1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're wishing 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,720 Speaker 1: we could freeze ourselves in the brief, happy window of 3 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: time between Trinity Rodman's announced return to the US national 4 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: team Wednesday morning and her injury Wednesday night. Why can't 5 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:17,119 Speaker 1: we have nice things? It's Friday, October seventeenth, and on 6 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: today's show, we're joined by women's soccer analyst and former 7 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: pro player Laurie Lindsay. We talk about how this NWSL 8 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 1: season has unfolded, the team's lori cees making the postseason, 9 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: and we play a patience or panic speed round regarding 10 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: several issues currently facing. 11 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 2: The league, plus playoff math. 12 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: A Hooper returns to the Green and praising arrival to 13 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:39,520 Speaker 1: close out a career. It's all coming up right after 14 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 1: this Welcome back sliceys, Happy Friday. Here's what you need 15 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: to know today. Let's start with soccer and that injury 16 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: I mentioned in the show open On Thursday, we told 17 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: you that Trinity Rodman had been named the US national 18 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: training camp roster for a trio of friendlies later this month, 19 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: making her triumphant return after sitting out several camps with 20 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: a nagging back injury. 21 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 2: Well, on Wednesday, night. 22 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 1: Just a few hours after that roster drop, Rodman was 23 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,759 Speaker 1: injured during a CONCACAF w Champions Cup group stage game 24 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: against Monterey, which her Washington's Spirit went on to win 25 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 1: for nothing. During the first half of the match, Rodman 26 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 1: suffered an apparent leg injury after attempting a tackle. She 27 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:25,959 Speaker 1: needed help from athletic trainers to get to her feet 28 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 1: and seemed unable to put any weight on her right leg. 29 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: After the game, she was seen back on the field 30 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: on crutches and wearing a full length knee brace. As 31 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: of this recording, we don't have an update on Rodman's 32 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 1: status or prognosis. We just know how tough it was 33 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: to see such a talented player who's already been sidelined 34 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 1: by injury far too much in her career go down again. 35 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 1: We're sending Tren our best and we'll keep you updated 36 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 1: when we learn more. More soccer, there are three weeks 37 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: left in the NWSL regular season, but just two regular 38 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: season game days. There are no games scheduled during the 39 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: FIFA window October twenty second through twenty eighth. National team 40 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:02,920 Speaker 1: players will be at camp and playing in those friendlies 41 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 1: I mentioned, so with just those two game days left, 42 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: there are still five postseason spots up for grabs, but 43 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 1: the playoff picture could become a lot clearer this weekend now. 44 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 1: As a reminder, eight teams will qualify for the NWSL postseason, 45 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 1: and heading into Friday nights games, three teams have already 46 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 1: clinched postseason berths Kansas City, Washington, and Orlando, and three 47 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 1: teams have already been eliminated from contention, the Utah Royals, BAFC, 48 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: and Chicago Stars. 49 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 2: That leaves eight teams competing for the. 50 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 1: Final five playoff spots Gotham, Seattle, San Diego, Portland, Louisville, 51 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 1: North Carolina, Angel City, and the Houston Dash. The first 52 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 1: five of those teams all control their own faith this weekend. 53 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:48,239 Speaker 1: If they win, they're in, but some of those teams 54 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 1: might actually clinch before they even step on the field. 55 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: If the North Carolina Courage, currently in ninth loses its 56 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:59,079 Speaker 1: game tonight against BFC, then Gotham, Seattle, San Diego, and 57 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: Portland will all mathematically clinched playoff berths. Shout out to 58 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 1: statistician extraordinaire and friend of the show Jen Cooper for 59 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:09,239 Speaker 1: her work in unpacking these very complicated scenarios. We'll link 60 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 1: to her site keeper notes in the show notes. We'll 61 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: also link to a fantastic NWSL playoff simulator that Alison 62 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: Gail built. You could play around with it to see 63 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: what results your team needs in order to qualify. We're 64 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 1: also going to be keeping an eye on the race 65 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:24,799 Speaker 1: for the Golden Boot, the award that goes to the 66 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 1: NWSL player with the most goals on the season. The 67 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 1: Kansas City Currents tem wasshewinga last year's winner, currently leads 68 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,679 Speaker 1: the league with fifteen tallies, and she scored in four 69 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: straight matches while got them FC's Aestare sits in second 70 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: place with thirteen. We'll have plenty more on the NWSL 71 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: later in the show, when I'm joined by laur Lindsay 72 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: to the intersection of basketball and golf Gasketball Bolf, I'll 73 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 1: keep workshopping it. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark missed the 74 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: end of the WNBA season with injury, but it seems 75 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 1: she's finally ready to return to action on the Links 76 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: announced on Thursday that Clark will play in next month 77 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: the Onica, a pro am event hosted by the LPGA. 78 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 2: Clark also competed in the event last November. 79 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 1: One of Clark's sponsors, Gainbridge, is a major sponsor of 80 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: the tournament, which includes a three point two five million 81 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: dollar prize and. 82 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:16,599 Speaker 2: Some more w news. 83 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,159 Speaker 1: On Thursday, the WNBA announced that the All Star Game 84 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 1: will be returning to Chicago. Chicago's been selected to host 85 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:26,919 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty six All Star Game. It'll be the 86 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:29,279 Speaker 1: second time the All Star Game is coming here to 87 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 1: my city, and I'm so grateful they're giving them a 88 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: second chance. Last time was a very short warning to 89 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 1: the city that the event would be going on, and 90 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:40,039 Speaker 1: speaking to some folks who are at the highest levels 91 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 1: of events like this here in Chicago, they just felt 92 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: like they didn't have a chance to ramp it up 93 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: the way that they'd hoped because of that short timeline. 94 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 1: So plenty of time to get ahead of this one, 95 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 1: and I'm really excited to see what'll go down all 96 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 1: the festivities around my city. It's going to be Saturday, 97 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: July twenty fifth at the United Center and lots more 98 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: news I'm sure to come that. Finally, a reminder that 99 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,600 Speaker 1: the Las Vegas Aces are celebrating their WNBA championship win 100 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 1: with a parade today in their home city local station 101 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 1: News three Las Vegas will be live streaming the celebration, 102 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 1: so we'll link to their website in the show notes, 103 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,159 Speaker 1: and of course check your favee W reporters on social 104 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: to see if they're posted up parade side in Sin City. 105 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 2: We got to take a quick break. 106 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 1: When we come back, we run up and down the 107 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,440 Speaker 1: NWSL table with Lour Lindsay. We talked to Laurie on 108 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 1: Wednesday before the Trinity Rodman jury stick around. She's back 109 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:40,920 Speaker 1: for a second visit to the show. She's an NWSL, 110 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: MLS and EUROS analyst for CBS Sports, Apple, TV, Prime Video, 111 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: Fox and ESPN. A former midfielder who made thirty one 112 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 1: appearances for the US women's national team, including at the 113 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: twenty eleven World Cup where they were runners up. 114 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 2: She's got a closet full of sleepless black teas. 115 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: She's been on the big screen in Times Square, and 116 00:05:58,160 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 1: she grew a mullet as a kid because she wanted 117 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: to be former US men's keeper Tony Meola. 118 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 2: It's Lori Lindsay, Hi, Lauri Hi. 119 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 3: That was perfect. And the black sleeves or the sleeveless 120 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 3: black shirts is just amazing. 121 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:14,799 Speaker 1: So yeah, I mean not untrue, not all lesbians, but many. 122 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:17,720 Speaker 2: That's pretty much what are you gonna wear today? 123 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:20,359 Speaker 1: Well, it's between my white sleeveless tea and my black 124 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 1: sleeveless exactly. 125 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 4: So you know, that's the exact reason why. 126 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: I love being on So last time, when you were 127 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 1: on the show, we were prepping for the start of 128 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 1: this NWSL season, and I wonder if you can remember 129 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: any of the predictions you made, any of the players 130 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 1: you thought might be great, any of the teams that 131 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 1: you thought might be great that you now think to yourself, Wow, 132 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: I was way off. 133 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 4: Okay, Well, I was trying to remember if we did 134 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 4: predict predictions and so, and then I was like, well, 135 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 4: I can't remember any except for probably Kansas City, which 136 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 4: I think a lot of us were right about. So 137 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 4: it's not like I'm patting myself on the back about 138 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 4: that one. But I also would say that I would 139 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 4: have had a Orlando up there again, even though and 140 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:05,359 Speaker 4: they just clinched a playoff spot, But there was about 141 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 4: nine weeks of some nervy moments where I actually didn't 142 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 4: think they were gonna make it, So credit to them. 143 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 3: Who else did I have? I can't even remember Gotham, 144 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:16,679 Speaker 3: I would imagine I head up there too. Is that true? 145 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 2: I'm gonna go back and look and double check. 146 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: But I want to see what comes to mind for you, 147 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 1: because it's always interesting to me when somebody later on 148 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,119 Speaker 1: is trying to go back and reconcile, because it's really 149 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: hard to put ourselves back in the mindset of one 150 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 1: season is starting, and to your point, like the Orlando Pride, duh, 151 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: but there was a giant stretch in the middle of 152 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 1: this season where we were all like, what happened to 153 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: the Pride? And are they even going to make the postseason? 154 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: Not to mention be the team that we saw last year. 155 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 1: So yeah, I'm pretty fascinated by how differently this NWSL 156 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: season has gone from what I expected. And part of 157 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 1: that is some major names not playing at all. Part 158 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: of that is Kansas City kind of making the at 159 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: least first place who's gonna win story completely unimportant at 160 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: this point, And I want to talk to you quickly 161 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: about the Kansas City current breaking records for points, wins, 162 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: fastest team to clinch the Shield. Why has this team 163 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 1: been so dominant? 164 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 4: Well, I think one ownership, they are determined to be 165 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 4: the best, and we see that in everything they do 166 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 4: with their training facilities, the stadium and also the players, 167 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 4: I mean Blackoen and Oski, they're head coach, I mean 168 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 4: all of the there's a huge vision of from day 169 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,960 Speaker 4: one when the Lungs took over, Mahomes took over, bringing 170 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 4: black Owen and Osky in, it was like, this is 171 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 4: the organization that we want to be. We want to 172 00:08:39,040 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 4: be the world's best and we want to be the 173 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 4: known team in global women's soccer. And they've done that, 174 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 4: and they also what I would say, is do such 175 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:52,200 Speaker 4: a good job, particularly Blacko Andsky, of not only looking 176 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:56,319 Speaker 4: at what they currently have, but also constantly saying, Okay, 177 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 4: we don't want to just be good for now, we 178 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 4: also want to set ourselves up for success for years 179 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 4: to come. So you see Ali sentinor you see ways 180 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 4: to get some of these young players, even just a 181 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 4: couple of games ago against Angel City too and a 182 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 4: seventeen year old, an eighteen year old and nineteen year 183 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 4: old all on the starting lineup on the front line. 184 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 4: So they are have the foresight to think about, Okay, 185 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:20,440 Speaker 4: how are we getting valuable minutes to young players, but 186 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,959 Speaker 4: also still having our eye on winning a championship. We've 187 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 4: already locked up the shield fastest team to do that 188 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 4: in the month of September, which is incredible. 189 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 3: But you're just seeing this team really. 190 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 4: Push the envelope and it's forcing everybody else to level 191 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 4: up too, So yeah, that's awesome. 192 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:39,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you talked about the last time you were 193 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:41,959 Speaker 1: on them potentially having a little chip on their shoulder. 194 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: They wanted to be in it, to win it in 195 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: their own stadium, this beautiful space that was purpose built 196 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 1: for women's sport. We heard that over and over and 197 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: it was a tremendous final that they weren't in. So 198 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: coming into this season saying whatever we left on the 199 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 1: field that didn't get us where we wanted to be, 200 00:09:58,800 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 1: we're going to do it this year. 201 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 2: And yeah, we've certainly seen it. 202 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 1: Tim Wushawinga speaking of doing something last year and somehow 203 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: getting better. Last year's Golden Boot winner on track to 204 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 1: take the title again. She's scored in four straight games. 205 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:16,199 Speaker 1: She's got fifteen tallies on the season. Estaire from Gotham 206 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 1: FC is putting some pressure on her, currently sitting on 207 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 1: thirteen goals, but she hasn't scored in a month. 208 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 2: Tims seems a lot hotter. What have you seen from 209 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 2: Temwao this year? 210 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:25,439 Speaker 3: Excellence? 211 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 4: I mean just it is exceptional, I feel, and I 212 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 4: know I could speak for all the other pundits fans, 213 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 4: we are all coaches, even though they wish she was 214 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 4: on their team I'm sure the majority of the time. 215 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,560 Speaker 4: But yeah, we just see this player who seems to 216 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:44,319 Speaker 4: have so much joy when she's playing, loves her teammates, 217 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 4: works for her team, and you're just seeing her revolutionized 218 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 4: soccer in so many different ways with the way that 219 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 4: she plays. But I think the thing that's so fun 220 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 4: about Tim Wushawinga is last year she scored a ton 221 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 4: of goals, but also this year you see her refining 222 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 4: so many other skills in terms of her first touch, 223 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:04,439 Speaker 4: her ability to set up her teammates, just the connection 224 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:06,840 Speaker 4: she has with her teammates regardless who's on the field. 225 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,960 Speaker 4: And I think that is a sign of an extraordinary 226 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 4: player to be able to bring other players in and 227 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 4: also teams honing in on her in a different way. 228 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:17,400 Speaker 4: How do we get two or three players around her? Well, 229 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 4: it doesn't matter, because she can still find different ways 230 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,320 Speaker 4: to get on the ball, whether it's taking on one 231 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 4: v one, whether it's getting on into service, setting up teammates. 232 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 4: I mean, we are seeing a player just come into 233 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:32,559 Speaker 4: her continuously come into her own and expand the skill 234 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 4: set that's needed to play week in and week out 235 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 4: in this league. 236 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:37,199 Speaker 3: So it's exceptional, and. 237 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: It feels like Vladkov should just give her a challenge 238 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 1: before each game of what new way to score a goal, 239 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:46,440 Speaker 1: because it was unbelievable that literally the day before they're 240 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 1: having a bet on whether he should die his hair. 241 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: If she finally gets her first header in the league 242 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 1: and she scores in the very next game, it's like, hey, just. 243 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 2: Start telling her random, new and quirky ways to score 244 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:56,439 Speaker 2: and see if. 245 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 4: She can pull it off this, you know what, That 246 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 4: might be the only challenge to be said about that 247 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 4: relationship as well, just a mutual respect between the two 248 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:06,439 Speaker 4: of them, and he's obviously getting the best out of her, 249 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 4: but she's also just performing and feels incredibly comfortable being 250 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 4: with this team and this organization, So I don't think 251 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 4: that can be understated as well, because it's such a 252 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,840 Speaker 4: fun the joke of the dyeing of the hair, right, 253 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 4: and just like their relationship is fun to watch yes. 254 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 1: Great, All right, we talked briefly about the Pride, but 255 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 1: let's get into that slump. 256 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:28,000 Speaker 2: Are they officially out of it? 257 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 1: Do you expect to see going forward the Pride, who 258 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:33,560 Speaker 1: just clinched a playoff spot last week, being the team 259 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 1: that they started the season really pushing the current. 260 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 4: Well, I think the tough part is with Orlando, and 261 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 4: this is why I felt like it was going to 262 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 4: be really difficult for them to come out of the slump. 263 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 4: Is because much like Timoshwinga, when you have Barbara Banda 264 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 4: on your team, just the makeup of your team looks 265 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:53,959 Speaker 4: completely different. And that's a tough part. And I've always 266 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:56,360 Speaker 4: said since they lost Barbara bandont to that season in 267 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 4: the injury is it's not always just like the presence 268 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 4: of Barbara on the field in terms of what she 269 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 4: can do in terms of scoring goals. It's also just 270 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 4: the mental emotional aspect that that takes on a team. 271 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 4: Because Orlando has been playing well and they've been creating 272 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 4: chances even after that injury to band us so, but 273 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 4: they just it was like the luck wouldn't come go 274 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 4: their way. They defensively, teams were clearing lines off or 275 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 4: clearing balls off the goal line, they couldn't buy a goal, 276 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 4: they're being called off side, whatnot. You can name everything, right, 277 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:30,360 Speaker 4: but this team was still relatively playing well. To answer 278 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 4: your question, though, I do think we're starting to come 279 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 4: out of slump and I think they're going to gain 280 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 4: even more momentum given that they've been able to turn 281 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,559 Speaker 4: things around these last three games. Four points on the 282 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:41,839 Speaker 4: road from their two way games and then a home 283 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 4: win this past Friday against Portland. 284 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 3: That's massive. But I also do. 285 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,679 Speaker 4: Think they have to expect everybody to start chipping in, 286 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 4: and we're seeing that more and more marked to coming 287 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 4: off the bench. What she brings to this team, I 288 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:57,560 Speaker 4: would say, Simone Charlie, Simone Jackson. Those three I thought 289 00:13:57,559 --> 00:14:00,160 Speaker 4: were lights out on Friday against Portland, and that's what 290 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 4: you're going to have to expect from players. But the 291 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 4: one thing that I think could separate them is they're 292 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:08,199 Speaker 4: in the playoffs right now. They knew that on Friday 293 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 4: night against Portland. That was their mentality. Then they'll have 294 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 4: away game at Washington, so it's not like their schedule 295 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:17,719 Speaker 4: gets any easier, but they are in the playoffs, and 296 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 4: sometimes that's what you need to really cure yourself when 297 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 4: you don't, you didn't expect the season to go the 298 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:24,040 Speaker 4: way that it has. 299 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: Right, Yeah, And of course they want to make sure 300 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: that they're in a good spot in the postseason for 301 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 1: matchups sake, but also a little bit of weight. 302 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 2: Off their shoulders to have clinched. 303 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 1: So we've got the Current, the Pride, and the Washington 304 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 1: Spirit the only teams that have clinched the postseason despite 305 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: just two regular season match days remaining. So we've got 306 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: ourselves quite a raise for the remaining five playoffs spots. 307 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 1: Got them Seattle, San Diego, Portland, and Louisville all currently 308 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 1: holding spots four through eight, but North Carolina, Angel City 309 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 1: and Houston still alive just a few points back. So, first, 310 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 1: do you see the current top eight holding or do 311 00:14:57,560 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 1: you think one of those three I mentioned will sneak 312 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 1: their way in and display someone. 313 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 4: I actually do think we're going to see those top eight. 314 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 4: I think I was just looking at the remaining two 315 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 4: games for all of the teams prior, and it's not 316 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 4: like it's not going to be easy, right, But racing 317 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 4: Louisville that's sitting in that eighth place, they're one point 318 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 4: behind Portland, who's in seventh. I think they're just playing 319 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 4: for something extra. This team is like, we want to 320 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,239 Speaker 4: get into the playoffs for the first time in our existence. 321 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 4: They're playing for their coach, Bevvinez, who I think I 322 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 4: just have massive amount of respect for, and then also 323 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 4: Savedamelo has gone down, and so I just feel like, sometimes, 324 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 4: and I've said this before, in this league, when things 325 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 4: are so tight, you have to be playing for a 326 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 4: little bit more. We saw that a couple of years 327 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 4: ago with Ali Krieger being her last match. Last year, 328 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 4: when Orlando went on the run and did it was 329 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 4: like everyone was rallying around Marta. 330 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 3: Right. 331 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,600 Speaker 4: There's just something extra with how fine the Margins are, 332 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 4: and I think we're going to see that with Racing Louisville, 333 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:58,200 Speaker 4: even though they're at Gotham this weekend and then Decision 334 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 4: Day they're back home against Bay. While I've really liked 335 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 4: what North calend has done of late, they have to 336 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 4: go away to Bay and then they have Gotham and 337 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 4: they haven't been exceptional on the road at all, even 338 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 4: the last couple of years, and then have Gotham at home. 339 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 4: I think presents an interesting challenge. So that's my concern. 340 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 4: So I'm going to the I don't know how it's 341 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 4: actually going to play out in terms of the seating 342 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 4: of the eight, but I think these eight are going 343 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 4: to stay the same. 344 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: All right, So you got Gotham, Seattle, San Diego, Portland, 345 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 1: and Louisville holding on. I have a question about a 346 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 1: couple of those teams. When we talked last time, we 347 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 1: were weighed down by the drama of the Gotham off season. Right, 348 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 1: there were players that seemed angry, there were players that 349 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: left for teams across the pond. They started the season 350 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 1: disappointing for the amount of talent they still have, but 351 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: here they are looking like a team that will make 352 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: the postseason. 353 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 2: What have you made of this season? 354 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: How they reacted to the weird off season, the changes 355 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: that are happening in the front office, Like who are 356 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: and what is this Gotham? 357 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm laughing because if you had asked me, like 358 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:05,639 Speaker 4: ask me about those changes offseason, I've been like, that 359 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:09,760 Speaker 4: happened two years ago, right, So that's a lot while Yeah, 360 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:13,359 Speaker 4: So yes, things are changing rapidly, and I would still 361 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 4: feel like this is a Gotham team that is continuously 362 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 4: trying to push the envelope and make sure that they 363 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 4: are known that there is They're in a New York market, 364 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 4: and they want to continue to improve. They want to 365 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 4: continue to play high tempo, possession oriented, fun pleasing on 366 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 4: the IE soccer and I think you see that with 367 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,720 Speaker 4: the Jaden Shaw move. I think you see that with 368 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 4: just the way that they play, but also getting Rooselevel 369 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 4: back and Mitch Purse's back healthy, some of the young players, 370 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 4: Lily Real who just got called into the USM national 371 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 4: team camp again, Sarah Shapanski, so all of these players, 372 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:54,920 Speaker 4: I think, to me, it's a it's an organization that 373 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,879 Speaker 4: still continue to push and bring in the best of 374 00:17:57,880 --> 00:17:59,439 Speaker 4: the best they can, not only on the field but 375 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:00,840 Speaker 4: in the office as well. 376 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 3: But then and also a team that. 377 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:05,880 Speaker 4: Does a lot of work behind the scenes to bring 378 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:08,880 Speaker 4: in the players that they feel like fit the way 379 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 4: that they. 380 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 3: Want to play. 381 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 4: And again, I keep going back to Jaden Shaw because 382 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 4: immediately she fits into the way that this team plays. 383 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:17,680 Speaker 4: I would say the only thing that's been a little 384 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 4: bit perplexing, and this sometimes takes time when you are 385 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 4: bringing in new players or players are coming back from injury, 386 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 4: is getting everybody operating on the same page because all 387 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 4: those players and the Nata stare in there, who's just incredible. 388 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,400 Speaker 4: All of those players are world class. They're world beaters. 389 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,159 Speaker 4: So it's kind of like, Okay, it's perplexing because you 390 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:39,919 Speaker 4: want them to be more ruthless, you want them to 391 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 4: be scoring a lot more goals than they are. They're 392 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 4: solid defensively and have been for a number of years, 393 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,639 Speaker 4: so I'm just kind of waiting for that attack to 394 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:51,399 Speaker 4: take shape more consistently. And that's where I have a 395 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 4: few question marks, but we'll see in some. 396 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 2: Of that's chemistry. 397 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,080 Speaker 1: You've got me thinking about this term that comes up 398 00:18:57,119 --> 00:18:59,159 Speaker 1: a lot in this workout class I take, which is 399 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:02,640 Speaker 1: like time undert and that's like, yeah, you know, that's 400 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 1: like when your body's actually working really hard, Like we 401 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 1: need to keep the time under tension, like as long 402 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 1: as that's what I feel like is these parts of 403 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: Gotham need more time under tension together where they're all 404 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:13,359 Speaker 1: healthy and in the place they're supposed to be, and 405 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 1: so they can then figure out how do we react 406 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 1: in what works best for us in those moments and 407 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:20,480 Speaker 1: they need to get there. Same time, we were talking 408 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 1: about Gotham having a really tough offseason, you were real 409 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 1: hyped about Houston and the moves that they were making. 410 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 1: They are still alive, but what still hasn't been able 411 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 1: to click for Houston and maybe the same question for 412 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,920 Speaker 1: Angel City, two teams that every off season we're sort 413 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 1: of like. 414 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,120 Speaker 2: Oh, I think they're going to figure it out. 415 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:38,880 Speaker 3: Yeah. 416 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,920 Speaker 4: I think with Houston mostly it's just exactly what we're 417 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:46,680 Speaker 4: talking about with Gotham, consistency, the understanding time with Fabris Gatraw, 418 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:50,160 Speaker 4: their head coach. But I really like this Houston team, 419 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 4: and I think they have the foundation and a much 420 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 4: clearer foundation than we've seen in this organization's existence as well. 421 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:00,480 Speaker 4: I really like what they're doing. I think that's just 422 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:03,480 Speaker 4: going to continue to improve. I think the Italian player 423 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 4: Boatine thought she was wonderful during the Euros for Italy 424 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 4: is more minutes she gets. But I think once you 425 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 4: start bringing in some players, it's tough, depending on if 426 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 4: you're chasing playoffs, to then bring new players in, because one, 427 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 4: you have some chemistry with some players currently and to 428 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,159 Speaker 4: bring other players out and shake things up can be 429 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 4: difficult at this point in time. And I think that's 430 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 4: a little bit of the issue that they've had late 431 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,880 Speaker 4: down this stretch as they have gotten much more consistent 432 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:34,080 Speaker 4: after that international break and during the Euros, so I 433 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 4: still am high on them. I think it doesn't mean 434 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:39,399 Speaker 4: it wasn't a successful year if they don't make the playoffs, 435 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 4: so keep going in the direction. 436 00:20:41,680 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly. And then for Angel City, I think it's. 437 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:47,600 Speaker 4: Just this is a completely different team than we've seen 438 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,200 Speaker 4: at the beginning of the season. I mean, you're bringing 439 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:54,120 Speaker 4: in so many new players, losing a big one. Yep, yeah, 440 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:59,920 Speaker 4: exactly too, Ali Riley, Well, I'm talking a little oh well, 441 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 4: of course, yes, Eliza Thompson, Yeah, huge. I was thinking 442 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 4: retirement because like everybody's in shambles with everybody's resiring, we're 443 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 4: all washed. Yeah, But with Alyssa Thompson, that is the 444 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:16,000 Speaker 4: biggest one, right because she was a face. She's the 445 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 4: one that felt like every attack went through and rightfully, 446 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 4: so young, energetic, the future, we thought, generational talent. Yeah, 447 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:27,280 Speaker 4: and so huge loss. But then I feel like you 448 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:30,200 Speaker 4: feel that momentum of what they're trying to do as well. 449 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:32,160 Speaker 4: But it's tough when you have a new coach coming 450 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:37,520 Speaker 4: in mid season and you're learning in real time really 451 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:39,880 Speaker 4: how to implement these new tactics. Plus you're looking over 452 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:42,360 Speaker 4: and like, I've never even seen you until yesterday. 453 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:45,200 Speaker 1: So well, so that theme keeps coming up, and in 454 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:49,280 Speaker 1: some ways it's inevitable with injury, but it also does 455 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:52,119 Speaker 1: it seem like the current structure of this league, whether 456 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:55,479 Speaker 1: that's the ins and outs of coaches so fast or 457 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:58,000 Speaker 1: interim coach, we know we're going to get this coach, 458 00:21:58,040 --> 00:21:59,520 Speaker 1: but they're not going to arrive until the end of 459 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:03,199 Speaker 1: this other's season in this other country, or players that 460 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 1: are getting added at the end of seasons for other leagues, Like, 461 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:08,480 Speaker 1: is it always going to be influx to the point 462 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:11,679 Speaker 1: where it's whatever team can adjust most quickly to the 463 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:14,840 Speaker 1: pieces changing, or should there be more emphasis on this 464 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 1: league keeping coaches for longer, maintaining players start to finish 465 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:20,600 Speaker 1: of the season. 466 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:21,920 Speaker 2: Is that even possible? 467 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 4: I do think it is possible, and I think we're 468 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 4: actually going to see it. Sometimes I do feel like, yeah, 469 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:29,040 Speaker 4: it does feel like we're in flux. There's such constant change. 470 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:33,560 Speaker 4: I do think as the game grows that will be 471 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 4: an aspect for sure, because players can be traded if 472 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 4: they want to write, or there can be transfers, and 473 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 4: depending on different leagues, I mean that is generally pro 474 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:47,640 Speaker 4: sports as well, so you will see things being shaken up. 475 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:51,119 Speaker 4: But I think in terms of coaches, it does feel 476 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:53,920 Speaker 4: like we are starting to get to a place where 477 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:57,479 Speaker 4: that can level out a little bit, is my hope, 478 00:22:58,080 --> 00:23:00,520 Speaker 4: and for the players hope as well, just because you 479 00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 4: want that consistency right, You want to know what is 480 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,800 Speaker 4: being asked of you, what's like the common theme I'm 481 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:09,760 Speaker 4: going to training every day with. But it does feel 482 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:11,439 Speaker 4: like we are starting to get there, even though it 483 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 4: was a bit of for lack of a better term, 484 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 4: maybe chaos at the beginning of the season or to 485 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 4: the middle part of the season. 486 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:19,959 Speaker 1: Well, and I think part of that too is like 487 00:23:20,040 --> 00:23:22,600 Speaker 1: the storylines that have been building over the last year 488 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 1: or so. We're sort of stunted from Triple Espresso being 489 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:29,600 Speaker 1: out due to two babies and an injury, Barbara Banda 490 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 1: getting hurt again, the current kind of running away with things. 491 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:37,119 Speaker 1: Are there players we should be talking about and aren't 492 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: because we were so wrapped up in those big names 493 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 1: that now aren't playing. Are there storylines that you thought 494 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,360 Speaker 1: should have gotten more media attention, It should have been 495 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 1: a draw and instead I feel like the NWSL hasn't 496 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 1: been able to steal headlines in spotlight much this season 497 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:52,960 Speaker 1: as a result of a lot of those injuries and absences. 498 00:23:53,480 --> 00:23:55,480 Speaker 4: Well, I think the biggest storyline, and we are talking 499 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:57,520 Speaker 4: about it, but is parody. 500 00:23:58,000 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 3: And you know, there was a big. 501 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:01,720 Speaker 4: Question on what they're not it actually is parody because 502 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:03,239 Speaker 4: of Kansas City running away with it. 503 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:05,000 Speaker 3: But this is what makes this league. 504 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:06,840 Speaker 4: I love that Kansas City's run away with it. It 505 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:10,399 Speaker 4: forces everybody, as we mentioned at the beginning here, it forces. 506 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,439 Speaker 3: Everybody like, well, how do we get how do we 507 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:12,840 Speaker 3: get better? 508 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,400 Speaker 4: How do we continue to push and continue to show 509 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:21,040 Speaker 4: excellence within our organization? But there's so much parody. I mean, 510 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:23,119 Speaker 4: if you look in everything that we've just talked about, 511 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 4: it is down to the wire scrambling for points. Even 512 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:30,119 Speaker 4: if I mean just look into Orlando. This is a 513 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 4: team that collected so many points at the beginning of 514 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:34,160 Speaker 4: the season that they went on a nine game losing 515 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 4: streak and then just clinched as a third team, which 516 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 4: is remarkable because we were all like, I don't think 517 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:42,840 Speaker 4: they're going to be able to regroup, right, And so 518 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 4: you have all of these different aspects that yes, I 519 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 4: think we could be talking more about I mean Portland 520 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:54,439 Speaker 4: had total revamping of losing Christine Sinclair to retirement, Megan Klingenberg, 521 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,640 Speaker 4: Becky sowerbrun a young team, they're still in a mix. 522 00:24:57,680 --> 00:24:59,160 Speaker 4: No one knew what this team was going to look 523 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:03,040 Speaker 4: like again, Gotham reshuffling in the middle of the season 524 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:07,520 Speaker 4: after those players losing. So this to me, even though 525 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:09,760 Speaker 4: it feels like there has been a lot of turnover, 526 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:12,639 Speaker 4: and you know, players like Alyssa Thompson have gone to 527 00:25:13,080 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 4: Chelsea in the Super League, I love it. I mean, 528 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:18,919 Speaker 4: I don't want to lose those players, rightly, wrong, but 529 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:20,160 Speaker 4: I'm happy for Listen the. 530 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:24,440 Speaker 1: Drama, Yes, decision day is gonna be insane because of that. 531 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:27,959 Speaker 4: And it's it's the league, right we have exceptional players 532 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:30,280 Speaker 4: that play in this league, and obviously with Alosa Thompson, 533 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:33,080 Speaker 4: I want her to go where she's the most excited about. 534 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:35,760 Speaker 4: But yeah, I mean, we have players that are being 535 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:37,720 Speaker 4: called up to the US women's national team. What was 536 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:41,119 Speaker 4: it like twenty some different caps at Emma Hay's first 537 00:25:41,160 --> 00:25:44,239 Speaker 4: caps that she gave because of like the experience these 538 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:45,920 Speaker 4: players are getting in this league, and I think that's 539 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 4: exceptional and it speaks to how difficult every single game 540 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:51,400 Speaker 4: is for these players. 541 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:55,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, let's talk about the postseason. Right now, we do 542 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:57,639 Speaker 1: have only three of eight teams confirmed. 543 00:25:57,840 --> 00:25:59,400 Speaker 2: Of those couple that. 544 00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:01,200 Speaker 1: Are you know, hanging in there that you think are 545 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:03,400 Speaker 1: going to hold their ground in the top eight, who 546 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:05,879 Speaker 1: could be the most dangerous right now? It feels like 547 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 1: it's very top heavy with the current and the Spirit. 548 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:10,560 Speaker 2: Who else do you see being dangerous? 549 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:11,600 Speaker 3: Yeah? 550 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:15,400 Speaker 4: I do feel like Racing Louisville could be dangerous down 551 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:18,479 Speaker 4: this stretch. I think the team camaraderie then fighting for 552 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:21,520 Speaker 4: one another, they're difficult to play against. They don't shy 553 00:26:21,560 --> 00:26:24,480 Speaker 4: away from that. I love that they're not afraid to 554 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 4: be like, yep, we're gonna be bruisers, We're gonna get 555 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:30,040 Speaker 4: in tackles, and here we are right like watch out. 556 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 3: I think that can always be dangerous. 557 00:26:32,480 --> 00:26:36,439 Speaker 4: I think if Gotham catches some momentum with their attack, 558 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:41,200 Speaker 4: they're a team that obviously has these championship experience, playoff experience, 559 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 4: don't count them out. But honestly, if I'm thinking of 560 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 4: a team that is going to be really interesting, it's 561 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:51,359 Speaker 4: the Washington Spirit. Yeah, they have a lot of different 562 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 4: players in the attack that give you a different look. 563 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 4: Trinny Rodman has hit form at the exact right time, 564 00:26:57,400 --> 00:27:02,440 Speaker 4: and you have a team that has gotten much more 565 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:06,119 Speaker 4: solidified defensively since that international break as well, and so 566 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:08,920 Speaker 4: since before their national break, they haven't lost the game, 567 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 4: which is exceptional. 568 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:15,320 Speaker 1: In every sport, health and momentum are major factors to 569 00:27:15,359 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 1: which teams feel like they're going to potentially go on 570 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:21,040 Speaker 1: a postseason run in soccer? Is there any other aspect 571 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:24,840 Speaker 1: of a team that tends to indicate potential for more success? 572 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: In some sports, it's like, oh, if you've got a 573 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:30,439 Speaker 1: better starting pitching, your relief isn't as important in the postseason, 574 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,800 Speaker 1: or depth versus the power of your starting five. Like 575 00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 1: in soccer, is there any style of play or aspect 576 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,640 Speaker 1: of a team that there's an old adage about them 577 00:27:40,680 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 1: faring better in the playoffs? 578 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:45,159 Speaker 4: Well, even though I'm pretty sure this is still the 579 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:48,440 Speaker 4: statistic because Mike Watts had looked this up, who's who 580 00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 4: I work with with Prime Video, And actually, I think 581 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 4: there's more way wins for teams if I remember this correctly, 582 00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 4: than actually home field or home being home field advantage 583 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:01,199 Speaker 4: and wins this year, which is really interesting, and I 584 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:03,280 Speaker 4: feel like, now I feel nervous and don't call me 585 00:28:03,320 --> 00:28:04,680 Speaker 4: on that, but I'm almo positive that show. 586 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:07,160 Speaker 2: Even if it's close, that's still wild. 587 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:10,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's super close. But I would say in playoffs, 588 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 4: home field advantage is huge. One, just with the sheer 589 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:17,080 Speaker 4: travel that these players have been through the aspect that 590 00:28:17,119 --> 00:28:20,159 Speaker 4: we are going to have an international break between the 591 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:23,600 Speaker 4: second to last and decision day, which is just weird. 592 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:25,960 Speaker 4: It's just challenging, right because wild breaks up. 593 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:27,160 Speaker 2: Mom, I was very confused. 594 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:29,120 Speaker 1: I was looking at the schedule and I was like, wait, 595 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:31,400 Speaker 1: hold on, there's three weeks left, but only two game days, 596 00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 1: like what happened exactly. 597 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:36,159 Speaker 4: And so home field advantage, I feel like is massive 598 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:38,160 Speaker 4: in the playoffs, especially when you look at a team 599 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:42,560 Speaker 4: like Washington who's really turned things around and made Audi 600 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 4: Field rowdy. Audi Yeah, just their place, CPKC stadiums. You know, 601 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:49,840 Speaker 4: we can talk about that all day. So those those 602 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 4: types of venues are huge, and just to not have 603 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 4: to travel at that point time in the season. But 604 00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:59,680 Speaker 4: also depth, I would say stylistically yes and no, but 605 00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:01,480 Speaker 4: I think that depends on if you're playing at home 606 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 4: or away. But depth is huge, I think at this 607 00:29:04,720 --> 00:29:08,160 Speaker 4: point in time. If something's not going right, then you 608 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 4: can bring on another attacker whatever that looks for. 609 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:13,040 Speaker 2: There's an injury or otherwise. Yeah, for sure, exactly. 610 00:29:14,360 --> 00:29:17,520 Speaker 1: I've been curious if you've heard any Seann nhas courage updates. 611 00:29:17,840 --> 00:29:21,360 Speaker 1: When he was let go, the quote from the team 612 00:29:21,680 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 1: was very terse. The initial quote, and then later they 613 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:30,200 Speaker 1: made a statement that read quote confounding performance issues, culture issues, 614 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:33,320 Speaker 1: and a perceived lack of fit that created an environment 615 00:29:33,360 --> 00:29:36,000 Speaker 1: that club leadership felt was untenable to the point that 616 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:38,440 Speaker 1: change was necessary at the head coaching position. 617 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:40,080 Speaker 2: End quote. It's a mouthful. 618 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 1: We all left feeling sort of like, huh, Like did 619 00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 1: he get fired because they weren't playing well enough. 620 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:48,800 Speaker 2: Or because of culture? And why did you seem so 621 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:51,080 Speaker 2: angry and then thank him and then not. 622 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:52,560 Speaker 1: Tell us that there was a problem, so that if 623 00:29:52,560 --> 00:29:55,200 Speaker 1: there is a problem, other teams know not to hire him. 624 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 1: Have you heard anything else about what went down? 625 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:03,560 Speaker 4: I have not heard one thing, actually, And oddly enough, 626 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:06,160 Speaker 4: there's been like three teams. It was Houston that I've 627 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 4: only had one this year, San Diego have I haven't 628 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:10,400 Speaker 4: called a game at all, which is interesting? And then 629 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:12,880 Speaker 4: North Carolina I think it was one or two, So 630 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:15,800 Speaker 4: it was just an organization that typically I'd have a 631 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 4: lot more and I'd be asking these questions, but because 632 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 4: I haven't had their games, and it seems to be 633 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:22,040 Speaker 4: kind of died. 634 00:30:22,240 --> 00:30:24,959 Speaker 2: Yeah weird. Yeah, all right, well we'll keep taking on 635 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 2: that one. I'm very curious. 636 00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 1: I just think, first of all, we all like the tea, 637 00:30:29,720 --> 00:30:31,800 Speaker 1: but more importantly, we all know, because of the history 638 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:35,120 Speaker 1: of this league that it's not okay if there is 639 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:38,200 Speaker 1: a problem with a coach culture wise or otherwise to 640 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:41,720 Speaker 1: let it not be said aloud and let that person 641 00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:44,520 Speaker 1: continue coaching. But it's also unfair to him if there 642 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:46,360 Speaker 1: wasn't an issue, it was just a matter of what 643 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:48,600 Speaker 1: wins and losses, and the way they set it up 644 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:50,480 Speaker 1: made us feel like there was something more to the story. 645 00:30:50,640 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 2: So I'd like someone to get to the bottom of that. 646 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:54,920 Speaker 1: Probably Maglenahan, that's who I may get to the bottom 647 00:30:55,000 --> 00:31:00,600 Speaker 1: of everything. Okay, last little speed round, patients or panic, 648 00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:02,840 Speaker 1: I'm going to give you a story from around women's soccer. 649 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:04,719 Speaker 1: You tell me if we should be patient and not 650 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 1: freak out about it, or if we should be panicking. Okay, 651 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:11,080 Speaker 1: American players going to the Women's Super League patient because 652 00:31:11,080 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 1: it's not just Alyssa, it's Naomi, it's all these Yeah. 653 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:20,760 Speaker 3: Patient, Okay, I'm panicking, that's fair. Yeah, I patience. Yeah. 654 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:23,240 Speaker 2: NWSL attendance down this year. 655 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:28,920 Speaker 3: Patience. Okay, maybe I'm just a patient. I don't want 656 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:31,680 Speaker 3: everybody to be patient. This is gonna be interesting, all right. 657 00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:34,800 Speaker 1: Commissioner Jessica Berman's contract renewed through twenty twenty eight. 658 00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:38,160 Speaker 2: Patience, all right, you are a very patient person. 659 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:40,960 Speaker 1: So the last one dis sailed the Houston dash and 660 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:43,320 Speaker 1: some of the rumors about what the new ownership could 661 00:31:43,360 --> 00:31:50,040 Speaker 1: be like patients or panic patience. Wow, Okay, do any 662 00:31:50,080 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 1: of your answers change if instead of panic, the other 663 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:54,600 Speaker 1: option is concern. 664 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:56,360 Speaker 3: Oh? Interesting. 665 00:31:56,880 --> 00:32:00,800 Speaker 4: I would say it's still more more patient, just in 666 00:32:00,840 --> 00:32:04,160 Speaker 4: the way that the game is growing, the way that, yeah, 667 00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:06,880 Speaker 4: the league is evolving in so many different directions, right, 668 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:11,240 Speaker 4: expansion coaches, bringing in new ownership, all of that. 669 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:13,560 Speaker 3: I think it does require a little bit of patience. 670 00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:17,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, it does feel like growing pains, both because they 671 00:32:17,960 --> 00:32:21,120 Speaker 1: needed to align themselves with the international schedule and the 672 00:32:21,120 --> 00:32:24,240 Speaker 1: way the rest of world soccer works. That also opens 673 00:32:24,280 --> 00:32:26,520 Speaker 1: the door for players to play elsewhere, and it also 674 00:32:26,640 --> 00:32:30,760 Speaker 1: means adjusting to how that impacts every single aspect of 675 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,360 Speaker 1: the game, and I do think as simple as it is, 676 00:32:33,400 --> 00:32:35,120 Speaker 1: just getting back a couple of the stars that made 677 00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:38,320 Speaker 1: a name for themselves in the Olympics and national team 678 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 1: will help calm some of the concerns about attendance about 679 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:44,400 Speaker 1: players leaving. 680 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:45,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure. 681 00:32:45,960 --> 00:32:46,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. 682 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:47,960 Speaker 4: The one thing I will say is I feel like 683 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:51,560 Speaker 4: this very much aligns too with how MLS was at 684 00:32:51,560 --> 00:32:53,520 Speaker 4: this point time in their league. 685 00:32:53,560 --> 00:32:56,640 Speaker 3: As well as figuring out, Okay, how do we tap into. 686 00:32:56,480 --> 00:32:59,280 Speaker 4: The fans growing pains, I think is a great way 687 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:03,880 Speaker 4: to explain it, and just continuing in a time when 688 00:33:03,920 --> 00:33:07,200 Speaker 4: things are moving so quickly in women's sport in general, it's. 689 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:09,080 Speaker 3: Like how do you not just keep up with it? 690 00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:09,920 Speaker 3: But how do you. 691 00:33:09,960 --> 00:33:13,720 Speaker 4: Kind of keep everything is like, okay, let's not get 692 00:33:13,720 --> 00:33:16,040 Speaker 4: ahead of ourselves and it's like rush into anything. We 693 00:33:16,120 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 4: understand players are moving, that's just how the game is expanding, 694 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:22,080 Speaker 4: and that should be exciting. But let's look at all 695 00:33:22,080 --> 00:33:24,600 Speaker 4: these players that we do have playing in this league 696 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:25,120 Speaker 4: and that. 697 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:25,960 Speaker 3: We are tracting. 698 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:28,880 Speaker 4: So to me, that's why there's just so much There 699 00:33:28,920 --> 00:33:31,280 Speaker 4: has to be patients within all of this because things 700 00:33:31,280 --> 00:33:33,080 Speaker 4: are moving so rapidly. I feel like if you get 701 00:33:33,120 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 4: caught up and start to panic in those things, that's 702 00:33:35,800 --> 00:33:39,240 Speaker 4: when it's like you're making bad quote unquote bad decisions. 703 00:33:39,480 --> 00:33:42,920 Speaker 1: Right. And I think the CBA hitting just last year 704 00:33:43,120 --> 00:33:45,960 Speaker 1: changing things like the draft system. You need a few 705 00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:47,880 Speaker 1: more years for it to play out for how that 706 00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:50,280 Speaker 1: impacts how the endw yourself plays with the rest of 707 00:33:50,320 --> 00:33:51,479 Speaker 1: the international world. 708 00:33:51,680 --> 00:33:53,800 Speaker 2: And all right, well. 709 00:33:53,680 --> 00:33:56,640 Speaker 1: You've calmed us down, you've informed us, you've entertained us 710 00:33:56,720 --> 00:33:57,280 Speaker 1: as always. 711 00:33:57,320 --> 00:33:58,400 Speaker 2: So great to have you, Lori. 712 00:33:58,680 --> 00:33:59,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks for having me. 713 00:34:00,960 --> 00:34:03,280 Speaker 1: Thanks again to Lourie for taking the time. We got 714 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:05,760 Speaker 1: to take another break. When we come back, a longtime 715 00:34:05,880 --> 00:34:07,720 Speaker 1: rival takes a gracious bow. 716 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:14,600 Speaker 2: Welcome back. Slices. 717 00:34:14,680 --> 00:34:17,080 Speaker 1: Want to quickly recognize that today is a very special 718 00:34:17,080 --> 00:34:21,320 Speaker 1: birthday taint. Today is the day between two busy birthday dates. 719 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:24,520 Speaker 1: On Thursday, friend of the show Icon would vote for 720 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:27,920 Speaker 1: her for president. Sue Byrd celebrated a birthday along with 721 00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:33,120 Speaker 1: tennis superstar Naomi Osaka and tomorrow skiing superstar Lindsay Vaughn Hooper, 722 00:34:33,120 --> 00:34:36,440 Speaker 1: Britney Griner and my mom Nancy Spain all. 723 00:34:36,280 --> 00:34:39,600 Speaker 2: Celebrate another trip around the sun. Was this all just 724 00:34:39,640 --> 00:34:42,240 Speaker 2: a poorly disguised excuse to shout up my mom's birthday. 725 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:45,719 Speaker 1: No, it was also a poorly disguised excuse to say 726 00:34:45,800 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 1: birthday taint. We always love that you're listening, but we 727 00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:52,040 Speaker 1: want you to get in the game every day too, 728 00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:53,759 Speaker 1: So here's our good game play of the day. 729 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:56,680 Speaker 2: Follow Laurie on social media. We'll link to. 730 00:34:56,680 --> 00:34:59,120 Speaker 1: Her Instagram in the show notes, and check out the 731 00:34:59,160 --> 00:35:02,240 Speaker 1: clips with the Chicago Guy's Angel Reese strutting her stuff 732 00:35:02,239 --> 00:35:05,400 Speaker 1: in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. What once was a 733 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:09,480 Speaker 1: pretty problematic display of exclusively emaciated white models has evolved 734 00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:11,920 Speaker 1: of late this year there were plus size, trans and 735 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:12,840 Speaker 1: pregnant models. 736 00:35:13,480 --> 00:35:15,080 Speaker 2: It's still not really my thing. 737 00:35:15,600 --> 00:35:18,960 Speaker 1: That being said, i have to say Angel looked like 738 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:20,120 Speaker 1: a goddamn goddess. 739 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:21,680 Speaker 2: Seeing a six. 740 00:35:21,440 --> 00:35:24,840 Speaker 1: Foot three athletic badass woman strut her stuff on a 741 00:35:24,920 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 1: runway would have meant a lot to young me. So 742 00:35:27,880 --> 00:35:30,360 Speaker 1: keep it up, Angel, show them that strength and grace 743 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:34,319 Speaker 1: are a beautiful combination. Finally, to our Vegas Laics who 744 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:36,880 Speaker 1: go to the Aces Victory Parade today, we want to 745 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:39,279 Speaker 1: hear from you, so send us your photos, maybe even 746 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:41,880 Speaker 1: a voice note from the parade route itself. You can 747 00:35:41,960 --> 00:35:43,879 Speaker 1: leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two oh 748 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:46,440 Speaker 1: four fifty seventy or send us an email at good 749 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:49,680 Speaker 1: Game at wondermediaetwork dot com. You know we always love 750 00:35:49,680 --> 00:35:52,600 Speaker 1: to hear from you, and don't forget to subscribe, Rate 751 00:35:52,680 --> 00:35:56,960 Speaker 1: and review. It's easy watch praising a rival in your 752 00:35:56,960 --> 00:36:01,240 Speaker 1: retirement announcement rating five out of five holding back tears 753 00:36:01,239 --> 00:36:06,000 Speaker 1: emojis review. Australian swimmer Arian Titmas announced this week that 754 00:36:06,040 --> 00:36:09,200 Speaker 1: she's retiring from swimming. The twenty five year old concludes 755 00:36:09,239 --> 00:36:12,160 Speaker 1: her career with eight Olympic medals, and she's also the 756 00:36:12,200 --> 00:36:15,040 Speaker 1: only person ever to win gold over Katie Ladeki in 757 00:36:15,080 --> 00:36:18,760 Speaker 1: an individual Olympic race. In fact, she did it three times. 758 00:36:19,080 --> 00:36:21,680 Speaker 1: Ladeki claimed silver behind Titmas in the four hundred meter 759 00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:24,360 Speaker 1: freestyle at both the twenty twenty one Tokyo and twenty 760 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:27,760 Speaker 1: twenty four Paris Olympics, and also finished fifth behind TITMSS 761 00:36:27,760 --> 00:36:29,879 Speaker 1: and the two hundred meter free in twenty twenty one. 762 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:33,840 Speaker 1: In her retirement announcement on Instagram, Titmas credited Ladeki with 763 00:36:33,960 --> 00:36:35,200 Speaker 1: pushing her to be her best. 764 00:36:35,480 --> 00:36:38,480 Speaker 5: Take a listen to win Olympic gold. And this didn't 765 00:36:38,480 --> 00:36:40,279 Speaker 5: have to be the best in the world. I had 766 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:43,080 Speaker 5: to beat the greatest ever in the world. And you 767 00:36:43,080 --> 00:36:44,880 Speaker 5: know what, someone could look at that as a burden, 768 00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:47,800 Speaker 5: but I absolutely looked at it as a blessing because 769 00:36:48,120 --> 00:36:51,600 Speaker 5: I can say, without a doubt, without racing Katie, I 770 00:36:51,640 --> 00:36:54,680 Speaker 5: wouldn't have been the athlete that I am. She set 771 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:57,360 Speaker 5: this incredible standard and I was just so willing to 772 00:36:57,440 --> 00:37:01,319 Speaker 5: chase it. And I just feel so grateful that I've 773 00:37:01,320 --> 00:37:04,400 Speaker 5: been a part of such an incredible rivalry. I feel 774 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:06,919 Speaker 5: like we both have so much respect for each other, 775 00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:09,200 Speaker 5: and that will really sit with me for the rest 776 00:37:09,200 --> 00:37:11,120 Speaker 5: of my life, that rivalry that I've had with her. 777 00:37:11,760 --> 00:37:13,120 Speaker 2: I'm not crying, you're crying. 778 00:37:14,560 --> 00:37:17,000 Speaker 1: What a kind gesture to take a moment to pay 779 00:37:17,040 --> 00:37:20,080 Speaker 1: tribute to such a fierce rivalry. We enjoyed watching the 780 00:37:20,120 --> 00:37:22,600 Speaker 1: two of them battle for so long, and we really 781 00:37:22,719 --> 00:37:26,520 Speaker 1: enjoy this moment of sportsmanship and respect too. Congratulations on 782 00:37:26,600 --> 00:37:31,320 Speaker 1: your retirement, Arion. Now it's your turn slices, rate and review. 783 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:34,600 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening, Have a great weekend, See you next week. 784 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:36,840 Speaker 2: Good game, Lori, good game, Arion. 785 00:37:37,640 --> 00:37:43,680 Speaker 1: You brief glimmers of hope that get immediately crushed. Good 786 00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:46,400 Speaker 1: Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports production 787 00:37:46,520 --> 00:37:49,359 Speaker 1: in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can 788 00:37:49,400 --> 00:37:52,239 Speaker 1: find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 789 00:37:52,320 --> 00:37:55,440 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, our 790 00:37:55,440 --> 00:37:59,600 Speaker 1: producers are alex Asie Grace, Lynch, Taylor Williamson, and Lucy Jones. 791 00:38:00,000 --> 00:38:03,520 Speaker 1: Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan 792 00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:07,120 Speaker 1: and Emily Rutterer. Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Britney Martinez 793 00:38:07,160 --> 00:38:11,000 Speaker 1: and Gianna Palmer. Production assistants from Avery Loftus and I'm 794 00:38:11,040 --> 00:38:12,280 Speaker 1: Your Host Sarah Spain