NWSL This Week Podcast

Kansas City takes all three points from Orlando in this week’s biggest match-up, but at what cost? Also, Gotham stumbles while San Diego soars, Bay shuts out Angel City, and Utah comes alive to almost steal the game from the Spirit. Is the lightning out of the bottle for the teams that captured it last year or is there enough time in the season left for Gotham and Orlando to get their groove back? Jenna Pel joins us to discuss all the happenings this week in the NWSL. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Kylen Mills joins Dan to discuss the ins and outs of working in the Ion studio plus a spin around the NWSL This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The scary incident involving Savy King raised questions about when it’s appropriate to call an NWSL match. Plus the Current are back in form, late goals, and a questionable red card. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

It was a wild weekend in the NWSL. The Spirit rallied twice and lost to Angel City. The Pride lost. The Current lost. Gotham were held at home by the last-place Stars. Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss it all! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Kansas City Current’s defeat at the hands of the North Carolina Courage means there are no more undefeated teams AND no more winless teams. But that’s just the start of a wild week that brought piles of goals, including another brace from Esther Gonzalez, and a physical match between Portland and Louisville. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Washington Spirit lost Trinity Rodman ahead of their visit to Orlando but still emerged 1-0 winners in a rematch of November’s NWSL Championship. That leaves the Current as the only undefeated side left in the league. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan and Michael explore the issues for the winless Courage and Royals. Also the Pride and Current at 4-0-0 means NWSL history will be busted. And which American keeper would you take to win one game? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan and Michael are joined by Blair Newman from Equalizer to discuss the state of the NWSL and its clubs as they break for the FIF window. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Pride and Current became the first teams to open 3-0-0 in the same season, Angel City pick up a win, and the Thorns and Courage are still looking for their first. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Last year’s four semifinalists went head-to-head with each other with the Pride and Current both winning away. Meanwhile, the Courage and Royals are on shaky ground early, and the VAR issues remain. It’s NWSL Week 2 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

NWSL Week 1 featured a route by the Orlando Pride, a slew of 1-1 draws, and an announcement about Sydney Leroux. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Special guest Jenna Pel joins Dan and Michael to break down the Washington Spirit’s Challenge Cup victory over the Orlando Pride. Plus Bay FC is being investigated, Sophia Wilson is pregnant, and more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Which teams will make the playoffs in 2025 and which teams will fall short? In our season preview, Dan, Bekki, and Michael go team by team to guess the winners and losers of the upcoming NWSL season as well as throw out our choices for shield and title winner. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Bay FC makes, and defends, a controversial scouting hire, and are suddenly dealing with a dearth of goalkeeping experience. Also Denver wants input on a name and the the gang offers storylines to watch for the season. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan, Bekki, and Michael ponder whether NWSL is becoming too much of a feeder league. Plus the Thorns announce a training center and offseason moves continue around the league. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

With all teams now officially in preseason, the moves continue to mount up. In the week’s biggest news, Denver is officially announced as the 16th franchise. Around the league, Kansas City, Angel City, and the Houston Dash make some solid signings and extensions while Gotham sees additional departures. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan and Michael recap the 2014 NWSL Draft that marked the career births of Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz, Vanessa DiBernardo and others. Bekki joins the discussion to break down Angel City’s coaching decision, the potential Dash sale, and more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss all the latest moves in the NWSL including the re-signing of Christen Press to Angel City, Jaedyn Shaw’s surprise move to the North Carolina Courage, and more. We also debate the potential value of adding a designated player to the roster rules and discuss if we’re entering a post-scandal era in the NWSL fandom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Dan and Michael go off the cuff to discuss Brazilians in Washington, surprising names in national team camp, the 2025 NWSL schedule footprint and more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

We kick off the new year discussing advanced soccer analytics with Evan Davis, co-host of the xowngoals podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

For the final episode of 2024, Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss New Year’s resolutions they would like to see for the NWSL in the new year ahead. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Dan and Michael fire up the mics to discuss the retirement of one of the all-time greats. Becky Sauerbrunn hung up her cleats on Tuesday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan and Michael attempt to put the Orlando Pride’s 2024 NWSL Championship series into perspective. Plus more drama in Boston and could NWSL soon be more talked about than MLS? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

In this episode, we discuss how the playoff teams made out, who seems poised to stay in the mix next season, and who might be destined for a drop down the table. The week’s biggest free agent and front office moves are also discussed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

With the NWSL playoffs and championship in the books, Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss what went wrong for the 6 sides that failed to qualify. And analyze which ones are best positioned to flip the script in 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Orlando Pride achieved a storybook ending to their spectacular 2024 season by winning the NWSL championship against the Washington Spirit. We discuss the game, the controversies, and the atmosphere at the final as well as Jessica Berman's news about expansion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Spirit needed a late equalizer and penalty kicks to overcome Gotham while Marta’s turn-back-the-clock goal stood up as the game-winner in the Pride win over the Current. The NWSL Championship is next. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

It’s playoff time and as expected, the top four teams triumphed and moved onto the semifinals. That doesn’t mean there weren’t some exciting moments to discuss, including several surprising goals from centerbacks, stoppage times wins, heartbreaking own goals, and, of course, VAR drama. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The NWSL playoff field and quarterfinal matchups are set, trouble at Snapdragon Stadium, and the gang reveal their picks for postseason awards and Best XI. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

It may be Fall but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a bit of summer. Michael Minnich takes the helm this week as most of the NWSL goes on break to chat with PJ Green from the Kansas City Star and Gary Gibson from the Soccer Over Gotham pod about the Summer Cup finale that took place on Friday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Thorns and Bay FC moved to the brink of the playoffs with only Louisville alive to crash the party, plus Temwa Chawinga makes more history, and was BOS Nation FC the worst product rollout ever? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Christen Press scored her first goal in 28 months on Saturday, a dramatic, emphatic strike that nearly won a game for Angel City. Elsewhere, the four quarterfinal hosts are set and Cloe Lacasse bags a hat trick. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Orlando Pride clinched the Shield for the club’s first trophy, and remained undefeated. On the other coast, Angel City felt the wrath after being caught violating the league salary cap. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Christine Sinclair announced her retirement last week and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman hinted at an NWSL with as many as 30 clubs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Orlando clinches their first-ever home playoff match and Gotham secures a playoff berth as the post-season picture begins to come into focus - at least at the top of the table. Outside of the top four teams, there are still some serious questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Orlando Pride have an unbeaten season in site after a 0-0 draw with the Current. Plus the Spirit join the playoff field and the NWSL General Managers speak. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Alex Morgan played her final professional soccer match on Sunday, three days after announcing she is pregnant and retiring from her playing career. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

(Fixed audio - sorry about that) Weather delays cause havoc, but many teams at the bottom of the table prove capable of earning point while some at the top show they might be overly reliant on a key player or two. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The NWSL secured labor peace for the rest of the decade with a landmark collective bargaining agreement. The league also got back to playing games. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d launch our NWSL pod by talking about Landon Donovan, but here we are. Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss all the biggest moves during the Olympic break including player acquisitions, trades, and, yes, coaching changes. (Also, we apologize for the sound issues. Storms and spotty internet connections unfortunately made this an uneven one.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com