HAPPY NWSL CHAMPIONSHIP DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!

Gonna keep it a buck, I've got an insane amount of FOMO about not being in San Jose for the NWSL Championship. Insisting on maintaining independence in how I cover the sport has its perks, especially when it comes to not having to be obsessed with SEO or shallow clickbait stories, and in being able to speak candidly and be authentically me.

The downside is, well, this. Missing out on big events because there’s no media entity, sponsor or journalistic apparatus seeking to get me there. Instead all costs would be mostly out of pocket—and for unexpected personal reasons savings I could have dug into had to be spent elsewhere. I also remain deeply uncomfortable asking people who enjoy my stuff to make up for the limited amount of dollars in our current shitty media landscape, and/or for the misuse of the little that remains that’s spent on chasing social engagement over anything of substance.

Didn’t expect to make the vibes weird on championship day but some shit was on my mind and I didn’t want to act like it wasn’t there. Anyway, enough of that. Onto your matches to watch (including the NCAAW Soccer Championship producing banger after banger, results and goals), pieces to read, thing to listen to, and clip to enjoy.

Onward…

Song: ‘Wayfarer’ - Kavinsky
Don’t be like me kids but if this song comes on in the car the RPMs are doubling, at minimum. Please forgive me, and don’t tell my Mom.

A day that ended with Washington Spirit fans zipping across the skies like meteors began, contrastingly, with frustration-induced eye rolls. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert broke news about the status of Trinity Rodman’s contract negotiations, and it was news most feared. Rodman, a global superstar in talent, name recognition and personality, is out of contract this offseason and in line to earn a weightier wage than current NWSL salary cap limits allow.

While the spotlight and promotion isn’t where it should be given the consistent stream of talent and the bonkers games college soccer often delivers, the Women’s Soccer Championship is their playoffs, and the chance for a bevy of different superstars to make their marks early. So here are 11 of the best goal scorers in the tournament.

Hey Spirits
How to beat the Bats
[Spirits v. Gotham Championship Preview]
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Annie, Ella & I preview the NWSL Championship! The Spirits are in their third Championship game in five seasons, so we discuss how they can bring home their second title. We discuss Gotham's style of play (and how to counter it), key players on each team, "underdogs", me trying to Do A Thing on the internet, and more.

College woso has been on one.