Leaves are changing colors and floating to the ground, pumpkin spice is wafting in coffee shops nationwide, and the NWSL is preparing to swan dive into its most chaotic phase of the season. This weekend: Decision Day, next weekend: playoffs; and there’s a lot to decide between now and then.

To sort through all of it I’ve written a handy guide. If you want to know what your favorite team needs for its best case scenario on Decision Day, it’s there (as is the worst case, because I’m chaotic like that). From the shield to the final playoff spot, to who has the best chance to become the league’s first 10g/10a player, there’s a lot to keep an eye on.

Aside from NWSL, Frauen Bundesliga teams are taking a break from league play for some DFB Pokal action, and the Women’s U17 World Cup is heading into the quarterfinals with a deeply intriguing list of teams remaining (/insert evil giggle). That, some other stuff, and your woso watchlist is below.

Happy Decision Day to you and yours…

The USWNT Infants beat Baby Paella 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the U17 World Cup. This goal by Maddie DiMaria (12 goals in four games lol, lmao) was eventually the match winner. The goal itself is also emblematic of an approach I want to see more of from Emma Hayes with the senior team.

The advantages American soccer players typically have aren’t built on the widespread understanding of passing precision and positioning that Spain players grow up with. No, ours are physical tools and 1v1 skill in and out of possession. DiMaria shows off both, exquisitely.

Poland, Germany, France and Spain all lost their round of 16 matches, leaving exactly zero UEFA teams in the tournament. Delicious.

Some very interesting, though predictable, stuff in here. Among my favorites are that NWSL GMs seem to think everyone else is cheating, which is good cool and healthy. I also think it’s hilarious that so many NWSL GMs are hand waving what happened to Gotham and Washington Spirit in the late stages of the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

by S. Baum via Erin In The Morning

Between this and Serbian students rejecting their right wing populist leaders, I need America to not embarrass me next week. But also, if we’ve learned anything, there is no appeasing bigots. You do not assume good faith, and you damn sure don’t join them (#message).

🍎 Apple | 🟢 Spotify

Annie, Ella & I review yet another frustrating and annoying match. We look at the key mistakes, struggles to score, and the great defensive performance that was wasted. We also chat news and playoff scenarios!

Cannot express how wild it is to have a reputation for catching keepers off their line from fifty yards in Champions League games before turning 20.