Wanna Be Ballers, Shot Callers, (CONCACAF) Brawlers

*banner photo by DanteysArt. Follow our good friend here

My goal is to write every week because that’s what writers are supposed to do. Some weeks are more challenging than others, and this is one of those weeks. We’re brining you goals, merch, and some thoughts on the week that was in WOSO, but I don’t love this one as much as some others. But hey, we move all the same. Hopefully there’s something this week that brings you some joy. Hop on in and join us as we get ready for another weekend of footy.

We have merch!

I’ve gotta say, teams continue to play out the back, and that means we keep making you all more shirts. I can always tell when a disaster out the back just happened, because we get an order. We’re happy to supply more as they’re needed, and it seems like more will be needed, as teams continue to insist on playing out the back. Don’t forget while you’re there, we also have our HBCU Soccer line, with a portion of the proceeds going to United Negro College Fund. It is important, now, more than ever, to support the institutions of higher education that support you and hold the line for knowledge and learning.

Don’t Play Out The Back

HBCU line (choose your school colors from our multitude of options)

Shea Butter Ballers (Notable Goals of the Week)

*the number next to the name denotes the goal scorer and the minute of the match their goal was scored. (P) means it was a penalty goal, and a plus (+) sign added means the goal was scored in stoppage time

There were a lot of shea butter bombs and booms last weekend, and a few weekdays, so let’s get into the action.

UEFA Women’s Champions League

Lyon 2, Arsenal 1 - Kadidiatou Diani 17, Melchie Durmonay 82

Barcelona 4, Chelsea 1 - Sandy Baltimore 74

The second leg for both matches take place this Sunday at 9:00 AM EST (Chelsea vs Barcelona) and 12:00 PM EST (Lyon vs Arsenal)

Barclays Women’s Super League

Liverpool 2, Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - Oliva Smith 2, Michelle Ageymang 48

Aston Villa 3, Tottenham 2 - Ebony Salmon 56, Jess Naz 65

Chelsea 4, Crystal Palace 0 - Cat Macario 22, 49, Mia Fishel 64

National Women’s Soccer League

Gotham FC 4, Angel City FC 0 - Geyse 85

San Diego Wave 4, Racing Louisville 1 - Ary Borges 45+6, Delphine Cascarino 60, 77

Bay FC 1, North Carolina Courage 0 - Kiki Pickett 33

Washington Spirit 1, Orlando Pride 0 - Gift Monday 63

Portland Thorns 4, Gotham FC 1 - Mimi Alidou 7, Caiya Hanks 61

Black In Action: Caiya Hanks

Portland is a young team. Really young. And one of those young stars in 20 year-old Caiya Hanks. Portland has created more chances than just about any team this season in terms of shots on target, but they had failed to score more than one goal in any of their matches prior to their midweek clash against Gotham in Providence Park. That all changed Tuesday thanks in large part to Caiya Hanks. Portland chose to go with players that could keep the ball while playing more direct and playmake out wide. Hanks fit the bill perfectly, and created the first goal with a lovely run on the outside to the goal line, juking Bruninha and getting a pass off the a perfectly placed Mimi Alidou, who slotted it home off of one touch. Sam Coffey did much of the same thing Hanks did on Alidou’s goal, for Hanks’s goal in the second half. Coffey received the ball up top and positioned herself inside of Nealy Martin to make the run towards the box. Hanks set herself up to receive the pass in a similar position in the box, and hit a lovely first timer past Berger, far post and high. Going young means moments of feast, and moments of famine. I expect there to be continued inconsistency as Portland adapts to their youth movement, and I also expect defenses to adjust. But the upside of a young player like Hanks was on display in this match, and if you’re a Portland fan, you feel a lot more hopeful about the future today than you did a few weeks ago. You should also buy a Hanks kit, it’ll be worth something sooner rather than later.

Anatomy of a Goal: Cat Macario

I rarely, rarely choose a free kick for this section, because that means it will only be a few sentences. And, if I were going to choose a free kick, Kenza Dali hit an absolute beauty last weekend that I would be more inclined to include here. However, if you, like me, think that Cat Macario meant to score this free kick this way, then I had to show love. She surveyed that wall, saw Lily Woodham out on an island, and the keeper cheating towards her far post, where Woodham was posted on the wall, and said bet. Cat hit that shot like she meant it, right off of the defender, and knew the angle would carry the ball back towards the near post and away from the keeper. Otherwise, Baltimore actually had the better line of sight to take that shot for me. It’s not the most spectacular goal, but it is a goal that only a handful of players would even attempt, let alone score, and Cat is one of them. It’s diabolical in a very fun way, and more proof that the Catarina, or Katrina if you’re an English commentator, is all the way back. That is great news for her club and her country.

Hidden Figures: The Lox

Sylvs, why is this section called The Lox (I really, really tried to find a proper French translations, and, woof) when it’s about Lyon. Well, because that’s what I’ve decided the name of the Lyon front three should be. This is based on the both being a trio and sharing similar energy. For me, The Lox is the best mix of New York City edge with a smoother delivery than expected. In the way I think there isn’t a beat that Jadakiss can’t slide on, there isn’t a defense that can keep Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay, and Tabitha Chawinga from scoring if they really want to. The run at you all day, but their interplay can be silky smooth, like freshly pressed hair on Easter Weekend. The passes from the backline or the midfield don’t even have to be pinpoint for them to convert the chance. And, I used this goal even though I think the Dumornay goal was better, because look at the first three players from Lyon. All three attackers are in or around the goal. Even if Diani doesn’t slot that home, which she does nicely, there’s strong chance the other two get to that rebound. If I saw those three running at me, I’d cry a little, but that’s why I’m not an elite defender. I know the U.S. loves Triple Espresso, I do too. But the best three Black women up top are playing for Lyon, and it’s high time Le Lox gets its shine. My front line’s Black, my Lambo’s blue, or whatever Jeezy said. Watch them for the pure love of the game.

Cultural Cuts: Diaspora United

I had the pleasure of hoping on Diaspora United with Talldre 3000 this week, and we discussed the UWSL, the NWSL, and few of the other things that were on our minds this week. Take a listen, and as always, support our fellow pod, they’re doing great work.

Final Thoughts: There’s plenty of space in the margins

What does it mean to be historically marginalized? It means, in part, to live your entire life on the margins, on the outside of something or some place. Why is this something I’m speaking on in the moment. Well, margins also make me think of a physical book. When you open most physical books (I know, a wild concept for some these days), most of the time, the margins are empty. But, once in a while, you pick up a well loved copy of a classic, or a textbook that’s been rented for a decade, and you’ll find the margins filled with notes, doodles, or what you hope is water of spilled coffee. My point is, the margins are empty on purpose, to preserve the physical structure of the text. We’ve all agreed to this structure, but writing in the margins isn’t punished. To me, it speaks to all that can be done in the margins of society. Being the “other” or being on the outside is a hard lot in life. But, so much creativity (the doodles), sustenance (the food and drink) and knowledge (the words) can live in the margins. Some of our greatest advances in American life have come from the margins. Jazz and hip-hop exist because of the pain of the margins, for instance. I feel this way about that wonderful microcosm we call soccer, or football. The people on the margins, the football played on the margins, is what will lead us forward. It is where our talent lies, but it is also where are future leaders reside. There’s a different understanding of life when you’ve had to survive in the margins, and our resources and infrastructure should go towards finding and cultivating those players. That is how you strengthen the sport and the fully formed human beings who play it. Look in the margins a little more in life, and in football.