Diaspora United

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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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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!

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Show Notes

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

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Courtney & André are back and have LOTS to discuss. First we get into the retirements of Alex Morgan & Sinead Farrelly, and the impact both had on and off the pitch.

Then we chat about the NWSL GMs survey and spotlight some weird takes and some surprising takes. We also discuss the piece linked at the end which details multiple GMs claiming player reforms have 'gone too far.' Obviously, we tear that shit apart.

Then we dive into the NWSL weekend, including Gotham hopping up tot third, Kansas City being #shook of Orlando, non-playoff teams missing opportunities to claim valuable points, Bay FC's newfound zoominess, and more.

After we force ourselves to do Heated & Hyped where we're both heated about ESPN's use of AI (and AI in general), and hyped about the U20 World Cup, including the Baby Nats doing a madness. Oh and Courtney is a baby hippo hipster.

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Show Notes

NWSL GMs: Player reforms 'gone too far' since abuse cases - ESPN

bay fc's all gas no brakes summer makeover - btvc

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Courtney & André get to chat about the new NWSL CBA with two people who helped make it happen, Simone Charley (Vice President, NWSLPA) & Meghann Burke (Executive Director, NWSLPA)!

We talk about what it's like to negotiate with NWSL owners, getting on the same page as players, the big brains across the NWSL, player autonomy and empowerment, why they fought for massive changes and what it took to secure them, and more.

Also, while the completed document hasn't been released, we ask about details in the final document that they're most excited about—and get some terrific answers!

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Courtney & André love when labor wins so after discussing public transportation and Courtney's questionable Citi Bike habits, we talk about the NWSLPA unveiling a brand new CBA. We review the main topics, give a shoutout to all involved, and discuss why and how we think it will make the league better.

After that we dive into the return of the NWSL. We shoutout some clubs who seem primed to do some ballin the rest of the way (Seattle Reign, Utah Royals, maybe Rahsing Louisville), and whomst might struggle (San Diego Wavé, Bay FC). We talk about Jill Ellis, Landon Donovan, Ella Stevens, Yazmeen Ryan, the Washington Spirit, and a bunch of other stuff so tap in immedjiately.

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Courtney & André get you ready for the restart of the NWSL season. There are just ten matchdays to go and everyone on the table has a reason to scrap til the last minute of their season.

We review the league table and fights for position to come, good and bad summer moves, trading rookies, which teams currently out of the playoff picture we think will battle their way to the postseason, and more.

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Courtney & André chat with the host of Tested, Rose Eveleth. Tested is a six-episode podcast series that digs into the history, and unfortunate present, of sex testing in women's sports. It also chronicles athletes subjected to these tests and how it impacts their lives and careers.

Rose discusses the depth of journalism that went into the near-decade long project, and her journey pitching the series. We delve into current examples of harmful policing of women's bodies, including the gross social media firestorm that wrongly surrounded Algerian boxer Imane Khelif during the Olympics.

We also chat with Rose about advantages and disadvantages, people and organizations using bad science, colonialism and racism, and how it all intertwines to target Black women in sports, particularly Black women from the Global South.

Naturally, there's also women's soccer chat—because obvs—in which we all stan Naomi Girma. Please listen to Tested, then come back here to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review with a dad joke. We appreciate y'all!

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Show Notes

Listen to Tested

Visit tested-podcast.com

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Want to hear more from Rose? Listen to her previous podcast project, Flash Forward.