NWSL This Week Podcast

This week, Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss all the latest moves in the NWSL including the re-signing of Christen Press to Angel City, Jaedyn Shaw’s surprise move to the North Carolina Courage, and more. We also debate the potential value of adding a designated player to the roster rules and discuss if we’re entering a post-scandal era in the NWSL fandom. This is a public episode. If you would like...

Dan and Michael go off the cuff to discuss Brazilians in Washington, surprising names in national team camp, the 2025 NWSL schedule footprint 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

We kick off the new year discussing advanced soccer analytics with Evan Davis, co-host of the xowngoals podcast. 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

For the final episode of 2024, Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss New Year’s resolutions they would like to see for the NWSL in the new year ahead. 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

Dan and Michael fire up the mics to discuss the retirement of one of the all-time greats. Becky Sauerbrunn hung up her cleats on Tuesday. 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 attempt to put the Orlando Pride’s 2024 NWSL Championship series into perspective. Plus more drama in Boston and could NWSL soon be more talked about than MLS? 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

In this episode, we discuss how the playoff teams made out, who seems poised to stay in the mix next season, and who might be destined for a drop down the table. The week’s biggest free agent and front office moves are also discussed. 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 the NWSL playoffs and championship in the books, Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss what went wrong for the 6 sides that failed to qualify. And analyze which ones are best positioned to flip the script in 2025. 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 Orlando Pride achieved a storybook ending to their spectacular 2024 season by winning the NWSL championship against the Washington Spirit. We discuss the game, the controversies, and the atmosphere at the final as well as Jessica Berman's news about expansion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek....

The Spirit needed a late equalizer and penalty kicks to overcome Gotham while Marta’s turn-back-the-clock goal stood up as the game-winner in the Pride win over the Current. The NWSL Championship is next. 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’s playoff time and as expected, the top four teams triumphed and moved onto the semifinals. That doesn’t mean there weren’t some exciting moments to discuss, including several surprising goals from centerbacks, stoppage times wins, heartbreaking own goals, and, of course, VAR drama. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episode...

The NWSL playoff field and quarterfinal matchups are set, trouble at Snapdragon Stadium, and the gang reveal their picks for postseason awards and Best XI. 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 may be Fall but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a bit of summer. Michael Minnich takes the helm this week as most of the NWSL goes on break to chat with PJ Green from the Kansas City Star and Gary Gibson from the Soccer Over Gotham pod about the Summer Cup finale that took place on Friday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

The Thorns and Bay FC moved to the brink of the playoffs with only Louisville alive to crash the party, plus Temwa Chawinga makes more history, and was BOS Nation FC the worst product rollout ever? 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

Christen Press scored her first goal in 28 months on Saturday, a dramatic, emphatic strike that nearly won a game for Angel City. Elsewhere, the four quarterfinal hosts are set and Cloe Lacasse bags a hat trick. 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 Orlando Pride clinched the Shield for the club’s first trophy, and remained undefeated. On the other coast, Angel City felt the wrath after being caught violating the league salary cap. 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

Christine Sinclair announced her retirement last week and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman hinted at an NWSL with as many as 30 clubs. 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, Orlando clinches their first-ever home playoff match and Gotham secures a playoff berth as the post-season picture begins to come into focus - at least at the top of the table. Outside of the top four teams, there are still some serious questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nwslthisweek.substa...

The Orlando Pride have an unbeaten season in site after a 0-0 draw with the Current. Plus the Spirit join the playoff field and the NWSL General Managers speak. 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

Alex Morgan played her final professional soccer match on Sunday, three days after announcing she is pregnant and retiring from her playing career. 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

(Fixed audio - sorry about that) Weather delays cause havoc, but many teams at the bottom of the table prove capable of earning point while some at the top show they might be overly reliant on a key player or two. 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 NWSL secured labor peace for the rest of the decade with a landmark collective bargaining agreement. The league also got back to playing games. 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

Never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d launch our NWSL pod by talking about Landon Donovan, but here we are. Dan, Bekki, and Michael discuss all the biggest moves during the Olympic break including player acquisitions, trades, and, yes, coaching changes. (Also, we apologize for the sound issues. Storms and spotty internet connections unfortunately made this an uneven one.) This is a public...