Futbol W: NWSL Recap + Gotham FC's Big Announcement + Catarina Macario's Big Deal + Top 5 Goals + Drippin or Trippin

17:47You know, I wouldn't say Portland was like, you know, really, you know, hammering, you know, Spirit down. And I think they didn't have as many goal scoring opportunities as a Spirit. And I think, you know, that goal really allowed them to be like, guys, listen, like we're in it. We're together. And I think that that's what you're going to need throughout the whole season.

18:04Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, 100 percent. And Olivia Mulcher, we know, has been great for this team. I do want to just quickly touch on what you said about the locker room environment. I think it's Sam Coffey's footprint as well that she just really left in this locker room and they're just doing a great job at taking it in. So when we talk about Olivia Moultrie, I mean, her numbers are already impressive at such a young age. You mentioned media training here a few minutes ago. She really is so, so great to talk to every single time. But now here, Jeff, what can Portman do to continue to support Olivia and not put everything on her shoulders?

18:42Well, that's a great question because you mentioned Sam Coffey and her absence, her departure. You know, Coffey and Moultrie are the two players that I would say this team totally overperformed last year. And they were the two players that really helped bring them along through some tough moments. Coffey departing, you know, Moultrie, I think, has come into her own as one of the league's best players. and is someone who's going to be looked at as a goal scorer. Now, we talked about Sophia Wilson coming back. That takes a little bit off of Moultrie's plate in the goal scoring department, where last year that really fell even more so onto her.

19:13So I think you're right. It's about not putting too much pressure on her. I think this is an amazing result for week one. I think there's still a lot of questions for me, at least in Portland, of how this all comes together in a lot of ways. So I think they'll lean on Moultrie and they'll need her to perform the way she did last year, which is really at a mostly an all league level.

19:35Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, absolutely. And I have a question here when it comes to Olivia Moultrie and that play. Were you surprised at Spirit's lack of reaction with that first touch?

19:48Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I was just going to say I want to spin this because nothing against Olivia Moultrie. She was brilliant. And the way that that motivation, that tenacity to want an urgency actually to get into the box and be an option was brilliant. And that was unbelievable. The run she made and the urgency to get there to finish that was incredible. I'm surprised that the defensive, you know, mistakes that, you know, Washington had made. First, you're getting run past in the center of the park. she's running you know 30 35 yards to get into the box it's got to be a max sprint back and then as a back line you're constantly looking at the threats coming so constantly keeping your your head on a swivel and taking a look at who's coming in who the threats are are we in a good position to be able to continue to move our feet to be able to get there and she's coming at a really really high pace so that touch you know you know it's gonna go forward and you have to keep your feet moving so Tara unfortunately I think just got you know just stuck on her heels a bit and just flat-footed and square right she's not even at an angle so when you're square like that and you're flat-footed then exactly what happened happens and that's very uncharacteristic of her to be honest.

21:08Cristina Alexander:She's a great defender and that was probably also, you know, she knew right away that maybe she wasn't in the correct position. So yeah, I was a little shook that, you know, Washington had that type of defensive mentality because normally they are on point. But they took advantage of that. Olivia took advantage of that and as an attacking player, you see that opportunity and she has a great technical ability. She took that first touch and then boom, right in the back in the net. I'm really happy you honestly mentioned the defense because I actually want to give praise to Portland's outside backs because when we speak about, you know, you know, basically helping an Olivia Moultrie out where she doesn't feel all this pressure to score goals, to me, it's when your back line defends consistently well, that allows the midfield to get onto the ball, have composure, be able to build without, you know, feeling like they're under so much fire at all times, and I think the outside backs for me, for Portland, were incredible.

22:04They really limited a lot of Washington's chances. They made it very difficult. And I think that allowed Portland to build into it because they didn't feel that much pressure when their backline was able to snuff out any, you know, easy, easy chances.

22:19Jeff Kassouf:Yeah. I mean, knowing someone formerly Tara McKeown, Tara Rudd, because we're still getting used to the new names, I mean, I doubt we're going to see something similar from her. And that's why I think it's It's a compliment that it's so surprising to see that miss. But Olivia Moultrie, as you said, Ali, took full advantage of it. Let's take it to our next game here. Kansas City versus Utah Royals. We're going to take it straight into the 35th minute. Tatum and Lotso heads it in from close range, Jeff. You know what? Kansas City on defensive set pieces. This is feeling like a couple years ago. This is a little bit of a flashback.

22:55I think they're going to be very unhappy with this, particularly because it's on a defensive set piece, which you're always upset about. But they had issues with this a couple seasons ago and not a good thing for it to return.

23:04Jeff Kassouf:I mean, Tealman was concerned, but not for very long. 50th minute, Dabinia here, shot just wide up the far post. So Kansas City was already knocking at the door with this one. Let's take it into the 57th minute. Kayla Sharples taps it into the path of who else? Allie Croy-Bethune.

23:20Cristina Alexander:I mean, unbelievable, but you've got to give credit to this touch, right? It's just a little flick just to help it along. And then Croy was in the right position at the right time. She takes a beautiful touch forward and right in front of her into her path was able to finish the ball

23:34Jeff Kassouf:69th minute you know who else was there Ali Center taking on multiple defenders in the box finding the back of the net and It's just so brilliant to see dare I say the best goal of the weekend Maybe week one of the NWSL. So Kansas were up to one with this and they go on to win 2-1 Here's Ali Center north and Kayla Sharples after the match

23:58I mean it's a team sport so as long as we're winning that's all that truly matters I was just happy to be in a position to help the team out today and just as Kayla did just as Croy did just as like everyone on the team did their part it's truly like a team win we always say team first mentality so I it was amazing to to score and especially like the fans just make it even more better so doing it even more better even better sorry even better doing it at home and uh just yeah the fans light it up so honestly it was a great day for the team we get our first win it's

24:32Cristina Alexander:just a really good step in the right direction to continue building off for the rest of the season

24:36Jeff Kassouf:i mean ali's been knocking on the door you know like it's we knew it was going to happen so i'm really happy for you to get that first game like start off the season hot you know and i mean it gave us the goal up so I mean it was yeah it was just huge um yeah so I'm really happy

24:56Jeff Kassouf:for Ali Sentinel by the way uh love to see her thriving as well what a great what a great strike crystal from Ali Sentinel it was brilliant to see but there was no time with Chowinga so how much does it help to have an Ali Sentinel we know she was there post postseason last season but now to have her at this consistent level yeah I think for Ali you know she joined the team late last year she you know I don't think probably hit her stride I think starting the year off with a goal and listen she did some sweet feet in the box like she put some honey on her feet because she was the way she had no time and no space really to get that shot off I mean it speaks to her as a player she's incredible she doesn't need a lot of space she is going to be heavenly relied upon this year for the team, especially until Chawinga gets back.

25:44They are going to look for her to create chances and score goals. So hopefully she continues week in and week out.

25:51Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I mean, this was probably Kansas City's toughest loss last season, starting with Temuachewinga. And we know that trickled into the postseason, Jeff. We know there was no Michelle Cooper for that Gotham game as well. But when it comes to building a foundation, is Kansas City there and not 100 % dependent on Temuachewinga? Well, I don't know if those are mutually exclusive. I mean, I think Temo Schoenga changes how they play. We saw that in the playoffs. I do think Ali Centner coming in, I mean, first goal for the club, after that big transfer and then a quiet fall for her, really. I think that's a big piece for her mentally, big piece for my breakout player of the year.

26:30I'm going to cash out right now, maybe after week one. But I think Bia Zanirato, too, right? This was, I think, part of the plan when they brought Ali Centner in last year, knowing that Bia might leave. to have a nine, to build for years to come with Centner. So I think you get the confidence in week one. You know that, not in a complacent way, but like this is your role. You are our nine. So I think that's huge for her. And then, yeah, I mean, Chawinga changes how they play. They still have not really answered in a straight way when we're going to see Chawinga other than she might be back soon.

27:01I still have a question of what that means for them in the long term, what it means for Chawinga in the long term, plus AFCON's now in the summer. What's her availability going to be?

27:10Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and that's been tough for Kansas City. I mentioned the postseason, and this was the biggest what-if for them, Allie, especially in that home, I mean, I want to call it home opener for the postseason, for the Kansas City current. But what are you liking the most here from the current, at least from this first game that you saw?

27:27Cristina Alexander:Well, I just think that proves that they have depth, right? When, say, Plan A or Shawinga, your best player, the best in the league, you know, can't perform, championship teams find a way to win. and they have proven that they're able to fill that hole, you know, for the time being. We're going to see how long that hole can be filled for because those are tough shoes to fill. But they have to find a way to win if they want to be a championship team. And there's times throughout the season where you're not always going to have your best players and you have to be able to figure it out. You have to be able to have depth.

28:00Cristina Alexander:And we always say this. I feel like the past two seasons, we've been saying the teams that have the most depth are the teams that get to the playoffs and can win a championship and you could see that Kansas City enjoyed sharing the ball they enjoyed the combination play they enjoyed you know just supporting each other on the field and I think that gives each other that confidence too to want to succeed and I know that they're going to continue that this season obviously with a new coach new you know new players in additions this is going to be a season for them to really prove themselves that they can do it.

28:36Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, 100%. After a record-breaking season last season, there was little that we could ask more of Kansas City Current that we saw last season, too. They were missing Tim Wachewinga. Orlando in the postseason was, and I'm saying this specifically in the past, was missing Barbara Banda. But hey, she is back, so everything would be great, right? Seattle Reigns said, well, not really. They also brought the rain to Orlando, by the way. What a brilliant play to kick things off. It's Jess Fishlock. Like it's nothing, Jess, in the 24th minute. Timeless. I mean, I keep saying she's going to be scoring goals for another 10 years.

29:12She gets 10 minutes off the bench, she scores a goal. And she starts in this one. I mean, she is, continues to be, 13 years later, the life, the soul of this team.

29:21Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I mean, she always makes it look so simple. That was in the 24th minute. So yes, there was a weather of over two hours. I don't miss that one. I don't. I don't miss that one. Dancing in the locker room. I don't have tired myself out. I mean, you have to find a way to keep yourself warm and motivated. Crystal, 51st minute, Haley McCutcheon plays the ball and it's Barbara Banda. Crystal, she's back. She's back, baby. I mean, she literally didn't skip a beat. She was already getting in behind, you know, Reigns' back line from time to time up until this point. And, you know, I'm really happy She was able to first came back, showcase who she is.

30:00Not that anyone forgot who she was. And getting that goal. Obviously, tying it up was obviously a big moment for them. And I'm happy for her. She looks healthy. She looks, you know, in form already. So, yeah.

30:12Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, it was great. 83rd minute, though. All right, so it was a corner for Seattle. The ball comes out for a second cross into the box. That one's denied. the third cross by Nadia Mondeser finds the head of Brittany Ratcliffe Alley for the goal.

30:28Cristina Alexander:Yeah, in these situations you just have to you just have to put it back into a space where you can affect the game and just get it into the box somewhere someone's got a fight to get on the end of it and that's exactly what Ratcliffe did here and well done because they were able to get the three points.

30:42Jeff Kassouf:I mean I never I never played as a defender but I can imagine the clear hit, clear it. Oh yeah, you gotta get touched tight, you gotta grab on to

30:50Cristina Alexander:people you got to try to jump in and do the best of it but um well done that Ratcliffe got there

30:54Jeff Kassouf:first yeah and well done for Seattle too to rain on Barbara Banda's return parade were you so sorry were you I'm not sorry were you surprised Crystal to see this result for Seattle honestly it's the first week it's kind of one of those those those those moments in the NWSL where you're just like you don't really know what to expect I think rain you know the leadership from Laura Harvey is always a factor that's going to, you know, leadership is going to be strong, you know, and, and Fischlach being on the field, she's the heartbeat of this team. Getting that first goal, I think allowed the team to rally behind her.

31:31You know, Seattle didn't look too rattled. I mean, when you have a, you know, a barber running at the back line, of course, you're going to be like, okay, let's, you know, make sure we're tidy. But to be fair, I think they minimize a lot of Orlando's, you know, like their, their wave of attacks. And I think, you know, getting that goal and, and Radcliffe subbed in. So that's the other thing. It's using your bench, it's utilizing every single player, and keeping that message very strong throughout the year is going to be the key to hopefully getting into playoffs and going the distance. Do you know what the scariest sound to hear on a factory floor is?

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33:59Jeff Kassouf:To Washington versus Portland now, and Trinity Rodman, of course, helps with the fan factor. Let's take you to the 52nd minute. Pietro Tordent lays it off to Olivia Moultrie and Olivia Moultrie just doing Olivia Moultrie things, Ali, as we would see in the buildup.

34:17Cristina Alexander:I'm sure she ran a lot faster in the game than we just saw in the highlight, but brilliant play by her. She runs, I don't know if you saw it from the very beginning of that clip, she runs all the way from her own half, I think top of the circle, into this position. Great first touched to get away from tara rudd and in the side netting brilliant way to start the season for her but also brilliant way to show up for her team and lead them lead them to success yeah definitely i

34:51Jeff Kassouf:mean this was really close as well but the moment crystal sophia wilson is there's my girl i mean i'm just so proud of her because honestly to be fair when i watched this her subbing in i was like I don't even care what she does. She's on the field. Yeah. She's back. This is such a massive moment for her, you know, becoming a new mom and just those first moments. I'm sure she's just so proud of herself. And I'm just truly amazed at the journey she's been on. And I'm just going to watch and follow and cheer her on from afar. Yeah, it was great to see her back for sure. Approximately 13 minutes, a little bit more from what we saw.

35:26Jeff Kassouf:And we saw Trinity Rodman was close there to tie it up. So to get things started and what we saw, I want to stick with the Sophia Wilson of it all because we know that we were excited to see her back. Jeff, what did you make of her playing time? Well, I mean, I think great to just see her back for one, to be back for game one. I think she can start to get integrated into the team. And, you know, I mean, she comes in in almost a perfect scenario because Portland's leading in a game that I will be honest, I thought they were going to struggle in with a coach getting into town 36 hours before the game.

35:58with the first 10 minutes, the way they went for the spirit of dictating play. So to be able to come in with the lead, not have a pressure of you going in to try to find an equalizer or something, I think the right scenario, and then she can build in from there.

36:11Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, absolutely. Obviously, momentum-wise, it's great for the locker room. But when it comes to her in Portland specifically, what Jeff just mentioned, Ali, it's huge. I mean, as a player, to not have a coach so close to week one and starting, The season, I mean, how do you even start to handle that?

36:30Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I mean, you have to control what you're able to control, right? That's your performance and your attitude towards what the situation is giving you. And in a professional environment and in this situation, the players are going to show up the way that they know how and how they can represent themselves, just play the best that they can play. And I think because of the, you know, assistant coaches and the staff that were there throughout the whole preseason period had set them up for success, prepared them as well as they could, I'm sure they were in good communication with the coach as well, behind the scenes to be able to implement whatever the philosophy and the structure that he wanted to implement.

37:06Cristina Alexander:But I do want to know what that locker room chat was before the game to get them as excited and motivated as they looked because it was brilliant. I thought they came out and they really proved themselves. I think they had control of the game. They were sharing the ball. They were continuously making each other look good. They were supporting each other. They were connecting through the lines. Like, there was not enough good things I could say about Portland, the way that they showed up in this first game. Yeah, I mean, I agree. I think it looked like they just stayed connected because, I mean, Spirit's press was, like, high.

37:42It was high. It felt, you know, that it was in many ways just, like, insufferable at times, you know. And I think, you know, for them, the first half, I think they were a little bit under pressure for sure. I think they came in at halftime and were just probably like, Like, listen, guys, it's 0-0. We're still in it. And I think Liv getting that first goal, I think, really took the wind out of them, out of Spirit, because I think it was a little against the grain of play. I wouldn't say Portland was really hammering Spirit down, and I think they didn't have as many goal-scoring opportunities as the Spirit.

38:15And I think that goal really allowed them to be like, guys, listen, we're in it. We're together. And I think that that's what you're going to need throughout the whole season.

38:24Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, 100%. and Olivia Moultrie, we know, has been great for this team. I do want to just quickly touch on what you said about the locker room environment. I think it's Sam Coffey's footprint as well, that she just really left in this locker room, and they're just doing a great job at taking it in. So when we talk about Olivia Moultrie, I mean, her numbers are already impressive at such a young age. You mentioned media training here a few minutes ago. She really is so, so great to talk to every single time. But now here, Jeff, what can Portman do to continue to support Olivia and not put everything on her shoulders?

39:01Well, that's a great question because you mentioned Sam Coffey and her absence, her departure. You know, Coffey and Moultrie are the two players that I would say this team totally overperformed last year. And they were the two players that really helped bring them along through some tough moments. Coffey departing. You know, Moultrie, I think, has come into her own as one of the league's best players. and is someone who's going to be looked at as a goal scorer. Now, we talked about Sophia Wilson coming back. That takes a little bit off of Moultrie's plate in the goal scoring department, where last year that really fell even more so onto her.

39:33So I think you're right. It's about not putting too much pressure on her. I think this is an amazing result for week one. I think there's still a lot of questions for me, at least in Portland, of how this all comes together in a lot of ways. So I think they'll lean on Moultrie and they'll need her to perform the way she did last year, which is really at a mostly an all league level.

39:55Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, absolutely. And I have a question here when it comes to Olivia Moultrie and that play. Were you surprised at Spirit's lack of reaction with that first touch?

40:07Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I was just going to say I want to spin this because nothing against Olivia Moultrie. She was brilliant. And the way that that motivation, that tenacity to want an urgency, actually to get into the box and be an option was brilliant. And that was unbelievable. The run she made and the urgency to get there to finish that was incredible. I'm surprised that the defensive, you know, mistakes that, you know, Washington had made. First, you're getting run past in the center of the park. She's running, you know, 30, 35 yards to get into the box. It's got to be a max sprint back. And then as a back line, you're constantly looking at the threats coming.

40:49Cristina Alexander:So constantly keeping your head on a swivel and taking a look at who's coming in, who the threats are. Are we in a good position to be able to continue to move our feet, to be able to get there? And she's coming at a really, really high pace. So that touch, you know, you know, it's going to go forward. and you have to keep your feet moving. So Tara, unfortunately, I think just got, you know, just stuck on her heels a bit and just flat-footed and square, right? She's not even at an angle. So when you're square like that and you're flat-footed, then exactly what happened, happens. And that's very uncharacteristic of her, to be honest.

41:28Cristina Alexander:She's a great defender and that was probably also, you know, she knew right away that maybe she wasn't in the correct position. So, yeah, I was a little shook that Washington had that type of defensive mentality because normally they are on point. But they took advantage of that. Olivia took advantage of that. And as an attacking player, you see that opportunity. And she has great technical ability. She took that first touch and then boom, right in the back of the net. I'm really happy you honestly mentioned the defense because I actually want to give praise to Portland's outside backs Because when we speak about, you know, basically helping an Olivia Moultrie out where she doesn't feel all this pressure to score goals, to me it's when your back line defends consistently well.

42:12That allows the midfield to get onto the ball, have composure, be able to build without, you know, feeling like they're under so much fire at all times. And I think the outside backs for me, for Portland, were incredible. They really limited a lot of Washington's chances. They made it very difficult. And I think that allowed Portland to build into it because they didn't feel that much pressure when their back line was able to snuff out any easy chances.

42:39Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I mean, knowing someone formerly Tara McKeown, Tara Rudd, because we're still getting used to the new names. I mean, I doubt we're going to see something similar from her. And that's why I think it's a compliment that it's so surprising to see that miss. But Olivia Moultrie, as you said, Ali, took full advantage of it. Let's take it to our next game here. Kansas City versus Utah Royals. We're going to take it straight into the 35th minute. Tatum and Lotso heads it in from close range, Jeff. You know what? Kansas City on defensive set pieces. This is feeling like a couple years ago. It's a little bit of a flashback.

43:15I think they're going to be very unhappy with this, particularly because it's on a defensive set piece, which you're always upset about. But they had issues with this a couple seasons ago and not a good thing for it to return.

43:24Jeff Kassouf:I mean, Tealman was concerned, but not for very long. 50th minute to being here shot just. Wide up the far post so Kansas City was already knocking at the door with this one. Let's take it into the 57th minute Kayla Sharples taps it into the path of who else? Ali Croy Bethune.

43:40Cristina Alexander:I mean unbelievable but you gotta give credit to this touch right? It's just a little flick just to help it along and then Croy was in the right position at the right time. She takes a beautiful touch forward and right in front of her into her path was able to

43:52Jeff Kassouf:finish the ball 69th minute. You know who else was there? Ali Centner taking on multiple defenders in the box, finding the back of the net, and is just so brilliant to see, dare I say, the best goal of the weekend, maybe, week one of the NWSL. So Kansas were up 2-1 with this, and they go on to win 2-1. Here's Ali Centner and Kayla Sharples after the match.

44:18I mean, it's a team sport, so as long as we're winning, that's all that truly matters. I was just happy to be in a position to help the team out today, and just as Kayla did, just as Croy did, just as like everyone on the team did their part, it's truly like a team win. We always say team first mentality. So it was amazing to score and especially like the fans just make it even more better. So doing it even more better, even better, sorry, even better doing it at home and just, yeah, the fans light it up. So honestly, it was a great day for the team. We get our first win.

44:51Jeff Kassouf:It's just a really good step in the right direction to continue building off for the rest of the season. I mean, Ally's been knocking on the door. You know, like, we knew it was going to happen. So I'm really happy for you to get that first game, like, start off the season hot, you know. And, I mean, it gave us the goal up. So, I mean, it was, yeah, it was just huge. Yeah, so I'm really happy that you got it.

45:15Jeff Kassouf:My energy for Ally Centner, by the way. Love to see her thriving as well. What a great strike, Crystal, from Allie Centnor. It was brilliant to see. But there was no Temwuchewinga, so how much does it help to have an Allie Centnor? We know she was there postseason, last season, but now to have her at this consistent level. Yeah, I think for Allie, you know, she joined the team late last year. She, you know, I don't think probably hit her stride, I think, starting the year off with a goal. And listen, she did some sweet feet in the box. Like, she put some honey on her feet because she was – the way she had no time and no space, really, to get that shot off, I mean, it speaks to her as a player.

45:55She's incredible. She doesn't need a lot of space. She is going to be heavenly relied upon this year for the team, especially until Chawingah gets back. They are going to look for her to, you know, create chances and score goals. So, hopefully she continues week in and week out.

46:11Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I mean, this was probably Kansas City's toughest loss season, starting with Tammu Chawinga, and we know that trickled into the postseason, Jeff. We know there was no Michelle Cooper for that Gotham game as well. But when it comes to building a foundation, is Kansas City there and not 100 % dependent on Tammu Chawinga? Well, I don't know if those are mutually exclusive. I mean, I think Tammu Chawinga changes how they play. We saw that in the playoffs. I do think Ali Sentner coming in, I mean, first goal for the club, get, you know, after that big transfer and then a quiet fall for her, really.

46:44I think that's a big piece for her mentally, big piece for my breakout player of the year. I'm going to cash out right now, maybe after week one. But I think Bia Zanarato, too, right? Like this was, I think, part of the plan when they brought Ali Centner in last year, knowing that Bia might leave, to have a nine, to build for years to come with Centner. So I think you get the confidence in week one. You know that not in a complacent way, but like this is your role. You are our nine. So I think that's huge for her. And then, yeah, I mean, Chowinga changes how they play. They still have not really answered in a straight way when we're going to see Chowinga, other than she might be back soon.

47:21I still have a question of what that means for them in the long term, what it means for Chowinga in the long term, plus AFCON's now in the summer. What's her availability going to be?

47:30Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and that's been tough for Kansas City. I mentioned the postseason, and this was the biggest what if for them, Allie, especially in that home, I mean, I want to call it home opener for the postseason, for the Kansas City current. But what are you liking the most here from the current, at least from this first game that you saw?

47:46Cristina Alexander:Well, I just think that that proves that they have depth, right? When, say, Plan A or Schwinga, your best player, the best in the league, can't perform, championship teams find a way to win. And they have proven that they're able to fill that hole for the time being. We're going to see how long that hole can be filled for because those are tough shoes to fill. but they have to find a way to win if they want to be a championship team and there's times throughout the season where you're not always going to have your best players and you have to be able to figure it out you have to be able to have depth and we always say this I feel like the past two seasons we've been saying the teams that have the most depth are the teams that get to the playoffs and can win a championship and you could see that Kansas City enjoyed sharing the ball they enjoyed the combination play they enjoyed you know just supporting each other on the field and I think that gives each other that confidence to to want to succeed and I know that they're going to continue that this season obviously with a new coach new you know new players in additions this is going to be a season for them to really prove themselves that they can do it.

48:56Jeff Kassouf:Yeah 100 % after a record-breaking season last season there was little that we could ask more of Kansas City current that we saw last season too they were missing time with Chawinga. Orlando in the post season was and I'm saying this specifically in the past was missing Barbara Banda but hey she is back so everything would be great right Seattle Reign said well not really they also brought the rain to Orlando by the way what a brilliant play to kick things off it's Jess Fishlock like it's nothing Jeff in the 24th minute timeless I mean I keep saying she's going to be scoring goals for another 10 years she gets 10 minutes off the bench she scores a goal and she starts in this one.

49:35I mean, she is, continues to be, 13 years later, the life, the soul of this team.

49:41Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I mean, she always makes it look so simple. That was in the 24th minute. So yes, there was a weather delay of over two hours. I don't miss that one. I don't. I don't miss that one. Dancing in the locker room. I don't have tired myself out. I mean, you have to find a way to keep yourself warm and motivated. Crystal, 51st minute, Haley McCutcheon plays the ball, and it's Barbara Banda Crystal. She's back. She's back, baby. I mean, she literally didn't skip a beat. She was already getting in behind, you know, Reigns' back line from time to time up until this point. And, you know, I'm really happy she was able to first game back, showcase who she is, not that anyone forgot who she was, and getting that goal.

50:24Obviously tying it up was obviously a big moment for them. And I'm happy for her. She looks healthy. She looks, you know, in form already. So, yeah.

50:32Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, it was great. 83rd minute though. All right, so it was a corner for Seattle. The ball comes out for a second cross into the box. That one's denied. The third cross by Nadia Mondeser finds the head of Brittany Ratcliffe Alley for the goal.

50:48Cristina Alexander:Yeah, in these situations, you just have to put it back into a space where you can affect the game. And just get it into the box somewhere. Someone's got to fight to get on the end of it. And that's exactly what Ratcliffe did here. And well done because they were able to get the three points.

51:01Jeff Kassouf:I mean, I never played as a defender, but I can imagine the clear it, clear it. Oh, yeah. You got to get touched tight.

51:09Cristina Alexander:You got to grab onto people. You got to try to jump in and do the best of it. But well done that Ratcliffe got there first.

51:15Jeff Kassouf:Yeah. And well done for Seattle, too, to rain on Barbara Banda's return parade. Were you surprised, Crystal, to see this result for Seattle? Honestly, it's the first week. Like, it's kind of one of those moments in the NWSL where you're just like, you don't really know what to expect. I think Reign, you know, the leadership from Laura Harvey is always a factor that's going to – you know leadership is going to be strong, you know. And Fischlach being on the field, she's the heartbeat of this team. Getting that first goal, I think, allowed the team to rally behind her. You know, Seattle didn't look too rattled.

51:53I mean, when you have a barber running at the back line, of course, you're going to be like, okay, let's, you know, make sure we're tidy. But to be fair, I think they minimize a lot of Orlando's, you know, like their their wave of attacks. And I think, you know, getting that goal and Ratcliffe subbed in. So that's the other thing. It's using your bench. It's utilizing every single player and keeping that message very strong throughout the year is going to be the key to hopefully getting into playoffs and going the distance.

52:18Jeff Kassouf:I think Ratcliffe is one of the most underrated players of the league, by the way. So hard. She does. Yeah. Yeah, she really does. So it's great to see her now get the spotlight. We'll see if she's able to hold on to it. And Orlando, we know, Jeff, was just a step away from playing in the final. Got them. What do you expect from them this season? I think they'll be among the contenders. And, I mean, we didn't show it there. You know, the whiff of the weekend from a refereeing perspective was a Jaffaelli goal that was called back because of an errant whistle. So I'm sure the Pride are not thrilled with that and could have been a game-changing equalizer I think right before halftime but you know Orlando with Banda back I mean I think is going to completely change things they struggled a little bit last year even when she was healthy early in the year but having her for what they hope will be a full-ish season you know similar to the Schillinga conversation I think in terms of just whether they're playing well or not on the day can change a game you know even individually at times and I I think this is an Orlando team that was a few seconds, a whisker away from making it back to the final in that semifinal last year that we had.

53:27So I think it's a team that should be among the contenders again.

53:32Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, we'll see what they can do. I mean, it was so even sad to see Barbara Banda training on her own before that semifinal match. And we tried to get a feel of when she was going to come back. And she was still about three weeks away, if I'm not mistaken. so she was clearly not gonna be back for the postseason. And it's just tough to see one of the more talented players in the NWSL, but it's great to see her back. And I'm sure Orlando obviously are the happiest to see this. Speaking of happy returns, let's take it to Angel City versus Chicago Stars. In the 33rd minute, it was Kennedy Fuller from the right side of the box.

54:11Jeff Kassouf:Crystal taking it herself. I mean, it's a great shot. Obviously, you know, I know Alyssa Nair very well. I think she's probably a little bit disappointed in herself. I think she could have done a little bit more to prevent that. But as a forward, you got to take your chances and you never know what's going to happen. I think, you know, her taking that shot, being able to realize that it's a good goal scoring opportunity is incredible. Yeah, I mean, the sun and the shade there I know are also tricky. I mean, as a goalkeeper, Evelyn Schorzo scoring a header again, Ali. Yes, my TST. Give him in.

54:46Cristina Alexander:I mean, I am so thrilled for her. I thought she was brilliant at TST. I was like, you are going to be an NWSL star. And whatever team gets to, you know, have you and support you and just join you is the luckiest team in the league. So, so happy for her. And then once again, right here, Savvy King coming onto the field. Brilliant. You can see her little excitement, a little two-step there. And skip onto the field. Everyone's so happy for her.

55:12Jeff Kassouf:Oh, yeah. Yeah, no matter what jersey you root for, it's great to see Savvy King back 10 months after. But Jeff, what happened here? Listen, playing out of the back, this is the account, right? When playing out of the back goes wrong, you know, I think Chicago, you need to be a little bit safer here on opening weekend. Yeah, definitely. And that wasn't it here for Chicago because Angel City would truly open up the season in style. Maybe a nod to their first game ever in the NWSL. It was Mayara Nijos who scores a right-footed shot from the center of the box. So in Savvy King's return, they celebrate her like this with a 4-0 win, and it's such a great striker.

55:52Jeff Kassouf:That was in the 70th minute, and that would be it for LA. That would also be it for the Chicago Stars, who look, at least for the moment, to still have a very long season on their hands. But they were, yeah, yeah. Savvy King is back. Yeah, that was a great moment. Great moment of the weekend maybe for her to be back to make this play right afterward. I mean, I think it's huge for her. All right, let's hear from Savvy King herself after the 4-0 win. I'm about to play soccer again. I've been waiting for that moment forever, and it was just a rush of just positive emotions, just excitement, a little bit of nerves, but just ready to be back out there doing what I love.

56:32It's been far too long since I've been able to play in BMO in front of our home fans, and so I was just really happy to be back out there. A little bit emotional for sure, but definitely just overwhelmed with happiness and joy. You got the first game back out of the way. Yeah. Now moving forward, can you tell me what your mind's going to be like and what you want to do for the rest of the team? Yeah, I think just dominance. I want to get back to Savvy 2.0, Savvy 1.0 first and then Savvy 2.0. Yeah, I've been training super hard to get back to this point, and so I'm ready to get to work and to show the world that I'm ready and I'm a force to be reckoned with.

57:06But yeah, I'm just, I'm really excited to just to be back out there and going into the season. It's just going to be relentless and dominant the whole time.

57:16Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, so happy to see her back. And it's just such a great moment. Allie, I want to go back to the conversation that you had with her and how shocking it was to hear that this was the first sort of injury, if we could call it that way, that she ever had to deal with in her life. How happy are you to see her back?

57:32Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I'm so thrilled. and I could see the team just overjoyed as well. And when your back line is intact and you know your defenders are going to show up and do their job, you feel more secure as a team as well in a game. So I'm so happy for her. She made brilliant plays. She looked good. She looked confident. And she really expresses that joy in the way that she plays. And so she's super determined to get back to, now we hear 2.0, Savvy King. but I'm really happy that she's taking one step at a time and she's doing what she loves doing.

58:09Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and it was great also to see this 4-0 win for Angel City, obviously not for Chicago Stars still waiting on the return of Mallory Swanson, but with Angel City and this project, we know they've struggled at times. Crystal last season was rough as well, missing out on the postseason, so what are their realistic expectations, do you think? Well, listen, Angel City was my surprise team, so I'm like, listen, they're doing everything I need them to be doing right now. No, I mean, their back line is so solid. Obviously, the return of Savvy King is just going to make them more dominant, you know, when she obviously builds back in to full form.

58:42Clearly, four different goal scorers. I mean, they're getting the job done on both ends, and I think you need that balance. You can't be a team that's just good at scoring goals but can't defend. You can't be a team that's good at defending but can't score goals. You need everyone playing their role. And so, you know, to me, they have to take this win, celebrate it, but next game is going to be different. You know, every team has different strengths, and they're going to need to be able to hone into what they have but also continue building. And I think they have all the tools. So I think, you know, for me, it's just putting that into play every single week, and they'll be good.

59:19Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and we obviously don't expect this performance from Alyssa Mayer week in and week out with what we know and with how both of you just know her so well, Jeff. So we were surprised about that. But how surprised were you to see this start from Chicago, which we know that, unfortunately, it was the same trend that we saw last season? Yeah, I think it's the worst possible start for Chicago from a result perspective. I mean, if you and Allie and Crystal can speak to this better, but to me, you're a player on that team. You finished last year. Everybody around the league is looking at your organization saying, when are you going to step up?

59:50And you come into this year with a new mentality, right? You're a fresh start. It's different this year. to go out there and lose 4-0 immediately. I mean, you're a human. I don't care who you are. That starts creeping back in of are we back to the same old, same old. So I think it's a huge problem for Chicago. It doesn't mean they can't turn it around. It doesn't mean that they can't be better next week. I mean, they've got to host Kansas City for a home opener now.

1:00:12Jeff Kassouf:And they got rid of Lujmila as well. Yeah. I mean, so I think they brought in Jordan Hidema right before the season as the number nine option. It should get better. But in terms of like week one, I think just what the doctor ordered for Angel City, for Chicago, it is everything you didn't want, I think mentally more than anything. Yeah, absolutely. The mental side of it, it'll be tough to dig themselves out of what seems to be at least, for starters, a 4-0 hole. We will have them this weekend play, as you said, against Kansas City Current. And coming up on Football W, a tradition that we love to see.

1:00:48Jeff Kassouf:And it's back, our nominees for Player of the Week. Week 1 edition. Stick around. Want to earn extra income for your business? Amazon Hub Delivery is looking for ambitious business owners to assist with local deliveries. When you become a partner, you and your staff will deliver packages to customers in your area on a schedule that works for you. With each package delivered, you'll gain extra income and exposure for your business. Plus, Amazon Hub Delivery makes it easy to get started. There's no upfront costs, delivery experience, or long-term contracts required. Sign up to learn more at Amazon.com slash hub delivery.

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1:01:27Jeff Kassouf:Shot clocks, big shots, upsets, aces, TGL playoffs are here. First, Atlanta Drive starts their repeat run against Los Angeles Golf Club. Then, Rory's Boston Common Golf and Tiger's Jupiter Lynx face off in their playoff debuts. Who will advance? Keep up. It's playoffs. Tune in Tuesday, March 17th at 6.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. only on ESPN and the ESPN app. Women's sports are taking over the world. And now for the first time ever, women's soccer is taking over the city. The Queen's Classic at Citi Field. Gotham FC versus Washington Spirit. History in the making as the best of the best face off.

1:02:08Jeff Kassouf:Roosevelt versus Trinity Rodman. Empire versus district. Rivals versus rivals. A rematch of the 2025 NWSL Championship on their biggest stage yet. Queens of women's soccer facing off in Queens. An instant classic. The summer of soccer just got brighter. Wednesday, July 15th at 8 p.m. The Queens Classic at Citi Field. See you there.

1:02:40Jeff Kassouf:Oh yeah, we cannot wait for the Queens Classic because it is official. The NWSL champions Gotham FC have officially announced today they will host Washington Spirit at Citi Field on July 19th. Looking to break that record attendance. We're seeing a trend of NWSL games. Hey, in style, I'm glad they wore the Lady Liberty kits as well. And I'm also glad to bring in our very special guest. We saw her in action this weekend. We see her in action here on Football W. Jess Carter, welcome to Football W. I want to first get your reaction to the news being official July 15th at Citi Field vs. Washington Spirit.

1:03:23Jeff Kassouf:What do you think? Yeah, firstly, hi guys. Good to see you all. It's super exciting, obviously, for me. Not really want to say I'm a huge baseball fan. but getting to come and play I've had to learn a lot in the past few days to understand where we're playing but having the opportunity to obviously play in New York City is awesome I think for anybody no matter where you are in the world getting to play in such an incredible city hopefully with a new fan base is going to be something really incredible

1:03:51Cristina Alexander:Hi Jess, Ali here I just wanted to ask what message does it send about Gotham's ambition moving forward? I think for me joining Gotham I recognize very quickly it's a very ambitious club and that's something that's very exciting for me to be part of um it's something that's not a ready-made club yet there's a lot of work to still do and i think to be part of that is is always something really um really special and i think that to try and create more history for this club is something that every player is really honored to do um and again like getting to do that by by showcasing what we can do that's such an incredible venue is is going to be a really special day.

1:04:28Hi Jess, it's Crystal. Hey girl. I wanted to ask what will be different as far as preparation for a game that is going to be played at Citi Field versus you know a normal week training and playing at Sports Illustrated Stadium? I think for us it's I guess for me personally I don't treat any kind of game different regardless of where I play but But maybe as a team, it's recognizing that it's going to be a completely different fan base as well. So where we can, obviously, we want to show what we can do, but where we can very quickly get the fans on our side, you know, if that's through a tackle as a defender or, you know, a run, a shot, anything like that, to try and get the fans excited to watch the game and get them supporting us real quick, I think is going to be something that's going to be quite important for us.

1:05:19and just providing a really high energetic game is something that's going to be really important, I think, to make everyone enjoy their day out. Jess, Jeff here. You've played in the two leagues that I think have said to each other or sort of battled for the best in the world title, right? And we've seen these big events now in big stadiums, especially in the NWSL. Do you feel like this type of event is a sign of where the league, where the NWSL is trying to go as a league? Yeah for sure, I mean to be honest for me coming into the end of USL I think I was a little surprised at the fact that the league wasn't already there yet because I think the end of USL is an incredible league and I think it's a league that deserves to be showcased on the biggest stages like it often is in England the talent that is on display here in the US is phenomenal so I think that it's huge that we're getting the opportunity to play here and hopefully more teams continue to get to showcase what they can do in the biggest arenas around the country.

1:06:19Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, Jess, when it comes to what you just talked about, the different fan base, to get the fans on our side, you said get them excited. What would you say to those fans right now that are already looking at this game as an opportunity to have got them closer to their homes? I think that for me it's just the fact, come out and just have a good day. Just be open-minded to what you're about to experience. I think that game is going to really showcase incredible talent from all across the world, from both teams. So, you know, regardless of who you support or don't support or whether you've watched women's football before, you're going to get to see people at the top of their game being the best versions of themselves.

1:06:58And I think regardless of what sport you support or you watch, that's always an incredible opportunity. So I think to just be open-minded and just come and enjoy the day and hopefully we can give them something to want to come back to.

1:07:10Cristina Alexander:Jess, because of the World Cup coming up, because of the atmosphere and the experience here at the stadium, could this potentially be in the future some type of landmark for the club to have a spotlight on? You know, just about the stadium and being there specifically to be able to play and perform in that moment. Yeah, for sure. I think that, you know, for us, we of course we are based in Jersey, but, you know, we represent New Jersey and New York City. and I think that that is something that we want to be able to do more often. Hopefully it's an incredible game, an incredible day, but we want to go and meet the fans here.

1:07:46We want to be able to play in this part of the country and with an incredible fan base and just inspire more people to get involved and be part of Gotham. So I think that hopefully that's a really good opportunity for us to play in front of this crowd and in New York in the future. I don't think anyone's going to be adverse to coming and playing a big game in the city for sure. Jess, what do you hope will happen after the team plays in Citi Field? Like, what do you want to, you know, take place next after you guys have this big moment, being able to play in front of hopefully a new fan base? Like, what will happen, you know, after that?

1:08:26What do you hope? I think for me it's the consistency in the fan base and the turnout and the crowds. I think that's, I think Gotham and women's football in general in the end of the settle deserves to be on a bigger, have a bigger profile than what it does. I find it crazy that I could get on the subway in my Gotham kit and no one know who Gotham is. You know, I think it's such, like, we're the only team here. How do you not know who Gotham is? And for me, that is something that I really hope for, particularly Gotham going forward, is that anywhere we are in the country, people know who Gotham are.

1:09:00And I think that that will only improve by us playing in these incredible stadiums across the country, meeting new people and bringing in new fan bases and more diverse fan bases. So for me, that's just getting more people to the game, getting more people to know about Gotham, regardless of whether they support the club or not.

1:09:17Jeff Kassouf:Justin, y 'all just saw one of those new fan bases in the NWSL, record attendance, almost record yellow cards. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I love the rivalry that the team has with Washington, which is why we're very much looking forward to see this game July 15th. but is there a new rivalry now with Boston? It was very physical. So tell us about the experience on the pitch and what you saw with the fans. Yeah, I mean, to us, the game was incredible in terms of the fans. They were amazing. I think, what was it, 32 ,000 fans is something incredible to get to play in front of and for a brand-new team that no one has any, I guess, connection with at all to be able to turn out and show up for their team is incredible.

1:10:02So they really made a really special day. For me, every game is a rivalry. I want to beat every single team that we play against, regardless of being new or not. And I think that, you know, Boston, for them, they want to come in and prove that they're good enough to be here and that they deserve to compete. And if I was Boston, I'd be coming in, putting in challenges as well and making sure everybody knew who we were and we're not here to be messed with. So I love a physical game. I'm a defender. I enjoy that side of it. So I think that was exciting for me, maybe for our forwards, not, I guess.

1:10:36Jess, you said you got a crash course in baseball. So, I mean, tell us something you learned. Were you startled by Mr. and Mrs. Met or like what did you learn here in the city field? Yeah, I've only been to one baseball game and it was actually here. And I feel like I spent the whole game just asking questions to come next to me about what was going on. And I definitely enjoyed the entertainment side of it. I think it was just more how technical the sport is. And I think I watched the game on TV once, but it's so different when you see it in person. I think to be that incredibly talented when the ball is getting thrown at you that quickly is insane.

1:11:11So I'm hoping to get to go to another game and get to actually enjoy it rather than sit and asking questions the whole time.

1:11:18Jeff Kassouf:I mean, you as a defender are so used to seeing the balls just come so quickly. I think you would be fine in baseball. Maybe as a batter, I don't know how much as a...

1:11:27Cristina Alexander:I was just going to ask, did you get a chance to have the stadium hot dogs? Because those are the best part of baseball. No, I did. No, I'll have to save that for another time when the nutritionist is not listening. You deserve it. You can sneak a hot dog. It's fine. It's a true American experience.

1:11:45Jeff Kassouf:Stadium chicken tenders. Also get the soft serve in the little hats, too. I think we do have a hat. We might have given one of those. We got the little cap at home for the ice cream. Yes. Yes, so good. You get so much frozen yogurt in it. I've been told, no, I personally have experienced it. I've heard the food at Citi Field is amazing. So very much looking forward to that. Jess, thank you so much for taking the time with us here on Football W. Looking forward to the next time we get to chat with you. Great. Thank you very much, guys. Amazing always to talk to the very talented Jess Carter. And look at this.

1:12:22Jeff Kassouf:Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit from Citi Field Wednesday, July 15th at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and of course the ESPN app.

1:12:34Jeff Kassouf:Hey, we saw all sorts of announcements this week. Drumroll please. The news we were waiting for. Katerina Macario will make NWSL history after signing a record deal with San Diego Wave worth roughly$8 million in guaranteed money. Makario signed with the Wave through the 2030 season, officially departing a successful stint with Chelsea in the NWSL. Jeff, I want to start with you because I know you've been following this very, very closely. What do you make of the official announcement and the number attached to it? Well, yeah, huge number for Katerina Makario. Obviously a sign of the investment from San Diego.

1:13:12I think in addition to that, the roughly$300 ,000 they paid just to get her about 10 weeks early, I think shows some of the urgency and desire from, I would say, club and player just to make it happen earlier. So, yeah, I mean,$8 million is believed to be the biggest contract globally on a cumulative level. Trinity Rodman's$2 million plus annually is still the annual record. So it's a big win for the NWSL with this high-impact player rule to have these two big deals two months apart. I mean, these are the first two official high-impact players.

1:13:47Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I think Kat maybe needs to also, and I'm sure she's extremely grateful. I do want to make that very clear. But especially because of the players that came before her, Crystal, Allie. So, Allie, I'll start with you. When you saw this number, what was one of the first things that jumped into your head?

1:14:02Cristina Alexander:I'm coming out of retirement. That's, that's the first thing. Do you know how many times she has said this on Small W? I mean, the way Creeks plays still, I'm like, you need to be. You can bob right back. All jokes aside, elite players finally being treated like elite players and valued like elite players. And that is something that I'm very excited about. And I feel so proud that we could sit here to say that we had a small little part in this. And that is, I think, I can speak for both of us, one of the proudest moments of our career. It's not even about the championships. is getting to a point where the younger generations have it a little bit easier and they can earn more for who they are, for the types of talent they are, and the types of players they are, and the value that they bring.

1:14:50Cristina Alexander:And she's going to put people in the seats. And so she deserves this. I am curious, on the other side of it, though, to see how this will affect the team environment, right? Is this going to be, you know, how is this going to affect the team's long term with other players being able to have similar opportunities and have the pay gap not be so far apart. So that's something that you know hopefully we'll continue to get to and work towards because there's always work that needs to be done it'll never be done but hopefully we'll get to that point I know we talked about that too how much this could potentially affect the team as a whole and the teams in the NBSL as a whole moving forward.

1:15:29Yeah especially with everything being so public it's like you know it's great it's like you know all eyes on this deal that is you know breaking all types records but with it being public also means now when she steps into a new team a new environment what does that look like you know and I think um you know hopefully she she comes in comes back to the NBSL um makes the the biggest impact ever because obviously leading into a World Cup year it's going to be important for her to have great form going into next year um and hopefully the team receives her well and is able to um you know rally and build around her because she's such an incredible player yeah i mean when it comes to

1:16:06Jeff Kassouf:the nwsl we know it's huge for the u.s women's national team being back on home turf is also very important not obviously definitive that you have to be in the nwsl um but for san diego jeff i mean with the team that's already stacked and we talked about the possibility of this but now being the reality of san diego how does this impact their title chances well if you remember my title pick last week. Part of this was her coming in the summer. She's coming in March. She's probably coming in April. We'll see when she actually arrives. But I think this is a team that needed a number nine all year last year.

1:16:42We saw it. Clearly, Kat Macario can be the answer for that. Again, over the weekend, did everything but score. I mean, it's like, Kenza Dali, how much more can she do? She's sitting there saying, somebody please make this an assist, right? So I think Katarina Macario can be that player. I think expectations of double-digit scoring, right? And obviously staying and healthy is going to be the big thing for her. It's a thing she struggled with through the years here. But part of this decision from everything, every conversation that I've had about it and around it is coming home, being comfortable at home.

1:17:11She grew up here, roughly speaking, right, at least coming over from Brazil.

1:17:15Jeff Kassouf:You mentioned an interesting thing. I'm sorry to interrupt you on ESPN.com about the curiosity of her, where she's going to be training now. Well, we were there. We were there in the fall. Yeah, we were. Remember that road we came down? I mean, that's San Diego surf right over there, which is where she played. So, I mean, it's going to be very familiar for her after playing her entire pro career so far overseas. And I think, you know, that being a big decision, the World Cup, as Crystal said, being a year away, it's the right time. You don't want to get too close to the World Cup to make a move.

1:17:43So, you know, a lot of this is predicated on health. But I think if we're talking about a healthy Macario, which I think everybody's hoping for, it's a huge piece for San Diego. And I would add the, you know, I think we said putting butts in the seats. They've had an issue with that lately. this can help hometown hero big star I think it's a it's a huge win for everybody I think it's title

1:18:04Jeff Kassouf:or bust wow I mean if you're putting you're in come on right amount down I'm like you can't invest that and be like oh we'll see if we make playoffs we'll see if we it's like no playoffs is a minimum right it's a minimum right and and you know I think again it is about teams being like all right we are investing all right what does investment look like because players are competitive like Like, you know, everyone in the NWSL is probably thinking, I want to be on a team where we're competing for something. And a San Diego, like I said, making this level of an investment probably is thinking, we got to chase the shield.

1:18:39Like, we have to be chasing the shield. Yes, playoffs is the minimum, but chasing to be top one and two, I think, is where they're going to be looking.

1:18:47Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, it'll be very interesting to see when Kat Macario finally lands, and then we'll do that nice little flashback for Jeff, if it comes true. And if it doesn't come true. We'll see. We'll see in November. We will see. But let's take a look at Kat Macario's former teams and how they are doing. And Crystal's former team. Bonjour, Cristal. Bonjour. Lyon facing PSG, the first ever Coupe de la Ligue Femina, the final, I mean, taking it in. Caniglia Tudiani gets the ball. It's Dalio Mornay who scores. And the flip, of course, Crystal making an appearance.

1:19:28Cristina Alexander:I mean also when you leave a ball like that she better be she better be scoring that next goal so brilliant so happy for them and also for Lindsay to have the first trophy oh yeah after

1:19:42Jeff Kassouf:that one nil but let's take a look at the US and this national team that's we congratulate to congratulating Lindsay Lilly and of course, Olympic Lyon. Olympic Lyon with the title. Well, I was looking for another name in there, but did not make an appearance. Let's take it to the next game, Chelsea versus Manchester United. Jeff just got it. All right, let's take it to the League Cup final, Valenzuela's choice against Alyssa Thompson. Lauren James pounces and scores. Crystal. Ooh, I mean, honestly, yeah. Lauren is obviously so good at finishing, and that is such a moment for her, an easy moment where she just grabs that ball off the defender and tucks it away.

1:20:32Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I mean, just really holding on to the ball there as well. Aggie Beaver-Jones out-muscles her defender, Allie.

1:20:39Cristina Alexander:I mean, well done. Beautiful cross to just get it into the goal zone, own to be able to try to get a foot on this and she just uses her body really well the physicality that was brilliant

1:20:49Jeff Kassouf:yeah the control and concentration is impressive Chelsea wins this one to know speaking of Chelsea they will be on our air this weekend London City line us is verse Chelsea Saturday 8 a.m. Eastern on ESPN plus and the ESPN app.

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1:22:10Jeff Kassouf:All right, the verdict is in for our Player of the Week nominees in Week 1. I missed this segment. Will Jeff have a hipster pick today? Who knows? All right, we're going to start with you, Crystal, since this is your first time Player of the Week. Oh, all the way here? Who is it? Esther? I'm going to go with Sanchez. Okay. Boom. Okay, so I'm going with this pick. I think she has showed up in branches of old, taking people on, creative, getting in the goal zone quite often, and setting herself up, but also getting herself some goals, obviously. And I think, you know, the team is going to really rely on her to perform this way, game in and game out.

1:22:55I think for her to be able to, you know, showcase who she is, who she's always been, I think is really important. The team has gone through a lot of changes. they need her to be consistent. They need her putting up goals. They also need her to be aggressive and setting other players up. So for me, I hope she builds on this performance and it carries on to the next week.

1:23:15Jeff Kassouf:Okay, I like it. It's the kind of player that you want to build around, right? Especially with NC Courage. I mean, we saw Casey Murphy have a great performance, as we talked about, this weekend against Gotham. Any protests?

1:23:26Cristina Alexander:Not at all. No, I think she was brilliant. I loved watching her in that game, especially just getting that first win at home, which I think will give them that confidence they need to really start on the right foot this this year. Ally, let's get your player of the week. My player of the week, I was so thrilled to watch her thrive this past weekend. Opening weekend, Jane Campbell was brilliant. She was the deciding factor in their performance and in the win. It was a road win. It's so difficult to go and play against a San Diego in that environment, in that atmosphere. year. She's she's had nine saves and she was getting peppered left and right.

1:24:05Cristina Alexander:She was saving shots from Lujmila and Godfrey consistently and was able to help with the win and lead her team to that win build from the back that confidence commanding demanding leading. So it was pretty incredible to see her start on the right foot as well.

1:24:23Jeff Kassouf:I think if we all had to choose just one player it would probably be Jane Campbell. Plus one I think Ally was quickest on the text change.

1:24:34So I 100 % support Jane. I mean I think if any result was either maintained or changed this weekend by one player was Jane Campbell.

1:24:43Jeff Kassouf:Yeah it was truly impressive and maybe later we can get into the US Women's National Team of it all if she keeps us keeps this up here with Houston Dash. Jeff, let's get to your pick. Hipster or no hipster this week? This hipster reputation preceding me. Wait, wear it with pride. Here we go. Alex Pfeiffer for Bay. A couple things. Alex Pfeiffer, multiple times now, teenager doing big things, beginning of the season, coming into a new environment, obviously healthy as well, scoring early. Yes, we'll concede, obviously, that Denver played 60 minutes down a player, But, I mean, we see this here, Pfeiffer's goal comes very early before that red card.

1:25:23Nicely finished to the far post. Obviously, the cut inside. The assist as well. I think you see the swagger, the confidence. I don't know if that's just like teenagers who haven't seen the world yet or what. But I love it. I love it as pure entertainment. I mean, she's a player to watch. If she can stay healthy to come into her own, I think she's going to do big things. And we saw it opening weekend here.

1:25:43Jeff Kassouf:I mean, yeah, when you look around and you have Claire Hutton as your teammate too, I think that definitely helps with your confidence. but I too was impressed with Alex Pfeiffer's confidence. All right, who am I going to pick? Who am I going to pick? Just kidding, I already know. The birthday girl, Kroy Bethune. I was really curious and excited to see how she would do, especially in her first game with Kacy Curran. I mean, so much pressure on her, right? She was Trinity Rodman's right-hand player at the Spirit, and now to be surrounded by such big, heavy names, especially without Tim Wichang Wing.

1:26:18Jeff Kassouf:I know we talked about that a little bit earlier, but I'm so happy to see her thrive. She's a player who deserves to really just enjoy this game. And I mean, the smile on her face just says it all. And I particularly like the celebration, right? The little - Look at her nails! Kansas City nails. See, and the little celebration. I mean, Croy Bethune, I really think she had an immediate impact here with KC Current, and I'm just happy to see her do this well to kick things off. I mean, consistency will be really important, especially for a team that we know wants to get that championship now. And not just, and I say that just with quotation marks around that, not just the shield here with Croy Bethune.

1:26:59Jeff Kassouf:All right. So Ashley Sanchez, Jane Campbell, Alex Pfeiffer, and Croy Bethune are our picks this week. We also want to hear from you. We are all on X Twitter, whatever you want to call it, right? Everyone's on social media? Some way or another. All right. Speaking of KC Current, they will face Chicago Stars this Sunday, 2 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2 and ESPNF.

1:27:52Thank you.

1:28:15Jeff Kassouf:of week one. Allie, correct me if I'm wrong, it is Allie Sentinel.

1:28:19Cristina Alexander:Allie, basically. Brilliant. I thought she was going to hit on the first, the second, the third touch. Nope. But she's just that good that she can finish from anywhere inside the box. But well done. Great goal, great win. She pulled like two, three,

1:28:34Jeff Kassouf:four defenders at once. All right, let's take it into our number four, the USL Super League. It's Bailey Desmond for Sporting Jacks. Here, Jeff. Sporting jacks. The turn and hit. All right, from Super League. I love that. Turn and hit from, what, 18? Really nicely placed. I mean, she barely takes a step to hit that ball and hits it so strong in the back of the net. That takes us into our number four. It's Janu Levels versus Levacusen from distance, Crystal. Oh, man, she boomed that ball. That is for sure. I mean, honestly, she, you know, touch and hit. Great vision because not a lot of people want to take that opportunity to hit a shot that far out.

1:29:18So great placement, great shot. Boom that ball. He boomed that ball.

1:29:22Jeff Kassouf:He boomed it. Ever. To hear it from you first, even better. Number two in Brazil, Duda Sampaiu for Corinthians, Ali.

1:29:31Cristina Alexander:Yeah, it's a beautiful set piece. I mean, quality placement. Goalkeeper does try to get a touch on it, but well done to get it up and over the wall. I think it hits the post a little bit, maybe. I don't know if the goalkeeper touched it, nicked it. No, hits the post, goes in.

1:29:44Jeff Kassouf:I mean, our Eric Alcantar, who puts the top five together, is the new Mr. Worldwide. Let's take it to number one, the Asian Cup. Alana Kennedy. Almost outside the box, Jeff. Alana Kennedy, goal-scoring machine. Like, she's a center back. She's a center forward. Doesn't matter. She's scoring. I mean, Australia into the finals. They're rolling on Alana Kennedy's foot. Thank you. I was like, please, please keep going. That was good. Oh, it was so good. Hey, especially about that jersey. Speaking of jersey.

1:30:19Cristina Alexander:Drippin' or trippin'? Uh-uh. Drippin' or trippin'?

1:30:23Jeff Kassouf:This is like Crystal Dunn effect on football. You're welcome, guys. You're welcome. Yeah, you have to show us how to dance. Just do a little dip and, you know, a little lean. Jeff, I don't see you practicing. Listen, you don't want to see my dance moves, right? He saved those firsts. Yeah, you have them. Okay, you're right. He does not have. Right? I don't have any. I tried to tag you. All right, let's take it to our Drippin' or Trippin', U.S. Women's National Team, and U.S. Men's National Team. But, all right, for the stripes, I mean, on Rose, it looks fabulous. I'm giving half a vote because I have gone on record saying I like both.

1:31:00So my half a vote is for this. Okay. If we have a full vote, we won't say... Half a vote. Well, because this is my thing. You know what, Allie? I like us doing something completely different. I think there's sometimes a feeling of copy and paste from one national team to another. And for me, it's like, you know, we're the US national team. And I feel like we need to stand out. We need to be different. Okay. This is very vibrant, in-your-face different. Allie?

1:31:28Cristina Alexander:I don't mind. I don't love it. I don't mind it. I have to see it in person. I gotta touch it, I gotta see it, I gotta feel it. But I'm loving the four stars on top of the crest. I mean, that is the big difference, right? That's where my eye goes. Jeff? Yeah, the wavy Waldo, I think I'll give it a slow drip. The wavy Waldo? The wavy Waldo. Slow drip, that's what I'll give it, like a half point.

1:31:48Jeff Kassouf:Slow drip. Okay. I think identity-wise, I mean, yeah, you see it, and you see, you're like, wait, that's not Croatia, that is the US. All right, so it's dripping collectively, even with the half boat? Yes. Ali's not convinced.

1:32:05Cristina Alexander:No, I don't. I don't mind it. I don't mind it. It doesn't even amount to a hole, I feel like. I love the next one, so I'm very into it. Okay, spoiler alert. There's another one.

1:32:16Jeff Kassouf:Oopsies. All right, this one, and even in this first picture, it's hard to see, but this is a, what did we call it again? I've asked him so many times. Dark obsidian. A dark obsidian. because, you know, first glance, it looks like a black jersey. But then the stars really, okay, this one. Ooh, look at that. What about the lighting? Crystal? I mean, love it. My full vote is going here. I love the stars. I'm also, I know it's not black, but I'm a fan of playing in dark jerseys. I feel like there's like a little intimidation factor there. You're like, yo, what's up? And I love the stars. I mean, I don't think we've had a jersey really that has stars printed all around.

1:32:56You know, so my vote is for this one. Allie?

1:32:59Cristina Alexander:No, it's sleek, it's sharp, it's modern, and yeah, I love all black. So this is the closest to that. Navy blue is beautiful, and I think they're going to look so, so good. I think it's good. It's fine. I feel like I'm getting set up to be the curmudgeon here. Listen, are the stars going to come out when you're actually looking at it? And I feel like it's good. I have nothing bad to say about it. I just, you know, the all black thing, which is this is sort of the is it black, is it blue, a little overplayed. I want to see the 90s days when the alt kit was red. I like the all red.

1:33:35Jeff Kassouf:Oh, okay. That's my jam. I don't know. See, I'm alone here. I'm a Texans fan and the red, the full red, it's just, it's a lot. But I mean, the monochromatic look is in. Yeah, this will sell. So this will, I think it'll definitely, I mean, it's a jerk. It's no doubt. I saw this and I was like, wait, there's little, there's stars on it. Oh, wow. I mean, I haven't physically held it, but the pictures look great. Crystal, please come back very soon. We will miss you. Yeah. We will miss you. But now, from now on, we have to call it Drippin' or Trippin'. I gotta dance more. Drippin' or Trippin'. Or a Football W song too.

1:34:13Jeff Kassouf:That's the challenge for Crystal next time. Football W, Kit? Oh, what? Kit? Oh, I thought, oh. Okay, yeah, the kit. I thought you were singing. All right, see you next time on Football Talk. Bye, Crystal.

1:34:29Jeff Kassouf:Hey, sports fans. The ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional cost. Visit activate.espn.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now. you