angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: And he's like, why?

Why are you like this?

And I was like, And he goes, yeah.

And I was like, mentally ill woman of a certain age.

He started laughing so hard.

He's that song's about drugs and you don't even do drugs.

I'm like, I don't care.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Welcome to Casual FC for today, an Angel City Match recap and footy therapy pod featuring two podcasts certified footy therapists.

I'm your host Mario Salazar with my amazing did not fart because it's potatoes.

Co-host Angela Morales.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: To clarify, bought a big, giant bag of potatoes from Costco and then promptly forgot.

I bought them for a week and a half and they have sprouted and it, whatever.

I like legit half the bag was going to be planted anyway, Now all of the bag is gonna be planted.

And I moved the bag and now my living room smells like potato farts and I'm drinking out of a pasta sauce, glass itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: situation.

But it's the perfect size.

So what's up everybody?

We are itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: have angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: the rails.

I'm sorry for whatever happens, but here we are.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: here we are.

You know what, we decided we will see how short or long this episode ends up being.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: but we decided to split, focus on recap.

There's a lot of stuff that happened, A lot of stuff to be said.

And, we'll focus on the preview next week.

'cause the game isn't for another two weeks.

And you know what, it's, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: national team game on Thursday in Philly.

A Subaru Park where Alex Morgan scored her first international goal and they're honoring Alex Morgan.

So it works out.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: you know it, yeah.

it's the same, it's the same problem.

On the men's side, the playoffs are about to start this weekend, and then guess what?

Right after the first round, international break during the playoffs.

It's so stupid angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: That's wild.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: sch like you have a calendar and you know how things work in chronological order.

I don't know.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

No.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: all right, let's get started.

everybody was in their feels this weekend.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: sure.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: so that's the Chaos Award.

If we gotta give something, it's gonna be just everyone's emotions, everybody in their feels.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: We will get there too.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: we'll get there too.

Yeah.

all yeah.

take us through it.

Take us through it.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: so this weekend scores kind of sorta of, didn't really matter in terms of Angel City, but they mattered because they mattered and people are still trying to figure out what spot they're gonna be in for the playoffs Overall, congratulations to Seattle, also just celebrated Luke Barnes's retirement, and I am.

Upset, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: There will be an episode for that.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Oh, yeah, absolutely.

so much retirement.

San Diego Clinching officially Portland.

Sure.

And Gotham for securing playoff spots.

Officially, they're in the playoffs.

They cannot be kicked out, blah, blah, blah.

Louisville and the courage are on the bubble permutation primo.

We'll get into that a little bit later.

Scores around the league on Friday.

The weekend kicked off North Carolina beating BFC four to one.

One of them was a penalty that.

Jordan Silkowitz blocked.

It was amazing.

One of my very good friends from college has season tickets to a FC games, even though Angel City is like her team at heart, she lives up in Roner Park and she was at the game.

I get a video of silky blocking that pk and I was like, Ooh, so good.

And then I saw the final score and I was like, Ooh, so bad.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: There's a bright spot.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, it was a beautiful block.

The Rain beat Utah, two to one on Saturday.

Orlando beat Washington three to two.

The Houston Dash upset Kansas City, I will assume probably correctly that Kansas City played like three starters ish maybe.

but whatever.

They're prepping for the playoffs and people need minutes.

So one, nothing.

Houston won the dash beat.

Chicago controversially six to one.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: The Wave Beat Chicago, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: did I say?

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: the Dash beat Chicago.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: no.

San Diego, the wave beat Chicago six to one.

There was some controversy with that game.

San Diego was already up three, one, and one of the Diego players found their way into a Chicago huddle for no reason at all.

You do that strategically.

If the game is close the game is a decision maker, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: that's a.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Some words were exchanged between coaches.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: That's sound like little giant shit.

that's like the, what you do in a movie about like peewee sports and like you.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: it happens in basketball, it ha Pinot did it like it happens and it happens on purpose and kind of just for shits and giggles.

Other times it's strategically, it was, there was no reason for this, but whatever.

And then racing and Gotham tied, and then our game happened.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: So racing and got racing and Gotham was the main match that we were concerned with.

any point that racing got, would've eliminated us.

if they would've lost it would've kept hope alive, which didn't matter in the end, but would've kept us alive.

I was watching streaming the end of the match, on my phone.

The end of the match when Gotham Chaos, it was complete chaos.

the end of the match, Gotham tied it up and it was during the pre-game ceremonies and things that were happening at the game.

So I was sitting in my seat, with my kids and my mom, and, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: your mom got to come.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah, I brought my mom.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: see you.

That was weird.

Whatever.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

it's a busy day and all that.

but I was sitting down and my daughter, she's young.

She's going to school.

She's learning about, right now she's actually learning about the branches of government.

she's learning a bit.

she's learning about the, The national anthem and all, all that stuff.

And she looks at me and she's stand up.

'cause the person was singing, she's stand up.

And I was like, leave me alone.

I'm watching the game.

And then I'm like, fine.

So I stood up and I was like, it was like glued to my phone.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: my head as a sign of respect, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yes.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: church.

Aw.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: But I was watching because I was like, there is some chaos happening.

There might be another Gotham goal, like imminently.

And I'm like, I'm gonna fire off like we're alive.

and then it blew the whistle.

And then I was like, ah, fuck.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: that was fun.

While it lasted for a hot itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: sold my first trading card after the game.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Ooh.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

I have to go to the post office, but this one of one is getting itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: There.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: this week.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: There you go.

See?

See it all.

It's all coming up.

It's all coming up.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah, as we know, we played Portland on Sunday.

It was the last home game and we lost, and it's a bummer because we didn't play poorly.

it wasn't one of those where we just were lost in the sauce or whatever.

Granted, you could tell everyone was like, emotions were high the team.

June was like crying before the game.

June was a mess.

June.

Enda was all of us, and I itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: outlet has said it.

We said it in the disco, I said it in the Discord.

It's been said everywhere on the internet.

June Endo everyone.

On Sunday, to keep it together, and I don't blame her.

Those are two women who her adjust to life in Los Angeles, and that's hard.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: and both of them were on recovery together.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: both of them were away from the main team as the team was traveling, as the team was training, they were both, sidelined and doing their own rehab and recovery together.

they definitely had all the opportunity all the time to bond even closer.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: injury recovery is a different kind of bonding.

It's a different relationship builder and itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, I mean there was those videos of like, when the team, might have been in like New York or something and then it's it's Allie and June by themselves, like training, on the field when they finally got out there.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: and like all these things and itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: So there's a big, wonderful love fest happening before the game.

Everyone's emotional.

There's signs everywhere in the stadium.

Olivia Moultrie ends up with a brace, controversial brace.

Also for the record.

The penalty that was awarded to Portland, I think has been discussed ad nauseam, and it has been communally agreed on.

'cause every broadcast rehab recap, I heard every clip from ACFC, live broadcasts of the game.

Everyone was like, what?

Why wasn't that reviewed?

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: that called back?

What was that?

That's not a penalty.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, there's very few things that VR is allowed to review.

Penalties being one of them.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah, I, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: So angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: a big delay too, and I was like, what are you doing in that little earpiece, Jacqueline, what was happening in your earpiece?

What?

Who's talking to you?

Is anyone talking to you?

And itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: she's miming oh.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: let's, back to the studio, please.

that's what it felt like, oh.

Or like Mariah Carey being like, oh, sorry, my ear, my, my in ears went out.

whatever.

There's too much feedback.

after that penalty, I feel like.

I don't feel like Angel City gave up.

I feel like it sucked the life out of them, of just are you effing serious today?

Of all days?

Like we could, the wind couldn't turn in the specific way, one of those, but itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I think the whole first, I think the reason that it felt like it, it might've sucked the wind out of them, sucked the energy out almost, was, I don't, I wouldn't, I agree that it went after that, but.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: that goes itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: And it just, yes, it was that, but I think it was because they, at that point were already into the second half and we were another 15 into the second half.

we spent 60 minutes getting battered, getting no calls whatsoever.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: a player standing there and just get shoved and like flies and there's no call at all, not even just a normal foul, insane diabolical, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: the very first one that I was just like, oh shit, this is how the game's gonna go.

Like the first call that I was like, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: I.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: damnit, this is what it's gonna be, was the no call basically, with M.A.

M.A.

going to the ground with, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Like someone stepped on her ankle or something like itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: they, they were both like, they both had basically had their like, legs intertwined and but I think it might have been Giselle, I'm not sure.

but angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: wasn't M.A.

but it was Giselle where she like fell itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

And then, so if it wasn't M.A.

whoever it was, with Portland was like, they were playing footsies and they were trying to get, but then it was very much like Portland tackled.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: and that's why they were on the ground playing footsies.

and then they blow, she blows the whistle, the ref does, and then points the completely wrong way.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

It felt itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: And then everybody was like, what the, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: to one direction or itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: it was, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: like it just.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: that call was the one where I was just like, yep, it's going downhill from here.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: not gonna be a pretty game.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: were Like M.A.

was probably like, oh, this is what that feels like.

Hell yeah.

good for her.

I hated seeing her in a Portland kit, especially those ones.

'cause I don't like the, those like pinky red ones.

I don't like them at all.

I don't get it like, but the black and red ones are cool, but I hate it.

But I'm happy that she's happy and she's.

a place that is good for her and that's wonderful.

I'm still gonna collect every trading card of hers for the remainder of her itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Like she's still gonna be one of my favorites regardless.

But we were all like, Vero, me, my mom, like all of us were like, yeah, M.A.

is probably just oh, this is what it feels like to be on the other side of that.

got it.

Sick.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: This is what it likes to get feels like to get calls for us.

Oh, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: But yeah, I think overall, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: one of the most poorly officiated games I've seen, like across sport.

And that's not just because, oh, it was against my team.

It was just egregious.

It wasn't just every, okay, my disclaimer.

Referees are human.

They will miss things.

That's okay.

That happens.

It's real life.

That's the whole point, the human element of the game.

But this was bad in a bad way.

It was it itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: it was ugly.

It was very, it was almost to the point where you start, you take off the Angel City hat and you start putting on the tinfoil hat a little bit because 'cause it can't be that bad.

Like you are now being intentionally that bad.

Like you can't, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: the crowd turned on her, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: you.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: like the entirety of the second half, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I've never, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: like got worse.

I am sticking to my guns.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I've heard the refuse suck chant.

There's been a lot of refuse suck chants happening at a lot of the games that I couldn't make.

This was the loudest, I think I've heard the stadium.

This was like North, south, east, and West angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: refuse suck.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: feel it.

It had the same level, like volume itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: of when they called June's goal back.

The one like nobody forgives itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Trevor, if you will.

Like it's that level of like everyone was involved.

But I will say, and this is the part that surprised me and that I didn't really enjoy, I haven't heard a crowd be that hostile I have been known to say, you have one job.

It's not that hard, but like an f you go back to where you f-ing came from.

Like some crazy stuff was being said around us and everyone's we're we to the line at being mean?

like that.

That's where we're going right now.

I get it.

We're all, everyone is, like I said, very up in the feels.

Emotions were high, but man.

Oh man.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I will, my last piece on my tinfoil hat is you can't be, you can't be a pro ref at that level and not, and be intentionally like.

Bad.

Like yes, I agree.

It, that's the beauty of, it's the love and hate relationship we have with this sport.

Is that, or with all sport, right?

There's a human element of the referee.

A lot of other sports though, have like video review for every single little thing, and then they'll go back and they'll call it back and angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: conversations or repercussions, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: my fa.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: like illegal in women's sports to have, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: My favorite.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: for being bad at things.

Ownership, coaching, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Like you oh no.

Like we should just be grateful.

no.

Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: no.

We should be grateful that time has passed.

That time should have never been there.

It's no.

I, to the reffing point, I think my favorite is whenever baseball reps have to have the conversation and they actually pull out the rule book, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yes.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: it's like my favorite, like all of the, all three, all four of them are like looking through the rule book and trying to look at it.

but.

It's one of these things where okay, how can you be, how can you be that blind to what was happening right in front of you?

How are your sideline reps not communicating anything beyond that?

I know they're not the ones that are, they're not supposed to be calling fouls for you.

But.

give your center rough a little, give him a little look.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: And then, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: it together.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

and then also when there's a VR opportunity, like I said, there's very few do them.

so there was a failure by eight people there.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

There's.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: That's angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: There's what, four or five referees just to make sure that things don't fall through And itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: is not Sunday rec league, where it was like, you don't even have lines, lines, refs.

Like you just have the center ref and that's it.

No.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: gonna take my tinfoil hat off.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: for now.

But overall, like.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Aside from the game, Sunday was such a wonderful example of the community that Angel City has built.

We got there early, didn't make it over to fan fest, but mostly 'cause we were like, we got 15 minutes, we're just gonna stay at the gate 'cause I'm getting pins and I'm getting a towel.

So we ended up with two Ali Riley towels and a Christian press towel.

And upon entry, my mom, Eva and I all ended up with a savvy kingpin.

All three of us with the same pin and I was like, we're trading like we, I think everyone collectively also agrees.

We should have just either all gotten four pack of pins.

They should sell the four pack of pins or something.

Like just get, I want all four.

I have three.

Somebody was trying to sell one for $75 on eBay, but it's the only one we've seen so far.

It's a whole thing, but.

the trading of towels, of pins of everything was so much fun.

I had brought a bunch of my extra, Portland thorns, base cards, and I had some, I had one to give to somebody from Portland, like who collects Portland cards, and we were trying to find each other.

And then I'm looking for anyone in Portland jerseys like, do you collect cards?

Do you want base cards?

And they're like, oh my God.

and.

I'm talking to some folks and they're like, yeah, we have two of the same itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: did a sticker go with that card?

Did a little.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: I forgot all my stickers at home.

I got there and I was like, all the stickers.

Oh, and Eva goes, no, because I was gonna make it rain, and then I completely forgot.

But, no, it was a blast.

We met a whole bunch of really cool people and it was just really nice because people are walking around like with their phones, we'll trade June Endo for Riley Tiernan, or whatever, more of this everybody, more of this.

were, was so many people giving away trading cards, like past players, former players, current players, everything of just who do you have?

Do you wanna trade this?

And It was just, it was so fun and so perfect to be an itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: The, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: like itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah, I ended up trading a towel.

a Christen Press towel.

just 'cause the guy, it was him and his two daughters, but they ended up all getting Ali Riley angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: oh itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: towels.

And so I was like, yeah, yeah, I'll switch with you.

I have, I got there was we for somehow we lucked out with two and two.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Oh, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: We had.

We had two Christen Press and two Ali Riley.

'cause there's four of us, right?

so I was like, yeah, here you go.

Like my kids, it's a new, it's a new blanket for their stuffy.

that's what it is.

It's not a, and I traded with him.

I was about to try to trade, 'cause I got, we ended up getting one Jun Endo, which was great because that's Maddie's favorite player.

And she was like, yay.

And then we got three Riley Tiernan.

So I was like, all I got two to trade.

I got like anybody.

And then, I was talking to him, and he was like, oh yeah, my daughter's like already tried to started try trying to trade.

They got one of each except for, I think savvy.

I think they were missing savvy.

they got, they had Giselle Riley and and June.

So I was like, yeah.

it's, everybody was fun and angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: fun itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: up to strangers like, do you wanna trade?

What are you doing right now?

Do you wanna trade?

And it was so cool.

And it really just Exemplify the community around this team.

'cause it, it didn't feel like you were ever talking to a stranger.

like the Portland fans were like, this is cool, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

I will say it was a fun happenstance of things that happened because of the kind of everybody wanting to trade angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: make that little connection.

I do agree though, it should have just been a four pack angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: and then angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: have been like a 20,000, like it should have been a everybody.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: it should have been.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: are expensive.

We've bought them for this podcast, but come on.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I actually appreciate the.

the gate exit giveaway angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: than the gate entry one.

'cause honestly, like I don't want to angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: I wanna itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: shit in my hands.

I don't, no.

Like I, I'm gonna lose it.

I'm gonna put it in the cup holder and then I'm gonna forget, no, I don't, but do it on the way out, like on the way out and just hand everybody one and yeah.

let everybody trade outside.

But then again, that means you have to get enough for everybody.

Like you have to get the, the 20,000, 22,000 in the stadium versus like the first 10,000.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: super sorry to every anyone out there who didn't get any.

or one of our listeners, Vero came, messaged the group being like they ran out by the time angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, and itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: got in.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: too, and that's the thing.

People were also walking around just taking them.

Another reason why it should just been a four pack, but whatever.

Let's fast forward.

Let's talk about postgame.

The itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: All right.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Everybody knows what's gonna happen.

I think nobody really wanted it to happen.

But retirement ceremonies started.

They literally rolled out the pink carpet, brought out flowers, brought out commemorative jerseys, brought out family, brought out friends, brought out Bob, Chris, and Press and Tobin's dog.

it was just a beautiful celebration of two wonderful careers.

It was very cute because Kristen was talking about how she wanted something really intimate and low key, but I think deep down she also understood that no, you've actively changed the game of women's soccer internationally.

No, that's not how this works for you.

So she was able to have more of the quiet side of the ceremony, and that's most likely why she waited to announce till a week ago, two weeks ago.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: It was the week of.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: She's she announced it on like Tuesday.

Oh, she announced it on Wednesday because we recorded angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: And itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: then, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: But I also get it, she's not one for fanfare.

She's very private, but at the same time, girl, do you know what you've done?

Like Christen Press, what have you done?

what?

Ha look at all these things.

We will have a bigger retirement episode for CP and for Ali, probably separately because there's so much to talk about in both of them.

you could tell Ali was like down to party down for the celebration.

We, so my section was just like.

Four columns of seats over from where all of her friends and family were up in the boxes and they had those big, like giant fat head cutouts.

And dude to Paval who is a commentator.

She's does sideline stuff.

She's all over the place.

She's wonderful.

She's also incredibly silly.

as at the five minute mark when everybody starts chanting Allie Riley's name, she's got.

The head hanging over the front of the box and she's like slapping it to make a itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Okay.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: And I turn around and we just start cracking up.

'cause I had already taken a picture of her before the game 'cause they had current Ali Riley and Baby Ali Riley of these like big ass heads.

And they're just like dancing around all their friends.

It was so cute.

And I was like, can I get a picture of you guys?

Which is what we posted on Instagram.

And halfway through the second half when everybody is like peer pressuring to get Allie Reilly on the pitch because why didn't the ball stop ever?

like the 78th to the 85th minute, I was like two.

Two.

Just let her in.

Doda was hitting, and she had like current Allie Reilly's face.

She hid it so hard, it bent like right here across her forehead.

My mom goes, it's after, it's before she gets Botox.

it's okay.

And then she had she dented her eye and we, everyone was just cracking up.

She was like, what have I done?

but no, we had a, it was a little like extension of the Ali Riley party in 2 27.

But once the ceremony started, I like was recording the whole thing on my phone, just like taking long videos, but segmenting it.

I just was holding my phone, try and zoomed in trying not to shake, 'cause once it zooms in you, you move itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: a fraction of a fraction and it's like this, like a earthquake.

The entire time I have buckets of tears like falling outta my eyes 'cause I can't like sniffle or stop myself because it's gonna pick up on the video.

And I was like, but you know what?

I'm so happy for them and they got to ride off into the sunset and have a great time and then go party together.

Untamed Spirits in Silver Lake, But I get it.

you don't know us like that, but.

But it looks like there was a blast that was had itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: as deserved itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: it was a really nice ceremony.

Each one of them got their really nice video package.

Yeah.

Little flowers.

They got a video package.

Kristen presses was a bit more understated than you would expect, but I think that's also her.

She's for as.

As big as Christen Press is, I think there's a part of her that's no, I'm not that big.

Or I know, but I don't want to.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, it's, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: There's, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: but I'm not gonna lean into it.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: And a lot itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Preath fan Truthers, whatever you wanna call them, who like essentially forced her and Tobin to have to incubate themselves very privately because people were off the rails for a really long time and kind of still are.

And it's unfortunate because like just let them live.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: let itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: It, yeah.

the dark side of fandom, where, yeah.

So totally get it.

and yeah, hers was a little, a little bit more understated, a little bit more, felt like a little more Chris and press, her speech felt like a Ted talk.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Truly.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: much, she very much had that thing like either rehearsed or she's just like that natural where she's just yes.

And then her pacing back and forth.

I think that's what made it tech Ted talky for me.

Like she's out there barefoot, just pacing back and forth, really talking to everybody, which was really nice.

and Ali's just felt angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Allie.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: F It felt like fun, chaos.

It just they're like, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: She goes from getting roasted by her mom.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

Which she had no idea that she was gonna speak right.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: And then a very heartfelt thank you.

I can't talk about it.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: It was a very nice speech, two very different approaches to it, and both equally fun and joyous.

And, I am sad that they couldn't get like the win to, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: to close it out.

Hopefully they get another chance with decision day and they get, a win on the road and able to close it out that way.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: a reminder for folks who are newer to women's soccer and the NWSL, Christen Press the her NWSL trajectory in Chicago.

She and Sarah played there for a very long time.

so I think it's fitting that we're ending this season in Chicago for her.

and I hope she plays.

Given that and hope she scores a frigging banger and gets 50 itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: season goals.

Honestly, I don't even know if she's gonna travel with the team, but like I don't care.

I hope it happens just to say goodbye to Chicago and like Alyssa there.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean with all of that I posted up, I didn't wait till the game ended, like usual.

No, I think I did it before that or I might've started doing it and then, everything happened and then just didn't post it till, but, It was also because by that point it didn't matter.

Win, lose or draw like we were out.

I said we're out finally, mathematically, whatever.

But it doesn't matter.

Today's about celebration.

So win loss draw, give us your good feelings.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: With the game, the way it ended up, it was pretty hard to find those good feelings about the game.

There was very M.A.

Everybody was happy and had good feelings about, the retirement ceremony and everything.

But for the last home game, here we go.

Ethan came with his haiku, which he double checked on a haiku checker online, and it says it's good.

Our haiku bot on Discord disagrees.

I'm gonna go with him.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yes.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Game filled with despair.

Wished for better.

Farewell Captain, our captain.

And then Cassandra's, endo's emotions broke me.

broke in me.

Whatever.

Alyssa's showing up.

Hadn't angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah, it itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: I saw Alyssa earlier in the game, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I didn't see her till the end.

I didn't see her till.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: appeared again.

Not like early in the game, but like at earlier in the game, meaning when they were on the field and like you could tell nobody had seen her yet, and then all of a sudden on the big screen you just hear, ah, from everyone.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Scott Sugita is a delight Chilufya is physical and willing to scrap for the ball in a way that we've been lacking.

Doorsoun looking better, we better resign.

Miyabi, she has lots of great moments.

Gorden has looked much better since Straus.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Is a saying a lot because it's Sarah Gorden.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

Yeah.

But she was one of the first ones to really talk about look, he's, his development is.

Opening up new ways of thinking and yeah.

So I think all of that encapsulates the progress we have been making since, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: June, may.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: since stability, I'm just gonna say since something stable.

and we, we knew it wasn't going to be a light switch, but, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I think they were all, good things.

Tthe hit us up with next match is officially pre preseason.

Throw it all out the window, try something new.

Give Chicago CP 23 fans a curtain call to they probably, there's probably still a lot of them there.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: There's CP 23 fans internationally.

It doesn't matter what team she plays for, itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Oh yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: truly, she is a, in the same way, Alex, Morgan and Tobin and Pino and Kreigs like it.

I could name the entire roster of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup winning teams and like it doesn't matter.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Question before we wrap this up.

For a retirement game like this, would you rather have the.

The version of it where it's like they start the game, get to play their piece, and then when they're subbed off, they get their chance to just walk off, get the standing ovation or the way that it was done at the game where it was like giving you time to close out the match.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: I was conflicted at first.

I was like, Ugh, why aren't they starting?

And then I realized the team's still trying to win this game.

And the competitive side was like, Angela, you would be so irritated if you had to like pause 10 minutes into a game and somebody gets subbed off.

And also you don't wanna burn those subs that early in the game.

So strategically, once I was like.

Get your head out of your like heart.

It was fine and it made complete sense because in the second half you got to have Kristen sub in and then you got to have Allie sub in get the armband one.

Last time, that's when I started crying.

I knew it was gonna happen.

Sarah Gorden is obviously gonna give her the armband, but yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: just imagine if she didn't though.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Oh my god, riots.

no.

It, I think itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: All right.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: in a situation like this, granted like Alex Morgan had to do it in the first half of the game, she's pregnant.

that's different.

but for this, I think it was incredibly important to have them end the game on the pitch because.

It is just fitting because for a long time, both of them were either 90 minutes, like full game players or in Kristen's case, especially at the national and inter, the international level.

She was a game changer.

She was a super sub.

She came in and wrecked you in the second half when your legs were tired.

So it felt appropriate.

I'm gonna stop talking about this now.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: And the last la last couple of footy therapy moments, Vero came in with, and my wife laughed at this one.

She thought it was hilarious.

I didn't cry because my heart is dead apparently, but I am so grateful for these two who put the team on their backs and helped create a beautiful WSO culture in la.

and then, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: is black.

She's just dramatic.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

and then, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: a outside of the podcast friend.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: and, Zach very upset about the game, but excited for having been able to see Ali Riley and Kristen Press's last home game.

I, that's something special.

All right.

we said this might have been a short episode, but we also said we have no clue and we're running on like a normal schedule now.

it is what it is.

Let's check out the standings.

decision day is still going to be wild.

it's.

I was worried about how ESPN was going to handle two games because of the fact that on a decision day when you want all the matches happening all at once, they're like, no, we're going to put one after the other because of broadcast schedule.

I'm like, Jesus.

okay.

So that's a thing that's happening.

the first match is going to be, Kansas City versus San Diego, which is great.

It's a good matchup to put on there.

not super crucial to the standings.

There's still a lot of movement that can happen from that match, but it's just gonna be wild.

so that match is going to happen at 3:00 PM on, Sunday the first, on Saturday the first, sorry.

and then at five o'clock all other matches are going to be, happening.

The North Carolina Gotham game is going to be the second match on ESPN.

Everything else will be on NWSL Plus, so make sure you've got your login all set up and good to go so that you can, watch it.

Only seven teams have clinched, from this past weekend, which means there's still one spot up for grabs on decision day.

That's not the only thing that's technically up for grabs.

Out of those seven spots, only two teams.

Again, just same as last week.

'cause nobody was able to solidify or clinch anything.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: you thought they were gonna do them itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Exactly.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: except itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Only two teams have locked in their place, which is Kansas City, winning the supporter shield being in first, nothing can take them away, from that and the spirit have locked in second place.

So here's the permutations of what can happen for the eighth spot.

It's between North Carolina and between Louisville.

If Louisville win, they're in plain and simple.

If they draw or have a loss.

They need North Carolina to draw and they're in the playoffs.

now on the flip side, if North Carolina win, they need, Louisville to draw or have a loss.

And North Carolina's in the playoffs.

A draw or loss for North Carolina and they're out.

if both teams end up losing their decision day match, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Imagine itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Louisville moves on.

So angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: wild.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: that would be the funniest version of all of this would be both of them losing yet Louisville squeaks through, three through seven are still flippy floppy.

So Louisville and North Carolina, they can only swap spots.

They can only swap into that eighth spot and that's it.

They can't go any higher.

Three through seven is completely flippy floppy.

seventh could jump up to third.

Like it's super tight.

It seems there's way too many permutations to sit and bore you through all of that right now.

But it seems like 40 points is the magic.

Break point for a home game, if you hit 40, you're going to secure those last two spots.

anything below that, you're gonna stay in the bottom half of the playoffs.

but all the teams have the potential to hit 40 or more, right?

I think it's, I think the, right now the max score is between 40 to 42 or something like that.

That's how much all of that can flip flop on decision day, which makes me really wish there was a, multi-view.

There was a whip around show there was something because it's so tight.

there's other years where it's no, the playoffs were decided two weeks ago.

this one could have been decided two weeks ago, but it's been.

Slowly getting towards the point where it's like the thing's still not quite working out the way everybody wants them to.

And then now we're, at what we want.

We want that chaos.

We want the decision day.

We want all of them happening at the same time, which, what, five, five matches out of six, or however matches however many angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: there are.

Having all of those all at once beyond, besides that first one with Casey, it's still a really fun, chaotic everything.

So we'll definitely do our recap, or pre recap of our last match, on decision day against, Chicago.

Next week, but for now, that's what it is.

set your schedules, set your calendars, block out your time.

Find a bar.

It's an away game for us, so find a bar to go watch the game at.

do the things.

It's gonna be fun.

it's gonna be a fun, wild, day for NWSL fans.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: And in the meantime, since we have about a week or so for that, don't forget on Thursday the 23rd, the women's US Women's national team is playing Portugal Philly, or Chester, whatever.

It's in essentially Philadelphia.

The game's gonna be played at 4:00 PM Pacific, and it'll be on TNT, true tv, HBO, max Peacock and Westwood One Sports.

And then on Sunday at 1:00 PM Pacific, they'll be playing in East Hartford, Connecticut again against Portugal.

Same.

Same broadcast, TNT, true tv, all that good stuff.

here's hoping that it doesn't overlap with the World Series because as irritating as the Dodgers front office has been, I'm still a girl from LA who grew up in Allegion Park.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

Yeah.

game one will now be played away.

on Fridays?

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: two and three, I think.

I never remember the itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yes.

the, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: layout.

'cause it itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: are, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: It's like 2, 3, 2 or something like that.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: So what are, yeah.

Whatever that is.

But yeah, the funny part is that last year also when, the Dodgers were in the playoffs and the World Series started around this point, it was, so this Friday is my kids' trunk or treat, angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Oh yeah.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: event.

'cause it's put on by the PTO and then they have their Halloween parade thing on Halloween.

but last year it was also like game one.

On the day of the trunk or treat or something like that.

So there was a par, there was a parent or there was a parent that there, we were talking to them, they were dressed up in all Dodger gear.

They had the projector going on with the game angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: yeah.

That's a itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: in, in, in the parking lot.

The funny part is that like you have parents lingering like.

As the kids.

The kids are just friends.

the kids are safe.

They're in a enclosed area with, with their friends, their school friends, stuff like that.

So it's fine.

But like a lot of the parents were like, and then I was talking to the, to, to one of the parents there, and I was just like, I was like, this is so cool that you guys put this up.

they're like, oh yeah, we had to figure this out like right away.

We actually had a whole other, car display thing, but they're like, but.

There's a game today and we can't miss it, so we just decided we were gonna project it.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: it.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: So most likely the game one is going to be projected during the trunk or treat event on Friday.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Fantastic.

thank you everyone for listening.

If you've gotten this far, make sure you hit the subscribe button wherever you're listening.

Thank you for another season of us yapping on the internet.

We greatly appreciate it.

out casual fc.com for all the additional podcast links if you need to listen somewhere else.

we're also on YouTube.

You can see us there.

I throw a peace sign and scratch my nose for anybody who needs it.

also, I'm only sniffling a lot because my allergy meds are wearing off.

I haven't cried that much.

follow us on social media @casualfcpod on Instagram Threads and TikTok.

If you're on Blue Sky, you can follow us @casualfc.com, but like not much happens there for us.

We're figuring it out.

social media is changing.

It's weird.

In so many ways it's changing.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yeah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: importantly, most importantly, I think come hang out with us in the discord.

It is a bunch of silly loving weirdos on the internet in our little safe little corner.

check out the link in our bio for the invite there.

If you can't find it or you need help, DM us, email us.

yeah, come say hi.

Come hang out.

That's really silly.

If you can like or share or comment to support the pod, we always greatly appreciate it on posts, on episodes, on social media things, anything like that.

It's always important.

Engagement feeds the algorithm and allows us to be found by new people every week and it's really awesome.

can grab some of our merch at shop.casualfc.com.

There will be some end of season surprises going up pretty soon, hopefully.

If you feel so inclined and you wanna help out support the pod financially, you can do so by quote unquote buying us a coffee.

Check out the link in the bio of all of our socials, or go to buy me a coffee.com/casual fc pod.

We don't expect it, but we always appreciate it.

Thank you to everyone who's supported us over the last three and a half seasons.

It's absolutely bonkers that you actually like what we do and it's so cool.

last but not least.

got one more game on the schedule.

Tell a friend about the pod it brings us.

Good luck.

We ship it over to the team and hell, they're gonna need it in Chicago.

I love you guys.

Go Angel City.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Bye everyone.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Yesterday at work, my coworker goes, I'm gonna put Lata on.

You know who Lata is?

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: No.

No.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: So she's a female rapper.

She's amazing.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Okay.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: And I'm over at my desk like, like just.

It's just the two of us in the office and she doesn't see it for a good 10 seconds and she finally just looks over and loses it.

never seen, she's I just wanna see you and turned up in a club.

And I said, I don't need to be drunk to do that.

You think I get embarrassed?

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Nah.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: No.

I'll do this stone cold sober.

And she just was busting up.

who even are you right now?

I was like, I don't know.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: I got the videos.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: I am just like this.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: It's, you know what?

We gotta find our fun somewhere.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Honest to God, I'm sorry.

So you know how Eva has the Shrek Crocs.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: No, but yes, at the same time.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: got Eva One more.

After I specifically said, don't drop that.

Hey, don't drop that.

Don't drop that.

hey.

That's it.

Welcome everybody to Casual fc.

itsame_1_10-21-2025_215622: Oh man.

So many things to choose from for the beginning.

angela--high-low-_1_10-21-2025_215622: Hurry up, start the show.

Let's go.