NWSL This Week Podcast

This week, Dan, Bekki, and Michael fight through some audio issues to discuss the state of American goalkeepers in NWSL. Also, Jenna checks in from Switzerland after the quarterfinal round of the Euros. And who is the face of your favorite franchise? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Plenty of news on tap after taking a week off for July 4th. In particular, Bay FC’s coach Albertin Montoya was cleared of violating the league’s anti-harassment policies, Mia Fishel signed a record contract with Seattle Reign, and legend Tobin Heath officially retired. We also discuss Boston’s first signings, the current free agency weirdness, and the 2026 schedule footprint. This is a public epis...

This week, Dan, Michael and Jenna discuss midseason MVP picks, biggest surprises and disappointments, and other thoughts on the NWSL season at its midway point. And Bekki sent her picks from afar plus an appearance from Michael’s cat. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Racing makes a statement with a win over the Pride, the Courage rally behind goals from two players who really needed them, and the Current extend their lead at the top of the table. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Gotham see out their win in Utah with—8 players? Meanwhile the Spirit just can’t win in Orland, the Reign stun the Stars late, and the 2025 NWSL Championship site is set. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

While the top teams mostly remain the same, there are some shakeups further down the table as the Seattle Reign and Racing Louisville surge into fifth and sixth place respectively and Gotham and the North Carolina Courage remain mired in 10th and 11th place. What other shifts will we see before the long summer break? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...

This week, Dan and Michael discuss the impending fallout from what appears to be a Jonatan Giraldez move to Lyon before the Summer break. Plus Denver hires a GM, Boston gets a temporary venue, and Kayla Fischer gets a suspension. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

We’re 10 games into the regular season and with top teams decisively beating bottom-ranked teams, we need to ask: is parity still a thing in the league or is it starting to slip away? Gotham lifts a CONCACAF trophy and San Diego is the only team to win at home this week in their 5-2 whooping of North Carolina. Meanwhile, Angel City, Bay, and the Reign continue to struggle to meet their early poten...

Kansas City takes all three points from Orlando in this week’s biggest match-up, but at what cost? Also, Gotham stumbles while San Diego soars, Bay shuts out Angel City, and Utah comes alive to almost steal the game from the Spirit. Is the lightning out of the bottle for the teams that captured it last year or is there enough time in the season left for Gotham and Orlando to get their groove back?...

Kylen Mills joins Dan to discuss the ins and outs of working in the Ion studio plus a spin around the NWSL This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The scary incident involving Savy King raised questions about when it’s appropriate to call an NWSL match. Plus the Current are back in form, late goals, and a questionable red card. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

It was a wild weekend in the NWSL. The Spirit rallied twice and lost to Angel City. The Pride lost. The Current lost. Gotham were held at home by the last-place Stars. Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss it all! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Kansas City Current’s defeat at the hands of the North Carolina Courage means there are no more undefeated teams AND no more winless teams. But that’s just the start of a wild week that brought piles of goals, including another brace from Esther Gonzalez, and a physical match between Portland and Louisville. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

The Washington Spirit lost Trinity Rodman ahead of their visit to Orlando but still emerged 1-0 winners in a rematch of November’s NWSL Championship. That leaves the Current as the only undefeated side left in the league. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan and Michael explore the issues for the winless Courage and Royals. Also the Pride and Current at 4-0-0 means NWSL history will be busted. And which American keeper would you take to win one game? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan and Michael are joined by Blair Newman from Equalizer to discuss the state of the NWSL and its clubs as they break for the FIF window. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

The Pride and Current became the first teams to open 3-0-0 in the same season, Angel City pick up a win, and the Thorns and Courage are still looking for their first. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Last year’s four semifinalists went head-to-head with each other with the Pride and Current both winning away. Meanwhile, the Courage and Royals are on shaky ground early, and the VAR issues remain. It’s NWSL Week 2 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

NWSL Week 1 featured a route by the Orlando Pride, a slew of 1-1 draws, and an announcement about Sydney Leroux. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Special guest Jenna Pel joins Dan and Michael to break down the Washington Spirit’s Challenge Cup victory over the Orlando Pride. Plus Bay FC is being investigated, Sophia Wilson is pregnant, and more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

Which teams will make the playoffs in 2025 and which teams will fall short? In our season preview, Dan, Bekki, and Michael go team by team to guess the winners and losers of the upcoming NWSL season as well as throw out our choices for shield and title winner. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.subs...

This week, Bay FC makes, and defends, a controversial scouting hire, and are suddenly dealing with a dearth of goalkeeping experience. Also Denver wants input on a name and the the gang offers storylines to watch for the season. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

This week, Dan, Bekki, and Michael ponder whether NWSL is becoming too much of a feeder league. Plus the Thorns announce a training center and offseason moves continue around the league. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com

With all teams now officially in preseason, the moves continue to mount up. In the week’s biggest news, Denver is officially announced as the 16th franchise. Around the league, Kansas City, Angel City, and the Houston Dash make some solid signings and extensions while Gotham sees additional departures. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

This week, Dan and Michael recap the 2014 NWSL Draft that marked the career births of Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz, Vanessa DiBernardo and others. Bekki joins the discussion to break down Angel City’s coaching decision, the potential Dash sale, and more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substack.com