Casual FC

Mario: Uh, you can do the intro.

Angela: Oh, okay.

Sorry.

I was leaning on cord.

I'm like, I can't move.

Mario: Oh, I thought
you were just dancing.

Angela: I started to, and then
I realized I couldn't move.

hi everyone.

Welcome to Casual FC, an Angel City match
preview and footy therapy pod featuring

two podcast certified footy therapists.

I'm your host Angela Morales with my,
fancy merch designing co-host Mario

Salazar and one of our favorite and
returning special guests, Casey Hultin.

Mario: Woo.

Casey's

Angela: her as Casey's on the case
doing pre-game halftime post-game

lives for the national team for

Mario: The.

Angela: NWSL games.

She's base and like international soccer.

You basically, uh, are like the sane
voice of wo so in a lot of ways,

but also like it's a nice little
sanity check and then this is my

actual opinion at the same time.

I think it's fantastic.

Mario: It's, it's the lawyer.

It's the lawyer in her,

Casey: Yeah.

I'm like, I

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: give you like the, here's this.

And then also occasionally
I'm like, I am losing my mind

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: Lemme tell you about that.

So, Yeah.

But thanks for having me.

I'm always thrilled to be here,
so, um, it's a good time and

getting to talk Angel City.

Well, I, well, we'll see how
good of a time this time, but

Mario: yeah.

Good.

Angela: Right.

Thanks, thanks.

Like,

Mario: Uh, well we are doing our Angel
City season Outlook episode, but before

all of that, I'm gonna ask Casey, this
is, this is blindside question here,

'cause we didn't write it in the script.

How are your plans for
seeing pit bull in London?

Did, did they, did they work out for you?

Angela: We're

not talking about it.

Did.

Mario: Oh, we're not.

Casey: about

Mario: We thought.

Casey: it's okay.

We can talk about it.

So it's been, it's become, see
Pitbull in Europe because I didn't

make it to the February tour
dates, obviously it's, it's March.

Um, then he announced, 'cause
Pitbull knows, like the people

of Europe appreciate him and I'm
really glad to watch him get this

aberration that he's long deserved.

and so he's going back, he's doing more
European tour dates, so he is now got two

dates in London at the beginning of Jun.

He also has a show in Stockholm.

And obviously, you know, I'm half Swedish,
I've got family friends there still.

My best friend in Sweden
is like, you're coming,

Mario: Yeah.

Casey: getting tickets.

And I was like, of course.

Um, except for it's sold out fast food
than Taylor Swift sold out in Stockholm.

Angela: What?

Casey: we went Taylor Swift
in Stockholm and we had no

trouble getting tickets at all.

Um, and pit bull, it's like you
can't get Stockholm, you can't get

Copenhagen, you can't get Oslo.

Like none of the scan,
the candies came out

Angela: Whoa,

Casey: Europe, apparently it's
not just London, like colon

Germany also wore the bald caps.

Like everybody in Europe

Angela: this is

Casey: caps and it's, I I cannot wait.

I've seen pit bull and concert
already eight times and this

is, gonna be the best one.

I just know it, I just know it.

So

Angela: have

you secured tickets yet

or is it so, oh.

Casey: So I've got, I buddy with
a buddy at Live Nation like.

is pretty confident she can finagle
it because she's like, my friend says,

please don't ask about LA shows ever
again because everybody and their

brother wants tickets to an LA show,

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: LA she can probably do it
Um, so, my friend was like, I think

she's gonna love the idea that I've
got some friend that desperately

wants to see Pit Bull in Stockholm

Angela: like please.

Mario: I, I'm,

Casey: or.

Angela: Yeah.

Mario: glad I asked.

Angela: The second I started seeing the
videos of the pit bull shows in London, I

was like, oh, please tell me you're there.

Like I didn't, 'cause I had been
off social media for like a week.

I just like was overloaded.

And I'm like, oh, please tell me.

And then I just started seeing
your posts of like, I'm not there.

Like what am I doing?

And I'm like, no, my friend needs to go.

Casey: We like talked about It too.

My like, best friend in Sweden and I,
she was like, can you get to London?

Like, I, I'm ready to
go full send on this.

And I was, I waffled and
then we couldn't get tickets.

I was like, okay, I'm sorry, but next
time he comes to Europe I'll be there.

So, you know, it just ended up
being that next time is in Jun.

Um, so we'll figure it out.

I, I will be there.

There's no, you cannot have this
concert in Stockholm without me.

I feel like that is

Angela: It should be illegal.

Like it, it has to happen.

Casey: It should be as I feel Pit
bull's biggest Swedish American fan.

I.

Angela: And like, I haven't been
to an official pit bull concert,

but he did perform at halftime last
year at the WNBA All-Star weekend.

I lost shit.

Like, it's not even like I lost my mind.

Like you saw every single millennial
in that arena like just gone my, I was

there, it was like Eva and I and my aunt
and her wife, and they were just like,

for Angela, and I was like, just, ugh.

Like every word, every everything else.

Like I didn't know I felt like this
about pit bull, but I guess I do.

thanks to you because
I like leaned in hard.

Casey: You gotta do it.

I didn't know I loved him until I
saw him live on accident in 2013 and

I then realized that this man is the
single best performer I've ever seen.

It's the best concert I've ever been to.

There is no high like going to a pit bull
concert and I wanna keep doing it again.

I took a long break.

didn't go between 2016 I didn't go
again until the beginning of 2024.

Actually, it was a

Angela: Oh, wow.

Casey: in tears going back.

I was like, this is, is this what
it feels like to be religious?

Because I felt so moved by his words
and like I just wanted to spread

his gospel and I, I finally got it.

It was for me, the moment I understood
what church is about for other people.

Angela: You were, you were, you
were spreading the 3 0 5 gospel,

like

Mario: I think I'm just gonna scrap the,
uh, whatever cover image I was gonna do

for this episode and just put Pit Bull.

Angela: Yeah,

yeah, absolutely.

It's just pit bull.

Like, I thought they were talking about
Angel City's upcoming season, but they

just won't stop talking about Pit Bull.

Sorry.

Casey: I.

Mario: Uh,

Angela: the team for two,

Mario: all right.

Well, you know, sometimes that happens.

Um, but, so sure.

Let's get, we'll get back
to the Angel City, uh, talk.

We've got a new season,
than two weeks away.

We're under, we're under two weeks.

We're under two weeks from it.

Um, I think everybody's hyped,
everybody's, everybody feels, you

know, as a fan of any sport, I.

as the, as soon as it's over
and the off season starts,

feels like it drags on forever.

And then once it comes around you're
like, holy shit, that was really short.

Um, so we're here, we're back and
there has been a lot of changes.

We talked all about the NWSL chaos that
has happened around the League week, and

we touched on a couple of things that were
happening to us along in all that chaos.

Uh, we'll revisit some of those
things, some of those wounds

that are still kind of fresh.

Um, so just to kind of get off the bat,
what the hell happened this winter?

Angela: So much feel it

was one of those.

so much and so little and think more
people came in, like we all came

in with a certain set of questions.

I feel like most of us were kind
of like front office, um, some

player movement, what's going on?

And that was in like October, November.

I still have a lot of
those same questions.

Yeah, I think most people do honestly.

Mario: Yeah.

Yeah.

We had to say farewell
to a couple of players.

Uh, Katie Johnson
announced her retirement.

Um, well, I mean, get resigned, but
then also it was probably 'cause it

was already planned and all that,

uh, Maggie Drie Howard, uh,
left to the Canadian League.

The biggest surprise to
almost everyone was curry

Angela: Yeah, Maddie Curry leaving
and like that was the first card

to fall, and I'm like, oh, okay.

Casey: Yeah.

that was the, uh, the buckle up.

It's gonna be turbulence for me.

I, I, I can't understand it.

I still don't understand it.

She's such a star.

IW why was she not locked down?

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: for me, that was just the sign
that as long as we didn't have really

anybody in the front office doing
deals, we were gonna have a bad time

and we're gonna lose people because
like, she's not gonna wait to see

Angela: Right.

She's young, like, go get paid.

Casey: no, I mean, I don't know
what they offered her, but if Laura

Harvey's calling you, uh, and you're
a free agent and you're young and our

office is, you know, unsure, you, you
should go, you should absolutely go.

Angela: Yeah.

Mario: Yeah.

was our office unsure?

I mean, honestly, I mean, we don't know
anything about the, the actual move,

but why we didn't lock her up, know,
like she, she, yes, third round draft

pick, but was the best draft pick.

Just hands down, right?

Angela: pick essentially.

Mario: Yeah.

And you look for those, like
those are the ones that, that's

the Moneyball pick, right?

That's the

Casey: Yeah.

Mario: said.

Casey: especially looking at,
you know, our current, our

current depth issues for me.

What concerns me, like you had
somebody in Madison Curry that

could play center back in a pinch.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: not where she should
be, but she could do it.

And right now I'm looking at it and going

Angela: Yep.

Casey: about the center back situation.

Angela: Still, still wondering how
that's gonna work out, especially

well, and we'll get to it with

L'S in the mid, But

Casey: note

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: being the intention and also with
watching her play the other position,

you know, I got, I got a lot
of concerns, but um, we can.

Mario: Um, another fan favorite, um,
Jasmyne Spencer, uh, did not get resigned.

Uh, so it was a free agent and ended
up going to the Canadian League.

She's in Vancouver now.

Um, and then another blow that
we got was Messiah Bright,

Angela: yeah,

Mario: just the other Ang took her.

Angela: yeah.

And that's the, I mentioned this in
the last episode, but like the moves

Houston made, I want to know those moves.

Were pre Hucles Mangano going
over or post, because I'm

like, were you hindered here?

Had the ability to run in Houston
or did they just do that and then

everything just got announced, you
know, as it was approved by the

league, but things I'll never know.

Casey: Yeah, Well I think some of it
too though, especially like with the

Messiah Bright Deal, I think that
was an easy one to get done, frankly.

'cause she had insider information from

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: and probably knew they
were willing to deal her and

knew she could get that done.

Angela: yeah,

Casey: you know, there's some of that.

Um, and just in terms of like, knowing
who was available and what could,

what work could happen there, but,
um, you know, it's, one program that.

Cleaning and promising it's gonna
be different and gets a couple of

exciting player buy and then all
of sudden some more chips fall.

And then you've got ours where
we're cleaning house already.

Again,

Angela: yeah.

Again.

Casey: you

merch.

Mario: Yeah.

Yeah.

Um, you know, as, as long as we don't
hit hit, go back to, um, uh, rehab fc,

uh, we're not, you know, the couple
players that, that we'll talk about.

I mean, that's, we, they
got injured with us.

They didn't, we didn't get them injured.

Angela: exactly.

Mario: there's a big difference there.

Uh, okay.

Rocky, uh, Rodriguez off to kc.

Casey: Yeah.

Angela: Forever mad about it.

Casey: Not given anywhere near
the opportunity she should

have had, like, she should have
really featured in our midfield.

Um, I, I don't, this is another way,
I just don't understand what happened,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: glad to see her go somewhere.

Mario: I.

Casey: and I do think, frankly,
if you had told me that the game

plan was to burn down the entire
midfield and start from scratch, I.

would've supported that this off season.

So if you were getting a reasonable offer
for somebody within that cohort, great.

Take it

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: you know, start, start over
because nothing about for me last year.

Really?

Angela: No.

Mario: Messiah and Rocky were
actual trades though, right?

Like that's, we got money off of
that one, off those two, like Curry.

Curry was on a free, essentially.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Mario: Okay.

Okay.

Uh, and then, uh, two of our
own went just down south.

Uh,

Angela: Your face.

I feel like everyone is just like, mm.

Anytime somebody leaves Angel
City and goes to San Diego.

Mario: well, the three that
have gone down to San Diego so

far have been like, eh, okay.

Angela: Okay.

Yeah.

Casey: it's, it's been
like no love lost on it.

And then again, like McCaskill last
year, that was just the saltiest

way to have announced that.

Um, And it was like, well, we didn't
like you either, but you already knew

Angela: Hm.

Casey: I, I mean, not that I think
she's getting a particularly warm

reception down there either, but, um,

Angela: yeah,

Casey: do that if you're
gonna go to an opposing team.

Like, let's not, let's not do that.

That way.

Let's keep it,

Angela: And if you're gonna
do it that way, like it.

Like prove yourself and like
make it embarrassing, you know?

Yeah.

Mario: Yeah.

Although, I mean, we, I will say
that we were, or, or we, you know,

still are, like we were Becky fans.

We, we wanted to see her succeed.

The, the amazing kind of run that
happened, that second half, and then the,

what the hell, where, where was that run?

The first, the, or the
entire season after that.

Um, but her getting another opportunity,

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Mario: and it's something we've
touched on before, but like,

you know, not just kind of.

Sandbagging these female coaches
and being like, well, you know, the

small pool is now even smaller 'cause
you're not even gonna be part of it.

Um,

Angela: Yeah, and I, I really hope that
she just needs more time to cook and

ends up in a couple years in another head
coaching position, and she just excels.

Yeah.

Mario: Um, yeah, so I mean, those were our
big outbound, uh, things that happened.

Um, before I really just hand it off
to both of you because it's just,

it, it, I'm just gonna be here for
some fun color every now and then.

Um, I'm just gonna go through
the thing that I'm really good

at and it's just grabbing a bunch
of detail from the internet.

Uh, and I'm just gonna go over a couple
of the NWSL, uh, dates and deadlines

that we have that we'll be kind of
keeping an eye on throughout the year.

Um.

The roster deadline where we have
to submit our actual final 22 to

26 player roster, which before the
announcements today, we were at 21.

So we were under the
required minimum of players.

Um, we are now at 23, uh, players.

So we meet the, at least the minimum
requirement of how many PE players

need to be active on the roster.

But that final decision needs
to be done by March 12th.

Uh, the transfer window closes the 24th
after that, so no more, um, interleague

or even I, I believe no more like
even international transfers, right?

Like anything that has to have a
transfer fee doesn't, um, you can't

do after the 24th, but if someone's a
free agent, you can always sign them

whenever, long as you have the space.

Um, and then, you know, season
starts, let's get all into it.

And it isn't for a couple
more months, but, um.

In Jun 30th is the, uh, when the
teams all have to announce, uh, what

players have options and that they
have extended their options to them.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Mario: and if they don't do it by
then on the next day, on the first

is a free agent, free for all it free
Agents are now allowed to talk to

whoever they want to, to be signed
for the following, uh, season.

So it's kinda a weird time to
be doing it, like middle of the

season to be like, okay, so you
guys didn't want to do anything.

Lemme just start talking
to this other team.

Let me have my foot out the door already.

But, but yeah.

Um, and then the summer transfer
window is gonna reopen, uh, from the

first, all the way through August 25th.

Um, complete roster freeze
means no movements whatsoever.

October 9th.

Then the regular season
ends a month later, and then

playoffs happen in November.

So those are the big, the biggies uh, the
rest of the season that, you know, we'll

probably get as we go along, as we get
the inevitable injuries or the inevitable

tiredness, tired legs, all of that.

We need some new people coming in.

Um, you know, we'll, we'll start looking
at these dates a lot more seriously.

but with the, without further ado, let's
look at our, let's look at our roster and

see how, how all of that's shaping up.

Angela: Okay, so currently we have
23 of our 26 spots filled and that.

Remind me, Mario, 'cause I never remember.

Is that including SES

or?

Okay, so we have the three extra spots for
players who are currently on the SEI list,

which is our cap, Ali Riley and Jun Endo.

Hopefully, fingers crossed,
we see them both this season

the goodness of it all of like, everything
going on with Ali Riley, and then just

the wonderful soccer of it all with Jun.

Like, I just want that sweet
girl to play every day.

She just like, it's, it's just so good.

then the forever alone that I think is
now pissing off every single player,

every single person in Los Angeles
who even remotely knows about it.

The loan of Vanessa GI to, uh, ol and
then maybe to another, just let it go.

Yeah, just go.

Nobody's gonna be mad.

Mario: But, but, okay.

So my question about all of that though.

Okay, so because, 'cause we're
talking about her already is.

Angela: 'cause I don't wanna do it later.

Yeah.

Mario: Part of this to blame
is, is the team, right?

Because they keep extending this loan or
they keep extending her contract, like

at a certain point you just be like,
all right, we're gonna cut you loose.

Or, you know, I, I know that it's
probably because the teams that

she's loaned out to don't wanna fully
pay for her contract or I, I mean,

Angela: make sense to me, honestly.

Casey: I, I don't, Yeah.

'cause they have to pay for it anyway, I

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: would we keep paying anyway,
either wise, um, for somebody who

clearly doesn't wanna be here.

I just, there's gotta be some other reason
this is happening That I don't understand.

And I,

Angela: That no one understands.

Casey: is there like a residency
benefit that she's claiming of some

sort by like, but there's, she's
not, doesn't even reside here, so I

can't even think of what it would be,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: I like, I'm just, is
this a creative tax thing?

Like, I don't know.

Because at this point I
don't, I don't get it.

She's not coming back,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: I

Angela: that I, yeah, and I think
everyone's just kinda like, can this end?

Because it feels very like, like I totally
understood that first extension of just

like, you know what I didn't like, I knew
I was gonna go there and have a hell of

a time on a very good team, like, and,
and become a better player, and become

a better version of myself, whatever.

And then you get there and you're
like, oh, this is like 10 times

better than I thought it was gonna be.

Like, I'm not leaving.

I completely understand that.

But to then say, yes, I have every
intention to come back to Angel City

and then eight seconds later like, nah.

stop it.

That like,

Casey: I'm, I'm feeling like,
like a, a college relationship

Angela: Yes.

Yeah.

Stop.

Stop sitting in your room sad on the every
weekend because he didn't do the drive.

You know,

like,

Casey: Exactly.

And it is like, they're,
you're not FaceTiming anymore.

It's just bad.

like.

he's, he's done.

Y'all gotta just break up, like

Angela: yeah, that's exactly
what this feels like.

Casey: guys.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: I, and if any college
listeners are listening and you

have a long distance, significant

Angela: Just cut it.

Casey: you cut it.

Just cut You're gonna
eventually just do it.

for your own benefit.

For their benefit.

My long distance college boyfriend,
because that was clearly a personal

story, uh, who wasn't good at
breaking up with me, but I was

also very good at deflecting it.

He, listen, he just married a
doctor and that's great for him.

And

Angela: Hmm.

Casey: also very happy, like happily
married and like, it's all good.

It all worked out for everybody, but
that was two years we didn't need to do.

Okay.

Angela: Yeah.

Nobody's

happy.

Nobody's living.

Living their life.

Like just, yeah.

Casey: yeah.

yeah.

Just, just go, go enjoy college kids.

Don't do this.

Angela: If

you get to sign to an
international league, just go,

just go.

Just go.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Yeah.

I'm glad we were all on the same page
with like, this feels like a really

shitty college relationship and

Yeah, Yeah,

Mario: yeah.

Casey: what it's,

Angela: Really like romantic relationship,
friendship, like all of those high school

to college, to then like post-college
relationships that they all fit that.

Casey: Yeah.

Angela: Just let it go.

Casey: Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

Angela: Yeah.

Thanks for your, your fantastic
headers that first season for

like half of it, but that's

Mario: I was gonna say
for like two games, but

Angela: appreciate it.

Mario: All right.

Angela: our keepers, so right now
we've got two keepers on the roster,

Angelina Anderson and Hannah Stambaugh.

Like the, the, is it that like.

Angel City sweetheart of Hannah.

I feel like everyone just
like adores this woman.

Casey: Yes.

Angela: It's hard

Mario: Yes.

Casey: no, she and she can stay.

Like, I'm, I'm happy with

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: do need another goalkeeper.

Angela: Yes.

Casey: have only two goalkeepers.

is not but I like the two We have very

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Same.

Casey: yeah, I'm very, very fond of them.

I am happy to see that Angela
Anderson is going to presumably

get another shot at starting here.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: really did not like how
she was treated last season,

getting yanked too early.

Her ceiling is so, so, so high.

She just, we gotta get
her confidence back up

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: what she can do.

So I am, I think this is the right call.

I hope there patient with her 'cause I,
you know, coming back from essentially

getting benched like that is not easy.

Angela: No.

And then after those three games,
like we've talked about it a ton,

she went, um, bay FC, Orlando.

Kansas City,

and it was when Bay FC
before their drop off.

So it was like, uh, like
just bam, bam, bam, lit up.

And it's like, okay.

But at least one of those
teams won everything.

And the other one was like, really
close to winning everything.

yeah.

I I think we should have let her cook
a little bit longer last season, but

Well, we got this whole season to go.

Casey: She'll cook now.

She'll cook now.

It'll still be good.

Angela: Yeah,

absolutely.

Yeah.

But I, I completely agree.

We need, we need another
backup just in case.

I feel like we're

too close to the sun right now.

Mario: look, we've got three more spots.

One of them could be,
one of them can be for.

Casey: one of them needs to
be a goalkeeper, honestly.

Like I, you know, please
like find somebody.

'cause otherwise, I'm, I'm
literally looking at this roster

right now going, who is here?

Worst case.

Angela: Yeah.

Elizabeth Eddy, could do it.

Yeah.

Who's our Neely?

Casey: could do it.

Well that would be good.

She could make a contribution.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: mean, sorry.

Why is she on this roster still?

Can we have that conversation?

Angela: I don't know.

And I'm so curious because when she
did play like the like garbage minutes

that she was getting for reasons, I
also don't understand she was coming in

and making an impact, it was diverting
defense, moving the ball forward.

Shocking.

That's the thing that Angel City could do.

But like there was some forward
motion when she came in.

So I'm like, okay, well like
maybe we're gonna have a different

starting roster every game.

So like why not try it?

But apparently, what do I know?

I'm just a girl.

Casey: No, I mean, we've, we've
got players on this roster we

don't seem to want to give minutes
to, and we keep them here and I

Angela: yes,

Casey: understand that.

Like, if you're not going
to play them just move on.

If you're

Angela: let them live.

I feel like we're gonna be revisiting
this theme quite a bit tonight.

I love it.

I

Mario: You know, Shena.

So to start the season,
I'm, I'm all for it.

So.

Angela: Yeah.

But our, our defense, I feel
like, is still pretty solid.

I don't think, like we just let me
live, like aside from our corner

or our cornerback, oh my God, I,
I'm still like in football brain.

Um, our center back
situation, lack thereof.

I feel like we're okay.

At least the future is okay.

Casey: We have probably the deepest
roster of outside backs of any team.

We like the depth that

Angela: Yep.

Casey: is insane to have both M.A.

Vana and Gisele Thompson on your
roster, and Savvy King, assuming

that she gets back to kind of where
she was in North Carolina, like

looking, looking at these outside
backs, this is a little bit insane.

It's an embarrassment of riches really.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: only have two setbacks as far as
I'm concerned because apparently Alana

Kennedy is now gonna be a defensive mid.

Uh, so I, which that's a choice, but
even only three made me kind of nervous.

Like I would've liked to have

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: like a fourth
capable of doing both.

But first of all, I don't think Megan
Reid is a starter in this league.

I just don't, I don't think she's there.

Um, Sarah Gorden is one of the
best setbacks in this league, if

not the best now that Naomi, you

Angela: yeah.

Casey: talent elsewhere.

But it's, it's, this is
not a good situation.

Angela: Nope.

Casey: heaven forbid Sarah Gorden
gets injured, you are in trouble.

Just massive trouble.

Um, and even if Megan Reid gets injured,
I don't know what you're doing here.

Angela: yeah.

Casey: it's nervy.

We need another center
back like weeks ago.

Angela: Yep.

Casey: Yeah,

Angela: All that

Mario: yeah.

Angela: outside backs, let's go.

Like honestly, and that's, that's what
I was gonna say coming into this like,

we are so overloaded with goodness.

On the wings in general, but
it's just the middle part of the

entire field that like center lane

that we just, I don't under.

Casey: If you could just play
out here, we're gonna be great.

Like,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: be so good if we just, said,
actually, you're not allowed to

play it in the middle of the field.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: be the outside because I mean,
also it appears that, you know, Hannah

Johnson, despite being announced as
a midfielder is like that's where she

played at Coachella in those games.

An outside back too

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: So I, I think we got
a lot of 'em and it's nice.

Mario: Well, I, I mean from, from what
I know or have understand and the way we

use our kind of outside backs, and if we
keep playing that kind of really fast,

like kind of transition like that really,
like just let them play, let them run up

and let them be part of what's going on.

I think that's gonna
create a lot of excitement.

But I do agree that, you know,
that's a big risk when you

don't have that center solid.

Um, and come on Megan, it's your year.

Prove, prove us wrong.

Best thing, best thing to do is
just to prove us wrong, right?

Like, to say like, Hey, like you, you
are that other person, but can we,

You know, like, okay, so out of our
three spots right, that we have on

the roster, one's going to a keeper.

Another one's going to that center,

Angela: yeah.

Mario: and then let's see if we,
by the end of this, if we give

it back at the other position to
another center or somewhere else

Casey: yeah, Yeah.

I'd like, I'd like to do some more
movement of some sort here, but I,

you know, that's, those, those two are
must haves to me before this fills out.

I, I don't think it's a close call.

Angela: Yeah, I, I'm with you and I'm,
I'm very curious because with Hannah

Johnson signing, she was announced
today, so today we're recording on

Monday the third, they finally announced
the two signings that got leaked in

the Jersey reveals and the ordering.

But things happened, um,

Casey: It.

Angela: it was news.

Well, we didn't know details,
we just knew that they were

available to buy jerseys up.

Mario: because of Coachella.

Angela: Tiernan to a two year
contract and then Hannah Johnson

to a roster relief through Jun.

So we've got her for three months.

So I'm, I don't understand
how this is gonna play out.

She showed up.

Fantastic.

In Coachella, like I was getting texts
from people who were there, people

who were watching, like Angela, who
is, who is 73, who is this girl?

I'm like, I don't know.

I'm not, I was like
half watching the game.

I didn't get to watch the second one.

I'm like, I don't know who 73 is.

I don't know anybody's number.

It's all pretend, you know,
like it's, it's preseason.

It's all pretend.

so, I'm, I'm just really curious if
they end up signing her for longer

moving positions, like what her
true role is gonna be, because it

doesn't, I don't see the picture yet.

Casey: I am scared that I do.

I don't

Angela: I know.

Same.

Casey: obviously roster relief contracts
are for when you have players on SEI

and you are anticipating their return.

on the one hand, I think Jun
Endo, you know, is coming close.

Right.

I think

Angela: Yeah.

I.

Casey: that ish.

Um, you know, but they're not a like for,
like, I feel very confident about that.

Is she currently is playing outside
back where Ali Riley plays and you end

up signing her because you're not sure
if Ali Riley is actually coming back.

That's, I guess, the question I have,
that's a bummer because I also think

just based on vibes of, seeing Ali on
podcasts and just around she, she's

not talking like she's not coming back.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: I, I hope that she is.

I also know it's an injury where
like, you may not come back and she's

been very transparent about that.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: is this a we're gonna keep you
here and then in Jun we'll make up our

minds about what's going on with Ally?

That seems to be what it is, is
that she's on a shock clock to me.

Angela: yeah,

Casey: um, you know, I.

could be, I, could be something else
completely going on and she could get

taken off of SEI next week and we could
just say we are team outside back.

Or maybe she's gonna place center back
now because she's done that before.

So

Angela: yeah.

Casey: that's what's gonna happen.

I don't know.

But it's, it's a, the timing
is intentional because you

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: for a minimum of one month,
and you've got two players on SEI,

so, and you're again playing her
where you historically play Ali Riley.

So that all seems to be

Angela: Right.

Casey: my intuition on
what's going on there.

Angela: Yeah, it's, it's interesting.

Have you, how do you feel about
Macy, the Macy Hodge signing?

Casey: I was really excited about it,
and then I am now nervous about it.

I, you know, I didn't feel like she
got as much time at Coachella as

I would've liked to see her get.

And that made me nervous because I don't
feel like the rest of our midfield is

strong enough that she shouldn't have
displaced 'em if the hype was real

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: And I, I'm like, I'm
sorry, I don't, I didn't mean

to come on here and be a downer.

Okay.

But it's.

Angela: No, but like, it's also realistic,
like a team that has gone through roller

coaster of three seasons ups, and like
very high highs, extremely low lows.

So it's like.

All of us want to just have the
highest hopes, like it's our, it's

your team at like, we're homers.

It's the kind of thing where it's
like, I want my team to be the best

team every season, but at the same
time, I also know that I have to be

realistic about this because I don't
have proof that this can happen yet.

And this season is starting
out in a similar vein?

Casey: Yeah.

It's, uh, that's the thing is
this, this was our really only

like, kind of big signing of, in
terms of this was our biggest,

most exciting like college signing.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: Uh, and you, you
know, wanna see her do well.

She was absolutely coming in at a position
where there's a need for us, but You

didn't play that much at Coachella.

You're also now telling me Alana Kennedy
is going to be playing her position.

I am.

getting nervous for Macy Hodge.

That's,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: I'm wrong.

Hopefully, maybe she's got like a knock
we don't know about and there's just

a little injury thing going on there.

I'd much rather it be that than
that she's not coming along.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: if you didn't actually watch
Coachella Valley in full, and I, I'll

confess I didn't live, I just saw
the sweet, sweet slide tackle she

made and was like, ah, she's here.

And then I went and
looked and said, oh, maybe

Angela: really.

Casey: a no no.

This is a really.

good highlight reel.

And then also like the assist
she had against Portland.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: that was after everybody was kind
of on their bubble players, so to speak.

And you know.

Anyway, so I, I'm nervous
about the signing, y'all.

I don't, I, I hope I'm wrong.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: I like her.

I, I like the vibes.

Like there's, there's a lot there
that should work for us, but it does

not, what is happening currently
does not instill confidence with

me for how it's going for her.

Angela: I think too, it's really
hard to, to paint the picture or

like figure out what's really the,
I don't wanna say the point of the

season, but like the direction of
the season because we don't have.

Like a leader in that sense.

Like Mark Parsons is there as
sporting director and kind of like

we have an interim coach and Sam
lady, but there's not this person

going, yeah, we are gonna do this.

And you know, like a coach is there
for the players, but it's also there

for the spectators to understand
like the full view of the team.

So not having a very important pillar.

is, I think where a lot of this is like
not falling apart because we're not at

the point of falling apart yet, but it's
this shaky sense of, yet we, we can't, we

can't completely fall apart and crash out
as the kids say, but like, we're close.

Mario: I will say, I'll just
remind everybody that we

still do have high hopes.

We still still thinking.

Angela: to be wrong about
the feelings I have.

Well, the bad

the good

Mario: Okay.

Casey: Well, you know, like, listen,
I'm, but this is the thing though, is

if we're gonna, I guess, talk macro
the season, which I know is not where

we are in our ideal way that we were
gonna talk about this in this episode.

But, you know, for me, the moment
that Mark Parsons into an interview

in January and says that we were
starting the hiring search for

coach from scratch, at that point,

Angela: Yep.

Casey: my expectations just
went completely out the window.

Not that I had that many, but this
is a rebuild and like that's okay.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: rather us, if we have a trash
season or a trash first half of the

season and we get the right coach in
and we are building something that looks

better for the future so that we're not
having this conversation again next March,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: great.

That's fine.

I don't care.

I'm okay with that's happening.

You know, that does appear
to be the road we're on.

He's announced, slipped it.

He always likes it.

He slips the soundbites
in, in the weirdest places.

I read some other article
about something completely

Angela: Yep.

Casey: and I'm just like, mark
Parson says we're down to four

contenders for the coaching job.

And I'm like, I thought I was reading
about the new Frosty at Wendy's.

I don't know how I got here.

Angela: I just wanted the
milk, the mint chocolate

Frosty like is.

Ah, chocolate's my favorite.

Casey: me too.

So there's a mint chocolate.

There's also a mint vanilla

Angela: Ooh,

Casey: just in

Mario: I.

Casey: that's more your alley.

And my husband likes that one.

I.

for me, the mint, the thin mint chocolate
is like, there used to be this thin

mint ice cream from dryers and it's

Angela: yes.

Casey: Yeah.

Mario: my, my daughter.

My daughter's a girl scout and
we're a split household here.

Um, it's daughter, my son and my
wife are all on the thin min train.

And I'm a Samoa and that's perfectly
fine 'cause that means I get my

bucks and she has to share hers.

So

Angela: Both are perfect.

Like,

Casey: They're all, they can all be good.

They can

Angela: yeah.

The only ones that can't be good are
the gluten-free ones because those

toffee tactics taste like sand.

Casey: yeah,

Angela: They're awful.

And the chocolate chip ones are awful.

Casey: no

Angela: Sorry.

Casey: you know,

Angela: Yeah, but I'll just donate or
I'll, I'll buy boxes for my friends.

Like, I, I can't, yeah.

Casey: no thanks.

Mario: Um, all right,
well, how are we feeling?

Those were the two new midfielders.

How do we, how are we feeling with
like, who we still have on the team?

Angela: yeah.

Mario: We've got Katie,
Kennedy, Madison, and Lily.

Casey: thought Lily looked good in

Angela: Yes.

Casey: like Coachella

Angela: Lily looked like a completely
different player, honestly.

Casey: she looked great.

So if that Lily wants to
show up, that's great.

Maybe like I'm, I'm really hoping that.

When she's talking about how,
you know, reinvigorated this

team feels and re-energized.

I was like, okay, like I
see it a little bit here.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: players where I see it, so
Lily's one of them and we, we need

the existing midfield to step up.

So, um, and I'm hoping that, you know,
Kennedy and Katie with more time together,

Angela: Yes.

Casey: gel better.

Um, I

Angela: I think too, they weren't
given the I, Katie came in so

late in the season two, like

Kennedy was off on international
duty for like the whole second

half of the season it felt like.

So they never got that opportunity.

So I'm hoping, fingers crossed,
like fingers, toes, eyes,

all the things those two gel.

And there's like the leadership
of Katie and the like the

teaching that comes from that.

And then Kennedy just being like,
yeah, remember I'm a badass.

I remember too.

And then everybody just kind of goes,

Let's move the ball forward, please.

Casey: It.

And, and to your point, like a
lot of these players have not

gotten to play together and

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: a lot of it's chemistry and
learning where you're gonna go and

just developing that time together.

So hopefully that's the issue here.

Um, but

Angela: Yeah.

And

honestly,

Casey: about the center backs.

This is actually the part of the team
I'm the most nervous about because I

have not really ever seen this work,

Angela: no.

Casey: in a way where like I, I, Hmm, no.

so that's, I don't, I, I thought,
like I said, Macy Hodge could be

the solution, but thus far all signs
are pointing to not the solution.

So unless there's an injury, it's like
secret injury or not the solution.

So.

Angela: Yeah.

I'm hoping if anything, it was like
she had a stomach bug and then now

like opening days, she's gonna be like
LOL you thought, you know, like, Yeah.

I just hope

Casey: no long-term
health history concerns.

Uh, but that did make it difficult for
her the last couple months, or, you know,

Angela: something.

Casey: just weeks, I, whatever it is.

But yeah, she's gonna come, we're,
we're gonna manifest this right now.

Angela: Yes.

Casey: show up, gonna start, she's
gonna ball out and we're gonna be

like, this is the Macy Hall era.

Angela: Yeah, and our midfield's gonna
like lock it down like so we don't have

to worry about the center back issue.

Like that's what's gonna happen.

It's gonna be like, ah, no,
we're chilling back here.

We just, we just get to like rearrange
every once in a while and say, okay,

you go to the right.

Casey: We might just play outside.

Angela: They're just like a little
closer to the inside versus the

outside, and it's just, yeah.

Okay.

So our offensive like
force, how you feeling?

Casey: Better.

Better.

I'm still, I will feel much
better when Jun and no returns.

Um, she's so talented, but
like, look, Alyssa Thompson

playing very well right now.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: of fun to watch.

Emsley continues to play well.

I'm excited to see
Christen Press come back.

Riley Tiernan, they're clearly
very high on based on the

length of the deal that we saw,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: so

I didn't dislike what I saw at Coachella.

I'm not sure I saw give her
two years plus a club option.

So, but you know what, we, we get such
small sample sizes from these things too.

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: um, hopefully they're
seeing somebody who can really

be a target up There because that
has been what's been lacking.

Although I don't think you gave
Messiah Bright a shot at it.

Angela: yeah.

Casey: I feel bad for Casey Phair.

I continue to feel like
she's trapped here and like

I know those meant protect children,
but instead we to have kidnapped one and

no real way out.

Angela: There was a, a secret, uh,
podcast host conversation of, do

we make milk carton like merch?

I was like, no.

'cause that's bad.

She's also a child.

Like we can't, these two
cannot be in the same place

right now.

Casey: want want best, you escape.

Mario: She, she was,
she was doing so well.

Also, like from, I, I mean, honestly
it's from the highlights, but uh, when

she went to go play for Korea, like
she, she was playing well and we kept

seeing all these highlights and then
it was just like, well, why doesn't

she get playing time to do that here?

Like, she's not, and I think
the only minutes she got last

year was during the, uh, the,

Angela: cup

Mario: the

Casey: Yeah,

Mario: the summer challenge.

Yeah, the thing,

Casey: whatever.

Mario: the, the,

Casey: the cups are.

I can't

Mario: the game,

Casey: names.

Mario: the games that don't count,

Angela: Yeah.

Mario: the games that counted all
the way up until they didn't count.

Casey: yeah,

Angela: she looked decent in
that first Coachella game.

You know, she looked like she was
getting in the box and getting a

little feisty in there and demanding
like a, she had a demanding presence

is what my brain was trying to say.

Um, so I'm hoping we
get to see more of that.

Casey: Yeah, I just, this is
again, another one where you're

like, the other roster moves.

Do not.

Reading the tea leaves seem to signal
that she is going to get many minutes.

'cause I don't know.

why you're signing, know, Riley
Tiernan then if you were going

to meaningfully play Casey Phair.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: and at that, that's, I I get it.

Like maybe she's not where she
needs to be here, but I just

feel so bad for this girl.

Angela: I know.

Casey: It's, you need at that age
more than anything else is minutes.

And she's not getting them.

And like, you know, she would be
better off having played college,

which I, we're literally having gone
to any other league at this point.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: especially if she goes
a whole nother year like this.

I

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: it's, it's, very unfair.

Um, and, hopefully they've explored other
conversations about what they can do

for loan because I just feel so bad for.

Angela: Yeah.

I agree.

I agree.

I just hope that come opening day,
we have a starting roster that

like Takes this whole conversation
and like, makes us look like fools

genuinely.

Like, that's all I want.

That's all I want.

Casey: to.

And worst case, I love
being right as well.

Angela: Yeah.

Saying like, oh, well, yeah.

Casey: Yeah.

like if I'm wrong and my
team's winning, fantastic.

Love it.

No, no issues.

And if I, am, my team is losing.

At least I got to feel
like I called it So.

Angela: Yeah.

I, I told, I told Eva like, I'm
taking off the day after opening day.

'cause I'm always just like
exhausted and it's also St.

Patrick's Day, so I'm like, don't
make me take this day off in vain.

I will go to work.

Like I will begrudgingly in.

Yeah.

I will go to work in spite
Make opening day worth it.

Please.

Like I, yeah, but.

Mark Parsons is doing a decent job.

I guess as sporting director
I, there's a lot of background

stuff that none of us know and we
won't know until it's announced.

Like, like you said, he's like dropping
little tidbits in random places, but

Mario: Well, okay, so let,
let me ask you this though.

Um, do you feel that the little, um,
tidbits plus some of these moves that

Seemingly see decept seem de separate
at the moment and with the, the recent

conversations where he is like, well,
you know, they're, we're down to like

four and one of them is, I think it
was one was domestic and three were

international or, or however you flip
those numbers, it was one and three.

Um, but is there at least a little
bit of hope that there's like,

okay, there's an idea being built
and at least they're trying to fit

the right, the concept of a plan.

Yeah.

And they're building it towards that,
or is this another one of these where

like we got another person trying to
make their name and be like, this is

what I'm gonna do, and then they're
gonna hire someone and be like,

well no, this is what I'm gonna do.

And then we're all fucked
with a crappy season again.

Casey: It is.

I, so the thing about Mark Parsons
is, at least that he's coached

before, and I think that he has some
understanding of what those look like.

And it does seem to be important
to the club that Mark Parsons

meshes with whoever the coach

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: all aligned.

the good news on that is I think
that since the day Mark Parsons

comes in, every move after that
is with a certain vision in mind.

I don't

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: is flying blind on it.

Um, I think he's also gonna
hire with that vision in mind.

Angela: I agree with that.

Casey: you know, but is it gonna work?

Is that gonna, that's a whole lot of
like, theoretical and then in, you

know, everybody gets there and practice
and you're like, oh, actually none of

Angela: No.

Casey: not saying the same thing at all.

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: so, you know, it'll, we'll see.

We'll see.

I It's just hard because I don't, I can't
even think of who these candidates are

Angela: I know.

Casey: like, that's, that's the hard part.

Um,

Angela: Yeah.

There's not even like
rumors coming out yet.

It's just like, oh yeah,
we're talking to people.

And I'm like, okay.

But like that goalkeeper coach
posting is still up on teamwork.

I'm just saying I have, I know
where these jobs get posted,

so what else is happening?

Like, I am, I have questions, so,

yeah,

and, and like you said, if it's something
where waiting for the right person for

the summer move and all of that, cool.

Because that means like, I'll take a
a, a crappy first half of the season

of just like getting through it.

And it may not be crappy.

Sam lady might fricking blow us
out of the water and be like,

I just won the coaching job.

You know, like, you never know.

He's been interim other places
and he's been on different

coaching staffs and he's done.

Okay.

So never know.

Like we actually looked semi-organized
at Coachella, which felt weird.

Casey: I mean, what?

about teams worse than
you, like Portland, man.

I

Angela: I know.

Casey: optimism.

I.

Angela: Yeah.

Like that's a, that's
a multi-level rebuild.

Like we're rebuilding, that's like
a, oh, you just had all of the

senior veterans on your team dip.

I'm still upset that K clinging
hasn't been picked up and it better

happen because I love her so much, but

what is happening up there?

Casey: Well, it's like
knocked down a house.

They built a new foundation.

The new foundation also was
bad, And they'd already started

building on top of it now.

And like they're just in the

Angela: And everything is just like, ugh.

Casey: and there's a storm coming
and we don't have anywhere to to go.

So if you're a Portland fan listening
to this, uh, you know, I'm sorry, my

condolences, I, I don't see how I, I hope
there's still a bathtub in that house.

Mario: Hmm.

Angela: Yeah.

So I think this season overall
is a coin toss, honestly.

Like, I think it's gonna be fine.

I don't think it's gonna be super great.

I hope we make the playoff cut, you know,

even if we squeak in it.

Casey: fine with us back.

Half of the se like, listen,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: half of the season in
particular is a wash to me.

I, I don't, any points we pick up this
first half of the season while we don't

have an actual coach, to me are bonus

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: gonna just see if we
can crawl ourselves out of the

whole later is my view on it.

And again, maybe Allie Riley's
right and they're like all super

excited and motivated and it's
gonna just be really great and, you

know, none of this will be correct.

Angela: Yeah, like, I wanna revisit
this episode at the end of the season

and be like, dang, we were sad.

Like

we were so sad.

'cause like, honestly, the energy at the
Jersey reveal Ali, like Kap was there.

Other fa like player family
members were there ticket holders.

Everybody was like,
this is a season, right?

Mario: Yeah.

Angela: this is it?

And there was like,
yeah, yeah, this is it.

And it, it felt like.

And I've equated this before, but it's
like the way Dodger fans felt this season

with winning the World Series, like
Freddy Freeman was the chosen one to win.

His family went through hell
and high water this last season.

His son was paralyzed.

There was a chance he could
have died like a whole thing.

He comes back and just becomes terrifying
the playoffs to, to elevate the team.

The same thing with the Eagles.

The same like every single sport
over the course of like five years.

And it sometimes it's the team
effort, but like you look at Gotham

with Ali Riley, you look at Orlando
with Marta, like everybody rallies

and when your team rallies around a
specific cause or a specific player,

things get different because it's
like, oh no, we're not, matter.

All the other garbage that's going on.

And I like, that's where I'm like,
oh, this could happen for Angel City

given everything that's happened
in LA in the last eight weeks.

Mario: Yeah.

Angela: Which we're not even gonna
talk about 'cause I just can't.

Casey: No,

Mario: Yeah.

Casey: it's awful.

And, and the rams look better than
they shoulda really also, you know,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: a noted tra area,
tragedy bounce that can,

Angela: Mm-hmm.

It's weird.

Casey: not gonna.

Angela: Let me, that's, that's my

that it's like that, that rally cry of
like, we're doing this for the city, you

know, and, and really coming together.

And if nothing else, there's going to
be a lot of community efforts through

Angel City and a lot of help being given,
and at least that'll be one good thing.

Casey: Yeah,

like I like the fire pass that
you could add when you bought

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: That was a nice, easy thing to do.

Um,

Mario: They're,

Casey: know, some more.

Mario: doing, they're doing a program
for like, being able to give, uh,

free tickets to first responders.

And, you know,

if anything, angel City has always
had a really strong community you

know, with Kat and, and, uh, and team,
um, what they do and reaching and

doing their outreach and things like
that, and the supporters groups doing

the outreach that they do, um, at
least we know that's gonna be great.

Casey: Yeah.

Like, hey, you know, I mean, for
the team to have like strong of a

supporters group going with this
little of success, honestly, like

really just speaks to the community.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: it's very, you know, it's
very Raider Nation, I will say.

It's very Raider Nation,

so, you know, it's, it's good.

La la is good like that sometimes.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

It's true.

I mean, who are Clippers fans.

Casey: I know.

Like they, it's wild.

Angela: I say that as somebody who
lives eight houses down from the new

arena and doesn't wanna go because

Casey: Yeah.

Angela: why?

I live in the Inglewood is supposed
to be the City of Champions

and I don't know what that is.

So that, that's my theory on it.

Mario: Uh, all right.

Um, we're gonna do a quick little, uh,
casual if see trifecta draft the season.

We've, uh, picked three metrics
that are very easily for me.

Searchable on the internet, so I
don't have to keep track of anything.

That's the most important part.

Uh, and what we're gonna do is we're
gonna draft a player, uh, and then at

the end of the season, we have invited
Casey back to do our season ending recap.

we'll see what, uh, what came
about all of these choices.

Uh, are we gonna bet anything?

I have no clue.

We didn't talk about this
beforehand, so I don't think so.

But pride, yeah.

Angela: I.

Mario: Um, so what we're gonna do is
our first category is minutes played.

Who are you going to pick as
your player that will be playing

the most minutes this season?

Angela: I have mine.

Mario: You have yours go.

Angela: Sarah Gorden.

Is it a, is it a, an easy pick?

Yeah,

Mario: Okay.

Angela: but I, I think, I mean,
she's gonna be the on field captain.

She's, she's gonna, I don't
necessarily think she's gonna be

an iron player, but I think, I
think she's gonna get most minutes.

Mario: I think I'm gonna go with Claire.

I think I'm gonna, I, I, I
think I'm going, I'm gonna say

Claire was close, I believe.

I don't remember where she ended up
in, on the, on the list of minutes

played, but um, it feels like we saw
her pretty much all of last season.

So I'm gonna say it's probably
a solid, she's up there,

Casey: Our goalkeeper is excluded.

Angela: Oh damn.

Mario: damnit.

Casey: I'm going Angelina Anderson, baby.

Angela: I was like, oh, of
course it's Sarah Gorden.

Like, are they excluded
though, from iron players?

Casey: They're I think from Iron Player,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: which that's why I'm
asking if this is an exclusion,

which I can understand if it was,

Mario: know what?

We, we didn't set it up, so,

Casey: Yeah, I can pick both ways.

I'm gonna, and, and you know, and,
and I mean, she didn't, I could

have said that last season and it
wouldn't have gone well for me.

So, you know, if it's, if I have to
pick a field player, you know what I'm

going in on Katie Zel, I think, I think

Angela: Ooh.

Casey: she's gonna, I think her leadership
in this midfield especially, 'cause

I'm feeling less high on Macy Hodge.

I'm gonna go with Katie.

Um, I almost went with Lily just to try to

Mario: Um, all right.

Angela: gonna have a, a
very good season though,

honestly.

Casey: yes.

Mario: All right.

So you're going with Zem.

We've got, uh,

Zeum slash Anderson, uh, then we've
got Gorden, and we've got, uh, ley.

All right.

second criteria was
going to be most goals.

And if they're, you know,
last year we didn't have.

The best goal record.

Um, so if there is a tie, we'll just
go through Assist as the tiebreakers.

But who wants to go first on most goals?

Casey: I can go first 'cause
I got to go last, last time.

Mario: Yeah.

Casey: this is also, there's, we can all
pick the same player if we wanted to, I

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Mario: we could.

Yeah.

Casey: different on the last one.

I'm going Claire Emslie.

Angela: That's

where I was going.

Casey: Yeah.

that seems like the safe bet.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: yeah.

Mario: and you're going,
you're going slee also.

Angela: Yeah.

I mean she, for the first half
of the season before Chia decided

to light up the league, she was
in the running for Golden Boot.

So I don't see an issue.

Mario: Um, all right.

I'm gonna break a little, I think
I'm gonna go with, uh, LaRue.

I think, I think

Angela: ooh.

Mario: she has shown

the amazing.

Magicianship, uh, uh, being able
to just sneak her way in there

and then just be in the spot.

Now the main question is, I didn't see
her drive it very many times, but she

appeared when the crosses were coming in.

So that's where mine
is, is hinging on mine.

Is hinging on the crosses coming in.

Angela: Casey, he also
doesn't know Sid, like.

Pre Angel City.

So I

think that's actually, yeah, he

doesn't know like Orlando
Sid or, national team Sid.

Casey: yeah.

Angela: So I think that's a decent pick.

Casey: I think it's a decent pick.

I don't, I don't hate it.

The other one that wasn't contention
for me, I mean, Thompson, I

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: very, very well.

Um, and then our, I mean,
Julie was scoring some goals

over in the French League, so

Angela: Oh, I meant to
ask you about her earlier.

'cause you watch more international
soccer than the two of us do, so

Casey: Yeah, I

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: Paris FC had fallen off a little
bit here, so I haven't watched as much

of them this season as I did last.

Um, but Like can score
very much, can score.

Um, how that will translate here
is a very different question.

Angela: Yeah.

Mario: Yeah.

Casey: that's, that's my issue.

But we'll see.

Maybe, maybe,

Angela: I

know.

Like all three of us are like,
please, please, please, please.

Mario: Uh, all right.

And then our last, uh, pick for
this trifecta draft is going to

be who gets the most yellow cards,

and then I think tiebreaker will
be, if anybody ended up getting

reds along with those yellows.

Uh,

Angela: you have

Mario: I think, yeah.

I'll go first on this one.

Um, go Gorden, uh, being, being
the defender she is, she's gonna

have a lot of opportunity to
get that yellow, and she is.

Not a slouch.

She will not let that ball go.

And so sometimes, you know, you get
in there and you'll get that yellow,

so I'm just gonna go playing the odds
with her just being in that position.

Angela: Casey, what about you?

Casey: Well, I am torn between
the two other obvious picks here.

'cause the, the, the
positional logic is correct.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: am I going read or
am I going Allana Kennedy.

Angela: Ooh.

I have a very different pick
and I'm very excited for

this.

Casey: I can't wait for that.

I, I'm, I'm nervous about a lot
of Kennedy getting meaningful

minutes at the rate this.

is going right now.

So I'm going with Megan Reid.

I'm gonna, you know, that's especially the
slower center back tends to pick up the,

Angela: Yeah, that's fair.

Casey: I'm gonna go with her.

Angela: I'm going with Madison Hammond

Casey: Oh, I could see that.

I could see

'
Angela: cause she's, she's feisty
and she is not afraid to get a card.

Casey: Yeah,

Angela: She was on

card watch for a hot minute last season.

Casey: Yeah.

No, she, she was somewhat on
the radar for this pick for me

too, of, of the midfielders.

I think she was your best.

Angela: Yeah.

Mario: All right.

Uh, I was gonna try to,

Angela: now, you know, fast forward to
October, November, if we're like messaging

each other like, oh my God, I did it.

You know, like who's whose
picks are actually still valid?

Casey: What do you think?

Like number of yellow cards.

Well, who would surprise you the most?

And not from a minutes perspective,
like, but somebody who you expect

to meaningfully con contribute.

Angela: Oh, that's a good question.

Mario: I don't know.

I that, that would

Angela: we're

meaningful minutes and card accumulation,
I think it would be weird for

Christen Press to have like a bunch of

yellows.

that's just,

that's not the vibe.

Casey: frequently carded player at

Angela: No.

Casey: would be deeply strange actually.

Angela: I would be upset, I would know.

I'll be back to knowing all
of the refs by first name.

Casey: Yeah.

Angela: Slandering them on this podcast.

Mario: Um, I, I, you know, I'm just gonna
go out there with the, the dark horse.

Casey Phair's gonna get a bunch
of minutes, but she's also

gonna get a bunch of cards.

She, she's gonna come, she's gonna be,
she's gonna come in and be the bruiser.

She's gonna be the bruiser of the.

Casey: it.

You know, if she's doing that, then bless.

That's fine.

I would love to see that.

I think like, you know,
let's, let's give it to Lily.

Angela: Yeah.

Why not?

Casey: No.

Um, I don't, I'm like, I mean, either
Thompson would surprise me, but I could

see Giselle starting to rack him up

Angela: I could too.

Casey: for you.

But it would still really

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: me.

I just think any of the kids,
it's kind like, you know, is

Kennedy Fuller gonna get a.

Angela: Like, it's also hard because
I'm like, oh, like I could be your mom.

Like, that's, don't, don't do that.

Sit down, like, chill out.

You're young.

You don't need to be
accumulating cards like that.

Yeah.

Wild.

So we on social media we had,
or like Instagram, we had one

question, two different questions.

And then in the Discord we also
threw out some, some stuff.

So Mario put up on Instagram
from the Alyssa Thompson Hotshot

face to Ali Riley's Tifo.

How pumped are you for this season?

in the answers that came in 99.8%

of the time, it was a hundred percent it.

Ali Riley Tifo, like So pumped.

There was one person that said
like 80% there, so it dropped us

down a little bit, which I mean,

Mario: Fair.

I get it.

Casey: a realist.

Angela: Yeah, that's, that's
the realist right there.

That's like, I don't know guys,
I dunno if I can do this again.

Um, then the, the bigger question we ask
is like, what are you looking forward to?

Or like, what questions do
you have for this season?

What are we, what are we feeling?

first one's from Ethan, who's
our haiku king, he asked how long

into the season before we have to
get weird and like now, like we,

it's, Yeah,

Mario: And, and for context,
Casey, uh, that is, uh, Angela's,

uh, phrase of choice of when we
need to just try some shit and.

Come on.

Especially last year with like, look,
nothing was working and you're, yeah.

It was, uh, it's time to get weird.

And a couple of times when we said
it's time to get weird, it worked

and then the other times it didn't.

But, um, yeah.

Yeah.

There's, at what point do we
need to start getting weird?

Casey: like I, I, I think is what we're
talking, especially again, like literally

the confirmation that you're gonna do,
uh, a can be playing in the midfield.

I'm like, oh, we're already here.

Angela: Yeah.

So

if we're gonna get weird any point in the
season, we might just do it now and like

convention out the window, balls to the
wall, like all gas, no breaks, let's go.

Casey: Yeah.

Angela: There's nothing
to lose at this point.

Casey: No, they can't relegate us.

Angela: Exactly.

Yep.

And honestly, like I think we're
in a better place than Utah

right now, so I'm okay with that.

Casey: Yeah.

Yeah.

We're, we're, we're, listen, if you look
at the greater scheme of the league, I

actually don't feel that bad about us.

Like overall, we're just
not where I want us to be.

Angela: Exactly.

Casey: at least four teams that
I think are bigger dumpster

fires than us right now.

So,

you know, you just need four more to kind
of fall down and you're in the playoffs,

Angela: Mm-hmm.

And I mean there's that stat that over
the last couple years the team that

is in the bottom or bottom two, three
places ends up winning everything.

So it can happen.

We're manifesting
fantastic season tonight.

Mario: Yep.

Angela: ener message saying
that they really hope CP makes

them take back their words.

Otherwise it's just another
here for the vibes season.

And honestly, yeah, I don't, I don't
think, and I feel like a lot of

people forget this, like I don't, as
much as I love Christen Press, I'm

no, there's no Christen Press hate.

but also people need to realize
she's closer to the end of her

career than the peak at this point.

She knows that the team knows that
collectively as a fan base, we also have

to like start processing that, hence
the one year contract with an option.

Because coming back from such a
severe injury is not easy and it is

not fun and it takes such a mental
toll to keep yourself at that level,

not even counting the physical toll.

So I hope she comes out and scores
a banger at least once a game.

Like, just rack up the goals,
have the best season of your life.

Like, just go for it.

There's, we have nothing to lose.

But I also wanna like remind people that
like Sid's retiring in la, she said that

the end of her contract, she's done,
Christen Press is right there with her.

are of the same class of players and
we have to emotionally prepare herself

because the last two years have sucked.

Emotionally, I think for
most American WSO fans.

Casey: Yeah, it was really interesting
to me the number of folks who were

like on the fence about what was
gonna happen with her contract.

Because I'm sitting here, I'm like,
she's building a business in Los Angeles.

Angela: Yeah, I know she's

not going anywhere.

Casey: she's gonna sign
here, or she's retiring.

she's not she's

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Exactly.

Casey: So, you know, let's
enjoy her while we have her.

Let's just enjoy what we get
either way, like great player.

And you know, obviously, I mean,
just as overcome an insane amount

of adversity to get back to even a

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: we're talking about her playing.

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: because not many
surgeries at this point in her

career should have done her in

Angela: yeah,

Casey: Yeah,

Angela: yeah, Absolutely.

And then Angelica message and said
that there, they're a first time season

ticket member for supporter groups this
year, which I'm so excited for you.

what are your tips and
tricks for match day?

I have

Mario: Oh, all right.

All right, well, let's, let's start here.

Casey, when you, when you've come
down to a match, what are your

things to do since you're not
here, you know, week in, week out?

Casey: as often.

Mario: Yeah.

Casey: I'm, I'm a boujee lady.

I am almost always in one of the clubs.

I'm just gonna tell you, um, I
used to, so back before ACFC, back

when it was LAFC, I used to be, I'm
used to be a big bandidos, girly.

I don't know if y'all ever
got to go to Bandidos,

Angela: Mario, maybe.

Casey: But that was, that was a time.

Um, but I think my tip, because a lot of
people dunno about this, is actually to go

to the sunset deck after the game's over.

Um, I do think that's kind of a must
do at least once, just to check it out.

It is really, really crowded, but
it is cool and the views are nice.

Um, but I, I like walking
around the tailgate.

I also like getting in there early.

I

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: food and there's a lot
of really good stadium food.

Like, I love stadium food.

Angela: It's good.

Casey: so, you know, you can, you can be
out there and tailgate, but like you, I

just, I wanna see what the offerings are.

I like to do a merch store run.

Um, I, you know, I want,
I want time like in there.

Angela: Mm-hmm.

Casey: that's, that's my tip is that the
stadium itself has a lot of offerings, so.

Angela: Yeah, I agree.

So mine this season also, uh, we didn't
mention it earlier, but the season

ticket holder parking email went out

it's depressing because the best lot
is closed this year because it is

currently being used for wildfire like
headquarters it was like far enough

outta the burn zones it's, we're

Mario: And it's,

Angela: land and it's very difficult.

I

Mario: it's a big open, clear lot.

Yeah.

Casey: It.

Angela: Exactly.

Exactly.

And I'm like, listen, for those of us
who are coming from the south side of la.

Going to the green lot off MLK is

Mario: I,

Angela: 20 minutes from my house
and it's so easy to get there.

And there's always parking, but
yeah, so parking, um, sucks.

Mario: yeah.

Parking's gonna be really, really tight.

Angela: early or take the metro.

Ideally, if you can
take the Metro, do that.

It's way easier.

It's so

much fun.

Casey: Yeah.

it's always filled with tons of fans.

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: you're good company
when you're on metro.

Angela: Yeah.

Um,

Mario: and if you are,

Angela: before,

Mario: yes.

Angela: hydrating, regardless if you're
drinking a lot because it's just hot.

Just, just get your, get a drip
drop, get a liquid IV in your system.

Like just prepare your body

Mario: granted this year we don't
have as many like four o'clock games

Angela: still,

Mario: but it, it, it does get, it does
get hot if you're there tailgating.

Um,

Angela: if you're in
the supporter session.

Mario: yes.

Yeah.

'cause you're in full sun.

So just be ready for that
full sun and no sitting down.

I hope you really know that,
that that's what you're,

that's what you're getting at.

Casey: shade over there.

There's really not.

Angela: there's not.

It's up on the concourse and

Mario: Yeah, yeah.

Um, I agree with the, uh, with
the Metro, if you can Metro do it.

Uh, if you are driving in from somewhere
further out, uh, check out which Metro

stops have parking and maybe stop at the
Metro and then take the metro in one.

It'll save you any kind of
headache around the, the one

10 and, and all of that stuff.

But again, like Casey mentioned, there's
just tons of people coming in from

all different directions on the Metro.

Um, the expo line drops you off
literally like, like five minutes away

from, from the stadium, and you get
to walk through really pretty roses.

Um, so it's, it's, a great, it's
a great way to get to the stadium.

Uh, tailgating will be there
every single game, every single

game before even at like 10:00 AM
depending on the game, the game day.

Um, so you'll always have people there.

We have a whole playlist.

On our YouTube page.

Also, we can't really make
playlists on podcasting apps, but

they're, the episodes are there.

We talk to all of the sgs, uh, the other
supporters groups that are out there.

So if you're not part of one or
you wanted to know more about them,

you can listen to any one of those
interviews and kind of check them out.

Everybody's actually super friendly, so
I know it's kind of intimidating to walk

up to big crowds of people you don't know
and be like, Hey, I wanna party with you.

But, uh, everybody's super cool,
super chill, and yes, the stadium

food has greatly improved.

Um,

Angela: we have a call, a power,
stand now with gluten-free pizza.

Casey: What?

I missed that.

Okay.

Mario: yeah,

Angela: It, only opened up half, like a

two thirds of the way through last

season.

So

Mario: yeah,

Casey: I was like, how
did I not know about this?

But now I

Mario: yeah.

Angela: it's in the

north end and it's really easy to miss.

So just,

you know where it is.

Mario: I wonder if they're gonna be
there during, um, angel City game days.

But there's a new coffee, uh, roaster.

Um, it's, uh, punk
coffee by, by Green Day,

Angela: Ooh,

Mario: uh, green Days,
uh, like coffee brand.

Uh, they have, they took over
the little coffee cart, um,

behind one eight, uh, 1 29.

so if you're, if you need
that coffee, um, it's there.

It smells great every time you walk by.

Um, oh, and then one of the last things,
if you are coming with kids or you

are just sensitive to sound, um, the,
uh, the customer service window behind

1 29, um, has free, uh, free, free
earplug, like, you know, the little

Angela: little

Mario: ones that you can Yeah.

But you can also get over the head.

Headphones.

Um, for, for loud noises.

Uh, for free.

You just leave your ID and then you
bring it back at the end of the game.

Um, super clutch, especially for me
with the kids, like days, we forgot

that the headphones and stuff.

Uh, my daughter doesn't
really like super loud noises.

And so, um, great, so cool things.

And then get your button if you, you
know, on your first date, go, go to

the same window and you get a button.

Angela: Yep.

Your first game button.

Your birthday button.

but yeah, I'm excited for, for
new season ticket holders and,

and new people in the stadium.

We also put out in the Discord.

Does anybody have questions
about this season?

And it was great 'cause I also put it
in, um, Allie and em from soccer moms fc,

like I put it in there, discord as well.

'cause there's a few Angel
City folks over there.

And Mallory, one of them was like,
are we getting a third goalie?

Who do we envision
starting at the midfield?

Is there hope on the horizon
or just endless darkness?

And I didn't include it here, but she
was also like, just casual questions.

Like, nothing serious,
just, just no big deal.

Like what is happening here?

Casey: About the team at all.

Angela: But I think, I think we
answered all of these, like yes.

You know, just like a, I
think there's hope, but

I don't know how much

Casey: I don't think it's

Angela: that's true.

Casey: it might stay stagnant
for a minute, but you know

Angela: Yeah, yeah.

Absolutely.

Mario: Uh, and then, uh, on, on our
dis on our own Discord, Katie came

in, uh, with a question for Casey.

Um, so we have our, um, has become
a thing that we have our, uh,

emotional support juice pouches, um,
that we of share the, the love of.

Um, so either what is your favorite Capri
Sun flavor or she said, wait, no better.

What's your favorite
emotional support snack?

Casey: Okay, I will answer both, so I.

snack?

Okay.

I love flaming Hot Cheetos.

I love them so much.

And there's also this candy called
trolley, bright crawler Eggs.

Angela: Eggs.

Mario: Yeah,

Casey: eggs?

Yes.

Eggs.

so not everybody knows about
this, and they seem to only

sell them at gas stations now.

Why?

I don't know.

My theory is that they are in
fact too tasty, and if they widely

distributed them, it would be an issue.

But they're like, they

Angela: Oh, no,

Casey: worm and they coat it
in a hard layer of sugar and

Angela: no.

These

are so good.

Those are the best candies.

Oh no.

Casey: it with like a sparkling
beverage of some kind.

Um, like a, like a, a
sparkling water is fine.

I haven't actually tried it with wine.

I, I don't think I would recommend
that kind of a sparkling beverage,

but like whatever your bubble water is
of choice, I think it's really nice.

And sometimes I'll eat those
with the flaming hot Cheetos.

Angela: Ooh.

Mario: sweet and spicy.

Casey: savory, and then some
bubbles and it's kind of fun.

Angela: Oh, these look good.

I just pulled 'em up on, on like

Google and I was Like I will.

Casey: other day, was driving
to Sacramento random gas station

in Dixon and this guy must have
thought I was crazy because I yes,

Angela: Did you clear 'em out?

Like just all of

them.

Casey: because I can't, I
don't wanna have that many

them.

I could order them on Amazon I
think, if I wanted to, but I just,

it's just a little gas station treat

Angela: Oh, that's a fun, I love that.

Casey: airports.

Angela: Oh, noted.

Noted that I could go
for some candy right now.

Mario: Uh, all right.

Do you wanna go with Jeff?

Jeff?

Uh.

Angela: I'll, I'll take Jeff.

So Jeff is notorious for messaging
us in like the little Instagram

box and it's like, see your dms?

And it's like an essay.

It's my favorite.

I love it so much.

But he's like, okay, first coaching, do
you think we'll have one sooner or later?

And if so, do you think.

Which one would be more beneficial,
like sooner rather than later?

I mean, ideally sooner, but I think
later is gonna be what actually happens.

Then his questions were, do you
think they're gonna be stateside

or international, male or female?

at this point, I don't care.

I just wanna coach

Mario: Does it?

Yeah.

Casey: don't care.

Just would like someone
who I know is saying,

Angela: Yeah.

Who, who wants to stay and, and build it.

And I think, um, we've mentioned it
before, but like the, the goal is to bring

more women into the coaching pool, but
as of right now, there are not that many.

So you,

can't be mad at a team for not
having a female coach right now.

big as that push is, there's
not enough to go around and some

aren't, aren't done cooking as we've
seen through the last few years.

And that's okay.

It sucks to find that
out while you're playing.

But, um, like, yeah.

Casey: yeah.

Angela: I just want a coach.

Casey: I just wanna coach care.

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: I'm not picky.

Angela: yeah,

Casey: this point.

I can see the offerings that are
available and I know that this is

not the time to be picky about it.

Angela: yeah.

also is wondering, do we see
this roster as like better,

same, or worse than last year?

Casey: Worse.

Angela: Ooh,

Mario: Hmm.

Casey: slightly.

It's a slight, but I am, I am, I am less.

I was, there were, there was,
there were a lot of things last

year that really excited me.

Angela: yeah.

That's fair.

Casey: it's not that it's actually
better, it's just that am, yeah.

Mario: gonna give,

Casey: not as.

Mario: I'm gonna give it a, a nudge.

A nudge better.

Um, I'm only thinking that like maybe
there was a plan that there is some

jelling that is happening, you know, that
was happening towards the Coachella games.

then.

So hopefully, I mean, is
it a full step better?

I, um, I don't know.

Um, but you know, maybe a little nudge
in the kind of a better direction.

I think that's where I'm at.

Angela: gonna say it's kind
of close to the same because I

don't necessarily think that last
season the players were the issue.

Casey: Right.

Angela: I think the system was the issue
more so than like the actual players.

'cause you look on paper
and it was like, damn, okay.

Casey: That roster last year was

Angela: Yes.

Casey: That's the thing is the I,

Angela: Yeah,

Casey: I was actually like very
excited to start the season last year.

I thought the good.

Angela: yeah.

And then I, I don't know what happened
to those people who were on the roster

and it felt very like Vko era national
team where it was like people are

trapped and I don't know what's going on.

Like free the team.

Yeah.

So do you have a breakout,
rookie or non rookie?

Like do you have a breakout
player for this season?

It could be Angel City,
it could be otherwise.

Casey: I mean, I, I think Giselle
is poised to have a season for us.

Like on our, on our team.

I think this is Giselle's year.

Yeah.

across the league.

I've got a couple I have eyes on, but
it's one of these things where they're

players with very high ceilings,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: that same team in most
of these instances took that.

It took, like, think Taylor Huff, I'm
like, I, I, I think very high on her

longer term, but I've also seen what
has happened with other BFC rookies

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: there particular, it
did not go well for, um, like,

where's my a doms right now?

Can't tell you.

Um, so.

You know, I don't, I don't know that I,
the mid the midfield development there

has been a little suss if you ask me, but,
um, and obviously Savvy King is here now,

Angela: Yep.

Casey: I, I I'm just, we're Giselle
Giselle's gonna have a great year.

Angela: Yeah, I think younger
player wise, for me it's Giselle.

More established player.

If we're sticking with Angel
City, I really feel like we're

gonna get like a show from Lily.

I'm gonna, I'm like,

I don't know.

I just,

I just have a vibe.

I don't know what it's,
yeah, it's gonna happen.

Something, something is unlocking,
you know, like they, they broke the

code or something.

Casey: know, they have like the
believers Are we The lily levers?

Like we're just,

Angela: The liebers.

Casey: yeah,

I don't know.

Or just we're, this is happening for us.

Angela: Yeah.

So Lily, if you hear this, please
don't like prove us, right.

That you're gonna have a hell of a season.

Like just whatever that means.

Casey: We're,

Angela: it's limited minutes
come in and, and out.

Like.

It's one of those things where it's
like no matter your role on the

team, you can have a breakout season

if you're coming in for an impact in the
second half of like the, you know, 60 70th

minute come in and ruin somebody's life.

You have fresh legs, you have,
you know, like that kind of thing.

Score a goal.

Like what?

Just

do, do cool shit.

Yeah.

Casey: yeah.

Angela: So Jeff also asked if we're
on the bubble for the playoffs, what

would take us over the edge player
performance coaching or healthy roster.

I don't think any roster is ever fully
healthy, so I don't think that's a actual

answer.

Casey: schedule at the, uh, time
of playoff qualification, Jeff.

Angela: yes is, yep.

Because at the end of the season
and you're playing like the

top four teams, that sucks.

Casey: Unless they're already
through and don't care and their

Angela: Exactly.

Casey: in.

Angela: That's true.

That's true.

Casey: there's, there's a lot of ways,
but That's that's what I'm gonna say.

Taken us over the edge, Jeff,

Angela: Yeah, I, I'm with you on that one.

Um, and then how, how are we
feeling merch wise this season?

I know

I'm gonna spend so much money

Casey: I know it was so bad because
obviously I had to give the new kit,

Angela: there.

There's a matching scarf.

I've seen it.

I don't know if that's
a leak, but, oh, well,

Mario: Am I gonna have to scrub that?

Like is that part of your NDA?

Angela: it's, well no, because it was the
NDAs just until the jerseys were released,

but they usually do it.

what?

Casey: When does This come out?

Because you, maybe you're okay.

Angela: This comes out Wednesday and the

the kits were already released.

Let me look online.

Casey: we'll find out.

Well, you know, it'll.

Angela: If we get in trouble,
they'll be like, oh my God.

And they'll be like, oh my God, I'm sorry.

Casey: Yeah, we'll just delete
the part where you're like,

can I not talk about this?

Angela: I'm looking at the store
right now to see if it's up,

Mario: Yeah, that's where I was going.

Casey: I had to like, not browse,
I had to just get the kits because

I was like, I'm try, I, I got
other financial priorities Right.

now

Angela: Right.

Casey: do,

Mario: Trying to get to pit bull.

Angela: to save my

money.

Casey: the pit bull in Europe, and
then it's like all my teams are

coming out with just fire kits.

Like, I Don't, know if y'all saw the
new Oakland Roots ones that are like in

Mario: Yeah.

Casey: to the eighties.

Angela: Don't, I saw that and I'm like,
I'm not even, I have no allegiance to

Northern California except for the fact
that the A's have been so screwed over

I,

Casey: an Oakland Roots fan.

We're, it's the, again,
Raider nation energy.

It's, it's, we welcome everybody.

a, It's a nation,

Angela: it's a nation, the kids alone.

You posted that and I was like, oh my God.

Yes.

Mario: That was, that was,
that was a really great kit.

I will, I will say that, uh, after
last year I did semi become a, um,

New Mexico, um, with the Meow Wolf.

'cause they have like a permanent,

Casey: Okay,

Mario: they have, um, permanent
Meow Wolf sponsorship.

Casey: yeah, the Meow sponsorship.

USL just is doing more
fun stuff with their kids.

Mario: Yeah.

Casey: of really good kids,

Mario: I, I, I don't, I don't remember
when I said it, but I was like, uh,

just imagine like Angel City getting to
design a kit and being like a, a diora.

Like, you know, like, like just,
just like getting a new silhouette.

Getting Yeah.

That like,

Angela: until the NWSL doesn't have like
the lock in from Nike And Teams can, can

Mario: yeah, let them,

Casey: be waiting.

I

Angela: I know, I know,

Casey: sports leagues like to work,

Angela: I

know.

But it like, it can and it should
because I'm bored of Nike kits.

Like they all just, I mean, not
this Angel City kit 'cause it's

different, but I, they're just boring.

Casey: I know I'm with you.

I'm with you, but it's, I've,
I've, I can't, I'm not even gonna

let myself dream that dream.

Angela: I am just putting it out there.

We're manifesting tonight.

Casey, you're the one
who brought this upon us.

Yeah.

Kit Freedom.

Mario: Yes.

Um, all right.

And then, uh, one of our last ones was,
uh, David coming in from the Discord,

which was, uh, what is the status of
securing Capri Sun as the podcast sponsor?

Hopefully, hopefully during negotiations,
you can bring the following adult alcohol,

Capri Sun additions, free Capri Sun
for tailgates and ACFC themed pouches.

Angela: Like, I, even know how to
make that happen because we'd have to

go through like, is it, is it Kraft?

Is that what you said?

Like

Mario: Uh, it is Kraft.

Kraft Heinz owns the us.

Uh,

Angela: I'm like, just
let, just gimme these.

Like I, I spend enough
money all season on them

Mario: he said, I can
see an angel city Sry.

Angela: No one

would be upset.

Yeah.

Casey: be a hit.

Mario: I mean, I mean, come on.

Boxed wine is a thing.

Pouch.

Pouch wine can be a thing,

Angela: Yeah.

Casey: I think I've seen it somewhere.

Angela: Oh

a thing.

Mario: Oh, is it?

Okay.

Angela: yeah,

Casey: yeah.

Angela: yeah, They have them or they
have like the little, like Rese Angel

City gave out those little reusable
water bottles that are like a Pouchy.

I'm just saying that they can
be filled with other things.

What do, I'm just an adult.

I've never done anything like this.

Not at

Mario: uh, all right, well, talking
about Capri Sun, have a fun little season

long contest that we will be doing.

called the, it started off as a bingo
thing 'cause we did a fun bingo thing

on our watch party, and that was fun.

then it became a connect six.

So we're gonna call it
the casual FC Bingo.

Connect six.

Connect six

Angela: Maybe

Mario: maybe where the,
the title is working.

When you see it, it'll have a title on it.

so we'll be releasing a game board
sometime by the end of March.

I mean, who cares if it's done
by the beginning of the season?

It's, it's gonna be a long thing.

But, uh, lots of, with lots of
squares of stuff that may happen.

Stuff.

We wanna see some crazy,
wild dream things.

Um, who knows anything can happen.

Angela: be hat trick

Mario: Uh, and so the simple goal
is get six in a row and then be

the first one to DM US Your winning
board and grand prize will be drum

roll, uh, Costco sized Capri Sun

Angela: Yeah.

Four boxes of Capri Sun.

Casey: I'm glad you clarified.

How many are in the Costco pack?

Angela: I have, I have one and
a half right now in my house

because I had to get one to take
a picture and then I another one.

So I was like, well, I'm here.

I might as well.

Casey: that's the whole point of Costco.

Mario: Yeah.

Angela: Stocking up on a whole
bunch of stuff you don't always

need, but you want real bad.

Yeah,

Casey: Yeah,

Mario: Um,

Angela: are good.

Well,

that kind of wraps things
up on our season preview.

That was only a little bit of a
shena episode, but we can blame pit

bull and his amazingness on that.

I don't think anybody's upset.

So Casey, per usual, thank you
so much for coming to hang out.

Casey: anytime, anytime.

Mario: Uh, where, where
can people find you?

If they don't, for some reason, unex
unacceptably don't already follow you.

Casey: I, well, yeah, so you can
find me on tiktoks Bill for however

long that continues to exist.

I am, in theory, dabbling other places.

I'm trying to get over the social
anxiety that comes with posting

these things to my Instagram, where
there's people who actually know me.

So, um, and mostly know me in like
a professional capacity as a lawyer.

And I'm like, here I am
talking about soccer.

It's a little intense, my bad.

Um, so you can find me there,
you can find me literally

anywhere at Casey's on the case.

Um, YouTube, I will bring the podcaster
lives back over there at some point

once I get my microphones resituated.

That's been a thing.

Substack.

I'm there too, but writing is harder
than yapping, so, um, but yeah,

I'm, I'm, I'm mainly on TikTok.

That's still probably the
best place to find me.

Angela: Absolutely.

So like I said, thank you so
much for coming and hanging out

on this like later than normal
after dark episode of craziness.

Um, I'm so excited to see where the
season takes us as Angel City fans.

I know it'll be a trip at the very least.

Casey: Here we come.

Angela: Oh my goodness.

So if you got this far and you listen
to the whole thing and you like what you

heard, make sure you hit the subscribe
button wherever you're listening.

check out casual FC dot com for all
of the podcast links on Spotify and

YouTube and Podcasts and other places
on the internet that host podcasts that

I don't know because I don't use them,
but maybe other people do go there.

Who knows?

Click a link just because you can and you
can follow us on social media at Casual

FC Pod on Instagram threads and TikTok.

We are at casual FC dot
com on Blue Sky as well.

If you haven't already,
join us on Discord.

Come hang out.

We just goof around and ask
each other silly questions.

There's pictures of dogs.

There's pictures of cats, there's horses.

Mario: Yep.

Angela: like animal thread, it's a
good time, like it is just attacks.

Casey, you should come in and
just drop pictures of the pugs.

Mario: the pugs.

Just put the pugs.

Angela: No,

no, nobody gets, nobody's
gonna be mad about dog spam.

And at the very least, Eva
will be so excited and she'll

just be like, look at this dog.

I'm like, yes.

I also saw this on Instagram.

Uh, but the best way to support
the pod is to share, like, comment,

engage with a post or an episode.

The more engagement, the
more people see things.

'cause the internet is weird and
everything runs on an algorithm

that nobody knows how it works.

So click on buttons,
send things to people.

It's a good time.

We have some super, super
dope merch coming up.

Mario and I were working on it
this weekend, so shop casual FC.

We will see some updates very soon.

Finally, if you feel so inclined,
you can help us support the pod

financially by buying us a coffee.

You can check out the link on all
of our, in all of our social bios,

or go to buy me a coffee.com/casual

FC pod.

We've also added.

A monthly donation should you just
wanna automate it, that's up to you.

We dunno what we're gonna do
with that yet, but it's a thing.

So we're like, Hey, here's an option.

Last but not least, make sure
you tell a friend about the pod.

We joked around that it
brought us good luck.

And then it did.

So we just started banking it and
right now we just need to build up

for the home opener 'cause I don't
wanna lose the home opener again.

That sucked.

So all the good luck to the

Mario: Especially to San Diego.

Casey: I.

Angela: Yeah, no, like I'm not
No, no, not, not on my watch.

Damnit.

So tell your friends about the podcast.

It'll bring like, it brings good luck.

We bank it all up, we ship
it over to BMO like game day.

Sprinkle it all over the place.

And uh, yeah.

Go Angel City.

Here we go.

Mario: See you later everyone.

Angela: Bye.