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Happy Monday to you all. Welcome to football W after a very exciting week 23 of NWC action. We are here to break it all down two time. We're welcome to be an Ali Krieger, Jeff Kassouf and Christina Alexander with all of you. Hey, coming up at Lanna City shows their new colors. And yeah, I just this boiler. I just said the name. So that's not going to be obviously, but I'm sure you've seen it all over social media. We will of course talk about it. Maybe suggest other names, but maybe that's too late. Also, Alyssa's big North London performance are producer Beto. Isn't happy about the result, but of course, always happy to see Alyssa Thompson's success. But first, let's get to our game of the week. Of course, it has to be Washington spirit versus Angel C. Rowdy Audi. Those rowdy for one team. Who will it be? Let's take it into the seventh minute here. Trinity Rodman, finding the header. It goes just wide, Aly. Yeah, this was such a good opportunity early on as the game to set the tone. They were knocking out the door. But unfortunately, she couldn't get this exactly on frame. Yeah, rough conditions too, with the Noreaster this week and 31st minute. Stop me if you've heard this before. Jeff Sandy McKeever with a fabulous save. Yeah, chaotic in the box here. Sarah Gordon causing some trouble and you mentioned the conditions. I think they were a factor on the night. Yeah, absolutely. It was rough this week and 40th the minute. Rodman on the break cuts inside, but it's Angelina Anderson at there to save it, Alyssa. Yeah, she's doing really well though here. 1v1 taking players on, you know, making it difficult to defend. And then she's a slight opening, but good position from the goalkeeper to be able to save that. You could have easily said that statement here with Prisca Chalupia to taking on a 1v1. Jeff getting close to Angel City. Yeah, against the inside positioning, goes near post here. I thought the far post had an opening, but obviously defender closing it down as well. And yes, we are specifically showing my R news coming in 85th minute. This is a way, Aly, to have immediate impact. Yes, this is a clutch player at the time of the game where you need her most. And this shot is beautiful and it's brilliant and it's unbelievable. One of probably one of the best goals in the individual sales so far this season. I'm sure we're going to see this on a highlight reel like we are now. Well done to get three points at Rowdy Audi. Yeah, it was so great. I had to stop what I was doing. I was cooking. I'm an iPad kid. So I had it on my iPad and just completely stopped and gasped after what we saw from my R and news. But more than news, it's what we've seen from Angel City. Jeff, I mean, we just continually maybe to, I don't even know if surprise is still the right word here for this team. They extend their upbeat and streak to six. So my question is, are they a contender? Are they a fluke? How would you define Angel City? They're definitely not a fluke. I mean, I think they have to be a contender at this point. They've gotten themselves in a playoff position. We saw the points on that graphic at the end. They're creeping up on Washington, which a couple of months ago was unthinkable. So they've gotten this post-World Cup bounce to the best team post-World Cup outside of Gotham. That's high company and we'll get to see those two play each other this weekend, right? So I think that they have put it all together. We talked last week. Was there a little bit of an interim manager bump? Maybe, but it's certainly been an extended one if so. So I think that they've, you know, the manager change has also come with as we talked about. Ali sent her arriving. They've changed some pieces within the team. And I think that they've put themselves in a position. I've always been hesitant. I said this all year. They've fooled us so many times through the years that we thought that they were better. They've dropped off. They are showing us a consistency we've never seen from this team. And I think finally, have themselves in a position to actually be legitimate threats in the playoff. I don't think that's a hyperbolic statement to say that we have never seen this from Angel City, Ali. Right. I mean, when the team is winning late, that's the team can be dangerous, especially in the postseason, right there. I'm buying the confidence that they're putting out there right now. The mentality has been critical, especially in this moment. And we haven't seen Angel City. This consistent in the past six games at all season. That deserves respect. And so I'm excited that they were able to, you know, get the three points on the road in Washington. A difficult team to beat, difficult conditions. Once again, both teams have to play. But they were able to show up and they were able to get the three points. And that's, you know, late in this season, that's really tough to do. Yeah. On the other side of the ball, we have to talk about Washington, right? And this streak that's been a little bit strange here for them. The spirit have been, I mean, they've had it up and down here. After opening the season on a four game win list streak, Washington won a league best 11 of 13 games from April to July before another four game win list streak in August and have now lost two of the last three games. And not even at Rowdy Audi, which is hard to call it that way. I mean, all due respect. It is for the fans, actually, that make it so rowdy, but it hasn't been the same on the pitch, Jeff. I mean, not even at home now for Washington. So how vulnerable is the spirit team? They're very vulnerable. I mean, I think that certainly for a title contender, I think they have time to get it right, obviously, and ultimately the shield data contention at this point. I think they just have to come to terms with that. So now it's about two straight years losing in a final, getting back to a final winning it on their home ground. They've got to get right for November. They're going to be in that picture. It's three games to win to take that title. I mean, what we saw against Angel City, I thought they really struggled building out of the back. Angel City's pressure up high. There were really no answers. You look at whether it's the center back combination building out of the back that Washington just didn't have any answers when when Angel City was able to plug up holes and cut off passing lanes. So I think you look at that and there was a lack of ideas at times. And I think that there's maybe that speaks to a little bit of a confidence issue, which is hard to say about a team that has so much potential, so many stars and has really been, they've been at every high level. They've been a conca-caf. They've been in championships. So I think certainly they can get right, but they haven't been right for a while now. Ali, yeah, I think that this game on the weekend is actually going to be really interesting, because the style that LA played, we up until the very end, having not as much consistency, I think playing that unpredictability caused Washington some issues. I think that Washington, it is surprising that they haven't been able to find that consistency towards the end of the season some of the most important moments going into the postseason. I think it's really crucial right now that they can find their footing again because they have to be as prepared. I think LA just made it really difficult for them. They fought, they clawed, they scratched to the very end, and then there was a one moment of brilliance that really was able to get those three points and take them away. So Washington just have to find those moments where when they do get in around the box, they can score goals, they can create opportunities like we see, but then it's that final step of putting the ball in the back of that. I think they have been struggling with that in recent games, but once postseason hits, I think that the mentality is going to shift from a lot of these teams that we see kind of on that balance beam right now. Yeah, Washington, and it sounds cheesy. I'm sure both of you will agree with me. They need to just not be their own worst enemy, which they have been as a plate, especially at home, but somebody who's been very strong at home, of course. Ali's like extra smiley today, right? I wonder why? Got the Pepsi taking on Chicago stars onto the ninth minute. We go. It's Sam Courgett, but it's also Jaden Shaw. Jaden Shaw keeps stepping up in big moments, right plays, right time. Yeah, Sam Courgett, the ball a little bit of, I mean, squeezing this through three defenders, but Shaw knows the opportunity when she sees it. Yeah, a little Christmas in September. We could call it 15th minute, though. Jalen Hall is at her hits the bar. Somehow does not cross the goal line there. Annalisa, yeah, she's a breather after that one, Ali. Yeah, she makes the, yeah, wow. I mean, she got really lucky there, but I don't know. She had her fingertips on that. It's a 23. Come on, go, go like technology. 50 of the minute ball crossed into the box, and Courgett takes care of the rest. I mean, we've, we've been hard on Chicago. We know better times are coming, but Sam Cour, the lethal goal score, especially with her head, you lever that open inside the six. Yeah, and Gotham versus Chicago, we expect at least three goals, Ali and Shaw got her brace. Yeah, she got a brilliant brace. I mean, the way that she's, obviously, she has a lot of time and space in her on the box there, but just the composure that she has to slide that side and that in. Yeah, they weren't done yet. Chicago, at least trying to get one back. It's Tessat Delarose taps it in, a Chicago with a lake goal, but not enough as Gotham takes it home yet again, Jeff. Yeah, they'll be disappointed in conceding. They made a lot of changes late in the game, but not, not often that Gotham gives up a goal. So Chicago, I guess, can take that from the searching, digging hearts, the positives. Yeah, I think they'll be disappointed not to have that shut out, though. Yeah, absolutely, but like I mentioned, Gotham very strong at home. It's an 11 game, unbeaten streak at home. Ali, you know it well, it's home away from home for you. So what makes it so tough for other teams to take points from Gotham there? Well, I think, you know, as a defender, the hardest teams, you know, make you solve two problems at one time. And I think their front line does that. The front six, I should say, or even maybe eight, you know, because we're outside backs, I love the front 11. I mean, who's the, who's not to highlight, right? You, you, you have Jaden Shaw, who wants to get in the pocket, get in between the lines, being able to, you know, receive the ball, whether she turns or she holds it up and lays it off to somebody else. You have Sam Kerr stretching the back line. You have Rose the Vell, you know, Tinkering in the, in the midfield and being able to control the games. You have a ton of players who, you know, have a variety of ways that they can, you know, hurt you, especially Jordan Dudley, who we saw against North Carolina scoring two different ways at the beginning of the game, at the end of the game. I always wanted to get on the ball. You know, there's, there's constant movement and there's, there's constant players who want the ball, who have that confidence to want to get in and create things. And some out of nothing. So it's tough to, to know where Gotham is going to hurt you at once because they have too many weapons and they're, they're only getting better and better as a season has gone on. Which is very scary for rivals as well. And Jaden Shaw, too, at this point in the season to score her first, which I was surprised to read, Jeff, that it was only her first brace in her NW cell career. Granted, she's done so well, forgot them in the last year and has, you know, had such a brilliant career here for Gotham. But how important has she become to the attack? Incredibly essential. You know, I think one of the better players in the league this year may be quietly so to your point. If you're looking at statistics, a lot of statistics have been a big thing this year. We've seen a lot of 10 plus goalscores in a way that we don't typically see in this league. So I think it can be easy to overshadow some of the nuanced stuff that a player like Shaw does. But she's talked about it a lot. She's been talking about it recently again. The inflection point that she had a year ago to come over from North Carolina after a second transfer in a year didn't work out in North Carolina. There were certainly questions from I think a fan level of the, the price that Gotham paid on the transfer fee and, and the commitment that was made to her. And she's also said that she felt that commitment that they made. And I think it's empowered her to be the best player that she can be in this year's sense, especially in this last six to eight months, where she's been the focal point really of a team full of stars. Yeah, I think, you know, not only is she benefiting from, you know, the talent that's around her, but she is that player that's bringing the talent all together and creating those goalscoring moments. And she's making players around her better. And I think that's the kind of shift that I think I've seen this season that I didn't last year. Yeah, it's great. I mean, I remember when we talked her, when this transfer just happened, she was just off of playing in San Diego and was trying to find some downtime. We're so happy. She talked to us too about what a whirlwind it had been. And it's just wild to think that she had ever played with another team because she fits perfectly into the Gotham identity. I mean, I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I'm wrong. In this case, let's make it to some more end of its own action over the weekend. Seattle rain versus Boston legacy 23rd minute. It's Jess Fishlock beats the keeper takes it from deep their Jeff. Yeah, play the advantage fishlock with the celebration. That's a home turf bounce. I think casing Murphy seemed to misplay that, but listen, she takes her opportunities scores from distance. Yeah, so good, 28 minutes later. So if you all went at that, I had her forces a brilliant save here from Casey Murphy. Allie, how about that? I mean, wonderful kick save. Just the reaction save there has to be quick on her feet and brilliantly save the case to keep them in the game. So good. A 64th minute. Maddie Dulleyne has been just so impressive. And it's Fishlock again, Jeff, for the brace. Deliver in perfect placement. Big three points for Seattle. Big three points. A big moment for Jess Fishlock, who has had so many, because when you talk about NWSL regular season history, Jess Fishlock is definitely in the book as Seattle rains. Part of the top scores. Now the top score with 52, and she did it in 228 games. Let's listen to Jess Fishlock talking about the youngster, Maddie Dulleyne. It's not just today, drive like I, like you said, I've played with many people. I've played one of the best plays in the world. That's exactly on the left wing. And I get a similar feeling of excitement, a plan with Pino as I do claim it, Maddie. And this is not just now, it's not just today. It's the moment since she's come into the club. Obviously she's a lot younger and there's a lot more time for her to grow into who she can be. But what is there, like the raw talent of it, is so exciting to me. I don't get emotional often, but I'll get emotional about this one. I mean, I talked about it earlier, but just the honor of playing with a player like her, she's single-handedly helped me develop so much at this club. And I'll really value our relationship throughout the rest of my career. Yeah, and I'm really sad to lose her, honestly. But we have five more games, four more games, celebrate her and make it a season to remember. That right there is one of the reasons why Seattle values Jess Fishlock so much, loved by fans, loved by Laura Harvey, and always talks about just how valuable it is to have her. And now Maddie hearing her, Ali, compare her to someone who you know very well, like Megan Rapinoe. I mean, take it all in, Maddie Dulleyne. Yes, it's a wonderful comparison because I don't think anyone truly has ever compared to a Megan Rapinoe, both on and off the field. But the comparison makes sense with the excitement that she creates. And I could see I could see that in within her play, but while leaving room for her own identity. So I think, you know, what I like is that the speed and connected to the decision. So she creates an advantage and then recognizes how to use it. And I think she's done that really well and you've seen the quality build up during the year. And then the connection now with Jess Fishlock, obviously here. And you hear how Jess speaks about her. You hear a player talk about trust, right? And how much, you know, a leader can trust in one of the younger players and how they can fight together and win together and approach this common goal of completing a season. And I think that says a lot about, you know, having a younger player there, really creating a lot of opportunities and really getting the job done. And I see that she's grown tremendously from the very first game. You start to build confidence, your mentality changes, but that is also help from a leader like Jess Fishlock to really help instill that in you. And it's really, really beautiful to see that they also, you know, love that responsibility that Jess carries for the team because they're learning a lot and they're also winning games. And like she said, they want to celebrate her and she deserves it. She's been in this league since the very beginning. Now she has the most goals for Seattle. And I think one of the players who has the most games played. And so, yeah, credit to her. And I hope she can, you know, continue these four games and then, you know, post season and we'll see what happens. Yeah, leaving such an important legacy like Fishlock, but for Maddie Jeff, I mean, how high is this ceiling for her? Yeah, I mean, I think high praise, obviously, like you said, to be compared to Rapinoe, a one-of-one player. But, you know, I think Dallin, I mean, we've seen her, Emma Hayes has talked about her. We've seen her in that U23 set up. I think she's a player who can be effective on the wing, whether that's an attacking fullback, whether that's a winger. I think there's versatility there potentially for country in the future and for club, obviously. So, you know, I think we've seen her in those 1v1 battles that, you know, again, hard to compare to Rapinoe maybe, but certainly we saw that from from Pino back in the day and the ability to cross. I think Dallin, a little bit more of a go-at-you head-down kind of player than, I don't think that was Rapinoe specialty, right? No, she would say this thing. Yeah, at least, at least not on like a dead sprint, right? So, I think Dallin has that. But, yeah, I think Versatile on the wing and, you know, able to give them, there's a youth movement in Seattle that I don't think we would have expected a few years ago and she's part of it. Yeah, and I think Laura Harvey playing such an important role in the development as well, but also using Jess Fishlock in just the most perfect way to see this reaction from Dallin. As a young player to have that powerful of a seed planted in your brain, I think it's just so valuable. And, of course, we applaud that kind of leadership. We see it with Kenzadelli in San Diego. We see it constantly, Jess Fishlock here with Seattle. Let's take a look at more action over the week and racing Louisville versus San Diego Wave. 19th minute Caleb Fisher puts it over the bar close, but no cigar, Ali. Yes, this is so unfortunate. Oh, what a good strike. Just off that cross to keep the ball low, but unfortunately not in. And then on the other end here, San Diego was able to go and score, put this in the back of the net to go up one nothing. It's a great play. And Gia Corley just really stays composed there to find the back of the net. Forty ninth minute, it's Corley's shot blocked, but the rebound for Luchemila, their Jeff. Yeah, nice follow up there and the buildup as well. I mean, that's what we can praise about San Diego. It's always this buildup. Yes, it's a blocked broken play, but it starts in the midfield. Yeah, the team chemistry is just so impressive in that team as well. Kansas City current versus the surprising Denver Summit FC 13th minute. It's Lindsay Heves, skips past the defender, finding the back of the net there, Ali. Yeah, so we all thought this game was going to go a lot different than it ended up. Oh, yeah. Lindsay Heves was able to get another goal in the score sheet and help Denver start the game off right one. Yeah, spoiler alert, because here comes Tim Luchemila draws a foul in the penalty box and you know what that means, Jeff PK. PK, yes, no. You know what else it means? Ball don't lie. Yes, this was not a PK. This was soft. And I think this was justice. Yes, justice there to being a fail to convert the penalty. So the game was still very much alive for Denver, but it was Kansas City with Michelle Cooper finding at Haley Hopkins, Ali. The time being of this is everything. You don't want to get into soon, but the ball was played with pace. Skips a little bit and difficult to keep down, but just that little slight touch on the outside of the foot right in the near post. Yeah, very smart. That finished 47 minute Hopkins, which she take it all the way. The answer, Jeff, is yes. I mean, brutal from Denver on one, two, three levels there defensively, but Hopkins, the extra touch here to look up and the composure to know, okay, I have a moment. Let me fit this in the window. I have really intelligent play. Yeah, you can train that, but in real time, that's really tough to finish. 57th minute, it would be Chihuenga. And we could just easily say, Ali, that this was going to be Tim, what Chihuenga's play and there was going to be Chihuenga's goal, but no, Haley Hopkins for the hat trick. Yeah. And she would have put this ball in the back of that as well, but selfless play here. You see a player who has a better angle than you, so why not dish it up on a silver platter and Haley put in the back of the net. I mean, speaking of dishing it up on a silver platter, but it's said you Bernardo there with the back heel, finding Chihuenga is so good. So the goal given, yep, following the VAR confirmation. Ripa highlights for you, Utah vs North Carolina courage. It's Miami, Maria here with the great cross. I saw your tweet, Jeff, something about Chloe LaCosta's season, but Ashley Sanchez taking it in as well. You would have expected Ashley Sanchez to finish that behind out of 10, maybe 10 out of 10 times. Yeah, absolutely. 17th minute. Now, Maria, this is the play that I was talking about, including LaCosta there, Hudson and Ali. I mean, beautiful goal. She's been having a brilliant season for Utah as well. Just that physicality to get in front of Ryan to be able to put the ball in the back of the net and head that low, which is difficult for the goalkeeper to see it. And share it inside. Relax. Relax. 33rd minute, though. Gianna Paul with a good run. Maria Rabano, though. Jeff? I don't know. I mean, maybe, um, maybe Marsha. I thought this was soft, too. She clips her own heels in the end. She sells it well. She sells it well. She sells it well. But I think you play on here. Yeah, I think that's a tough call, but what's not tough to say, Ali, Ashley Sanchez with 20. Yes. She's made it to 20. I don't remember her. Great goal. The golemeter went up in North Carolina. Meena Tanaka, though, drives through. Silia Delser there, scores in Utah. Takes it, Jeff. I might be the through ball of the year for Meena Tanaka, the placement, the pace, right and stride. Perfect, perfect assist. Yeah, great there from it. CC Delser Utah Royals back to winning ways there up to one. And it's crucial now. Gotham FC, as we mentioned, clinch now. The post season 54 points. And you go away following closely behind and leaving behind Washington spirit in third place. Utah Royals with that valuable win with 45 points staying firmly in fourth. But of course, we turn our attention. Angel City now in sixth. Kansas City in seventh. Seattle Rain in eighth. North Carolina courage and Denver summit on the outside looking in for now. But we're going to get into it because every result at this point of the season is just crucial. And Kansas City, Jeff, truly responded against a team that had proved tough to beat at least in the last few weeks. But is it enough to consider and to say that the the unsteady ship has found calm waters? No, no. I mean, they came into the night. They went in the weekend in the playoff picture. They came into Saturday morning kickoff out of the playoff picture. We've seen how this table has oscillated by the hour in this league around that four to ten range. And they're not out of the woods with that yet. I think this is obviously a big result. Didn't look like it was going that way. The first half hours we said, I think Denver's got their own issues with finishing out games. But you know, Kansas City at home again, they haven't lost there in two and a half years almost in the regular season. So of course, that's a benefit. But I think, you know, they're not out of the woods in terms of getting into this playoff. They haven't clinched obviously. They're still floating around that that drop line for games to play. I think we're going to see much more movement over these last few weeks. Are you as not confident in Casey as Jeff is? No, I think this gives Kansas City something to build on, right? I think they can bring diversity within the game. Yeah. And kept going and was able to complete the performance and be able to take the three points. But now I want to see that composure and that consistency in these last four games because that's going to determine where they're going to sit within the postseason. But I think, you know, they can score. They have so much talent. They just now have to make sure that they're putting that on in a complete performance on the field. Defensively, I think that can show up a little bit better. I think there's moments where, you know, there's, you know, disconnection and, you know, not, you know, the communication is lacking. You could tell the connections between the lines are a little bit scarce at times. So as long as the structure and the defensive, more so defensive side of the game can get more short up, then I think the attacking will just come and come and come and they're going to be able to score plenty of goals, especially if they make, you know, make it through these last four games. Yeah. Absolutely. We know what Kansas City can do with their attacking. But as you said, the defending is still very much a huge question mark. But we also have a huge question mark here for North Carolina, Jeff, because we know what Ashley San just has been throughout the season. 20 goals now, obviously, going above 10, which are Wingo, which is why I think also it's so valuable to see her have that assists in the game. But I digress. Can North Carolina turn things around in time? I mean, they're, they're slipping below the playoff line here. Oh, they can. I mean, they're certainly in it. I think they, they have some concern, though, that in terms of the pressure on them, because you look at, I mean, obviously the points are close, but they've fallen several positions over the past few weeks now. And to be outside the playoff line with the season that they're having, not just Ashley Sanchez, but Ashley Sanchez, Evelyn EJ, the first 30 goal scoring combo we've seen in the history of two players. So they have the offensive firepower. McLean told us they were going to score goals for fun. And they have what they haven't won enough games lately. And that's that's going to be the issue for them to be heading into this weekend outside of the playoff picture. You know, I think maybe preseason expectations, we didn't necessarily think this has to be a playoff team or this has to be a title contender. But to have the golden boot winner probably to have a potential MVP to put this together the seasons they've had and to be coming from the position that they were in and have now slipped outside the playoff picture, I think that they need to get themselves back into it to call the season a success. Their schedule doesn't really help them out. A lot, Ali, they go to Seattle, they play San Diego Wave, they play Portland in Portland and they finish it against the summit. Do you have your doubts about North Carolina? I'm hopeful that they will, you know, have that consistency that we saw on those strategy games that, you know, Ashley Sanchez was obviously scoring and the team was behind her and then they had a variety in the attack and a variety of goals from, you know, different players on the team. EJ was stepping up as well. They just had a really good connection and they were being they were able to figure it out. I think, you know, you can't keep asking Ashley Sanchez to rescue every single game. That's just so much pressure. One, and the responsibility to carry the team, you know, solely in the attack is just not going to, it's not going to be, you know, it's not going to be helpful and you're not going to win and it's not going to be successful for the rest of the season. They do have an opportunity but they have to have complete games and I think there's enough attacking quality to change the picture but they have to stop allowing these games to get away from them. Right. And this weekend was a perfect example of that and Utah obviously have been playing credible and they have a lot of talent as well so they make games very difficult but you can't just count on one player and that responsibility she needs, she needs help around her, she needs, you know, teammates who are also going to, you know, commit to the quality in the front line and to be able to take the games over alongside her so that's a big ask and I don't think that will last through the post season if they can get there. So these last four games are going to be critical and everyone has to step up and understand their role and responsibility in order for the team to win. Yeah, they don't want to come around November 1st and still be fighting first spot in the playoffs but speaking of Jeff, we know that a lot of things can change obviously in the last few weeks especially when we talk about November 1st and decision day. Who's out of these of these playoffs with the final playoffs spots here still to fight for? Well, who's out of the picture Denver is now. I mean they needed, that was a six point game in Kansas City. The blown leads early in the season against San Diego and then these past few weeks up 3-1 in LA, multiple blown leads over the past few weeks. This one was a little bit different when you look at how it swung 4-1 in Kansas City but they've just been unable to put together 90 minute performances and I think I said last week that I had my trust in them and I think I've been burned. Denver's done me wrong but they're an expansion team. I think they'll figure it out over the next year. I think that when you look at them on paper they should have been in the playoffs even as an expansion team but they've had these sort of self-inflicted wounds and I cannot believe I'm saying it but my trust fall will go all the way to Los Angeles from here in Connecticut that I think this is the team Angel City, all of these teams behind us on this bubble that has the momentum that has the talent and maybe finally has put it all together in unlikely circumstances. Coast to coast trust fall for Jeff. With Angel City it's like a six-hour flight from here but I digress Ali. Yeah when I look at the teams behind me I'm surprised I'm saying this too because at the beginning of the season you know we saw Angel City with nine points you know top of the table doing well obviously you know you can't get too excited at the beginning there's plenty of football to play the rest of the year but I'm I am surprised that they got themselves back in it and I think they've done an excellent job. I think you know Seattle North Carolina we'll see but Denver I think is really struggling at the moment they really needed that win the last two games they really needed that win in order to boost their confidence as well as their standing but just a win just gives the team so much and it changes your mentality drastically so without that it's going to be a tough ladder to climb right now. Yeah I like that you described it as a six-point game in Kansas City because that win would have mentally just been pure oxygen here for this team. I add them as my surprise team at the beginning of the season half we do this season looks like I'm getting burned to Jeff. It'd be a big surprise if they make it now. Yes for sure. Indication. I mean anything can happen right. You teams have to lose. Say there's a chance. We'll see you're saying there's a chance maybe it'll be this weekend for 10 for I mean they play Chicago so maybe it could be possible here this weekend it's starting on a Friday couple games and three more on Saturday of course we're very much looking forward to got them FC versus Angel City 1 p.m. Eastern on ABC. It's wild that we're already in week 24 Ali Jeff. I feel like I said this last week but it's still rings true that our player of the week nominees kind of me more at this point of the season no offense to our week one through 10 player of the week. I don't even remember don't look back don't judge us but hey we're here to judge positively if that's even a thing for our player of the week nominees we see new names practically every week which I think is a beautiful reflection on why we love the end of yourself so much so Ali you're going to get us started with your player of the week. Yes I think Haley Hopkins had an amazing weekend versus Denver she scored a hat trick first player hat trick and it was in a variety of ways and you know what something so impressive about Haley is that she isn't a consistent starter but when her name is called she proves herself time and time again she was able to get in here obviously on that first highlight near post and then just follows through here unfortunately Abby Smith just couldn't clear that and then makes this incredible play is so dynamic and so technical and then Shawinga selfless play here slips her in Haley gets herself in a position to make sure that she puts us in the back of the net so a variety of ways to score she was incredible this weekend and they were down one nothing and the first and the first half and so for her to come and really take that you know front six honor shoulders and really create those goals it was a variety that I think she'll never forget. Yeah you took her hat you turned it into a crown which you show so well deserved Haley Hopkins Jeff what do you think? Yeah I mean listen number nine you know not the first name that jumps off the sheet on Kansas City right but I think you know give her flowers a hat trick and in that number nine position and we talked about I mean Bia's Anorato has been missed but Haley Hopkins has stepped up she's had to assist this season I think she's provided even from sort of an underdog understated role. Yeah absolutely so with all these names that we're seeing here both of you can attest that I was just casually making dinner the other night and I audibly gasped and I said I need to tell somebody about what I just witnessed my player of the week is Mayara news I mean what a strike for Angel City and at the perfect moment right to get that one nil Wayne that was all Angel City needed but I think she's been so fantastic off the bench this this is someone who could easily be a starter but I think she's just proved that she's so valuable as well off the bench this strike is insane I know we just went through it and we talked about Angel City in depth in the in the streak that we're seeing from them and one of the surprises too I think at the second half of the season but news has just been so great and this strike is just chef's kiss quality level stuff Ali against you know Washington spirit you know in DC and in Audi Stadium it's unbelievable at the end of a match you you just take control in that moment you're able to finish a ball under pressure in the you know clinch moment for your team that's what stood out to me it was unbelievable and I was really happy that they were able to get those three points away Jeff Mayara I feel like our colleague on ESPN.com Cesar did something about who's got that dog in them Mayara I think absolutely a list in the end of the cell just a fighter she scores she gets in the tackles she changes games yeah absolutely I'm sure she hears this will go woop woop she loves to be that person right especially you know up against the wall but her response is so great which is such a little space to do that and still find the top of the corner I mean clearly this is one of my favorite goals of the season Jeff best for last let's get with your player of the league I'm gonna come over here I don't want to say what's old is new again just a timeless legend here really just fish lock to come in she's not consistently started this year only seven starts on the season this was one of them Laura Harvey turned to her from the start gives her 67 minutes and two goals and and three crucial points really to continue to produce at her age with her experience she doesn't look like she needs to retire I hate Frank but I think she's mentally emotionally having talked to her earlier this year she's there but I mean look at the second strike I mean pure top quality she still hasn't had that title that championship title anyway with the rain and she's given them the opportunity at least have a fighting chance in November she comes up in big moment she has for yeah over a decade and she did it again over the weekend quick thought on Jess yeah just the experience and the quality that she has a technical ability that she brings in like Jeff had mentioned she hasn't been consistent all year because of injury but in her last season to score those two goals when the team needed her most that's a leader and that's just fish lock yeah absolutely just so valley won't be on the pitch here for Seattle and I'm sure for generations to come with such an amazing example that Jess fish lock is so here are our players of the week Patrick Hayley Hopkins my aren't used to say incredible strike and what did you say the always legend and iconic she is forever just fish look they say the soul of a place is carried by its women here in Atlanta you don't have to look far to feel that it's in the women who lead the girls who know what they're capable of and the ones building what comes next because our soul has never belonged to one story ask it Lanna what it's been through and it will tell you fine ask what we did with that we rose we keep rising not once not as a story we tell but as it happened we don't wait for permission we don't wait to change we make it and now that same soul has someone new to call home look ahead Atlanta this city plays different it always has Atlanta City FC listen we knew that the end of the cell was coming to Atlanta in 2028 we now have a name and color scheme Atlanta City FC is the official name will be painted red and Georgia peach fitting for a historic city like Atlanta Georgia you see there dripping or tripping I'll go first I said drip in for the color scheme I love the the purchase fire of course together getting in on it is just perfect the name I'm not so sure about Ali I'll start with you thoughts yeah I think the color scheme the the idea is behind at the logo I I actually love it's great yeah I think it's great it's you know the colors are beautiful it's catching your eye I don't mind it at all I think it's I think it's awesome for specifically for the city um Atlanta City FC I don't know if we could like hype the name up a little bit all right care to give it like peach tree FC oh yeah go peaches go peaches have a princess peach theme night come on you're a big Atlanta yeah exactly yeah I like it the colors are beautiful a great and yeah the the march was awesome yeah it's so cool yeah I mean I like the colors I like I think the crest is cool name falls flat for me it's just too bland um yeah I mean peaches I don't know I mean we were kicking around ideas yeah Atlanta this is probably not better but city's not anything different or unique right city FC so we'll go with Atlanta Centennial Centennial Olympics they got the park there Centennial kind of with those singular plurals of the NWSL Centennial Place Summit yeah that's my creative okay afterthought I like it I like that just so my sister is lived in Atlanta for a little over 10 years now and of course I texted her and said hey one you better go to these games too she doesn't like soccer like me but it's clever she's an artist but listen she told me about the history of Atlanta and she helped me come up with the next name terminus city FC so terminus was actually the city's nickname in the 1830s and it marked the end of the western and Atlantic railroad line before being renamed Martha's village she said boring and eventually named Atlanta so a little bit of history there in the name I think it's cool you know it's like hey why is it called terminus and then you look it up and you learn a little bit about the city that's great I like it yeah I do like that give a give us a name with that same energy right you gotta give turn give a name like yes I think yeah we're here to terminate all right yeah of course the terminators I mean you can just go so many different ways but congrats but though it's making me laugh congrats to Atlanta obviously it's a huge step forward it's a great soccer city to work one point Atlanta United fans were filling the stadium much more than Atlanta Falcons fans there for the NFL one invite you to join us at football america's here at Tuesday at 10.30 pm Eastern with herc Casey Mal and of course Shaka his slope Dudley on the take away from Sharples the rookie takes on Sharples again off to her right Dudley shoots him scores Jordy Dudley the rookie phenom Dudley Dudley's the really well Dudley with a strike and Dudley with a goal is Dudley trying to stride through Dudley's in our goal Dudley scores swallowing through the North Carolina defense what a finish what a move Jordan Dudley everyone when we talk about rookie of the year nominees Jordan Dudley's name is always top of mind she's actually the top three of high impact rookies this season only behind dashes cat raider with 11 goal contributions waves Leah Gottfried with 10 and Dudley not far behind with seven goal contributions speaking of who are you with Kriegs Christina thank you I'm with Gotham Fc Ford breakout star Jordan Dudley welcome to the show thank you so much for joining us on football w first of all how are you great how are you good thank you are so happy that you're here you were last week my player the week so I'm excited to talk to you tonight when you think about we'll jump right into when you think about the player that you were during preseason and coming into this league and the player that you are now where do you feel that you've grown the most I think coming in joining Gotham this team I knew who I was coming to play with and I thought that was such a big opportunity for me to learn so much like in the game as well as like off the field and I think I've learned so much from all of them I think I've learned how to play against different teams as well as how to go against different offenders and like a lot of tactical things that they've all helped me with so much I think that's really what's gotten me to this point well we could tell it's working out for you really well out on the field but I've asked multiple players on here and one of the biggest questions we love to ask is what has been you're welcome to the league moment you're welcome to the NWSO moment something that made you realize okay this is definitely a different level. Honestly I think there have been a lot of games where it's like very like cut throat I think going against every team in this league like you never know what's going to happen so I think just playing to the end like the physicality of the speed like it all has kind of not surprised me I wouldn't say it's a surprise but it's definitely a change. Was there any like wild tackle that maybe someone came in and just tried to lay you out as best they could and you're like oh I'm here yeah I think there's been a couple honestly my first game there were a couple but it was good yeah good thing we don't have those highlights but coming into the roster was so much talent right with Gotham there's some of the best players in the world if not one of the best teams in the world that you get to get to play alongside every single day what was it like feeling like a new player or starting to feel like I belong here and I can really make a difference was there a type of shift this season that you really felt and what was that yeah I think coming in I was very scared and I think my teammates really like showed their confidence in me like and that they believe in me which really helped me and I think going on the field and having them whether it's like telling me what to do or encouraging me has really helped me throughout this season come to the point where now I'm confident and I feel like they trust me and obviously I trust them because there they are and talking about Juan Carlos Amoros who I was fortunate to play with as well and who I've just value that type of leadership so much what is something that you know he's asked you to do to really try to stretch your game this season I think one thing that he asked me that really helps me is to just be myself because I'm he want he knows what I can do and he knows that if I think too much it's not going to work and also like just going at people because once I get past him I literally can pass to anyone on my team and they can do the runs you talk about your teammates you obviously play with the likes of Sam Kerr and Rose LaVelle day in and day out two of the best players in the world what's one detail if any that you've picked up from them or or that you've seen by watching them play I think decision making is a big thing I think from college it was very go go go and I think they've told me kind of choose when to go or what's the best decision it doesn't always have to be like go straight to the goal like they're like so many options and kind of thinking through those type of moments and as a former defender I'm curious when you're sizing up maybe marking marking someone or one of the opponents what tells you where you can really threaten her the most or really break her down the most or just the back line in general um I think honestly I just go into every like um 1v1 or whatever it is and think about what I can do like I know my strength and it doesn't really matter as much what they can do but I can use my strength and if they stop it that's when I have to like choose something else or use my teammates more um I know speed is one of my strengths so I can try that and hopefully they're not that's us yeah well I mean we watch it we get a week out and you're brilliant at it so keeping it unpredictable is best we'll switch gears a little bit I want to talk about the recent North Carolina game and the hair pulling incident first just to get that out of the way against North Carolina and the commentary around it because you definitely deserved better uh how did you stay so composed in a moment like that when you want to get up and actually try to react but you know you have to keep it together um again my teammates um they're really helpful in those type of situations like obviously they're all very very experienced so they really helped me keep me calm and then honestly everyone on the team the coaching staff and all the players like support me and they like fight for me and I think that really helps me like kind of stay out of that kind of situation and I think some of the fans want to know when you're away from soccer what brings you joy what makes you happy what what do you like to do outside of the football pitch with you know teammates friends um and just kind of switch off from the game a little bit mentally um I think usually my off days include shopping getting my nails done like self-care type of things um me and one of my teammates just made a full feast tonight so nice how was it I'm in the middle of eating it's very good you're like I'm not going to be biased but it's great with the first uh end of the BSL season approaching you've obviously now are towards the end of the season and gearing up for the postseason what are you most curious to experience in the postseason that might be a little bit different than what you have already experienced throughout the normal regular end of the BSL season I think obviously all the games are intense but I think when it's when it gets to a point where it's like loser go home that's where you get like the best out of everyone and I think that's going to be really fun and any team we play against is going to be a really good game and hard fight and you talk about a hard fight you obviously have angel city coming up this weekend the game is going to be played on ABC and they're coming in with some real momentum and some and some confidence in recent games or what makes them a difficult opponent and what is Gotham going to be able to do or what will be important for Gotham to be able to get three points yeah I think it's going to be really good game they've obviously been doing really well um I think we just need to focus on the things that we can control and not make little mistakes and like keep the ball um and not make it too much of a transition game and I think that'll really help us well you've been brilliant this season so far we love watching you play congratulations and we can't wait to tune in on Sunday so good luck the rest of the way thank you so much for joining us and yeah good luck thank you as Ali and Jordan just talked about Gotham FC vs Angel City FC Sunday 1 p.m. Eastern on ABC on ESPN they put it this and of course the ESPN app all right let's take it to the WSL now London City on fire taking on a brighten this weekend at 29th minute it's crazy you're shot saved bright and can't clear it Alexia Potella's all over Alexia Potella's that's the the new star in London gets the goal and London City up early I mean quite the little gift there from her 35th minute Emily Murphy's header there hits the bar Kiko Seike can't score the rebound so close Ali yes this is such a good opportunity almost in didn't get enough pace on that 90 second minute London City on the break Delphine Cascarino with the low cross Lucia Corrales seals the wind Jeff Delphine Cascarino missed in San Diego we miss you I mean yeah we're having to get used to Cascarino there with that Jersey Alexia Potella's with not a Barcelona Jersey but how about the lionesses with the loudest roar so far I mean they're tied for most what we're seeing there with goals and assists with 14 points the goals to have just been so great and compared to what we saw actually goals allowed my apologies goals allowed versus what we're seeing now this season with only four goals allowed across four games and I think with a stacked roster that that we saw this is kind of what we expected Jeff from London City but would you place him as a contender already yeah I think they need to be maybe not for a title but certainly in the mix of of Champions League spot you look at the early struggles from an Arsenal as as one prominent example that you know I think the talents there and there is an opportunity to at least get into those play and play in positions for a Champions League spot and then obviously well we'll see what happens with your rulings and everything else should that actually happen but I think in terms of a top four type of contention I think they have the talent to do it Ali yeah absolutely I obviously think they're going to play less games because they're not in the Champions League this season so they get that extra rest throughout the week to perform then in the league games on the weekend but the investment got the players through the door right now you know the excitement is seeing those players come together and form this team and this identity and the mentality has been great so far from what we've seen they had a hiccup there against West Sam but other than that they've been brilliant and Alexi Paté shows up in scores a goal this weekend so well done to to get that win over the weekend and carry on it's a long season ahead so yes we're we're going to hold our time and wait you know little on you know mid mid season to really make some some more I don't know decisions on how the season is going to go for them but well done so far they they look really good in their building something great yeah building their way to the women's Champions League but of course the silver lining of not being there this season like you said a little bit of rest and a little bit of adjustment here for so many names that have now joined London City a couple of teams that we will see we have seen in the women's Champions League let's take it to Chelsea verse Arsenal Stanford Bridge action and the post denying Arsenal there for Kim Little Jeff Kim Little another legendary name from the end of his cell that we miss Totally agree 26 minute Caldente gets the ball on the left hits the post alley close but nothing yes unfortunate here it was very back and forth this game in Caldente and obviously she has such a talent and tactical ability so unfortunate that didn't go in yeah Alyssa Thompson Jeff was letting them know hey I'm here warning warning Emily Fox Emily Fox battle 1v1s yeah so many shots there post game of course Alyssa Thompson hooting in the rebound alley yes what she does best is trying to get anything in and around the box and what good players do you follow up just in case there is a rebound is what she did there yeah she comes flying in the box and no doubt just kills the back of the net one nil for Chelsea the question is would it be enough would Alyssa Thompson here be the hero 44th minute Melvin Malar there down the right it would be the two no for Chelsea Jeff nope yeah I think that last touch cuts off her own angle a little bit taking it a little bit outside here probably could have pulled the trigger just a little bit earlier it's all about the details and Arsenal was missing on the details Caitlin Ford shot is blocked and Chelsea holds on to the win let's talk a little bit more about Alyssa Thompson that against Arsenal I mean that heat map is just crazy and she just needed a couple opportunities there the chance it's created of course to get that one nil and secure the three points and snap a 20 game on Beaton Shriek in the WSL for Arsenal let's listen to Alyssa post game how does it feel to have won that London Derby and to score the goal that won it for you yeah it feels amazing I feel like the team were super hard the whole game I think in moments we lost momentum but we stuck together and I thought it was a really good game for us good that we got the three points and fans might not be aware but some Chelsea players have selected their own goal music and you did that as well so can you talk me through the inspiration behind it um actually Lucy helped me figure out um the song is Melissa but it's supposed to be Alyssa that's that's the whole like play on you know words and stuff so it's very clever very very clever we enjoyed it we certainly enjoyed it a great atmosphere today as well a word on the fans yeah it was great I mean having the fans there is like a extra person on the field I love like hearing their cheers and being able to hear their cheers after I scored two was great so yeah it they helped us throughout the game and Arsenal they were certainly putting on the pressure towards the end it was it was quite nervy but how did you feel your team dealt with it all and the way you all came together as well yeah I thought we dealt with it while we knew Arsenal is a great team and there's going to be moments of abs and flows during the game so just being able to stick together and knowing the quality that we have and what we can do even more under pressure um was really important so to imitate here Alyssa we're trying to change producer about those mind it's probably the little the nail clap yeah alley alley knows it well but we learned it from Jeff of course the the nail tap but I mean what are performance here from Alyssa alley what stood out to you the most well I think just her confidence has grown so much and I think we could talk about our potential but she's affecting the biggest games right now and and you know she's she's a young player but she's playing with so much experience um it's been it's been super impressive just the way that she's stepped in immediately and it's impacted Chelsea um right from the start and it's just enjoyable to see her having fun she's scoring goals she's creative in the attack um all obviously here getting on the end of a rebound just that having that reaction to want to and that knack for goal and to want to you know help her team win it's been incredible to watch I mean I see now that she's a lot more comfortable and and that confidence is definitely shining through yeah it's crazy to think we're almost a year into Alyssa's journey here with with Chelsea and it seems like she's been there longer jump with how comfortable she feels and even the reaction right the still of her celebration there's just fire behind those eyes and she's definitely showing it on the pitch what do you like about Alyssa's performance she was already taking her game to the next level in LA last year and that build up through the summer the deadline day move to Chelsea gets to Chelsea immediately adapts somewhat immediately but last season I think really built into being an exceptional player I think I've said it before I think the best US forward given that you know that that three headed monster of the triple espresso we're out at at different times right and Alyssa Thompson throughout that period was consistent was spectacular and I think she's been the best American forward one of the best American players over the past year to 18 months and continues to do it now in big games I mean obviously had that world cup experience but now is going into the next world cup having played in big moments in big games for club and country and I think she's going to be really maybe quietly really essential to the US next summer yeah I agree with the level that we're seeing it's hard to tell where Alyssa Thompson's development and just impressive performances Ali are gonna stop she keeps being that game changer in a difference maker for Chelsea yeah I think she keeps reinventing herself every single game where she's getting in in positions on the field to create the biggest moments and her conviction especially on that rebound right her conviction to get into those goalscoring you know spaces to make sure she puts a ball in the back of the net but she's also taking responsibility for those moments and she's playing for one of the best teams in the world and shining and thriving there so you could tell her teammates want to get her on the ball so that's also you know the trust and the respect that I think they have you know that you could see just from the outside in she's a player that they want on the ball she's a player that they want to get in behind and and make sure that you know she gets in those positions the score goals because she does it brilliantly and it's really really good to see her success because you never know what happens when you go overseas and if it's gonna you know go your way or not and I think she's been playing brilliant and Chelsea must be very happy to have her absolutely we saw Alyssa Thompson vs Emily Fox and now we're gonna see Alyssa Thompson vs Lily Johannes though at the Champions League level Jeff I mean even seeing these two side-by-side is exciting add the element of a women's Champions League match Lily will be at home what are you expecting from another clash of Americans oh you saw that back heel assist from Lily Johannes I mean quality of opponent aside as good as it gets so yeah I mean I think it's it's great to see two top young Americans in the Champions League I mean the days you're the first one right yeah I mean the days of like having one American in the Champions League she's like she lived it right now we have a few and playing for big clubs in big moments like this you know and it I mean a teenager as well I mean just just kind of left her teenage years Alyssa Thompson so yeah I think it's it's a big piece of U.S. development doesn't have to be Champions League we've seen teenagers thriving in the NWL2 but to have young players in big moments like this I think in the long run will help them rally yeah I think it's just two young Americans influencing different parts of the game rather than you know that direct you know one-on-one you know I guess direct match-up that you know we're we're hoping to see but you know I don't know if we're gonna see it consistently throughout the game but just having you know two young Americans thriving in European football and especially in the biggest best club tournament in in the world that's gonna be brilliant and I know they're gonna have so much fun playing up against each other we'll probably have a lot to talk about yes yes when they see each other I can't at some point yes absolutely maybe we'll be there to hear it in person wink wink but anyway we'll tell you about that at the end of the show but want to remind you that the women's Champions League is on our airways I mean so many games to look forward to like we mentioned that Leon vs Chelsea match-up will be on Wednesday 245 p.m. Eastern on ESPN that portes Bambika vs Bayern Paris FC vs Arsenal Hacken vs Juventus and Roma vs Barcelona yes I have to switch gears really quickly because we have a programming update very exciting next week we won't be on Tuesday we will be though on Thursday 8 30 p.m. Eastern producer Beto correct 8 30 p.m. Eastern we will be at the U.S. women's national team camp in Atlanta we will be chatting to Alyssa Thompson and Trinity Rodman that can't wait to be there hotland FC here we come peaches peaches I'm excited for the food see you next week
