Diaspora United

AYYYYY WE BACKITY BACK! André was joined by Sylvs of Shea Butter FC to dive into some recent woso topics. We cover the Concacaf W Championship, and Club América (and Pachuca) teaching everyone a valuable lesson. We relive Club América's absurd week, and discuss the framing of players like Geyse & Scarlett Camberos in the NWSL. Then we dive into the squad Emma Hayes named to take down to Br...

Sylvs joined André for a discussion about U.S. Soccer, Emma Hayes, and the players missing an opportunity to use the platform previous generations fought for and used. We get into the legacy of prior generations' use of the platform, who silence hurts, and how the next generation can find its voice. It's a candid conversation, which we talk directly to Emma Hayes about what she's missi...

AYYYYYY AND WE BACK!! AND COURTNEY IS BACK!!! That's right, Alysa Thompson hopped from L.A. to the blue part of London and your local Chelsea supporters with a women's soccer podcast absolutely had to talk about it. We discuss the transfer from not really believing the rumors, to shit getting real, the transfer fee, the NWSL's trash financial restrictions, "player power", and...

The plan was to have Reo, host, journalist and producer of Tested Podcast , on to just chat about some soccer. They're a massive women's soccer fan and the idea was to just yap about soccer instead of the deeply heavy stuff they usually get called on to discuss — and then World Athletics did something stupid. Ugh. But before we get into that, Reo & André relive the absolute cinema that was the...

WE. ARE. SO. BACK! Not only are we back, but we're back with a mf'n vengeance! We have a mega episode for ya'll that is part two of a three-part series. We're crossing over with Shea Butter FC and The Current Moment to review every single NWSL team at the midway point of the season. In this review we discuss North Carolina Courage , Gotham FC , Rahsing Louisville , Seattle Reign ,...

André welcomes Amelia Lopez to the pod to discuss the Concacaf W Champions Cup! We review the final round of the inaugural tournament, the vibes from Liga MX Femenil sides, plus Emily Sonnett's extremely Concacafy penalty draw. Then, we get into the tournament overall. What did they get right? What could be better? What's the importance of international club competitions? How can it be improved in...

With Courtney still swamped André welcomed Tamerra Griffin back on the pod! We start by discussing the breaking news of Angel City signing Sveindis Jane Jónsdóttir, what it could mean for the next step of her career, ACFC's ambitions, and the NWSL continued quest to lure young European talents. Then we dive into the USWNT roster, and delight at Lo LaBonta finally being given her flowers. We ch...

In this episode André is delighted to be joined by Executive Director of the NWSLPA, Meghann Burke! You may have heard, the NWSL & NWSLPA agreed to yet another CBA (though the full text wasn't released until recently). This agreement builds on the previous agreement from 2022 to include revenue sharing, minimum salaries, a cap floor, guaranteed contracts, no trades without consent, the abo...

With Courtney still working hard, André welcomes Sylvs (Shea Butter FC) to the pod! We start by reviewing the weekend's Women's Champions League (UWCL) matchups. We look at what went wrong for Arsenal, and discuss why Lyon's frontline is the best in the world. Then we begrudgingly discuss Chelsea's 4-1 loss to Barcelona. Sonia Bompastor got on our nerves, and we talk about why, and...

WE BACK! Well, kinda. Courtney is still swamped by broso so André brought in Skye from Shea Butter FC for an NWSL vibe check! Each team has only played three regular season games, but since we're already headed into an international break now is a good time to look at what we've seen from each team. We start from the bottom of the table and work our way to the top as we check-in on how eac...

Another NWSL season is upon us so, with Courtney deep in the trenches, André chatted all about it with friend of the pod, Kudzi! The team-by-team, player-by-player preview pods are out there, so we wanted to focus on bigger picture topics from the season. Will we continue to see a tactical style shift across the league? How will new roster construction mechanisms impact squad cohesion? Will there...

Courtney & André recap a very interesting SheBelieves Cup in which several things were learned. We start by reviewing the final game, USWNT vs. Japan, before looking at the tournament overall. We discuss Japan not being done reloading, USWNT coach Emma Hayes missing crucial opportunities, Colombia needing a refresh, and Australia having no plans after 2023. Please subscribe, rate and review. W...

CW/TW: Apologies for not noting this during the episode, but after USWNT chat we get into the racist and misogynistic abuse of Bunny Shaw, the dangers of the situation Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis were in, and Mapi Leon's inappropriate touching of Daniela Caracas. This section begins at 46:01. Courtney & André react to what Emma Hayes is calling her first real callup after having seen a numb...

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...

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 of...

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...

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...

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 wrecki...

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...

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 th...

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 c...

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 h...

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. T...

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.' Obvio...

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...