USMNT on to the Nations League semifinals, Pepi's future + Mexico, Bielsa, Uruguay

Former NWSL head coach Rory Dames is the subject of a Washington Post investigation into misconduct as a youth coach. And in Washington itself, the sale of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit has finally closed, with Michele Kang now the majority owner after a long and complicated ordeal. It’s a big news day in women’s soccer, and Steph Yang is here to tell you what it all means. Rory Dames investigation: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/02/08/rory-dames-eclipse-select-misconduct-allegations/Steph’s youth sports abuse article: https://theathletic.com/2862063/2021/10/01/a-fear-based-system-how-the-structure-of-sports-protects-abusers-of-power/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Feb 202216min

The Copa Libertadores has long been one of the most competitive continental tournaments in the world. But lately, it’s been dominated by Brazilian clubs. Felipe Cárdenas is here to explain why that is, and who could challenge the Brazilian teams for the title later this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Feb 202210min

There are a lot of ways to count and analyze passing in soccer. But there are far fewer ways to analyze the reception of that pass, despite it being one of the most critical skills in the game. John Muller is here to talk about a few ways the soccer analytics community counts pass receptions, and what it means in the case of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Barcelona. On Aubameyang: https://theathletic.com/3105449/2022/02/02/aubameyang-xavi-and-barcelona-is-this-going-to-work/On pass receiving: https://theathletic.com/3098569/2022/01/29/wont-somebody-please-credit-the-pass-receiver/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Feb 202212min

Club soccer is back with aplomb! This weekend features some interesting games in the FA Cup, major matchups in the women’s super league, a couple continental cup finals, and big clashes at the top of the table. Matt Pentz is here to sort through it all, hour-by-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Feb 202224min

It was a frigid night in Minnesota for the U.S. men’s national team’s game against Honduras. Our resident Minnesotan Jeff Rueter was at the game, and is here to talk about what it was like, and how the result could shape The Athletic’s USMNT fan confidence index.Confidence Index: https://theathletic.com/3108759/2022/02/02/usmnt-fan-confidence-index-tell-us-how-you-feel-about-the-team-through-11-world-cup-qualifiers/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Feb 202216min

10 years after the NWSL started play, and after lengthy negotiations, the league and its players have the first collective bargaining agreement in the history of U.S. professional women’s soccer. Meg Linehan is here to break down what it all means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Feb 202213min

After a narrow win against Jamaica and a scoreless draw at home to Costa Rica, Mexico is now perilously close to dropping out of the automatic World Cup spots in CONCACAF. Tomorrow’s game against Panama is a huge one. Felipe Cardenas is here to break down that game, along with George Bello’s move to Arminia Bielefeld. Transfer deadline day tracker: https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/transfer-news-live-updates-manchester-united-arsenal-liverpool-chelsea-tottenham-latest-on-deadline-day/jvKSHZ7wTuKO/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Feb 202214min

Christian Pulisic has become a peripheral figure at club level with Chelsea, and hasn’t looked his best with the U.S. men’s national team in World Cup qualifying. The Athletic’s soccer analytics writer John Muller is here to talk a bit about the data behind those struggles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Jan 202214min