel City drew Utah Royals two weeks ago, they
they end in a nil, nil draw. Not an enjoyable football game
to watch. This is truly a footballish
football match. But the one of the reasons why I
(35:06):
was glad I watched it is as the post game is going on and
they're waiting, the broadcast is waiting for a player to come
over to interview. Alexander Strauss was laying
into that squad about drawing Utah in Utah.
And I think it was, you know, I'm not, I'm not a lip reader,
but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that he was telling him
(35:29):
that that effort was unacceptable if you want to be a
successful team in the league. And I liked it and it and it
seemed like the players were locked in and kind of nodding
along and we're like, yeah, we're better.
Like we that's that doesn't meetour standard.
And I, I kind of that that kind of made me raise a little bit of
an eyebrow and like, OK, let's see, let's see what happens as
(35:51):
the team goes on and now they they come back and they get a
one nil win versus Orlando. Yeah.
I mean the the results kind of or the results kind of speaks
for itself in that instance. I think we'll see what they're
able to do on the stretch. They're they're going to be.
I mean, I think the one spot that's available is the Gotham
spot. I think Seattle they're you
know, they're they're fully wobbling for sure.
(36:12):
But I don't I think they'll be able to get it back on track
only because they've got offensive talent that's for
whatever reason been sidelined last last few matchups.
But I think that Gotham spots gettable for Angel City.
I think about making a pick. It's funny man, because Houston
is like 2. They're they're two points by
(36:32):
I'm sorry, they're one point by Angel City, which is like I'm
still in the mindset of like, all right, it's Houston, Chicago
and Utah at the bottom. And I think I I've had the last
last week or so. I've had to like really change
my tune there. But I don't know that.
Let's see from Gotham, North Carolina, Angel City, Houston.
I think from that mix, I think Iwould pick Houston to grab that
a spot. So that makes this match up at
(36:56):
home for Angel City versus Bay amassive match up.
You need the 3 here. And if you're Bay FC, you know,
my home squad that I'm I'm covering a bit out here.
It's tough. I mean, I like, I like the
players, I like Montoya, I like the organization, I like, I like
what they're doing. The one thing that gives me
pause is nothing seems to be changing.
(37:19):
It seems to look a lot like it did last week.
And I think the last couple times I've I've gotten the
chance to talk to you, some of the players, you know, Sokowitz,
Montoya, my, my big question is like, what's what's new this
week? What did you change?
Like what, how did, how are you approaching this week
differently than last week? Because we're at like 3-4 weeks
in a row where it's like that nothing's happening.
(37:39):
I think this team's lost three O5.
They haven't won in a while. I think they're going to have to
we're going to have to see. I mean, I'm not in in the in the
in the owner. I'm not in any kind of decision
making position, but I have to imagine the folks that are are
going to want to see something alittle different than we've seen
the last five, six matches here from Bay.
Yeah, I mean, probably, I mean, you know what I was like coming
(38:03):
out, coming out of the break, there are two draws, 2 losses,
zero wins. So you know, you gotta you gotta
get points to to stay in the playoff hunt.
So, you know, I talked about theBethune goal in our last
episode. We were kind of recapping the
last week. She just has way too much space.
There's a second opportunity where she just had way too much
(38:24):
space. Sometimes I think that the
defense in general just looks really stretched.
Even in moments where the ball is coming down the central
channel and the defense still kind of looks stretched.
I'm not sure exactly like what'shappening there.
I know when we spoke to our palsfrom expected own Goals podcast,
(38:45):
you know, they talked about how last year when Bay kind of
started to make that run to grabthe final playoff spot at the
end of the season, they played amore defensive packed in style
and then built out the attack from there.
And they've since gone away fromit.
And it would appear that the results are looking more similar
to the early season results lastyear where they were giving up
(39:08):
way too many goals and and not getting enough opportunities
upfront. Yeah, no doubt.
I think you got to look at Abby Dalcampere who was the the big
acquisition last year, whose acquisition kind of aligned with
like your, your offense to defense mentality switch.
And then obviously Emily Manga is not not involved this year
either. That makes it tricky.
(39:30):
Yeah, it it's just a lot of fluxand I can't, you know, honestly,
I can't really pick, I can't really pick on the players.
I mean, I think all those defenders, Hubbley, you know, if
she gets to go last, last, last match up.
And I think defensively she's been I I like how Hubbley plays
Didasco, I think has been more up and down this season,
obviously like a little bit moreadvanced age.
(39:52):
But defensively this team doesn't really have like they
don't look organized. They don't look like they're a
they're a step ahead. They don't look like they have a
strategy. They look like they're
constantly chasing. They're constantly just.
You know, running from spot to spot a little bit slow, a little
bit behind, not really kind of anticipating or, you know, they
don't really have a defensive identity.
(40:12):
Honestly, they're just out therekind of playing defense and
looking at, you know, got to getthe ball and go the other way.
That's something that definitelyis going to have to change for
sure. You know, I mean, I think this
season a little bit, you know, we're getting we're getting
really close to the to the wave,the white flag portion of the
year. But I think going forward,
they're going to have to figure out how to how to change it up
(40:33):
because this the way they're defending is just not they look
like sometimes they look like the like the worst defense in
the league. And that's that's a tough spot
to be in considering all the firepower, you know, top to
bottom. Yeah, I, I think it, it's one of
those situations where it's likemaybe it takes 2 transfer
windows to be like, not to be too pessimistic, but like if you
(40:56):
got that many spots to fill, youknow, I know in this league
we've seen, you know, obviously you have the Benda acquisition
last year for Orlando, a team that has historically been in
the cellar no matter who they had on that team surrounding
Marta. And then you, you get Benda and,
you know, things, things turn around.
But yeah, I think it's as the league grows more competitive
(41:19):
and the rosters are getting moreand more stacked, as we've
talked about many times. I think it might.
It's either going to take a couple awesome moves in one
window or maybe 2 windows for for beta kind of get it turned
around. Yeah, I think that's right.
One thing we do know, get that goalkeeper position locked down
(41:39):
so I can go. All right, Damn right.
Episode calendar. We will be back with NWSL Week
18 recaps. We'll also be back with some
Champions League action TBD. We'll figure out what what's
happening when with regard to that, you know, so it was still,
I've still got the, the newborn haze, you know, floating through
my vein trying to figure out howto unfog that that part of my my
(42:01):
mind. But either way, we'll be back
very, very soon. Talk a little end of this week
18 as mentioned. And even though Champions
League's early, I don't know, but there's a couple matches I
think your your boys will have their eyes on and we might, we
might have some thoughts and takes on that.
So definitely keep it locked. All right, man.
Anything else you want to hit before we get out of?
Here. No, I think that's it.
(42:21):
I mean, do do I fully know how the Champions League works this
year? Don't don't ask me questions
like that. It's none of your business.
You, you will. We'll just do the show.
You worry about that. So like I do, I have a rough
idea of how this is going to work.
I think I do. You know, I'm, I'm going to try
(42:42):
to, I'm, I'm gonna try to, I'm gonna give you the benefit of
the doubt and say you're not being passive aggressive with me
for not doing a machinations episode, which, you know,
obviously it's, it's, it's August.
You know, we're, we're overdue for my UEFA Champions League
machinations episode. So I, I take your point, I take
your feedback. That's OK.
We'll, we'll, we'll get to it ideally before we before we
(43:02):
really get cooking here. There was literally no feedback
in that. I'm like very hazy on it.
I don't expect, I don't expect you to educate me, buddy.
I, I got, I'm owned 50% of this too, man.
I got AI got to figure it out, but we'll figure it out as we go
along. Look, Manchester United versus
PSV, very interested to see whatthat's going to look like.
(43:23):
Obviously, you know, the Brown battalion in full force taking
on into into Milan what our palsat Slavia Prague, they're
playing phone get Genschlik Vesport from some league.
I don't know what league they'rethey're they're playing in.
So we'll we'll kind of see how that goes.
(43:44):
Like this is the joy of the of the UEFA Women's Champions
League. Hammerby is playing medalist
1925 Kharkiv. I mean, come on, man Medalist.
Like. Let's go like.
They better come out to like, you know, Du Haast by Rammstein
or something like that. Like, I don't know, I'm not
(44:06):
exactly sure. Am I painting with A broad
brush? Am I going to sound culturally
ignorant for not knowing where they are?
They're in the Ukrainian PremierLeague, so let's go shout to
them. We'll we'll see how we'll see
how that one goes. So oh man.
And their logo kind of looks like the Michigan Wolverines.
All right, we're we're falling down the rabbit hole here.
Sorry, already getting excited for Champions League.
(44:30):
Yeah, Ukraine, Big 10 country, who knew?
All right, man, this has been another episode of into the
channel. Thank you, thank you, thank you
for watching, listening, hangingout.
If you enjoyed the show or love as well as much as your boys do,
make sure you kick it with us each and every single week.
Like subscribe, follow YouTube, Spotify, Apple podcast, wherever
you like to watch or listen. Leave us a review over your
favorite podcast app, links to all of our socials except one in
(44:50):
the show notes of this episode. And a big thank in my coast as
well, Mr. Graham Angle for putting up with the crying baby
in the background. I appreciate you bro.
It's a beautiful sound, my good man.
I'm happy for you. I'm I'm also happy that
everybody continues to rock withus.
Thank you for always dropping knowledge in the comments and we
will see you all next time. Jackie Ovaya, Jackie Ovaya.
(45:13):
Let's go. Champ is here.
Hello, OK, welcome to Into the Channel podcast premiere about
What's football. I'm your host Dino de Cespedes
and as always I'm joined by my Co host Mr. Grant Engel.
What is that man? I'm feeling fantastic, buddy
Match week 18 is upon us and I'mjust, I'm just ready to talk
about some more football with you.
I'm ready man. I think week 17 probably
(00:26):
represented like the league swing back into maybe maybe
shaking off some of that rust. I feel like we got some some
good football, not not great peak football, but I think we're
just about back match week 18. I hope we'll have a lot in the
store, some good match ups and shout out to us.
We did a thing. It's tough kind of knocking
(00:48):
through these seven match ups. You know, we don't necessarily
want to go chronology every time.
So shout out to you, you, you, you set up some tears for us.
And then I think we're able to group this week's 7 matchups
into 3 tiers. Excellent love a good tie ring
system, you know, a a watch guide, if you will the into the
channel. What should you watch and what
(01:10):
should you maybe put on the second screen while other things
are happening? Who knows?
But you know, we're not here to tell you how to live your life.
We're just here to to throw out informed suggestions.
I like it tier #1 we've we're we're calling this the absolute
must watch tear. This is basically clear the
(01:30):
schedule and for this week. I don't know, I'm not sure if
you agree. I'm I'm I'm I'm curious about
your take on this, but the matchup that I'm dying to see for for
a few different reasons. Give me the Orlando pride
hosting Gotham FC. Obviously you get you get
Orlando, you get the the the post band Orlando situation.
(01:52):
You get potentially Lizbeth ovale situation, maybe join the
team. You get Orlando on an icy cold
streak. Have not won a match since June
13th. I mean that's not tough.
If if you if you bet that one props to you.
I don't think anybody had that. And and then on the other side,
you get Gotham who need need something.
(02:16):
I think you know, they're they're very dangerously close
to being on the outside looking in.
They're they're tied for 8th right now with North Carolina
Courage pretty healthy advantagegoal differential wise, but they
really are hanging on to that final playoff spot.
And this is a team that had to have, I think, more lofty, you
know, aspirations than that coming into the year.
Yeah, no doubt. I mean, I think it's been a
(02:37):
frustrating season for Gotham. You have a stare, you know,
playing lights out, getting a lot of goals early, especially
before the especially before theinternational break.
And like you said, they're just kind of barely staying afloat.
So they're going to have to go to Orlando, probably play in
some more extreme heat. I don't know what the exact
(02:58):
forecast is down in Orlando. I'm going to take a wild shot in
the dark and guess very hot would be my assumption.
And yeah, we'll see if Elizabethof IA Plays makes your debut in
front of the home crowd, nicknamed La MAGA for the
Magician. And I got to say, people down in
Florida probably very psyched when they read that her nickname
(03:21):
is La Maga MAGA. But then I think they'll be very
disappointed after they realize that it's a women's football
team. But I digress.
I had to get the La Maga joke inthere.
I I'm very excited to see OVA play and I hope she does.
I love it. I'm the fully behind that
rebrand and actually you, you bring up a I'm glad you brought
(03:43):
brought this to brought this up refreshed in my mind.
Did did you ever see the Ali documentary When We Were Kings
or the Ali movie starring Will Smith?
Oh, I think I've seen most of the Ali movie with Will Smith.
I haven't seen the documentary though.
I should I should watch it? Must watch documentary it it
(04:06):
recounts the rumble in jungle, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman,
you know, from Kinshasa and Zaire.
Just a very super cool. I mean one of the it's my
favorite sports documentary for sure.
But in that documentary, there'sa famous segment that was
recreated in the Will Smith movie where the crowd starts
(04:26):
screaming Ali Bumaye, which transit to Ali, kill him.
And I'm going to put the call out right now to everybody we
know. Orlando, John Luis Adastra,
Hayley Carter, Seb Hines. I need Lizbeth Obaye to the tune
of Ali Bumaye as often as possible.
(04:50):
Can we can can we make this happen?
Like I just want I just want this to be a thing.
You know, there there's an Orlando Pride sized hole in my
heart. I miss that glove.
I miss covering that glove everytime I see something's happening
and I want to ask Kylie Nadaner about or said Heinz about.
It's a real bummer. But this would be, you know, me
having a little little foot footstill in Orlando with what's
(05:12):
going on. So our friends of Orlando,
please help us make that happen.I love it.
I know Ed Astra's like plugged into the supporters club down
there as as far as I know. So, you know, I think, I think
we could make it happen. Love it, Let's do it.
Some ovaa. Some OVAA.
That's all I had there. You go, how about 80?
(05:34):
That's the rhythm. 81 Maybe I can talk myself into a quarter.
81 appearances for the Mexican national team. 20 goals.
Eight years for Tigris, the club's all time leading scorer
for Ovi. 100 I love this part. 136 Goals, 103 assists, 239 goal
contributions and 294 appearances.
So a team that needs goals, needs assist, needs creativity.
(05:58):
A player like Ovi, much, much, much needed, but I think
Orlando's going to need more than that.
I think, you know, in our last episode, we talked about
Chulufia kind of on the ascent, but maybe needing to now take
another two or three steps up, you know, if if this year is
going to be salvageable. But another player I wanted to
call out Carrie Abello. We just have not seen Carrie
(06:20):
Abello affect matches the same way she did last season.
You know, so obviously last year29 appearances, 28 starts.
This year, I think she's at like10 starts from 17 matches.
And then you look at her shot creating actions per 90 and
they've, they've dropped the last three seasons, 2.79 per 90
(06:40):
down to 2.14 last year down to 1.66 this year.
So in a year where you need morestuff, you need, I don't know,
you just need stuff. I I feel like Abella is a player
that if you could get, if you can get her reinvigorated,
reintroduce into this offense that like, you know, like just
creating more. I think, I think that could
(07:01):
maybe also be an unlock along with a couple of players that we
are we have already mentioned. Yeah, for sure.
They need, they need something, they need a boost from one or a
couple different areas on the pitch.
Well, I love the Abello call out, you know, because we when
when she is really going, the attack looks completely
(07:23):
different. She changes the geometry of the
field. So from from your lips to God's
ears, my good man. Yeah, Speaking of the big guy
upstairs and Cariobello downstairs, let's let's let's
crack a beer to to some of the some of the All Star players
that we're talking about and highlighting in this episode.
You know, things are getting dryand thirsty around here and it's
(07:47):
just a lot to celebrate. It's a match Week 18, man.
You know, the football doesn't last forever each season,
unfortunately, maybe fortunatelyfor the athletes rest and for
their well-being. But you know what?
We got this. And I guess that means nine
matches remaining in the in the regular season.
So some moving and shaking to bedone on the table, except maybe
(08:11):
the number one spot. I think that one's pretty sewn
up. But yeah, I'll be interested.
I'll be very interested to see how this one plays out, because
if it's a straight up loss for Gotham, we're talking real scary
hours I think. Yep, getting very dangerous and
yeah, good math by you. I had some math from from my end
as well. I went to talk a little Ester
(08:32):
obviously leading the Golden Boot race, eleven goals this
season. I, I I want to zoom in a little
bit because what esters are ableto do and it's going to lead me
to another discussion as well. But Ester in the box, she just
turns every chance into a shot. So I, I actually went and looked
at the numbers. I'm like, how, how drastic is
(08:54):
this? So this season you've got Ester
and Chewinga both on eleven goals.
Banda, obviously she's got the injury, she's got eight goals.
I'm going to compare numbers for, for these three players for
Banda to get a goal. She's averaging 17.1 box touches
this season. So every 17 touches, Banda,
Banda gets a goal. You look at Tem with Chewinga
(09:16):
9.8 box touches to get a goal. You look at Ester Gonzalez 7.5
box such as she's getting a goalevery 7 1/2 box, such as that is
out of this world. That's out of this world that
you can get out of the ball 8 times in the box in a match and
you know you're getting a goal, You know you're walking away
with a goal. Not, not, not just like it could
(09:38):
be an assist, could be others, you know, like that's just off
the charts. I mean, she's just super lethal.
And it leads me to a point that I think is a real issue for what
what I'm going to call the American striker.
And it it, it really, it's been kind of ruminating in my head
for a while. But in the Angel City versus
Orlando Pride match last season last week, I'm sorry, the, the,
(10:02):
the match opens with Riley Tiernan kind of like breaking
away, getting a look and then like essentially rolling a shot
to Anna Warhouse. And the announcer's like, Oh
yeah, I, I love that, you know, like, you know, make Anna
Morehouse feel you're there, youknow, put a shot on frame.
And I'm like, I can guarantee you nothing worries Anna
(10:23):
Morehouse less than a ball rolling at her at 2 miles an
hour, like 3 minutes into the match.
I can guarantee you that had zero effect on the match
whatsoever. And I keep seeing this with like
American Strikers. It's like, put it on frame, you
know, just like, just put it or roll it.
You know, they they had this toowith, with Adriana Lyon against
Bloomer where Adrian Leon smokesa shot 120 miles an hour, looked
(10:47):
like it was going, it goes high.And then she was like, well, you
got to put that one on frame. I'm like, how about Jordan
Bloomer saving everything? That might be the only window
that you have. And it's a weird thing with with
it feels like the American strikers have this tendency to
like have this feel like it's additive when really it's not in
(11:08):
a game like, you know, like Angel City Orlando, that might
have been the only shot. I mean, Angel City's got to wait
another 70 plus minutes to actually get their goal at the
end of the match. So I don't I I don't think in
this league you can really give away those chances.
I'm very curious to hear it. Am IA weirdo?
Am IA little bit of a psycho or or does this kind of rub you the
wrong way as well? If you you know, if you can't
(11:29):
get around on one or if a defender is on top of you and
you can't get power on it, or ifyou're kind of falling in the
other direction and you and you think you can get a good hit on
it and you can't. I think that's all
understandable. But I'm I'm 100% with you that
that soft ass shot from right around the the top of the 18.
I don't think it does anything. Yeah, I don't.
(11:51):
It doesn't put any pressure on the goalkeeper.
All it does is give them some time to to pick it up and look
around and figure out how they're going to redistribute.
And when you think about a player like a stare and why, why
it's 7 1/2 box touches to get a goal, it's because what doesn't
she do right? She has a genius first touch.
(12:12):
She has great hold up play she had for a diminutive player.
She's she's really strong, like especially compared to a lot of
the defenders out there. And again, for someone her size,
she can win the ball in the air.These these are the kind of
things that you need to be, you know, the top, top tier as a
striker. Yeah, no doubt.
And I think Orlando will definitely have their hands full
(12:35):
with a stare. But you know, Gotham's they
they've definitely sputtered offensively.
So it could be, could be an opportunity for each of these
teams to get right against each other.
We'll see who comes out on top. That was my I don't know.
Did you have another absolute must watch?
I apologize. I kind of tiered these things.
I've got the next I've got four matches and Tier 2, which I I'm
(12:57):
calling strong watch and then football is football Tier 3
named by you Appreciate that. I've got two matches there.
How do you feel about how I've kind of how I've kind of set
these up to to date? The only ones that I think I
might bump up to a must watch isI, I think I'm with you on
(13:20):
Louisville Houston dash. Like I'm very I, I'm very
interested to see what that's going to look like.
Now, how well does Houston travel?
You know, what do they look likeagainst Louisville who who
looked great in their win over San Diego?
And then I, I mean, obviously it's a must watch because I have
a press credential and I must gothere to watch it to cover it.
(13:42):
But I mean, Seattle rain is 6th on the table.
San Diego wave is third on the table.
And the rain need a win about asbadly as you could need it while
you're sitting at 6th in the table.
And if it's a six point swing, if they get it done, they will
tie San Diego Wave on points. They'll still, unless they beat
(14:03):
them five to nothing, they'll bebehind them on goal differential
No 3. 3 Nothing because it was just plus 3 and -3.
Oh yeah, yeah, look at you. See, I, I I thought I was
crushing the math earlier and then here it comes to bite me.
But yeah, so I mean, although I'm not going to hold my breath
that they'll beat them 3 nothing.
(14:24):
But yeah, I think it's I think it's just a it's a pretty
important match. And if you look at San Diego
coming out of the break, what their one win, 2 draws, one
loss. So it's it's kind of a, it feels
like a gotta have it game for both of those clubs.
Yeah, I I agree with you that I don't foresee A3 nil Seattle
(14:46):
win. In my notes I've got first goal
wins. I have like either of these team
teams have a have any kind of rhythm offensively to the point
where you know, they're going tofeel comfortable.
And I think each of these seems defensively can make it
difficult. You know, obviously the wave
don't let you get the ball. They connect every pass.
They press Seattle's physical and you know, they they do a
(15:08):
little bit of the same. And we'll see, you know, if if
San Diego's got the quality all the way up field to be able to
cash in And and if Seattle, I don't know, I I think Seattle
for me, the first thing I'm looking at is a line up.
You know, like how much firepower are they including the
last few line UPS we talked about last episode have been you
just look at the line and be like, this is going to be a lot
(15:30):
of things need to go right for them to even get one on the
board, let alone two, let alone walk away with some points.
So that's going to be the first place I'm going to look.
I wanted to rewind though, real quick to the Louisville Houston
dash that the other match up that we thought could be a
fringe absolute must watch. Yeah, I'm going to be watching
in this one. Emma Sears VS Avery Patterson.
(15:51):
I like that. I love that US women's actual
team matchup. We didn't talk about last
episode, but I got a such a kickout of Sam Coffey just
terrorizing Claire Hutton, Ali Sentinor, you know, for KZ
Curry, like, you know, just sending that US women's action
Team alpha message to those players looking over at the
sideline. Where's Michelle Cooper?
(16:11):
Why is she in the game? Oh, she's in the game now.
I'm going to go foul her. Like she was like, just like
that. I just love that energy.
Maybe we get a little bit of that with Emma Sears versus
Avery Patterson as well. Louisville, I mentioned to you
last episode, I've got them ranked three in my power
ranking, so check this out. They're currently in 7th, 4
points behind San Diego Wave, who they just beat away handily.
(16:33):
But the key thing that you're looking at here, so I mentioned
they're in 7th. They've already played two games
versus the Kansas City Current, two games versus the Washington
Spirit, two games versus the Orlando Pride and two games
versus the San Diego wave. So OK left on Louisville's
schedule, Houston, Portland, Seattle, Utah, Angel City, the
(16:58):
courage, Chicago stars, Gotham and Bay FC.
There might be two playoff teamsamongst those nine.
So if you're Louisville, I'm go ahead.
If do it, go ahead and do it. I'm I'm not going to do
anything. I'm not going to do anything
crazy. I've already got them ranked
three in my power rankings. I, I defy anyone on the Internet
(17:20):
to have them ranked higher in their power rankings.
And you know, I'll send you an angry post on blue sky.
Or maybe I won't. Maybe I'll just ignore it.
But either way, I'm out here. I've got Louisville at least
earning themselves a home playoff match.
I'll I'll put my name. OK.
All right. That's where you that's where I
wanted you to go. OK, I was going to say if
they're 3 in your power rankingsto me, I mean, the logic would
(17:42):
dictate they're hosting the playoff game.
Yeah, I was like, what are they?Are they lifting trophy?
I'm not going to, you know, you know, I go, OK, I take it.
I take it all the way out, take it all the way out to the.
You know, yeah, that's understandable.
That's why, that's why, you know, that's why the streets
love you, man. That's what we're that's what
we're doing out here. You know, out there playing Big
10 football. They got Sarah Weber and Emma
(18:03):
Sears from The Ohio State University leading the way.
I mean, really, Sarah Weber's not really leading the way, but
she's she's contributing. She's pretty well.
I like it playing pretty well. Yeah, I got got some edge to her
too. But yeah, like we talk about
Taylor Flint every single time. She's just been an absolute
beast all over the field, you know, bloomer and goal.
(18:25):
Yeah, I I like it. I think I arrow pointing up for
racing Louisville. Let's just see.
I mean, we've been warned. We've seen them kind of, you
know, have weird swoons at the wrong time in these last few
years of us following the league.
So let's see how it works. But I mean, I think they're
built. I think they're built a little
(18:47):
differently this year than the past couple years that we've
been paying attention to. Yeah, they're, they're, they're
so nasty. And I and I love how often
Bevyanez comes up when they whenthey talk about their identity
and like, you could just kind ofsee how it's woven through.
I don't really I'm not really too familiar with Bevyanez's
game when she was a player, but you can already you can just see
all you need to know from how how things get discussed and the
(19:10):
little snippets that we do get into our coaching.
But I continue to love this team.
I'm really pumped about this team.
Let's go to the match up that features the team at the very
top of the table against the team that's, you know, on the on
the outskirts for sure of the playoff picture.
Kansas City current hosting North Carolina Courage.
(19:31):
I think I think he had this one labeled exactly right.
This is a strong watch because Kansas City current is involved.
I mean, I think for anybody who who pays any little bit of
attention to the NFL, if PatrickMahomes is playing, probably
going to watch. If Tim Watshawinga is playing,
probably going to watch. Like, I mean, this is kind of
this is kind of where we are. I think courage looks better
(19:55):
since the departure of Shawnee House.
I think they're probably. You know, a multitude of factors
or why they they are looking better, but I think they might
be in real trouble in this one because I mean it like what
other way? What other way do you see it
going other than another Kansas City current victory?
(20:17):
I think you know the thing aboutthe Nahaw situation.
You know, you don't really know.You know what what the new
manager bounce situation was necessarily, but I'm not sure
how much better they look. They look different.
I'll say, you know, they're playing more wide open.
They're utilizing more of the skills that some of their
players have, like Lucy or JadenShaw or you know, like just kind
(20:40):
of like opening things up and then letting players giving a
little bit more freedom. I think that's kind of paying
off a little bit. They're also giving up goals the
other way, I think against Caseycurrent on the road, I think
they're going to have to play somewhat of a perfect match even
just to get a result. But we talked about it on the
the week 17 recap episode. If you're Vladco, you know, we
(21:01):
saw him play Michelle Prince. We've seen some line up, you
know, sort of like we're gettingto that point of the season.
I think you you kind of clinchedthe shield for them too last
episode. And if that's the case, if
that's kind of how they're feeling, you could see some not
necessarily take the foot off the gas, but maybe experiment on
some stuff, some different player combinations.
And sure, I I think they could still kind of cruise against the
(21:22):
North Carolina curbside at home even with some of that
experimentation. Probably, and it is weird too,
because, you know, I like so many other defensive players.
I mean, you already know what time it is with Ryan Williams
and Kaylee Kurtz, but they've just been they courage has just
looked so easy to beat in some of these, you know, attacking
runs where you're just kind of able to run through them.
(21:43):
So the last team in the United States of America that you would
want to look easy to beat on defense against would be the
Kansas City Current. So I don't have high hopes for
him, but I'm going to watch because it's the Kansas City
Current. We'll see.
I had one more match in the strong watch category and that
is the Washington's period versus the Chicago Lucia Milos.
(22:06):
Let's fucking go. I'm kind of, I'm into this one.
I think. I think we've seen Washington.
I mean, obviously Washington, they gave up two goals and they
were dying to give up another one to BFC and they they've,
they've just been beatable. So you're talking about teams
that look beatable defensively. I think they're right up at the
top of the list, especially for the good teams.
And it's very rare that you see a player.
(22:31):
I, I loved your Christian Okoye call off from last episode.
It was just so good because you rarely see a player that
physically has the tools where you're just like, if that player
does the right thing, if they ifthey make a precise run that's
perfectly timed, there's no defense.
And I think we saw Lujemila do that to North Carolina three
(22:55):
different times last weekend. And and it's just such a special
treat to watch a player that physically can offer something
that there is no counter for. And I think there could be
something in this Washington Spirit match where, you know
what we talked about Ali Schlagel ball Lugemila, we saw
(23:15):
Jimmy's Joseph get, you know, get some minutes.
I think I don't know the, the Chicago side's starting to get a
little bit of their mojo. And I don't know, it could be,
it could be a good formula for for some productivity from that
side against the Spirit side that's, that's looked a little
bit gettable. You ready for the heavyweight
fight or the match? It will be 1 Lugemila versus 1
(23:36):
Tara Mickey own, assuming she's healthy after.
I mean, she was really, she was kind of taking an ass kicking in
that match first Bay. I mean, she had a couple, yeah,
a couple rough spots there. I was, you know, really
concerned for her in a couple different spots.
But she's fucking tough, dude. I mean, she's she's got to be
one of the absolute toughest players in the league.
(23:57):
And I think that therefore one of the toughest players in the
world. So I'll be interested to see if
she gets the start. I mean, she was an Iron Woman
last year, I think one of the seven in the league last year.
You know, she never came out of the match against Bay FC either.
So I'll be, I'll be, you know, real interested to see what that
looks like. And you know, Esme Morgan gonna
(24:19):
have to try to slow down Luzhmila as well.
You still have Rebecca Bernal and how Hirschfeld kind of in
those defensive midfielder positions.
So Luzhmila's gonna have her work cut out for her.
But I mean, the 30 year old Brazilian feels like she is apex
of her prime ish right? She hits the the handspring into
(24:42):
the backflip after she scores one of those goals last week.
Like she's she's cooking on all cylinders.
So you know, I don't think she'sgoing to be afraid of a physical
game. I expect Washington Spear to
play a physical game against herthough.
It's funny because she hit the back, the back, the back spring,
(25:03):
the back, flip hand, whatever it.
Was I don't even know, I said back Spring.
I don't know what I'm talking about.
Back spring sounds right. Well, she she hit the maneuver
and the camera was still at the zoomed out angle like, you know,
usually like there's like this, but she did it so fast.
She's like her balls and she does she does like her her sick
tumble. I mean, just what a player to be
watching on the Washington side,though, I think offensively, you
(25:28):
know, they're they're they've got that All Star team issue
where they've got so many good players.
Like this weekend was just like,all right, this was not going to
be a quasi gift. You know, like they're, they're,
they just move the pieces aroundand, and I think like, I'm
really interested to see if somehierarchy starts to develop
offensively with them because, you know, they, they've, they've
(25:51):
got the firepower, they've got the talent.
But now the chemistry I think isstill a little bit up in the
air, but plenty of time to get it done.
And I think a home match versus Chicago may be a good
opportunity to start, you know, cranking up some of that
chemistry. You know, and as we gear up for
our show, as we gear up for the UEFA Women's Champions League
(26:13):
over in Europe, you know, I often forget and lose sight of
Kagaf W Champions Cup, where Washington Spirit defeated
Alianza. Where's Alianza?
From El Salvador? They beat them by a humble score
of seven to nothing, where Kowasi had a hat trick, Ricketts
(26:33):
got one, Ratcliffe got 1, Rodmangot 1 and Cantori got 1.
So I think that was partly responsible for some of the
rotation in the squad. But to your point, when you got
a ton of great players, you're able to do that kind of thing.
Yeah, I mean, but you also want to have, you know, every team
(26:54):
outside of the Kansas City Current, if they want to really
compete, if they're serious about competing, has to make two
or three or four strides betweennow and the end of the season.
You know, So if you're the spirit, you're not, you know,
you're nowhere near where you need to be.
I think I think anybody would kind of like think that even
within the organization. You mean look at Hedaldo's
(27:15):
moving on, you know, and I thinklike the the the change there
and like figuring out right, howdo we establish ourselves?
So we're going to have to see a little bit more, you know,
consistency in the lineup in theattack.
You know, I think like, you know, I love your McKeon poet.
You know, they McKeon and Hirschfeldt combined on a take
away. I think it was Taylor health
(27:35):
that they took the ball away from that ends up leading
leading to the Corey Bethune goal.
Like I think it was 1 pass away.I think it was a McKeon take
away Hirschfeldt to Bethune and then the balls in the back.
And that that just had quickly reminded me of the the tandem
interview when I when Hal Hershfeld told me that they won
the Challenge Cup by thugging itout and then Terry McGill was
was behind. Hershfeld was like she's like,
(27:56):
yeah, quote that like. And I was yeah, I will.
That was a great quote. I appreciate it.
Thanks, Al Thanks, Sarah. So yeah, they did Terry McGill
and Hal Hershel continue to collab and cause trouble, you
know, within the most world. So I appreciate that for sure.
Two more matches to hit, though these two both in the football's
football category. Doesn't mean we're not going to
(28:17):
watch, but suffice it to say, we're not going to.
We're not cancelling any appointments or clearing any
schedules or moving moving anything around to to make sure
that we're in prime position to catch these two matchups.
But let's start with the first one.
Portland Thorns, Utah Royals. What do we need to know about
this one? I mean, I think it's bad news
(28:39):
for Utah Royals. I mentioned it on the last
episode. Portland tends to seems like
they have the ability to bounce back from a disappointing loss.
They did that when they defeatedSeattle Rain FC in the Cascadia
rivalry. And I think you know, they're
they're coming off this the difficult loss versus Kansas
City current. I think they might take it out
(29:01):
on a Utah Royals team that is just understandably going to be
outgunned in this match up. So I don't know what the line's
looking like. I don't know what the goal line
is looking like. But if if there was a, if there
is a -, 1 1/2 available for a reasonable price, I'd absolutely
take it. And I might even take a look at
(29:21):
the -2 and. 1/2 Interesting. Let me make the case the other
way. Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I, you
know, kind of like play a littledevil's advocate.
Utah, to their credit, since moving on from Ali Settinore
last four matches, just two goals allowed.
Like I said, I think they've been playing some spirited ball
no wins over that stretch, but they they did notch 3 draws one
(29:45):
against the Orlando pride once against one against Gotham FC,
one against Angel City. So this team not necessarily
getting rolled, you know, since since Ali 7 or leaves, you know,
as mentioned, 3 points in their last four, just eight points on
the season. So a little bit of a heater.
You can call it that, but eitherway, I think they're they're
(30:06):
going to show up and and try to continue to like put put good
film on tape. But Portland, I, I think I agree
with you. I think this they're going to
treat this as a little bit of like a sparring session.
You know, take it out on the heavy bag a little bit that that
is Utah. I think they are kind of like a
a notch below that that top thattop class.
But I do have them in my top 6. Interesting couple stats here
(30:27):
for Portland. Fourth most goals scored this
season for Portland and 4th fewest goals allowed this season
for Portland. So for on those two metrics,
this is a top four team. The one thing that I think is a
problem is, you know, we mentioned this at the beginning
of the season. No Sophia Wilson, that was going
to be an issue. No Christine Sinclair, that was
going to be an issue. The goals are going to have to
(30:49):
come from somewhere. I think they got, you know, a
nice boost from Raylyn Turner, anice boost from Pietro Torden.
But these four players, I'm going to read you the number of
shots they've attempted, the number of goals they've scored,
OK. Hina Sugita, 28 shots, zero
goals. Dana Castellanos, 28 shots, One
(31:11):
goal. Mimi Alidou, who looks shredded,
by the way. Shout out to the strength and
conditioning in Portland. I could barely recognize Mimi.
They're just fucking out here doing it.
Ten shots, one goal. Olivia Moultrie, 38 shots, three
goals. You look at those four players,
Sugita Moultrie, Alidou Castellanos, that's 100 and four
(31:32):
shots this season, 5 goals across those four players.
I think if Portland's going to be really serious about
contending with some of the big dogs, it can't be 5 out of one O
4. It's got to be 10131450.
They've got to do a little bit better than that.
They, they, they need these players to kind of stretch
outside of what's normal for them to make up for, you know,
(31:55):
sort of like the lack of firepower up front.
It'll be interesting to see if there is like a, whatever you
want to call it, a maybe not a regression to the mean, but an
advancement toward the mean. I guess.
I mean, Sugeeta, like from my recollection of the match
against Seattle Rain, she had something that looked like a
(32:16):
sitter. And, you know, Claudia Dickey
kind of like swallowed it up andlike got it like right in her,
in her stomach. But I mean, it was a great
effort by Dickey. But if you're Sugeeta and you're
of her, especially of her quality, you feel like you got
to score that like from point blank range.
So I'll be interested to see if they're able to kind of, you
know, get it going and maybe they maybe they stop, you know,
(32:39):
hitting the rim and start going in like in basketball.
But it's a great point by you. Like if if you're taking shots
from inopportune areas and othersituations and you're just
hitting those shots that we talked about like at the top of
the show where it's like I'm getting a shot but there's no
real danger whatsoever of the keeper letting it in, then
(32:59):
really it's just a shot for the sake of a shot.
And you're not going to win matches that way.
Yeah, no doubt. I think, yeah, we'll, we'll,
we'll see if Portland's able to kind of like generate.
I mean, they don't need much. They're in all these matches.
They're they're not really getting blown.
I don't think they've lost. I think they've got 2 losses by
two goals. There are other three losses I
(33:21):
believe are by one goal. So they're in every single one
of these matches. They don't need a lot, but they
need more than what they're getting for sure.
And again, that's just against this upper the upper echelon of
league. So Utah, probably a good
opportunity to kind of like get back on track here.
One more match to hit football'sfootball.
What are you going to say? The battle of the big California
(33:41):
metropolis is Angel City FC versus Bay FC.
I think it's safe to say these two two teams are probably non
playoff teams, maybe arrows pointing, I think slightly up
for Angel City and maybe at best, you know, spinning in a
circle from from B for Bay FC. How are how are you thinking
(34:02):
about these two teams? I want to see what Angel City
looks like the rest of the year.I mean, you know, they're one
point behind Gotham now. Obviously, they're nine behind
them in the goal differential. But, you know, here's here's my
principle again. I like their roster.
They have good, talented players.
(34:23):
Yeah. I think it's going to take a
little bit for them to kind of get everything up and running.
It's a, it's, you know, a quality win over our Orlando
Pride. As heartbroken, as heartbreaking
as it was, Alexander Strauss needs to implement his system
and kind of figure out these players.
(34:43):
One thing that I think we did miss discussing, so we're going
to be way late on this discussing it, but did you see
after the after Angel City drew Utah Royals two weeks ago, they
they end in a nil, nil draw. Not an enjoyable football game
to watch. This is truly a footballish
football match. But the one of the reasons why I
(35:06):
was glad I watched it is as the post game is going on and
they're waiting, the broadcast is waiting for a player to come
over to interview. Alexander Strauss was laying
into that squad about drawing Utah in Utah.
And I think it was, you know, I'm not, I'm not a lip reader,
but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that he was telling him
(35:29):
that that effort was unacceptable if you want to be a
successful team in the league. And I liked it and it and it
seemed like the players were locked in and kind of nodding
along and we're like, yeah, we're better.
Like we that's that doesn't meetour standard.
And I, I kind of that that kind of made me raise a little bit of
an eyebrow and like, OK, let's see, let's see what happens as
(35:51):
the team goes on and now they they come back and they get a
one nil win versus Orlando. Yeah.
I mean the the results kind of or the results kind of speaks
for itself in that instance. I think we'll see what they're
able to do on the stretch. They're they're going to be.
I mean, I think the one spot that's available is the Gotham
spot. I think Seattle they're you
know, they're they're fully wobbling for sure.
(36:12):
But I don't I think they'll be able to get it back on track
only because they've got offensive talent that's for
whatever reason been sidelined last last few matchups.
But I think that Gotham spots gettable for Angel City.
I think about making a pick. It's funny man, because Houston
is like 2. They're they're two points by
(36:32):
I'm sorry, they're one point by Angel City, which is like I'm
still in the mindset of like, all right, it's Houston, Chicago
and Utah at the bottom. And I think I I've had the last
last week or so. I've had to like really change
my tune there. But I don't know that.
Let's see from Gotham, North Carolina, Angel City, Houston.
I think from that mix, I think Iwould pick Houston to grab that
a spot. So that makes this match up at
(36:56):
home for Angel City versus Bay amassive match up.
You need the 3 here. And if you're Bay FC, you know,
my home squad that I'm I'm covering a bit out here.
It's tough. I mean, I like, I like the
players, I like Montoya, I like the organization, I like, I like
what they're doing. The one thing that gives me
pause is nothing seems to be changing.
(37:19):
It seems to look a lot like it did last week.
And I think the last couple times I've I've gotten the
chance to talk to you, some of the players, you know, Sokowitz,
Montoya, my, my big question is like, what's what's new this
week? What did you change?
Like what, how did, how are you approaching this week
differently than last week? Because we're at like 3-4 weeks
in a row where it's like that nothing's happening.
(37:39):
I think this team's lost three O5.
They haven't won in a while. I think they're going to have to
we're going to have to see. I mean, I'm not in in the in the
in the owner. I'm not in any kind of decision
making position, but I have to imagine the folks that are are
going to want to see something alittle different than we've seen
the last five, six matches here from Bay.
Yeah, I mean, probably, I mean, you know what I was like coming
(38:03):
out, coming out of the break, there are two draws, 2 losses,
zero wins. So you know, you gotta you gotta
get points to to stay in the playoff hunt.
So, you know, I talked about theBethune goal in our last
episode. We were kind of recapping the
last week. She just has way too much space.
There's a second opportunity where she just had way too much
(38:24):
space. Sometimes I think that the
defense in general just looks really stretched.
Even in moments where the ball is coming down the central
channel and the defense still kind of looks stretched.
I'm not sure exactly like what'shappening there.
I know when we spoke to our palsfrom expected own Goals podcast,
(38:45):
you know, they talked about how last year when Bay kind of
started to make that run to grabthe final playoff spot at the
end of the season, they played amore defensive packed in style
and then built out the attack from there.
And they've since gone away fromit.
And it would appear that the results are looking more similar
to the early season results lastyear where they were giving up
(39:08):
way too many goals and and not getting enough opportunities
upfront. Yeah, no doubt.
I think you got to look at Abby Dalcampere who was the the big
acquisition last year, whose acquisition kind of aligned with
like your, your offense to defense mentality switch.
And then obviously Emily Manga is not not involved this year
either. That makes it tricky.
(39:30):
Yeah, it it's just a lot of fluxand I can't, you know, honestly,
I can't really pick, I can't really pick on the players.
I mean, I think all those defenders, Hubbley, you know, if
she gets to go last, last, last match up.
And I think defensively she's been I I like how Hubbley plays
Didasco, I think has been more up and down this season,
obviously like a little bit moreadvanced age.
(39:52):
But defensively this team doesn't really have like they
don't look organized. They don't look like they're a
they're a step ahead. They don't look like they have a
strategy. They look like they're
constantly chasing. They're constantly just.
You know, running from spot to spot a little bit slow, a little
bit behind, not really kind of anticipating or, you know, they
don't really have a defensive identity.
(40:12):
Honestly, they're just out therekind of playing defense and
looking at, you know, got to getthe ball and go the other way.
That's something that definitelyis going to have to change for
sure. You know, I mean, I think this
season a little bit, you know, we're getting we're getting
really close to the to the wave,the white flag portion of the
year. But I think going forward,
they're going to have to figure out how to how to change it up
(40:33):
because this the way they're defending is just not they look
like sometimes they look like the like the worst defense in
the league. And that's that's a tough spot
to be in considering all the firepower, you know, top to
bottom. Yeah, I, I think it, it's one of
those situations where it's likemaybe it takes 2 transfer
windows to be like, not to be too pessimistic, but like if you
(40:56):
got that many spots to fill, youknow, I know in this league
we've seen, you know, obviously you have the Benda acquisition
last year for Orlando, a team that has historically been in
the cellar no matter who they had on that team surrounding
Marta. And then you, you get Benda and,
you know, things, things turn around.
But yeah, I think it's as the league grows more competitive
(41:19):
and the rosters are getting moreand more stacked, as we've
talked about many times. I think it might.
It's either going to take a couple awesome moves in one
window or maybe 2 windows for for beta kind of get it turned
around. Yeah, I think that's right.
One thing we do know, get that goalkeeper position locked down
(41:39):
so I can go. All right, Damn right.
Episode calendar. We will be back with NWSL Week
18 recaps. We'll also be back with some
Champions League action TBD. We'll figure out what what's
happening when with regard to that, you know, so it was still,
I've still got the, the newborn haze, you know, floating through
my vein trying to figure out howto unfog that that part of my my
(42:01):
mind. But either way, we'll be back
very, very soon. Talk a little end of this week
18 as mentioned. And even though Champions
League's early, I don't know, but there's a couple matches I
think your your boys will have their eyes on and we might, we
might have some thoughts and takes on that.
So definitely keep it locked. All right, man.
Anything else you want to hit before we get out of?
Here. No, I think that's it.
(42:21):
I mean, do do I fully know how the Champions League works this
year? Don't don't ask me questions
like that. It's none of your business.
You, you will. We'll just do the show.
You worry about that. So like I do, I have a rough
idea of how this is going to work.
I think I do. You know, I'm, I'm going to try
(42:42):
to, I'm, I'm gonna try to, I'm gonna give you the benefit of
the doubt and say you're not being passive aggressive with me
for not doing a machinations episode, which, you know,
obviously it's, it's, it's August.
You know, we're, we're overdue for my UEFA Champions League
machinations episode. So I, I take your point, I take
your feedback. That's OK.
We'll, we'll, we'll get to it ideally before we before we
(43:02):
really get cooking here. There was literally no feedback
in that. I'm like very hazy on it.
I don't expect, I don't expect you to educate me, buddy.
I, I got, I'm owned 50% of this too, man.
I got AI got to figure it out, but we'll figure it out as we go
along. Look, Manchester United versus
PSV, very interested to see whatthat's going to look like.
(43:23):
Obviously, you know, the Brown battalion in full force taking
on into into Milan what our palsat Slavia Prague, they're
playing phone get Genschlik Vesport from some league.
I don't know what league they'rethey're they're playing in.
So we'll we'll kind of see how that goes.
(43:44):
Like this is the joy of the of the UEFA Women's Champions
League. Hammerby is playing medalist
1925 Kharkiv. I mean, come on, man Medalist.
Like. Let's go like.
They better come out to like, you know, Du Haast by Rammstein
or something like that. Like, I don't know, I'm not
(44:06):
exactly sure. Am I painting with A broad
brush? Am I going to sound culturally
ignorant for not knowing where they are?
They're in the Ukrainian PremierLeague, so let's go shout to
them. We'll we'll see how we'll see
how that one goes. So oh man.
And their logo kind of looks like the Michigan Wolverines.
All right, we're we're falling down the rabbit hole here.
Sorry, already getting excited for Champions League.
(44:30):
Yeah, Ukraine, Big 10 country, who knew?
All right, man, this has been another episode of into the
channel. Thank you, thank you, thank you
for watching, listening, hangingout.
If you enjoyed the show or love as well as much as your boys do,
make sure you kick it with us each and every single week.
Like subscribe, follow YouTube, Spotify, Apple podcast, wherever
you like to watch or listen. Leave us a review over your
favorite podcast app, links to all of our socials except one in
(44:50):
the show notes of this episode. And a big thank in my coast as
well, Mr. Graham Angle for putting up with the crying baby
in the background. I appreciate you bro.
It's a beautiful sound, my good man.
I'm happy for you. I'm I'm also happy that
everybody continues to rock withus.
Thank you for always dropping knowledge in the comments and we
will see you all next time. Jackie Ovaya, Jackie Ovaya.
(45:13):
Let's go. Champ is here.
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