After a nice break, I’m really excited to get back into the swing of things here at TWG. So much amazing soccer is happening, and I am really happy to be watching alongside you. The WAFCON final is this Sunday and, I have to say, watching high-stakes international football has me SO ready for the World Cup. And speaking of next summer’s tournament, huge congrats to Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi who punched their ticket to Brazil by reaching the WAFCON semifinals! 🙌

Accompanying all of this soccer, TWG will be coming to Denver on Sept. 1. We hope you can join us. Keep your eyes peeled on your inbox for more details coming soon! ⛰️

We’ve also got brand-new TWG episodes dropping this week. Our “Friendlies” guest on Thursday is none other than Utah and USWNT goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, who gets candid about her path to becoming a goalkeeper, her personal and mental health journey, and the key ingredient to the Royals’ success so far this season. 💛

To cap off the week, we’ll have a special mailbag episode of “Mewis Squared” dropping on Friday with me and Kristie. It’s not too late to get your questions in! Send us an email at [email protected]. ✍️

We always love to hear from you! 🫶

Love,
Sam

P.S. Rose Lavelle is out here signing jerseys, posters and childrens’ foreheads… in permanent marker. Luckily, parent-approved and no permission slip required. 🫣

This weekend had it all: Kansas City’s Debinha became the league’s top goal scorer across all NWSL competitions, Trinity Rodman faced off against her former teammate and friend Ashley Sanchez, the “Ted Lasso” crew showed up, and there was even a tiff between two coaches both pushing for playoff contention. The NWSL is nothing if not intense. Read on for all the action!

Gotham FC 🦇 1-0 San Diego Wave 🌊

On Friday, Gotham strengthened their grip on first place after silencing San Diego with a 1-0 win at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The difference maker for the Bats was ironically Jaedyn Shaw, who scored against her former side just before the half. Demonstrating incredible hold-up play, Gotham rookie Jordynn Dudley fought off several defenders before turning and picking out Shaw on the edge of the box, who curled one into the far corner past Wave goalkeeper Sandra Paños.

At the other end, Gotham’s No. 1 keeper Ann-Katrin Berger returned to action after missing two games, and made three saves to maintain a clean sheet despite a handful of threatening moments from the visitors, including a late header from Canadian Adriana Leon. 

Washington Spirit 💛 3-4 North Carolina Courage 💙

A wild seven-goal match ensued between the Spirit and the Courage with familiar foes Rodman and Sanchez battling it out. Early on, North Carolina scored three in quick succession, including the opener from Ashley Sanchez, who snuck behind the backline for this beautiful volley into the back of the net, for her 11th of the season (just one shy of Banda’s record in the Golden Boot race). The Spirit roared to life in the second half, as Trinity Rodman sparked the comeback with her ninth tally of the year. Washington thought they had salvaged a draw with goals from Italian international Sofia Cantore and defender Rebeca Bernal until Courage center-back Natalie Jacobs made a darting run in stoppage time, finishing clinically past goalkeeper Sandy MacIver to help seal North Carolina’s third win in three games. 

Boston Legacy 💚 3-4 Portland Thorns 🌹

Coming off their worst defeat of the season to the Royals, Portland unleashed a torrent of early goals against the Legacy on Sunday, which had them up 3-0 by the 10th minute — the fastest start in league history. Signaling what was to come, Pietra Tordin delivered a pinpoint ball off a free kick that bent over the wall and inside the near post. Minutes later, striker Sophia Wilson slipped her ninth goal of the season past keeper Casey Murphy, before a turnover led to Tordin’s second of the night.

However, Portland’s best goal came from goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who split the Legacy defense with a long ball over the top to Tordin, who then chipped Murphy. This marked the fifth goalkeeper assist in NWSL regular-season history and Tordin’s first-ever hat-trick. The Thorns’ shaky defense still remains a concern as they allowed Boston to almost stage a comeback, with the league debutantes pushing yet another seasoned team to the brink.

🤩 Other Highlights:

More: Check out the full NWSL standings here.

While USWNT coach Emma Hayes may be honing in on her World Cup roster, the NWSL is in full swing, giving her plenty to think about ahead of a packed fall with back-to-back friendlies vs. No. 1-ranked Spain and World Cup qualification. With recent injuries to defensive midfielder Sam Coffey, center-back Emily Sonnett, and the forward line still clicking, we’ve identified three players — beyond the electric Ashley Sanchez — who could step up to bolster the USWNT squad or provide valuable veteran leadership heading into camp.

🧠 The Technical Playmaker: Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns) 

If her hat-trick this weekend wasn’t proof enough, 22-year-old Pietra Tordin is a force to be reckoned with, leading the NWSL in goal contributions with seven goals and eight assists. Her growing chemistry with USWNT star striker Sophia Wilson has also been wonderful to witness. Just watch Wilson’s dummy run from the weekend on the Thorns’ second goal, perfectly timed with the spatial awareness of Tordin lurking on the edge of the box. As a versatile playmaker that can deputize as a winger, striker or attacking midfielder, Tordin’s technical ability and work rate will be hard for Hayes to ignore. Plus, she’s a dual national with Brazil, so the USWNT should scoop her up fast!

😮‍💨 The Aerial Threat: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)

Although Claire Hutton has made moves to cement herself as a backup to Sam Coffey, we can’t help but think back to the header blitzes from Julie Ertz’s playing days. While midfielder Lindsey Horan is known for her headers on the USWNT, Louisville’s Taylor Flint could also help in this department. At 6’1’’ Flint is a dominant force in the air, both in the opposition’s box and in duels across the pitch. She has also showcased her proactiveness, leading the NWSL with 52 interceptions, and her unflappability under pressure by converting all three of her penalties from the spot.

⚔️ The Veteran Wildcard: Sarah Gorden (Angel City) 

The USWNT backline took a major hit with veteran leader Emily Sonnett tearing her patellar tendon last month. With ACFC stalwart Sarah Gorden proving she can go toe-to-toe with any elite striker in the world, Hayes might consider enlisting the seasoned defender, known for her pace and composure. Much like the Lo’eau LaBonta call-up last year, Gorden’s veteran presence would bring steadiness to the USWNT camp, helping to keep standards high and prepare younger players for next summer.

Malawi’s miraculous WAFCON debut campaign reached ecstatic, new heights in Rabat on Sunday. Engineering an extraordinary 2-1 comeback over Ghana, the Scorchers officially made it to the final four, as well as their first Women’s World Cup. Never far from the action, Temwa Chawinga equalized with a thunderous strike deflected off the Ghanaian defense. Then, deadlocked at 1-1 late in the second half, the Kansas City star spurred her team onward, cutting inside to find Rose Kadzere who delivered an incisive finish past goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan before being swarmed by her teammates in a frenzy of joy.

Overcoming incredible odds, the Scorchers achieved a historic feat as WAFCON debutantes and the lowest FIFA-ranked side, sitting in 153rd. They were also drawn into the daunting “Group of Death” featuring 10-time champions Nigeria, Zambia, and Egypt, and managed to not only survive, but ultimately top their group — outlasting the Super Falcons, Copper Queens, and Cleopatras. 

Behind the scenes, Malawi’s unlikely ascent also embodies the triumphant journey of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. Growing up in rural Malawi, the close-knit siblings faced stigma and discouragement from family, friends and neighbors for pursuing their footballing dreams, often playing with boys in an environment devoid of opportunities for young girls. Eventually, Tabitha made the leap to Sweden, encouraging her coach to give her younger sister a trial. (Their story is nothing short of inspiring). While Temwa has since carved out her own path in Europe, China and in the U.S. as a two-time NWSL MVP,  the sisters’ tenacity and unbreakable bond has helped them make WAFCON and World Cup history. 

🌍 The Semifinals Are Set

Algeria 🇩🇿 vs. Malawi 🇲🇼 (TOMORROW, 1 p.m. ET, beIN Sports)

Joining Malawi in the WAFCON semifinals are the Fennecs, who defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 to become the first team to book their spot in their first-ever WAFCON semifinal: they will be World Cup debutantes next summer as well! While the Scorchers may have two of the tournament’s most elite goal scorers in the Chawinga sisters, Algeria boasts one of the strongest defenses, only conceding once in the group stage. Additionally, keep an eye on Bristol City’s Marine Dafeur — Algeria’s top scorer — and new Washington Spirit recruit Mélissa Bethi, who has also proven to be a handful this tournament.

Morocco 🇲🇦 vs. Cameroon 🇨🇲 (TOMORROW, 4 p.m. ET, beIN Sports)

On the more-experienced side of the semifinal bracket, Cameroon returns to the final four for the 11th time, aiming to make their first final in a decade. In Casablanca over the weekend, the Indomitable Lionesses shocked reigning champions Nigeria with a 1-0 victory, thanks to 19-year-old defender Maéva Nyadjou’s stunning free kick and impressive goalkeeping by Michaely Bihina, whose nine saves and clean sheet earned her Player of the Match. 

Tomorrow will mark a clash of lionesses with Cameroon squaring off against hosts Morocco, who knocked out South Africa over the weekend. With home advantage, the Atlas Lionesses will hope third time’s the charm after coming in as runner-up the past two tournaments. WAFCON is also set to have a new winner crowned this year, following the exits of previous champions, Nigeria and South Africa.

More: In a last-ditch effort to qualify for the World Cup, on Thursday the Ivory Coast will take on Ghana (1 p.m. ET) while the Super Falcons will go head to head with 2022 WAFCON champions South Africa (4 p.m. ET) in hopes of advancing to the FIFA Intercontinental Play-off Tournament. 🙏

This week’s question:

Select the correct response for a chance to win a coveted TWG patch.

Last week’s answer: In 2024, Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala made her debut for Bay FC and scored a goal against Angel City FC.

The first to respond correctly was [email protected]. Drop us a quick email and we’ll send along a TWG patch! 💌

Meg writes: I am a huge fan of the show. My question is regarding Emma Sears asking for a trade from Louisville. It made sense to me that she wanted to leave a team like Louisville to set herself up better to make the World Cup roster, and I was surprised that when Louisville rejected the transfer request it didn't make much of a headline. It reminded me of Chloe Kelly asking for a trade from Man City and turning to instagram to eventually move to Arsenal. Why do you think this hasn't made as much news? Do you think her spot on the World Cup roster is in jeopardy by staying in Louisville? 

Thanks!
Meg

Sam writes:  Hi Meg, I wasn’t all that surprised to see Emma Sears push for a trade with Racing Louisville struggling so much this season. She’s clearly looking to push herself and make the World Cup next summer. At the same time, I understand why Louisville didn’t want to trade their best player in the middle of the season before securing an adequate replacement.

While Chloe Kelly’s lack of minutes at City put her national team spot at risk, Sears doesn’t have that problem in terms of playing time. Emma Hayes also rates her very highly. I don’t think she has anything to worry about as long as she keeps her standards up. That said, I wouldn’t be shocked if she moves following the season to compete in a more challenging environment. Thanks for writing in!  🫶

Love,
Sam

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