Song: ‘Fastest Horse in Town’ - Sturgill Simpson
Hola.
The ol’ noggin’s been spinning ever since the midweek news of Croix Bethune being traded, which was then compounded by news of Claire Hutton also being traded. There’s a lot to unpack here, and I will be sending something about it all soon.
My initial thoughts are, ‘wow this all worked out exceptionally well for Bay FC and pretty much no one else.’ There’s a lot of offseason to go, but Bethune and Hutton have pretty irreplaceable skillsets, and the way the NWSL’s salary cap is set up (horrifically, tragically, stupidly) I don’t see Washington or Kansas City being able to bring in one of the singular players who can do what they did for their clubs. (Also I see the Cat Macario to San Diego rumor and I choose not to see it, thank you for respecting my privacy.)
Anyway, until I can gather my thoughts I’ve linked a couple pieces below that pinged both ends of the happiness-to-rage spectrum, I’ll let you guess which is which but no prizes lol. I have more detailed thoughts on what Bethune’s departure means courtesy of an emergency episode of Hey Spirits that we recorded the evening it was announced.
Also I’ve decided to be both smart and kind and break up the week’s woso by day rather than by league #pleaseclap. There’s plenty of woso to watch this week, so do so.
Ok, happy contenting…
stuff to read…
by Erin Reed
My 2019 USWNT emotions are intensifying.
by Megan Feringa, Cerys Jones, & Charlotte Harpur
This encases me in about a thousand layers of rage. One thing I cannot stand is executive egotism, and that seems to be exactly what is going on at Chelsea now that Emma Hayes is gone.
more stuff…
Annie, Ella & I tried to process the shocking news of Croix Bethune being traded to Kansas City. We discuss the three-team deal and what the Spirit got in return. Then, we look at the hole Bethune's departure leaves behind, potential reasons for her wanting the move, and engage in some crashing out.
woso to watch…
friday, february 13
🏴 wsl
man city v. leicester city
2 p.m. | espn+
🇩🇪 frauen bundesliga
leverkusen v. köln
12:30 p.m. | dazn
🇲🇽 liga mxf
tigres v. puebla
8 p.m. | fubo tv
saturday, february 14
🇩🇪 frauen bundesliga
freiburg v. union berlin
6 a.m. | dazn
🇪🇸 liga f
barcelona v. eibar
12:30 p.m. | dazn
🇲🇽 liga mxf
juárez v. pumas
12:30 p.m. | fubo tv
sunday, february 15
🇪🇸 liga f
🏴 wsl
🇩🇪 frauen bundesliga
wolfsburg v. essen
8 a.m. | dazn
monday, february 16
🇩🇪 frauen bundesliga
werder bremen v. bayern munich
12 p.m. | dazn
wednesday, february 18
🇪🇺 uwcl (round of 16, leg 2)
real madrid v. paris fc
12:45 p.m. | paramount+ | [3-2]
arsenal v. oh leuven
3 p.m. | paramount+ | [4-0]
Winner of Real Madrid vs. Paris FC gets Barcelona in the next round. Good luck and godspeed.
Barring something extremely hilarious, Arsenal will move on to face Chelsea in the next round. A match I will be watching from the cozy confines underneath my bed.
thursday, february 19
🇪🇺 uwcl (round of 16, leg 2)
juventus v. wolfsburg
12:45 p.m. | paramount+ | [2-2]
man united v. atlético madrid
3 p.m. | paramount+ | [3-0]
Wolfsburg and Juventus get to scrap for the mighty prize of taking on Lyonnes. If this was Wolfsburg from back in the day, before they went and got all unserious, I’d be eager for them to move on for matchup reasons. In this economy though, both are getting smashed so whatevs.
Unless Atlético Madrid does some wild shit, it’ll be Manchester United moving on to face Bayern Munich in the quarterfinal round.
farewell fun.
‘…and From New Jersey’ has been taking me out all week lmao.
