Banger(s) of the Week
In this match week (7 games), there were 27 goals. Seriously, at least 10-11 of them were technically difficult, and aesthetically pleasing…a “banger” if you will. So I will give respect to players who scored these bangers I didn’t list below, for you deserve all the praise I didn’t give you in gif form.
Sam Hiatt
I have no idea how this shot from Hiatt (off the side of her left foot, moving away from goal) went in.
Emina Ekic
Good heavens.
Simone Charley
Fade aways tough enough in basketball.
First goals from Nikki Stanton, Hiatt, Amanda Kowalski, Olivia van der Jagt, Hina Sugita, and Belle Briede. Last year, NWSL had trouble with stagnant offenses that lead to the least goals/game of any major women’s soccer league. This year has been great for goals so far.
North Carolina Courage Usage
In this Challenge Cup, NCC has played three defenders (Taylor Smith, Jaelene Daniels, Kiki Pickett) a total of 799 minutes as forwards.
They have played the five actual forwards on the roster (Diana Ordonez, Jorian Baucom, Karolin, Rylee Baisden, Brittney Radcliffe) 199 minutes.
Let’s Check the Race for 4th in the Premier League
9:30am - Tottenham 0 - Brighton 1
NBC: Now Arsenal have a huge advantage, they are down 3 points, have 2 games in hand, and know that Spurs already lost.
Me: I can’t believe we’re going to blow this.
12:00pm - Southampton 1 - Arsenal 0
Me: Oh.
Challenge Cup!
Reign qualify for the knockouts.
Gotham, Houston, Orlando, Louisville, San Diego, and Angel City don’t need to trouble themselves any.
¿Que Es una Delantera?
Monterrey (and Mexican NT)’s Rebeca Bernal has 39 goals for Radayas since she joined in 2017. If her goal output was the same in the NWSL, she would be 3rd in the league in goals scored (despite NWSL teams playing more games in a season usually) behind Sam Kerr, and Lynn Williams.
Bernal plays center back.
Banger of the Week (International Addition)
My goal with these things was just to highlight NWSL goals (and national team goals in the international breaks), but when Friend of Blonde Ponies Catarina Macario scores an Olimpico, I share
Sports Washing isn’t Just for Horrible Countries
I don’t usually like players that come off as poor allies to their teammates and other soccer players. Sometimes it’s just a vibe that feels off, sometimes it’s vocal (like Carli Lloyd), and sometimes it’s a vibe with some little things.
Kelley O’Hara has always been in that third category for me.
Well, on her podcast, she had Jill Ellis on her podcast, where Jill basically laughed off the players who have been vocal in disliking her, and in some cases like Christen Press, she blackballed off the team for speaking out against an abusive coach (a twitter post that documents Jill as a coach). O’Hara, who was on those national teams, gave her cover.
You don’t need to be on the same team to be a shit teammate.
Having Said That…
On her collision with Imani Dorsey, I felt sick to my stomach. I feel like we still haven’t reached our total understanding on concussions and athletics yet, but seeing KOH and Dorsey on the ground holding their necks, and then walking gingerly off the pitch was a sign that they both should have come off.
Dorsey did come off for Ali Krieger, and KOH passed the concussion protocol and finished the game.
Nine Years Ago This Week
FC Kansas City kicked off the NWSL facing off with Portland.
From this picture, Becky Sauerbrunn, Desiree Scott, Merritt Mathias, Nicole Barnhardt, and Kristie Mewis are still active.
I’m Not a Festival Girl
Due to various social anxieties, hangups, and being hyper-aware of my own comfort level, the closest thing to Hell for me would be to attend Coachella in person.
Will Someone Fucking Cut His Fucking Mic
Portland GM Gavin Wilkinson on Andy Polo
Taking the Tweets to the Streets
Trinity Rodman’s brace, and dance were fun enough, and Spirit’s twitter admin throwing Harris’ words back in her face was good banter, but the real loser here was Krieger.
Matching up a 37 year old with declining footspeed against a 19 year old who burns, and is doing things from the wing that the NWSL hasn’t seen yet is elder abuse.
Happy Holidays
Continuing my personal War on Christmas, for all that celebrate, I wish you a Happy Easter, Chag Pesach Sameach, Ramadan Mubarak, Happy Vaisakhi, or just a really enjoyable spring weekend.
Also maybe NCC is attempting to recreate the magic of Liga MX by having their defenders play as forwards.
Holy shit, that Ekic goal was incredible. I would never recover.
Great recap, as usual!