Gheorghasbord: Footy Up Your Ass Edition

Things are coming thick and fast in both domestic and global soccer worlds, and as is our custom, we're here to offer half-assed and modestly-informed opinions on the topic. 

Starting here at home, there's good, bad, and really fucking ugly. Let's go in reverse order, shall we?

The NWSL is a goddamn disgrace. A league that's made a lot of noise about supporting women, driving equality, and showcasing one of America's best sports exports has shown itself to be a cowardly force for the status quo. In the fallout from the dismissal of North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley for - among other things - sexual predation and harassment of his players, we learned through the dogged reporting of Meg Linehan of The Athletic and Molly Hensley-Clancy of The Washington Post that Sinead Farrelly (one of the players Riley victmized) had filed multiple complaints with the league. These allegations were known to league leadership, and not only were they ignored at the time (and even dismissed), they were disregarded as Riley was hired into new coaching roles.

Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke has a long-standing reputation in the local club game in the DMV for abusive behavior. Tough, demanding to some, not to others. This was no surprise to the people that hired him as the Spirit's head man in 2019, since Burke coached several of their daughters. Burke "stepped down" in August citing health concerns. As it turns out, the health concerns were those of his players, who alleged a toxic, mentally taxing environment where Burke belittled them for their fitness and talent. He was fired shortly thereafter. Spirit owner Steve Baldwin announced last week that he would finally how to public pressure and sell his stake in the team. In what seems to be a coincidence that may actually just be what happens when a bully gets his comeuppance, the Spirit are undefeated since Burke's dismissal, clinching a playoff spot over the weekend.

NWSL players paused matches to support one
another in the wake of the events
surrounding Riley and Burke

I coach young women, and I have for more than a decade. I get a great deal of satisfaction watching  them grow as players and as people. It's one of my joys in life. It absolutely breaks my heart to hear stories of powerful men preying on women who've overcome manifold obstacles just to get to play a game they love for a fraction of the amount of money their male counterparts make. NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird stepping down, the Baldwins and Dell Loy Hansens of the world selling their franchises, the Rileys and Burkes of the world being removed in shame (Riley had his license revoked by US Soccer, too little, too late) - all of these things are good. But they're long overdue, and not enough. 

The NWSL faces a reckoning. They'd do well to let women make the call on how they move forward. It's about damn time.

The bad was on the field. Specifically, on Saturday in Norwich, where American striker Josh Sargent had a golden opportunity to score his first-ever Premier League goal. And did this:

Sargent 🤦🏿Had a really good half otherwise, too. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/6EbKOmZNJ6

— kings of CONCACAF (@kingsofconcacaf) October 16, 2021

Sargent is still really young, and he's earned an increasingly important role at Norwich during his first year with zman's Canaries .But he's seeing his place in the USMNT pecking order drop several rungs as players like Ricardo Pepi emerge. Pundits suggest he lacks confidence. Attempts like this one don't refute that take.

On the plus side of the ledger, the aforementioned USMNT shook off a desultory performance in Panama and a first-minute goal by Costa Rica to play the Ticos off the field in Columbus. Sergino Dest scored a worldly with his weaker left foot in the first half and Timothy Weah rocketed one off the post and then the keeper to give the U.S. a 2-1 win that takes us into second place in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Yunus Musah was a revelation during the three games that made up this international break, attacking with the ball like very few Americans have and do. Tyler Adams was everywhere from his central midfield slot. Brendan Aaronson showed panache and acumen. Miles Robinson likely earned a full-time starting role in central defense, as did Antonee Robinson at left back. 

The baby Nats (the average age of our starting lineup against Costa Rica was 22, the youngest-lineup we've ever fielded in a qualifier) stand to get even better when Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna return to action. We're gonna need them, too, as our next match is against region leaders Mexico in November. Vamos los Estados Unidos.