EXPECTED OWN GOALS: Breaking Down the USWNT SheBelieves Roster
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The guys make note of new signings Carissa Boeckmann to the Portland Thorns and Oihane Hernández to the Orlando Pride, and what Hernández's signing might add to the NWSL-vs.-Europe debate. Then, they turn over Emma Hayes's SheBelieves roster. This is the least experienced USWNT roster in the tournament's history! What does Hayes want to do with these three games? How frustrating is it that certain players were left at home? Which players will rise to the top? Find out today!
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: College Week, Pt. 1 with Chris Henderson
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The guys touch on the Savy King transfer to Angel City (00:47) and the Hannah Bebar signing with Bay FC (13:00) before offering some thoughts on the NWSL's $5 million restitution fund for players affected by abuse and harassment, as well as the horrifying news surrounding Mapi León in Spain (17:33). Then they bring on Chris Henderson (23:05) to kick off Part I of College Week! Chris takes us through signings he has been impressed by, and what all of the player movement without a draft may mean for both players and college programs in the big picture.
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: Live in Houston, with Arielle Dror & Jen Cooper!
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RECORDED BEFORE THE TRANSFER OF SAVY KING TO ANGEL CITY FC
It's xOG's first ever live pod! The guys chat about Crystal Dunn's move to PSG and the other stray transactions of the last week, before launching into their live conversation from the inaugural American Soccer Insights Summit in Houston, Texas. Bay FC director of data and analytics Arielle Dror and women's soccer researcher/historian/NWSL information director Jen "The Keeper" Cooper to talk about the past, present and future of statistics and analytics in the women's game. This was the most fun.
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs (chopped n screwed remix by Evan Davis)
ASA Show - Arman Kafai and How to Get Into Soccer Analytics
/Arman Kafai, formerly the lead analytics consultant for FC Dallas stops by to talk about his analytics journey and drop some takes on the craziness of this MLS offseason.
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: Jenna Nighswonger is a Gunner. What's going on with Gotham?
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Breaking news all over the place! Jenna Nighswonger is moving to north London. Where does this leave Gotham's offseason? (00:30) San Diego has made a flurry of moves, including losing Naomi Girma and gaining Kenza Dali. Yikes. (15:14) The Houston Dash picked up Danielle Colaprico and Messiah Bright. Are all of these parts adding up to something? (21:44) Angel City got another 30-year-old center back in Alanna Kennedy. Oh dear. (32:05) The Portland Thorns added Deyna Castellanos in a "blockbuster" deal. Is there room for her? (35:25) The North Carolina Courage signed a young Japanese midfielder to replace their other Japanese midfielder. (44:50). And we wrap things up with a not-so-scintillating London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal, which probably wraps up the WSL title for the Blues. (49:00) Packed show this week!
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: When Will San Diego and Louisville Catch the Big Fish?
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RECORDED BEFORE THE SIGNINGS OF SHINOMI KOYAMA, SINTIA CABEZAS, DIDI HARAČIĆ, AND FAVOUR EMMANUEL
It's been a busy-but-not-busy period of the NWSL offseason. The North Carolina Courage released the financial details of the Jaedyn Shaw trade (1:38). The San Diego Wave brought in some young talent, and can't shake the rumors of Naomi Girma's impending transfer (8:00). Angel City hired Mark Parsons as sporting director (good!) and announced Christen Press had re-signed (less good!), to our confusion (18:16). Racing Louisville maxed out their roster spots with three college players, and noone else (29:00). the Houston Dash and Chicago Stars FC each signed a player who may or may not have an impact in 2025 (39:34). And the guys close the show mourning the loss of filmmaker, artist, musician, and pop culture icon David Lynch (44:40).
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
Read Corpses, Fools & Monsters
Read Laura Dern's birthday message to David Lynch
Read Kyle MacLachlan's remembrance of David Lynch
Read Naomi Watts's remembrance of David Lynch
Read Vera Drew's tribute to David Lynch
ASA Show - Matt Pfeffer, Colorado Rapids Director of Analytics
/Ben and Kieran spoke to Matt Pfeffer about his origin in soccer analytics, the constructions of MLS from the viewpoint of financial markets, and a whole lot of hockey.
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: New Year, New US(WNT)
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We're back! The guys return from their brief, fire-filled hiatus to unpack all the news of the first weeks of the new year. They chat about the senior USWNT roster for the January camp, then dive into some of the major signings and trades in the NWSL, with Jaedyn Shaw's move to the North Carolina Courage carrying the headlines. Back in the saddle, folks!
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
ASA Show - Roster Rules Changes, Squad Building in MLS vs Europe with Nikos Overheul
/We were lucky enough to have former Vancouver Whitecaps Direct of Recruitment Nikos Overheul join us again to talk some of the rules changes (and impending rules changes) in MLS since he left Vancouver, the differences squad building in MLS vs Europe, and we even got a story about driving with Vanni Sartini.
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: The Biggest Own Goals of the Year
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It's the last episode of 2024! No better time for the guys to look back on the previous year and all the things they and teams were wrong about, from Orlando's final table position to who would be Rookie of the Year. (You'll never believe who Evan picked for that particular trophy all the way back in March.)
Happy New Year, everyone! We'll be back on main feed on January 13th!
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: The NWSL Holiday Transactions Roundup
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Becky Sauerbrunn retiring! Jonas Eidevall to the San Diego Wave! Lynn Williams to the Seattle Reign! Jaelin Howell to Gotham FC! Rocky Rodríguez and Lorena to the Kansas City Current! Julie Dufour to Angel City! The NWSL offseason is cooking with gas, and the guys break down all the major moves.
00:47 - Becky Sauerbrunn's retirement announcement
05:58 - Jonas Eidevall hired as Wave head coach
11:28 - Lynn Williams and Jaelin Howell trade
23:24 - Alex Loera trade to the Utah Royals
31:14 - Narumi Miura signs with the Washington Spirit
34:45 - Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena signs with Kansas City
38:20 - Rocky Rodríguez traded to Kansas City
43:05 - French attacker Julie Dufour transfers to Angel City
48:24 - College signings
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Art by Eli Elbogen
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: The xOG Top 10 Players of 2024
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It's that time of year! The Best FIFA awards were announced on Tuesday, the final release of several end-of-year accountings of the year's best players. The guys merged all of these lists together and evaluated who really were the best of the bunch, and release their official top 10 of 2024.
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: NWSL Rosters Locked and the GM Carousel Continues
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NWSL teams locked in their end-of-season rosters, traded some players, saw some others sign with new teams, and a whole bunch of free agents hit the open market when their 2024 clubs didn’t re-sign them. Ryan Dell moved from Louisville to Kansas City, while Angela Hucles Mangano hopped from Angel City to Houston. What does it all mean? The guys break it all down.
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka’s Bell Dance Songs
EXPECTED OWN GOALS: USWNT Recap, plus Kicking Off The NWSL Offseason with Taylor Vincent!
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The USWNT wraps up 2024 with a draw and a win overseas. How did the Triple Espresso-less attack acquit themselves? Was that scary first half against the Netherlands real, or just growing pains? The guys peel back all the layers. (1:05) They also sing a brief requiem for Alyssa Naeher's international career. (22:34)
Then, they light up the hot stove with Spotrac's Taylor Vincent, explaining all the rules and weird tics that drive transactions in the NWSL. This was a blast. (26:55)
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
ASA Show - USL Championship and MLS Conference Finals Preview
/You never saw the original of this