Futbol W: NWSL Recap+NWSL Player of the Week+WSL Transfer Moves+Barcelona Win Big+Top 10 Goals of the Week

27:29It's hard to say. I mean, I think, you know, he's made a life in Orlando for the past decade plus, right? The current openings that exist. We think Angel City has a coach. What we'll see from based on reporting. Chicago, you know, is that a desirable location? Would you want to take on that project we've talked about? So I think that's TBD really. But yeah, I would just say, I mean, to the point that you made though, like you can't live on 2024 forever. But I just don't know that you look at everybody on that team was exceptional in 2024 and had their best season. And you can't expect that to replicate.

28:06So what's happening around Banda? What's happening in terms of the roster development? And I think that has to be the piece that, of course, 12th is a disappointment. But 12th and within shot for playoffs, I mean, it feels realistic based on how they've played, who they have, who they've brought in. and what the rest of the league has done around them. And I know the trajectory wasn't improving, right, of where they were really headed. But he once again just didn't forget how to coach at this level. I think this was a decision that's really unfortunate. But they also need to look at the roster balance and the recruitment process as well.

28:45Because personnel of the players, I think, falls in on this decision as well. It's not just solely him. Yeah, it seems like that was their quick fix to the situation and certainly a great opportunity here for Yolanda Thomas. But she also has to be set up properly to be able to take this team to at least a decent run to what's left here in the season. So we'll have to see what sort of investment they put into this team because I agree. I don't think this was a Seb Hines problem. I think this was an injury and lack of depth here problem that could have been identified during the preseason because it was so evident in 2025.

29:27Because even before the season started, we didn't expect Orlando to even make a semifinal run like they did in 2025. So all the best to Seb Hines. Like you said, it's the business side of this decision. I mean, it must be even tougher because you know him here so well, Allie. but of course hoping to see another great opportunity. All right, let's take it to more action that we saw over the weekend. Seattle Reign facing Houston Dash. Seattle looking to get back to their winning ways. Me Official trying to find her goal here. Jeff's shot sailed over the goal. It's been a tough time for Me Official.

30:04Obviously this opportunity, another one here to put Seattle up early. 22nd minute, it would be Seattle again. And this time, Maddie Dahlin from Distance Alley. Yeah, she scored a couple goals exactly this way. Cutting on the inside, hanging with her right foot around the goalkeeper. But that just got parried away. 47th minute, it would be Houston's opportunity. Kate Fossey, but it sails over the goal, Jeff. Kate Fossey, a nice turn there to set herself up. Not the finish, though, that she wanted. 52nd minute. I think she's brilliant. Maddie Mercado there sails it in, and it would be that only goal there.

30:44Darlene for the 1-0, Allie. Yeah, she was able to hit this first time. It's so difficult to do off this volley, especially off that surface, and to be able to hit side netting. So well done for her to keep it low. So 31 points there for Seattle. How big was this win for the Seattle Reign team, Jeff, who seemed to kind of be faltering lately? I mean, they're hanging around. That's kind of what they did last year, right? They're chilling in the corner. They're chilling in the corner. Yeah, I mean, it was a six-pointer around the playoffs. Looking good. Yeah, I think, I mean, I don't know what Seattle's going to do.

31:20I feel like, you know, they could sneak into the playoffs. If they're the eighth seed as they are now, I don't think that they're a Gotham story. I don't think they have the same sort of personnel that Gotham has to be an eighth seed that upsets who would currently be going to Gotham. in that matchup, a lot of time to play. But, you know, Seattle, they've kind of just gotten by with this sort of gritty. They've developed more than last year, where I think that they really struggled offensively. They relied on their defensive posture to get through games, to pick up results. They've had some improvement there with some of their younger players this season.

31:55But, yes, they're not sort of winning these games in glorious fashion. I mean, that obviously, Jane Campbell with the missed punch, it's an opportunistic finish. So I think they've done what they needed to do to stay in this. But certainly they are fighting. They're pushing uphill a bit against some of these top teams in the league for sure. Is it going to be too uphill for them, Ali? No, I don't think so. I think they play. They're a bit unexpected, right? Unpredictable in the play. Especially since the break. Since the break. And they have this new energy. And these young players like Darlene, obviously, she's just.

32:30And Mercado, they're leading the attack. And they have this confidence and this mentality. and this energy that they're aggressive. And something that impresses me about Seattle is how quickly they can win the ball back, how quickly they can get numbers behind the ball but also surrounding the ball. Once they lose it, it's the next five seconds that they try to get the ball back and be able to transition on that, which is when they're most dangerous. And I think that they've recognized that in their play and in their style, their identity. So if they lose it, can we get it back quickly? Can we have an active pass?

33:01Can we go forward into the attack? And I think that's something that I've noticed and recognized. And it's working because the goals or the opportunities, at least, that they're creating are leading to some goals that have been, you know, helping them get the three points. So well done by them. And, you know, the possession that they've had also, the shots on target compared to Houston in this game was unmatched. So well done by them. And they're finding ways to win. And that's all you need. Yeah, I think it's the Laura Harvey of it all as well, having such confidence in these young players as well and having trust in young players, they're obviously going to make mistakes, but that's how they grow so quickly, especially in a team like Seattle Reigns.

33:41So that was what we saw. Then with Seattle versus Houston, so when it comes to the fixture difficulty, because you talked about the eighth versus first, which right now is Seattle versus Gotham. I mean, are you trusting them in this race, at least to get it started for the postseason? Seattle? I mean, trust is a tough word. I look at that. What word would you use, Jeff? That 8-11 mark. Skepticism. Seattle and 8th, Houston. I mean, I think you look from 8th to 11th, and we see the fixture difficulty here. Naturally, the two top teams in the league, or three of the top teams in the league, have the quote-unquote easiest fixtures going forward, and Chicago struggling.

34:19But as much as Denver is at the top of this list, which is a narrow margin anyway, I really like Denver from this 8-11 group. I think Angel City certainly is in that mix. I'm not sure what to make of the 5-2 results over Boston that, you know, is not necessarily, I mean, Boston has their own issues. Angel City's had a very good summer. So I think you look at Seattle in eighth, Angel City ninth, 10th is Denver, and then Houston in 11th. Angel City and Denver are the two in there for me that I think could do the most. And to your word, trust. I've been burned enough to trust Angel City that I have trust issues with Angel City to finish that job, I guess.

34:58Whereas Denver, I think, has just been, even within results that haven't always been there, we've seen consistent style of play. You can make that argument to a degree now from Angel City that we're starting to see that. Seattle, Houston, I think, is, I think Houston's a team of tomorrow. I don't know that they're necessarily the team to make the playoffs this year. But in that 8-11 range, yeah, Denver, Angel City, I think, are the two to look out for. What do you think, Ali? I think at the stage of the season, style points, I don't think necessarily matter anymore, right? We see that just by these games that have become really scrappy in the end.

35:30But with that narrow margin, I was looking at the list, I probably trust Seattle more than Kansas City at this stage. Just because of the way that they can finish games with that narrow margin and stay in games with that mentality. With Kansas City, not that I don't think they could make play, because they certainly can with the quality that they have. But it's just making sure that they can get to those positions and be able to complete the task in front of goal. And I think that's what they've been kind of struggling with. And with Seattle, it's almost like a free-for-all. Everyone's just willing to get into the box to make it happen, and they're consistent.

36:08And I think just that next wave of players when they're defending and suffocating teams trying to build out of the back, I think that has been really impressive to me and the way that they're creating more. So I wouldn't be surprised that they make it in. But also Kansas City is right there too. And I think they have, you know, obviously a great opportunity as well to do the same. Yeah, I'm buying what you're selling because I feel like there's more confidence in the Seattle defense and what we're seeing in Kansas City defense. There's just a lot of very basic mistakes. And Jeff mentioned earlier when we were talking about KC, the set pieces as well.

36:48So I'm buying what you're selling. I think Seattle's just dependable, even when the margins are so low, right? They're able to, they're capable, fully capable of keeping a 1-0 lead until the end of the game. And that's something that's been really impressive about them and what a team needs in order to get to the playoffs and stay in it. Yeah. A quick reaction on what you said in that comparison? I am a little bit surprised, but yeah, I mean, Kansas City, as it stands, is going to have to go on the road. And they can't win games on the road. I mean, just flat out. They win every time at home or they're unbeaten at home, and they've been awful on the road.

37:20So when playoff time comes, if they're still in seventh, as it stands, they'd be going to Washington. I don't like them in that matchup. I mean, they have a higher ceiling, right? You made a good point, though. They have a higher ceiling, but I think with Seattle's structure, like you said, defensively, and just their ability to have that energy when they're on the ball and that confidence from these younger players has been really, really fun to watch. Yeah, KC, and it sounds weird to say it, but might peak a little bit too late. And it seems like Seattle is a little bit ahead of the race there.

37:53But it's fascinating to see this eighth place race as well. What we see pretty much every season in NWSL. But before we get to that, let's talk about Gotham versus Portland. What we saw Friday night. Allie, you were at the game. I ended up not going. I know. Last minute. The kids were exhausted. Oh, okay. Well, poor the kids. Yeah, I mean, wonderful goal. I mean, we heard that that was supposed to be a cross and ended up in the... She should have never admitted it. In the back of the... Yeah, but well done. Beautiful goal. We love an honest player like Jaden Shaw. So for the 1-1, Pietro Jordan here goes down in the box.

38:32Rev says play on, but after the VAR review, penalty is given. Jeff agreed. Yeah, I mean, it's the right call when you slow it down. I feel like they took forever to even go to the VAR here, but I mean, that's a separate issue. Not a separate issue. Sophia Wilson scoring. No problem. It's 1-1 for Gotham and Portland. So another interesting stat here because it seems like we see this every week and Ali's just smiling ear to ear. The NWSL unbeaten streak here is for Gotham with 10 games, a club record in regular season. More numbers that we saw over the weekend. Some NWSL results. Denver Summits 6-1 versus Chicago Stars.

39:16Washington Spirit only needed that one goal from Paige Mater to beat Bay FC. And Monday Night Football, we saw Boston Legacy lose 2-5. So as things stand, as we kind of talked about already, in eighth place, Seattle Reign sitting from Angel City, trying to climb their way up as well. Still a game on hand as well as Seattle, though. Casey Curran, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns, and what we're seeing with San Diego Wave, Utah Royals, Washington Spirit, and Gotham still atop of the table. From first call to final impulse, Service Titan is the only integrated intelligence that automates your entire workflow.

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41:20So, always an interesting list. Sophia Wilson, Prisca Chalufia, Lacasse, Byers, Dabinia, Dahlien, Rodman, Kostler, Bethune, and Jaden Shaw. After that tie on Friday against Portland. Allie, who is your Player of the Week? Yeah, these are amazing choices. They all had a brilliant week. But for me personally, I want to highlight Chloe Lacasse, who obviously had a brilliant game and the comeback against Orlando, which the team really needed that. She had an assist and a goal. She scored the tie goal to come back against Orlando. They were down and then obviously provided the assist for Paige Cronin to be able to have the game winner.

42:02She was really solid this game. She showed up. She was leading the front line. She scored a goal and an assist, so she had direct effect on the positive performance, especially away at Orlando. And then the comeback, I want to highlight from the team from the loss of San Diego. And so that just goes to show you that they could potentially be a championship team with that mentality that one or two losses isn't going to affect the next game directly. So well done by her. and she's had now I think seven assists no seven goals ten assists on the season wild and she's just yeah keeping Utah at the top of the table and leading them really well yeah when we were when we talked to her last Chloe Lacoste one of the many friends of this program here Jeff she was already having a fabulous season and she just keeps proving that at the toughest point we could say of the season so far.

42:56Ten assists ties the single season record set by Tobin Heath and Croy Bethune it looks like she probably will break that maybe multiple players I think she's putting up MVP numbers I've talked to people around the league I don't think she's getting enough respect if she were American and or in a big market a quote-unquote big market we'd be talking about her at we being everybody every day and I don't think she along with Utah getting enough respect for the numbers she has put up yeah agreed can't wait to see what she does what this team does also just assuming that they're gonna clinch postseason Jeff who's your player of the week well I I think we're spoiled for choices from the Kansas City, North Carolina game, but I've given it away because it's our only current player on here right now.

43:37Dabinia, I know, look, I know Michelle Cooper with the goal. Oh, sorry, Bethune was there, yes. Bethune, I mean, Haley Hopkins with the assist, but Dabinia, what she's doing, I feel like she's back to peak Dabinia. We haven't seen it all the time and consistently because of injuries over the past couple years, but she's improved her game defensively to add to their press. When they're on, it's because they can press teams. They can do it at home. They can smother teams early. And we saw from both sides of the ball from her, obviously this one saved that we see here, but defensive pressure, converting that in transition and becoming a playmaker and supplier as we know she can be.

44:13I thought she was spectacular. The expected assist numbers from the game support it. You know, she didn't get her goal or assist, but she was essential to a very big game. Kansas City winning that game against a North Carolina team that was tired but on fire throughout the summer. Yeah, she's always proving that it's not all about assisting and scoring goals, as you said, Jeff. And this is why having a healthy Dabinia is just so valuable for the league and especially for Casey Curran. What do you think of Jeff's choice? Yeah, I think it's a really good choice, especially just seeing her back to, you know, the health and the fitness that she thrives in and that the team needs her to be in in order to be successful.

44:50She, yeah, had a really great impact on the game. I think her attacking ability is unmatched when she's at her best. And Kansas City need her to be that. So, yeah, I think it's a great pick for this week. A healthy Dabinia, a happy Dabinia. Speaking of healthy and happy players, my player of the week, thank you both for asking, is Trinity Rodman. I mean, listen, I know this could probably be an obvious choice, but I do think Trinity Rodman deserves her flowers. We know that on paper it wasn't her goal because of a few centimeters. Paige Mateer does a great job at following this play. She started the game, which we don't see often from Mateer, and follows it through.

45:30But truly, this play from Trinity Rodman is just so spectacular. Just holding on to the defender like it's absolutely nothing. Takes on another one, and with pretty much zero angle against a goalie who we talked about before, who was your pick last week here, Allie, is just so tough to score on like it is Jordan Silkewitz. and she doesn't even bat an eyelash. So Jeff, what do you think of my choice with Trinity Rodman, who I thought was already 11 goals in, but stays at her double digits. Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think if we had better camera angles, maybe it was her goal. I don't know. Yeah, I mean, a big moment, right?

46:03Like this is a team that had lost games at home, uncharacteristic of them to get that result against a Bay team that they should be beating in all forms in this playoff race. I think big player and a big moment again. And she's put up, again, I would say an MVP case for sure. I think we could demand goal line technology there, Jeff. I've been asking for it. I've been asking for better camera angles, goal line tech. It's been a few years of asking. You like seeing Trin appear, Ali? Yeah, I absolutely do. I think, you know, obviously there's been, you know, games throughout the season where we want to see more.

46:35We know she could give more always. But when she does give her her best and these moments prove that. and she deserves it recently because Washington has had a tough spell and now she was able to overcome that and be the leader that they needed in that moment. So well done by her this week and hopefully that will continue. Full transparency in our group, I did say I'm between two Trinities, Trinity Byers and Trinity Rodman, but of course Rodman edging her out. And these are our players of the week, Chloe Lacoste and Devinia. So always let us know who your pick is. We always love hearing from you.

47:12Let's take a look at what's coming up this weekend. Seattle Reign FC versus San Diego Wave FC Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2 and, of course, on our ESPN app.

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48:45So just in a few days if Bernal joins United she would become the first Mexican to play in the WSL. So that's obviously very great if we think about Rebeca Bernal and what it means for the Mexican national team to have representation in the WSL. Jeff, in terms of the deal finalizing here, as I mentioned, it could be as early as tomorrow or the next day before the 4th. What are the details surrounding the contract that you know up until now? Yeah, I mean, it seems like our colleague Cesar Hernandez on the scene with this one. I mean, we don't have a ton of details in terms of transfer fee. I think the why is the big question, right, to go from the Spirit, a top contender in the NWSL, to Manchester United, who's certainly one of the top teams in England, But I think as well-documented issues going on at the moment in terms of where that team is headed and what the resources are.

49:37So I think that's a big question. I think you could probably, obviously there's a ton of decisions or a ton of factors that go into these decisions. But, you know, I think there's probably a level of playing time, personal opportunity. Certainly we see players, certainly the American players that have talked about going to England of just being in England. Usually it's London, not necessarily Manchester, but being in England, experiencing that. So I think there's probably a level of personal decision there. But, you know, I think slightly curious in terms of destination versus, you know, where she was in terms of the ability of those teams.

50:13What do you think of that that Jeff just said? Maybe not necessarily a top contender like Manchester United that we're seeing right now. Yeah, I agree because, you know, they lost some of their best players and then haven't really replaced, you know, those holes. But I think she's an experienced defender who can contribute immediately, especially to this team. And I don't think that they have proper investment. So I think that's been a struggle for Manchester United. So, you know, it's good to see that they're actually invested in players to hopefully continue to build their roster. But I think the WSL may suit her better.

50:46I think pace is something that, you know, she can struggle. And I think the NWSL's transitional game can, you know, consistently ask defenders to cover large spaces. So in a more structured system like the WSL and for Manchester United, I think our positioning and intelligence and passing become more influential in that type of atmosphere. I think it might be just, I wouldn't say more relaxed or slower, it's just different. The NWSL, I think the transitional game really asks a lot for defenders to be able to be in the right positions consistently. And I think there were moments where we saw that, you know, she might have struggled in those moments.

51:26So I think this league will be really good for her. And that's a good move. And Andy Sullivan back now. We've seen this midfield for Washington. You've got Sullivan. You've got Hal Hirschfeld, at least for the immediate here, that they've got depth in the midfield. So I think that especially from a defensive midfield perspective that, you know, Bernal obviously a quality player. But where does she fit into that given that depth? Yeah, Abiyo Dune was back here recently as well. And I had even told Adrian Gonzalez, I was like, oh, yeah, before their game against Orlando, saying, yeah, Bernal is a regular starter.

51:59And he said, first of all, nobody's a regular starter, which is a very coach. And I said, you know what, hats off, totally agree. And then we didn't see her start, but we didn't see Esme Morgan start the week before. So it wasn't totally strange here, Ali. But it's interesting how you're saying how her game, that what she's learned in NWSL can really translate to WSL and possibly against some of the best teams in the world that we're seeing that are in the WSL. What could she learn the most about this league? Well, I think the flexibility also to play as a center back or a holding midfielder. I think just maybe having a little bit more time on the ball, not so high press situations.

52:35And I think her build out of the back is really good, the way that she can have those active passes to really break defenses with one pass. I think she's found a lot of success doing that within her game. So the composure and the passing quality during that buildup and her leadership quality. I think Manchester United, they're a young team and they're looking for that type of leadership. So I think she'll provide that as well. But Manchester United should be looking forward to having her. She's a consistent player and I think she has the confidence to be there. And I know that she'll help the league continue to grow and where that club wants to be in the future.

53:13Yeah, history being made here around the corner then for the Mexican international Reve Bernal-La Capi. From one player leaving to one player staying for a little bit more. Good news for Gotham FC. Roosevelt re-signed with the New York, New Jersey side through the 2029 season. As our Jeff Kazuf explains on ESPN.com, Gotham expected to use the league's new high-impact player rule to fit Lavelle's salary into the cap. Several teams had made aggressive offers to Lavelle. And this last part, Jeff, not really surprising to hear that Lavelle received other very aggressive offers. Yeah, and I think this is the argument, let's say, that's been going around the league, right?

53:51I mean, the constant question. I get the calls all the time. I ask the questions, right? How's Gotham doing this? How are they fitting it in the cap? And they've talked about, publicly even, about the fact that players want to be there. And no, they're not going to take an under market value salary, but they might be willing to stay for less than they might get elsewhere. And if you think about the teams that have space in the cap in this league, they're not necessarily desirable destinations and or they're not teams that are going to pay a high-impact player or utilize that rule anyway necessarily.

54:24So I think that this, to me, and we'll have to hear from her obviously, but I think that this is in line with the decisions that we've seen from players where it fits what Gotham has told us, that elite players want to be around other elite players. They want to win trophies. This is a team that won a championship that's chasing down a shield that in a year and change, basically, at this point, a year and a half, is going to be in a Club World Cup, which fits into this contract and the one that Emily Sonnet signed and the one that Sam Kerr signed. So, you know, I think that this is a situation that we see in free agency where a player could potentially be a star at a team where winning is, I don't even want to say winning is not guaranteed.

55:02You know you're going to lose some games and you're probably not going to win trophies. Or you can be or stay at a team where you expect to win trophies every year. And I think that's probably a driving force in this. Yeah, and your winning probability significantly goes up when you have someone like Rose Lavelle on your side, Ali, and what Jeff talked about, right? We see a lot of these bigger players kind of seek different destinations. We just talked about Bernal going to WSL. but for someone so of high significance like Rose Lavelle is, how much does it mean for Gotham, for the league, to see someone like Rose Lavelle stick around?

55:35Yeah, that must give them confidence. I know if I were still playing, I'd be extremely happy. She's one of the most distinguished and distinctive attacking midfielders in our game, and she's the best, I think the best 10 in the world that you could have on your squad. and obviously jumping into this leadership position as well. You have other players who have solidified their spot in the team for years to come, like a Sam Kerr, possibly Jaden Shaw, and also, you know, Sonnet, who's also a staple not only with Gotham but with the national team. And I think since the team is, you know, building the new facility and then obviously moving to Etihad Stadium in the future, I think there's just they're building quality, and I think the players are going to reflect that.

56:22And when you're happy and you're having fun and you're building up a life outside of football, people want to be, you know, in that for a long time. And when they're comfortable, then I think everything else follows in the football side of things. So Gotham is extremely lucky to have a player like her who wants to be there, who wants to continue to help the club lead in the NWSL. Yeah, hoping to see her back this weekend was unavailable still this weekend, was in training, but needs to clear concussion protocol. So all the best to Roosevelt. Looking forward to the Gotham game this weekend facing Denver Summit, but all of it starts here on Friday.

57:01Actually, it continues on Friday. Utah-Roseford's Boston Legacy, a couple games there. Sunday, a full slate of matchups, including Seattle Rain versus San Diego Wave at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

57:36Thank you.

57:44parts.

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58:23We are also taking it overseas with what we saw. Barcelona facing Tenerife. Caroline Graham. Jeff, getting things started. Caroline Graham, that's how I love. I mean, she's a spectacular player. I think she's such an exceptional individual talent. She really is. But this is from Claudia Pina, the player who does not know how to score an ugly goal. Oh, another amazing talent. And Barcelona is extremely lucky to have both of these players. But well done. Ewa Payor there fighting the 3-0. 52nd minute, Jeff. It was still Barcelona in the 4-0. Rapid fire. We've got to go through the Barca goals fast.

59:00Yes, we do. Because we score so many. Because we could be here all day. Rene Van Asten there for the 4-0. And a 5-0 Irene Paredes with the header, Ali. Yes, obviously so awkward, but well done because this is a difficult goal to save when you head the ball down and bounce is difficult to get within the goalkeeper's range. Yeah, a different Barcelona that we're seeing with significant arrivals, but also the departures that we've seen. Obviously, one of the bigger names in Alexia Putellas in Mapileon going to London City, but also Ona Batie, who sat down with our Shubi Arun. I don't know we're here at the Emirates, you've been here and played here as an opposition player but how does it feel to be here as an Arsenal player?

59:41It's such an honour to be fair, it's a huge stadium, loads of history for the club. I'm very happy, very excited to actually like big playing and being on the field with the crowd, feeling them part of the club now, like I'm very excited for it. How does it feel that you know you're gonna be playing week in week out in front of like 30 ,000 40 ,000 people that must be really exciting It is as I said like it's a huge club feel like as it's been shown like there's a lot of fans coming and supporting us and Something that I'm very very excited to to feel like to experience. I think it's something very unique So why Arcelona?

1:00:26Why did this feel like the right club at this stage of your career? I mean, there is nothing else to say. It's a massive club, all the history it has itself. I love how we like to play, the way we try to dominate the games and then be just very creative. I think that's as well what I am. But yeah, I feel like it's loads of history, loads of responsibility wearing this budget. I think it's just very exciting and I feel like it was the best place to be at the right time. I'm very excited for it. I've noticed this pattern with your career that when you left Spain to come to Man United when not a lot of Spanish players were in this league and then you established yourself here in this league, became one of the best players and then you go to join the European champions and you win pretty much everything there and now you're again leaving.

1:01:29So there's this pattern of you leaving your comfort zone. Would that be right to say? Yes, I am that kind of person which when I feel like there is something else that I can prove, I can try, prove myself, just get them yes as you said not get too comfortable and just try another step forward or another different thing and so I think that would describe me very well I liked yeah it was the best time like to come back to England play in the best league against really big good club like very good like opponents but then And being in this massive club and trying to win everything with my teammates.

1:02:16And being in Emirates, feeling all the crowd. I just feel like everything was made to be in here. And so this is your second spell in the WSL. And did you feel when you were here the first time that, how has the league changed in the time you've been gone? And was it the best league? Did you feel it was the best league back then as well? I think it was one of the best. I think it's just grown so much since I joined, which actually when I joined, it was like 2020, I can remember. It was not even like known. It was not even big in England. It was just getting like bigger, but it was getting big, but it wasn't as big as it is now.

1:03:05So I think I believe it's been growing every year. Yeah, every year. And yeah, I think it's been like a progression for the league. There are lots of new players who've come into the squad right now and a lot of younger players as well. And you're coming in as, you know, someone who's won the World Cup, like with all your experience. Do you see yourself as one of the leaders in this team? I've never seen myself as a leader, to be fair. I like to talk and to organise, especially on the pitch. I like to express myself. Maybe I can, and I think I've been doing that, but I don't know. I just never would say that I'm feeling like the leader, you know.

1:03:52Yeah, yeah, yeah. You are coming in at a time when there have been a lot of senior players who've left Arsenal as well, and one of them being Katie McCabe, who plays in your position and was a legend here. The fans loved her so much. Do you feel a degree of pressure filling her shoes? Do you think about that? Have you thought about that at all? No, at all. No? Like, I don't really feel any pressure. I just like to enjoy myself. Of course, seeing players like Katie have been amazing, has been legends for the club. And I do have loads of respect for her. Yes. But as I said, I don't have any pressure.

1:04:34I just come here to join, to try to add what I can add to the game, to the club, to the history, to our team. And yeah, I'm just going to try my best, basically. We know how you like to play, but we don't know where you're going to play. Are you going to be on the left? Are you going to be on the right? Have there been conversations around that? because I saw in the training session you were on the left today. Yeah, I mean, I think you know, everyone knows, like, I can play left or right. I'm very comfortable in both of them. I think I can play both. I just think that as well, as you said, like, 80 left, I think there is more spot on the left side.

1:05:20So maybe I'm going to play more on the left than on the right. But still, like, I'm just going to play wherever Rene wants me to play. So if it's on the left, it's on the left, if it's on the right, it's on the right. Or if it's to wait and go in, it's going to be like that as well. Why do you think there have been this increasing number of Spanish players coming here from Barcelona? They've won everything, but they're coming here. Why do you think that is? I mean, I just think the league is very exciting. I think playing, as I said, for me is a challenge to play every weekend. and a big, well, a big game.

1:06:00It's always going to be a tough opponent. It's always going to be like, there is lots of competition to get in Champions League, not even like to win the league. So I think like, yeah, it's a very, sorry, it's a very like exciting place to be. A great chat there with our Shubi Arun. A lot to break down for what we saw with Batia said, but I want to start with the timing of why she's looking for this challenge here now. Ali, as we asked her, you know, a lot of Spanish players, particularly from Barcelona, looking for this challenge at WSL. But why do you think she's moving now? Well, I think sometimes you make, you know, really difficult decisions and moments that you're most successful, which I think is sometimes really uncomfortable, but that's when you're able to grow the most in those situations.

1:06:54And I think she's won everything at Barcelona that you could win and wants a new challenge and also just might want to spice up life outside of football a little bit and experience something new. As players, we want new challenges on the field, but also we want to discover more around the world and in other leagues. And WSL is a really attractive league to be a part of. And Arsenal is one of the best, if not the best club in the world outside of Barcelona. So I think this spot is going to be perfect for her and a great learning experience for both off and on the field perspectives of yourself.

1:07:36And I think challenging yourself is what keeps people alive and keeping that feeling. And I think she's going to be an amazing addition for Arsenal to have in their back pocket. Yeah, especially, Jeff, when she says, I can play on the right, I can play on the left, you know, whatever Renee really needs. And so my question to you is, how could this affect someone like Emily Fox? I think it's a net positive, right, to be a fellow fullback in that environment, to learn from each other. I think, look, Emily Fox, also one of the best fullbacks in the world, certainly. different characteristics I think certainly speaking at large here that American players could serve to emulate from the technical ability of Spanish players we'll see that match up in just over a month now so I think that this is you look at the day-to-day training environment of two fullbacks who are exceptional playing training together playing together I think it's a net positive for Fox and for both of them yeah I think Arsenal is obviously building you know that elite depth that European teams need at this level.

1:08:38It doesn't necessarily have to be, you know, Ona versus Fox. I think we see it. She's confident on both the left and the right. And it gives them that like tactical flexibility that every team is searching for. So I think it's an amazing move. And I think you can utilize both of those incredible players at the same time and also, you know, give each other rest so that you can last throughout a long, demanding European season. Yeah absolutely so we talked about another Barcelona departure but let's talk about a positive arrival here because we saw obviously the amount that they're spending here to bring in someone like Caroline.

1:09:14I see you smiling and shaking your head here. Ali what did you think when you saw this 1.7 million record deal for Caroline? Yeah congrats. Honestly she's you know a tremendous player and she was MVP of our league in the NWSL and she did brilliant here and then went to Man City and proved herself and why she deserves this but unbelievable for her to make this huge move to Barcelona the best club in the world just from last year and you know has big shoes to fill obviously she's the type of player that can affect games in such a positive way and That move is unbelievable. She has explosiveness.

1:09:53She wants to get on the ball every chance she gets. She can run in behind. She can collect the ball at her feet, back to goal. She has a plethora of attacking advantages that any team really wants. But congrats to her. The game is just moving in this direction. It also is just a definition of the progress that the league has made and the positive progress that we've made and the impact that we're demanding now as players. And I think it's been really great to see and it's only going to continue to grow. So congrats to her. I think this is a really good move. And also Barcelona is going to really benefit off of having her up top.

1:10:37Yeah, it's interesting to see this Barcelona side, Jeff, because you see the big names that left as we just reviewed, Ona Badia being one of them. But you think of this younger squad, and it seems like Barcelona is already planning constantly for the future. And adding someone like Carolyn can definitely help in this. I don't want to call it a transitional period because Barcelona seems like they will never be in a transitional period. But how important is it to just keep adding talent like Carolyn? Yeah, I think the style fits her style to Barcelona's. I think this is probably a dream club for her.

1:11:09I think this is a team that everybody, men's or women's, carries weight, the name, right? So I think that's a big thing. And, you know, for this team, I mean, we had the graphic up. You mentioned it. The number of losses that they had, you know, I think that this fills a hole to a degree. I think it probably looks forward as well. You see the 2030 in the jersey that, you know, they've gone through some financial struggles. We don't know exactly what more, you know, if there's further turnover to come. So I think having a talented player like this for the longer term is for here and now and for the future for them.

1:11:43Yeah, and still making this record deal like we saw with Karen. Did you want to add something, Ali? No, I just think, you know, it's just for specifically for her. It's an opportunity to establish herself even more at one of the world's biggest clubs. And, you know, Barcelona is going to need her immediately and is going to count on her immediately. So she's going to have that impact, you know, from day one. So I'm just looking forward to seeing how she fits in and how she's going to impact their league. Yeah, quite the symbiotic relationship that we're going to see, surely, from Carolyn and from Barcelona here.

1:12:15A constant impact that we're still seeing from someone like Emily Fox. Let's run it back because she once again won a PFA's Women's Team of the Year as the best right back. A couple more of her teammates were on the squad as well. Fox played 37 games across all competitions where she had four assists, including that one in the Champions Cup game in February. Allie, not surprised to see this from her again. No, she's been amazing since moving to Arsenal and has been so consistent and confident on that right-hand side. It has really affected the attack and helped Arsenal get to where they are now.

1:12:51So credit to her and her development because that is not easy to go from you know the nwsl to arsenal and really implement yeah impressive stuff that i'm sure we will also see in the women's champions league the league phase begins september 22nd on espn deportes and of course on the espn app so 21 games to go but for now we close the show in style as always with our top 10 goals of the week some champions league qualifying naomi filet here against eindrack frankfurt jeff how about that i love the flick on the i don't know if it's a flick or dummy depends if if they got anything on that but yeah nice heads up play that's the right run center of the box tidy finish the old squad yeah a very cheeky goal there let's take it to number nine nwsl action jayden shot alley yes we saw this and our highlights talking about this not sure across a shot but unfortunate of the goalkeeper's position i don't think she was prepared for that at all but well done to get gotham on the board yeah jayden a little too honest they're saying um actually i'm supposed to be across but guess what you're on our top 10 goals of the week let's take into number eight caroline we are here for leon against london city lionesses jeff how about that little olympico olympico in the michelle kang darby carolyn weir i mean spectacular player she shows her class here yeah consistently um speaking of being consistently great let's take it to number seven it was trinity buyers once again ali i mean the pace on that shot too just this so good brilliant touch to get it out of her feet too and just this slight uh slight touch around the defender right here where you see that to be be able to hit it low, far into the corner.

1:14:43I was just so chill about it, Trinity Byers. We see, let's take it to the Northern Super League. Kaylee Hunter was not the hunted, Jeff. Put your foot through it. I mean, that is emphatic. Power, center of the box, close range. Felt that in Toronto. We felt that down here in Connecticut. Oh, yes, we did. A brilliant goal there for Toronto. Let's take it to number five, NCAA, with Ariana Jimmison for Baylor versus Texas. A little Texas derby there, Allie. Yeah, she cuts the ball into her left foot. So good. Well done to just get that slight little touch past the defender and blast it. Keeper had no chance.

1:15:27Quite the lefty there. Let's take it back to the NWSL with Mayra Neuss there for Angel City. And we already mentioned the wild game and a wild goal, Jeff. She has power, unbelievable power in her shots. I think she's a top-class player. Hasn't been fully healthy in recent weeks, but I think she gets to some consistent form, and she's going to really make some noise in this league. Absolutely. Speaking of making noise, make some noise for our podium, starting with number three, our Champions League qualifying, Felicia Schroeder for Real Madrid, Ali. Yeah, unbelievable free kick right outside the box, just curls, nearsighted.

1:16:08side netting well done this is only qualifying just getting started with the women's champions league let's take it to number two more ncaa and it had to be for you jeff i kidagawa sees the keeper and the keeper sees nothing else bringing back my college days that's why i get all the college goals i mean yeah spectacular vision here to look up see the goalkeeper off her line from that distance and to hit it exactly how she needs to get it under the bar nice quality finish quality indeed but how about our number one it's for real sociedad it's for ainoa marin there from distance ali i mean unreal shot and the confidence just hit this first time um well done side netting off the clearance actually first time and just puts it upper 90.

1:17:03Yeah maybe she wanted that to be across as well but it's a fantastic goal nonetheless for our number one. I told Ali that on my algorithm I saw her attempt a left-footed shot. It's a great shot. So Megan Rapinoe make make fun of you. She would always make fun of me. I would get inside the box and she'd be like Oh, here it comes. I get too excited and I'd whiff it. And then here we are. True friends make fun of each other, Ali, which is why I brought it up again, just to remind. I was like, sorry, I'm not a world-class goal scorer, okay? I'm coming at it right back. World-class defender, though, our two-time World Cup champion.

1:17:44Jeff, thank you. Ali, thank you. Thank you. See you next week.

1:18:01This episode is brought to you by ChatGPT. Hey, it's Bill Simmons from the Bill Simmons Podcast. Have you guys heard about ChatGPT work? It's the new way to use ChatGPT for bigger multi-step projects. And when you need more than just answers, give ChatGPT work access to your apps and files, and it can create real work documents like spreadsheets, slides, and structured reports. Get started at chatgpt.com by selecting work mode available on Plus and Pro Plans.