So, um, you may have heard that Naomi Girma has gone to Chelsea. You may also have heard that across Diaspora United and Shea Butter FC there are three separate Chelsea fans. SO OF COURSE WE SHOUTED ABOUT IT!

We discuss how impactful it is that a Black woman, first generation American center back was the first million dollar transfer in woso. We also talk about why she may have left San Diego, how good she is (and can become), and how she fits at Chelsea.

Then we step back to dissect the 'NWSL Exodus' panic, chat Chelsea v. Arsenal, the WSL title race (or, maybe, race for 2nd), UWCL updates, and the mighty Frauen Bundesliga.

Please subscribe, rate and review. We appreciate y'all!

=============

Follow Shea Butter FC

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sheabutterfc

Follow Us

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠diasporautdpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney & André are BACK!

Shit is real bad out there but after acknowledging that, we aim to provide a tiny bit of relief by diving into a FIFTY player USWNT camp. Emma Hayes is changing things up and named senior and futures rosters for a January camp, so we review the players, the purpose of the camp, and how we expect it to play a role moving forward.

Then we get into a plethora of NWSL offseason news. We have signings galore, coaches going places, and Houston maybe startin to be serious? André is hype about Jadyn Shaw to North Carolina, while Courtney has concerns about Jonas Eidevall needing to develop young talent at San Diego – a thing he hasn't exactly shown he knows how to do.

Please subscribe, rate and review. We appreciate y'all!

=============

Follow Us

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠diasporautdpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney & André are here to spread holiday cheer — kinda lol. We start with a heartfelt review that's quite poignant for the times we, yet again, find ourselves in. Then we dive into some recent awards and review some NWSL news & notes.

Then we find the holiday joy where we assume magical powers to bestow gifts across the land of woso. Courtney has some terrific ideas for Chelsea fans and the good people of Atlanta, while André has presents for Jessica Berman and Norway.

After, we rebrand Heated & Hyped to the more festive Cookies & Coal, and drop bad and good observations that have been on our hearts. Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

Follow Us

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠diasporautdpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DiasporaUtdPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney & André are joined by freelance journalist Tamerra Griffin to review the most unique NWSL season yet.

From a new tv deal to Orlando Pride winning everything to African ballers tearing up the league, plus it being the longest NWSL season ever, there's a lot to discuss! We get into some of these themes, what they may mean for the future of the league, and the specific ways in which the league still has to grow.

After, we get into the USWNT's final two matches of 2024. We discuss Emma doing weirdness, what didn't work and why, and whether we think Emma learned anything or not. Also, is the USWNT aura back already?

Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

Follow Tamerra

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠diasporautdpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DiasporaUtdPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney & André react to THEE Orlando Pride's historic season that ended with them becoming the second ever club to win the Shield and Championship in the same season. We talk about seeing what they were building, doing it for Marta, the greatness of Barbra Banda, and Black coaches.

Then we look at the rest of the NWSL awards and discuss Croix Bethune's absurd season and Temwa Chawinga wrecking the league in her debut year. We also look ahead to the USWNT's upcoming friendlies versus England and Netherlands. André is frustrated at the impending 'Horan at the 10' thing, while both of us hope Lily Yohannes gets substantial minutes as the box-to-box midfielder we've been missing.

Then we finally do a Heated & Hyped segment, and it's an important one. Courtney addresses the gross gross and journalistically anti-factual and harmful Telegraph piece, while André sheds light on a piece by Shireen Ahmed calling out women's soccer over their silence on the suffering in Gaza.

Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

The unbearable silence in women's football | by Shireen Ahmed

Tested | by Rose Eveleth

=============

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠diasporautdpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DiasporaUtdPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney & André relive the NWSL semifinals which provided two absolute bangers, then preview the championship match between Orlando Pride & Washington Spirit.

We start by discussing Pride v. Current III, and where the Current might have gone wrong (again) against they season-long foes. Then, Courtney is still big mad at Gotham's substitutions and penalties, while André credits Rowdy Audi for pulling the Spirit through.

After, we get into previewing the championship game. André is shook, and Courtney wants the dub, shield, and chip for Marta. But also Barbra Banda. And Ally Watt. Adriana as well.

Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠diasporautdpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DiasporaUtdPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney & André are back! It's a bad and weird time, but we got each other, and always will. So after reinforcing that message, we dive into the NWSL playoffs and how dope they've been already.

We recap a tense, extra spicy quarterfinal round, and why and how every team bar Orlando had to scrap to get by. Then we preview the semifinals, where we are so blessed with two exceptional matchups that will lead to a banger of a final.

After, we discuss what it means that Lily Yohannes has officially chosen to represent the USWNT at the international level. We talk about her talent and fit within the team, and then give details on why a 17-year-old Black girl from Springfield, VA might have chosen home and family over the Netherlands.

In our last segment we get into bigger picture chat about the NWSL playoff structure overall. With a clear top-4 this season, and those four teams advancing, there's been some chatter about whether the expanded playoff was a good idea. We get into why that chatter is shortsighted, and that what we've witnessed all season couldn't have been a better script or blueprint for how to compete in this league. Then we shoutout NWSL year-end-award nominees, and talk about sleeping and being scared on planes.

Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

Courtney & André recap Naomi Girma's ballon d'breakout goalscoring game in which she scored a ballon d'brace.

We discuss the finishes, the purest celebrations ever, and assess the performances several new, new'ish or returning USWNT players. We chat about Jaedyn Shaw's best position to Hal Hershfelt's performance as a lone six, to Emma Sears going demon mode and Alyssa Malonson looking quite cozy and composed.

Then we ask what we learned this international break, and whether any of that will (or should) carry over into the next international window when the team heads to Europe.

After, we shift back into club soccer mode and talk about the final regular season games in the NWSL. We review the matchups, what's on the line, who can snatch playoff positions and/or seeding and how, and give our predictions on how it will all unfold. (Hint: Don't listen Spirit fans.)

Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

The USWNT are BACK and so are Courtney & André! We discuss the back-to-back 3-1 wins versus Iceland (or New Zealand, if you're espnW). Then we look ahead to the third match of this window against Argentina, and who we want to see on the pitch.

We discuss Alyssa Thompson's PhD dissertation from the CP23 School of Finishing, Jaedyn Shaw's absolutely saucy dribble and finish, and Sophia Smith's half volley. We also get into the midfield issues, and why the team currently needs to rely on individual brilliance from attackers.

We look at the midfield, which continues to be a weak spot. We talk about what's going wrong, and tactical and/or personnel changes that could help (ahem-LilyYohannes-ahem). Then we pick out players we want to see line up against Argentina.

Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

WE BACK! It's been a minute but Courtney & André are back in your earholes (ew). We start by reacting to the outrageously silly Bos Nation FC, before getting into Angel City FC's sanctions, and their response.

We also discuss the lawsuit against the San Diego Wave, and the important reporting done by Lesley Ryder and Diana Moskovitz. We discuss power dynamics, anti-SLAPP law, and Jill Ellis.

Then we finally get to action on the pitch, including NWSL Shield Winners Orlando Thee Pride (Courtney is also big mad at Orlando for losing their invincibles run to Portland) and Temwa Chawinga's record breaking season.

Finally, we move onto a little bit of action in Europe, including telling Gunners fans all the reasons why they should trust the process. Please subscribe, rate, review and don't forget to leave a dad joke – we appreciate y'all!

=============

Show Notes

San Diego Wave, NWSL Sued For Team’s “Abusive And Hostile Work Environment” - Diana Moskovitz and Lesley Ryder (Defector)

=============