All footy, all the time, as we celebrate some cool achievements for teams and players, and welcome a new side to our rooting roster.
The Orlando Pride defeated the Washington Spirit, 1-0, on Saturday to win the NWSL championship. No upset there - the Pride were the best team in the league all year long, undefeated until late in the season, and top seed in the playoffs. It was a bit of a departure from historical form for the Pride, however. The team had never won a playoff game in its seven seasons in the league, having only made the playoffs in one of those years.
Orlando's win was made all the sweeter because it provided a long-overdue first NWSL title for their captain, Marta. The 38 year-old Brazilian is arguably the greatest non-American woman ever to play the game, and almost certainly the most dynamic. She's scored 299 goals in 439 professional matches across seven leagues and added another 119 in 204 matches with the Brazilian national team.
And let anyone think she's a ceremonial player at this point in her career, check out what she did to the Kansas City Current in the NWSL semifinal:
While Marta will go down as one of the greatest attacking players in women's soccer history, another legend of the game is stepping away, at least partially. USWNT anchor Alyssa Naeher announced earlier this week that she's retiring from international play. In her starts for her country, Naeher's teams won 88, drew 14, and lost only six. As with Marta, she's going out on top, having backstopped the US women to a gold medal in this year's Olympics, and saved three penalties in this year's W Gold Cup semifinal against Canada (and buried a penalty herself).
Naeher is absolutely beloved teammate, known as "Uncle" for her competence and reliable counsel. Alongside Brianna Scurry and Hope Solo, she'll go down as one of the three greatest American keepers of all time.
Lower down the American pyramid, salute to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, winners of the USL Championship title with a thorough 3-0 win over visiting Rhode Island FC.
And finally, as appreciators of the game's haberdashery, we'd be remiss in not shouting out the newest USL League One (American soccer's third division) franchise, Portland Hearts of Pine. Maine's first professional soccer club will begin play next season. They recently debuted their home kit design, which is among the Mainest things to ever Maine.
Posts
29 comments:
I’d argue that Marta is the best woman to play the game - American or not
she's in the discussion. but your mia hamm erasure is noted.
I’m just not the jingoist you are.
Also, Kasey Keller and Tim Howard are smarting over your exclusion
they know what time it is
most of the sources i've been reviewing this morning agree with marls that marta is the goat. i'm jingoing baby.
hi gheorghies - coming to you 24 hours after having my right hip replaced. the excruciating pain is gone, now soreness and swelling and recovery. will start by consuming my weight in ALL THE FOODS tomorrow.
We can rebuild him. We have the technology. G:TB’s first bionic man. The Teej will be that man. The $6.90 man.
I thought I might have a post in me recapping the fun, but I will leave you all with this nugget:
So when recovering from anesthesia, there are rules like no driving but also there's a rule about no online shopping. That's right no online shopping because somebody apparently put a down payment on a Tesla coming out of anesthesia.
Teej - the boomer years.
Snide comments aside, I hope the new hip does it's duty. My dad had it done years ago and the improvement it made was nearly immediate.
Agree, T.J. Hope the new hip brings relief. Listen to the docs and especially PTs. Do the exercises. Be conscientious about rehab. If you half-step recovery, all you'll have is a new hip and different accompanying discomfort and limitations.
Pain meds only as needed. Try to get by with Tylenol, Advil, OTC stuff; helps to be alert to discomfort and not retreat into prescription fog.
i agree. also, would like a ride in the new tesla.
The jingo ate your baby. Mia Hamm has the stench of Nomar working against her.
thank you, fellas - I am hellbent on doing everything and then some to make this new hip last as long as possible. and for all the vices I have (which are many), oxy and the like aren't my bag (stopped taking them already after 24 hours). Not looking to become JD Vance's mom
the ruggedly beautiful and manly musk of nomar, you mean?
Steve Bannon leading the Marine Corps Band in a stunning rendition of Jingo Bells at next year’s White House Christmas party is gonna be lit.
now that doesn't mean some "alternative" meds in the form of brownie bites won't get me through...
had surgery to have a rod inserted into the middle finger of my right hand after tearing the tendon playing goalkeeper in soccer back in my 20s. was prescribed oxycodone. took one with a beer and went flying. spent the next afternoon at work thinking about how much i was looking forward to having another. came home and immediately gave the bottle to spoid. i can absolutely see how people get hooked on that shit.
Why Spoid? Did he grind and snort everything in the bottle? I've been prescribed hydrocodone before and I didn't enjoy the feeling.
because i lived with him (and whit) and he asked for it
Is that like Dave asking for Whit's salad?
Teej - had mine done in '19. Rehab was quick and was up and running fully in 2-3 mos or so. Have not had one hitch since. Had stalled to do it for a couple years but can tell you now as soon as I feel a twitch on the left side that shit will be scheduled immediately.
WVU hangin early let's go Mountaineers let's go drink some beers.
Music to my tiny little ears, Mr. KQ
Teejus! Godspeed, heal fast and get back out there on the dance floor.
Neers!
my 14 year-old nephew is rogan-pilled. you can imagine how that went over at the kids' table today with my raging lefty offspring. good times.
Hide the hammocks in the Bahamas!!
I don’t understand the last 2 comments.
Not because I’ve been drinking for 2 hours.
Things that cross my mind
Sonic the Hedgehog
Audio tapes of Ron Jeremy
Post a Comment