This isn’t woso or even soccer at all but it’s been something that’s been making me smile all week. Firstly, any reminder of this iconic tweet and the good days of Twitter (they existed, I promise!!) is a delight.

But it’s also a reminder that internet virality could, at one point, be a lot less sinister and/or exploitative. This was just a hilarious post of a person doing the absolute most when everyone around them is very much not. There was no memecoin made of this moment, and she didn’t use it to become an influencer for whatever brand and/or shadowy funded political organization. It happened, it was hilarious, and she continued with her work.

I bring it up because she was one of the writers responsible for Widow’s Bay, which has been one of my favorite tv series’ to date and just won approximately six-million Emmys. It combined classic horror and mystery with unexpected comedic elements that somehow all worked to create something unique and extremely funny (Patricia forever). If you haven’t watched it, I cannot recommend it enough.

The thing that’s lovely is that the original post from Katie went viral again (or at least screenshots of it, who the hell in their right mind still spends significant time of Twitter) and in her acceptance speech(es) the same quirkiness was reinforced. She was a weirdo then and is still a weirdo now (complimentary; weirdos are absolutely my people), and being able to lean into that authentically led to a super rare wholesome internet moment that us Internet Veterans got to live and relive.

* * * * *

Alright, as for the woso, well there’s a lot. The competitions that have been ongoing are getting serious, and the ones just starting are already intriguing, and the Women’s Champions League gets underway this week. Below I have two pieces, one with the nerdery from the midweek games, and another full of absurd goals from the week(ish) in college soccer. There’s required reading, links to more bangers, and your woso watchlist, because I love you.

Onward.

The midweek games were fun as hell. We had eight goals across the two games, including a two-goal comeback by Bay FC and Angel City dragging Seattle Reign into hell.

Ofc I signed myself up to do a new weekly feature the week before a work event (that was scheduled well in advance, mind you) was going to make it hard to do so. However, I have kept to my word, albeit several days later than usual. Please clap. Anyway, come and get yer bangers.

by Lesley Ryder & Diana Moskovitz

What is the point of Jessica Berman, specifically?

by Seth Vertelney

Wow. This is heartbreaking to read, particularly all that DeMelo has been through. It’s also encouraging to hear she’s close to playing again and that her entire career hadn’t been stolen from her.

These cases are typically hard to win, but I hope she gets what she deserves, and goes on to have a full and healthy career.

I’ve read several articles and some stuff makes sense and some stull doesn’t, so at this point I’m willing to just accept that North Korea being dominant at youth levels is one of woso’s greatest and most intriguing mysteries. Add it to Tyresö FF and Millie Bright sharing a golden boot with Alexia Putellas on the list of things that exist beyond the need for explanation.

Anyway, this is a very mean thing to do in knockout game against a continental rival.

Seattle Reign really missed 19-year-old defensive midfielder Ainsley McCammon and it showed. Angel City tore through them, and Taylor Suarez scored their third literally seconds after subbing in.

Ignore those videos of wannabe entrepreneur influencers plunging their faces into bowls of ice water at 4am and just do whatever Suarez did before she checked into the game.

This is pure college woso concentrate. This is why the NWSL is the way that it is (complimentary), and why so many American players are the way that they are. Up a goal late against her primary crosstown rival—one of the most historic rivalries in college athletics—Shaela Bradley had a decision to make.

Except no she didn’t.

We couldn’t avoid it any longer. We dive into the Spirit’s attacking woes by discussing the dreaded 'p' word (patience) and more. It’s not all bad though, we tell you why to be hype about new signing Clara Luvanga!

🍎 Apple | 🟢 Spotify

Hal, pls.