This week on The IX Sports Podcast Soccer Edition, host Kathleen Gier is joined by Annie Peterson, author of Soccer Insider for The IX Sports.
First, Gier asked Peterson to break down the news that a domestic in-season tournament will take place with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Gainbridge Super League (USL) next season, called the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup. The prize is $1.1 million.
The pair continued the episode with a discussion of the US Women’s National Team’s pair of friendlies against the Spanish National Team last week. Spain won the first match 2-0, and drew with the USWNT 2-2 in the second game.
Spain is “very good, and I would say that they’re definitely the favorites to defend going into the Women’s World Cup next year, barring complete disaster within the team,” Peterson said.
Peterson said that she does not view the USWNT’s performance as a crisis, acknowledging instead that the team was missing several crucial pieces.
“I feel like it’s still the the spine of the team is there and now it’s — you know, the devil is in the details. I think that the goalkeeper situation is going to be fascinating going forward,” Peterson said.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Claudia Dickey are the top two options at goalie for the USWNT right now, Peterson said.
Gier said that it was good to see Mallory Swanson return to the pitch after time away from the USWNT due to pregnancy.
Peterson and Gier closed the podcast by talking about the NWSL standings just before the end of the regular season. Gotham FC still leads the league, with the San Diego Wave one point back, Washington Spirit three points back and the Kansas City Current eight points back.
“As a reporter, I don’t personally love going into the last two weeks having no idea what’s going to happen,” Gier said. “But as a fan of the game, I am thrilled. I love a meaningful decision day.”
Tune in to the episode to hear about the new US Soccer Headquarters and a discussion of the legacy of Crystal Dunn.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women’s Sports Daily, like WNBA news and PWHL expansion updates.
