American Soccer Analysis

EXPECTED OWN GOALS: NWSL Week 1 Power Rankings

One down, 25 to go! The first round of NWSL matches is in the books for 2025, and it was a morass of beatdowns and 1-1 draws. Who's up and who's down relative to our preseason rankings? The guys look at all seven games and figure out who has shifted since they made their initial picks. Join our Patreon for only $6/month (or $60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

EXPECTED OWN GOALS: NWSL Preview Week — Gotham FC, with Jenna Tonelli

The Bats took flight across the regular season, but were felled in penalties to Washington in the NWSL playoffs. Then the rumors of behind-the-scenes discord kicked up. Then a dozen players departed. Amid all of this upheaval, do they still have the goods to be one of the best teams in the league? Jenna Tonelli of Sports Illustrated dropped by to pitch herself as Gotham's goalie, with Evan as the no. 9 in a pinch. Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

EXPECTED OWN GOALS: NWSL Preview Week — North Carolina Courage, with Kim McCauley

Jaedyn Shaw is here! Can the Courage now win their first playoff game in six years, please? Kim McCauley of The Guardian returns to figure out whether Shaw and Ashley Sanchez can work together, who could possibly be the main goalscoring threat, and if the backline is due for some regression. Also, who is actually running recruitment right now? Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content! Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

EXPECTED OWN GOALS: NWSL Preview Week — Kansas City Current, with Thom Bomb of Shea Butter FC

The Kansas City Current were the best team on paper last year. They rostered the league's MVP and producer of one of the greatest seasons in league history, Temwa Chawinga. But they fell to budding rivals Orlando Pride in the semifinal. Are they read to take the next step and win a trophy? Thom Bomb of Shea Butter FC and Shades of Blue walked the guys through the (few) roster changes the club made, and how they can improve upon last year's historic performance. Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs

EXPECTED OWN GOALS: NWSL Preview Week — Portland Thorns, with Kim McCauley

Who is going to play for the Portland Thorns? With Sophia Wilson gone for the year, and Morgan Weaver on the bench for potentially all season, their attack feels thin. Their defense is getting a hard reboot, too. Portland may. have never had more questions around them than right now. Kim McCauley of the Guardian tries to find some silver lining in the dark clouds, with varying degrees of success.Join our Patreon for only $6/month ($60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Art by Eli ElbogenMusic by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs