Soccerwise | U.S. Soccer, MLS, NWSL

Eight NWSL teams, four games and no second chances. David Gass and Jordan Angeli break down every quarterfinal matchup, what could tip each one and which teams they think can survive, before they take on the NWSL awards races, starting with a wide-open MVP vote. They look back at Decision Day, where Gotham FC won their first NWSL Shield and Seattle Reign snagged the last spot, and work through their full awards ballot with their front-runners in every category. 0:00 NWSL Final Eight and Awards Ahead 4:13 Decision Day: Parity on Display 8:44 Gotham’s Shield Despite Roster Churn 16:50 Seattle’s Last-Day Push for Fishlock 20:05 KC vs. Angel City: Transition Showdown 32:58 Wilson’s Portland Tests Washington 41:22 Midfield Battle: Seattle vs. Gotham 49:45 Utah’s Press, San Diego’s Answer 56:38 Bracket Picks and Upsets 58:35 MVP Debate: Sanchez, Dali or Rodman? 1:04:27 Ann-Katrin Berger’s Keeper Case 1:06:22 Van Zanten for Rookie and Defender? 1:09:28 Coach Race: Coenraets Against Amoros 1:11:03 Dali or Howell, Midfielder of the Year? Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

The Timbers jumped from 11th to eighth in a single weekend. Are they getting hot at the right time, or is it proof that nobody else in this scramble is any good? With Decision Day next, Gass, Tom and Doyle hash I all out across both conferences, from the bubble to the clubs already planning for next year. Out East, Nashville SC rallied from two down against Red Bull New York and look like the favorites even with Inter Miami lurking. Charlotte FC’s ceiling may hinge on whether Allan Saint-Maximin’s red card will cost him more games. The Columbus Crew are surging, while NYCFC, Toronto FC and the Red Bulls are done. Plus, a farewell to Alejandro Bedoya. 0:00 Mad Hatter, Sully and a West Logjam 9:17 Nashville SC Closing in on the Record 17:28 Diego Chara and a Portland Revival 26:34 Saint-Maximin’s Taunt Worth a Red Card? 32:41 Charlotte FC Feast, but Real Tests Ahead 39:04 Revs and Miami Fight for Second 46:58 Alejandro Bedoya’s Union Legacy 52:30 Galaxy in Control of a Shaky Bubble 1:00:18 Wide Open From Vancouver on Down 1:04:54 Columbus Crew Surge as Cincinnati Steady 1:12:06 Worst Exit: NYCFC, Toronto or Red Bulls? Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq . Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

Back in Columbus after two years with Bournemouth’s multi-club owners, Tim Bezbatchenko knows where MLS already holds its own against European clubs, and where it doesn’t. Gass, Tom and Doyle ask him how the league’s roster rules should change, and he takes them inside the room where the Crew set the budget for a star signing. Now overseeing the Columbus Crew and the city’s new NWSL team, he weighs promotion and relegation and whether more spending leaves a pathway for homegrown and college prospects. He also covers their new NWSL training ground, how much the sport has changed since he watched the Crew as a teenager, and what would make MLS the first choice for players. 0:00 Tim Bezbatchenko’s Road Back to Columbus 3:09 MLS Measuring Up Against Europe? 6:06 Pro/Rel and the U.S. Soccer Pyramid 7:25 Simpler, Looser Roster Rules? 10:00 Homegrown Pathways Meet Bigger Payrolls 14:33 How Much is a Star Worth? 19:06 NWSL Facility Planned for Player Care 21:32 Soccer in America, Then and Now 23:46 Expansion Club, World-Class NWSL Goals 26:27 Making MLS a Destination Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

Two games left, Decision Day next weekend, and New York and Seattle are in must-win mode as a jumble of clubs fight for the last postseason spots. Gass, Tom and Doyle, fresh off a wild midweek, debate which clubs hold their nerve and whether anyone outside of Nashville is truly good. Red Bull New York and the Columbus Crew chase FC Cincinnati and Orlando City in the East, while Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy and the Colorado Rapids crowd the Seattle Sounders in the West. Along the way, they dig into MLS’ new Sprint Season and size up the New England Revolution as an MLS Cup contender, heartbreaks and all. 0:00 Tom’s Men’s League & Open Mic Preview 7:36 Sprint Season: Single-Elimination Format 11:58 Standalone Slots Could Fix MLS Schedule 16:00 Nightly First Round: Value or Devalue? 18:28 Record Goals and Sporting KC’s Defense 22:26 Atlanta: Is Tata Martino Safe? 25:43 D.C. United’s Seven-Year Drought 28:54 Cup Hangover Hits St. Louis 36:08 Portland’s False Nine Experiment 39:55 Chicago Fire: Do We Still Believe? 44:38 Nashville, Vancouver Pull Away 47:44 FC Dallas: Smash-and-Grab or Contender? 53:38 Columbus Chases Cincinnati, Orlando 59:36 Red Bull and Toronto: Must-Win Games 1:07:26 Seattle Sweats as RSL, Galaxy Close In 1:15:11 New England’s MLS Cup Heartbreaks 1:24:50 Revs Now: Turner, Gil, Academy Talent Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

Where does the USMNT pool stand now that so many U.S. players have reached Europe’s top leagues? David Gass and Charlie Boehm dig into how far it has come and what Mauricio Pochettino weighs ahead of his November roster. Joe Scally at Borussia Mönchengladbach and Johnny Cardoso at Atlético Madrid start regularly in Europe, yet neither has a settled USMNT role, a question also hangs over Timothy Weah at Marseille and Alejandro Zendejas in Liga MX. Plus, The Subs Bench takes on the Ballon d’Or, Emma Hayes’ USWNT, “Camp Cupcake” and dual nationals. 0:00 USMNT and USWNT: The Road Ahead 3:47 Subs Bench: Ballon d’Or Overlooks NWSL? 8:15 Emma Hayes’ Depth-Chemistry Conundrum 11:39 Camp Cupcake’s December Trade-Offs 16:26 Pochettino’s Dual-National Question 20:34 Best Uncapped USMNT Player? 25:29 Charlie Boehm: U.S. Players Then vs. Now 30:09 Christian Pulisic and a Deeper Pool 34:45 Pepi, Gozo in Search of the Right Fit 39:03 Joe Scally’s Case for a USMNT Return 44:29 Johnny Cardoso and the Midfield Puzzle 48:16 Timothy Weah’s Rise at Marseille 53:01 MLS-Grown Captains at West Brom, Venezia 54:56 Alejandro Zendejas: Liga MX Underrated? 59:35 DeMarcus Beasley and the Latino Gap Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

The Shield is Gotham’s to lose and San Diego’s to steal, three teams for the last spot and the final seeding all to be decided on NWSL Decision Day. David Gass and Jordan Angeli are back together again to break down the best final day in the NWSL in recent memory. Utah Royals FC and Bay FC can ruin dreams with the Shield in play, while Seattle Reign FC, the North Carolina Courage and Denver Summit FC fight for the last playoff spot and the Orlando Pride get a say. Plus, the HIP rule, ESPN’s GM survey, Ballon d’Or voting and a chat with Columbus’ new GM Lucy Rushton. 0:00 Back Together With the Shield at Stake 5:16 HIP Rule Is About Paying the Best 11:14 ESPN’s Anonymous GM Survey 17:22 Ballon d’Or Voting: Skewed? 24:23 Shield, Last Spot and Seeding Explained 29:49 Utah at Gotham: Spoil the Clinch? 35:52 San Diego’s Patience vs. Bay FC 41:30 Gotham or San Diego for the Shield? 43:05 Orlando Could Cost Seattle Its Spot 49:27 North Carolina vs. Denver: Who Gets In? 57:43 Seeding Race and Angel City’s Late Run 1:04:39 Lucy Rushton: Why Columbus? 1:08:14 Starting an Expansion Club from Scratch 1:11:37 NWSL Culture Shock and What Wins There 1:14:32 Columbus’ Training Center Plans 1:17:50 Bay FC Lessons and Roster Timeline 1:24:22 Redefining Expansion Alongside Atlanta Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

Nashville SC ran away with the Supporters’ Shield, and David Gass, Matt Doyle and Tom Bogert can’t say enough good things about how the club got there. And with the awards season approaching, they weigh who is leading the way for some of the biggest awards. The guys break down the roster plan and coaching behind Nashville’s dominant season, whether the club passes the all-time points record, B.J. Callaghan or Yoann Damet for Coach of the Year and Lionel Messi’s MVP case. Plus, CF Montreal’s cup final where does the club go from here, and a playoff race in both conferences that is headed down to the wire. 0:00 Fantasy Football, Then Nashville 5:40 How Good is This Nashville Team? 15:20 Record Chase and Sustained Success 20:53 Coach of the Year: Callaghan or Damet 29:45 Messi and the MVP Ballot 33:26 Defender and Goalkeeper of the Year 37:35 El Trafico and the Galaxy’s Struggles 42:58 New England Beats Philly 44:47 Montreal’s Cup Final and What’s Next 49:37 Should Saputo Sell the Club? 55:17 Racing for the East’s Final Spots 1:04:32 Orlando’s Defense and the NYCFC Penalty 1:09:55 West Race: Galaxy, RSL and Portland 1:16:28 Staggered Kickoffs and the Apple TV Era Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

Jen Beattie was diagnosed with breast cancer on a Thursday and scored for Arsenal that weekend. She and host Susannah Fuller, both survivors, talk about how little she knew going in, early detection, and what she would tell someone newly diagnosed. Beattie, a former Scotland international and now CBS analyst, remembers being diagnosed alone in Covid, then the lumpectomy and radio therapy that followed. Between two women in a club neither chose to join, the talks turns to whether the survivor label firsts and whether the fear around follow-up scans ever fades. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and early detection is the message both women come back to. Jen partners with Breast Cancer now and Novartis UK on self-checks and getting to know your body, and you can find them on Instagram. Breast Cancer Now: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancernow/ Novartis UK: https://www.instagram.com/novartisuk/ 0:00 Jen Beattie and the Survivor Label 6:31 Diagnosis at Arsenal During COVID 11:49 What Surprised Jen About Breast Cancer? 14:19 Self-Checks and Why She Speaks Up 16:41 Her Team Hears the News and Shows Up 19:36 Finding Joy During Treatment 23:29 Guilt and Avoidance With Loved Ones 25:59 Therapy for Spiraling Thoughts 31:14 How Much Football Did She Miss? 33:17 Scanxiety and Trusting Your Body Again 40:00 Life After Cancer 44:25 From Playing to Broadcasting at CBS 47:31 Advice for Someone Facing Breast Cancer 49:38 Early Detection and Her Partnerships Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and leave a rating or review. It helps more fans find the show.

What did St. Louis CITY SC have that the Columbus Crew didn’t in the Open Cup final? David Gass and Matt Doyle work it out from inside the stadium, and look back at where both clubs go from here. The guys break down the roster blueprint behind St. Louis’ historic run, how their defensive grit slowed the Crew’s attack, and whether this trophy changes how elite players view the club. Plus, they look ahead to the high-stakes weekend matches as the MLS playoff race is coming down to the wire. Soccerwise is your home for the sharpest coverage of American soccer, covering MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer. Watch, listen and follow everywhere: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq . Subscribe on YouTube and comment, or follow Apple Podcasts and Spotify and leave a rating or review. Its helps more fans find the show. 0:00 American Soccer Has Come a Long Way 5:33 Open Cup Legacy & Traveling Fans 11:40 St. Louis Grinded To A Trophy Without Its Stars 17:08 Courtois Too Cautious in the Final? 19:40 Crew Needs a Center Back, Midfielder 21:31 Front Office Behind St. Louis’ Run 25:48 Will Players Want to Join St. Louis? 28:48 Division Rivalries: Fun or Overkill? 30:55 War Stories from Open Cup Finals Past 36:05 The Playoff Line, Columbus Letdown Risk 43:43 Inner Circle: Where St. Louis Fits 51:53 Cavan Sullivan Starts vs. Mexico?

The USMNT depth chart list taking shape, but who can be trusted in a must-win game? David Gass and Brian Dunseth assess the current player pool, weighing form against potential and established options versus rising talent. Some choices are clear, but who earns the final spots? Then David and Kacey White build a projected USWNT 26-player roster for the 2027 World Cup, assuming the tournament started tomorrow. With qualifying ahead, injuries and tough decisions across the squad raise the stakes. Who makes the cut and who gets left out? For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

The NWSL Shield race enters its final stretch with three teams in contention and two matches remaining. Jordan Angeli and guest host Jessica Charman break down the Washington Spirit’s win over Gotham FC, San Diego Wave FC’s opportunity to close the gap, and what lies ahead of the Shield contenders. With playoff spots still up for grabs, Angel City’s comeback against Denver Summit FC and Seattle Reign FC’s push for a postseason place take center stage alongside predictions for the final eight. Plus, Columbus hires Lucy Rushton to be their general manager, Atlanta City FC’s new branding and Richard Gunney’s appointment as chief soccer officer, and the new Crest Cup before looking ahead to the penultimate weekend. 0:00 Welcome Jessica Charman 3:17 Crest Cup Announcement 7:07 Atlanta City FC Branding & Richard Gunney Hire 12:32 Columbus Tabs Lucy Rushton as GM 15:55 Gift Monday’s New Contract with Boston 17:52 Maddie Dahlien Out for the Season 19:37 Orlando Eliminated 24:26 Angel City’s Comeback against Denver 27:40 Washington Denies Gotham the Shield 31:03 Seattle Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive 33:03 San Diego Knocks off North Carolina 34:58 Three-Team Shield Race 39:23 Predicting the Final Eight 44:40 The Penultimate NWSL Weekend For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

Toronto FC’s seven-point week has put them back in the Eastern Conference playoff fight, while Columbus’ win in Hell Is Real leaves FC Cincinnati under pressure heading into the final stretch. Tom and Gass break down the shifting playoff picture before previewing Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final between the Columbus Crew and St. Louis CITY SC. 0:00 Intro 6:54 Toronto’s Late Playoff Push 15:41 Hell Is Real: Columbus Downs Cincinnati 21:12 Cincinnati’s Troubles & Evander’s Slump 32:42 Orlando, Miami & the Eastern Conference Picture 41:40 Vancouver Rises as the West Shifts 46:01 Western Conference Six-Pointer Draws 51:35 The Copa Tejas Stoppage-Time Chaos 54:47 San Jose Back in the Playoffs 58:05 What the Open Cup Final Means 1:05:21 St. Louis’ Lineup Questions 1:09:01 How Columbus & St. Louis Match Up For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

The San Diego Wave have built a distinct identity, combining an adventurous style of play with a commitment to developing young talent. Assistant coach Becki Tweed joins David Gass to go inside that approach, explore how the NWSL is evolving, and share her perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing players and coaches in the U.S. 0:00 Intro 0:21 San Diego’s Approach to Developing Young Players 4:23 Balancing Winning with Long-Term Growth 6:24 The Many Roads to Pro Soccer 10:39 Why It’s So Hard to Become a Coach in the U.S. 14:55 Inside San Diego’s Playing Philosophy 17:51 The NWSL’s Evolution on the Field 21:14 What Sets the NWSL Apart 25:39 Trinity Byars’ Breakout Season 29:20 Mimi Van Zanten’s Impact 31:47 Kenza Dali’s Influence in San Diego 35:03 The U-20 World Cup Question 37:18 Becki’s Journey Through Coaching

Nashville is inching closer to the Supporters Shield, but how does the other top teams in MLS stack up? David Gass, Tom Bogert and Matt Doyle assess which teams belong among the league’s top tier and examine the teams battling for the final playoff spots, including Colorado’s struggles to turn potential into results. Plus, Columbus and Cincinnati meet for another edition of the Hell is Real Derby, this time with major playoff implications. 0:00 Intro 8:37 St. Louis & Vancouver: A Playoff Preview? 14:45 Miami Finding Form 22:05 Eastern Conference Playoff Battles 24:57 The Same Old MLS Playoff Race & Golden Boot Draft 31:35 What Makes Nashville So Good? 34:58 Philadelphia’s Evolution 44:25 Colorado’s Promise Isn’t Translating to Results 55:06 What Happened to San Diego? 58:52 The East’s Playoff Race Tightens 1:05:49 Hell Is Real: More Than Bragging Rights 1:13:00 Playoff Comeback That Changed the Rivalry 1:17:17 Cincinnati’s Rise in MLS For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

What did the USWNT learn from its two friendlies against the reigning World Cup champions Spain? Chicago Stars midfielder Brianna Pinto joins David Gass to break down the performances, Mal Swanson’s return and Ashley Sanchez’s comeback. From defining the U.S. style of play to exploring Emma Hayes’ options across the back line and midfield, there’s plenty to unpack as the squad turns its attend to World Cup qualifying and the road to 2027.

St. Louis matches MLS’s all-time unbeaten streak, and the Philadelphia Union just can’t lose. David Gass, Tom Bogert and Matt Doyle are back to dig into St. Louis’ remarkable turnaround, the Union’s hot streak, the questions facing LAFC after a draw with Vancouver, and what stood out from another eventful weekend in MLS. 0:00 Intro 8:49 St. Louis’ Historic Run Continues 20:53 The Race for the Western Conference 25:07 Kévin Denkey Carrying FC Cincinnati 28:56 Late Canadian Classique Comeback 35:22 Toronto’s Playoff Push Starts Now 40:13 André Luiz Arrives as Portland’s Struggles 52:14 Philadelphia’s Unstoppable Run Under Ryan Richter 58:23 Chicago Finds Away, NYCFC Falls Apart 1:05:34 Charlotte: Dark Horse in the East? 1:14:04 LAFC Still Can’t Find Another Gear For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

David Gass and Jordan Angeli look back at some of the biggest NWSL trades from the 2026 season and talk about how those moves have played out for the players and the clubs involved. Then they look ahead to next season with a few dream moves of their own, before revisiting their preseason predictions to see what they got right, and where they missed the mark. For the full breakdown of Cat Bush’s trade grades, head to our Instagram: @swwomenfc . 0:00 International Break Special 4:23 NWSL Trade Grades 10:41 Claire Hutton: Bay’s Big Win 15:29 Croix Bethune: A Win for Everyone 22:00 Ludmila: Difficult Fit for San Diego 29:43 Jordyn Huitema: Did Chicago Overpay? 34:03 Emily Sams: New Opportunity 37:49 Dream Moves for Next Season 45:53 Revisiting Our Preseason Predictions For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

Decision Day is fast approaching and the margins for error are getting smaller across the MLS playoff landscape. David Gass, Matt Doyle and Tom Bogert break down the MLS who players that stood out in this USMNT camp, Nashville’s pursuit of the single-season points record, the crowded races for position in both conferences and St. Louis’ remarkable unbeaten run as the regular season enters the home stretch. 0:00 Intro 6:20 USMNT’s MLS Standouts 17:55 Can Nashville Break the Points Record? 25:38 Battle for Home-Field Advantage in the East 34:00 The Eastern Conference Playoff Bubble 42:19 Vancouver & The Top of the West 54:28 St. Louis Chases History Against the Galaxy 59:54 The West’s Wildcard Battle 1:09:00 The Games That Matter For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

The USMNT is entering a new cycle, with a new generation already making its mark. Brian Dunseth and David Gass break down what we learned from the USMNT’s most recent camp and what is revealed about the team’s depth and player pool. Then Kacey White helps preview the USWNT’s big showdown with Spain, as the reigning Olympic champions battle the current World Cup champions. 0:00 Intro 1:43 Inside USMNT Camp 9:52 What We Learned This Window 19:03 Cavan Sullivan & The New Kids 27:47 The Players Who Stood Out 33:27 Captain Tyler Adams 35:19 Taking Stock of the USWNT Roster 42:12 Emma Hayes’ Selection Puzzle 52:11 What Makes Spain So Good 57:47 Predictions for USWNT vs. Spain For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

Lisa Carlin, CBS Sports analyst and NWSL sideline reporter, joins David Gass to share her favorite stories, personalties and being-the-scenes moments from the 2026 season. Then, Gass welcomes World Cup champion and NWSL broadcaster Saskia Webber to break down what’s behind Angel City’s recent run of form and the changes that have made them one of the league’s hottest teams. 0:00 Intro 3:51 Lisa Carlin on Life in the NWSL 7:40 Gameday Tradition & Favorite Stadiums 11:47 Standout Moments from the 2026 Season 20:18 What You Learn Pitch Side 26:15 The Teams That Have Made An Impression 29:42 The Art of Sideline Reporting 34:10 USWNT vs. Spain 37:24 Saskia Webber on Angel City’s Turnaround 41:00 LA’s Young Core & Versatility 47:27 Ally Sentnor & the Tactical Shift 50:59 Angel City’s Playoff Push For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered: https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq