Expected Own Goals

There was only one NWSL quarterfinal that wrapped in regulation time, but it wasn't exactly a classic. The Pride's early goal let them wait Seattle's anemic offense out en route to a 1-0 victory. Was this Seattle's best performance of the year? Did Orlando offer enough to deserve the win? The guys tease out all the details.

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Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs⁠

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Everyone knew that the Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave could go any number of ways. But a raucous home crowd and a moment of magic from Olivia Moultrie and Reilyn Turner pushed Portland into the semifinals. How have the Thorns managed to get so far when so many key weapons haven't been available? What do the Wave need to do to keep their rejuvenated success going in the seasons to come? The guys tease it all out.

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Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The Washington Spirit played like the no. 2 seed by the end of the regular season. They offered a genuinely strong attacking performance. But Racing Louisville have been survivors all year, and took the home side all the way to penalties at Audi Field, where Aubrey Kingsbury once again shut down the shootout. How should we look at Louisville's season? Are the Spirit ready to challenge for the big trophy? The guys tip their caps to a proper contest.

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Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs⁠⁠⁠

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Though some may have predicted it—and Gotham didn't exactly play like a no. 8 seed this year—the Bats delivered the upset of the decade, beating the Current in their own house at the death of extra time. Where did things go wrong for the greatest regular-season team in NWSL history? Did Gotham play well, or did they get lucky with an injury-riddled Kansas City attack? The guys offer some nuance on this head-spinning result.

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Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs⁠⁠

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Now, the hard work begins. For the Houston Dash, Angel City, Chicago Stars, Utah Royals, and Bay FC, there is much work to be done to get back to winning ways. What did each team do lead them to the bottom of the table, and how they turn the ship around for 2026 and/or 2027? The guys unpack it all.

This is one of our exclusive Patreon bonus episodes, free and un-paywalled for the month of November! If you like what you hear, consider subscribing for only $6/month, and get our bonus episodes plus our main feed ad-free!

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Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs⁠

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The 2025 NWSL regular season is in the books, but the fun is just getting started. Defector columnist ⁠Abigail Segel⁠ joined us to walk through all the Decision Day silliness, break down the four upcoming quarterfinal matchups, and what we have learned about the state of the league at the end of the year.

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Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs⁠

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RECORDED BEFORE SARAH GORDEN'S STATEMENT ON ELIZABETH EDDY'S NEW YORK POST ARTICLE

The U.S. women's national team logged three more friendlies on their way to the World Cup, and had a full spread of results. Should we get too down about the 2-1 loss to Portugal? Should we get too high about the 6-0 demolition of New Zealand? Or was this window about continuing to get burgeoning talent more playing time? The guys give you the lowdown.

Plus, we discuss the late-breaking news about Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey's new coaching "strategy"!

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Art by ⁠⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

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Four more teams punched their tickets to the NWSL playoffs, while Racing Louisville and the North Carolina Courage are staring each other down. Meanwhile, the Orlando Pride grabbed an emphatic win on the road against a rotated Washington Spirit. What are we to make of the Pride's regression in 2025? How have they coped without Barbra Banda? And can they return to the Championship game in a tight playoff field?

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Art by ⁠⁠Eli Elbogen⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

Visualizations by Catalina Bush for ASA Viz Hub

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The Kansas City Current have officially become the best regular-season team in NWSL history. Their win over Gotham ensures that they will break the all-time points-per-game record, plus a slew of other feats. After the whiparound, the guys walk through some key games from the second half of the year to try and see ways teams like Washington, Orlando, and Seattle could potentially spoil KC's party.

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Art by ⁠Eli Elbogen⁠

Music by ⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

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Only three games left in the NWSL regular season, and Racing Louisville pulled off an emphatic road victory over the North Carolina Courage to solidify their playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, the San Diego Wave dropped yet more points and slid yet further down the table. Can Racing feel comfortable yet? Will the Wave be able to stay afloat for another month? Can the Courage somehow haul themselves back above the playoff line? The guys try to figure it all out.

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Art by ⁠Eli Elbogen⁠

Music by ⁠Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

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