WEBVTT
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:03.279
Hello and welcome once again to the Current Situation here on the KC Current App.
00:00:03.279 --> 00:00:04.559
I'm Dave Borchardt alongside Jillian Carroll Letrinko.
00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:07.040
Thanks so much for tuning in.
00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:08.720
Got a great show for you today.
00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:18.160
Coming up next segment, we'll talk to JP Dellacamera, one of the voices of the NWSL, get his thoughts on everything going on around the league as we're only now five games out from the playoffs.
00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:20.079
Crazy, the season has flown by.
00:00:20.079 --> 00:00:26.399
We'll also do a game preview for Kansas City's match coming up this weekend against the expansion Denver Summit, who's red -hot right now.
00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:29.199
And we'll go into the mailbag for some fan questions as well.
00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:34.079
If you haven't done so, be sure to submit your questions, and we'll talk about them here each week on the podcast.
00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:36.240
You can do that through the KC Current App.
00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:37.840
All right, Jillian, let's get started.
00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:39.039
Game recap.
00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:40.399
Not a great game.
00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:40.560
Yeah.
00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:41.679
Although it was a weird game.
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:45.119
I think almost a dead even first half between two good teams.
00:00:45.119 --> 00:00:49.600
No score at the break, but in my opinion, San Diego just better in the second half.
00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:50.799
They end up winning 2-0.
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:54.640
Now the last goal was in stoppage time, so kind of a 1-0 most of the second half.
00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:56.399
But uh it was a bummer.
00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:02.240
I know it was kind of that barometer test, two good teams going head to head, and unfortunately, Kansas City came out on the losing end.
00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:04.159
Yeah, we talked about it last week.
00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:08.480
We felt like this was going to be a match between two teams that were very similar.
00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:15.040
They wanted to be creative, they wanted to be on the ball and create offense in different ways, and both teams did.
00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:17.280
You mentioned deadlock first half.
00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:21.760
I thought both teams had some really good chan chances, dangerous buildups.
00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:26.959
Uh it's so unfortunate, but own goals are part of this game.
00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:31.760
And this we saw San Diego on the um receiving end of this one.
00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:33.359
So they were gifted this own goal.
00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:36.239
It was a great cross-in, and Laney Rouse was doing everything correctly.
00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:41.840
She was touch-tight with her with her attacker, put out a foot to try to get a touch.
00:01:41.840 --> 00:01:45.439
Unfortunately, it hit her thigh first and then found its way in the back of the net.
00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:46.239
So that's tough.
00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:54.719
Uh, in my opinion, that's not necessarily a an earned goal from San Diego because I think that cross, as great as it is, Laney Rouse was doing everything defensively she should have.
00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:55.840
It was just an unlucky touch.
00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:03.120
I was gonna ask you if there's anything she should have done differently because we were watching the game and in real time it seemed like she did everything kind of perfectly.
00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:07.200
And the other thing is it didn't get reviewed, but it looked like she was kind of getting pushed in the back, right?
00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:11.120
She was like boxing out the forward, and then like you said, unlucky.
00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.199
Uh I mean, do you want to pull your leg back there?
00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:17.360
I assume you want to put your leg out just so the opponent's forward won't get a foot on it.
00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:17.759
Yeah.
00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:23.360
So honestly, I would even go back a layer, and you don't want to be running toward your own goal.
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:25.120
And that's what happened for Laney.
00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:26.879
So she just wasn't back.
00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:29.919
You want to be back to your own goal facing the play.
00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:33.759
And unfortunately, because then you can anything you touch typically goes forward, right?
00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:44.639
Unfortunately, she was making her recovery run still, and it was kind of like in stride, if you saw she raised that, I think it was her left leg, raised it up, tried to get a touch, and it took the inside of her thigh there.
00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:53.039
So if she could have been in position a little bit earlier, she could have opened her hips, opened her shoulders toward up the field instead of facing her own goal, and that would have changed.
00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:56.000
Even if she got the deflection, it would have changed the direction, right?
00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:57.280
So it's very unfortunate.
00:02:57.280 --> 00:02:59.599
And then to your point, you know, a stoppage time goal.
00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:06.639
Um, there are some takeaways that are positive with this match, and it's a lot of the resilience factor, a lot of this team never giving up.
00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:14.800
Game changers came in, the level stayed high, there were opportunities built until the last dying minutes of the match for Kansas City.
00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:16.479
So it is a tough one though.
00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:26.240
I do think this looks like points dropped, obviously, um, during a critical time of the season, where Kansas City is in the hunt and really needs every point possible.
00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:27.120
So it's a tough one.
00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:30.240
But again, walking away, heads held high.
00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:34.960
There are some really uh really fascinating moments in this game, I think specifically.
00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:37.680
We got to see Debinha on the ball a lot, which I love.
00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:44.319
Um but you know, you take away Croix Bethune from this attack and this midfield, and and we see and feel her absence.
00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:50.560
Yeah, it's a good point because I know before the previous game we said what's this offense gonna look like without Croix Bethune?
00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:53.039
And against Orlando, it was unbelievable, right?
00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:57.120
The XG was like 3.6 and ended up scoring a couple goals.
00:03:57.120 --> 00:03:59.919
And it looked the same in the first half of this game.
00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:02.879
I think the XG was dead even between the two teams.
00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:06.719
But then in the second half, Kansas City's offense didn't um wasn't quite as powerful.
00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:13.039
I don't know if you had a a thought on why maybe that happened, because they had been pretty good the three halves without Croix before the second half of this game.
00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:20.560
Yeah, for me it was it was just that San Diego really settled in and then they really kind of grew into the match and found themselves on the ball.
00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:26.160
I don't know the stats possession wise, but second half, they were really on the ball significantly more than in the first.
00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:32.319
I think in the first half that they were still trying to figure everything out, being a little bit reactive, a little paying respects to Kansas City almost.
00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:36.160
And then I think second half they kind of said, Hey, this is our house, let's do what we do.
00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:40.800
They were tight, uh they were successful in tight spaces, and they got some things put together.
00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:47.040
So um again, a tough one on the road at a critical point in the season where every point is at a premium.
00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:53.120
So um Kansas City now has an opportunity for a bounce back, which is always good, and they're at home, so it's it's good timing.
00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:57.360
It's been such a great rookie season for Laney Rouse, like unbelievable.
00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:02.160
But this was a rough game, not just because of the own goal, but she got a second yellow card, which leads to a red card.
00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:03.759
Now she has to miss the game against Denver.
00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:05.600
We'll talk about that later in the show.
00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:07.920
Uh, but it was just like a double whammy, right?
00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.279
And that ends up leading to the free kick.
00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:12.639
That was a great goal on the flip tetter by Kennedy Wesley in stoppage time.
00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:16.879
But um Rouse has had such a good season, but it was a night I'm sure she'd like to forget.
00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:18.000
Yeah, it's so hard.
00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.800
I mean, again, own goals are the worst.
00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:21.839
The worst.
00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:24.639
And I mean, I feel like every defender has gone through it.
00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:26.560
Um some defensive midfielders as well.
00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:28.240
It's just part of it, unfortunately.
00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:32.480
Um, but yeah, then to come back and and unfortunately exit the match.
00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:38.800
And um, I'm glad you brought up the free free kick because you have to give props where they are due, and that was stunning.
00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:45.839
Um, really well done from Dali and K and uh Kenny Wesley to just get that tiny little flick and just redirect it slightly.
00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:48.800
But coming back to Laney Rouse, this part of the game, she's a rookie.
00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:56.639
She has shown the utmost professionalism the entire year through adversity, through her first start, through just a tough season.
00:05:56.639 --> 00:05:58.480
Um yeah, it stinks.
00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:03.759
She'll want it back for sure, but I foresee when she does make her return, she'll want to make up for it.
00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:05.839
So who knows what we'll see out of her moving forward.
00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:07.920
And uh big storyline, which we'll hit on later.
00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:10.720
Laney Rouse is gonna have to miss the game this weekend against Denver.
00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:13.920
Denver's only three points back at Kansas City in the playoff hunt.
00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:16.160
Ellie Bravo Young is out of maternity leave.
00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:17.600
Katie Scott's gone with the U.S.
00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:18.959
under 20 women's national team.
00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:21.040
It's gonna be an interesting storyline when we get to that.
00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:25.519
And that brings us to our next segment, Dave, when we're talking about all things NWSL.
00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:30.240
We're going around the league, and today we are super excited to welcome in our expert.
00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:34.959
It is none other than JP Dellacamera, one of the voices of women's soccer.
00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:40.000
If you know his voice, you know that he always brings a wonderful call, great energy.
00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.480
Um, of course, play-by-play on ION.
00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:46.399
We've we caught him a couple times this weekend, but always covering NWSL.
00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:49.600
JP week 22 did not disappoint.
00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:54.480
We're getting to the point where teams are really needing every single point.
00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:56.399
What was your takeaway from this weekend?
00:06:56.399 --> 00:07:05.600
We heard you on the Orlando-Portland match and the Washington-Chicago match, but what was your takeaway and and where the teams are, where the table stands as far as week 22?
00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:12.160
Well, I would say Gotham had a significant statement win on the road, sellout crowd at North Carolina.
00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:20.959
Um, they look like, um, even though there's five games to go, um, if you're handicapping it, they still look like they're gonna win the shield this year.
00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:24.959
Uh tough loss for North Carolina because they're looking at at seeding.
00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:27.839
They're gonna be in the playoffs, but where do they finish?
00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:30.480
I think Denver had a statement win.
00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:33.600
Uh, they needed that against Seattle.
00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:38.000
And then Angel City continues to, I would say, make news.
00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:44.240
I I know that Utah lost two players to red cards, and and nobody really would survive that.
00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:48.800
And that happened in the first half, but that's Angel City's unbeaten in five now.
00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:53.120
They're in a playoff position, three straight wins under an interim head coach.
00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:56.160
So those were some of the highlights I would say from this weekend.
00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:59.199
You talked about Gotham still being the team to beat, and it looks like that.
00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:01.920
They have a five-point cushion now with just five games left.
00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:06.800
Um, I wanted to look at kind of that, not the bottom of the table, but the bottom of the playoff line area.
00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:14.639
Like you said, if we were sitting here a week ago, Angel City was out of the playoffs, even though they had the top goal differential in the league, which is a wild stat.
00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:18.480
You know, the goal differential almost always will lead you towards the top of the table.
00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.560
But now they're in, they blew out Utah.
00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:25.839
Denver with a huge win, like you mentioned, against Seattle, because Seattle's right there near the playoff line as well.
00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:33.279
Um, we know this weekend's Denver-Kansas City game will say a lot to who's getting in um in the seven, eight seed sort of position.
00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:37.919
But um, what are your thoughts on kind of the teams hovering near the playoff line?
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:45.200
And if it's Angel City, Kansas City, Denver, uh, Seattle in terms of who might get in if we're fast-forwarding a month from now.
00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:46.480
Wow.
00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:53.759
Um I wrote a note here that eight points, just eight, are separating second place from eighth, right?
00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:57.200
So there's still playoff spots there, seeding to think about.
00:08:57.200 --> 00:09:06.000
But if you're thinking about eight, nine, and ten, there's really those three teams involved, probably uh maybe a fourth team.
00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:10.080
Angel City, Kansas City, Seattle, and Denver, I would say, all of a shot.
00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:14.480
I'd say your game against Denver is huge on Saturday.
00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:17.600
Um you're at home where you where you never lose.
00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:24.559
And I still think that Kansas City has uh too much talent, and they also have Chawinga, who's really the X factor.
00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:27.759
I do think Kansas City is in the playoffs.
00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.440
I think there's uh another big game, two big games this weekend, actually.
00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:37.840
Washington, Angel City may go a long way towards you know who's gonna finish second.
00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:54.480
If Angel City could win that game in Washington, where the Spirit have not been good lately at home, then I would say that would be a significant win for them, and that that would convince me that they're gonna be in that playoff um spot, whatever spot that is.
00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:59.519
And then Utah, North Carolina, Utah needs a bounce back game, but but so does North Carolina.
00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:06.720
So I think the hardest part about this league, people have said, well, somebody has a better schedule down the road.
00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:10.240
I don't look at that anymore because these games are too unpredictable.
00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:19.759
And so while you think that somebody has a lighter schedule, there's so many upsets in this league, and there's so many games where you think this team is gonna dominate.
00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:33.440
Like Chicago goes into Portland last week, and it's only a one-one draw, and everybody thought Chicago's giving up five goals in one game, six in two different games, and they're playing in Portland, and that was a one-one draw.
00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:37.039
And that point might come back and cost Portland something.
00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:40.159
It might might cost them a home playoff game for all we know.
00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:49.200
So I think it's too hard to look at a team's schedule now and say, yeah, they have an advantage over another team because the games are so unpredictable.
00:10:49.519 --> 00:11:04.960
Yeah, and JP, that brings me to my next question, which was going to be you kind of hinted at it, but the race to the shield, in years past, we have seen one team really kind of own that shield, whether it was Orlando or of course Kansas City in historic fashion last year.
00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:08.879
This year's kind of bringing back like vintage NWSL, isn't it?
00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.399
It's the parody is there.
00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:15.279
Yes, we see Gotham, but I do think Washington's kind of knocking on the door.
00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:17.200
Where do you see that falling?
00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.080
Yeah, and San Diego's not far behind either.
00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:23.200
I think, I think, Jillian, it's it's much better.
00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:35.120
You know, no offense to Kansas City, who broke every record in the world last year, or to Orlando, who broke all the records before Kansas City broke them, but you know, it was never in doubt the Shield race.
00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.919
I like this better.
00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.399
You know, there's a competition that's involved in it.
00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.799
We all knew last year Kansas City was going to win it.
00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:44.240
Uh, I'm not sure when we knew it, but probably midway point of the season.
00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:48.159
And the same with Orlando when they had the great year before that.
00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:53.679
But uh full disclosure, I had picked Washington to be the champions this year.
00:11:53.679 --> 00:12:00.399
I didn't know at that time Kingsbury was out on maternity leave, and I didn't know how good McKeever was because we hadn't seen her.
00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:10.080
Uh but to me, Washington has on paper and balance, probably the deepest team, you know, the most talented team.
00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:14.080
And they were also runners up in the last two championship games.
00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:18.720
So I do think that this weekend is a statement game, though, too, for Washington.
00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:23.519
If they win that game at home and they show where they're at, they could close the gap.
00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:26.320
But right now, I I still think it's Gotham's.
00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:32.639
Uh, there's still 15 points up for grabs, but Gotham's in very good form right now.
00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:37.840
You mentioned it's hard to analyze the schedule because results can be shocking at times in the NWSL.
00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:41.759
Do you feel like that will apply to the playoffs as well, like it did last year?
00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:44.080
Like you said, last year Kansas City ran away with the league.
00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:48.879
Gotham sneaks in as an eighth seed, they get hot at the right time, they go all the way to the championship.
00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:56.720
Do you feel like that scenario could play out again this year, or do you think it'll be one of the heavyweights, Gotham or Washington, more likely to win the title?
00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:06.960
I think in in every whatever you want to call it, every tournament, every World Cup, even in other sports, Stanley Cup playoffs, NBA, there's always going to be an upset, right?
00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:09.600
And that one versus eight is always tough.
00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:11.600
And look what happened, you know, last year.
00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.679
Um Gotham ends up winning it.
00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:19.519
In fact, the two titles that Gotham won, they finished in the last playoff spot of that season.
00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.200
This is different for Gotham.
00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:26.960
They'll they'll start, it looks like, as the one seed, possibly two, but but not lower than that.
00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:29.279
Um so I still like Gotham.
00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:34.000
They're deep, and even without the the Sonnet injury, they're in great shape.
00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:42.480
But I I see some very good potential matchups, and whoever finishes in eighth place, and let's say right now we look at the standings and it's the eighth that are there.
00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:46.799
If you're Gotham, you probably don't want to play against Kansas City.
00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:51.440
Even though you beat North Carolina, you wouldn't want to play North Carolina if they finished eighth.
00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:53.039
And the same with Angel City.
00:13:53.039 --> 00:14:04.320
So there's always going to be an upset in there, and the fact that Gotham could win the shield and may win the shield, or does win the shield, doesn't mean necessarily that they're gonna win it all.
00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:08.559
JP Dellacamera, we always appreciate the time.
00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.159
Thank you so much for joining us.
00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:14.559
Uh, real quickly before we escape, can you give us a quick prediction?
00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:18.559
Kansas City, Denver, at CPKC Stadium this weekend.
00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:19.440
Who you got?
00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:23.840
I don't have a score, but I would never bet against Kansas City playing at home.
00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:24.559
Smart.
00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.039
Smart.
00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:26.879
All right, JP, have a great call this weekend.
00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.679
Thank you.
00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:29.279
Thanks for having me.
00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.039
All right, Jillian.
00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.320
Time for our game preview.
00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.200
And it's a tough one.
00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.559
Five games left for the Current.
00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:40.480
Two are against teams near the top of the table, two are against teams that are essentially out of the playoff line, and then this is one that's kind of in the middle.
00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:44.320
Although this feels like a playoff game because Denver is right below the playoff line.
00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:47.919
If they win, they've caught all the way up to Kansas City, which we don't want.
00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:50.159
So I feel like this week you gotta get at least a tie.
00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.759
You don't want Denver to catch all the way up.
00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.919
So it's kind of like a six-point swing game.
00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:54.960
Like they can catch us.
00:14:54.960 --> 00:15:01.440
If we win, then we're up six points, which is huge with only four games left at that point, or a tie would kind of keep them three points back.
00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:03.360
So um but that's the lay of the land.
00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:05.360
These two teams faced off July 3rd.
00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:07.360
It was maybe Kansas City's best game of the year.
00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:13.120
The Current killed Denver on the road 3-0, but I don't expect that kind of game at all.
00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.200
Denver seems like a very different team at this point.
00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:17.120
Yeah, so is Kansas City, right?
00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:21.679
But Kansas City went in there and acted like they owned the place from the beginning.
00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:24.639
And this weekend, they do own the place, right?
00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:35.200
So hopefully uh the CPKC vibes will be high, and Kansas City will come in with that hometown pride that this is our venue, this is our home field, we have to defend it.
00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:38.159
It is going to be a match, it is going to be very difficult.
00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:40.799
We've chatted about this, but Denver is thriving.
00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:45.919
They are uh peaking at the right time, walking into this playoff kind of picture, if you will.
00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:50.559
Um, and Kansas City is still trying to really find their flow.
00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:58.639
I think that the starting 11 from last match, those 11 really only they've only started together four times all season.
00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:02.879
That specific set of 11 players that's wild at this point in the season.
00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:06.799
So it just shows that Kansas City is still finding their form.
00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:10.399
And while some might say that that can be a little detrimental, that can be tricky.
00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:13.919
I say look at the resilience and look at this grit.
00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:17.360
This team has any challenge in front of them, they're up for it.
00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:25.600
Whether it be injuries, um, leadership, whether it be anything, they've shown that the resilience that they can display.
00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.320
And it might not be the prettiest, but they will come back and win it.
00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.600
So it's gonna be a great match.
00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:31.919
I'm excited for the fans to be able to see this at home.
00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:35.039
Uh they come in with uh an incredible roster.
00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:41.360
Uh obviously Lindsay Heaps added to the mix uh this season, excuse me, this summer already.
00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:44.080
Back-to-back games with goals, she's thriving.
00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:53.679
Uh Janine Sonis, not every day you see a defender with 11 goals leading this team, not only as the captain, but also as a goal scorer, which is a little wild, but it's been fun to watch.
00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:56.799
And you have to give you know props to this expansion team.
00:16:56.799 --> 00:17:02.799
They've come in, done everything right with the with the front office, with the investments, with the facilities, etc.
00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:08.160
They're committed to meeting the standard that quite frankly has been set by the KC Current.
00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:10.799
Um, and they're delivering on the pitch as well.
00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.920
So it's gonna be a tough match.
00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.720
Yeah, no doubt.
00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:18.319
It's always exciting the first time a new team comes into your stadium, so it's gonna be cool to see Denver in person for the KC Current fans.
00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:20.400
Um we're talking about a very different Denver team.
00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:24.799
Lindsay Heaps was signed when the two teams faced off in early July, but she wasn't active yet.
00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:28.880
We're talking about them hitting their stride, they have eight goals scored in the last three games.
00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:32.480
How much of it is Heaps getting involved and being active?
00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:37.519
Because they went from being a team that was okay but didn't look great to now being a team that's red hot.
00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:39.920
Is it how much does she get credit or is it more than that?
00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:54.079
I mean, I think she's having like a career year, and a player who has represented her country in Canada um has been in NWSL for years, for her to now be thriving the way she is, like this is very cool to her for her, very cool to watch.
00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:59.440
And then also Lindsay Heaps and Janine Sonis played all their youth soccer together too.
00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:06.640
So to see them come back together on this professional level in their hometown, I mean they've got all the things cooking, everything is just kind of going.
00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:13.519
So I do think it's the addition of Heaps, but I also think it's just simply more minutes and reps for the team in general.
00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:17.920
I mean, we were just kind of chatting about it, but how many players on this squad have six or more goals?
00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:28.160
There's a handful Flint, Costler, Yasmin Ryan, um, Sonis, all with six or more goals, and then you add in Heaps and Olivia Thomas and Yamamoto.
00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:33.359
Like there's just so many uh players on this squad that want to contribute in a big way.
00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:37.759
So I think it is yes, you bring in a player like Lindsay Heaps, she is a world-class player.
00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:42.799
She's going to impact a culture of a team, but also their ability on the pitch.
00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:47.519
But I also just think it's the minutes that this brand new team is finally getting together.
00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:50.799
On the Current side, I know fans that want to know about Croix Bethune.
00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:53.920
I'm hopeful that we'll maybe see her back.
00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:58.079
But the way it normally works is if you're out for a couple weeks, you come back and you're on the bench, right?
00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:00.640
You don't normally go from out to starting and playing 90 minutes.
00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:02.960
So I'm hopeful we'll see her this week or next week.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:10.559
But just for Current fans to kind of prepare yourself, it'll probably be coming off the bench and kind of easing her back because she is such a key player for this team down the home stretch.
00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:13.119
The player we know is out for sure is Laney Rouse.
00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.160
We talked about that earlier.
00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:16.799
Two yellow cards last week equals a red card.
00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:18.000
She's out for this game.
00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:21.200
Maybe it's as simple as E Ball shifts out right.
00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:24.160
You know, I know you have the thought maybe Michelle Cooper could do that.
00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:26.079
She did it a few games ago at Bay FC.
00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:28.240
How big a loss will Laney Rouse be?
00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:31.920
And um, out of all the different options, how do you think Coach Chris Armas will handle that?
00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:35.759
Yeah, it's gonna be yet another hurdle that this squad's gonna have to get over together.
00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.640
And I think they will.
00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:39.680
I do believe that uh with her out, you just mentioned a great option.
00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:41.200
Elizabeth Ball can be put out there.
00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:46.720
Itala Gamelli called up from KC Current too uh when her number was called very quickly.
00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:56.079
Uh, you remember when Eball went out in warm-ups and Itala Gamelli expected to get some minutes that match, but toward the end, she ended up starting, putting in 90, did a solid job in the center back position.
00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.119
That's an option.
00:19:57.119 --> 00:20:02.559
Also, again, Michelle Cooper, we saw her play right back, and what a competitor.
00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:06.640
She's got speed, she's got the edge, she's got the comp the competitive mindset.
00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:09.839
I thought she was great at the the right back position.
00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:12.640
Uh obviously naturally a forward and a goal scorer.
00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:23.759
But when you have a player like Amelia White who can stay in uh, you know, as a right winger, and if you need Michelle Cooper in the back, okay, I trust that she'll do her job back there, but I also trust that she'll find her way up into the mix as well.
00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:35.920
So it will be tough without Laney Rouse because again, I think looking for continuity, looking for rhythm, this team needs more minutes with the the same starting lineup, if you will.
00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:39.839
But uh a couple of options there, Eball out there, Michelle Cooper out there.
00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:41.039
Uh, but who knows?
00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:43.279
You know, it's it's an opportunity to get creative.
00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:46.559
There are lots of players on this squad that simply want to be on the pitch.
00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:50.160
And and so they can they can shift some pieces around.
00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:54.960
It's it's a the puzzle that will be upset, you know, the the pieces will fit in the way they can.
00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:59.119
But again, Croix Bethune's absence as well, hoping to see her.
00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:03.200
If not, we've gotten to see Debinha playing in her natural position in that 10.
00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.799
So lots of options.
00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:10.160
Again, when I go back to this team, has shown resilience and they've shown grit in many different ways as being one of them.
00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.759
I can see this being a wild game.
00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:14.480
Both teams score a lot, both teams allow some goals.
00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:17.599
I can see this being a three to two, three-three, four-three sort of game.
00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.400
Do you feel that way too?
00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.200
Bring it.
00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.960
Let's make this a rivalry, right?
00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:23.680
Both geographically and with exciting matches.
00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.640
Like I'm all for it.
00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:28.480
And if I know these fans at CPKC Stadium, they would welcome that also.
00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.480
I hope that Denver travels a little bit.
00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:32.480
I hope we get to see some of those fans here.
00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:35.039
But yeah, uh, I think this will be a little bit wild.
00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:36.240
I think it will be open.
00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:41.359
Um, and I also think with players like a Lindsay Heaps on the field, it's gonna be methodical.
00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:47.680
A player like Vanessa DiBernardo, you know, we talked about another coach on the field with uh Vanessa back uh in the mix.
00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:51.200
I think it will be um a really good game of soccer.
00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.319
So I'm very excited about it.
00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.759
You speak about the fans.
00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.799
Let's get to the fan questions.
00:21:54.799 --> 00:22:01.200
And again, we encourage people to submit their fan questions through the KC Current App, and we would love to answer those on next week's podcast.
00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:03.359
All right, here's one Pitchide Coffee.
00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.559
There was some news recently.
00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:06.079
They're moving to Current Landing.
00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.400
Yeah.
00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.599
Um, also exciting.
00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:15.440
They're not just gonna have coffee, which they have great coffee, but they're gonna have healthy like smoothie type drinks, they're gonna have adult beverages if you need a post-game cocktail.
00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:18.319
Um, do you have a favorite Pitchside Coffee drink?
00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.759
Yeah, I do.
00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:24.880
So it's gonna be the peanut butter caramel latte, the peanut butter syrup they make themselves in-house.
00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.920
It's so good.
00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:36.079
And if you caught the broadcast last week, Mallory Weber, uh, one of the co-owners of Pitch side, she joined and she just said how excited they are about moving to Current Landing.
00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:45.039
So potentially, hopefully, gonna be like a post-match spot where people can, you mentioned come grab a drink, um, support the team and just enjoy.
00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:49.279
But yeah, if you haven't tried it yet, peanut butter caramel latte is my definite go-to.
00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:56.240
But are you one of those people that's like you just say that, or you're like, I need the oat milk, I need it extra hot, or you make like 10 tweaks?
00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.839
I guess maybe I don't know.
00:22:58.079 --> 00:23:02.079
I don't do a ton, but I do do I don't know, I do do oat milk.
00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.519
I don't know how you got that, but nice job.
00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.240
I was just guessing.
00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:07.279
Yeah, no, that's that's probably the only tweak if I ever made one.
00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:11.759
Maybe if I need an extra shot, if I'm like having having a day.
00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.880
You're a busy person.
00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:15.119
I can see you needed a little extra caffeine, that makes sense.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:19.839
Okay, second question for this week what is the most underrated part of KC Current Match Day?
00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:22.960
And I think we're talking here at CPKC Stadium that you never want to miss.
00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:25.680
This is so hard because it is it is all of it.
00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:28.240
It is uh the KC Baby chant for me.
00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:33.119
It is um the post-match celebration with the supporter section.
00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:38.000
But I think, and this is probably the former player in me, I think it's the player walkout.
00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.079
That's when my goosebumps come out.
00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.920
Um, I think it's right when they come out.
00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:52.400
I will never forget uh when the stadium opened, I got to be down on the sideline and I got to watch and record the first kind of walkout, and that this was for warm-ups, not for the game.
00:23:52.400 --> 00:24:02.160
And everybody came out running and happy, and then Lo'eau LaBonta came out, and she had this fierce look on her face, and I was like, Oh, it's on, it's gonna be a match.
00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:05.200
And then they went on to win in Historic Way 5-2 over Portland.
00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:11.680
But uh player warm-ups, walkouts, but the walkout for the the game is my favorite.
00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:15.279
But there's a whole list of them, so that's I I didn't really answer the question.
00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.519
So all the things, all the things you said are great.
00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:19.039
I also love the baby cam now.
00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:21.440
I always look I always look for your baby, right?
00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:23.599
To see if your husband's holding the baby up on the screen.
00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.160
Every time.
00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:29.920
And then the postgame inside the club when the team wins, and Chris and Angie are there cracking open the champagne.
00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:32.720
Not everybody gets to see that moment, but that's a really cool moment when we win.
00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.160
I always look forward to that as well.
00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:34.799
Yeah.
00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.079
All right, that'll do it.
00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:37.599
Big game coming up this weekend.
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:39.359
KC Current at Denver Summit.
00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.880
We'll talk about next week.
00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.680
Should be a good one.
00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.119
Lots of playoff implications.
00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.880
You've been watching the Current Situation.
00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:47.519
Thanks so much for tuning in, and we'll talk to you next week.
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:03.279
Hello and welcome once again to the Current Situation here on the KC Current App.
00:00:03.279 --> 00:00:04.559
I'm Dave Borchardt alongside Jillian Carroll Letrinko.
00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:07.040
Thanks so much for tuning in.
00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:08.720
Got a great show for you today.
00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:18.160
Coming up next segment, we'll talk to JP Dellacamera, one of the voices of the NWSL, get his thoughts on everything going on around the league as we're only now five games out from the playoffs.
00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:20.079
Crazy, the season has flown by.
00:00:20.079 --> 00:00:26.399
We'll also do a game preview for Kansas City's match coming up this weekend against the expansion Denver Summit, who's red -hot right now.
00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:29.199
And we'll go into the mailbag for some fan questions as well.
00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:34.079
If you haven't done so, be sure to submit your questions, and we'll talk about them here each week on the podcast.
00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:36.240
You can do that through the KC Current App.
00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:37.840
All right, Jillian, let's get started.
00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:39.039
Game recap.
00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:40.399
Not a great game.
00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:40.560
Yeah.
00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:41.679
Although it was a weird game.
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:45.119
I think almost a dead even first half between two good teams.
00:00:45.119 --> 00:00:49.600
No score at the break, but in my opinion, San Diego just better in the second half.
00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:50.799
They end up winning 2-0.
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:54.640
Now the last goal was in stoppage time, so kind of a 1-0 most of the second half.
00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:56.399
But uh it was a bummer.
00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:02.240
I know it was kind of that barometer test, two good teams going head to head, and unfortunately, Kansas City came out on the losing end.
00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:04.159
Yeah, we talked about it last week.
00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:08.480
We felt like this was going to be a match between two teams that were very similar.
00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:15.040
They wanted to be creative, they wanted to be on the ball and create offense in different ways, and both teams did.
00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:17.280
You mentioned deadlock first half.
00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:21.760
I thought both teams had some really good chan chances, dangerous buildups.
00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:26.959
Uh it's so unfortunate, but own goals are part of this game.
00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:31.760
And this we saw San Diego on the um receiving end of this one.
00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:33.359
So they were gifted this own goal.
00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:36.239
It was a great cross-in, and Laney Rouse was doing everything correctly.
00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:41.840
She was touch-tight with her with her attacker, put out a foot to try to get a touch.
00:01:41.840 --> 00:01:45.439
Unfortunately, it hit her thigh first and then found its way in the back of the net.
00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:46.239
So that's tough.
00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:54.719
Uh, in my opinion, that's not necessarily a an earned goal from San Diego because I think that cross, as great as it is, Laney Rouse was doing everything defensively she should have.
00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:55.840
It was just an unlucky touch.
00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:03.120
I was gonna ask you if there's anything she should have done differently because we were watching the game and in real time it seemed like she did everything kind of perfectly.
00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:07.200
And the other thing is it didn't get reviewed, but it looked like she was kind of getting pushed in the back, right?
00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:11.120
She was like boxing out the forward, and then like you said, unlucky.
00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.199
Uh I mean, do you want to pull your leg back there?
00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:17.360
I assume you want to put your leg out just so the opponent's forward won't get a foot on it.
00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:17.759
Yeah.
00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:23.360
So honestly, I would even go back a layer, and you don't want to be running toward your own goal.
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:25.120
And that's what happened for Laney.
00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:26.879
So she just wasn't back.
00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:29.919
You want to be back to your own goal facing the play.
00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:33.759
And unfortunately, because then you can anything you touch typically goes forward, right?
00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:44.639
Unfortunately, she was making her recovery run still, and it was kind of like in stride, if you saw she raised that, I think it was her left leg, raised it up, tried to get a touch, and it took the inside of her thigh there.
00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:53.039
So if she could have been in position a little bit earlier, she could have opened her hips, opened her shoulders toward up the field instead of facing her own goal, and that would have changed.
00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:56.000
Even if she got the deflection, it would have changed the direction, right?
00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:57.280
So it's very unfortunate.
00:02:57.280 --> 00:02:59.599
And then to your point, you know, a stoppage time goal.
00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:06.639
Um, there are some takeaways that are positive with this match, and it's a lot of the resilience factor, a lot of this team never giving up.
00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:14.800
Game changers came in, the level stayed high, there were opportunities built until the last dying minutes of the match for Kansas City.
00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:16.479
So it is a tough one though.
00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:26.240
I do think this looks like points dropped, obviously, um, during a critical time of the season, where Kansas City is in the hunt and really needs every point possible.
00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:27.120
So it's a tough one.
00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:30.240
But again, walking away, heads held high.
00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:34.960
There are some really uh really fascinating moments in this game, I think specifically.
00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:37.680
We got to see Debinha on the ball a lot, which I love.
00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:44.319
Um but you know, you take away Croix Bethune from this attack and this midfield, and and we see and feel her absence.
00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:50.560
Yeah, it's a good point because I know before the previous game we said what's this offense gonna look like without Croix Bethune?
00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:53.039
And against Orlando, it was unbelievable, right?
00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:57.120
The XG was like 3.6 and ended up scoring a couple goals.
00:03:57.120 --> 00:03:59.919
And it looked the same in the first half of this game.
00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:02.879
I think the XG was dead even between the two teams.
00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:06.719
But then in the second half, Kansas City's offense didn't um wasn't quite as powerful.
00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:13.039
I don't know if you had a a thought on why maybe that happened, because they had been pretty good the three halves without Croix before the second half of this game.
00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:20.560
Yeah, for me it was it was just that San Diego really settled in and then they really kind of grew into the match and found themselves on the ball.
00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:26.160
I don't know the stats possession wise, but second half, they were really on the ball significantly more than in the first.
00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:32.319
I think in the first half that they were still trying to figure everything out, being a little bit reactive, a little paying respects to Kansas City almost.
00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:36.160
And then I think second half they kind of said, Hey, this is our house, let's do what we do.
00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:40.800
They were tight, uh they were successful in tight spaces, and they got some things put together.
00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:47.040
So um again, a tough one on the road at a critical point in the season where every point is at a premium.
00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:53.120
So um Kansas City now has an opportunity for a bounce back, which is always good, and they're at home, so it's it's good timing.
00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:57.360
It's been such a great rookie season for Laney Rouse, like unbelievable.
00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:02.160
But this was a rough game, not just because of the own goal, but she got a second yellow card, which leads to a red card.
00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:03.759
Now she has to miss the game against Denver.
00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:05.600
We'll talk about that later in the show.
00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:07.920
Uh, but it was just like a double whammy, right?
00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.279
And that ends up leading to the free kick.
00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:12.639
That was a great goal on the flip tetter by Kennedy Wesley in stoppage time.
00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:16.879
But um Rouse has had such a good season, but it was a night I'm sure she'd like to forget.
00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:18.000
Yeah, it's so hard.
00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.800
I mean, again, own goals are the worst.
00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:21.839
The worst.
00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:24.639
And I mean, I feel like every defender has gone through it.
00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:26.560
Um some defensive midfielders as well.
00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:28.240
It's just part of it, unfortunately.
00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:32.480
Um, but yeah, then to come back and and unfortunately exit the match.
00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:38.800
And um, I'm glad you brought up the free free kick because you have to give props where they are due, and that was stunning.
00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:45.839
Um, really well done from Dali and K and uh Kenny Wesley to just get that tiny little flick and just redirect it slightly.
00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:48.800
But coming back to Laney Rouse, this part of the game, she's a rookie.
00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:56.639
She has shown the utmost professionalism the entire year through adversity, through her first start, through just a tough season.
00:05:56.639 --> 00:05:58.480
Um yeah, it stinks.
00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:03.759
She'll want it back for sure, but I foresee when she does make her return, she'll want to make up for it.
00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:05.839
So who knows what we'll see out of her moving forward.
00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:07.920
And uh big storyline, which we'll hit on later.
00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:10.720
Laney Rouse is gonna have to miss the game this weekend against Denver.
00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:13.920
Denver's only three points back at Kansas City in the playoff hunt.
00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:16.160
Ellie Bravo Young is out of maternity leave.
00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:17.600
Katie Scott's gone with the U.S.
00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:18.959
under 20 women's national team.
00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:21.040
It's gonna be an interesting storyline when we get to that.
00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:25.519
And that brings us to our next segment, Dave, when we're talking about all things NWSL.
00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:30.240
We're going around the league, and today we are super excited to welcome in our expert.
00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:34.959
It is none other than JP Dellacamera, one of the voices of women's soccer.
00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:40.000
If you know his voice, you know that he always brings a wonderful call, great energy.
00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.480
Um, of course, play-by-play on ION.
00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:46.399
We've we caught him a couple times this weekend, but always covering NWSL.
00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:49.600
JP week 22 did not disappoint.
00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:54.480
We're getting to the point where teams are really needing every single point.
00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:56.399
What was your takeaway from this weekend?
00:06:56.399 --> 00:07:05.600
We heard you on the Orlando-Portland match and the Washington-Chicago match, but what was your takeaway and and where the teams are, where the table stands as far as week 22?
00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:12.160
Well, I would say Gotham had a significant statement win on the road, sellout crowd at North Carolina.
00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:20.959
Um, they look like, um, even though there's five games to go, um, if you're handicapping it, they still look like they're gonna win the shield this year.
00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:24.959
Uh tough loss for North Carolina because they're looking at at seeding.
00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:27.839
They're gonna be in the playoffs, but where do they finish?
00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:30.480
I think Denver had a statement win.
00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:33.600
Uh, they needed that against Seattle.
00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:38.000
And then Angel City continues to, I would say, make news.
00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:44.240
I I know that Utah lost two players to red cards, and and nobody really would survive that.
00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:48.800
And that happened in the first half, but that's Angel City's unbeaten in five now.
00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:53.120
They're in a playoff position, three straight wins under an interim head coach.
00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:56.160
So those were some of the highlights I would say from this weekend.
00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:59.199
You talked about Gotham still being the team to beat, and it looks like that.
00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:01.920
They have a five-point cushion now with just five games left.
00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:06.800
Um, I wanted to look at kind of that, not the bottom of the table, but the bottom of the playoff line area.
00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:14.639
Like you said, if we were sitting here a week ago, Angel City was out of the playoffs, even though they had the top goal differential in the league, which is a wild stat.
00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:18.480
You know, the goal differential almost always will lead you towards the top of the table.
00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.560
But now they're in, they blew out Utah.
00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:25.839
Denver with a huge win, like you mentioned, against Seattle, because Seattle's right there near the playoff line as well.
00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:33.279
Um, we know this weekend's Denver-Kansas City game will say a lot to who's getting in um in the seven, eight seed sort of position.
00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:37.919
But um, what are your thoughts on kind of the teams hovering near the playoff line?
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:45.200
And if it's Angel City, Kansas City, Denver, uh, Seattle in terms of who might get in if we're fast-forwarding a month from now.
00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:46.480
Wow.
00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:53.759
Um I wrote a note here that eight points, just eight, are separating second place from eighth, right?
00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:57.200
So there's still playoff spots there, seeding to think about.
00:08:57.200 --> 00:09:06.000
But if you're thinking about eight, nine, and ten, there's really those three teams involved, probably uh maybe a fourth team.
00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:10.080
Angel City, Kansas City, Seattle, and Denver, I would say, all of a shot.
00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:14.480
I'd say your game against Denver is huge on Saturday.
00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:17.600
Um you're at home where you where you never lose.
00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:24.559
And I still think that Kansas City has uh too much talent, and they also have Chawinga, who's really the X factor.
00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:27.759
I do think Kansas City is in the playoffs.
00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.440
I think there's uh another big game, two big games this weekend, actually.
00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:37.840
Washington, Angel City may go a long way towards you know who's gonna finish second.
00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:54.480
If Angel City could win that game in Washington, where the Spirit have not been good lately at home, then I would say that would be a significant win for them, and that that would convince me that they're gonna be in that playoff um spot, whatever spot that is.
00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:59.519
And then Utah, North Carolina, Utah needs a bounce back game, but but so does North Carolina.
00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:06.720
So I think the hardest part about this league, people have said, well, somebody has a better schedule down the road.
00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:10.240
I don't look at that anymore because these games are too unpredictable.
00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:19.759
And so while you think that somebody has a lighter schedule, there's so many upsets in this league, and there's so many games where you think this team is gonna dominate.
00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:33.440
Like Chicago goes into Portland last week, and it's only a one-one draw, and everybody thought Chicago's giving up five goals in one game, six in two different games, and they're playing in Portland, and that was a one-one draw.
00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:37.039
And that point might come back and cost Portland something.
00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:40.159
It might might cost them a home playoff game for all we know.
00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:49.200
So I think it's too hard to look at a team's schedule now and say, yeah, they have an advantage over another team because the games are so unpredictable.
00:10:49.519 --> 00:11:04.960
Yeah, and JP, that brings me to my next question, which was going to be you kind of hinted at it, but the race to the shield, in years past, we have seen one team really kind of own that shield, whether it was Orlando or of course Kansas City in historic fashion last year.
00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:08.879
This year's kind of bringing back like vintage NWSL, isn't it?
00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.399
It's the parody is there.
00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:15.279
Yes, we see Gotham, but I do think Washington's kind of knocking on the door.
00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:17.200
Where do you see that falling?
00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.080
Yeah, and San Diego's not far behind either.
00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:23.200
I think, I think, Jillian, it's it's much better.
00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:35.120
You know, no offense to Kansas City, who broke every record in the world last year, or to Orlando, who broke all the records before Kansas City broke them, but you know, it was never in doubt the Shield race.
00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.919
I like this better.
00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.399
You know, there's a competition that's involved in it.
00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.799
We all knew last year Kansas City was going to win it.
00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:44.240
Uh, I'm not sure when we knew it, but probably midway point of the season.
00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:48.159
And the same with Orlando when they had the great year before that.
00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:53.679
But uh full disclosure, I had picked Washington to be the champions this year.
00:11:53.679 --> 00:12:00.399
I didn't know at that time Kingsbury was out on maternity leave, and I didn't know how good McKeever was because we hadn't seen her.
00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:10.080
Uh but to me, Washington has on paper and balance, probably the deepest team, you know, the most talented team.
00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:14.080
And they were also runners up in the last two championship games.
00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:18.720
So I do think that this weekend is a statement game, though, too, for Washington.
00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:23.519
If they win that game at home and they show where they're at, they could close the gap.
00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:26.320
But right now, I I still think it's Gotham's.
00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:32.639
Uh, there's still 15 points up for grabs, but Gotham's in very good form right now.
00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:37.840
You mentioned it's hard to analyze the schedule because results can be shocking at times in the NWSL.
00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:41.759
Do you feel like that will apply to the playoffs as well, like it did last year?
00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:44.080
Like you said, last year Kansas City ran away with the league.
00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:48.879
Gotham sneaks in as an eighth seed, they get hot at the right time, they go all the way to the championship.
00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:56.720
Do you feel like that scenario could play out again this year, or do you think it'll be one of the heavyweights, Gotham or Washington, more likely to win the title?
00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:06.960
I think in in every whatever you want to call it, every tournament, every World Cup, even in other sports, Stanley Cup playoffs, NBA, there's always going to be an upset, right?
00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:09.600
And that one versus eight is always tough.
00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:11.600
And look what happened, you know, last year.
00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.679
Um Gotham ends up winning it.
00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:19.519
In fact, the two titles that Gotham won, they finished in the last playoff spot of that season.
00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.200
This is different for Gotham.
00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:26.960
They'll they'll start, it looks like, as the one seed, possibly two, but but not lower than that.
00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:29.279
Um so I still like Gotham.
00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:34.000
They're deep, and even without the the Sonnet injury, they're in great shape.
00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:42.480
But I I see some very good potential matchups, and whoever finishes in eighth place, and let's say right now we look at the standings and it's the eighth that are there.
00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:46.799
If you're Gotham, you probably don't want to play against Kansas City.
00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:51.440
Even though you beat North Carolina, you wouldn't want to play North Carolina if they finished eighth.
00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:53.039
And the same with Angel City.
00:13:53.039 --> 00:14:04.320
So there's always going to be an upset in there, and the fact that Gotham could win the shield and may win the shield, or does win the shield, doesn't mean necessarily that they're gonna win it all.
00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:08.559
JP Dellacamera, we always appreciate the time.
00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.159
Thank you so much for joining us.
00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:14.559
Uh, real quickly before we escape, can you give us a quick prediction?
00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:18.559
Kansas City, Denver, at CPKC Stadium this weekend.
00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:19.440
Who you got?
00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:23.840
I don't have a score, but I would never bet against Kansas City playing at home.
00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:24.559
Smart.
00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.039
Smart.
00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:26.879
All right, JP, have a great call this weekend.
00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.679
Thank you.
00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:29.279
Thanks for having me.
00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.039
All right, Jillian.
00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.320
Time for our game preview.
00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.200
And it's a tough one.
00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.559
Five games left for the Current.
00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:40.480
Two are against teams near the top of the table, two are against teams that are essentially out of the playoff line, and then this is one that's kind of in the middle.
00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:44.320
Although this feels like a playoff game because Denver is right below the playoff line.
00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:47.919
If they win, they've caught all the way up to Kansas City, which we don't want.
00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:50.159
So I feel like this week you gotta get at least a tie.
00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.759
You don't want Denver to catch all the way up.
00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.919
So it's kind of like a six-point swing game.
00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:54.960
Like they can catch us.
00:14:54.960 --> 00:15:01.440
If we win, then we're up six points, which is huge with only four games left at that point, or a tie would kind of keep them three points back.
00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:03.360
So um but that's the lay of the land.
00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:05.360
These two teams faced off July 3rd.
00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:07.360
It was maybe Kansas City's best game of the year.
00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:13.120
The Current killed Denver on the road 3-0, but I don't expect that kind of game at all.
00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.200
Denver seems like a very different team at this point.
00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:17.120
Yeah, so is Kansas City, right?
00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:21.679
But Kansas City went in there and acted like they owned the place from the beginning.
00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:24.639
And this weekend, they do own the place, right?
00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:35.200
So hopefully uh the CPKC vibes will be high, and Kansas City will come in with that hometown pride that this is our venue, this is our home field, we have to defend it.
00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:38.159
It is going to be a match, it is going to be very difficult.
00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:40.799
We've chatted about this, but Denver is thriving.
00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:45.919
They are uh peaking at the right time, walking into this playoff kind of picture, if you will.
00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:50.559
Um, and Kansas City is still trying to really find their flow.
00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:58.639
I think that the starting 11 from last match, those 11 really only they've only started together four times all season.
00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:02.879
That specific set of 11 players that's wild at this point in the season.
00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:06.799
So it just shows that Kansas City is still finding their form.
00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:10.399
And while some might say that that can be a little detrimental, that can be tricky.
00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:13.919
I say look at the resilience and look at this grit.
00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:17.360
This team has any challenge in front of them, they're up for it.
00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:25.600
Whether it be injuries, um, leadership, whether it be anything, they've shown that the resilience that they can display.
00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.320
And it might not be the prettiest, but they will come back and win it.
00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.600
So it's gonna be a great match.
00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:31.919
I'm excited for the fans to be able to see this at home.
00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:35.039
Uh they come in with uh an incredible roster.
00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:41.360
Uh obviously Lindsay Heaps added to the mix uh this season, excuse me, this summer already.
00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:44.080
Back-to-back games with goals, she's thriving.
00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:53.679
Uh Janine Sonis, not every day you see a defender with 11 goals leading this team, not only as the captain, but also as a goal scorer, which is a little wild, but it's been fun to watch.
00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:56.799
And you have to give you know props to this expansion team.
00:16:56.799 --> 00:17:02.799
They've come in, done everything right with the with the front office, with the investments, with the facilities, etc.
00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:08.160
They're committed to meeting the standard that quite frankly has been set by the KC Current.
00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:10.799
Um, and they're delivering on the pitch as well.
00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.920
So it's gonna be a tough match.
00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.720
Yeah, no doubt.
00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:18.319
It's always exciting the first time a new team comes into your stadium, so it's gonna be cool to see Denver in person for the KC Current fans.
00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:20.400
Um we're talking about a very different Denver team.
00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:24.799
Lindsay Heaps was signed when the two teams faced off in early July, but she wasn't active yet.
00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:28.880
We're talking about them hitting their stride, they have eight goals scored in the last three games.
00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:32.480
How much of it is Heaps getting involved and being active?
00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:37.519
Because they went from being a team that was okay but didn't look great to now being a team that's red hot.
00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:39.920
Is it how much does she get credit or is it more than that?
00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:54.079
I mean, I think she's having like a career year, and a player who has represented her country in Canada um has been in NWSL for years, for her to now be thriving the way she is, like this is very cool to her for her, very cool to watch.
00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:59.440
And then also Lindsay Heaps and Janine Sonis played all their youth soccer together too.
00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:06.640
So to see them come back together on this professional level in their hometown, I mean they've got all the things cooking, everything is just kind of going.
00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:13.519
So I do think it's the addition of Heaps, but I also think it's just simply more minutes and reps for the team in general.
00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:17.920
I mean, we were just kind of chatting about it, but how many players on this squad have six or more goals?
00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:28.160
There's a handful Flint, Costler, Yasmin Ryan, um, Sonis, all with six or more goals, and then you add in Heaps and Olivia Thomas and Yamamoto.
00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:33.359
Like there's just so many uh players on this squad that want to contribute in a big way.
00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:37.759
So I think it is yes, you bring in a player like Lindsay Heaps, she is a world-class player.
00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:42.799
She's going to impact a culture of a team, but also their ability on the pitch.
00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:47.519
But I also just think it's the minutes that this brand new team is finally getting together.
00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:50.799
On the Current side, I know fans that want to know about Croix Bethune.
00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:53.920
I'm hopeful that we'll maybe see her back.
00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:58.079
But the way it normally works is if you're out for a couple weeks, you come back and you're on the bench, right?
00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:00.640
You don't normally go from out to starting and playing 90 minutes.
00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:02.960
So I'm hopeful we'll see her this week or next week.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:10.559
But just for Current fans to kind of prepare yourself, it'll probably be coming off the bench and kind of easing her back because she is such a key player for this team down the home stretch.
00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:13.119
The player we know is out for sure is Laney Rouse.
00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.160
We talked about that earlier.
00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:16.799
Two yellow cards last week equals a red card.
00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:18.000
She's out for this game.
00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:21.200
Maybe it's as simple as E Ball shifts out right.
00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:24.160
You know, I know you have the thought maybe Michelle Cooper could do that.
00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:26.079
She did it a few games ago at Bay FC.
00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:28.240
How big a loss will Laney Rouse be?
00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:31.920
And um, out of all the different options, how do you think Coach Chris Armas will handle that?
00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:35.759
Yeah, it's gonna be yet another hurdle that this squad's gonna have to get over together.
00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.640
And I think they will.
00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:39.680
I do believe that uh with her out, you just mentioned a great option.
00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:41.200
Elizabeth Ball can be put out there.
00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:46.720
Itala Gamelli called up from KC Current too uh when her number was called very quickly.
00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:56.079
Uh, you remember when Eball went out in warm-ups and Itala Gamelli expected to get some minutes that match, but toward the end, she ended up starting, putting in 90, did a solid job in the center back position.
00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.119
That's an option.
00:19:57.119 --> 00:20:02.559
Also, again, Michelle Cooper, we saw her play right back, and what a competitor.
00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:06.640
She's got speed, she's got the edge, she's got the comp the competitive mindset.
00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:09.839
I thought she was great at the the right back position.
00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:12.640
Uh obviously naturally a forward and a goal scorer.
00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:23.759
But when you have a player like Amelia White who can stay in uh, you know, as a right winger, and if you need Michelle Cooper in the back, okay, I trust that she'll do her job back there, but I also trust that she'll find her way up into the mix as well.
00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:35.920
So it will be tough without Laney Rouse because again, I think looking for continuity, looking for rhythm, this team needs more minutes with the the same starting lineup, if you will.
00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:39.839
But uh a couple of options there, Eball out there, Michelle Cooper out there.
00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:41.039
Uh, but who knows?
00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:43.279
You know, it's it's an opportunity to get creative.
00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:46.559
There are lots of players on this squad that simply want to be on the pitch.
00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:50.160
And and so they can they can shift some pieces around.
00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:54.960
It's it's a the puzzle that will be upset, you know, the the pieces will fit in the way they can.
00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:59.119
But again, Croix Bethune's absence as well, hoping to see her.
00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:03.200
If not, we've gotten to see Debinha playing in her natural position in that 10.
00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.799
So lots of options.
00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:10.160
Again, when I go back to this team, has shown resilience and they've shown grit in many different ways as being one of them.
00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.759
I can see this being a wild game.
00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:14.480
Both teams score a lot, both teams allow some goals.
00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:17.599
I can see this being a three to two, three-three, four-three sort of game.
00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.400
Do you feel that way too?
00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.200
Bring it.
00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.960
Let's make this a rivalry, right?
00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:23.680
Both geographically and with exciting matches.
00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.640
Like I'm all for it.
00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:28.480
And if I know these fans at CPKC Stadium, they would welcome that also.
00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.480
I hope that Denver travels a little bit.
00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:32.480
I hope we get to see some of those fans here.
00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:35.039
But yeah, uh, I think this will be a little bit wild.
00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:36.240
I think it will be open.
00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:41.359
Um, and I also think with players like a Lindsay Heaps on the field, it's gonna be methodical.
00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:47.680
A player like Vanessa DiBernardo, you know, we talked about another coach on the field with uh Vanessa back uh in the mix.
00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:51.200
I think it will be um a really good game of soccer.
00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.319
So I'm very excited about it.
00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.759
You speak about the fans.
00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.799
Let's get to the fan questions.
00:21:54.799 --> 00:22:01.200
And again, we encourage people to submit their fan questions through the KC Current App, and we would love to answer those on next week's podcast.
00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:03.359
All right, here's one Pitchide Coffee.
00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.559
There was some news recently.
00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:06.079
They're moving to Current Landing.
00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.400
Yeah.
00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.599
Um, also exciting.
00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:15.440
They're not just gonna have coffee, which they have great coffee, but they're gonna have healthy like smoothie type drinks, they're gonna have adult beverages if you need a post-game cocktail.
00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:18.319
Um, do you have a favorite Pitchside Coffee drink?
00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.759
Yeah, I do.
00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:24.880
So it's gonna be the peanut butter caramel latte, the peanut butter syrup they make themselves in-house.
00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.920
It's so good.
00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:36.079
And if you caught the broadcast last week, Mallory Weber, uh, one of the co-owners of Pitch side, she joined and she just said how excited they are about moving to Current Landing.
00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:45.039
So potentially, hopefully, gonna be like a post-match spot where people can, you mentioned come grab a drink, um, support the team and just enjoy.
00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:49.279
But yeah, if you haven't tried it yet, peanut butter caramel latte is my definite go-to.
00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:56.240
But are you one of those people that's like you just say that, or you're like, I need the oat milk, I need it extra hot, or you make like 10 tweaks?
00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.839
I guess maybe I don't know.
00:22:58.079 --> 00:23:02.079
I don't do a ton, but I do do I don't know, I do do oat milk.
00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.519
I don't know how you got that, but nice job.
00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.240
I was just guessing.
00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:07.279
Yeah, no, that's that's probably the only tweak if I ever made one.
00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:11.759
Maybe if I need an extra shot, if I'm like having having a day.
00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.880
You're a busy person.
00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:15.119
I can see you needed a little extra caffeine, that makes sense.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:19.839
Okay, second question for this week what is the most underrated part of KC Current Match Day?
00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:22.960
And I think we're talking here at CPKC Stadium that you never want to miss.
00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:25.680
This is so hard because it is it is all of it.
00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:28.240
It is uh the KC Baby chant for me.
00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:33.119
It is um the post-match celebration with the supporter section.
00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:38.000
But I think, and this is probably the former player in me, I think it's the player walkout.
00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.079
That's when my goosebumps come out.
00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.920
Um, I think it's right when they come out.
00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:52.400
I will never forget uh when the stadium opened, I got to be down on the sideline and I got to watch and record the first kind of walkout, and that this was for warm-ups, not for the game.
00:23:52.400 --> 00:24:02.160
And everybody came out running and happy, and then Lo'eau LaBonta came out, and she had this fierce look on her face, and I was like, Oh, it's on, it's gonna be a match.
00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:05.200
And then they went on to win in Historic Way 5-2 over Portland.
00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:11.680
But uh player warm-ups, walkouts, but the walkout for the the game is my favorite.
00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:15.279
But there's a whole list of them, so that's I I didn't really answer the question.
00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.519
So all the things, all the things you said are great.
00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:19.039
I also love the baby cam now.
00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:21.440
I always look I always look for your baby, right?
00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:23.599
To see if your husband's holding the baby up on the screen.
00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.160
Every time.
00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:29.920
And then the postgame inside the club when the team wins, and Chris and Angie are there cracking open the champagne.
00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:32.720
Not everybody gets to see that moment, but that's a really cool moment when we win.
00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.160
I always look forward to that as well.
00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:34.799
Yeah.
00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.079
All right, that'll do it.
00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:37.599
Big game coming up this weekend.
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:39.359
KC Current at Denver Summit.
00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.880
We'll talk about next week.
00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.680
Should be a good one.
00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.119
Lots of playoff implications.
00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.880
You've been watching the Current Situation.
00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:47.519
Thanks so much for tuning in, and we'll talk to you next week.
