1 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:05,519 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where the NWSL 2 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:09,799 Speaker 1: regular season ends as college basketball season begins. A time 3 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 1: to plant, a time to reap, a time to laugh, 4 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: a time to weep, to everything turned you know how 5 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: the song goes. It's Monday, November third, and on today's show, 6 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: Producer Alex and I introduce you to Little Citrus just 7 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: a squeeze or too short of the original. We'll discuss 8 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: the chaos that was NWSL Decision Day, revealed the matchups 9 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 1: now that the postseason bracket has been set, and cross 10 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:33,839 Speaker 1: our fingers that what we think we saw wasn't what 11 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,480 Speaker 1: we saw at all. Plus the hope of a day 12 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: to day prognosis, a powerful response to one player's late 13 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:42,840 Speaker 1: season cry for attention, and the road to the Final 14 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 1: four starts today. It's all coming up right after this. 15 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: Welcome Max Slices, Happy Monday. Here's what you need to 16 00:00:56,280 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: know today. Let's start with NWSL Decision Day. The final 17 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:05,160 Speaker 1: playoff spot came down to Racing Louisville and the North 18 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: Carolina Courage, and Racing clinched it the club's first ever 19 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,959 Speaker 1: postseason berth in five seasons thanks to a one nil 20 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 1: win over BAFC and Ela has recording her first ever 21 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: professional goal. Shout out to Slice missus has Ella's mom. 22 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 1: We might have forgotten Racing in our season preview, but 23 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 1: your daughter and her team made damn sure we wouldn't 24 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:28,399 Speaker 1: forget them in our playoff preview. Also shout out to 25 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: Racing Louisville coach Bevannis, who is the first person to 26 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: qualify for the NWSL playoffs as both a player and coach. 27 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,199 Speaker 1: She made it as a player with Seattle. She's also 28 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: the first American female coach to qualify for the NWSL 29 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: playoffs since Cindy Parlow Cone led the Portland Thorns in 30 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: twenty thirteen. Let that sink in it's been more than 31 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: ten years since an American woman coached a team to 32 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:56,760 Speaker 1: the playoffs of the American Women's Soccer League. Yeah. Moving 33 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 1: on to the other matches. The Courage did their part 34 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: on Sunday with the win, but the Louisville victory ended 35 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: their playoff hopes. They needed a draw or a loss 36 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 1: from Racing to advance. Despite a rainy, soggy day, they 37 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 1: officially set a club attendance record with eleven one hundred 38 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 1: and seventy people watching as they defeated Gotham three to two. 39 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 1: It was also a North Carolina state record for best 40 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 1: attended women's pro sports event, so the fans who stuck 41 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: around despite the weather got a win, followed shortly by 42 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 1: the bad news that for just the third time in 43 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,799 Speaker 1: franchise history, the Courage would be shut out of the postseason, 44 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 1: and that three to two final score was actually bad 45 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,680 Speaker 1: news for both teams involved. Gotham's loss puts them in 46 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 1: eighth place in the playoff bracket behind Louisville, which means 47 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:42,240 Speaker 1: they'll face the world beating Kansas City Current in the 48 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: opening round of the postseason. The Current ended their regular 49 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 1: season unbeaten at home with a two to one defeat 50 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: of the San Diego Wave on Sunday, extending their own 51 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 1: NWSL records with a twenty first victory and a sixty 52 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:58,040 Speaker 1: fifth regular season point. The Washington Spirit were already guaranteed 53 00:02:58,080 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 1: the number two seat ahead a decision day, so there 54 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 1: one nil loss to the Utah Royals didn't affect their ranking. 55 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,760 Speaker 1: They'll host Racing in the quarterfinals. Portland defeated the Houston 56 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: Dash two nil and slid into the number three spot. 57 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 1: They'll host number six San Diego, the Orlando Pride and 58 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 1: the Seattle Rain drew one to one. They'll meet again 59 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 1: in the opening round, with number four Orlando hosting number 60 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:23,639 Speaker 1: five Seattle also decided on decision day. Tim Wushaweinga officially 61 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: clinched the Golden Boot, finishing the regular season with the 62 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: league high fifteen goals, but Chwenga accomplished the feat without 63 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: stepping foot on the field for Sunday's game. Remember, she 64 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 1: sustained an injury during Casey's game against the Houston Dashes 65 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: over two weeks ago, and ahead of Kansas City's two 66 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: one win on Sunday, coach Latko Adadofski provided an update 67 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: on Chiwenga, saying there is a chance she could return 68 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 1: for the postseason, noting that she's day to day. More 69 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 1: on WSL. Ahead of the weekend's games, angel City FC 70 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 1: captain Sarah Gordon and Vites captain Angelina Anderson addressed media 71 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: about the recent op ed from their teammate Elizabeth Eddie, 72 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: in which Eddie called for the WSL to adopt a 73 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: quote unquote clear standard for gender eligibility in the league. 74 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: She proposed all players must be born with ovaries or 75 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: that players submit to an sry gene test, effectively seeking 76 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: to ban trans and intersex players. Take a listen to 77 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: what they had to say, Beginning with Sarah Gordon. 78 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 2: Well, first off, i just want to say that going 79 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:23,800 Speaker 2: into this, I'm a little bit nervous because I think 80 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:27,119 Speaker 2: it's a big job to represent your team and speak 81 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 2: for your team and not just that speak for others 82 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 2: who this will be important to. We've all obviously seen 83 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:36,839 Speaker 2: the article that was written in The New York Post 84 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 2: earlier this week, so I really want to start off 85 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 2: by saying that that article does not speak for this 86 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 2: team in this locker room. I've had a lot of 87 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 2: combos with my teammates in the past few days, and 88 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,720 Speaker 2: they are hurt and they are harmed by the article, 89 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 2: and also they are disgusted by some of the things 90 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,279 Speaker 2: that were said in the article, and it's really important 91 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,479 Speaker 2: for me to say that. And we don't agree with 92 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 2: the things written for a plethora of reasons, but mostly 93 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 2: the undertones come across as transphobic and racist as well. 94 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,479 Speaker 2: The article calls for genetic testing on certain players, and 95 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 2: it has a photo of an African player as a headline, 96 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 2: and that's very harmful and to me, it's inherently racist 97 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 2: because to single out this community based on them looking 98 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:28,479 Speaker 2: or being different is absolutely a problem. And as a 99 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 2: mixed woman with a black family, I'm devastated by the 100 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 2: undertones of this article. And I feel very protective of 101 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,240 Speaker 2: my teammates and this community who are also hurt by this. 102 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 2: And that includes staff and everyone who is a supporter 103 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 2: and a fan. And there are players in this league 104 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:49,160 Speaker 2: and in this locker room that are directly harmed by 105 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 2: what was written in the article. So for that, I 106 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 2: just want to say, I am so so sorry for 107 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 2: anyone hurt by this or anyone harmed by this. And 108 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 2: please know that I do speak for the team when 109 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 2: I say we do support you. You don't have to 110 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 2: look like me, you don't have to look like and 111 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 2: or you don't have to look like somebody from Orange 112 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 2: County to be accepted and celebrated here. And it's really 113 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 2: important that you know that that is the true message 114 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 2: from this locker room, in the team. 115 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 1: And here's an excerpt from Angeline Anderson's statement. 116 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:22,720 Speaker 3: For me personally, when I think of LA and I 117 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 3: think of Angel City, I think of a place that 118 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:30,679 Speaker 3: was founded upon inclusivity and love for all people. That's 119 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 3: what our locker room is, That's what our staff is, 120 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 3: that's what our fan base is. Angel City is a 121 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 3: place for everyone. It always will be. That's how it 122 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 3: was from the beginning. That's how it always will be. Period. 123 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,960 Speaker 1: Sarah Gordon has been one of the bravest and most 124 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,840 Speaker 1: outspoken players in the NWSLF for a number of years, 125 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: so I wasn't surprised to see what an incredible job 126 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: she did speaking on this issue, and I also wasn't 127 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: surprised to hear say that she was a little bit 128 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 1: nervous and a little bit emotional about speaking on behalf 129 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,039 Speaker 1: of her entire team, and that feeling of care for 130 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: the rest of the players on her team and in 131 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: the league seemed to be the thing that was most 132 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: missing from Elizabeth Eddy's decision to post about her thoughts 133 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: on the gender policy, not taking it to the league 134 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: or to fellow teammates or anything else, but rather to 135 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: post about it on social media, and then in The 136 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: New York Post op ed Sarah Gordon's statement that it 137 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: means a lot to speak for your teammates and your 138 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 1: team felt very intentional in that moment. I'm sure we'll 139 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 1: hear some more from those around soccer, and of course 140 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 1: we'll have to hear the league's response to their lack 141 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: of policy, something that seems to have put intersex trands 142 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 1: and players of color at increased risk, and something that 143 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: should be remedied, of course, not in the way that 144 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 1: Elizabeth Eddy wants it to be. Lots more to say 145 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 1: on the NWSL decision day and the playoff bracket later 146 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 1: in the show, including thoughts on some players who logged 147 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 1: their final and WSL minutes on Sunday to hoops. The 148 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: college basketball season gets underway today with over one hundred 149 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: and forty games on the schedule, including one matchup of 150 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 1: preseason top twenty teams, Number seven Duke taking on number 151 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 1: sixteen Baylor in Paris, France. Shout out to the journals 152 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: who drew that assignment. Bring me back some mackerel from 153 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: lad Day SIVU play. We'll also get our first chance 154 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: to see some preseason favorites that have a new look 155 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 1: this year thanks to the Transfer portal, like number two 156 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: South Carolina, now without the flashy Malaysia Full Wiley but 157 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: with new dynamic score to Nia Latson, We'll have to 158 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: wait a little longer to see UCLA sisters Lauren and 159 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: Sienna Bett's play together, though as freshman, Sienna will miss 160 00:08:33,800 --> 00:08:36,679 Speaker 1: the Bruins opener against San Diego State and Anaheim as 161 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: she continues to recover from a lower left leg injury 162 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: suffered in a scrimmage in mid October. You can check 163 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 1: out the show notes for the full opening day college 164 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: hoops schedule, and we've got a full NCAA College Hoops 165 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: preview coming your way tomorrow on the show More college 166 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: Hoops News. University of Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell announced 167 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,199 Speaker 1: on Sunday that the program has dismissed Ruby Whitehorn from 168 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,560 Speaker 1: the team following a second run in with the law. 169 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 1: Her the Associated Press, Whitehorn was reportedly stopped by Tennessee 170 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,760 Speaker 1: campus police on October thirtieth and found to be in 171 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 1: possession of marijuana. She was charged with misdemeanor simple possession 172 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:13,080 Speaker 1: slash casual exchange. This follows an incident several months ago 173 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: in which Whitehorn was arrested after the police said she'd 174 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: gotten into a physical altercation outside a woman's residence, kicking 175 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:21,959 Speaker 1: in the door to said residence. Whitehorn pleaded guilty to 176 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 1: two misdemeanors of aggravated trespassing and aggravated burglary in September 177 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 1: in exchange for judicial diversion, and she was allowed to 178 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: return to the Lady voles following a suspension. In a 179 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: statement about Whitehorn's recent arrest and dismissal on Sunday, Caldwell said, quote, 180 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:39,599 Speaker 1: it is my responsibility to protect the high standards of 181 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 1: this historic program. In light of recent events, Ruby has 182 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 1: been unable to reflect those standards, and I've made the 183 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: difficult decision to dismiss her from our team. I love 184 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: Ruby and will always be rooting for her, but my 185 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 1: priority is to uphold the respected reputation of the Lady 186 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 1: voles En. Whitehorn issued her own statement via Instagram on Sunday, 187 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 1: writing in part quote, as most of you, this has 188 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 1: not been my best year. I'm not usually one to 189 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: open up about my personal life or challenges, and that 190 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: is part of the reason I'm in this position today. 191 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:09,439 Speaker 1: For the past couple of months, I have walked by 192 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 1: fear and not faith, fear of asking for help, for guidance, 193 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: fear of failure to my coaches and teammates. I appreciate 194 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 1: the support on and off the court. I have failed 195 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: to uphold the standards of the Lady Vowl legacy and 196 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: what it represents, and for that I apologize. End quote. 197 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 1: Whitehorn added that she will focus on healing and bettering 198 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: herself mentally. The number eight Lady Voles open their season 199 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 1: on Tuesday against the number nine North Carolina State Wolf 200 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: Peck to the WNBA and an update on collective Bargaining 201 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: agreement negotiations. Late last Thursday, the WNBA and the Players 202 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:45,319 Speaker 1: Association announced a thirty day extension on their negotiations. As 203 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: a result, the current CBA is now set to expire 204 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 1: on November thirtieth. Ben Pickman of The Athletic reported that 205 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: the Players Association requested a condition that will allow it 206 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: to terminate the extension within forty eight hours notice, and 207 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 1: a source brief down the situation told him that the 208 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 1: league will also have the ability to terminate the extension 209 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 1: within that notice. We'll link to Ben's full story in 210 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:09,319 Speaker 1: the show notes. More hoops. Dallas Wings guard Paige Beckers 211 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: is set to star in and executive produce an upcoming 212 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 1: drama film titled Jess and Pearl. It's based on an 213 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:19,559 Speaker 1: original script by scandal writers I hear McGee per Deadline, 214 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 1: who had the exclusive on the story. The film will 215 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 1: follow two basketball phenoms whose friendship is put on the 216 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: line by rivalries and competition. Man first Angel reeson Idris 217 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:32,280 Speaker 1: Elba joint. Now this we are so here for hoopers 218 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 1: on the big screen, and even more hoops this time 219 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 1: in Unrivaled. The three v three league has announced the 220 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:39,800 Speaker 1: list of players who will compete as part of the 221 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 1: twenty twenty sixth season. In total, sixteen new players are 222 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 1: slated to play, including Kelsey Plum, Page Beckers, Kelsey Mitchell, 223 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 1: and one of the final three to sign on, Dominique Malonga. 224 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 1: You might recall that just last week Turkish club Venor 225 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 1: Bacche announced that Malonga had quote unilaterally terminated her professional 226 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 1: player contract with our club with that any just cause 227 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:04,960 Speaker 1: end quote. Now per ESPN, Malanga doesn't need any special 228 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: type of clearance to join Unrivaled, but in order to 229 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 1: return to the WNBA next year, fender Bacha will need 230 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 1: to issue a letter of clearance. We'll keep you updated 231 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 1: on that dispute, and we'll link to the full list 232 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:18,200 Speaker 1: of Unrivaled players in the show notes. It is worth 233 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: noting that while the three v three league returns most 234 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: of its star power, a few year one players, including 235 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: Angel Rees and Sabrini and Escu, did not sign on 236 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: for year two, some more unrivaled. The league also confirmed 237 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: its eight head coaches for the twenty twenty sixth season. 238 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 1: Fan favorites Nola Henry and Teresa Weatherspoon are among the 239 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: coaches returning after helping the league debut last January, while 240 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: Noel Quinn, who was fired by the Saddlestorm at the 241 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:43,560 Speaker 1: end of the twenty twenty five w season, highlights the 242 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:47,320 Speaker 1: list of new editions. She'll lead Breeze BC, one of 243 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: two new unrivaled clubs. We'll link to the full list 244 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 1: of coaches in the show notes. Slices hope you had 245 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: a great Halloween weekend and you've got lots of Twizzlers 246 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: and Snickers and absolutely no Whoppers in your bag. I 247 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: want to thank super Slice Doug Ratcliffe, who sent us 248 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: a video of his epic Halloween decorations. There is a 249 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 1: lot to love in that video, but I think that's 250 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 1: the first mermaid skeleton I've ever seen, so that was 251 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 1: the winner for me. Also, pops are always winners, so 252 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 1: shout out to super Slice Amanda Valo for sending us 253 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 1: her three doggos dressed as the Louver Thiefs too. Cu 254 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: Also props to the many of you I saw online 255 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:26,679 Speaker 1: dressed as the Indiana Fever's Lexi Hall complete with two 256 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: black eyes. I feel like that was the most popular 257 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:31,959 Speaker 1: women's sports costume of the year. Also shout out to 258 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 1: my girl Ty Duncan, who rocked an Asia Wilson costume 259 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: with a pink leg sleeve and all very well played. 260 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: My husband and I skip sports this year in favor 261 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 1: of complaining. We were the Hecklers from the muppet Statler 262 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 1: and Waldorf with a flip book of all the things 263 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 1: deserving our cheers this year, you know, ice, AI, data centers, Litterers, 264 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 1: fascism six seven, puppy mills, zero stars for all but 265 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: five stars to the Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Junior 266 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:03,559 Speaker 1: because he walked into Saturday night's MLB World Series winner 267 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 1: take All Game seven wearing a game warn jersey from 268 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 1: none other than Captain Plutch herself. Peri Philip Pulen, the 269 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 1: Canadian hockey legend, was at the game. She was actually 270 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,680 Speaker 1: wearing Glad's Jersey natch, but unfortunately her winning juju was 271 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 1: not enough to prevent Canadian heartbreak. The Dodgers won in 272 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 1: an epic extra innings outing to claim the trophy. Despite 273 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: the outcome, we still love that blad Junior channel the 274 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 1: energy of a legendary winner from the women's side. All 275 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: the same, also shout out to the Awful Announcing website, 276 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: who for a second straight year named Yours Truly to 277 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 1: their annual sports podcast power List. I love being able 278 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: to make sure that women's sports are represented on that list, 279 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: and I take very seriously the honor and responsibility of 280 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 1: doing this the only daily women's sports show, so I'm 281 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: really happy that we were recognized for it. We got 282 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,560 Speaker 1: to take a quick break. When we come back from 283 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: Big to Little, we gather in the grove for the 284 00:14:56,320 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 1: first time in the post Misha era. All Right, slices, 285 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: welcome to the inaugural edition of Little Citrus. It's a 286 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: slightly smaller gathering of citri as we wait a replacement 287 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 1: for producer Meiche. Sunday was decision Day in the NWSL, 288 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 1: which means we've got a playoff bracket to talk about, 289 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 1: plus all the other loose ends of the regular season 290 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 1: to tie up. So get on it here, Alex. How 291 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: are you. 292 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 4: I'm doing okay, I'm missing Niche. But we persevere. 293 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 1: We do. We persevere quite a day of footy. How 294 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: did you watch it? Oh? 295 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:39,280 Speaker 4: So, the first game of the day, the one that 296 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 4: was on at three o'clock, by itself, was fantastic. I 297 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 4: was able to watch it, focus on it, you know, 298 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 4: very easy. And then, uh, the rest of the day 299 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 4: was just at our chaos with all of the games 300 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 4: at the exact same time, and I attempted to watch 301 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 4: using the NWSL plus app on my row Coo TV 302 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 4: to show the four boxes. Now, I'm a pretty tech 303 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:03,040 Speaker 4: savvy person, but I could not figure out how to 304 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 4: get that tech to work on my rocod TV, so 305 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 4: then I had to pull it up on my laptop 306 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 4: at the same time while trying to finalize the script 307 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 4: of this show. That was like way too many screens 308 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 4: on one screen. So, uh, my brain mostly feels like 309 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 4: most right now. I don't think I'm yeah, I don't 310 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 4: think I took in as much of the soccer as 311 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 4: I would have liked to today. 312 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 1: I appreciate your effort. The first game was actually tough 313 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: for me. Because my Chicago Bears of the NFL were 314 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: engaged in an absolutely insane back and forth battle. So 315 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: I was trying to watch that and the soccer, but 316 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: later I could not even figure out how to get 317 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: the multi screens up, so I basically just watched the 318 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 1: ESPN game and was grateful every time they cut in 319 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: and showed a highlight from one of the other games 320 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:48,680 Speaker 1: going on. I was like, I am such a boomer. 321 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 1: I am meant to be focused on one screen and 322 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: then maybe like a phone or a computer. And to 323 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: your point, I was also working on the script for 324 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: the show, so it was like, I can't write a 325 00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 1: script and watch two games, Like that's just too much 326 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 1: for me brain. But regardless of how we all watched it, 327 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: we all ended up in the same place, which is 328 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:09,199 Speaker 1: a playoff bracket that is set and the way we 329 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:12,399 Speaker 1: get there via this chaos. This decision day is pretty 330 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,920 Speaker 1: unique to soccer, the leagues and the World Cup and 331 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 1: alex Why, as far as you know, did they decide 332 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:22,200 Speaker 1: that this was the best way for these kinds of 333 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: seasons to end. 334 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:26,160 Speaker 4: Well, I'm gonna do something pretty shocking right now, which 335 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 4: is talk about men's sports on this show. Or just 336 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 4: in general never happens. But at the nineteen eighty two 337 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 4: Men's World Cup, in that tournament, West Germany and Austria 338 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 4: played and had made an agreement ahead of time, essentially 339 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 4: to determine what the result was going to be, realizing 340 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 4: that if they got this specific result, they would both 341 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 4: advance and eliminate Algeria. And so that's one of the 342 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 4: reasons now if you watch the World Cup Men's or women's, 343 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:56,720 Speaker 4: the final matches of each group both kick off at 344 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,680 Speaker 4: the exact same time to try to prevent this type 345 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 4: of core nation between teams. And I think part of 346 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 4: it has to do with the fact that soccer, the 347 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:08,639 Speaker 4: scores are generally lower, there are more ties, and also 348 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 4: the first tiebreaker in a lot of these leagues is 349 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:14,720 Speaker 4: goal differential. It's not necessarily head to head, and so 350 00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:19,639 Speaker 4: that can allow for this fairness issue coming into play 351 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,919 Speaker 4: if a team is trying to get a certain result 352 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:25,119 Speaker 4: to happen. And so pretty much every league across the 353 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:29,120 Speaker 4: world uses a similar format where things are kicking off 354 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 4: at the same time. And I've seen a couple of 355 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:34,120 Speaker 4: fans be like, this is crazy, why is this happening? 356 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 4: And I do think it probably is a holdover from 357 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:38,840 Speaker 4: other moments in women's sports where we're like, maybe spread 358 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 4: the games out a little bit more, you know, like 359 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 4: five wa makes sense all the time, it makes sense 360 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:45,439 Speaker 4: for this one moment. 361 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, because what you end up having is every 362 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:50,880 Speaker 1: single team really giving it. They're all because they don't 363 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 1: know whether or not it will matter, whereas if you 364 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:54,920 Speaker 1: had a bunch of late games that you already knew 365 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:58,399 Speaker 1: the result for. It's a very unsatisfying way for a 366 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 1: season to end, and you look in for twoar at 367 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 1: what we saw on this decision day, which was that 368 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:07,920 Speaker 1: the Courage had a record number of fans in attendance, 369 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,159 Speaker 1: believing that what they were watching was going to make 370 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 1: a difference. Ultimately, the victory didn't ensure that the Courage 371 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,000 Speaker 1: made it to the postseason, but it allowed them to 372 00:19:16,040 --> 00:19:19,440 Speaker 1: have this raucous environment for that final game, which maybe 373 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 1: wouldn't have happened if their game had taken place at 374 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,479 Speaker 1: night and Louisville had won earlier in the day, telling fans, hey, 375 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: don't show up on this soggy, rainy day because your 376 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:31,320 Speaker 1: hopes are for nought. Let's talk about that, by the way, 377 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:33,000 Speaker 1: because it's a little bit of a changing of the 378 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,200 Speaker 1: guard in that battle for that playoff spot. The Courage 379 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:38,680 Speaker 1: miss out for just the third time in nine seasons 380 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 1: they're usually a regular in the postseason. Louisville making their 381 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 1: way into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, 382 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:47,360 Speaker 1: you know, without really having a dog in the fight. 383 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,800 Speaker 1: I have to say I was kind of excited for racing. 384 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:52,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, I was too. I mean, I think you look 385 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 4: at Bevan as you mentioned those stats about her and 386 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 4: the need to know, but she's also a player that 387 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 4: got to take advantage of like a player to coach 388 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 4: pipeline that the NWSL Players Association had fought for because 389 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 4: one of the issues that we've seen in this league 390 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 4: is that there are just so few former players that 391 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 4: are coaches, and so I think to see somebody with 392 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:17,640 Speaker 4: her resume having success, I hope it provides a lot 393 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 4: of hope for other players in the league that are 394 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 4: thinking that they might want to get into coaching once 395 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 4: they're done playing. 396 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, she seems to be universally respected and liked around 397 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: the league, and I think also this is a team 398 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:32,879 Speaker 1: that when the season started, there were a lot of 399 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: hopes for what they might be able to do, so 400 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:38,200 Speaker 1: it's nice to see them pull through, even though there's 401 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:42,000 Speaker 1: also a lot of consternation about their style of play. 402 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 1: You'll hear a lot of folks around the league talk 403 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 1: about the physicality. Louisville is not afraid to make contact 404 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:51,800 Speaker 1: en route to victories, which will be very interesting to 405 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: see come postseason time when the stakes are at their 406 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:57,640 Speaker 1: very highest. On the other side of that Louisville team making, 407 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 1: it was that courage team winning but ultimately lose because 408 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:03,680 Speaker 1: they didn't qualify. And on ESPN, if you were watching 409 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: that game like I was, you saw the channel go 410 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 1: from a quick postseason wrap up with Kelsey Riggs, Coff 411 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: and Ali Krieger straight to Sports Center and Alex You 412 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:14,160 Speaker 1: immediately let me know that you were not a big 413 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:15,359 Speaker 1: fan of this transition. 414 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 4: No, it reminded me of what it was like watching 415 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:21,960 Speaker 4: the WNBA a couple of years ago, because ESPN is 416 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,720 Speaker 4: still pretty new to the NWSL, but they've had, you know, 417 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 4: the WNBA for years and years, and I remember I 418 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 4: used to be on autopilot where a WNBA game would end, 419 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 4: and I would just go to mute it because I 420 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:34,399 Speaker 4: knew as soon as I heard the Sports Center intro 421 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:36,680 Speaker 4: that like I didn't care anymore, and it took a 422 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 4: while to realize like, oh wait, they're actually talking about 423 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 4: the WNBA now, Yeah, And so it was just really disappointing. 424 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:45,520 Speaker 4: And I hope this isn't an example of just like 425 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:47,879 Speaker 4: piling on and being like ESPN do better, because we 426 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 4: know ESPN can do better, because we have seen it 427 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 4: with the WNBA. And they also ended up signing a 428 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:57,440 Speaker 4: new agreement with the NWSL earlier this fall that next 429 00:21:57,520 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 4: year they're going to have the rights to all of 430 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:03,600 Speaker 4: the Decision day games and so hopefully that will incentivize 431 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 4: them more given that they will be in charge of 432 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:06,960 Speaker 4: all of the coverage of all of those games. 433 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:08,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I will say that for a long 434 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 1: time it was very frustrating. You could watch like a 435 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 1: double overtime March Madness Women's game and get to Sport 436 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 1: tenor and there'd be no mention of it to like 437 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:19,159 Speaker 1: an hour in Now I did you know, hop on 438 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 1: to record with you. So I can't say for certain 439 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 1: that they didn't return to the NWSL and on a 440 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:28,159 Speaker 1: big day of NFL World Series closing the night before 441 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,159 Speaker 1: all that other stuff, there was a lot to get to. 442 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 1: So my hope is that perhaps they also were waiting 443 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 1: to put together some elements once the games all ended 444 00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:37,879 Speaker 1: at the exact same time and they knew what the 445 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:41,200 Speaker 1: postseason bracket looked like. These are all very kind things 446 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 1: I'm saying that may or may not be a part 447 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 1: of the decision making, but I totally get the point 448 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 1: that you're trying to make. And I do think one 449 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 1: of the big next steps for women's sports is the 450 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,160 Speaker 1: shoulder programming, the wrap around program, the pre and post game, 451 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 1: all the content like our show that allows people to 452 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:01,159 Speaker 1: be excited about follow along, under stand the stories, and 453 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 1: care about the next game in the game after that, 454 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:05,920 Speaker 1: And that's all gonna be a big part of continuing 455 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:08,360 Speaker 1: to grow women's sports. So ESPN will play a big 456 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 1: role in that, and they have gotten better in recent years, 457 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 1: so here's hope in next year is the same. All right, 458 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 1: let's talk about this playoff bracket that we now have. 459 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: I like to say, you know, the table is set, 460 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 1: although I believe the table is for regular season and 461 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:24,520 Speaker 1: the bracket is for the postseason. But I still like 462 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: the idea of at the end of the day having 463 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:29,240 Speaker 1: a nice, beautiful playoff table that we've set and get 464 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: to sit down. 465 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:36,120 Speaker 4: And enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and WSL style exactly exactly which 466 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 4: one of the matchups is most exciting to you off 467 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:42,960 Speaker 4: the top. So I feel like in a normal year, 468 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 4: I would not pick the number one versus the number 469 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 4: eight as the one I'm most excited for. In this case, 470 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 4: number take my answer, Eddie against number eight Gotham. Ooh, 471 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:58,080 Speaker 4: I'm glad I got to go first, But who knows 472 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 4: if we're going to see how much showinga back Kansas 473 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:04,480 Speaker 4: City next week. My guess is probably not based on 474 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:06,399 Speaker 4: how things are going, but I guess we don't know. 475 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,199 Speaker 4: And then Gotham, you know, they could have finished as 476 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 4: high as four, like they could have been hosting a 477 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 4: quarter final next weekend, but instead they have to go 478 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 4: to the best team in the league in play. So 479 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:20,000 Speaker 4: I don't think Gotham is necessarily a true number eight team, 480 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:21,880 Speaker 4: but definitely gonna be a tough matchup. 481 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:25,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, I feel like Gotham is a team that all 482 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: season long, we've sort of been wondering when they were 483 00:24:28,119 --> 00:24:30,760 Speaker 1: going to really kick it into high gear, when they 484 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:32,680 Speaker 1: were going to take advantage of all their talent. Now 485 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:34,520 Speaker 1: they did have injuries that cause there to be a 486 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 1: lot of in and out in terms of the talent 487 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:38,600 Speaker 1: that was available to them each and every game. But 488 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,679 Speaker 1: they do make this more interesting than the usual one 489 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:45,040 Speaker 1: eight because to your point, they've got a ton of players. 490 00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:48,120 Speaker 1: A Stare was not on the pitch today for them, 491 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:50,960 Speaker 1: She's I believe, still sitting in the runner up spot 492 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 1: behind Tim Withhewinga for goals, had a tremendous season and 493 00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: year and is someone that at any moment can show 494 00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:01,359 Speaker 1: up and make you pay. So I feel like that 495 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:04,359 Speaker 1: will be much more interesting than your average one versus eight. 496 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: I also think when it comes to the current players, 497 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:09,880 Speaker 1: not that they really need a boost of confidence after 498 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 1: the regular season they've had. We'll get to that later, 499 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:15,879 Speaker 1: because holy shit, Kansas City this year was unbelievable. But 500 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: they do get a little boost in the fact that 501 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 1: one of their goals today was scored by Prince, who 502 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: is someone who's going to probably be someone they look 503 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:27,159 Speaker 1: to to fill the gap if Temo isn't available. So 504 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:30,480 Speaker 1: to have their line of forwards that played in this 505 00:25:30,560 --> 00:25:32,959 Speaker 1: game today be the ones that they're going to depend on, 506 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 1: probably in the opening round. They just get a little 507 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:38,879 Speaker 1: boost seeing them be so successful in this final regular 508 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 1: season game. 509 00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:42,960 Speaker 4: I'm also laughing at your description of Gotham being kind 510 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:44,440 Speaker 4: of up and down. I'm like, sounds like the Las 511 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 4: Vegas a says, you know, and it worked out for them. 512 00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:49,520 Speaker 1: And also, if you look at when Gotham won the 513 00:25:49,560 --> 00:25:52,199 Speaker 1: title two years ago, they were coming out of the 514 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:55,040 Speaker 1: sixth seed, which at the time was the lowest seed 515 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:57,639 Speaker 1: to make the postseason. So they have a history of 516 00:25:57,760 --> 00:26:01,400 Speaker 1: being able to come from the very bottom. Now we're here. 517 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:03,920 Speaker 1: Started from the bottom. Now we're here, So look out 518 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:05,600 Speaker 1: Kansas City. As all we have to say about that, 519 00:26:05,600 --> 00:26:08,360 Speaker 1: that's gonna be an interesting one. I also just love 520 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:12,240 Speaker 1: the idea of Orlando and Seattle drawing in their final 521 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 1: game and then running it back in the first round 522 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:17,920 Speaker 1: of the postseason. Neither really, I guess gave much away 523 00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:22,080 Speaker 1: to the other one today because there wasn't a definitive winner, 524 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 1: But that'll be a good one in Orlando is another 525 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:27,760 Speaker 1: team that after winning it all last year, having so 526 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 1: much talent, I think expectations were higher. They started the 527 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:32,960 Speaker 1: season looking like they were gonna be neck and neck 528 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:35,360 Speaker 1: with the current. Then they dropped out entirely and there 529 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 1: was a question of whether they'd find their way back 530 00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:39,439 Speaker 1: in went on a run and now they end up 531 00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:43,560 Speaker 1: in a respectable number four seed. But other than the 532 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:47,440 Speaker 1: Kansas City Current being world beaters, there is no sure 533 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,200 Speaker 1: thing for me in this postseason, even the Washington Spirit 534 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:53,359 Speaker 1: who had sealed up the number two seed, because with 535 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: Trinity rodbin in and out, with the ups and downs 536 00:26:55,760 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 1: of that team, I just don't know that there's and 537 00:26:58,720 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: racing now coming in hot being so excited about making 538 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:05,680 Speaker 1: their first postseason head full esteem against that Washington team. 539 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,520 Speaker 1: I think it's good. If I was a betting woman, 540 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,240 Speaker 1: I would not bet on this. I would be very 541 00:27:11,280 --> 00:27:15,480 Speaker 1: concerned about making any of these picks. Definitively absolutely. 542 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 4: I mean, I think that's one of the reasons that 543 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:20,679 Speaker 4: we love the NWSL right, I agree, though definitely not 544 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:23,720 Speaker 4: something I'm investing a lot of money into or pride either. 545 00:27:27,520 --> 00:27:29,640 Speaker 1: One of the other things we mentioned earlier that got 546 00:27:29,680 --> 00:27:33,800 Speaker 1: decided was officially Temlshewinga the Golden Boot race. Astaire had 547 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:36,200 Speaker 1: the lead for a while, but once time we heat 548 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 1: it up, it kind of felt like it was hers 549 00:27:38,359 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: to hang on to, and unfortunately we never really got 550 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 1: to see what she could do because of the injury. 551 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:46,359 Speaker 1: Last year, she said an NWSL record with twenty goals 552 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:49,040 Speaker 1: en route to her first Golden Boot. This year she 553 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 1: only gets to fifteen misses a couple games at the end, 554 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 1: and especially frustrating and annoying because she had made a 555 00:27:55,840 --> 00:27:59,240 Speaker 1: bet with her coach Flat Coo and Aovski. She said 556 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 1: that he had to dye his hair blue if she 557 00:28:01,440 --> 00:28:04,240 Speaker 1: got her first NWSL header and then proceeded to score 558 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 1: it the very next day, which had me thinking that 559 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 1: you could just at any point give Temwa a challenge 560 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:11,400 Speaker 1: that she hadn't yet achieved, and she would immediately do it. 561 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:13,360 Speaker 1: And I wanted to see a few more games where 562 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:15,080 Speaker 1: she had the opportunity to be asked to do I 563 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:18,119 Speaker 1: don't know, like a bicycle kick or backwards or like 564 00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:22,040 Speaker 1: scoring off a knee or whatever it might be. But hopefully, 565 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:24,040 Speaker 1: fingers crossed, we might get to see her in the 566 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:25,439 Speaker 1: postseason doing some more magic. 567 00:28:25,680 --> 00:28:28,120 Speaker 4: I also just want to shout out Flat co Ananofsky 568 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:31,119 Speaker 4: and the relationship that he clearly established with Temla and 569 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:33,159 Speaker 4: lots of his players. You know, I think back to 570 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:35,840 Speaker 4: two years ago when the US exited the Women's World 571 00:28:35,840 --> 00:28:39,200 Speaker 4: Cup early. For people that hadn't been paying attention to 572 00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 4: him as head coach prior to that or his tenure 573 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 4: in the NWSL. I know he got a lot of hate, 574 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:49,040 Speaker 4: and you know, it's it's easy to critique the head coach, 575 00:28:49,080 --> 00:28:50,480 Speaker 4: and I think in a lot of ways he might 576 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:52,560 Speaker 4: not have been the right person to lead that team 577 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:56,040 Speaker 4: to a World Cup title, but clearly coaching in the 578 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,480 Speaker 4: NWSL is something that he excels at. And I've always 579 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,120 Speaker 4: had a bit of a offspot for him, I think 580 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 4: in part because he once showed up to a press 581 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:07,000 Speaker 4: conference with basically the equivalent of like a live Laugh 582 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:10,280 Speaker 4: Love poster behind him in his kitchen. And he can't 583 00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:12,480 Speaker 4: hate somebody who shops at the goods, you know. 584 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:15,720 Speaker 1: No, you know what next up, I hang in their 585 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:16,680 Speaker 1: cat poster. 586 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:20,640 Speaker 4: He clearly has so much respect for his players, and like, 587 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 4: I wish that that wasn't something that we had a 588 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 4: shout out, but it is. And so it's clear that 589 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:30,840 Speaker 4: his players enjoy playing for him and appreciate the relationships 590 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:32,240 Speaker 4: that they've been able to cultivate. 591 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,200 Speaker 1: Speaking of that, actually I meant to earlier shout out 592 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 1: the interim head coach for the North Carolina Courage, Nathan 593 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:42,760 Speaker 1: Thackeray because on the broadcast before that Courage game, they 594 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 1: showed him in the locker room hyping up his team 595 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:47,240 Speaker 1: ahead of their final game and their last shot to 596 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:50,239 Speaker 1: make the postseason, and he wrote them a poem and 597 00:29:50,280 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 1: he made them a video to go along with the 598 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,200 Speaker 1: poem he wrote them, and it was extremely sweet, and 599 00:29:56,240 --> 00:29:59,000 Speaker 1: I got the feels for the relationship that he seems 600 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 1: to have created with that team since taking over, and 601 00:30:01,840 --> 00:30:03,800 Speaker 1: I just I love a poem. I used to write 602 00:30:03,800 --> 00:30:06,959 Speaker 1: poems for my track teammates ahead of big matches, mostly 603 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:09,120 Speaker 1: talking shit about the other teams, but they were coming 604 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 1: from a place of love for my team, So shout 605 00:30:12,240 --> 00:30:15,840 Speaker 1: out to him for that. Also, speaking of things that 606 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:18,800 Speaker 1: made me have the feels, there are ten players that 607 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:22,880 Speaker 1: played their last regular season games in the NWSL on Sunday. 608 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 1: Some of them we've talked about a lot, like Kristin 609 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:26,960 Speaker 1: Press and Ali Riley, and they're two of the players 610 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:29,320 Speaker 1: that are on teams that did not make the postseasons. 611 00:30:29,320 --> 00:30:32,440 Speaker 1: So not only last regular season NWSL game, but last 612 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:36,360 Speaker 1: NWSL game at all. Three Utah players that are not 613 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:40,120 Speaker 1: advancing to la A North Carolina players, So a lot 614 00:30:40,120 --> 00:30:43,800 Speaker 1: of people that don't get to continue this journey in 615 00:30:43,840 --> 00:30:47,600 Speaker 1: the postseason. And we've said a lot about Kristin and 616 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:50,880 Speaker 1: Ali in particular, but I thought it was interesting that 617 00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:54,480 Speaker 1: Kristin Press and Angel City were playing at Chicago for 618 00:30:54,560 --> 00:30:57,160 Speaker 1: the final game of the season. Both teams already eliminated, 619 00:30:57,160 --> 00:30:59,959 Speaker 1: but something kind of special there. Chicago is where Kristin's 620 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:03,000 Speaker 1: started her NWSL career. She played there for three seasons. 621 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 1: She was beloved in Chicago, and it wasn't until later 622 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:09,640 Speaker 1: that it was revealed that she was very unhappy that 623 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:12,600 Speaker 1: she was part of the group that spoke out about 624 00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:16,400 Speaker 1: the toxic atmosphere in that club and with that coach. 625 00:31:16,640 --> 00:31:19,400 Speaker 1: So on the one hand, there's a real kind of 626 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:22,840 Speaker 1: circular nature to her returning there to close things out, 627 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:26,600 Speaker 1: but I also hope that it wasn't bittersweet for her 628 00:31:27,120 --> 00:31:29,560 Speaker 1: to go back to a place that she didn't feel 629 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:32,560 Speaker 1: represented the kind of experience she should have as a 630 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:36,680 Speaker 1: professional player. It was nice to see players that knew her, 631 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:39,680 Speaker 1: players like Alyssanaier who had played with her, be there 632 00:31:39,720 --> 00:31:42,080 Speaker 1: in that moment to give her her flowers quite literally, 633 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:45,040 Speaker 1: because they did so that part of it was sweet. 634 00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:47,880 Speaker 4: I always think back to Megan Rappino and her talking 635 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:52,000 Speaker 4: about how it isn't known when your last game is 636 00:31:52,040 --> 00:31:54,280 Speaker 4: going to be and to be able to go on 637 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:56,760 Speaker 4: your terms and to know it's your last game, there's 638 00:31:56,800 --> 00:32:00,200 Speaker 4: something special about that, ideally without eating your achille in 639 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:00,800 Speaker 4: the process. 640 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:02,560 Speaker 1: Yes, yes, I don't think that. 641 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:06,080 Speaker 4: Was necessarily on her Bingo card. But for players like 642 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:08,400 Speaker 4: Kristin and Ali to see them kind of set a 643 00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:10,800 Speaker 4: date and to then see it through and to be 644 00:32:10,840 --> 00:32:13,440 Speaker 4: able to play, I think really means something. 645 00:32:13,920 --> 00:32:16,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I mentioned a listena Or was the one 646 00:32:16,480 --> 00:32:20,360 Speaker 1: who handed Kristin the flowers, And I mentioned that there 647 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:23,480 Speaker 1: are ten players who played their last NWSL game on 648 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:27,080 Speaker 1: Sunday as far as we know, because those are the 649 00:32:27,120 --> 00:32:29,360 Speaker 1: ten players who have told us that it was their 650 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:34,520 Speaker 1: final NWSL regular season game. A Listenaer, as we mentioned 651 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:37,880 Speaker 1: in a previous show, her contract expired as of this 652 00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:40,880 Speaker 1: last game of the regular season, and she said, just 653 00:32:40,920 --> 00:32:42,680 Speaker 1: like I always do, I'll close out the season, then 654 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:46,120 Speaker 1: I'll make a decision. But Alex, you and I both 655 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:49,080 Speaker 1: saw what we saw, which was players wearing a Listenaer 656 00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:53,960 Speaker 1: shirts to the game her color neutral Stars teammates, And 657 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:55,680 Speaker 1: I don't know if that's just because they had all 658 00:32:55,680 --> 00:32:58,480 Speaker 1: recently gone to support her US women's national team celebration. 659 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 1: They already had the shirts. They felt like, let's get 660 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:03,160 Speaker 1: one more run out of these, or if they know 661 00:33:03,280 --> 00:33:07,040 Speaker 1: something we don't know, And if that's the case, I 662 00:33:07,120 --> 00:33:09,080 Speaker 1: know it's not their fault. But I will forever be 663 00:33:09,200 --> 00:33:12,120 Speaker 1: mad at the Color Neutral Stars for her final season 664 00:33:12,200 --> 00:33:15,440 Speaker 1: being such a disappointing one and one in which we 665 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:19,200 Speaker 1: didn't really get to appreciate her greatness. That's a bummer. 666 00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:23,600 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure, I was getting DT vibes right because 667 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:26,240 Speaker 4: for a while with Diana Trossi, you weren't sure is 668 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:28,800 Speaker 4: this it is? Is it? And then finally they did 669 00:33:28,800 --> 00:33:30,680 Speaker 4: the like if this is it video and we're like, 670 00:33:30,680 --> 00:33:33,720 Speaker 4: oh shit, it's it, Like we know it's the end. 671 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:38,400 Speaker 4: And so part of me wants to be like, Okay, 672 00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 4: if it really was it for Alyssa, they would have 673 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:43,600 Speaker 4: made a bigger deal out of it. But also, you know, 674 00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:45,400 Speaker 4: I think it's just maybe one of those things where 675 00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:47,080 Speaker 4: it's like you got to wake up the next day 676 00:33:47,080 --> 00:33:49,600 Speaker 4: and see how you feel, like how hungry are you 677 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:51,160 Speaker 4: still at this point in your career. 678 00:33:51,440 --> 00:33:54,040 Speaker 1: So it's hard to believe, but a listenair is somehow 679 00:33:54,080 --> 00:33:57,440 Speaker 1: more DT than DT is when it comes to elaborate 680 00:33:57,560 --> 00:34:01,000 Speaker 1: celebrations and honorings. So I would not be surprised at 681 00:34:01,040 --> 00:34:02,960 Speaker 1: all if she didn't really tell anyone and they wore 682 00:34:03,000 --> 00:34:06,320 Speaker 1: those shirts just in case because she either hasn't made 683 00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:08,720 Speaker 1: up her mind or she hasn't told anyone. I think 684 00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:11,400 Speaker 1: I could see her very much not telling anyone anything 685 00:34:11,440 --> 00:34:13,879 Speaker 1: because she did not want a big to do made 686 00:34:13,880 --> 00:34:17,319 Speaker 1: about it. Yeah, but gosh, I actually don't even know 687 00:34:17,360 --> 00:34:19,919 Speaker 1: if I want her to come back, not knowing whether 688 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:22,560 Speaker 1: next season will be another slog, or if I hope 689 00:34:22,560 --> 00:34:25,320 Speaker 1: that she comes back and gets the opportunity to play 690 00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:27,920 Speaker 1: in the cool stadium on the lake where hopefully more 691 00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:31,640 Speaker 1: fans will be in attendance, and maybe tell us give 692 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:33,440 Speaker 1: us a hint that it's the end so we can 693 00:34:33,440 --> 00:34:36,719 Speaker 1: all show up in droves for her. That would be nice, 694 00:34:36,920 --> 00:34:38,800 Speaker 1: But I would like them to win some more games 695 00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:43,080 Speaker 1: for her if that's the case. Speaking of winning games, 696 00:34:43,120 --> 00:34:45,080 Speaker 1: before we can tie a bow on this regular season 697 00:34:45,400 --> 00:34:48,520 Speaker 1: and officially truly move on to the postseason, where anything 698 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:53,440 Speaker 1: can happen. Any team can win, including Gotham. I want 699 00:34:53,480 --> 00:34:56,799 Speaker 1: to make sure we give Kansas City like proper recognition 700 00:34:56,920 --> 00:35:00,560 Speaker 1: for a regular season unlike any other. Now, as you, 701 00:35:00,800 --> 00:35:03,240 Speaker 1: Alex would always say, there might have been some records 702 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:05,200 Speaker 1: at this season because there were more games and more 703 00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:07,200 Speaker 1: opportunities and all those other things. So we'll couch this 704 00:35:07,239 --> 00:35:08,239 Speaker 1: by saying, I love that. 705 00:35:08,280 --> 00:35:11,160 Speaker 4: You are setting this up for me. Well, I like 706 00:35:11,239 --> 00:35:13,920 Speaker 4: literally searching, like most of NWSL games in his yay, yes, 707 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:15,320 Speaker 4: right now, I know that's what's coming. 708 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:18,080 Speaker 1: Though, is like we always and rightfully so want to 709 00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:20,120 Speaker 1: provide the nuance in context for some of these numbers. 710 00:35:20,160 --> 00:35:22,040 Speaker 1: They Oh, they had the most opportunities for this. And 711 00:35:22,120 --> 00:35:25,600 Speaker 1: yet all that being said, let's still highlight some of 712 00:35:25,640 --> 00:35:28,600 Speaker 1: the regular season records that Kansas City sent this year, 713 00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:30,719 Speaker 1: and shout out to Jen Cooper, who, by the way, 714 00:35:30,760 --> 00:35:33,360 Speaker 1: I loved hearing her get that shout out on ESPN 715 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:35,359 Speaker 1: for all the work she does for the league and 716 00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:38,839 Speaker 1: providing all the scenarios for decision Day and everything else. 717 00:35:38,880 --> 00:35:41,319 Speaker 1: But let's blow through a couple of these, Alex, some 718 00:35:41,440 --> 00:35:43,719 Speaker 1: that we already have talked about a lot. This team 719 00:35:43,800 --> 00:35:46,279 Speaker 1: was the fastest to fifty points. They got there in 720 00:35:46,320 --> 00:35:49,960 Speaker 1: twenty games, the fastest to clinch the NWSL shield. They 721 00:35:49,960 --> 00:35:53,000 Speaker 1: did it with five games left to play. Most points 722 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:55,600 Speaker 1: in one season, which they got after Week twenty five 723 00:35:55,640 --> 00:35:58,000 Speaker 1: with sixty two, but then finished the season with sixty 724 00:35:58,040 --> 00:36:01,520 Speaker 1: five most wins in a season. They extended their own 725 00:36:01,560 --> 00:36:05,680 Speaker 1: record by getting their twenty first on Sunday. Ten road wins, 726 00:36:06,080 --> 00:36:10,800 Speaker 1: sixteen shutouts, and alex this one. The consecutive minutes without 727 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:14,279 Speaker 1: conceding a goal eight hundred and seventy. It's a lot 728 00:36:14,320 --> 00:36:16,240 Speaker 1: of minutes that's out of control. 729 00:36:16,640 --> 00:36:18,920 Speaker 4: Have to say, though, most of these would be records 730 00:36:18,960 --> 00:36:21,400 Speaker 4: and seasons that were a lot shorter too, and so 731 00:36:21,960 --> 00:36:24,680 Speaker 4: yet another reason why they deserve a ton of praise 732 00:36:24,719 --> 00:36:27,160 Speaker 4: for what they were able to put together because it's 733 00:36:27,200 --> 00:36:28,600 Speaker 4: really really special. 734 00:36:29,520 --> 00:36:31,600 Speaker 1: And we do talk a lot about this team and 735 00:36:31,640 --> 00:36:34,360 Speaker 1: their scoring prowess because it's fun to watch goals and 736 00:36:34,440 --> 00:36:38,040 Speaker 1: talk about folks like Temwa, But the consecutive minutes of 737 00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:42,760 Speaker 1: shutout play is won, the nine straight clean sheets record, 738 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:46,640 Speaker 1: the eight home clean sheets in one season record, that 739 00:36:47,560 --> 00:36:50,000 Speaker 1: speaks to the defense. So shout out to the defensive 740 00:36:50,040 --> 00:36:53,120 Speaker 1: side of the ball for Kansas City as well, because 741 00:36:53,560 --> 00:36:57,520 Speaker 1: both sides play their asses off and their keeper this 742 00:36:57,719 --> 00:37:00,480 Speaker 1: season and amounted to something we've really never seen before. 743 00:37:00,920 --> 00:37:02,600 Speaker 1: And I'm a little bump for them that it wasn't 744 00:37:02,680 --> 00:37:06,440 Speaker 1: last year when the championship was at CPKC Stadium. But 745 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,120 Speaker 1: I think they'll take it whatever they can get it, 746 00:37:09,160 --> 00:37:12,759 Speaker 1: as long as they keep the ball rolling in the postseason, 747 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:17,160 Speaker 1: all right, Alex A successful little citrus. I don't think 748 00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:20,200 Speaker 1: we introduced any new words to people though. We didn't 749 00:37:20,719 --> 00:37:24,680 Speaker 1: make any new shortcuts like socks or vibs. We didn't 750 00:37:24,680 --> 00:37:30,560 Speaker 1: say we were cited for anything. What was it, sized, sized, 751 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:33,640 Speaker 1: se sised. We didn't say we were cised for any. 752 00:37:33,719 --> 00:37:38,280 Speaker 1: I mean we're already forgetting Misha's words, a little baby, 753 00:37:38,600 --> 00:37:41,799 Speaker 1: little baby Mesh and their little baby words. Okay, we 754 00:37:41,880 --> 00:37:43,840 Speaker 1: got to take another break when we come back. A 755 00:37:43,880 --> 00:37:54,520 Speaker 1: reminder to look for the helpers. Welcome back, slices. We 756 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:56,080 Speaker 1: love that you're listening, but we want you to get 757 00:37:56,120 --> 00:37:57,719 Speaker 1: in the game every day too. So here's our good 758 00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:00,359 Speaker 1: game play of the day. Make a plan to get 759 00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:04,399 Speaker 1: to a college basketball game in person this season. We know, 760 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:07,160 Speaker 1: we know some of you are lifelong season ticket holders, 761 00:38:07,160 --> 00:38:10,120 Speaker 1: so today's plays a freebie for you. Or obviously, if 762 00:38:10,120 --> 00:38:12,400 Speaker 1: you're a coach or a player, you got it covered. 763 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:15,359 Speaker 1: But the rest of you US based folks, we could 764 00:38:15,400 --> 00:38:18,040 Speaker 1: basically guarantee that you wouldn't have to drive more than 765 00:38:18,080 --> 00:38:20,680 Speaker 1: an hour to see some really great hoops. I don't 766 00:38:20,680 --> 00:38:22,440 Speaker 1: know if you live at Alaska or something, but whatever, 767 00:38:22,960 --> 00:38:25,759 Speaker 1: there are three hundred and sixty two division ie programs 768 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:28,880 Speaker 1: and more than thirteen hundred teams across all divisions, so 769 00:38:29,239 --> 00:38:31,480 Speaker 1: you really have no excuse get out there and watch 770 00:38:31,520 --> 00:38:34,120 Speaker 1: some hoops in person. Y'all. We always love to hear 771 00:38:34,160 --> 00:38:35,960 Speaker 1: from you, so hit us up on email good game 772 00:38:35,960 --> 00:38:38,840 Speaker 1: at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail at 773 00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:41,959 Speaker 1: eight seven two two four fifty seventy and don't forget 774 00:38:42,000 --> 00:38:45,520 Speaker 1: to subscribe or rate and review. It's easy. Watch a 775 00:38:45,600 --> 00:38:50,440 Speaker 1: Hooper who helps rating one of one big Heart review. 776 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:54,319 Speaker 1: Audie Crooks, star hooper for the Iowa State Cyclones, has 777 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:57,400 Speaker 1: launched a program called Knock and Dash via her Audi 778 00:38:57,440 --> 00:38:59,959 Speaker 1: Crooks Foundation. It's going to help folks in her costs 779 00:39:00,120 --> 00:39:03,200 Speaker 1: the county community affected by the freeze in SNAP benefits 780 00:39:03,560 --> 00:39:06,560 Speaker 1: now if you haven't heard, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 781 00:39:06,640 --> 00:39:10,240 Speaker 1: SNAP aids about forty two million people in the US, 782 00:39:10,320 --> 00:39:12,000 Speaker 1: and it was set to run out of funds on 783 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:15,680 Speaker 1: Saturday without an intervention. Though A federal judge has ordered 784 00:39:15,719 --> 00:39:19,080 Speaker 1: the Trump administration to continue funding food stamps during the shutdown, 785 00:39:19,440 --> 00:39:23,560 Speaker 1: some beneficiaries might still see lapses in aid. Crook's foundation 786 00:39:23,640 --> 00:39:26,840 Speaker 1: website reads quote, with many families losing snap benefits, we 787 00:39:26,920 --> 00:39:29,360 Speaker 1: know things can get tough and nobody should have to 788 00:39:29,360 --> 00:39:31,680 Speaker 1: go without. Just fill out the short form below to 789 00:39:31,760 --> 00:39:33,320 Speaker 1: let us know how many people are in your household 790 00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:35,800 Speaker 1: and where you're located. We'll drop off a care package 791 00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:39,160 Speaker 1: right at your door, no questions, no judgment. It's all 792 00:39:39,160 --> 00:39:43,600 Speaker 1: about neighbors helping neighbors, one knock at a time. End quote. 793 00:39:43,680 --> 00:39:47,040 Speaker 1: We love as always to see female athletes and women's 794 00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:51,239 Speaker 1: sports step up in these moments. So more crooks who 795 00:39:51,280 --> 00:39:55,320 Speaker 1: help less, crooks who throw themselves attacky Great Gatsby themed 796 00:39:55,360 --> 00:39:58,160 Speaker 1: party at mar Lago while they're denying food to American 797 00:39:58,160 --> 00:40:02,040 Speaker 1: families in need. Now it's your turn, rate and review, y'all. 798 00:40:02,600 --> 00:40:06,120 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow. Good game Racing, Louisville, 799 00:40:06,360 --> 00:40:10,840 Speaker 1: Good games, Sarah Gordon and Angelina Anderson. You Orange and 800 00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:14,240 Speaker 1: Chief for hosting that aforementioned party while forty two million 801 00:40:14,239 --> 00:40:18,680 Speaker 1: Americans were losing their benefits. You give Oranges a bad name. 802 00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:23,280 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 803 00:40:23,320 --> 00:40:26,480 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 804 00:40:26,520 --> 00:40:29,279 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 805 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:32,520 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 806 00:40:32,600 --> 00:40:36,040 Speaker 1: our producers are alex Azzie Grace Lynch, Taylor Williamson, and 807 00:40:36,120 --> 00:40:40,040 Speaker 1: Lucy Jones. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, 808 00:40:40,120 --> 00:40:43,440 Speaker 1: Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder, 809 00:40:43,480 --> 00:40:47,600 Speaker 1: Britney Martinez and Gianna Palmer. Production assistants from Avery Loftus 810 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:49,600 Speaker 1: and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain