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.

"It’s a game-changer off the field, but how would it play out on the field?" @secondball.bsky.social takes a look at Catarina Macario's impending entry into the #NWSL with the San Diego Wave — and where the star forward fits in. 🔐 Subscribe to read! equalizersoccer.com/2026/03/25/t...

Bay never dealt with Jonsdottir's channel runs. Fuller's pass for the first goal was brilliant & worth watching if you haven't. Angel City sewed it up early. A game where it became clearer why Strauss picks Jonsdottir up front - perhaps just a bit more disciplined in her movements than Tiernan.

Boston played their part in that game, but the Dash finally look like what the Dash should look like. Aggressive pressure, going after their opponent, pace, quick attacking, lots of forward runs. The rookies look very good too.

Nothing random about that. Portland respond to red card by going to 4-3-2 defensive shape. Midfield three have to shift a lot side to side, front two need to do their jobs. Seattle help them out by not making their midfield work at all. Seattle's full-backs too narrow (Curry inside here).

Cushing's obsession with Tash Flint is a concern. Even if you absolutely must start her in every single match, have her playing in midfield inexplicably, it is okay to sub her off every now and then.

Clipped this because I couldn't not. Raphinha's movement for Barcelona's opening goal. In, out, in, out. The commentators thought Hall was just unlucky? He got put upside down by top movement from a top player...

Riley Tiernan's shift in position was an underrated part of Angel City's 4-0 thrashing of the Chicago Stars, and it could have big implications for the rest of Angel City's season, @secondball.bsky.social writes. equalizersoccer.com/2026/03/18/t...

Kansas City looked like a higher press than under Vlatko? Not sure if it worked as well though. Nice to see Robinson back, Bethune playing well, Sentnor scoring a great goal. Utah went for it, made a fun game. Thought Madison Hammond and Kate Del Fava were very good today.

My thoughts... Washington: glad they stopped Carle inverting early, it was counter-productive. Rodman dangerous but could get her the ball quicker. Pressed well early on. Perhaps could have been more attacking. Lacked goal threat. Why bring Martinez on essentially in midfield? Corners were poor.

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NWSL 2026: Here are my scorching takes and wild, borderline baseless table predictions. Maybe some of it makes sense.

The 2026 #NWSL season starts on Friday, and we're continuing our previews for all 16 teams. Check out our outlooks for: 🦁 @nccourage.com 🚀 @houstondash.com 🦢 @bostonlegacyfc.com ⛰️ @denversummitfc.bsky.social equalizersoccer.com/2026/03/10/2...

Cometti was easily the best defender at last year's Copa America. Strong on the ground and in the air and a threat from set plays.

Why are NWSL shirts so expensive?

Denver Summit’s first goal seen by the public

Croix Bethune & Claire Hutton were key pieces in the midfields of Washington and Kansas City, respectively. Now, Hutton's off to Bay and Bethune to KC. Blair Newman considers the implications on the pitch for ambitious but unproven Bay and Shield-winning KC: For EQZ subscribers:

Gotham's 1-0 loss to Corinthians in the FIFA Champions Cup semifinal exposed weaknesses on the international stage. Blair Newman breaks down what the loss means for the NWSL. ➡️ equalizersoccer.com/2026/01/28/h...

Avaani Prakash (Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory)

If the noise of Claudia Martinez being sold to the NWSL is real, I’m very happy for her. Since her apparition two years ago in the Conmebol u-17, I only saw one similar player in my lifetime watching woso: Linda Caicedo. Big fan of her, hope she smash it

Going to be trying something different this year. Analysing football through the lens of Denver Summit, ahead of their inaugural season. Two articles up already, one on Jasmine Aikey. Among other things, her hold-up play stands out. Let me know what you think summit-review.ghost.io/first-impres...

"It’s hard, if not completely impossible, to spin the deal as a positive for the NWSL, or for the Portland Thorns." But what does Sam Coffey's departure from the Thorns mean for Manchester City — and the #NWSL? @secondball.bsky.social breaks it down. equalizersoccer.com/2026/01/16/w...

Caroline Weir is one of the most complete No.10s you will see in the game.

Keira Barry was the only England player that stood out to me in their U23s recent loss to the U.S. Played on the right wing. If Bay signed her I'd be interested to know what it meant for Lema and whether they see her as a striker.

Emma Sears volley practice… When she gets that first volley goal for club or country, we’ll know why 😏🚀 🎥 IG/douglasperformancetraining

Two fullbacks I loved when watching basically every WSL game I could get my eyes on a few years ago. Neville for her aggression and ability to play any position, and a great story of progressing up the ranks and actually making it. Mayling for her crossing ability.

The Left Foot of Destiny

Messiah Bright matches her real-life total for 2025 in my first friendly in charge of Houston Dash. Alozie with assists for both. FM has become very complicated over the years but this was fun. Considering signing Mandy Freeman and an offer is there for freebie Tziarra King. Puntigam off to Brighton

Every damn year with the NWSL, brings excitement and opportunity and oh fuck more new wells to fall down backwards tripping over the big shoes in the clown costume

Enjoyed some Ninja, with City beating Victory in the Melbourne derby. A-League really does deserve full professionalism. Lots of quality players coming through all the time and a lifestyle that a lot of players are attracted to. Here's my brief match report

Who could be Emma Hayes' next USWNT call-up in 2026? My latest for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social 👇 equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/22/w...