"Dali’s [career] has been an unusual career trajectory." In the latest Tactics Talk, @secondball.bsky.social breaks down how Kenza Dali, of the San Diego Wave, became one of the most important #NWSL players. 🔐 Subscribe to EQZ Extra to read! equalizersoccer.com/2026/05/27/t...

Football is San Diego playing intricate pass and move, lots of exciting runs and dribbles up front, built some dangerous attacks, only to concede off a punt up the field and second ball pick-up. Good finish by Payne, mind.

Congratulations to Ilona Melegh on her first senior Matildas call-up 🇦🇺 The Adelaide United GK has earned her spot in Montemurro's squad for the June series vs Mexico. We scouted her earlier this year 👇 bit.ly/3ZojnH1

"Stopping Denver’s actual forwards isn’t enough, because so much of their attacking threat comes from their fullbacks." @secondball.bsky.social breaks down the Denver Summit's key to offensive (and defensive) success. 🔐 Subscribe to EQZ Extra to read! equalizersoccer.com/2026/05/20/t...

We're about a quarter of the way into the 2026 NWSL season, and teams are starting to showcase their identities. @secondball.bsky.social rounds up what’s working and what isn’t for all 16 clubs: 🔐 equalizersoccer.com/2026/05/13/t...

More Weir magic youtu.be/VMlhhg3X2O4?...

Olivia Smart, Leeds legend, irreplaceable 💛 www.leedsunited.com/en/news/oliv...

"The presence of Purce and Reiten on the flanks has also enabled others to play their best soccer." Blair Newman (@secondball.bsky.social) discusses the unique playing style of @GothamFC, led by Midge Purce and Guro Reiten up top. 🔐 Subscribe to read! equalizersoccer.com/2026/05/06/t...

That chest control!

Caroline Graham Hansen's early cross, an absolute guarantee of quality

Slightly off the topic of Schroder and Hacken's win...but Joramo is also one to watch. A bundle of energy in midfield who can win ball and has demonstrated she can move the attack along in a few ways. Soccerdonna says her contract is up soon. Any NWSL teams needing a class act centre mid?

Europa Cup final second leg, Hacken defending a 1-0 lead against Hammarby. Looking out for Hacken's lightning quick, one ball & in countering and the incessant movement of Schroder. Also want to see more of Joramo, ball-winner and -player at the heart of Hammarby's midfield. www.uefa.tv/live/302024

Spare hour or so? These two are always worth a watch and or a listen www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGGi...

My latest for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social, getting into Kansas City's defensive issues.

Kansas City has allowed 13 goals across six matches. Last year, the Current gave up 13 goals all season. @secondball.bsky.social breaks down the Current's defensive woes this season under coach Chris Armas. 🔐 Subscribe to read! equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/29/t...

Caught up on Boston and I wonder when they will get that win. At 2-0 up they started giving the ball away far too quickly, too easily. Just handed the momentum over and never got it back. Draw (or loss) felt on the cards from 30 mins on, without North Carolina really needing to up the ante.

Heart of Midlothian 3-0 Partick Thistle Jam Tarts versus Jags. Hearts win to extend their lead at the top of the SWPL, and bolster their bid for a first-ever title.

When the opponent stuffs up central midfield, Seattle really struggle with a lack of ideas on the flanks. They don't seem to have any real combination play or quality dynamic on either wing, just get it to Mondesir, cross fingers. It was a big factor in their defeat to Portland and again today.

I've had that Fishlock injury and it was right up there with calf tear for me. Blocked a shot with my back foot and it wobbled the foot as it landed, rolling the ankle. Thought I'd broken it, just a huge amount of swelling. Sore as [insert swear word of preference]

Utah pressing in a 4-1-3-2 with the '3' of Cronin-Miura-Lacasse intense shifting to the ball-side to mark Seattle's deepest midfielders while also getting pressure on their full-backs and centre-backs. Seattle absolutely hated it.

Commentator: "You don't want it to get any worse" Me, simultaneously wanting more Martinez & Kouassi and a Vlatko return:

Lovely little movement to widen her run by Martinez in the lead-up to her first NWSL goal.

Kansas City's press isn't as effective as under Vlatko, more aggressive maybe, more open definitely. They are on the back foot more, which means they'll rely more on defensive midfielders to track runs and fill gaps. But they also sold their best defensive mid without replacing, so here we are.

In the latest edition of Tactics Talk, @secondball.bsky.social breaks down what we learned from the USWNT's three match series against Japan: equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/23/t...

After the final game of the USWNT vs Japan series, Emma Hayes brought up something that’s always bugged me. It's the "The World is Catching Up" narrative. Here’s what it is, and why I don’t think it holds any water whatsoever.

If football matches were 270 minutes long and you were allowed 15 substitutions the USWNT would basically never lose a game ever again. Should football matches be 270 minutes long? Impossible to say

Tennis catch up...Coco Gauff won this point 🤯

My latest looks at Boston's reasons to be positive, for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/16/t...

Lauren Davidson with the superb, pinpoint cross for Scotland's goal tonight. Couldn't have placed it any better.

Watched Italy U23s beat Portugal today. Here is an overview of their shape, movements, star players. High press worked well generally; one time it didn't their back line was turned easily for Portugal's goal. Corelli with a nice redirect header for 1-0; Bellucci tucked the penalty away well for 2-1

Interesting from Yash. I've enjoyed catching up on Serie A recently and this makes a lot of sense. Roma are top but not convincing in a lot of games. Not much between them and Inter/Juve. Then you can chuck a blanket over fourth to eighth, and a fairly intense 3-4 team battle to avoid relegation

⚽️ Anatomy of a Goal 🥅 Tactics Talk 1️⃣1️⃣ Lauletta's XI 🗣️ Talking Points These are weekly, analytical columns we supply every week of the #NWSL season at The Equalizer. Subscribe today for comprehensive women's soccer coverage TODAY! equalizersoccer.com/subscribe/

My latest for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social focuses on how Portland could get the best out of three quality strikers: Sophia Wilson, Reilyn Turner and Pietra Tordin. equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/08/t...

Piggybacking off of Lesley's post here, and not singling out any player because I think it's a collective issue. Winning/losing 1v1s is a way to create an overload & Chicago don't seem to win many tackles. Angel City game was glaring in that sense & I don't think it's gotten much better since

That will be Bay's Keira Barry called into the England squad... My first thoughts watching her for their U23s: "I was very impressed by Keira Barry, an outside right who played with positivity and aggression, always looking to take on and produce a good cross." www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

Boston marked up all over the field. Boom or bust defensive style that can really highlight any one-on-one weaknesses. Dali was so often the key to the game for San Diego, running off the shoulder of Olivieri, who was caught ball-watching a few times.

Me after an appearance on the @bteampodcast.bsky.social

The B Team is back after a week off, with special guest @secondball.bsky.social! We go over a whole lotta content from each team, so give it a listen and follow us on Spotify, and as always, let us know what you think of the show or what you want us to talk about next!

"The Houston Dash... are a serious, competitive force for the first time in a while." 👀 @secondball.bsky.social details the resurgence of the Dash, thanks to coach Fabrice Gautrat and new additions like Leah Klenke, Kat Rader and Linda Ullmark. equalizersoccer.com/2026/04/01/t...

Gotham total pressure style works well but always feels like they're missing a piece- another aerial threat in the box, more runners from deep or players who shoot well from outside the box... often suffocate their own play as well as the opposition's and end up needing the perfect team goal

Jayden Perry ➡️ Reilyn Turner 335 days apart, same routine

What a game so far. No scoreboard analysis from me, I'm still taken by Houston's performance. From my Dash season preview, relevant tonight I think:

Last year Houston were the "slowest" team in the league according to passes per shot, at least they were most of the way through the campaign when I looked at that on Fbref. They couldn't look more different this season. High energy, speed, work rate. Look an absolute nightmare to play against.

Houston kicked off with long ball out of play. Whole half has been about playing the game in opponent's half, setting a high tempo with high pressure. Very brave approach. Wingers leading the press with strikers front-marking Angel City midfielders, full-backs stepping up to press their counterparts

Houston largely bypassing Angel City pressure, going over the top of almost every set play from deep or ball from Campbell. Not always expecting to win 1st ball but setting up for 2nd ball with both wingers moving inside to try and outnumber. Quick pressing too.

I played around with how resilient teams were to going 1-0 down last year. Probably doesn't mean anything but it has different colours:

Every and now and then, inexplicably, I forget that Sofia Huerta is one of the greatest crossers of all time.

There's a few NWSL teams who apparently for the next 27 games are going to be like: "Oh my I can not believe this player who has never started or consistently impacted at this level isn't consistently impacting at this level".

One observation on Washington's attack is there are a lot of individual plays without a Sarr type linking it together or a Bethune type killer ball. But it's nice to see Martinez up front. An assassin who will also be harder for Utah's CBs to control physically the way they did Cantore.