angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Hey, everybody, and welcome to Casual
FC, an Angel City match preview and
footy therapy pod featuring two, two
cert- podcast certified footy therapists.
I'm your host, Angela Morales, and
this is my wonderful, supportive, and
ever-patient co-host, Mario Salazar.
And just for the record, before we get too
deep into things, we wanna make sure that
everybody knows that here at Casual FC,
we believe that everyone, every kid, every
adult deserves the opportunity to play,
and that trans rights are human rights
regardless of what this government says.
That's all.
Well, that's definitely not all, if you
know me, but that's the important part.
So
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
that's all
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: And
if have a problem with that, then
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
There's other podcasts you can listen to.
Yeah.
You should know better by now.
as I've said multiple times, get wrecked.
Likeâ¦
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yes.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
this is officially our first episode back
into this, later half, later two-thirds,
whatever, section of the 2026 season.
Ah!
but anyway, somehow, some way,
this is our match preview for the
match coming up on Friday, July 3rd
versus the O- Orlando Pride at BMO.
Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.
If you can't make it to the stadium,
it'll be streaming on Amazon Prime
Video or on the iHeartRadio app with,
Isaac and Tracy, and then also KWKW
1330 AM in Español for everybody who
wants to listen to soccer in Spanish.
I will say the English Angel
City broadcast is a party.
it is not normal American soccer
broadcast in English that's boring,
and it's like, "This person is
tactically sound," and blah, blah, blah.
"Oh, they scored."
Isaac is a treat.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yes.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
Yeah.
But Friday is also a gate giveaway
with the third collectible pin in
the pin series, and then there's
post-match fireworks 'cause if we
don't have front office fireworks,
if we don't have on-the-pitch
fireworks, let's have actual fireworks.
Why not?
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
the fourth, so why not?
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
America.
Yeah, but also this is one of two
home matches in the entirety of July,
and the next match is Pride Night.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Pride
Night, that's gonna be fun, so
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
it's gonna be a good time.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: yeah.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Yeah, that's why we're here today
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: I will say,
in the whole fireworks talk, there's
going to be tons of local city or,
group-run firework shows over LA.
Look
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Or just your neighbors.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
is just your neighbor's.
The safer option of just
going to, going to one.
Most of them are free, if
not for, a small charge.
But, go have fun, see the big giant
fireworks and, you know, while I--
while LA and you're gonna get neighbors
blasting off, fireworks, if you
yourself cannot do that because you
wanna keep all 10 fingers and, not burn
someone's house down, let's do that.
And, go enjoy the fireworks.
I, for the longest time, used to work
for the City of San Marino, in Parks
and Rec, and that meant every summer,
every 4th of July, I was part of the
Parks and Rec team on the 4th of July at
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Oof
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Park.
So was, you know, super long day.
Super hot usually.
But it was really fun, and everybody
that was there, it was like a
fun kind of, carnival atmosphere.
We had games.
We had all that stuff.
And then the center of the park was a
professionally set up fireworks show.
And, granted, this was 15 years ago,
but, do- you know, going to that was
only, 10 bucks or something like that,
and it was open to a- almost everybody.
you know, it's-- lots of
them all over the place.
and, you know, go take a look at
one in your local neighborhood.
Be safe, everyone.
we wanna see you at those games, so
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Yeah, with all of your
appendages and all your hair.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yes.
Yeah.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
That you started the, you
know, pre-Fourth of July with.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
But yeah, it's, it
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: is my firstâ¦
I missed last Fourth of July 'causeâ¦
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
you did
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah, I did.
I'll be happy to be able to
see fireworks this time myself
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
That's fair.
I feel like this year you are allowed
to enjoy as many fireworks as you want.
I, due to my proximity to SoFi,
soccer and the world right
now, I already hate fireworks.
I've never liked them, even as a kid.
yeah, sure, they're pretty.
D- yeah.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
they're pretty, but like they're loud, and
I hate how loud they are, and I hate that
they set off car alarms and freak out all
the animals in the neighborhood, and itâ¦
I'm not looking forward to this weekend.
I hate it.
I hate it so much.
But, yeah, enjoy whatever you're doing.
Be safe.
We'll see you at the game.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: be
safe, take care of your pets.
all right.
Well, with all of that, the reason
we've been on break is that the
boys are having a tournament.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And they're having a tournament.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: it's been fun.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
this is more fun than Iâ¦
the games I have watched, if I'mâ¦
I haven't watched a lot of them
'cause I'm at work, but I'm,
like, keeping tabs on my phone.
I've got, another tab open.
Sorry, boss, but, it's important.
And last nightâ¦
So it's Tuesday night.
Last night, I was watching the updates.
I'm getting ready to go to bed.
Eva's watching TV in the living
room, and I check my phone 'cause
I'm like, "Oh, God, they're going to
pens," the Morocco-Netherlands game.
And I'm just, in theâ¦
I'mâ¦
Like, I have it up on my phone.
I'm in the bedroom, and, I'm,
like, changing into pajamas.
it's one of those, you're
just kind of, putzing around.
And then I'm like, Morocco one."
I'm, like, screaming.
I call my mom, and she's "Okay."
And I'm like, "Ah, AFCON."
just screaming about African soccer
like normal, but I'm pumped for that
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: African
soccer has been doing well.
I think what was it?
seven out of their eight
teams or, however many teams
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
nine of the 10 or eight of
nine, something like that
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
one of the AFCON teams that
qualified did not make it into the
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
and, that, as a confederation,
that's been amazing for them.
so Iâ¦
The tournament has been amazing all
around, the social media videos, the
way soccer brings people together,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Living this close to the stadium,
dude, no, like it's been so fun.
The Bosnian fans like took over Inglewood.
It wasâ¦
I was going to work, it's 6:30 in
the morning, and there's hundreds of
people two weeks ago when they first
played, and they're all at this bar.
The parking lot, there's this huge ass RV,
Bosnian flags as big as the room I'm in.
they are so pumped, and they
all walked like a mile and a
half to the stadium wereâ¦
And but like also so respectful.
And I'm like, "Guys, we can
do that here all the time."
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: yeah.
The, I, w- I was saying that this
tournament has really shown the
world that it's, it, this is a world
sport and that this is a of people.
And yes, people are passionate,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: are the
stupids out there, but it shows
the camaraderie that everybody has.
The
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Oh, it's good
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: when
one team wins and the other team is
like devastated, and the compassion
that those fans are showing them,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Did you see the, after the Brazil-Japan
game the other night outside, 'cause
they're in Mexico, and, this one
Japanese fan, he's, in a sea of
Brazilians and Mexicans just, so upset.
He's crying.
His friend's, trying to console him.
All of these other fans are just
like, "No, we're so proud of you.
Thank you for coming."
And then they all start cheering, "Japan."
and then he's crying, and in,
broken Spanish, because he
speaks Japanese, is also "Japan."
And I'm just like, guys, this
is what sports are about.
And I just gotta hope it carries
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I think, what was it?
I showed it to you I think when
we were recording previously.
It was, like, the little
kid from, Czechia.
I think it was Czechia where, like
they, like the little kid's holdingâ¦
they're in the nosebleeds and he's
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yes.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: the
little World Cup, and he's crying
because they got beat so bad.
And then the fans around
him, they were celebrating,
but then they turn around, they see this
little kid crying, and they're like, no.
Czechia, Ch-" And, they
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
the kid's, kinda comes around
and he starts chanting, too.
And, they were just pumping him
up to get him to, just have fun.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: overall
the tournament's been, great.
Barring all of the bullshit that
has led up to it and all the
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
so much
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: be going around
it, the soccer of it all has been amazing.
so quick update on the boys' tourney.
USA, Mexico, and Canada have all moved on.
Canada was the only one that didn't
finish first in their group, so
they don't get to play at home,
for the rest of their matches.
but Canada did beat South Africa
in their first elimination
match, so they are moving on.
Mexico just beat, right before we
recorded this, just beat Ecuador, and
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
If you hear fireworks in
the background, that's why.
I don't know if they'll get picked up,
but they're still popping off outside
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: And
the US will be playing theâ¦
when this episode comes out,
with- against Bosnia and
Herzegovina, at 5:00 PM in the Bay.
And, you know, let's go.
I, this time, as much as it
hurts me whenever the guys play,
I'm d- red, white, and blue.
It's the same thing like
during the Olympics, right?
During the Olympics, you're
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Oh, during the Olympics, I'm notâ¦
It's not even patriotic.
It's I'm here for the athletes.
I'm here for Team USA, and
we're gonna win this shit.
But, I don't care.
It's so bad.
I have watched every other team
play or, caught snippets of or
looked at the recaps, and then I'm
like, "Oh, yeah, Team USA played.
Neat."
And I just, move on.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yes.
So
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Sorry, not sorry, guys.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: One of us will
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
we started recording, Mario also made
the point of, "I think I need to go
somewhere to watch the game so I'm not
fighting over the TV with my kids who
wanna stream the iPad game on the TV,
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
watch soccer."
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: So with
all of that, I mean, that's the fun.
There's been some crazy
upsets already, right?
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Penalties, all the things
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: just
upsets during the group stages.
it's been great.
yeah, that's what we have with
the US, Mexico, and Canada.
The next match in LA is going to be July
2nd, which will be Thursday at noon.
So if you're in the SoFi area, if you're
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Don't be
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: d-
Angela is asking you don't be.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Please don't
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: be
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
you don't because, okay, I
live on the south side of SoFi.
I work north of SoFi
that's how that goes.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
it's, a time.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
warning of the freeway signs
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And thankfully, Thursday will beâ¦
It's a, it's like morning time,
so like parking opens at 8:00,
so I'll already be at work.
I'll be at work, and then by the
time I come home, people will
still be leaving the stadium at
4:30, but, you know, whatever.
your thing.
It's, it'll be a lot easier to get home.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: So the
w- the NWSL is restarting, the
season, this week, this Friday.
are going to be one of those matches.
And, the boys tournament is
still gonna be happening, matches
happening that day, so you're just
gonna get footy all day, on Friday.
Australia versus Egypt, Argentina
versus Cape Verde Cape Verde, whichever
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Clap,
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: pronounce it.
Cape Verde.
which their own run has
been freaking amazing.
I mean, against Arg- p- like, poor them
against Argentina, like that's where they
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: But
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: they're there.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
who cares?
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: round.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yes
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
and then, Colombia and Ghana
will be, playing, all on Friday.
So
That's
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
gonna be insane.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: but
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: what the hell
happened to Angel City during this break?
The fuck?
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Okay, I have so much to say.
I'm gonna go through
this as fast as I can.
First, Gotham has Sam Kerr again.
She had played Western New York Flash,
she had gone to Sky Blue, and then she
said, "Screw you guys, you're stupid.
I'm going to Chelsea," and she did.
And then now she's married and
has a kid with Christie Mewis,
sportsmanship and kindness forever.
I have made it known that Eve and
I are likely going to the finals
this year in DC, so I can't wait to
watch Gotham in the finals again.
'Cause if there's one thing I know
about Samantha Kerr is, she's not
gonna go down without a fight, and
Gotham's already coming back with,
a little bit of a vengeance after
the Challenge Cup the other day,
in pouring rain in Columbus, Ohio.
so it'll be really interesting to see.
And then they also announced that
Katie Stengel, retired as of effective
immediately, like mid-season.
well, Katie Lamson now.
Sorry, a big firework just went off.
so yeah, that'll be what it is.
But in Angel City news, Kennedy
Fuller moved up north to the Bay.
I blame Claire Hutton and Alex Pfeiffer,
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: The
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
B- and Duda and everybody.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: they
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I blame my friends who are
season ticket holders up there.
I blame all of them
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: When
the announcement came, blindsided
everyone, and then that same day,
Kennedy was already up in the Bay
'cause they were at a Valkyries match
with her, with the new teammates.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: team
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: damn, it'sâ¦
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: But
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
news isn't even cold yet
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
the league has to approve
when things are announced.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: I
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: So
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: moved up there
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
a week ag- yeah, exactly.
and then eight seconds later we are
still screaming collectively, Alex Straus
is fired effe- effective immediately
And then it had to get spoiled,
obviously, because everyone's like middle
fingers in the sky, "I hate this team."
Ali Sentner signed.
And I feel so bad because, she
doesn't deserve she doesn't
deserve, this disgruntled fan base.
Because that weekend is the
season ticket holder event.
It's just bad news.
Okay, yay.
La, now we have to see you in person.
Parsons gets booed.
Julie got booed.
Ali Sentner, everybody's "I'm so sorry."
The whole autograph line, I think
every single person apologized to her.
"I'm sorry that this is what you're
walking in on and that everybody's
mad, but we're not mad at you.
We're mad at the situation."
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: it's
like when I call customer service on
something and I'm like, "This thing
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
You're good
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: And be likeâ¦
And I have to pre- preface, my call
to that person being like, "Look,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
My attitude is not directed at you
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I'm not mad at you.
I know you're not responsible
for this, but I'm mad, So you're
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
You're like, "I'm not trying to take
this out on you, and I'm sorry if
my voice sounds like it, but I've
been trying to fix this for six
hours and I'm pissed off, and I'm
mad, and I'm gonna use cuss words."
used my Social Security number
to file their taxes, and it
was somebody who was deceased.
and it wasn't my state taxes,
it was my federal ones.
For two years I was dealing
with this, and this person, I
was like, "Listen, I'm sorry.
I know this call's recorded,
and I hope somebody hears it.
I'm not-- I don't mean this at you."
And I went off.
I was like, "You're not even given
the tools you need to do the job
effectively, and it's not your fault.
It's this effing government."
I was so mad.
So mad.
And I was like, "Again, I'm sorry.
You're very nice and very kind,
but this is some bullshit."
But yeah, we, it, ugh
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
happened to the three-year plan?
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I, okay.
I understand that we want results
and we want results quickly.
However, when you have one of your
main strikers get hurt and one of
your defenders need foot surgery
And then your team falters a little bit.
Duh.
No shit.
And like
I had faith in that system because
it was working and we were growing
within it and there's gonna be bumps.
But now all of a sudden in the
middle of the season, we go to
another interim coach and it's just
effectively supposed to be fine?
Because what I wanna know, and I
would like to ask this question
to multiple people right now, not
the players I have no issue with.
They're doing the best with this,
whatever the hell they got right
now, and every year before then.
But w- we were told three-year
plan, three-year rebuild.
That's how this works.
What year is it now?
Do we just hit reset in the middle?
Becauseâ¦
Or are we starting over?
what is this?
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Te- tell
me, you were there, you were at the
season ticket holder event, I was not.
and also, I've just been so
essentially upset that I just, I
haven't wanted to look into it.
I'm just like, "Well, no, fuck it.
We'll talk about it later."
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Whatâ¦
I know Parsons was there.
What was said
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: okay.
So I was in a different room and the
audio was cutting out for a hot minute,
and it was basically, "We wanted
results fast and we weren't getting
them, so we had to make a change."
And I'm like, "So you do it
halfway through the season again?
We lose any level of consistency again?"
The players have to learn
a whole new system again
And no offense to this interim coach,
he's been with the team for a couple
months now, but like, how is somebody
who's been here for two months going
to provide the stability and the
consistency and the growth patterns and
the trajectory that everyone was on?
How's that gonna keep going when the
person who was leading that charge,
who was still building, still growing,
still moving with the team, is now out?
I don't understand.
Because, okay, something similar
happened in the W last season, and
Teresa Weatherspoon was not renewed
in Chicago, Sandy Brondello was not
renewed in New York, and these are two
former players who are insane coaches.
Sandy B.
won-- the only thing she didn't have
was a gold medal because the US won
it every time and not Australia.
legitimately.
She's been to the Olympics multiple times.
She's won WNBA championships
as a coach and a player.
She is beloved as a develop-
a d- as a person, as a
development coach, everything.
Teresa Weatherspoon has gold medals,
has, she doesn't have a WNBA championship
because she played on the Liberty, and
they only won their fir- their first
championship a couple years ago, and
she was an inaugural season player.
She has coached at the NBA level, and
now she's coached at the WNBA level.
And Becky Hammon, who was
essentially her rookie.
So T-spoon was in the league.
Becky Hammon comes in as another small
guard and plays, has an amazing career,
plays for the Liberty, plays for the team
that's now become the Las Vegas Aces.
Goes on, retires from basketball,
goes on to start coaching.
Coaches under Gregg Popovich in
San Antonio, like the, one of the
best basketball coaches ever in the
history of basketball, in my opinion.
Pop is beyond smart, and I would
love to just sit down and have
a conversation with this man.
learns under him, gets the insane job
of coaching the Aces, and they've since
won three championships in five years.
it's just a historic run that they're on.
After the end of last season, she,
because of her relationship with Teresa
Weatherspoon and her relationship with
Sandy, was like, "What the hell is this?"
She, and she brought up, you don't
have a championship overnight.
That's not how this works.
You're building for years.
You're building consistency, and
you're building through change.
Players come, players go.
You have to have a core group with
you that carries the message through.
And she's quoted as saying, and this
is the thing that I think everyone
right now is feeling with Angel City,
"Any organization that thinks you can
create culture and flip things upside
down in less than a year, I don't
think you have realistic expectations."
Nobody's gonna win overnight.
yeah, we might fucking go on a
playoff run right now, and I will
be so happy if we can do that.
But again, is it a one-off
like it was in year two?
Is that it?
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
you, you don't have
a stable environment for these
players to play in, and it's
frustrating because you haveâ¦
You know, you look at other
franchises that have had coaches
for years, and Seattle Reign have
given Laura Harvey years in, like
for, since forever essentially.
They haven't won a title,
but they've been there.
They've been in the finals.
They've been in the playoffs.
They've had prolific runs.
If you go back to the WNBA,
Cheryl Reeve is, has been coaching
the Minnesota Lynx for years.
They have four, three, four championships.
They have world-class Hall of Famers.
They have, this insane development system.
That only comes if you give people a
chance to thrive in an environment.
If you're constantly changing,
that shit doesn't fly.
That shit doesn't happen, and it
messes with the players' mentality.
It mens- messes with their confidence.
It messes with the fan base.
It messes with everything, and I'm not
saying that you have to keep a coach
regardless if it's a bad environment,
if bad things are happening, whatever.
But you can't expect shit to happen
in a positive, like a net positive
overall if you keep just taking
spaghetti and throwing it at the wall
and wondering why it falls off the wall.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
No,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Like it's, ugh
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
you didn't giveâ¦
he came in mid-season last
season.
only got half a season this season.
were players change.
There was, undoubtedly,
just soccer staff changes.
hasn't been as consistent as we've been
trying to say, trying to ask for, trying
to say "This team needs to stopâ¦"
M-m The things that you need to mess
with are the things that you have.
You know, we've always talked about
this idea of look, when you have
your starting 11, as soon as you
change like three players out of that
starting 11, you're completely fucked.
That's a whole new system.
That's a whole new
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: that
needs to learn how to play together.
So usually by making like
one or two subs, you're good.
As soon as you start hitting
three to four subs, things are
gonna start getting weird, right?
Because the system's not there.
The system's starting to break down.
You can't do that with any type
of consistency if you haven't
given this person a chance.
Again, if he wasn't working out
after a full season, sure, y-you
have this three-year plan, right?
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
He was not working out during
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: But
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: plan.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: half
a year with a team you didn't recruit
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Exactly.
And that's the
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And then the off-season
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
that's the problem that, had and,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Yes, it's everything.
You come in with half a season of a
team that you're like, "Okay, cool.
Let's see what we can
do with what we got."
And then the off-season you make the
changes ideally that you're looking for or
starting to make those changes and maybe
towards the transfer windows and whatnot.
But, you have an off-season and that's
it, and then you're just expected
to be in first place from the jump.
And yeah, we've hit a skid.
Everyoneâ¦
Nobody's gonna, lie and say we didn't.
it's on paper.
It's not how that works.
But, we're not dead in the water
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Look,
there's a reason why when we first
came in, we were automatically
known as Marketing FC, right?
Because nobody was putting the
soccer knowledge on the field, or
it felt like nobody was putting
the soccer knowledge on the field.
We were putting all of the money and
knowledge in the marketing of the team.
Granted, that has
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
You have to
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: thing
for the league and for the team, and
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
We're in a completely different
market than San Diego is in.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Mm-hmm.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: a
completely different market
than Kansas City is in, right?
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: You
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And when you're an expansion team,
you have to build the fan base
before you do, can do anything.
You have to have tickets, you
have to have butts in seats.
The revenue has to come in so that
you can justify the team, that you
have to be able to justify support
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
And so there, you know, weâ¦
if anybody out there has
been following the team
thinks that doing this change midway
every season just halfway being like,
"Eh, let's get a new coach," is going
to somehow magically work at some point,
you haven't been paying attention and you
haven't put any thought into why we've
been called Marketing FC or Rehab FC
or the new one that I just heard, which
was ACDC, the Angel City Drama Club.
it-
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: I saw
one where it was like Ang- it was ACFC,
but it was Angel City Football Calamity.
And I'm like, "Oh, God."
this is depressing.
And it, We talk about a lot, I
am a homer, I am a ride or die.
I've survived the McCourt
years in baseball.
I have survived whatever the hell the
Lakers have been doing the last 15 years.
I have survived a lot as
a fan, and it is cyclical.
I will talk about this a
little bit later, but I haveâ¦
shit happens, and it sucks.
And as an LA sports fan, a lot of us
aren't used to not winning and not having
this, unless you're, like, a Kings fan.
But even still, the Kings had a
hell of a run a few years ago.
like
I don't know.
It's hard, bro.
It's hard
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: so I mean,
I hope for the best with this new
interim coach who I, Apologies, I don't
even know the person's name because
I've just been like, I don't wanna
pay attention to anything right now.
I just don't have that
brain space at the moment.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I'm glad you, I'm glad you
said that 'cause also same.
I was like, I can't.
And it was so hard being at the
season ticket holder event 'cause
the players, the players were trying
so hard to be like, "Hi guys."
And everyone's "Are you okay?"
everything I heard, and I am
guilty of saying it too, is
just "How are you guys doing?
This week has been a lot."
Or, you know, "H- what's the vibe?"
And they're just all "Okay, we ride again.
You know, we clock in, we do the
things, and we try our best."
And they were just very grateful
that the season ticket holders, the
day ones were like, "Girl, you good?
are you okay?"
But overall, I will say the season
ticket holder event was very fun
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: I, I mean,
the one thing we can count on or bank
on is the fact that the team is the
team that's been slowly building up.
And we've had, we have
that consistency at least.
And yes, we've had injuries.
Yes, we've had people
getting back into shape.
Who knows who's gonna be fully match
fit when we get back, from this, right?
We still had Cherry coming on,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Mm-hmm.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
from getting rehabbed.
We
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
From injury, yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: we're
all waiting for the Leroux comeback.
you know, Emslie was starting to get a
good amount of minutes, coming back and
like getting back in form, with the team.
So again, we do have everything
on paper that looks good, and it's
a matter of giving someone time.
Now,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Except the coach
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: I hope
this interim coach figure something
out and work with what he's got.
And if it's really honestly
like continuing the system that,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Alex head?
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: like
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: great.
Letâ¦
You know, we were seeing positive things.
yes,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Neat
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
with the results, but we'reâ¦
Ugh.
Okay.
Standings check now that
we're coming back into this.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I feel like it's blink twice
if you're okay, and it's like
Everyone's just "Okay.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
We're trying really hard, guys."
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: we'll
have, we'll, it'll get better.
We're gonna have
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
It will
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
We're gonna have better games
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And because our margins have been so
small in the games we have dropped, we
are still plus two goal differential.
I'm justâ¦
That is a tiebreaker, and if
that effing means that we scooch
in by a hair, then we scooch in
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
currently we are in 12th.
We still have two games in hand.
about a third of the league
has, two games in hand, with us.
There's only, let's see, two, two
teams that have 13 matches played.
Everybody else has about 12,
and then the other half of
the remaining groups, have 11.
So we're all in that same boat.
If you look at the top eight right
now, let's see, one, two, three.
of the top eight teams also
still have two games in hand, but
they're-- have enough points to be in the
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: So
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And it's like the Spirit Gotham
North Carolina who's on a tear, like
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: yeah.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I don't know
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: but we just
have to keep in mind that we have those
two games in hand, and that's something
we're going, moving forward with, and
something to look forward with as long as
we don't keep fucking up everything else.
and I believe I said this in the
last, kind of recap, episode or
something like that, but, we don't
even out- the league doesn't even
out in matches played till September.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Yeah, September
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: it's pretty
close to the end of the season where
the league all evens out and has
played the equal amount of games.
once we get there, it'll be the true
look as to what the table's going to
be, 'cause there's only a few more weeks
after that where things fluctuate again.
But the season's essentially over.
let's see where we land in all of that.
at this point, with the chaos that has
happened, as long as we get, as we've
been saying this whole time, a 500 season,
even with Straus in, in the captain's
chair there, we would've been fine.
We would've been good.
That would've been progress.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Mark,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Good luck, bro.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: luck, dude.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
'Cause you've lost the
fan base, so we'll see.
We'll see what happens.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: next season
let's preview our match
this Friday against Orlando.
what do we got to look out for?
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
I don't know.
Like honestly, at this
point, who fucking knows?
I sat at my iPad earlier today and
I was just like, I don't know."
But the one thing I do know is that,
as I, I've said a lot today, the
fan base is showing up to support
the players because the players
deserve a lot better right now.
The players deserve the support.
They deserve the care.
They don'tâ¦
This isn't their fault.
I mean, I guess you could kind of say
it is because they've lost a game, you
know, they've dropped games, but I don't
think, as somebody who, one, has spoken
to her now, and two, has dealt with
ankle and foot injuries her whole entire
life, Svendissen do that shit on purpose?
Savy didn't do that shit on pur- theyâ¦
"Oh, guess what I'm gonna do, guys?
I'm gonna get hurt.
Ugh."
Also, really quick, before this episode
is over, and I hope this gets clipped
in the highlight, make sure you vote
for Savy for the ESPY 'cause Comeback of
the Year, she's Comeback of the Century.
Like honestly, get it together
if you haven't voted for Savy.
but I just want this team to know, and
I told them, I told so many of them
when I was handing out podcast stickers
at the event, because they'd be like,
"What do you talk about on the show?"
I was like, "Honestly, I
just hype you guys up."
And they're like, "Wait, for real?"
And I was like, "Yeah, because
like you can critique a
team and not be an asshole."
And they were like, "Oh my God, yeah.
Thank you."
And I was like, "There's so many things
to talk about that don't tear you down."
I can say, "Oh yeah, this game maybe
wasn't our best, but like we have 14
more, and it's not the end of the world.
It didn't break the season."
You know, all of these other
things happened to not allow that.
And Svendius was the one that was
like, "You say nice things about us?"
And I was like, "Yeah,
I do the best I can."
And she was just like, "Oh
my God, thank you so much."
She's been hearing it.
there's been comments I've seen that I'm
just like, "This is embarrassing, guys.
stop."
But
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: I, we'veâ¦
Again, something that we've even
reiterated in, an episode or two ago
There's a certain group of the fan base
that like, "You guys should be just
fucking embarrassed for yourselves."
these people are players, they're humans.
Any sport, t- tearing someone down
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: to be an
asshole and to make you feel better is
not doing anything for anyone and is not
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
likes, or yeah, and as Eva likes to say,
not every thought is an outside thought.
you can keep things in your head.
I say some mean-ass shit
And it stays in here because
it doesn't need to be public.
You don't have to, fricking scorch people.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: thoughts win
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And that's why I started the podcast.
No, I don't, no.
I'm, like, you will not catch me.
There's a lot that I would love to
be saying right now about women's
sports as a whole because of the
SCOTUS ruling, because of what's
happening in the WNBA the last couple
weeks, what's going on in the NWSL.
there are some things that I would
like to say that are incredibly
inflammatory, but it's not constructive.
It's not helpful.
it's not growing the game.
It's just being another shithead
with a microphone, and I refuse.
I refuse.
But I want my team, I want them to
feel as supported internally as they
know they are supported by the fans.
Eva asked Sarah Gorden, "Do you hear
it when the Sarah Gorden chants start
up because of, a goal line save or
something ridiculous that you do?"
And she was like, yeah."
Eva was like, "Dope,
because half the time I'mâ¦
I, us and, a couple other friends
that sit a few sections over
are the ones who start it."
And she just starts cracking up
and was like, "I appreciate it.
Not gonna lie, it means a lot."
We're like, "Okay, great."
But there's so much, it feels like they're
not being given a real chance because we
throw things away before it's really given
a chance to, take shape, and it sucks.
And maybe there's so much that we're
missing as the fans, as the people not
in the front office, and at practice,
and all that kind of stuff, but I hate
seeing the players dejected, and there's
been so much of that the last couple
seasons, and they don't deserve it.
It sucks.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: It's not fair
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
it's hard when you're playing a team
like Orlando because so many people now
see Orlando as a permanent contender.
They are good.
They are scrappy.
They fight for the wins.
Obviously, the last game, you know,
the game we played against them earlier
this season was, like, a death goal
by, Haley McCutcheon, I think it was.
But, there were so many years that
Orlando could not put shit together,
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yeah
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
and that's what?
'Cause they won in 2024.
Yeah, 'cause it was
Gotham, Orlando, Gotham.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: It was like
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
So yes.
Yeah, and mind you, this is a time
period where at one time they had Alanna
Kennedy, Steph Catley, Marta, Sydney
Leroux, Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, Ali
Riley, Ary McLeod as a goalie, and also
Ashlyn Harris, which controversial in,
in everything that's gone on since then.
But she holds, the most
saves ever in the league.
she's the longest tenured
goalkee- like- It's a whole thing.
And she was a controversial player
because she would take chances
and, come out far on a ball.
But whatever.
But they couldn't put it together.
You basically have half of Team USA, and
you come off of two World Cup wins, medals
in the Olympics, like all this shit, and
you can't get it together in the league.
And it happens, and it's
cyclical, and now Marta's the
last person standing on that team.
And she's "Guess who
got the ring, suckas?"
You know?
she's the one that's riding high.
And not to say that the other players,
can't or haven't, but, it takes time.
And Orlando didn't have that consistency.
We talked about this
on the Houston episode.
It's relatable because tho- our
two teams have done the sameâ¦
It's "Oh, hey, guess what?
No new coach."
"Oh, we had four coaches in a year."
"Oh, we only had two."
Like It's just notâ¦
It's so frustrating.
But
I know that when Angel City goes into
the locker room on a game day and they're
lacing up their boots and they're doing
their pre-game routines and their act-
activations and prepping for these
games, they're not half-assing it.
That's apparent because you see it all
left out on the pitch after a game.
You see it in their face.
I've heard it in the post
games, in the press conferences.
they are working their asses off to
do the best they can, and sometimes
it works and sometimes it doesn't,
and that's the luck of the draw.
But, it's not theâ¦
It's not fair to take our
frustrations of the f- front
office on, out on the players.
They can do the best they have with
the situation they're given, and
maybe a matchup goes bad or a turnover
happens and we, you know, the last
15 minutes are our enemy right now.
But one, I don't know what the
hell is gonna happen on Friday
because what is happening?
No one knows.
We're not at training.
We're not in the player
meetings, the group texts.
we're not in that.
Thank God, because they don't need that.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: As much as
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Butâ¦
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: to be
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Oh, absolutely.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
just to be like, I wanna know."
I'm not
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Mostly I just
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: I wanna
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
wantâ¦
And this is because of my
own, locker room experience.
I wanna be in the group text.
I will not say a word.
what c- what information comes to
me, and this is, across the board.
I wasâ¦
My mom taught me this.
she was the mom that would, be the
safe place, and it was like what
happens in the car stays in the car.
If we're, like, dropping somebody off, if
you need to have, a life conversation or,
you know, ask questions about whatever, it
stays in the car unless you're in danger.
Unless you're a danger to
yourself or other people, then
I gotta talk to your parents or
your, you know, whomever, coach.
But if this is just like a, "What do I do?
I don't like her," it stays in the car.
That shit followed me through
college as an RA, every workplace
I've ever been in except one.
but, restaurants will do that to you.
but even now with our friends, if you
need to say something, it staysâ¦
it's locked in, and that's why
I wanna be in a, I wanna be
in a group text with the team.
I justâ¦
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: have
mics doesn't mean we're gonna
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: mean,
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: that
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
'Cause there's stuff we know that we
have not said on this podcast, and I
will not say it because it's information
that does not need to be widespread
Yeah, but our record against Orlando
is hard because we came into the
league as Orlando starts to go up and
soar and do the things Orlando does.
So overall, we have two wins, two draws,
and five losses against Orlando, and
the worst part about that is that at
home we have one win and three losses.
So I don'tâ¦
Iâ¦
Dude, I don't know.
All I'm saying is that I'm excited to
be back in BMO minus the fireworks.
I'm pumped to see friends.
I'm pumped to see people
I consider family.
I just wanna hang out with the homies, and
we're gonna be okay.
I don't know how, I don't know when, I
don't have any information as to how,
what, who, where, why, or whatever.
but it's sports, and it's here
for us when we need it, and we
can scream about it all we want.
But I have faith in the team,
I have faith in the players.
I don't at this point give a damn
about the coaches or the front office.
I don't care anymore.
I'm here for the players.
And d- be that what it may, yeah
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: inconsistency
we've had has been the front office.
and I was looking down because I was,
like, just trying to, fiddle with
something 'cause I was holding my tongue.
Again, don't let the
intrusive thoughts win.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Don't burn the bridges.
The bridges are sturdy and they are
good, and that's never our intention.
But we are frustrated, as
is everybody at this point
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: no.
Yeah.
Yeah.
yeah.
Now with that, if you've gone this far,
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match day
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Yep
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: it's all fun.
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Oh.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Who knows?
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: But
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that has never gone away.
So go
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
And it never will 'cause I'm here
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: and
even if she wasn't, it be there.
I mean, why not?
'Cause
everybody deserves everything,
and don't be an asshole.
And if you
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
'Cause straight Mario and his
straight wife, definitely.
Okay, I wasn't gonna bring it up,
but somebody on Reddit, complimented
our show and was like, "Yeah, Angel's
like the athlete," da, whatever.
"Mario is the wonderful neurotic gay who,
knows very little about women's soccer."
And I sent it to Mario and
I said, "Does Jen know?"
his wife.
And it's been the running, joke.
So if this person who made that
comment sees this, I love you.
Thank you for this.
It'sâ¦
I told Mario he needed to come out
as straight since this airs July 1st.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
It's, it was a greatâ¦
I had a good chuckle at it.
It's,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
was funny as hell
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: I'm
not offended in any other way.
it's just, it was hilarious.
and hey, if I'm the neurotic gay in
this, then, I mean, that's what it is.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Sure.
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: Sure,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
like, "Neurotic, yes.
Gay, not so much."
Like
Sorry I interrupted you.
I couldn't help it
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: if you feel
so inclined, you can help support the
pod monetarily by buying us a coffee.
Go, to our links in our socials or
check out buymeacoffee.com/casualfcpod.
It's an easy way to
throw us a couple bucks.
It helps us what we're doing.
Hey, it got us to Portland,
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
It did
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014:
that, that was awesome.
And yeah, who knows?
Maybe it'll get us to Brazil.
20- Women's World Cup in Brazil next year.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Sheesh
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: big goals.
Shoot for the stars.
tell a friend about the pod.
It brings us good luck.
We pack up that good luck,
we send it to the team.
So really just, you know,
tell five friends and tell
them to follow five friends.
Let's do the mo- the modern
version of
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014:
Chain mail,
mario_1_06-30-2026_220014: and let's
get other people listening to the show.
So with all of that my whole long spiel,
thank you for listening everyone, and stay
safe, have fun, and we'll see you at BMO.
angela-guest408_1_06-30-2026_220014: Bye.
Love you