We are just days away from the NWSL Challenge Cup Finals. In the words of Ant-Man, “Look at us. Who would’ve thought?” Lots of you doubted this would see its way through. I for one, also kinda doubted it would go on without a hitch. So, before I go on praising my new favorite players, I’d like to take this time to thank those who I’m grateful for in this tournament,
- The commentators for giving me material to complain about on twitter
- The sun glare for giving me material to complain about on twitter
- Subway. I might be breaking news here, but did you hear $5 footlongs are back
- The refs for giving me material to complain about on twitter
- The organizers for not shitting the bed on this one
And now my new favorite players whom I have a new found love for, but not that kinda love because I might get fired for it apparently:
Shea Groom
https://twitter.com/yoursdaly/status/1279925428468187136?s=20
How could you not love her? She’s scrappy, skilled, fearless, and she’s worked at Anheuser-Busch. I respect the hell out of someone with grit. And it doesn’t get anymore gritty than working on a professional career, outside of your professional career. Think Batman minus the flying. Actually…
Darian Jenkins
https://twitter.com/rovalks/status/1284689811014512641?s=20
I swear, watching Darian fly up and down the field all game long while being one of the most dangerous wingers in the game is so damn impressive. Like, you should be tired fam. If anyone has watched the games, not on mute, you’d know about how hot, or how much impact the elevation has had on the players. And through all that, you’ll see Darian not only on the attack but all up in that defense. Love it.
Kelli Hubly
https://twitter.com/NwslAnalitica/status/1284204442531835905?s=20
Chicago represent! Maybe I’m being biased but all the Chicago homies have killed it this summer. Hubly, Short, Naughton, and more. Kelli, or as I weirdly refer to her Daddy Long Legs Hubly, was fantastic filling in for Becky Sauerbrunn. I think I speak for everyone when I say, super fucking impressive. I’m just super sad for Portland. I can imagine the emails between the league and Portland were like,
NWSL: So who do you guys have on the injury list for tomorrow’s game?
Portland: Yes.
Jennifer Cudjoe
https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/1286060084905222144?s=20
How could you not? How could you NOT!?!? Apart from her awesome story, she’s fucking awesome on the field. That Woldmoe-Cudjoe-Zerboni midfield has sneakily been the best. Maybe NC Courage’s has been as good, but man that SBFC midfield has held it down. Cudjoe doesn’t play like a random signee off the street. She’s playing like she was a 5-star UNC-Stanford recruit and its awesome to watch.
Bianca St. Georges
https://twitter.com/chiredstarsPR/status/1286125749733384193?s=20
For as many Canadians there are in the league, its surprisingly not often you’ll see a genuine Quebecois. I can only think of Amanda Pierre-Louis who isn’t in the league anymore, and the rookie Evelyn Viens. But its Bianca St. Georges who has killed it this summer. She missed last season on a torn ACL, rumor has it, she slipped on some poutine. But she’s been a rock in defense and brilliant on offensive help. She even scored her first goal and hit us with the “Are You Not Entertained!?” celebration. For my money, the Rookie of the Year (summer).
Rachel Daly
https://twitter.com/SnacksBautista/status/1286286881429299201?s=20
I think everyone has loved Rachel Daly already. As you can imagine, I wasn’t exactly gitty to watch Houston Dash games in 2019. But 2020 is different. I knew it was different. If you read my previous Idiot’s Guide blog, you’d know I was never ready to count out Houston. What I learned this summer is, Rachel Daly is a SUPERSTAR. A top 3 player in the league, maybe the world. She’s first-team all-hustle. I love Rachel Daly. Hell, even her accent is just pure hard work. Also, she gives a killer death stare that makes linesman/women shit themselves (allegedly).