The NWSL Efficiency Paradox: Statistical Anomaly, Tactical Ceilings, and Roster Engineering

Early morning on a Manhattan sidewalk, a shooting caught on surveillance video. It was an assassination style killing, and everybody saw it. A new podcast series from ABC Audio in 2020 goes inside this captivating case. I'm ABC News legal analyst Brian Buckmeyer. Listen to burden of proof Luigi Mangione, wherever you get your podcasts. Happy fall, y'all. It's bookfall W here on a Tuesday night, a crisp Tuesday night, at least here in the North. These two type woke up champion, Ali Krieger, Jeff Kassouf, Christina, Alexander here with you all. Of course, we're going to get into the end of the cell playoff race as it heats up. And it's definitely that time this season. I mean, decision day is just a few weeks away. November 4th is just around the corner. Also, the Champions League is officially back. We will show you the best highlights, of course, of the day. Speaking of the best highlights, let's get to our game of the week in the end of the cell. North Carolina courage versus Gotham FC. Ali was trying to trip me up. I did not say North Carolina versus courage, but it was North Carolina versus Jordan. Jordan Dudley, Ali Krieger. Yes, I'm an incredible season for her rookie year. Hopefully, rookie of the year and the end of the cell. But well done to get this game off on the right foot for Gotham and scoring. Brilliant touch there, beats a couple defenders and then slots it far post. Yeah, she makes it look easy too. In the 15th minute, someone else who makes it look easy, Jeff, is Evelyn E.J. She does. This one we did see enough daylight, I think, to be convincing. Even though my camera angle complained, she was offside, but a nice finish. Yeah, yeah, it was tough with disallowed goals here for North Carolina. 47th minute Ashley Sanchez here. Would equalize. And the goal a meter would go up to 20, Ali Butch. And I was excited for her this whole minute. What a cheeky finish, just a great touch, good positioning, far post. Midja obviously doesn't get to see her as quick and she just has this little movement that separates her from the defender and was able to hit this far post. But with the VAR, it was called back and she was claimed offside. Yeah, that was tough for Ashley Sanchez. The fan base were so excited. She was 69th minute though it would be. North Carolina there, Natalia Staudet to put the rebound to equalize it, Jeff. A rare goal conceded, forgot them. Rare goal on a set piece conceded especially. 91st minute. Better late than never, Ali. Yes, I mean, once again, Jordan Dudley in the right place at the right time to be able to finish this game and get three points on the road at a difficult match against North Carolina. But Roast was able to keep this in. Just heads it down and Jordan just makes sure it goes in the back of the net. And I know her parents were there at the games. So wonderful to see them in the stands. And it's for her to get a brace. So excited and forgot them FC. They've scored two game winning goals in stoppage time this season. That's tied for the second most in NWC. Only Houston with four has more game winning goals after the 90th minute. Let's listen from Juan Carlos Amoros. Well, I think it's a massive win for us. It's a. It's one that really. Represent the character and the personality and the winning mentality of this. Of this team is probably no more best football personal performance as such. That's for sure. But at the same time to be a champion. You know, you need to you need to win this kind of games where. Is exchanging punches and then you know, you're away from home and playing. It's a very good team that you know, they're playing in front of the fans. And you know, we're winning the game. We come in a half time. I think the first half was quite good from our side. Second half. They did some adaptations. We did some in a corner again. I think it's another corner that hit the back post like last week. We can see the equalizer. We we did some changes try to. To affect the game and the players. Again, they never give up and they put pressure to win that. That game on the 90 seconds minutes. So yeah, incredibly proud of them because you know, you want to be a champion. You need to win these games and today. You know, they they really show that. Yeah, winning ugly, but sitting pretty still forgot them FC. A gritty win, but a win nonetheless here against as one. Carlos just said Jeff. I mean, a very tough team like North Carolina courage. Is this kind of also what it takes to be a championship team, knowing even when you don't play your best still get a win? Yeah, for sure. I mean, they've overperformed. I saw the Optographic earlier that by Opta's measurement, they should be in seventh if they were going by expected. That's wild. A little difference. And results. So certainly they've overperformed. We kind of got used to them underperforming in the regular season and then coming alive in November. So I guess we'll see what November brings for them this year now that they've shown up in these earlier months. But yeah, I think certainly this is part of being a championship team. Certainly part of being a shield winning team, which you know, you talk to enough people around the league. And as much as the championship is what they still want and they'll always want, the shield is much more of a grind and a picture of who performed over the course of the season. So, you know, I think especially in this league to win the shield in particular, that's the characteristic you need. Yeah, especially at this point in the season, Ali. Yeah, and you make a good point. It doesn't always have to be pretty. It's just in the biggest moments who's going to show up and the biggest games and have the biggest play and be able to win. And I think that Gotham has proved that this season, of course, at the beginning of the year we were thinking, oh, is this an alarm? Is this a red flag? Absolutely not. These are moments during the season. There's ups and downs. But the best teams are going to find ways to win. And the best teams are going to be uncomfortable and still find ways to win and be able to claw, scratch, and fight their way to the top. And that's exactly what Gotham does. You know, Gotham makes it so difficult to prepare for, right? And I think there are so many different players that can really hurt you. There's not just one player that they rely on. I think with their depth and their consistency, I think they're interchangeable. So defending a team like Gotham is extremely difficult because you can't just focus on one player. There's a plethora of players where you have to be able to break down and be able to defend against. And they make that very difficult. There I say Gotham's like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get because it's true. You see this lovely box of chocolates, right? There's so many big names on this roster, Jeff. But like Ali said, I mean, defending this team is still a nightmare because even the starting 11 is impressive. And you look at the bench and it's pretty great, too, for Juan Carlos San Maros. Yeah, I mean, it's deep. I think people talk about this team around the league and say that, you know, there's really this is the team when you look at the depth, the quality of depth. I think that's the differentiator. Yes, there's depth, but the quality to Brazil is also haven't gone their way this year in world or regional competitions, obviously, but a team that can talk about being a top team in the world. There's Gotham. I think the spirit can be in that conversation. And after that, I mean, there's very good teams in this league, but they're at a different level below Gotham and Washington, frankly. So, you know, deepest team, I think they have the argument. I might say the spirit in some ways, too, though. I think on any given day, the depth I think Gotham is lacking is in the back and some of that's injury related. But, you know, the rotation of fullbacks has worked for them. Obviously, versatile players. But certainly, up top, they have that depth. Yeah, Jordan Dudley started as a game changer, a sub. But she's truly changing the game constantly here for Gotham Ali. Yeah, she's, that's exactly it. She's so unpredictable. I think she has so many different tools. She's able to, you know, get the ball at her feet and run at you. She's able to run in behind. She's able to 1v1, play 1v1. She can get in the box, she can provide service. I mean, what can't she do at this moment? You see her just running past two, three defenders, creating that space for herself. And she's super dynamic. There also, she has the quality and the skill on the ball, the technical ability to be able to keep the ball at her feet in those tight spaces, which not a lot of players of this caliber have. And then, the ability to score goals. And you see that right there. She was brilliant. She gets into a good position. And then she's able to have that finesse in that placement in these goal scoring opportunities. And you don't necessarily always see that from a young player who doesn't have this experience at the end of ESL level. And to see that from her and the quality that she has, it's so reassuring for Gotham. And it's so great that you could see her develop from game 1 to now. And where she's at now is unstoppable. I see you agreeing with Ali, Jeff. Yeah, I mean, Dudley's been one of the better players this season. You know, no rookie tag needed. So, you know, I think she's been, you look at what she does for this team, and she's been, she's everywhere. And she does it in sort of intangible ways too. I mean, you mentioned this was a scrappy game. It certainly was. And I think she's been willing to sort of give that back to opponents. You don't always maybe see that from a rookie, right? So I think she's been unfazed by this level. Yeah, from a very close game, let's take it to a game that wasn't really close. And when, as expected, at least for Washington versus what we saw from them the previous week against Boston here, visiting Chicago, don't adjust your screen. That's how the lens looked with all the rain. But of course, no need to adjust our screens. Here, Jeff, it's Trinity Rodman again. Trinity Rodman again, as you said, I mean, the number of game winning goals for her now is almost unmatched and a tidy finish there. Yeah, that pass from Hal Hirschfeld, too, is impressive. So Washington, we're trying to stay here. Twenty-ninth minute, though. This is tough for B. Franklin, Ali. Yeah, this is really tough, but it is. It is a penalty kick. You know, our arm is like, out stretch, it's not in an normal position. So, of course, unfortunately, for Franklin, that's a PK. And mom is back. Andy Sullivan scoring her first one of the season, Jeff. Mom is back. That's a good one. That's all that love. That's all that love. Let's go mom. Two nil for Washington. Why not make it? Three nil. Rodman finding. Terrible speaking of game changers coming off the bench, Ali. Yes. Unbelievable. Also from Trent getting a goal in a system in this game, coming off the bench and directly impacting the game for your team. Pretty incredible. Eleven goals for Trinity Rodman. How about Sandy McAver? She sets a new club record for most clean sheets and a single NWSL season with 10. And here she is after the game. Congratulations on your 10th clean sheet of the season. Not sure if you're aware, but that is a record for a Washington spirit goalkeeper. Yeah. Sam, our communications guy just told me, I've got to didn't know that before, because I mean, we've not kept a clean sheet in three weeks. So, no, I think that's a credit to the backline, the team. And, yeah, it was nice to get a win and a clean sheet today. And just tell us how this week has been after that three and a little defeat at home to Boston, which was your fourth home defeat in five games, which seems pretty extraordinary for a club of your size, but coming into this game at all the pressure being on new players. What was the key to it? I mean, I know when we spoke earlier in the week, Jackie, I said that we'd had a good week straining. So, I'm glad that came to fruition today. But I think this is the first time in a while we've won by such a margin. We've made things difficult past this season. So, yeah, I think to score three goals is, like, credit to the players, such a good reaction from last week. Yeah, true. The reaction was great. Santa McKeever said that they had a great training week. The Angle and Salis was very adamant about that honest conversation that they had after that tough defeat. Ali, I want to ask if you've been there. I don't want to assume that you've been there, but having that quick turnaround, of course, is so important, just like Washington did. Yeah, and good teams don't allow one game to affect the rest of their season and where they want to be. So, good teams can quickly shift gears and step it up another level. They all knew that they didn't play or perform the way that they wanted to and the way that, you know, it felt wasn't good enough. So, what impressed me was, you know, after that Boston loss was coming into Chicago and really putting Chicago on their heels, setting the standard higher week to week like they had been playing before, and everyone on the same page, because against Boston it didn't look like anyone was on the same page and they were, you know, disconnected and just looked a bit dysfunctional. And this week, they came back out and they showed who they are and where they want to be. And I think that was really impressive after, you know, getting beat through nothing and then winning and getting a shout out. So, incredible turnaround and well done to, you know, adjust that, that loss and get a win on the road. Yeah, it was great timing, right, to have this back-to-back and tough. I mean, I'll do respect for Chicago, but, again, we're saying this too, these are teams like Boston and Chicago who don't have much to lose at this point of the season versus teams like Washington who are still trying to get that shield, but nonetheless, what stood out to you the most about this Washington win? Yeah, I mean, look, Boston's got a little bit more fight in them, I think. A great. Respectfully the Chicago timing. I mean, it's good timing for the spirit because they've been in some struggles and to go to a team that just hasn't figured things out in any way this season, really. I think was helpful timing for Washington. And then, you know, you look at Trinity Rodman, who we talked about, nine-game winning goal contributions, goals and assists, Ty Sam Kerr from 2019. So, you look at, you know, the numbers are very good, and then you look at how effective they've been and in the moments they've been. Obviously, not just the Chicago game, but throughout the season. So, I think her stepping up, and there was a lot of pressure coming into this season. I mean, the whole off-season saga of the contract, of becoming what we believe to be, certainly at the time, the highest paid player in the world, of having a rule invented and sort of colloquially named after you. I mean, there's a lot of pressure there, and she seems so unfazed by it, and has throughout that process, even, that, you know, it's not even really a conversation now, because she's just continued to do what she does. And I think, obviously, you go through all that in an off-season, and maybe you have some struggles, which they had a slow start to spirit to a degree. But maybe if you're struggling, people are saying, big star, big contract, right? But there's none of that, because she's absolutely met the moment, even with the bar raised. Speaking of it, yeah, Ali. No, I just wanted to say that sometimes, you know, your best player, like Jeff had mentioned, simply has to set the tone, and she definitely did that, and that's exactly what they needed at the beginning of the game. And she changes the ceiling of this team, and she has, ever since she's been there. And she also changes the way you have to defend Washington, because you can't allow her 1v1. You can't even give her two yards of space, because she's going to beat you in one. So she's great in and around the box. She can set the tone in any moment of the match. You give her any opportunity. She's going to take advantage of it. She could score from anywhere. She's physically just powerful, and she always wants to be on the ball. So it's, you know, for her to do this at the beginning of the game, really set up Washington for success the rest of the match, which was really great to see. Yeah, absolutely. And obviously, this is why Jeff, when she was struggling, and we know it's a chronic issue, right? Her back injury. But she's smiling. And this is what we love to see, because this is why, when she was out for so many games for Washington, comes back scores, cries tears of happiness. This is why we want to see a healthy and happy Trinity Rodman, because she just keeps raising the ceiling, not only for Washington, but what you mentioned, for the league itself to create. Now, this rule that is pretty much named after her, the Rodman rule, right? And she kind of chuckles, but it seems like she's a player that's so used to carrying this weight, whether it's the club, whether it's the league, her reputation, a little bit of everything, and she's still doing incredible things. Yeah, I mean, you mentioned the injuries, too, right? And we haven't had to talk about those this year, because she's been healthy, and that's contributed to her consistency to putting up the numbers that she's been able to put up. So, you know, the staying healthy piece has been huge. Yeah. And then, obviously, the production that's come from it. So, yeah, I agree. I mean, for her, for the club, for the league, for the US, that we'll talk about more as the World Cup approaches, it's all good things, and it's all positive. Yeah, we want to see her at the US Women's National Team, and not only because of what she's capable on the field, but because we want to see more Emma Hayes dancing on her team. So, well, we saw a lot of great action this weekend, and let's get to what we saw between San Diego Wave and Kansas City Current, 29th minute. Melby is out of the game, Caesar Upper, but Lorena saves it on this occasion, Ali. Yes, well done by Lorena. She's getting back into her game minutes, right, after that injury. So, well done by her to be able to parry this the way to safety. Yeah, so impressive. 37th minute here. It's Geocorly finding a Trinity Buyers, but can't find the back of the net, Jeff. Oh, that was the opportunity. Buyers have been finishing most of these lately. Yes. Geocorly, nice setup as well. Absolutely. 38th minute, though, a little risky here, and at the end, Kansas City couldn't take advantage of that error, Ali. Yeah, super risky in this moment. Great strike and unfortunate on the rebound. I know that Hayley Hopkins definitely wants that back. Definitely, probably still thinking about it too, but how about this lady rouse in for an own goal, Jeff? Barsina's puts it exactly where you need to to be dangerous. If Ralph doesn't touch it, it's probably a goal anyway. Yeah, absolutely. Good point. 88th minute, too. It was getting a little chippy now at this point. PK, Ali, right at the edge of the box there? Yeah, it's unfortunate, especially for Ralph's to get in this game and to try to impress and both goals she had an effect on it. So well done by San Diego to pull this out. And right here, you see the end of the game, all the smiles. Because playing against Kansas City Team right now, they're difficult to be at the moment. That's a great point. It wasn't just anyone for San Diego. They snapped a six game, a winless run against Casey Curran and League of play. That was their losing records since September 2023. Their second win in 10 minutes against Kansas City. First ever home victory over the current, the wave snapped Kansas City's streak of scoring in eight consecutive NWCL matches and extended a single season club records for wins with 14, 45 points and home wins with eight. Let's hear from coach. As we were discipline, they're not opening up the space like that was our referencing before with our backline to not opening up the space in central. Like we know that's the space that both are but also Michelle Cooper are so dangerous in. And it is a little tricky when you're playing with a back four that when your full backs is not discipline and leave to early, they have so good players to exploit those spaces. And I think defensively that discipline we had to not open up those spaces. We're on a high level today. Good words there from Jonas Aideval. Let's take it to Denver. Some in Bersiato rain another great game. A 44th minute Lindsay heaps playing a pass into Delaney Shehan and dinks the keeper from Mainstrap. How about that? Cross shot, cross. Lindsay heaps though. She drifts out wide. We've been seeing this pattern with Denver. She draws defenders. And she's unlocked a new level for the summit since she's arrived. I mean, come on there from Shehan. How about this Sofia? What did that shown? A yellow card here taking down? This was pretty much the little WWE action. You understand Yasmeen Ryan's reaction here, Ali. Well, yeah, of course. I mean, she holds on to her arm and then she drags her down. I mean, she actually could have, you know, hurt her. Yep. Pretty bad hitting her head on the floor. I mean, dragging her wrist arm. That could have potentially been a lot worse. I mean, that was like a said Hiramos on Mohamed Salah there. Champions League final. Anyone? A 50th minute throw. Natasha Flint. With a little rocket there, Jeff. A little rocket. Yes. Somebody checked the velocity. I agree. Natasha Flint with, I mean, yeah. Spectacular finish for Denver. Who's challenges to hold on to a lead now, Christina? Yes. Yes. Speaking of that challenge, Brittany Ratcliffe was very much up for the challenge, Ali. Yes. And this is such great awareness from another forward to be able to get in there just in case there's a rebound. And well done by her. You can see that her experience paid dividends there. Absolutely. One of the hardest working players in the league, no doubt. Utah Royals versus Angel City FC. 11 minute page grown in there. Get to yellow for a last ditch tackle. VAR. We'll check it for a possible red guard. Ali defending defenders here. Ali, yeah. I mean, that was pretty bad. I think in the situation. That was pretty bad. You need to just keep her. I know she's running past you, but you just got to keep her wide. She's not going in and around the 18. You got to force her out wide. Yeah, that's definitely tough. So I don't think I like here. Showing a red guard here for violent conduct inside the box. I mean, this is all around not great Jeff. It was this blurry one where you finally see the arm behind the back. But it was tough to see in real time. You know, hair pulls are hair pull. But 9v11. Tough, tough task. Yeah, it was going to be an uphill battle for Utah. And then Ali, set nor Ali, getting one back. Yes. Well done for her to get on the scoring sheet. She steps up and converts that peak. Not bad. 47th minute Taylor Suarez taps it in for goal. Yeah. Utah was not going to do the Portland of playing 9v11. Yes. Yes. Very true. 67th minute though. Hey. She is fully back. It's a spendish young starter, Ali. Yeah, I mean, not the best of building out. Just gets caught with it. But young starter was able to capitalize on the steals of ball and just slaps it past the key for a lot of time. I mean, yeah, playing against 9, but what we've seen from Angel City after the international break has truly been impressive. It was a long break, but I call it international break. It was for the world cup. But anyway, they've been really impressive. And now we see them in sixth place. They were battling for eighth and ninth. And now a little bit clearer now, at least for them. And Gotham FC is still staying atop trying to stay away from Washington Spirit, San Diego Wave as well. And Utah Royal is still at least in the top five, as is Portland at Thorns. They've struggled as of late at home and rounding out North Carolina Courage and KC current. So of course, we have to get into the playoff race. But I want to start with Angel City, Jeff, and what I just mentioned. Have they been the strongest team since coming back from that world cup to now being sixth place? Yeah. I mean, I think there's an argument for it. They've been, they've clicked, you know, the timing of Ali Centner coming in. I think that took a little bit of time for her to fully adjust. And she certainly had some struggles, I think, in opening few games. But the past, you know, month or two now for her. I mean, obviously, three straight games with a penalty converted. But we've seen her, you know, working on the decision making, bringing players into the game around her. We've seen a couple of Galasos as well from distance. Certainly tried a few. So I think that that timing has worked. I wonder how much there's a little bit of an interim manager bump because we've seen this team in particular get that before as well. And then didn't carry it on after that. So, you know, I think that there's some sort of rejuvenation there and some galvanizing the group. And then, yeah, I think Centner coming in and being a focal point that they didn't have before, bringing players in around her. And the best out of, you know, Sarah Gordon on recovery defending. Giselle Thompson in multiple positions. They pushed her up higher more recently. And she's gotten more into the attack even more than she was as a fullback. So I think a lot of things have started to gel for them. Yeah, because Yann Sutter was out of the game there for a little bit. And they still managed to get the results back, Ali. So, Ali, Centner being an important piece here for Angel City. It's been her. And it's been a domino effect around her for Angel City, you think? Yeah, for sure. I think she's affected the team in such a positive way. I think she makes players better around her. And I think she's risen the standard within the team. But I think this comes down to belief, mentality, and just the form. They're finally turning these performances into points. And they're getting points where they really need it. And unfortunately, I think the game would have been a lot different. Right. You told didn't have two red cards. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. But when that happens, you have to take advantage of it. And for LA to be able to do that at Utah, to be able to complete the task, was to get three points, and now they climbed up the table. And look where they're at now. Six place, I think. And they're in a really good position. They have to keep fighting. Every team now, it's not going to get easier. Every team now has to get points to be able to stay above that line. And once you're above that line, I think the psychology around that, it shifts a little bit because you're like, oh, it doesn't mean you breathe. But you have more confidence. You have more ability to want to fight and continue to put out these confident performances that they have. And I think that game was complete for LA. And I think we just need to see more of that. My aura, too, I should say. I wanted to add my aura. Yes. If she can get consistent, stay healthy. I think she can be a special player. Yeah. I wholeheartedly agree. I think Claire Emsley has been great for Angel City as well. And just like the different positions that she's had to kind of come back to have Gisele go up front. I know we talked to Allie Riley about that here a couple of weeks ago. But I want to talk about Kansas City current. And to be advantage of what Allie just mentioned, Jeff, here. The psychology of it, right? Kansas City is a team that is used to playing. Used to playing. Yeah. Used to winning. Yeah. And we expect them to always be up top. How concerned should they be about this slide and kind of seeing eighth place a little bit, eighth or ninth place, a little too close for. It should be. They should be because Angel City's red hot as we said. And now they've got Denver coming to town in Kansas City, where they haven't lost in a couple of years at home, right? In the regular season anyway. But a Denver team that is in a basically a six point game. If they can get a result here, fully back into the playoff picture, put Kansas City. I mean, Kansas City was in danger of dropping out of the playoffs, the playoff line this weekend. So that's well below expectations for them. And yeah, I think that they have struggled in spurts this season. They had that early season dip, that three game losing streak on the road, where everybody said, what's going on here? Is this the answer? They sort of were able to write the ship. And I think they've hit some struggles again here where they've just, and the recurring stuff we've talked about. The defensive set pieces that hasn't changed or has recurred that was fixed previously. So I think they should be very worried because it's not good enough. And maybe this is a season where they finish seventh-eighth. I mean, if they miss the playoff, there's a lot of head rolling, I think, right? But seventh-eighth, maybe they go win a championship and do the opposite of what happened to them last year. Maybe that salvages the season. But right now, they've been short of expectations. I do agree. I wouldn't panic because of the quality. There's so much quality in the Kansas City team. But I'd absolutely be concerned. I think there's teams who are above them and, you know, right below them, pushing them to have to win and get points who are playing with so much more freedom. And you mentioned that. They're playing just, they look like they're having fun. They're happier. And they're more cohesive and have this identity. I think Kansas City, it's now about collecting points. Like, you have to now win games and to solidify your position within the playoff push. And I don't know if I'm as confident now looking at other teams who are, you know, wanting it more, who are fighting a little bit harder, who have more of a game plan and the willingness to want to have a complete performances like an LA team we saw this weekend. So we will see. I'm not as concerned because of the quality once again, but, you know, we'll see if there needs to be a panic after this afternoon weekend. Yeah, and WSL is an interesting animal. I want to call it because it's a very long season. But then it kind of just creeps up on you. Five games left, Jeff, when we talk about the race for the final, those final playoff spots. Who's in, who's out? I mean, Seattle hasn't done terribly as well since they came back from break, but still dropping points. Denver Summit, we know we've been impressed with as of late, but who are you, who are you knocking out? Who doesn't make it? Well, I know we were back and forth about Seattle the other week, and you sold me a little bit, I feel like. I made those two harsh on the game. Now they've dipped below the line here. I mean, I still, I like the identity we're talking about that word and what Denver's been able to put together. They're going into Kansas City. I mean, it's a place where nobody has been able to get a three-point result, but if they could do that, what that would mean in the standings, what that would mean emotionally, and have them right back in the mix, bump Kansas City, I do like the Summit five games, even if they were to lose this game in Kansas City. I think they're not out of the picture. Angel City certainly has the momentum. As Ali said, 9v11, maybe we can't make too much of that, but three points is three points at this stage. So yeah, Denver, Angel City, I'm not writing off Kansas City. I fully agree with you. The talent is abundantly clear. One of the most talented teams. I can see it to believe it's so Kansas City. Yeah, in the front six there. But yeah, I think, you know, you look at that game for Kansas City against San Diego, and both teams wanted to play their games, and San Diego certainly prevailed with keeping the ball versus Kansas City's high press. I mean, the Kansas Dulley interview at halftime where she said, they're just waiting for us to make a mistake. It was like, it's not going to work, right? And it didn't. And I think that that is, you know, there's Kansas City against top quality teams in that moment. So yeah, I think Angel City has the momentum. Denver, I still like on the identity front, and Seattle has carved out an identity, even if it could be very ugly at times. Yeah, I agree. I think Denver will get there. I really believe that. I do think LA is playing some of the best football we've seen them play all season. Now, and you need to be playing your best football now in order to get points and get into this playoff push. I don't really, you know, care about how you get there. I think you just need to be able to put performances together and get points and get in. I think that Seattle has still that opportunity in the way that they've been, you know, just mentally, the mentality of the team has been incredible to watch, because they're young, they're really talented. They're good maddies up front. Yeah, the front line, but then I do agree. Kansas City, they have such quality up front. But now it doesn't matter the talent on paper. It matters the talent on how you're performing on the field. So players and teams have to be playing their best right now. And these are the moments that, you know, the best teams are going to separate themselves. Yeah, that's why every week, especially at this point of the season, is just so important. I want to remind you what's coming up here. Week 23, yes, 23 of the NWSL season starting on Friday with three matches. Ellie, you'll be there for Gotham against Chicago. Saturday, Casey, current facing Denver Summit. As we mentioned, Sunday, BFC versus Orlando Pride 5 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. At the last game, Utah, Royals versus North Carolina Courage. Fear that one's going to be real chippy as well, 7 p.m. on Roku Sports. A lot of great games to look forward to this weekend. But we're going to stick to the past year a little bit because we, of course, have to talk about our players of the week. No surprise to see all of these names, of course, on our screen. But we always like to keep everyone guessing, especially when it comes to Jeff's pick. Is it going to be a hipster pick this week? I was tempted. From the same team, there is another very worthwhile pick that we talked about in the highlights, Kimi Esconio. But San Diego Wave, if you want to help me out, Kennedy Wesley, for me, defender love here. And not just because she scored a goal. I want to make that clear. We don't just care about defenders because they scored goals. Of course, that was beneficial. Oh, what? This is it. This is a team. We don't just care about those. Oh, very, very. Yeah. But the defensive work that San Diego did led by Wesley, you know, we shout out to Mimi Venzansen as well as we saw in the highlights. But Temu Shawinga, as an example, 0.02XG. I mean, how many times has Temu Shawinga been rendered a non-factor in the game? This San Diego defense kept Kansas City in check. And they stuck to their game plan as we talked about to be able to play out of the back. Everything that started offensively for San Diego started at the feet of Sandra Ponyos trying to break that press. And Kennedy Wesley was a big part of that. So defensively, offensively, both sides of the ball really led the team. One of the most consistent players, I think, that we've seen all season across NWCEL, especially with San Diego. And she has that really great characteristic as well. This is someone who creates plays who loves to attack and who also clearly loves to score. So Ali, do you like Jeff's pick? Yeah, I really like Jeff's pick. And it's not just because, you know, she scored this weekend, like he mentioned. And also because she's a defender, I think she really deserves it. You said it. Consistency, composure. She's always in the right position, which makes her job a little bit easier. Because as a defender, if you're not in the right position, you're making a job very difficult for yourself. But she is one of the main reasons why San Diego had been really difficult to break down. So well done to her and great job this weekend getting a goal. Let's get to your pick, Ali. Yes, my pick. I think people might think this is pretty biased, but no. Someone had to pick her. Jordan Dudley, incredible weekend for her at North Carolina with Gotham scoring the brace. But that wasn't the only reason why it chose her. Yes, did she score two goals, but it was the moments that she scored. At the beginning of the game, she led Gotham there and then at the end of the game to finish off. Because it did get really tight. It was a bit chippy, but she held her confidence and her composure throughout. She created opportunities. She loves to get in behind. She makes the defenders always have to guess where she is at all times, which is so difficult for any team to play against her. And the way that she scored at the beginning of the game, the end of the game was brilliant for me, just to solidify this win in the moment that they had. I would be shocked if she doesn't win. We can also even make arguments I'm not saying that she's like a strong candidate for MVP, but she's truly been so important here for Gotham. So not that far off, Jeff, but not surprised to see Jordan Dudley on her. No, and I actually keep thinking about rookie of the year because I think it's going to be fascinating. A cat raider who has the pure numbers on a team that's struggled. Sure. Then you have Jordan Dudley who's maybe numbers in a goals and assist don't jump off the page. You see the brace helps, but has integrated into a starting role in the best team in the league. So I think there's a really interesting sort of dichotomy there between the two. Yeah, absolutely. So Jordan Dudley, Kennedy Wesley, it's on to me now, Jeff. I'm going to ask for you to help me out, please. It has to be Sophia Wilson, right? Somebody had to mention her as well, and it's not that somebody has to just because it's Sophia Wilson, but because her performance obviously this weekend was brilliant yet again. She's had an amazing season, but also her numbers. She just keeps stacking up her records in her 100th game play to scored her 57th goal, her 11th PK. So she's already surpassed Christine Sinclair's, of course, PK record. So she does it all, and I love the interview after the game. Hey, it was your 100th game. And she said, really? I mean, I think on some level she knew, right? But it's so great to see Sophia Wilson play at this level. Be that leader, that everybody expects from her. And it's so great when we have these kind of pre-season talks about players like Sophia Wilson and see her just thriving. So here's my pick, Alie. I really like it. And you know what this weekend, they needed that win. And she showed up in the biggest moments, but she always does. She makes the game unpredictable. She's so creative of top. It's just her speed or one-by-one ability. Just to be able to, on that highlight, to look up and pick players out, not just hit a ball across in a hopeful past, but to be able to pick players out and put it in positions where they can be successful is incredible. And that just shows her experience in her leadership. So, yeah, she had a one of her weekends. So I'm glad you chose her. Jeff, that's... Yeah, I mean, I think she's been amazing this year. I mean, coming back and the way she sort of has in this to be as we've talked about throughout the season, again, against Orlando. I mean, she's been on fire. And I think the U.S. will be happy about that, too. Absolutely. Of course, I'm sure, and the Hayes just smiling ear to ear, seeing Gigi's mom have so much success this season, as well. So here are our players of the week, Sophia Wilson, Jordan Dudley, and Kennedy Wesley, looking forward to all of these players, possibly in the playoffs. We'll, of course, get into that in just a little bit. Bay of C has a new Chief Football Officer in town. Paul Green will lead the club's sporting operations, which include roster strategy and technical staff. Now, Green had a similar position with Chelsea. You know, and they had that really dominant run in WSL and Europe in general. Well, that's the guy in charge now here for Bay. He will report to K-Cosington Bay Collective CEO. So you could say the grass is greener in the Bay now with Paul Green, who joins us now. Paul, thank you so much for taking the time. The first question here, as your new role as CFO, what is your day-to-day going to start to look like, or already looks like? Yeah, and I've been the training center today on day one. So yeah, just looking at the team and getting in with Emma and the coaching team and really meeting everyone, all the players, I know quite a lot of them already and I've tried to sign a couple of them in the past. So yeah, just been getting straight into the work today and yeah, really excited to be here and it was great to meet everyone this morning. What are those couple of players that you tried to sign in the past? Well, of course I have to ask. I certainly couldn't comment on that. Could I have a lot of talented players here. So I think you could probably maybe guess one or two, but I've got a count-gone record of saying who they are. I'll venture a guess in my brain. Paul, like you mentioned, you're jumping right into the swing of things. But how much input will you have in shaping base identity alongside building and helping Emma build that roster around her as well? Yeah, I think it's clear we need to improve the roster a little bit and make a few changes naturally. As we look to try and get up the table and try and build a championship winning team, which is the ultimate aim for everyone here and I wouldn't have come here unless I really believe that we could do it. So yeah, of course, that'll bring some change, but it's exciting and it's now my job to really work with Emma and tap into my connections and network that I've built up over 20 years to try and attract the best talent in the world to Bay as well as develop some of the best talent as well. Well, Paul, you just said it need to improve in different areas. Where does this team need to improve the most if we can get into some of the X's and O's and when do you think we'll start to see your stamp on the recruitment as it is early as before the roster freeze here is it winter transfer window? What will that look like? I think it's adding some experience. I think we've got a real talented group of young players at the squad. And I think it's just about adding a few more experienced players that can go straight into the team. I think that'll be a key area just to help those players. In terms of how quickly that'll happen, I think it'll be more realistic to look at that for next season. There's still things to play for this year for sure, but yeah, I think bringing in anybody before the roster freeze will be challenging. So I think it'll be more looking ahead to the 2027 season. And Paul, how important is it in developing young players and building a sustainable pipeline? We obviously know you have so much experience at that and you're in your expertise, but can you just help us have a better understanding just that developmental process that you're looking forward to? Yeah, I think it's always about getting the right balance of a mix of senior players and younger players. And I think also with the PDR rule, that's an exciting rule that we want to get the best talent in the Bay Area. We want to get the best talent from around America. Also, open it up to overseas as well. I think it's always around getting that right blend. And we'll be working hard behind the scenes now to put everything in place that we need to make sure the roster is in the best place possible, going into next season and to look really challenging in the future. Paul, you helped build sustained success at Chelsea alongside Emma Hayes who we know well here. I know you got to ask this a lot, the comparison of England to US. You got to ask this yesterday, your press conference, but the salary cap that we've talked about, some of the different intricacies, how much and how quickly does that blueprint translate to the NWSL and 2BFC given all those differences? Yeah, it's obviously a salary cap league, so it's very different to the NWSL where it's not stringent, but Chelsea didn't always have a lot of money. So I have been used to working with more constraints, and I think it's about really drawing on that network of people that I spoke about previously to make sure that we know of players becoming available and piecing that puzzle together, which is the salary cap to make sure we've got a really competitive squad, and I'm really confident with my network and contacts that, yeah, we can get the squad into a place. We want it to be ahead of next year and looking at attacking the playoffs and attacking top four and, yeah, looking to challenge. I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think we could win. Now, timelines on that, I won't put any timelines on it for sure. It's a building project similar in some ways to when I first joined Chelsea, and I'll be looking to use that experience with this build, but, yeah, I think it's really exciting time to join the club, and the future's really bright. Yeah, it seems like you're hopping on at the right time here, Paul, with the investment here to build new facilities, with the investment that you're talking about, with the investment of seeing you now at the club. But what do you want to see from this new club? We know you just got here, but what is the ultimate goal for Paul Green and BFC? It's to win. That's the ultimate aim. I wouldn't be moving my family across the world if I didn't think this squad and this team in the future could be capable of winning. So, yeah, it's about creating the right culture, the right identity, really building on the strong plane principles that Emma's embedded this season, and it's about attracting the world class players to the club, developing players we've already got. You're really looking to drive standards forwards every day to make sure that we're constantly improving towards our ultimate ambition, which is to be a championship winning team. And, Paul, I'm sure you'll agree with me, and I'll close on this. I've had the opportunity to talk to Emma several times this season in our coaches' meetings before BFC games. I could talk to her all day. So, happy to hear that. You're excited to work with her. And I'm sure everybody's happy to see you there at BFC. Paul, thank you so much again for your time. We appreciate it. We wish you, of course, all the success at Bay. Yeah, thank you. Thank you so much to Paul. That success at Bay was a pun unintended, but it actually came out pretty great. Bay of C here at Bay as well on ESPN against Orlando Pride Sunday 5 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. On ESPN, the port is in, of course, on the ESPN app, as part of our Women's Sports Sundays. So excited to have the Women's Champions League back. Let's take a look at the last six Women's Champions League winners. No surprise here. Barcelona won it last season. The surprise was in 2025 when they lost one nil to Champions Arsenal, back to back titles in 23 and 24. And I mean, it's pretty much Barcelona all over the place. So will it change this season? Of course, that is one of the many looming questions that we will ask, obviously, looking ahead to what we're going to see this season in the Women's Champions League. So we do have four very important things that we're going to do. We're going to do a lot of things that we're going to do. So we do have four very big questions for the Champions League. Alia, I'm going to start with you. Can the new look Barca go back to back? Of course they can. I think they absolutely can. They've lost experience, but sometimes a refresh comes exactly at the right moment. They still have that world class core. But now you're giving the younger players bigger opportunities to perform. So my question would be, can these younger players really step up in these moments and really perform well? And because of their development program and because we see Barcelona players even starting for the Spain national team, some of their youngest players have that quality and that ability to really perform well at this stage. So I can't imagine that they're not going to thrive once again. I mean, they won four times in the last six years. It's wild and they've been runner up multiple times as well within that time. So yes, they absolutely can do it. Yeah, it's one of those teams where it's unless we're proven otherwise we're going to assume that Barcelona is going to win. But here's another question for you, Alie. In terms of the Americans that we're also going to be following here in the Champions League, which one could have a bigger impact? Well, as of right now, if you've been watching the WSO and lead up games, some of the warm-up games, I would say Alissa Thompson, because she's more impactful at the moment with Chelsea. She's one of the best players in their front line. She's her ability to score goals, to create, to get in behind. She has all the pace in the world. We see it with the USM's national team and we now, you know, the second week in a row in WSO. Her third week in a row, excuse me, with WSO. We saw it last season as well when she joined Chelsea. I do think that she's going to have a bigger impact because she's been playing more. Naomi, I hope she can get more minutes. We need her to get more minutes. She deserves to get more minutes because she is one of the best defenders in the world. So I'm hopeful that that will continue. I know that they do a lot of rotations there, especially when you play more than 60 games a season within Champions League and club. So I'm hopeful that she'll get more minutes. But as of right now, the way we see it, Alyssa Thompson is affecting directly. Yeah, hopefully Naomi Germa, you know, avoids all of the injuries that we know that she has struggled with pretty much since her arrival here at Chelsea. So Alyssa Thompson obviously will be following her. Lily Johannes as well, Jeff. And it's interesting to see this squad, right? In her era post Lindsay Heaps is Lily Johannes playing in the deepest squad in the world. A debatable. I would go back to Barcelona as well, even with the departures. I think that, as Alyssa said, with the pipeline that they've been able to create, I mean, they keep bringing players in. And yes, Alexey Puteas, among others that we've seen depart, but you look at this roster of Barcelona still. And Carolinas come in, so an addition there as well. I think that Barcelona has the depth. Even if it doesn't jump off in some ways, it certainly does jump off the page, I think. You know, you can look at Leon, I think, and say, yes, of course. Leon has that as well. But I do think you look at Barcelona and they've established themselves as a team that is able to interchange pieces in a way that Leon can. And I think we've talked about most of you tomorrow, maybe being in the best player in the world conversation. So those players are there in Leon. And I think it's a great place for Lily Johannes to be, especially making the move from Ajax. I think if you're talking depth and you're talking reliability, and who's going to be there at the end. If we're coming back to who's going to be there, I think Barcelona's still. Yeah, I mean, no surprise. And maybe we'll see Lily Johannes and back in the final as well. We know Lindsay heaps was so close to getting her goal to the group chat was lit that day. But the group chat was also lit today talking about that Manchester City game. And especially Sam Coffee. So I'll ask you here, Jeff, how important can coffee be with someone like Bunny Shaw? Well, she can be very important for Manchester City. I mean, this is a team we talk about depth. I mean, even in midfield here, you look at Coffee, Hassogawa, two players that I think we saw today. We're not on the same page and probably a product of not playing together enough. So, you know, coffee should and can be a big piece of this Manchester City team. Of course, Shaw, we already know her quality in a totally different position. But yeah, I think for Coffee another, these are big moves for Americans to go over there. And big move for her, she's talked about it. Obviously, she dealt with some minor injuries and now back into the fold here. First taste of Champions League. And, you know, it was a rough first half for Manchester City. And I think, you know, for her as well, for being honest. But I think she'll probably be the first one to tell you that having spoken with her and sort of seeing the self assessment that she'll provide to you immediately after a match. So, you know, I think she'll get better from there and still. I mean, we saw it important and we've seen it with the US. Has the potential to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and is playing alongside some of them already as well. So, she'll develop there. Yeah, she's very comfortable carrying that pressure. She's very comfortable looking at herself in the mirror and knowing exactly what she needs to tell herself to kind of improve. So, hopefully we'll see that obviously from Sam Coffee, from all the Americans who are looking to have a big impact here on the women's Champions League. How did that first half look for Manchester City? Well, why don't we just go ahead and take a look at some of the action that we saw. Bury Munich, facing Manchester City. We're going to take this into the 11th minute. Always a great atmosphere that we're seeing around the women's Champions League. Julia Gwynne here opening up the scoring. What a great play here for Bayern and taking care of Business Alley. Yeah, I thought this was such a great start for Bayern. It really put me in the city on their heels at the very beginning of this game. And well done from the outside back to get forward and get herself in a position to score goal. 28th minute, it was Bayern again, but an own goal for Manchester City there, Jeff. Yeah, really awkward one. I mean, tries to play with the wrong foot, face and goal, and then obviously into her own net. Yeah, not great there for a person at Kasperik for the own goal. 45th minute, though, it was all Manchester City there, Alley. Everything was going in their favor now. Yeah, really was. I mean, it took a while to get there, but even with a flare on the field. Yeah, from the stands, but Beth Meade was able to finish this shot from Bunny Shaw, somewhat of a rebound. And here, once again, you see this foul, unfortunate decision from Bayern, because all you have to do is just keep her wide, but yes, foul by the goalkeeper. Yeah, just lost complete control, obviously, up front. But Bunny Shaw saw her penalty saved there by Mamutovic. Jeff quite the stop. It's too sabbable, though, the height, the location. Bunny Shaw is obviously a top forward, and that wasn't a great PK. Yeah, not a PK by the book by any means, but Man City is still able to equalise you with Godload that Wamser. Yes, well done, but she comes into the game and immediately affects the game so well. Bayern tries to go towards the other end and gets a slight chance. That should have been a winner. Yes, that should have been a winner, but wasn't able to get it in the back of the net. Yeah, should have what it could, a Bayern Munich will face Benfica next, who also had a great game today against Juventus. But we're going to take a look at Arsenal vs. Go there in the Women's Champions League. I apologize if I'm not pronouncing that correctly. I doubt I am. 90 second minute, though. It's Selena Cersei drawing another line of penalties around the globe, Jeff. Yeah, I mean, it's a PK. Yes. And it's welcome to the Champions League moment, and Arsenal with the early opportunity here against Cody. Can the City of the East, maybe? Can the City of the East, Mario Nakal, then they taking care of business. No surprise there, Ali. No, she's obviously their first choice. And that's the reason why she puts a ball in the back of the net. Get some on the table. That was exactly what she's doing. Real Madrid vs. PSG here. Ariane Caruso's cross there finds Felisa Schroeder taps it in for the goal, Ali. What a way to get started. Yeah, brilliant, beautiful cross to be able to get in between these two defenders to make sure the ball goes in the back of the net. Well done to get started on the right foot. Yeah, what a great play here. But Schroeder missing this opportunity of 1v1, Jeff. Touch just got away from her, pushes it wide, but golden opportunity. Yeah. Another opportunity here for her, but goes just wide there, trying every which way, Ali. I mean, Kaisato, what a beautiful ball, such a selfless pass instead of shooting it to give it to a player who's in a better position, but couldn't put the ball in the back net. That on the other end here, a foul was created. And unfortunately, they caused this PK. Yeah, that's tough there. Latissia, more recent, they're inside the box. Penalty, Sakina, Karshawi converting the penalty, Jeff. Yeah, 1v1, cover your eyes, kids on the Schroeder reaction. She knows that the game could have been out of reach by that point. Absolutely. Want to remind you what's coming up here on Wednesday, Lovina vs. Roma, Servet vs. Lyonis, Chelsea vs. Aushiovin, and Barcelona vs. Paris FC. You can catch all the action on ESPN, the Bortes, and of course, the ESPN app. We've been having a lot of fun with those. All right. We're still taking it world wide. The world premiere of EA Sports FC, 2017, hit New York City last week. And of course, the cover star is Killian Bappe, of course, a player's talk, ratings, rivals, life in the game. He is a cover star, but there were several NWSL stars in attendance, including players from the Washington spirit squad, Alexis Nunes caught up with some of them. Isn't it still a little bit surreal to kind of play and see yourself in a game? It's so fun. I used to play that game a lot. I played it when growing up on my Nintendo DS. It's really cool now to be in the game myself, but I feel like that's where I got introduced to so many different teams and so many different players. So I think for them to be selling for all of us to be, and that is really, really special. Yeah, also what's really special is just now how well the women's games and players are represented in these games. Because I'm sure, of course, growing up, when I had it, it had none. Probably you had limited ones, and now it's just so great to kind of see exactly how much the game has evolved. Yeah, I mean, I think it's crazy to think of when I first turned pro, back in 2017, how much growth the game has had, and I think with that being said, it still has so much more untapped potential, I think, and I think we're starting to see that in Women's Soccer. I think it's a really exciting time. If you could choose any player, just one player, though, to be your one pick for your ultimate team, it could be man or woman. It could be past or present. Like, if you wanted to throw in a play, you could. Who would it be on why? Okay, I'm thinking of, like, little rows back playing under Nintendo DS, and, like, I would have killed to have the US national team on it, and I would have killed to have me a ham. Well, I have to ask you, because if you were going to have a crossover from our kind of football to American football, and you had to choose one of your teammates now that you think would make a solid NFL player. Who would it be while? And what position? Oh, that's a great question, actually. Thank you. I'd maybe say, Deb, we did actually speak about this in the changing room. Deb Abio, who had done, she's, like, really aggressive in midfield and is always making tackles, and we said she'd be an unbelievable linebacker, because it's just, like, wherever the ball goes, she flies towards it, and she always wins it. I think that would be really good at making those tackles. But we do have to talk about, as a certain number that EAA has given you a shooting. 34. Now let's talk about that. We could call people out if we need to. Are we just accepting that in the true English way, where you're polite, and you say, you know what I'll take it? Or should we flip some tables? Should we protest right now? Because I'm ready to protest for you. Thank you. I appreciate that. I would give myself higher than 34. Yeah. I'm training. I score quite often, but in games, I don't have too many goals to show for myself, so I can't complain too much. There's other stats that I'm more upset about on my card today. Oh, like what? Tell us. Passing. What do they give you? 71. That should be higher. What do we think of? 90. 90. That's... I'm not that cocky. In the 80s, I would say. But my dribbling's, I think, is too high. Like they can bring dribbling down and give me more passing. All right. That would be my changes. Bring out your cards, your stack cards, and they could get better. That is what I wanted to talk about. That is what I want to talk about now. Let's back. Let's back. I bet you're fine as part of it. All right. Let's start with Goura then, because let's back. Interesting. And let's talk about the numbers here. Do we need to put in any protest officially now with EA? Should we flip some tables? I mean, I'm happy with my card. Obviously, the only thing is your pass back. Your passing could be better than your pace. Passing, yeah. Come on. Up. Yeah. What do we think here? 90? I think passing just... I would say crossings in passing. So, it goes up. Yeah. What do we think in the 90s? Yeah. But I beat Sam. Justice for Goura. Come on. Sammy, move the left back. Even though I know I'm playing left back. Yeah. I mean, if we could, we would put all of yours at like a hundred plus. But... I'm gonna let them off the hook, because I feel like my injury has hit them, but down five, I think even maybe seven points. What was that? 91 or 90s? Yeah. 90s. Yeah. I've got worse being injured, supposedly, thanks. And it's a pretty cool thing now, because now everyone back in Norway can play as you and probably learn about NWC a little bit more. Is it weird seeing people play as you guys? Hi. Yeah. It's a little bit weird. We also get the blame if we miss a goal, and then they want to text us and tell us about it, but... Yeah, better at playing the game, but... How much of a gamer are you? When I was a child, actually, I was a gamer. I used to play Call of Duty and FIFA 2. Call of Duty? Yeah, yeah. We all caused my brother to play in FIFA 2, and I had a lot of fun, so yeah, I'm excited. It's like to go back in time, so it's fun. We're going to bring out your card now, and we're going to talk about the numbers. I don't want to know if you could change one thing. What would it be? I would change defense, because... I know that sometimes, our striker is low, because we don't recover so many balls, but I feel like, for the first time, we put in pressing and stuff like that, I think it's too low, so we're going to change defense, yeah. I agree, Sophie Akantone, you do deserve a higher defense rating, because she does a great job, she drops back a lot, but a lot to get into, obviously, so fun to hear from the players, and so excited to see them, obviously, in the video game, which, you know what it's like, Ali, care to share your FIFA rating? Yeah, my... I see, year 2023, I think I was 83. Okay. Happy? Ready for it? Yeah, it was fun. It was fun. It was probably my dribbling, and that was good. It was shots on goal. I didn't score either. But yeah, I remember playing Sega, and like Nintendo 64, going out, and would absolutely crush. We would stay at my brother, and I would stay at for hours, just playing and yeah, doing it. But then I slowly, you know, obviously the game came about with the footballers and the us being a part of it. I never really got into it, other than playing at events. Okay. Yeah. Fair, Jeff. I loved... I played FIFA. Yeah, nothing recently, but yeah, like college days. I mean, I would, you know, play college ball, so we would play on the field. We'd go to the dorm, we'd play FIFA. Yeah. No, that was... Back, Sega. Yeah, well, Super Nintendo, I pulled out of my basement the other week, just to pull that Mario Kart, but... Yeah, you know what? It's like, glow on it, and then you had a... Oh, yeah. Yeah, just like, glow on it. There was one level in Donkey Kong that my mom's going to laugh at, but every time we couldn't get over a certain level, we would hand the controller's Super Nintendo, hand it off to my mom, and she would just... Crush it, too. I mean, I played, obviously, now the version of FC 27, growing up as well, I haven't played it in years, because I am too competitive for my own good, and I will lose a lot of friends, if I start playing. With her rose, say, Mia Ham? Yeah. I also have the old N64, Mia Ham Soccer, she had her own video game on N64. Oh, my gosh. I don't even know that. Yeah, let's bring it back. Let's bring it back. I think we're good. I think we're good. I think we're good. All right. Switching gears here, in case you missed it, welcome to Miami Women's Champions Cup. Yes, we've announced that the new stadium, N.U., but also a new stadium there in Miami will host the last four from the 27 to the 31st of January. It will see the semi-finals, the bronze medal match, and the final. No NWSL club, America, Feminine, will be representing Mexico. So, Packer bags, let's go to Miami. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Especially in January. Yeah. Yeah. I'm ready. I'm ready. But what are your thoughts, Ali, from seeing this, the final four, final four we could call it. Yeah, here hosted in Miami. Yeah, I think it's wonderful. I think a lot of the teams are going to be excited to go to Miami. Of course. I know I would, if I were still playing. It's going to be a great atmosphere. The fans there that come to the, you know, FC Miami Games are, you know, really supportive, and really loud, and they're going to create such a really great atmosphere for them, and then just to be celebrated in a stadium that doesn't yet have a women's team. So, I think that support is really incredible for us, you know, and for former players to kind of see that, that maybe Miami's in the future of women's team. That's in the waters. We don't know. We're testing the waters, and we're going to see, hopefully a lot of fans come out and support. I know the players are going to be thrilled that it's in a really beautiful city. Jeff? Yeah. No, it's exciting. I mean, I think, obviously, NWC will be disappointed that it's in Miami. It's in the U.S. and there's no NWCL team. You know, it was, a lot of talk that it was going to be in Florida this year, and I don't think Arsenal was too happy about that for the travel midseason, and it ended up in London and England. Yeah, I mean, Miami, it's coming back to me too. 2018 International Champions Cup in North Carolina went and, you know, the big win over Leon was the big one, and that was... The city, I think, was there as well. Yeah, yeah. And that was an empty, hard rock stadium in Miami. So a little bit of, despite not having a team, I registered the yet there, Ali. I don't know. I have insight into what you have, but... No, I'm hopeful. I want... I always thought another team should be in Florida and in the South. You know, maybe... I don't know. It just seems like a really good setup. They already have, you know, back up there, kind of making the call. So maybe a little support towards the women's side is in the future. Yeah. I think Miami would be great. I think Dallas would be great. Yeah. As someone who played soccer and used to play against those Dallas clubs, there's a lot, a lot of talent in Dallas. But... Those are the next two teams. Let's be the next two teams. Let's be the next two teams. Yeah, the Dallas. Let's just manifest it. I'll think. All right. We're going to take a look at our top 10 goals of the weeks and WSL to get things started. Charlton Athletic with Jodie Hunt Jeff Howell. Wow. Charlton Athletic saying, I see your payroll London City. Yes. And take this. What a hit. And I raise you this ball, top of the goal. Let's take it to number nine, NCAA Virginia. For the Virginia Native Addison Halpern versus Miami. Yeah. Beautiful take. She sees that. She has face cuts right in front of the defender and then hits it low far to the corner. Goalkeeper just couldn't get a hand on it. Well done. Oh. That bounces so perfect. Let's take it to Laplace with Joule Brand versus Lav. Brand dribbling between two defenders, cuts to her left foot and just makes it pretty Jeff. For size control, yeah, splits the defenders. Third defender here. I mean, those are types of goals, 1v1 type, but 1v3 that you dream about. Yes. Yeah, 1v3 is wild. Let's take it to the youngsters, U-20 women's World Cup. Kaylee Hunter for Canada, living up to her last name, Ali. Yeah. I mean, just lips this. Just really good pace on this. The direction and just the quality. Outside the box, too. That's not easy to do. Well done. So much power behind that head. Let's take it back to NCAA Cameron at McWinney for Army vs American. Jeff, how about that finish? Here we go. Back to goal. Heads up, play awareness. Makes it look easy. Look at that. Army goal. Here we go. Who would have thought? I mean, that's why you got to clear the line. You got to step up. One of the balls played. And that's what can happen. Or that defenders would take it back to WSL. Olivia Holt for Tottenham, Ali. Yeah. Incredible. Just quick touch. Obviously, it doesn't look like it's the easiest such but to keep it low after it pops up like this. To volley it. Beautiful goal. I'm in the best balls there to hit that well. As a balleray, let's take it back to NCAA. Lena Tushay, Vanderbilt vs. Texas A&M. Tushay, right? Tushay took it out of my mouth. Vandy with the hit from distance. Getting over the ball like that. It doesn't just look a little bit like Ali Centner with the form. Yeah. That's a great point. That long braid as well. Yeah. We can definitely compare her to Ali Centner. Of course, that is a huge compliment for her. Let's take it to number three. She scores so nice. Gotta have her twice. It's Kaynley Hunter again, Ali. She's got a hunt for the goal. Trick Hunter. I mean, really great dribble. I don't know if that was meant to be but well done for her to get on this. Take it all the way inside the box and be able to finish after dribbling that far. Well done. That was very crisp and press. Yes, it was. Onto number two. The comparison's continued. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. She's got a lot of fun. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. I mean, sometimes the toe toe ball. 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