RD Welch
@rd1899.bsky.social
women's soccer (mostly NWSL, USWNT), plus odds and ends
(he/him) #TeamPizzelles
woso blog: @wsoccerexpress.bsky.social
(he/him) #TeamPizzelles
woso blog: @wsoccerexpress.bsky.social
Personal Note: My father was moved to a hospice facility last week, so priorities are and will be elsewhere for the immediate future.
Thus, the wsoccerexpress.bsky.social account and its associated website will most likely not have any new content for a while.
Thus, the wsoccerexpress.bsky.social account and its associated website will most likely not have any new content for a while.
May 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Personal Note: My father was moved to a hospice facility last week, so priorities are and will be elsewhere for the immediate future.
Thus, the wsoccerexpress.bsky.social account and its associated website will most likely not have any new content for a while.
Thus, the wsoccerexpress.bsky.social account and its associated website will most likely not have any new content for a while.
In CONMEBOL qualifying for the FIFA U-17 WWC, all five teams in Group A of the 1st round ended on 5 points.
The top 3 teams in each group advance to the 2nd round. Of those 6, 4 will qualify for the U-17 WWC.
Chile lost to Argentina, but a late goal (86') gave them the goal difference advantage.
The top 3 teams in each group advance to the 2nd round. Of those 6, 4 will qualify for the U-17 WWC.
Chile lost to Argentina, but a late goal (86') gave them the goal difference advantage.
May 10, 2025 at 2:22 AM
In CONMEBOL qualifying for the FIFA U-17 WWC, all five teams in Group A of the 1st round ended on 5 points.
The top 3 teams in each group advance to the 2nd round. Of those 6, 4 will qualify for the U-17 WWC.
Chile lost to Argentina, but a late goal (86') gave them the goal difference advantage.
The top 3 teams in each group advance to the 2nd round. Of those 6, 4 will qualify for the U-17 WWC.
Chile lost to Argentina, but a late goal (86') gave them the goal difference advantage.
correcting myself: Riley Kennedy is listed as a midfielder
April 5, 2025 at 8:24 PM
correcting myself: Riley Kennedy is listed as a midfielder
Four NWSL pros — Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya, and Grace Chanda of the Orlando Pride and Bay FC's Rachael Kundananji — were withdrawn from Zambia's squad for a friendly tournament in China due to concerns over "additional travel measures introduced by the new administration in the [USA]."
Zambia withdraws four NWSL players, citing U.S. travel policy
Zambia withdraws four NWSL players, citing U.S. travel policy
Four Zambia women's national team players based in the NWSL have withdrawn from international duty this month over U.S. government travel policy.
prosoccerwire.usatoday.com
April 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Four NWSL pros — Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya, and Grace Chanda of the Orlando Pride and Bay FC's Rachael Kundananji — were withdrawn from Zambia's squad for a friendly tournament in China due to concerns over "additional travel measures introduced by the new administration in the [USA]."
The USWNT will be playing on this temporary grass pitch for the April 5 friendly against Brazil.
Greetings from SoFi Stadium. Natural grass installed.
Field dimensions: 64x100 meters (69.99x109.4 yards).
For World Cup, it will grow to 68x105 (74.36x114.8 yards).
Field dimensions: 64x100 meters (69.99x109.4 yards).
For World Cup, it will grow to 68x105 (74.36x114.8 yards).
March 20, 2025 at 11:02 PM
The USWNT will be playing on this temporary grass pitch for the April 5 friendly against Brazil.
Both Rodman and Wilson have "fitness" rationales for their absences, while Swanson's is due to unspecified "personal commitments", so there's not really any reasonable grounds to think that Hayes is omitting any of the trio primarily to try other players.
February 16, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Both Rodman and Wilson have "fitness" rationales for their absences, while Swanson's is due to unspecified "personal commitments", so there's not really any reasonable grounds to think that Hayes is omitting any of the trio primarily to try other players.
(5/5) Regarding when to blow the whistle, this "Ask the Ref" blog post may not be fully current (it's from 2007), but I think the basic sentiments expressed are still valid.
asktheref.com/Search.asp?Q...
asktheref.com/Search.asp?Q...
Soccer Rules Q&A Search AskTheref.com
Search soccer rules question and answers provided by an international panel of certified referees
asktheref.com
December 1, 2024 at 4:35 AM
(5/5) Regarding when to blow the whistle, this "Ask the Ref" blog post may not be fully current (it's from 2007), but I think the basic sentiments expressed are still valid.
asktheref.com/Search.asp?Q...
asktheref.com/Search.asp?Q...
Due to the VAR reversal, the USA effectively lost possession via a dropped ball to England's goalkeeper (Law 8.2).
A more fair alternative would have been an indirect free kick for the USA, if not inside the penalty area, then just outside it. But that would require a change in the Laws.
(4/5)
A more fair alternative would have been an indirect free kick for the USA, if not inside the penalty area, then just outside it. But that would require a change in the Laws.
(4/5)
December 1, 2024 at 4:35 AM
Due to the VAR reversal, the USA effectively lost possession via a dropped ball to England's goalkeeper (Law 8.2).
A more fair alternative would have been an indirect free kick for the USA, if not inside the penalty area, then just outside it. But that would require a change in the Laws.
(4/5)
A more fair alternative would have been an indirect free kick for the USA, if not inside the penalty area, then just outside it. But that would require a change in the Laws.
(4/5)
...which could penalize the attacking team, so different mechanics need to be used. E.g, a "slow whistle" or "silent advantage" to let the play continue a bit.
Here, there doesn't seem to be any delay by the referee. So, I'm curious if that was an error or a difference in guidelines.
(3/5)
Here, there doesn't seem to be any delay by the referee. So, I'm curious if that was an error or a difference in guidelines.
(3/5)
December 1, 2024 at 4:35 AM
...which could penalize the attacking team, so different mechanics need to be used. E.g, a "slow whistle" or "silent advantage" to let the play continue a bit.
Here, there doesn't seem to be any delay by the referee. So, I'm curious if that was an error or a difference in guidelines.
(3/5)
Here, there doesn't seem to be any delay by the referee. So, I'm curious if that was an error or a difference in guidelines.
(3/5)
Had there not been VAR, the penalty call most likely would not have been reversed, so the decision probably would have given the USA a better chance of scoring a goal versus a no-call.
However, VAR greatly increases the chance of a reversal...
(2/5)
Screenshot Source: youtu.be/5GFMGVfSgSA?...
However, VAR greatly increases the chance of a reversal...
(2/5)
Screenshot Source: youtu.be/5GFMGVfSgSA?...
Inglaterra vs. USA | Highlights USWNT | Telemundo Deportes
YouTube video by Telemundo Deportes
youtu.be
December 1, 2024 at 4:35 AM
Had there not been VAR, the penalty call most likely would not have been reversed, so the decision probably would have given the USA a better chance of scoring a goal versus a no-call.
However, VAR greatly increases the chance of a reversal...
(2/5)
Screenshot Source: youtu.be/5GFMGVfSgSA?...
However, VAR greatly increases the chance of a reversal...
(2/5)
Screenshot Source: youtu.be/5GFMGVfSgSA?...
On the reversed PK decision in the USWNT-England friendly, this seems like a case when the call was made too quickly and actually "stopped a promising attack" (to borrow a phrase from Law 12), as three other USA players were open in the penalty area.
(1/5)
(1/5)
December 1, 2024 at 4:35 AM
On the reversed PK decision in the USWNT-England friendly, this seems like a case when the call was made too quickly and actually "stopped a promising attack" (to borrow a phrase from Law 12), as three other USA players were open in the penalty area.
(1/5)
(1/5)
(2/2) Here's a link to the full article and photograph. That page also has a text version (via OCR, not perfect).
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Young guns help keep UNC on top
Clipping found in The Chapel Hill News published in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on 9/29/1989. Young guns help keep UNC on top
www.newspapers.com
November 29, 2024 at 11:14 PM
(2/2) Here's a link to the full article and photograph. That page also has a text version (via OCR, not perfect).
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Before the Triple Espresso, there was the "Young Guns"...
Alt text: 1989 photo of current England head coach Sarina Wiegman (R) plus USWNT legends Mia Hamm (L) & Kristine Lilly (C) in their UNC uniforms, cowboy hats, & bandanas. Two are holding firearms.
(1/2)
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Alt text: 1989 photo of current England head coach Sarina Wiegman (R) plus USWNT legends Mia Hamm (L) & Kristine Lilly (C) in their UNC uniforms, cowboy hats, & bandanas. Two are holding firearms.
(1/2)
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Young guns help keep UNC on top (cropped)
Clipping found in The Chapel Hill News published in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on 9/29/1989. Young guns help keep UNC on top (cropped)
www.newspapers.com
November 29, 2024 at 11:14 PM
Before the Triple Espresso, there was the "Young Guns"...
Alt text: 1989 photo of current England head coach Sarina Wiegman (R) plus USWNT legends Mia Hamm (L) & Kristine Lilly (C) in their UNC uniforms, cowboy hats, & bandanas. Two are holding firearms.
(1/2)
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Alt text: 1989 photo of current England head coach Sarina Wiegman (R) plus USWNT legends Mia Hamm (L) & Kristine Lilly (C) in their UNC uniforms, cowboy hats, & bandanas. Two are holding firearms.
(1/2)
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
To my knowledge, not recently. Szymanowski was on Argentina's Concacaf W Gold Cup roster in February, as a late replacement for Lorena Benitez, but did not play any minutes.
October 30, 2024 at 8:40 PM
To my knowledge, not recently. Szymanowski was on Argentina's Concacaf W Gold Cup roster in February, as a late replacement for Lorena Benitez, but did not play any minutes.
Looks like NWSL Boston first came up with the "BOS Nation FC" idea over 10 months ago.
BOSNation[dot]com was registered on December 4, 2023, and redirects to BOSNationFC[dot]com, which was registered 10 days later. (see screenshots)
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
BOSNation[dot]com was registered on December 4, 2023, and redirects to BOSNationFC[dot]com, which was registered 10 days later. (see screenshots)
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
October 15, 2024 at 4:04 AM
Looks like NWSL Boston first came up with the "BOS Nation FC" idea over 10 months ago.
BOSNation[dot]com was registered on December 4, 2023, and redirects to BOSNationFC[dot]com, which was registered 10 days later. (see screenshots)
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
BOSNation[dot]com was registered on December 4, 2023, and redirects to BOSNationFC[dot]com, which was registered 10 days later. (see screenshots)
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
Oof. Duke is up 2-nil against Stanford within 5 minutes.
Maggie Graham with a 15-second brace (3:53, 4:07).
Maggie Graham with a 15-second brace (3:53, 4:07).
October 11, 2024 at 2:19 AM
Oof. Duke is up 2-nil against Stanford within 5 minutes.
Maggie Graham with a 15-second brace (3:53, 4:07).
Maggie Graham with a 15-second brace (3:53, 4:07).
My father's T-Mobile SIM card, which was newer ("micro"-sized), but on the same 'legacy' prepaid plan, also stopped working on the same day, so it appears that this was something on T-Mo's end.
Moved both accounts to new SIM cards and everything's working normally.
(2/2)
Moved both accounts to new SIM cards and everything's working normally.
(2/2)
September 26, 2024 at 3:24 AM
My father's T-Mobile SIM card, which was newer ("micro"-sized), but on the same 'legacy' prepaid plan, also stopped working on the same day, so it appears that this was something on T-Mo's end.
Moved both accounts to new SIM cards and everything's working normally.
(2/2)
Moved both accounts to new SIM cards and everything's working normally.
(2/2)
Had to retire a 16-year-old SIM card after it would no longer connect to T-Mobile's towers.
It was for a prepaid line I used as a back-up, so temporarily losing service was just an annoyance. Except, it's the number I tend to use for 2FA.
(1/2)
It was for a prepaid line I used as a back-up, so temporarily losing service was just an annoyance. Except, it's the number I tend to use for 2FA.
(1/2)
September 26, 2024 at 3:20 AM
Had to retire a 16-year-old SIM card after it would no longer connect to T-Mobile's towers.
It was for a prepaid line I used as a back-up, so temporarily losing service was just an annoyance. Except, it's the number I tend to use for 2FA.
(1/2)
It was for a prepaid line I used as a back-up, so temporarily losing service was just an annoyance. Except, it's the number I tend to use for 2FA.
(1/2)
The final paragraph:
"Therefore this book consists of Fitzgerald cleverness. So do Fitzgerald's other books. And perhaps the author can go on to the end of his career making books out of cleverness. But, if he does, the end of his career will be preceded by the end of his fame."
"Therefore this book consists of Fitzgerald cleverness. So do Fitzgerald's other books. And perhaps the author can go on to the end of his career making books out of cleverness. But, if he does, the end of his career will be preceded by the end of his fame."
September 26, 2024 at 1:32 AM
The final paragraph:
"Therefore this book consists of Fitzgerald cleverness. So do Fitzgerald's other books. And perhaps the author can go on to the end of his career making books out of cleverness. But, if he does, the end of his career will be preceded by the end of his fame."
"Therefore this book consists of Fitzgerald cleverness. So do Fitzgerald's other books. And perhaps the author can go on to the end of his career making books out of cleverness. But, if he does, the end of his career will be preceded by the end of his fame."
Here's one for the "Takes That Aged Badly" file...
"F. Scott Fitzgerald Pens New but Not Great Novel"
(short review of 'The Great Gatsby')
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
"F. Scott Fitzgerald Pens New but Not Great Novel"
(short review of 'The Great Gatsby')
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
F. Scott Fitzgerald Pens New but Not Great Novel
Clipping found in The Plain Dealer published in Cleveland, Ohio on 5/23/1925. F. Scott Fitzgerald Pens New but Not Great Novel
www.newspapers.com
September 26, 2024 at 1:30 AM
Here's one for the "Takes That Aged Badly" file...
"F. Scott Fitzgerald Pens New but Not Great Novel"
(short review of 'The Great Gatsby')
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
"F. Scott Fitzgerald Pens New but Not Great Novel"
(short review of 'The Great Gatsby')
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
This match had way more drama than what I had originally budgeted for emotionally.
U-20 WWC: The USA defeats Mexico 3:2 (aet) and moves on to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Germany/Argentina.
USA goals: Tordin (10'), Sentnor (27'), Dudley (97')
MEX goals: Vargas (22'), Saldivar (39')
USA goals: Tordin (10'), Sentnor (27'), Dudley (97')
MEX goals: Vargas (22'), Saldivar (39')
September 12, 2024 at 11:02 AM
This match had way more drama than what I had originally budgeted for emotionally.
That Mexico-Australia U-20 WWC match was the soccer gods equivalent of "right result, wrong reasons".
(AUS missed a PK, MEX's 1st goal was a wild deflection off a teammate that then hit a goalpost and went in.)
(AUS missed a PK, MEX's 1st goal was a wild deflection off a teammate that then hit a goalpost and went in.)
September 4, 2024 at 12:24 AM
That Mexico-Australia U-20 WWC match was the soccer gods equivalent of "right result, wrong reasons".
(AUS missed a PK, MEX's 1st goal was a wild deflection off a teammate that then hit a goalpost and went in.)
(AUS missed a PK, MEX's 1st goal was a wild deflection off a teammate that then hit a goalpost and went in.)
1996.
Here's part of a news article from April 1996 discussing the project, which was suppose to break ground by December of that year:
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Here's part of a news article from April 1996 discussing the project, which was suppose to break ground by December of that year:
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Cohabiting with Work: Developers Combining Living and Office Space (2 of 2)
Clipping found in The Los Angeles Times published in Los Angeles, California on 4/16/1996. Cohabiting with Work: Developers Combining Living and Office Space (2 of 2)
www.newspapers.com
August 28, 2024 at 1:05 AM
1996.
Here's part of a news article from April 1996 discussing the project, which was suppose to break ground by December of that year:
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Here's part of a news article from April 1996 discussing the project, which was suppose to break ground by December of that year:
www.newspapers.com/article/the-...
Update on that article about Major League Soccer starting a professional women's soccer league:
The website "has decided to retract the story".
Screenshot from X .com:
The website "has decided to retract the story".
Screenshot from X .com:
August 12, 2024 at 11:53 PM
Update on that article about Major League Soccer starting a professional women's soccer league:
The website "has decided to retract the story".
Screenshot from X .com:
The website "has decided to retract the story".
Screenshot from X .com:
The article does have a mention of MLS Next Pro, but the context supports the idea that the MLS's proposed women's league will not be on the same level as the NWSL.
The WPSL PRO discussed in the article is expected to be sanctioned as a Division III league (the lowest).
(9/?)
The WPSL PRO discussed in the article is expected to be sanctioned as a Division III league (the lowest).
(9/?)
August 12, 2024 at 2:03 AM