Summary of "GOOD FOLLOW - Jordan Angeli on NWSL Championship, + 2025 NWSL Lookahead, & More"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
• Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
• Episode Title: GOOD FOLLOW - Jordan Angeli on NWSL Championship, + 2025 NWSL Lookahead, & More
• Release Date: November 25, 2024

1. NWSL Championship Preview: Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride

Hosts: Megan Reyes, Logan Hat
Guest: Jordan Angeles
Timestamp: [00:38] – [14:19]

The episode delves into the highly anticipated NWSL Championship match between the Washington Spirit (2nd seed) and Orlando Pride (1st seed). This final marks the first showdown between the top two seeds since 2019.

Matchup Expectations:

• Jordan Angeles expresses surprise at the matchup, noting, “I thought everybody was kind of hoping it would be Orlando, Kansas City” ([01:03]). He highlights the significant gap between the top four teams and the rest, praising the semifinal matches as some of the best the league has seen ([01:23]).

Orlando’s Marta’s Iconic Goal:

• The discussion centers around Marta's remarkable goal, described as “probably one of the greatest goals of all time” ([03:14]).
• Jordan Angeles lauds Marta’s skill, stating, “...someway, somehow Marta finds a way to make everybody look foolish. And yes, it's the best goal I think we've seen in a long, long time” ([03:58]).

Defensive Strategies:

• Emily Sams and Corey Dyke are commended for their exceptional defense against Temu Shawanga. Jordan explains their tactics, highlighting Dyke's adaptability and Sams' coverage ([04:23]).
• They discuss the impact of Lola Banto's early substitution due to injury, emphasizing her importance to Kansas City Current’s defense ([06:53]).

Washington Spirit’s Key Players:

• Hal Hirschfeld is recognized as a pivotal defensive midfielder, seamlessly filling in after Andy Sullivan's injury ([11:12]).
• Ashley Hatch is identified as a crucial figure on the front line, with her ability to link play and serve as an effective target in the box ([08:25]).

Midfield Battle:

• The hosts analyze the upcoming midfield duel between Washington’s Hal Hirschfeld and Orlando’s Haley McCutcheon and Angelina ([12:31]).

Championship Predictions:

• Both Logan Hat and Jordan Angeles predict a victory for Orlando Pride, citing their offensive prowess and Marta’s influence ([13:53], [14:06]).
• Megan Reyes shares enthusiasm for Orlando’s potential fairytale ending, particularly celebrating Marta’s possible championship triumph ([14:19]).

2. Season Analysis and Future Expectations

Gotham FC:

• Jordan Angeles attributes Gotham’s semifinal loss to game management issues, especially in clutch one-goal scenarios ([14:49]).
• Expectations for next season include maintaining a strong playoff presence under new ownership and coaching, with minimal roster changes anticipated ([15:40]).
• Logan Hat adds a humorous plea for Gotham to improve their penalty kick execution ([16:20]).

Kansas City Current:

• Jordan Angeles praises their fast-paced goal-scoring approach but suggests adding variety to their tactics and enhancing goalkeeping consistency ([17:02]).
• Logan Hat echoes the need for defensive improvements and more consistent goalkeeping ([17:59]).

3. 2025 NWSL Lookahead: Reboot, Reload, or Rerun

Game Segment: Reboot, Reload, Rerun
Timestamp: [19:21] – [32:29]

The trio engages in a strategic game to determine whether various NWSL teams should reboot, reload, or rerun for the upcoming season.

Team Analyses:

• NC Courage (Finished 5th):

  • Jordan Angeles: Advocates for a rerun, emphasizing the return of healthy key player Caroline and the team's attractive playing style under Sean Nahas ([19:46]).
  • Logan Hat: Initially considers both reload and rerun but is convinced to align with rerun ([20:17]).

• Chicago Red Stars (Rebranded as Chicago Stars FC, Finished 8th):

  • Logan Hat: Recommends a reboot due to the need for significant changes, including enhancing goal-scoring capabilities ([21:42]).
  • Jordan Angeles: Suggests a combination of reboot and reload, focusing on adding key midfielders and a consistent goal-scorer ([21:44]).

• San Diego Wave (Finished 10th):

  • Logan Hat: Suggests a rerun but recommends rebooting the back-end operations, including coaching changes ([24:27]).
  • Jordan Angeles: Supports a reload, emphasizing the need for a cohesive coaching strategy and player development ([25:03]).

• Angel City FC (Finished 12th):

  • Jordan Angeles: Advocates for a reload, suggesting minor adjustments to the midfield and defensive line ([26:56]).
  • Logan Hat: Agrees with a combination of reload and reboot to address midfield and defensive inconsistencies ([27:51]).

• Seattle Reign (Finished 13th, Worst Season):

  • Logan Hat: Recommends a reload focusing on rebuilding the defense ([30:39]).
  • Jordan Angeles: Strongly supports a reboot, citing the need for a fresh identity, new players, and consistent goal-scoring ([31:11]).
  • Megan Reyes: Aligns with the reboot recommendation, emphasizing the necessity for a complete overhaul ([32:29]).

4. Good Follow Spotlight

Jordan Angeles’ Choice:

• Lisa Carlin of Attacking Third is highlighted as a commendable individual contributing significantly to sports broadcasting ([33:03]).

Logan Hat’s Choice:

• Indivisa is spotlighted for its outstanding work in women's football, with a focus on creating engaging content and supporting the sport's community ([47:54]).

5. NCAA College Cup and WNBA Draft Insights

College Soccer Highlights:

• Discussion on top college teams: USC, Duke, Florida State, and Mississippi State.
• Logan Hat predicts Duke to win the College Cup, recognizing their strong performance and minimal losses ([34:41]).

Notable Players:

• Izzy Angle from Notre Dame is lauded for her exceptional goal-scoring, with predictions of her joining the Washington Spirit ([36:22]).
• Ava Tankersley’s success is discussed, with Logan Hat expressing interest in her joining the Seattle Reign despite their current struggles ([38:15]).

WNBA Draft:

• Highlighting the retirement of Coach Tara Vanderbir and comparisons to Gino Oriamo’s illustrious coaching career.
• Paige Beckers is anticipated to be a pivotal addition to the Dallas Wings, forming a dynamic duo with Rico A Goomba Wallet ([46:35]).

6. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Championship Excitement:

• Hosts express immense excitement for the upcoming NWSL Championship, particularly celebrating Marta’s potential championship victory ([41:14], [41:58]).
• Megan Reyes and Logan Hat discuss the possibility of Marta's continued career post-championship, reflecting on her enduring legacy and influence ([41:58]).

Closing Segment:

• Megan Reyes and Logan Hat reveal their DraftKings picks, endorse the Sponsor’s offer, and encourage listeners to follow their highlighted Good Follow selections ([39:12] – [49:59]).

Final Quote:

• Jordan Angeles: “...communities get built one good follow at a time” ([33:03]).

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Angeles on Marta’s Goal: “It's the goal scene across the world. Everybody is talking about this goal.” [[03:15]]
• Logan Hat on Gotham’s Penalty Kicks: “My expectation is for them to also I would just like to add, sorry, work on penalty kicks, please. I am begging.” [[16:20]]
• Jordan Angeles on Seattle Reign Reboot: “I think they need to bring in some fresh players, some youthful players and they've done that a little bit.” [[31:11]]
• Logan Hat on Izzy Angle’s Potential: “I think definitely she'll end up on the national team. It's just a matter of kind of when and when she starts to get more eyes on her.” [[36:44]]
• Logan Hat on Ava Tankersley: “I really hope not anytime soon. But regardless, I'm so excited for both the teams to be competing for this championship and it's going to be a really good one.” [[41:44]]

Conclusion:

This episode of "Good Follow" offers an in-depth analysis of the NWSL Championship between Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride, highlighting standout performances, strategic defensive plays, and key player impacts. The discussion extends to evaluating team performances throughout the season with strategic recommendations for upcoming teams via the "Reboot, Reload, or Rerun" game. Additionally, insightful segments on college soccer and the WNBA draft provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of women's sports. The episode concludes with positive endorsements of contributors to the sports community, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to building supportive networks within sports.