On today’s episode, Claire breaks down the USWNT’s 3-1 win over Iceland, talks through how Emma Hayes is continuing to put her stamp on her team even as they keep winning, shouts out top performers and looks at where the US could still improve. Then she takes a moment to give her take on the Chicago Red Stars rebrand, as the NWSL loses some of its history in a bid towards the future.
Oct 25, 2024•29 min
On today’s episode, Claire goes long on the epic final game that clinched the New York Liberty’s first-ever WNBA title. She talks defense, officiating, rotations, and a little bit of luck, as well as a wrap up of the larger emotions in this monumental season ending. Then she gives a quick wish list of what she’d like to see from the final NWSL regular season weekend, as teams tune up for the postseason.
Oct 22, 2024•30 min
In today’s episode, Claire runs down the USWNT’s October roster, alongside quotes from Emma Hayes that appear to lay out the vision for the next few years in the team’s progress as they begin the long preparation for the 2027 World Cup. She also marvels at another incredible WNBA Finals showdown, as the Liberty take a crucial advantage in their search for their first championship title.
Oct 17, 2024•29 min
On today’s episode, Claire talks through whether she needs to amend her WNBA Finals prediction, and notes both the resiliency of the Lynx and the mentality of the Liberty. She then hits all the major storylines of the NWSL weekend, including broken individual records, streaks both snapped and saved, playoff spots clinched and lost, and off the field happenings that shape the larger conversation.
Oct 15, 2024•31 min
In today’s episode, Claire ponders another Sun postseason exit, and the risks and rewards of blowing things up in the pursuit of playoff glory. She then previews the finals between the Lynx and the Liberty, with one key element she believes will earn one of the teams a title. She closes with some of the NWSL news of the midweek, which feels destined to shape the postseason and beyond.
Oct 10, 2024•25 min
In today’s episode, Claire gives her own postmortem on this particular era of the Las Vegas Aces, claims the Liberty as championship frontrunners and preps for Game 5 between the Lynx and the Sun. Then, she chats Orlando’s incredible run to the 2024 NWSL shield, individual records being broken, and aimlessness further down the league table.
Oct 08, 2024•29 min
Today, Claire takes a closer look at what’s gone wrong for the Las Vegas Aces in their semifinal against the Liberty, as well as dissecting some of head coach Becky Hammon’s postgame quotes following their Game 2 loss. She then salutes the job Cheryl Reeve has done with the Minnesota Lynx, prepares for an Orlando Pride shield win, and discusses Racing Louisville’s prospects at their first NWSL postseason berth.
Oct 03, 2024•27 min
In today’s episode, Claire takes a look at both Game 1’s of the WNBA semifinals, and whether or not Aces and Lynx fans can find silver linings in falling short with hope for Game 2. Then, she shouts out the big winners and losers of the NWSL match weekend, including the race for golden boot history and the race for final playoff clinchers.
Oct 01, 2024•25 min
This week, Claire discusses the first day of games of the WNBA playoffs, where postseason experience is key in a short set of series’ that could see some of our faves go home. Then, she takes a deeper look at Kansas City’s big win over Washington in the NWSL, and makes a case for the Current’s chances in the playoffs. She closes us out with quick updates on volleyball, college soccer, and a salute to the U-20 USWNT.
Sep 24, 2024•40 min
This week, Claire takes a snapshot look at the NWSL, where sometimes single games can tell you a whole lot more about a team than just the final score. She chats Orlando and KC’s special success, Portland’s ongoing troubles, and which players lit up the highlight reel. Then she talks through remarkable WNBA performances, why the expanding season is a good thing, and the surge of the Washington Mystics. Then she reads a few listener comments on volleyball, and tells how she was hoodwinked by the ...
Sep 17, 2024•39 min
This week, Claire takes a moment to talk about the final few days of Alex Morgan’s professional career, how the soccer world has changed since Morgan’s debut and how the star herself spoke about what’s next. Then, she discusses what Angel Reese’s season ending injury means for the WNBA playoff race, salutes the U.S. Open and the Paralympics and more.
Sep 10, 2024•37 min
This week, Claire checks in on the big picture for both the NWSL and the WNBA, as title contenders emerge, playoff spoilers make their case, and some teams begin to plateau at an inopportune time. Then, she has a chat with NWSLPA President Tori Huster about the league’s landmark CBA, and how concerns about parity might be overstated.
Sep 03, 2024•42 min
This week, Claire breaks down the new NWSL CBA that will change just about everything about how the league runs, she thinks, for the better. Then she takes listener questions on struggling NWSL clubs, player contracts, looking ahead for the USWNT and more.
Aug 27, 2024•39 min
In today's episode, Claire says a happy welcome back to the WNBA, as teams battle for postgame positioning in the final month of the regular season. The New York Liberty look like the team to beat, but how are other teams progressing, and are there teams that should be worried about slipping in the standings? Then, Claire looks at her wishlist for the rest of the 2024 NWSL season, as teams gear up for their first regular season matchups since before the Olympics.
Aug 20, 2024•42 min
In this weeks episode, Claire talks through the final few days of the 2024 Olympics, a gold medal basketball game that went the distance in ways nobody expected, big winners and losers from the Olympic soccer tournament and more. Then, she has a lovely chat with Arsenal and Lionesses forward Alessia Russo about returning to the U.S. after spending her college days in Chapel Hill for her club’s upcoming friendly matchup against the Washington Spirit.
Aug 13, 2024•42 min
This week, Claire takes a deep breath and looks at what we've seen in women's sports so far in the Olympics, including generational talents and both established and brand new stars to follow. She hypes up the U.S. gymnastics squad, asks who really rules the pool, and shouts out newcomers to the international stage that became the surprise hits of the Games. Then she previews the USWNT's upcoming semifinal against Germany, as the soccer Olympics field braces for two rematches.
Aug 05, 2024•35 min
On today’s episode, Claire takes a look at the USWNT’s performances in their first two Olympic soccer matches, as the team cruises to a quarterfinal spot with a game still to play in the group stage. She talks through the team making their own luck, some touchy moments in defense, and what to make of the team’s ever-shifting midfield. Then she hits on a few of the biggest Olympic storylines of week one, including a battle in the pool, a historic moment in gymnastics, and the ongoing Canada socce...
Jul 29, 2024•39 min
This week, Claire discusses WNBA All-Star weekend, which felt both like a celebration of how the league has grown over the past year and set Team USA up for a particularly competitive Olympics. Then, she reviews the field for the Olympic soccer tournament, pointing out her personal Group of Death and seeing how the U.S. might still be in the medal conversation despite their current rebuild under Emma Hayes.
Jul 23, 2024•40 min
This week, Claire breaks down in depth the days prior to the USWNT’s first send-off series game, also discussing performances, what worked and what still needs developing, as the team moves towards a crucial Olympic competition that will dictate the future of the team. She then turns toward WNBA All-Star weekend, with a short chat with Gatorade women’s basketball player of the year Joyce Edwards alongside former WNBA All-Star and Dallas Wings star Satou Sabally.
Jul 16, 2024•40 min
This week, Claire takes the solo mic to break down a beautiful new rivalry between the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current, while taking stock of where every NWSL team has landed going into the leagues regular season Olympic break. Then, she does the same with the WNBA, looking at small shifts that could impact the standings after Paris. She takes stock of individual performances in the context of the two WNBA all-star teams, and takes the temperature for just how prepared both the NWSL an...
Jul 09, 2024•31 min
This week, Claire hones in on the upcoming marquee NWSL matchup between Orlando and Kansas City by pondering the question: how did the Orlando Pride transform into a contender? She speaks with Pride general manager Haley Carter about the construction of Orlando’s turnaround, and then chats with Pride forward Ally Watt about the team’s transformation on the field. Off the soccer field, Claire then does a check in on where the WNBA is trending as they near a significant Olympic break.
Jul 03, 2024•41 min
Claire hops on to react to the 2024 USWNT Olympic roster, with one big omission marking a new era of the team. She chats through the benefits of experience vs potential, versatility and fitness, and how this team will continue to gel while meeting the internal expectations of new manager Emma Hayes, which might not always coincide with what the fans want out of a major tournament.
Jun 26, 2024•23 min
In today’s episode, Claire talks through the widening gap between top NWSL contenders and the rest of the pack after more statement performances from Kansas City and Orlando. Then, she chats with Rookie of the Year (and possibly MVP?) frontrunner Croix Bethune about playing with joy, what makes the Washington midfield tick and more. And then finally she breaks down the current state of the WNBA, where mid-standings rivalries are just as exciting as the title contenders.
Jun 25, 2024•37 min
In this week’s episode, Claire sits down with Kansas City midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta to understand what’s driving the Current’s unbeaten streak, celebration culture, goals under Vlatko Andonovski and more. Then Claire takes the mic alone to look at the state of the WNBA, which teams are surging and which could use a reset after another week of highs and lows.
Jun 18, 2024•37 min
This week, Claire talks through a wacky NWSL weekend, where attendance records, baseball celebrations, and strange red cards reigned. She discusses which styles of play are being rewarded this year, as the top teams continue to distance themselves from the pack. Then, she breaks down the reported USA women’s basketball Olympic roster, talking surprises, snubs, whether the teams approach to the player pool is healthy and what it will take for the team to win yet another gold medal.
Jun 11, 2024•36 min
This week, Claire talks through the USWNT’s first friendly under new manager Emma Hayes, with a dominant 4-0 win over South Korea. She talks through big performances from Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson, a midfield that looks refreshed, and her own personal picks for the Olympic roster. Then, she digs into the big stories out of the WNBA this weekend, as the Indiana Fever finally end their early gauntlet of games, the Sun go 8-0, and the conversation off the court about fouls heats up.
Jun 04, 2024•37 min
This week, Claire breaks down a wild week in the WNBA, with MVP level performances, a few hard fouls, and a wide-spread impressive start from the 2024 rookie class. Then, she breaks down how the NWSL is beginning to see a natural top five teams emerge, and the floor beginning to drop out from bottom of the table performers. Are a few playoff contenders in trouble? Only time will tell.
May 29, 2024•46 min
Claire talks this week’s NWSL snapshot through the context of the league’s coaches, discussing her early coach of the year shortlist, with both surprises and steady performances. She also breaks down which coaching seats might be getting a little hot, and they might not be the names you’d expect. Then, she turns to the first full week of WNBA action, giving out superlatives for the strongest performers thus far. She takes a look at how the 2024 rookie class is doing, and makes a pitch for how Ca...
May 21, 2024•47 min
Claire watched every game of WNBA opening tip-off on Tuesday and she has some things to say! Connecticut dampened Caitlin Clark’s big debut (but there are reasons to think she’ll be okay), Las Vegas looked ready for a three-peat and a few rebuilding teams surprised. Then, she digs into another busy NWSL slate of games, where the separation between the top and bottom of the table means more interesting matchups in the middle, where the Gotham superteam is slowly beginning to show off on the field...
May 16, 2024•45 min
This week, Claire takes a look at the first weekend of WNBA preseason, as fans saw first glimpses of Caitlin Clark and the rest of her draft class against league competition. She also talks through some growing pains the league is still experiencing while trying to capitalize on fan interest. Then, she breaks down packed NWSL week, where winning and losing streaks only tell part of the story for each club as they navigate short rest, travel, and player availability. Orlando sits atop the table, ...
May 07, 2024•42 min