Futbol W: NWSL Recap + POTW Picks + Emily Fox Exclusive + WAFCON Check In + Top Goals

21:30Yeah, I think, you know, there are some things to figure out in terms of how those pieces fit together and how they've come in and out of the team. I mean, you look at the beginning of the season and, you know, it's Jan's daughter, it's Tiernan playing in some different roles. Kennedy Fuller obviously exits midseason. So there have been changes. I think that's been the name of the game for Angel City, right? It's finding that consistency. Can they find it in a vacuum here in the second half of the season? Can it be a foundation for the long term? Playoffs have been the minimum that they haven't met still.

22:03Can they get there? They're in the hunt.

22:05Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, they've been in the hunt here in the last few weeks. And yeah, coming back from break so strong can definitely turn things around. Ken Marcotti here for Gusto. In football, we spend a lot of time on what happens on the pitch, But any successful operation also depends on the behind-the-scenes work. For small business owners, that often means payroll, hiring, onboarding, benefits, all the essential things that need to get done, even if they're not the reason you started the business in the first place. That's where Gusto can help. Gusto is online payroll and benefit software built for small businesses.

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24:06Jeff Kassouf:Racing Louisville, facing Boston Legacy FC. taking it to the 44th minute. McKenna Morris plays a pass into Kayla Fisher, and she would pretty much just take it on her own, Jeff. Yeah, well, it's a good turn here. I mean, the spin turn to lose the defender. Deceptive, create space, and Louisville off to a good start in this game, obviously. I mean, defending probably needs to be better there, too, if we're honest. A little bit better there from Boston. We know they've conceded a lot here in the last few games. 51st minute. Fisher waiting for it in the box and she was taken down. A veteran play here, let's say, to make sure.

24:47I mean, it's a clear penalty, but certainly knew that she was running into the defender.

24:52Jeff Kassouf:53rd minute. Katie O 'Kane stepping up. It's in. Katie O 'Kane, PK spot. Free kick specialist. She's spectacular on a dead ball. And she proved it there. 59th minute. It's okay, too. And it's Emma Sears again. Emma Sears, she's been on a good run of her own. I think no coincidence that it's coincided with racing's run. Agreed. 62nd minute. It's Sears taking it herself. You know how she loves that right side. Looking up to see who's coming with her. Hey, Fisher. What a strike from her. I mean, spectacular volley. Sears down the right, exactly like you said, how she likes that. And great volley.

25:37Jeff Kassouf:So Boston was still trying to find something here in the 94th minute. And Sammy Smith heads it in. A great cross by Bianca St. George's. Slight disappointment for Louisville because they have, even dating back to last season, had issues late in games. But at this point, obviously, 4-1 doesn't matter. I think you can relax at least a little bit. And maybe racing Louisville has relaxed because we have seen now three straight wins. And I say that relaxing is in a positive sense. I don't know that that's what Bev necessarily wants out of her players because they've really truly locked in so my question to you Jeff with something nothing or everything the fact that Louisville have now extended their win streak to three oh man I mean record I'll give it something it's certainly not nothing but if it were everything it would be back in a playoff race which I don't think we can say they are yet I know what the standings show to continue that momentum.

26:30Look at even a North Carolina that's up and down three wins. They lose three. I mean, I think that it's something it's positivity in a place that has not had a lot of it this season on or off the field. So I think that's a huge piece. They play again Wednesday in the midweek. So we'll see what happens there. If they can extend this, it's certainly a winnable game, but I think it's, it's positivity and that's, that's been very needed. I don't know that it means they're back. I don't think it means they're necessarily in the playoff race. Sorry to squash any dreams. I think the probability and the statistics support that, that it's a minute chance.

27:04Excuse me, but I think it's something.

27:07Jeff Kassouf:If coming off this week, they win all three games, would they be back for you? Win again Wednesday, you mean? Yes. I guess we have to put them in a conversation. Three games this weekend, three points midweek, three points the weekend. I mean, look, statistically, they'd be back in the table, right? I don't know that I'm convinced that they've shaken off all the demons of the first half of the year. And there's still other things happening here, right? I mean, we know that Emma Sears has requested a trade. She's still playing awfully well, isn't she? Right, yeah. So what happens there? Transfer window is still open.

27:42The roster freeze internally in the league is not until October. So I think that there's a lot of moving parts there still that I'm not so convinced that where I was high on them, you know they were my surprise team at the beginning of the season. last year I was really high on the identity that they had I did change it in our midweek it had to I mean come on yes yes but I don't know that they're necessarily back yet even with a win Wednesday I think I think we need to see this longer term but obviously they're statistically

28:10Jeff Kassouf:in the mix if they do yeah and have been clearly doing something right as of late to now have this three win streak but we'll have to see where they can take it starting with this midweek game. We're going to keep looking at some action we saw over the weekend. Portland Thorns versus Orlando Pride. Obviously, after not having Barbara Banda, we just talked about her and her participation there with Wafcon. Orlando Pride, happy to have her back. 58th minute, though, is Pietra Torden. Would find Dana Castellanos here. And Dana, we know, has been wanting more goals. She obviously does, and she knows how to score them very well.

28:50Jeff Kassouf:And boy, Boy, did she, Jeff. Yeah, I mean, it's a great hit. She catches Anna Morehouse. I think, look, Orlando's had some issues defensively and, frankly, in goal. And I think this is one, too, where caught wrong-footed there as well. 63rd minute. It was Mackenzie Arnold who would try this first here for Orlando. Great combination play here, by the way. But it was Jackie Ovalle there who got the touch at the end to tie it up. It was. And, you know, beneficial bounce here, obviously. there was good build-up play and a goal scorer who's not Barbara Banda that is notable for Orlando yeah absolutely we know how Ovalle just completely adapted very quickly last season looking to help them out here but it was Portland here towards the end of the game and what a strike what a story the comeback from the ACL just checked into the game first came back mom is proud food on the camera people to find her spectacular story I mean I want to start off with Hanks right and what you just said coming back from any injury is tough coming back after like an ACL injury pretty much a year ago to see her back and her mom knows exactly what she went through right through all that recovery and see her in this moment how big is that for Portland who and we'll talk about her in just a second who just got this bad news with Olivia Moultrie.

30:09Jeff Kassouf:Yeah I mean that was an incredible goal period right and then you add the story the moment the personal piece to it to be coming back you know i think that this is one of the one of the best stories of the weekend certainly the type of story why you love sports love the league they have certainly had acl issues all too frequently in portland specifically i know people point to the turf i don't know if we can necessarily correlate it or not but um you know she is among them right And I think that this is just the goal, the story. These are the stories that I think the league probably needs to tell better, wants to tell, and you see Olivia Moultrie there who just, on the literal opposite end of that cycle of the injury, right, I mean, just sustained it.

30:54Kaia Hanks just coming back from it. Yeah, it's a great moment for her, for Portland, for everybody, for the family, right? Yeah.

31:02Jeff Kassouf:Yeah. I just got chills seeing Olivia Moultrie hug Kaia Hanks because, Jeff, you were last week a little R &R, well-deserved. But you, of course, found out, unfortunately, about Olivia Moultrie's very recent ACL injury. We had that breaking news here on Football W last week. What's your initial reaction? Well, I mean, heartbreaking for the player always. A player of her caliber, I would say. I've used this term a couple times today, but I think they all are. MVP candidate, certainly in the first half of the season, was the best player, I think, in the league. and you know so you've got the club piece which is she is such a focal point of the Portland Thorns in so many ways and then one of the best players in the league and then of course still a very young player despite how many years she's been in this league fighting for a first World Cup appearance that is now I would say very much in doubt just based on basic timelines so I think that's really the piece that club and country that jumps out I mean when I saw it that was my first reaction of course portland of course the player but the the player herself in relation to a world cup dream that she talks about so openly has talked about you know maybe in a more tangible way at a younger age than anybody we've ever seen um you know so i think that's the first thing that came to mind was the international piece yeah of course i think anybody who suffers that kind of injury we talked about it with what's on it and maybe she'll be able to come back olivia mulch at such a young age too obviously in collaboration with club and country like you just mentioned to really decide what's best for her career long term because she's already had a long career it's wild to think of her six years ago and the journey that she's been on up until this point it's heartbreaking like you said to see her there but I would hope that it's at least motivating to see Hanks score that incredible goal and know what it looks like to be back even though obviously we're talking about 10 days ago when she suffered that injury here obviously during training so hopefully that'll be a very fast recovery for olivia moultrie let's touch on orlando here real quick because we were talking about the surprising teams right louisville being one of them but i think orlando has been surprising on the bad side of things just one win and five losses in six games stuff yeah i mean look they've not been good um you look at that ovaya goal gives them 24 on the season banda has 12 of them and obviously we saw from that first game back after the African Cup of Nations.

33:26So, you know, it's still too reliant on Barbara Banda. We've said that. I think that annoys people in Orlando, but they haven't proven anybody wrong about it, right? And they need more depth up top. They need a winger. And I think that defensively, I mean, we saw the 5-0 game in North Carolina. They've really had trouble defensively, which is a little bit confounding because, you know, they have the individual pieces. I mean, I look at even a mistake of jaffaele making that mistake in north carolina where she just gives it away and i mean that's a very good defender like so it doesn't make a ton of sense i think anna morehouse has struggled in goal lately and it's all kind of come together in this this piece of they're missing their main goal scorer they haven't always or necessarily figured out a way to win and score without her statistically half the goal supports that and then they're struggling defensively so it's it's kind of become a wider issue and yeah I mean look they're very much in danger of not making the playoffs for a team that two years ago might have been the best team the league's ever seen yeah we knew we said it all along that it couldn't be repeated but there's a lot of ground between best team ever potentially and where they are right now yeah we were still talking about Orlando

34:42Jeff Kassouf:as one of the favorites here last season they made that they made the semi-final they were pretty much a free kick away from making the final. We know how that ended there with Gotham. So it has been unfortunately surprising, but on the bad end of things here for Orlando Pride, especially as of late, we'll see how Barbara Banda can help the situation out. But again, long-term, it's tough to have them depend on just one player. Speaking of surprising teams, Utah Royals, they're back here with a win. They faced Bay FC, but let's talk about the six-minute here. Carly Lima here blocks the keeper's kick, and it ends up in the back of the net.

35:19Jeff Kassouf:Hey, you got a pressure high. It could be worth it, Jeff. Well, Bay's pressure has been good at times this season. And Utah, like, look, they've done pretty well with this. They want to play like this. They get caught a few times. They did early in the season. We haven't seen as much lately, but they got caught there. Utah getting scored on early, and responding is something that we've seen from them during the season. And they do it here in the seventh minute with Moria. Yeah, I mean, they've responded really in every moment of the season. as you said. So again, within the game here. 22nd minute.

35:49Jeff Kassouf:Narumi Miura there with the goal from distance. What a pretty shot. Way downtown. Yeah. Another contributor here with Narumi. We don't talk about her as much. I mean, in Utah, we did before she arrived in Utah, but they've been good enough that I think she's been even overshadowed a little bit. But this is a spectacular strike. Man, what a pretty strike there. Puts all her laces behind that. Let's take it to the 29th minute. B-Bar sends it in. It's Heather Gilchrist. Heads it in goal. It's 2-2. Set pieces. Set pieces. Set pieces. That's all you have to say. That's all I've got to say for you, Utah.

36:25Jeff Kassouf:73rd minute. Claire Hutton. Trying to find one here inside the box here in Utah as well. But Claire Hutton has this foul here on Mina Tanaka. Yeah, I mean, it's a good turn. Good use of the body by Tanaka. Hutton with the second stab is what does her in here with the foot drag here by Tanaka and then catches Tanaka on the foot. Hutton's been very good for Bay, but it's a clear foul. Yeah, absolutely. 79th minute, then it would be Tanaka converting penalty. So for the first time in NWSL history, seeing three Japanese players here score in the same game. So that's always great to see. When we see other results in the NWSL, San Diego Wave and Denver Summit here 1-1.

37:07Jeff Kassouf:Seattle rain on a very good rhythm after the break. beating a sad Chicago Stars 1-0, and North Carolina Courage lost to Houston Dash. And as we see the NWSL standings at the moment, it's no surprise to see Gotham FC here still top of the table, 43 points. Washington Spirit after that tie, still enough to be one point clear of Utah Royals still in the mix in the first places here in the table. Portland Thorns, 34 points, and San Diego Wave 33 rounding out here the first spots at least in playoff standings, Casey Curran and Seattle Reign. Sierra has all the best active and outdoor brands you need.

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38:53Jeff Kassouf:All right, so after looking at the standings, maybe we're going to choose a Gotham player here for our player of the week. But Jeff Kazuf is here, so it'll at least be a little bit different. But maybe my pick will be a little bit different, too. If you can't keep up, it is week 17. We were kind of doing the math here before, but it is officially week 17 here now behind this. And we're going to choose our player of said week 17, Jeff. So a lot of interesting names on here. Maybe Mitch Purr should have been here too with her little Spider-Man celebration. But who do you like after this week? Who is your player of the week?

39:28Well, you're right. The week of the comebacks overall in the league. A lot of really compelling stories. But one of those comebacks at a team level, the Houston Dash. And I've got to tell you, Christina, Clarissa explains it all. Clarissa Laracy. I'm so happy you made that record. Okay. Houston Dash, a comeback against the previously red hot and very streaky North Carolina Courage. Look, I didn't think the Dash had this in them. I mean, Laracy comes off the bench. I thought that they were dead to rights here with North Carolina at home playing the way that they have been. Come off the bench to score a brace, to pick up three points on the road against a very good team.

40:04I still don't totally know what to make of this Houston team even this deep into the season with how they've played. I know you're laughing, you're Houston team, but this is potentially a statement result. I hesitate to say it because they've been so up and down, but certainly in the moment, huge result. And this player right here with the late brace, I mean, individual effort was spectacular.

40:24Jeff Kassouf:I think the timing not only of her coming off the bench, helping the team get this win, but also the timing, like you said, of the season. We're a little bit more than halfway. I think now we're kind of starting to see teams' true colors, whether that's for good or for bad. But Houston, what I really like about this team at this moment of the season, too, and I think it's truly a reflection of what we saw in this North Carolina game, Jeff, is the fact that this team never kind of just accepted defeat and still found a way to do it, and Clarissa definitely proved that off the bench. that play from Avery Patterson too was really great.

41:00Yeah, yeah, the service. I mean, like you said, I think this is a team that has fought back this season in many games and many results. They've also been in those positions by some of their own mistakes at times, right? So, you know, I think that this is a result that they need. They're not out of the race in the playoff race, right? So I think that this is one that they can look at potentially come into the season if things go the way that they want and they can see this as a turning point. But either way, young team, I think, has a lot of potential. hopefully they can keep everybody together, which is always kind of the story there.

41:30Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, definitely. And not such brusque changes that we've seen here with players who are very important. I was tempted to put Ali Centnor here as player of the week because of the moment that she just had with Angel City. And to me, she was one of the best two on the night. However, and this too kind of says a lot about the NWSL in general, that up week 17 we're choosing Houston Dash player and a racing Louisville player here because honestly Kayla Fisher had herself a game it was her first career brace and I think she's meeting the moment here with what racing Louisville has been doing lately I know we talked about the team extensively talked about the Emma Sears factor of it all but we can't forget what Kayla Fisher also means to this team and just finding here this opportunity her goals are really smart too I I really just want to put that out there because Kayla Fisher, these plays were not easy and she still found the way.

42:23Jeff Kassouf:Granted, yeah, we could have seen a little bit more here from the Boston team, but especially the second goal here, just kind of twisting her body and make sure that she still has enough on the ball and has her leg high enough. Just how strangely we've seen some of Ashley Sanchez's goal. I think Kayla Fisher did that as well. So do you like my pick? I do. I mean, it was a great volley. You know, you're right about Louisville. Even Fisher, I mean, in a bit of a different role this year, I think if we're being honest, reputation precedes her a little bit, right, in some of the plays that she's had through the years in this league, but maybe has overshadowed the fact that she is a talented player and she's been able to, you know, I think go under the radar a little bit here.

43:00As a team that has gone under the radar a little bit, we've been a little bit critical of them this year. Heavily under the radar, yeah. You know, has been streaky and hotter as of late. We'll see if that continues.

43:10Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, that's the big question here, especially towards the end of the season, if they can have enough. But again, not that many points here to get at least to playoff spots. So truly anything can happen, especially coming up this weekend, of course, on ESPN. A little more Washington spirit on our airwaves and a great game against Orlando Pride. We're also in desperate need, as we've already extensively talked about, need a win. Sunday, 4 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2 and, of course, the ESPN app. on to more nwsl news here chicago stars fired head coach martin hogan last week after obviously poor results through 18 games where the team had only won four games and lost 13 including a minus 24 goal differential assistant coach karina bias will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season and former head coach lauren donaldson would return as a quote interim director of coaching.

44:06Jeff Kassouf:So one more change here for Chicago Stars. And it's been tougher than obviously in the not even as of late, Jeff, it's been tough here for a while. So how surprised were you to see this news? I mean, years. And I'm not surprised by the news because it just these things keep happening. I mean, GM departure, you know, and GM who hired said coach, coach then departs. I think the separation of that wasn't too long in terms of timing. This is a team that has not figured anything out and it's befuddling. I mean on the field, the coaching situation, the player recruitment, GM, off the field, we're talking about similar things.

44:47We don't know where they're playing games next year. It's the third straight year we've talked about that so I don't get it. I don't get it. I think that they need a complete overhaul but also they've had a couple of complete overhauls so So it's really confounding. I mean, I think they need a coach that's going to stick around. I mean, they brought back Lauren Donaldson in this interim director of coaching role that they've kind of created. I mean, they've got a lot of interesting interim roles at the moment, not a lot of clarity of what's happening there and who's doing what. But this is yet another restart for a team that has for years been bad on the field, has not figured things out off the field.

45:26So I don't know where they go from here. I don't. I mean, I know we're supposed to have all the answers up here. They have tried so many things, but they keep making the same mistakes. So I think it's they need to come in order here. They need to find a GM with experience in this league, I would say, that has been around, that will stick around. Let that person make their hire for the coaching position and have a commitment to patience in that coaching position. And then more so than any of that, because I don't think this is entirely Martin Hogan's fault, even though the play wasn't good enough.

45:58That person needs to be allowed the freedom, that GM and that coach, to go out and recruit players with as open of a pocketbook as anybody could, an open wallet as anybody could have to, under the salary cap, to go find players and keep them around. But it's just a combination of things that has continued to be a problem in Chicago.

46:19Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, it seems to be the perfect storm here constantly with Chicago. when you talk about that possible GM, one who knows the league very well, and that's putting you on the spot, but is there a name that comes to mind, Jeff? I don't know. I mean, there's names that come to mind that have experience, but I don't know. You know, I think it's – it has to be somebody who wants to work there too, right? Because, I mean, just to be blunt, if you're looking at the history here and you are – this is the catch-22 for them because they need people with experience and they need a top-notch candidate. I don't know that a top-notch candidate is looking at Chicago, even with the excitement that we see in coaching roles, especially of I can come in and rebuild the team and put my stamp on it.

46:57People have tried that in Chicago. Yeah, Mal Swanson on the team. Mal Swanson, I mean, there's some talent there, but this is not an attractive job right now with the way that things have gone. So who's it going to be? That's a big question because I don't think you can get somebody with that resume right now unless they really are up for a project.

47:14Jeff Kassouf:Yes, exactly. A project is a great way to look at Chicago right now. And it's tough because obviously the players are the one who clearly in results and in time and in effort just obviously lose the most. But we'll have to see how things turn around, if things turn around here for Chicago. Want to remind you what's coming up this weekend. Actually, this week, starting with Wednesday, where we talked about racing Louisville versus Seattle, Rain-Houston Dash versus Chicago Stars, Wave versus Utah, and a nice slate on Saturday. And on Sunday, to wrap things up, as we mentioned, at least on ESPN, Washington Spirit vs.

47:49Jeff Kassouf:Orlando Pride, Sunday, 4 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

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48:59Jeff Kassouf:We're going international. And of course, with what we saw in the Wafcon final, Cameroon facing Malawi 20th minute. It's Mary Ngamanga with a great strike to open things up, Jeff. Well, great to follow the ball here, obviously, with the bounces that this takes to track it, to have the rebound off the crossbar and be first to react. Cameroon set the tone early here and never looked back. Absolutely. 1-0 then for Cameroon on the 29th minute. As we see, again, you have to follow the ball. You have to finish the play, and boy, does Cameroon do that. And here as well, Naomi Eto 'o for the 2-0. Spectacular goal.

49:43And speaking of Eto', we saw Samuel Eto 'o in the crowd for this game reacting. I mean, he was number one fan there. I love that. This was an incredible finish, the spin, turn, volley. to have the awareness here, know where that goal is without even looking. Incredible goal.

49:58Jeff Kassouf:Yeah. And obviously, Temwachowinga, along with her sister, trying to find something here for Malawi. But it would be 3-0 here for Cameroon. I mean, this is the backbreaker. Cameroon, you know, dominated this first half anyway. But 2-0 going into the half. Maybe you can reset to give this up in stoppage time, 3-0. Malawi was out of this game, especially the way they were playing defensively. Yeah, and it's tough to have to rely on the Chowinga sisters, although that is a plan that could definitely work. Got them to a final. Exactly, and had worked and obviously got them to their first ever Women's World Cup.

50:35Jeff Kassouf:Let's see to the 46th minute, though. Speaking of the Chowinga sisters, it was Tabitha here on this one, but it just goes wide. You're right, the Chowinga sisters, you know, if you're in a game with the Chowinga sisters, even at 2-0 maybe. Tabitha and Temwa with the combination, even in this game at times. 61st minute, at least trying to find one back. Malawi here in the 60th minute. And it was a combination there with Tabitha for Temwa, but still couldn't find the back of the net. Temwa with the spin and just off target here. This one actually went out for a corner, I believe, is what it was ruled.

51:08But yeah, I mean, Malawi, look, 153rd in the world ranking coming into this to even be in a final. Incredible story going to their first World Cup.

51:17Jeff Kassouf:And hopefully, Jeff, what we're seeing, obviously, with Wafcon looking for better coverage, better visibility, these players truly deserve it here. Cameroon making history. Then here, the fourth different nation to win the tournament, Nigeria, Equatorial, Guinea, and, of course, South Africa. They also snapped a streak of three defeats in the final, lost to Nigeria in 2004, 2014, and 2016, and eliminated the 10-time champion at Nigeria in the quarterfinals, which, of course, was one of the surprises of the tournament. And they're going to miss out on the World Cup. I mean, that bullet point for me, Nigeria had never previously missed a World Cup.

51:55To be out of it entirely, not even in a playoff position, the global playoff, we have no Nigeria, no Zambia at the World Cup. I mean, that's pretty phenomenal. Not in a good way, but pretty incredible in terms of the diversity that we're seeing in the teams here that are coming out of the continent, Cameroon, Malawi. I mean, I think we here in the U.S. know certainly Temwa Chawinga's talent and Tabitha Chawinga's a known entity, but for them to propel their team, their country, into a first World Cup, for Nigeria to not be there, for Zambia to not be there, for Malawi to get out of the group with those two teams, even with some odd math in terms of tiebreakers that existed there, you know, I think an incredible story shows the value of qualifying shows the development of players and international teams here that that it's not just okay expect Nigeria and South Africa there South Africa's even in the

52:50Jeff Kassouf:playoff themselves here so Algeria had a great tournament a lot of upsets and a lot of surprises in this tournament yeah absolutely Washington Spirits Monique Ngoc was the best player of the tournament Temu Chawinga no surprise the highest scoring player of the tournament but when we talk Talk about NWSL and all of the players that we were able to see. I mean, we've talked about how much Washington Spirit is missing their players. I just mentioned Ngakir with the individual award and recognition. Who was the NWSL standout player for you, Jeff? Well, it's got to be Tim Watt, doesn't it? I mean, I think just you can't say enough about what Malawi did here.

53:27To be as low-ranked as they were, lowest-ranked team in the tournament, 153rd, that's going to shoot up in the next FIFA rankings, right? But to be, I think for me, this is, I like to see this in that Ballon d 'Or is coming up voting, right? And that is always this Eurocentric award. I think there's a lack of recognition typically for an NWSL player, particularly like Temu Chawenga, an NWSL player who is not on a big national team, quote unquote. So for her to be in a continental final, I think adds to that resume. I don't think it's going to unfortunately maybe shoot her into a top five position just by way of that voting pool.

54:05But I think that was really important for her to almost validate a two-time Golden Boot MVP winner in a top league in the world. And then to do it on the international stage.

54:15Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, she's bringing all that international attention to the NWSL with what Malawi has done now. Hopefully this triggers important investment to and attention that a team like that that was able to do this in the tournament. And obviously not being one of the favorites can truly do. but it's been great to see how NWSL has been able also, Jeff, to contribute to the Wafcom. Well, I think you're seeing, I mean, we've seen in the NWSL, I think we've seen in other leagues as well, but certainly here that there are more signings. We just had one announced while we were on air by Seattle that there are more signings coming from Africa of players that are high quality.

54:51And it's just been an untapped scouting ground. And I think maybe you can credit, even though it was, as you kind of referenced, a little bit too hard to find this tournament at times on TV, right? That's a problem. But there's more awareness. There's more. It's easier to find games, whether it's a game like this or players who are playing at mid-level clubs in a different league. Maybe you can scout them more easily. You can fit that profile into your team. So I think both Africa and South America are still very untapped in terms of the depth of quality that exists there. and we're starting to see that those players come into top leagues.

55:29Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and I don't even want to say that hopefully this puts Wafcon on the map because it should have been on the map to begin with, but hopefully everything that was missing from this tournament is sort of the trigger to better things, which is how we've kind of seen women's sports develop here anyway. Yeah, you hope, but I mean, it's got to be more than hope, right? And I think we've seen that too many times with Wafcon. I mean, why are we talking about in the summer when it was changed last minute? I mean, the unfairness to a player, to their clubs, to the entire situation, to the fans that, you know, clearly there was a lack of marketing when you look at even a final like that, whether Morocco was in it or not.

56:05So I think there's a long way to go. And I agree with you, hopefully. But the onus is on the African, you know, the Confederation to make something of this, to understand that there's value in it, to be more invested in it. and I'm not yet confident that that's going to happen. I, too, hope, but it's got to be more than hope.

56:26Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, I completely agree with you, Jeff. It was a great tournament, great to see here Cameroon with the win and with the celebration. We'll have to see how it develops, too, in just under a year at the Women's World Cup. All right, let's talk about someone who we're hoping to see in the Women's World Cup as well. Obviously, Mamalee Fox gearing up for her third season with Arsenal, where she's been a regular star, and her accolades, of course, include the Women's Champions League title in 2025 after that 1-0 win to Barcelona. She caught up with our Alexis Nunes before the start of the season.

57:01When we think of the U.S. Women's National Team, you guys are warriors. You have that grit. You have that bite. You fight tooth and nail. You know, our Ali Krieger always said she was looking to leave her studs on a girl or two out there. In the best way, though. And we know that you guys have that too, but to see the level of composure you were able to have, especially when you have so many young players as well still playing um it really was impressive yeah i think a lot of it i want to say is with emma and the detail of the opponent that we play and i think if you look at the year that we've had like every opponent has been hard and every opponent has been different and so with that you just kind of add depth to yourself and to the team and you're able to look back at moments look back at this game and be like look we dealt with this we can deal with anything um so I really think it is like a team effort and we know again with every game that we play it's going to be a challenge and a lot of times and Emma has said this it it's about the process at this point and getting the exposure to go to Brazil play in Brazil against Brazil twice um it's everything that we want and then with last camp playing Japan three times I mean we're just we're racking up the experience and the knowledge that we have and having the opportunity to play teams twice is also rare and trying to set us up in the best way possible for the World Cup.

58:20And I remember the last World Cup as well, there were so many uncomfortable situations, of course, ultimately going out to Sweden as well. And some of the girls were saying that they could realize that they didn't deal with that well. And now Emma speaks so much about getting used to and getting comfortable with playing in uncomfortable situations. Do you feel like you guys are there now? A hundred percent. Yeah. I mean, luckily, you know, we still have a good amount of time left. And I think we're just excited for every moment. And like I said before, know that every camp and every game that we get is going to be a challenge.

58:53So I think we're all really looking forward to October and the games that we have there. And just like you said, when you get to the World Cup, you kind of want it to feel like you've done the work and now you just play. And I guess we'll finish off now talking some Arsenal, talking some club football, because, of course, it was a season of many highs. I'm sure some lows as well too, but at least you ended in a high. You got to be a part of that unreal trophy parade in North London. Of course, to share that moment as well with the men's team was a long time coming. What was that like? It was unreal.

59:22I don't think I'll ever experience anything like it. You inhaled a lot of flares. Yes, flares, the amount of people that showed up. It was, I think it's everything that you dream of. And I know for a lot of girls at Arsenal, like Lata, Leah, Kim, that had been there forever, I mean, they talked about this hasn't happened in 20 years. And you could tell just by the amount of people that came. And so for me, I think coming from the U.S. and England football being everything, it was so surreal to be a part of that experience and, you know, kind of be a part of the one club and celebrate the men's huge success.

1:00:04Well you guys you know it made history again last Champions League season when you won upsetting of course Barcelona. Coming into this season now of course you fell short of making it to the final however what was it like playing and having everyone else look at you like the world looks at Barcelona or Lyon as these are the girls we're after everyone's after you. Did you feel that pressure? I think so. I mean, I feel like every time we play, and even the WSL, it is kind of we have a mark on our back and people want to beat us. I think last year with Champions League, what was so unique about it is that we started from the bottom, from the knockout rounds in August, and then played every team possible and then made it to the final.

1:00:49And this year felt a lot like that. Our first game was against Lyon in the group stage, for example. so yeah I think definitely this year we were disappointed with how things worked out but I mean credit to Barcelona they had their whole run was unbelievable yeah and then final question now going into next season as well just expectations priorities are you going for that Champions League again or of course just only finishing right behind City as well almost there for a WSL title too how do you kind of manage you know domestic ambitions with of course just the prospect of winning another Champions League?

1:01:25I think you have to go for all of them. I mean, if you want to be the best, you have to go for it and be all in. And I think with our team and just the growth that we had and the depth that we have, I think you can see that in terms of what our aims are for Champions League, WSL. And like you said, I mean, we had one loss this year in the WSL. And that ultimately, along with some ties, led to us not winning. And so really looking at that and then, of course, playing in the FA Cup, being able to play at Wembley for a final. That's something that's definitely on my mind personally.

1:02:04Jeff Kassouf:It's been great to see Emily Fox's growth since she joined Arsenal and she's still impressive as of late. But these are numbers since her arrival in 2024. I mean, just ranking pretty much top for Arsenal. Here's second in interceptions, clearances, and aerial duels, one and third in recoveries. But her maturity more than anything is something that we can't really put into numbers, Jeff. It's something that we've been able to see. But how much has she been able to grow because she arrived at Arsenal? Yeah, I think she's rounded out her game. She's one of the best outside backs in the world, no doubt.

1:02:39And I think she had an argument for that before she arrived. Then you add the week-to-week, day-to-day experience at Arsenal, the Champions League title. And I think that that on top of the international game is what really has boosted her resume. Not that maybe players are necessarily looking at that, but I think when you talk about top fullbacks in the world, she has to be in the conversation. And more so now, I think in her younger years, that was about getting forward, provider, and getting assists. And now it's more well-rounded to the point that you even see with the U.S. She's not even necessarily that fullback that's getting the green light.

1:03:18She's the one being asked to maybe stay at home and defend more. So I think that's what she's really added to her game is actually, maybe ironically, that defensive piece.

1:03:26Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, absolutely. And we know that we see her constantly on the U.S. women's national team roster. And speaking of, of course, my next question leading to World Cup, and what do you expect to see from her after so much experience here, probably at the best point of her career? Absolutely. And a defensive unit that's got a lot of question marks right now. I mean, with where Naomi Gurma's health is, there's a lot of time for that. under the assumption that it's not a major issue, even though it's been a lingering one. Emily Sonnet, question mark, with a major injury now. I think that if you look at this back line, I think you could say right now on health and form, Emily Fox is the staple of it.

1:04:04Even looking at the goalkeeper position, which we still don't exactly know where that's going. So I think she is going to be a foundation for whatever that back line looks like in Brazil.

1:04:14Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and she should be. after her impressive performance as of late and so far and pretty much since her arrival there for Arsenal. So great stuff from Emily Fox. Our producer Beto scared me with the text that he sent this weekend of, oh, no, Sam Coffey. And I said, oh, no, what was the injury? Fortunately, I want to say because she just got beat really bad. Sam Coffey here facing Vicky Lopez. And Vicky Lopez just said, I don't even know who you are. Excuse me. Goodbye. I was similarly scared. And I was on vacation behind everybody. So I was like, wait a minute, you're reacting about a knee. Thankfully, we're just talking about a little okey-doke.

1:04:51Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, can come back in less than a year from this, Jeff. Yes, absolutely. Sorry, Sam Coffey, it was not our idea. But this helps to promote what's coming up. The Women's Champions League is back. The league phase begins September 22nd on ESPN Deportes and, of course, on the ESPN app. All right, time to wrap things up in style, as we always do with our top 10 goals of the week. Jeff took a look at this and said, college? Yes, NCAA there. Addie Olsen for Utah Valley. College season is back. The smell of fall is nearly in the air. You can smell the pumpkin spice. We've got some great goals coming from the NCAA sector.

1:05:35Utah Valley, of course. Of course it's Utah Valley.

1:05:37Jeff Kassouf:Of course it has to be. And of course it's Google America when we talk about Liga and Make. he's femenil jc gets the ball the midfield i mean just takes it from distance how good to the ground too wow she's been good all year in every competition i mean winning a league title winning a conca calf title she's back at it in august here um i think she's quietly making a case again for i don't know a balladour i don't know but a top player certainly i wholeheartedly agree with that statement. Staying in the Liga MX here with Jacqueline Garcia for Tijuana. Alright, that little bounce there for the volley herself.

1:06:14Yeah, volley, yeah, the field looks interesting for a bounce too, but yeah, I mean, heads up play, top of the 18 to not hit that over the bar is really the skill here, right? To get over it and get it back under the bar. Spectacular strike.

1:06:27Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, keep your chest over the ball there. I love I love a good volley and I love a good celebration like that one too. Let's take it to number seven. Back to the NWSL we go. Nanumi Miura. We talked about this for Utah Royals, but she sees no pressure and sees no fear and strikes it from there. You're right. Nobody within six or seven yards of her hits this knuckling. I mean, that ball didn't even move. Spectacular from distance. Nearly 30 yards. Really, really exceptional stuff. Absolutely. As Utah has been exceptional this season wins that one three two staying in the nwsl someone who truly has been impressive melanie barcenas especially this season her fancy footwork seems to have gotten better jeff if that's even possible well you know what there's an end product now i think the fancy footwork is is as it has been which is spectacular and it was before but she used to you know respectfully like dribble out of bounds sometimes now she's finishing with bangers only typically so that's the maturity in her game Yeah, it's truly impressive there in that 1-1 draw with Denver.

1:07:36Jeff Kassouf:But she has been so great for San Diego. Back to college we go. Lola Ressler here for Wake Forest. Ball really just up in the air. And she said, I'll put it up in the air into the goal. Yeah, there we go. I mean, of course, if you've got college highlights, something's got to come out of the state of North Carolina. And that's a great top corner finish. Let's take it to number four. Not that I want to give myself any credit, but all game. I was like, Ali Sandor needs to hit it from outside the box. Ali Sandor keeps getting space from outside the box. Ali Sandor, please hit it here. And she finally did.

1:08:08That reminded me of you could have had the Deportes call. Was it like, Ali Sandor, Ali Sandor, Ali Sandor, Ali Sandor? Here we go.

1:08:16Jeff Kassouf:And I said, por fin. There we go. Finally, because she has her first call with Angel City. There we go. And because she finally scored this. We needed Christina's call on that one. Maybe next week. Let's take it to number three, Dana Castellanos for Portland at Thorns. I'm shocked this isn't number one. Well, you know what? I'm going to support our team here, and I think great goal, but with the goalkeeper semi-assist, I can live with this being at number three. It's a great goal, though. Spectacular finish. It was a semi-assist. A needed one for her. All right. All right. You're selling. I'm buying.

1:08:53Jeff Kassouf:Let's take it to number two. Back to college we go. So Gio Canale for Virginia gets the ball on the wing. A nutmeg here. You hungry? A nutmeg for you. Just looks up. Another nutmeg. This is ridiculous. This is college ball at its finest. Come on. The camera view. Come on. And the little slow-mo for every nutmeg. Come on. This is so good. Okay, I understand. And the end line. Whoop. I mean, squeeze in between two defenders like this. And look at the angle. Ridiculous. That's like a goal of the year candidate. So if that wasn't number one, I mean, she even knows it too. She's like, come on, I'm not hearing you guys.

1:09:32Jeff Kassouf:Let's take it to number one. And it has to be Tabitha Chawinga at the Wafcon here facing Algeria. What a lovely bicycle. Shooters bounce to come back off the goalkeeper. I mean, spectacular bike. Keeper. Sorry about it, keeper. I mean, hard done maybe, but that's what you get when you're... Oh, sorry. The spin. the spin yeah the little spin move there that's the shooter's spin then not the shooter's bounce Malawi won that one 3-1 it has been so great to see obviously everything from the Wafcon some great goals okay I understand why the Dana Castellanos one wasn't number one and that play from Canale too that has to be on her reel if she's looking here to to go pro I mean come on early August potential goal of the year I think it could be potential goal of the year for sure Yeah, I mean, a lot of goals in the NCAA with how many teams there are.

1:10:27And we're just getting started with NCAA. Week one, week zero, really.

1:10:32Jeff Kassouf:And I mention it a lot of times, already week 17 in the NWSL. It's crazy how it's flying. And a lot of things can change here in the next few weeks. So stick around because we will, of course, break it down next week right here on Football W. Jeff, welcome back. Thank you. Good to be back. See you then.

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