Jason Anderson
@jasondcsoccer.bsky.social
Now: Staff writer, Pro Soccer Wire/USA TODAY Sports | Then: Black and Red United, Filibuster, Plex Weather | Sandstorm enthusiast, shoe purchaser
Pinned
Jason Anderson
@jasondcsoccer.bsky.social
· Sep 30
NWSL Weekend Take-Off: Gotham FC simplifies while Spirit, Racing plan to perfection
NWSL had a potentially decisive Week 22, with Gotham, the Spirit, and Louisville showing how important it is to have a good plan.
prosoccerwire.usatoday.com
Thank you #NWSL teams for giving me legit too many options to use for the Take-Off.
Went with the 3 statement performances of the week:
😎 Rose Lavelle and Gotham master making it easy on themselves
🔒 Racing Louisville (finally) lock it down
↔️ Spirit get it wide to devastating effect
Went with the 3 statement performances of the week:
😎 Rose Lavelle and Gotham master making it easy on themselves
🔒 Racing Louisville (finally) lock it down
↔️ Spirit get it wide to devastating effect
In-stadium replay proves it: Cantore thumped the post at the end of that last sequence, and afterwards Sam Coffey is down getting treatment.
Really feels like the Spirit have all but kicked the door down, but this team is also seemingly bound by the fates to have late drama.
Really feels like the Spirit have all but kicked the door down, but this team is also seemingly bound by the fates to have late drama.
November 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
In-stadium replay proves it: Cantore thumped the post at the end of that last sequence, and afterwards Sam Coffey is down getting treatment.
Really feels like the Spirit have all but kicked the door down, but this team is also seemingly bound by the fates to have late drama.
Really feels like the Spirit have all but kicked the door down, but this team is also seemingly bound by the fates to have late drama.
Rodman, Brown, Sylla all joining Metayer & Miura, but Abiodun is getting last instructions.
Curious about the move here. Hershfelt is playing through a thigh issue (you can see the wrap she has on), & Santos had some kind of mild illness recently...but this might be for a forward.
Curious about the move here. Hershfelt is playing through a thigh issue (you can see the wrap she has on), & Santos had some kind of mild illness recently...but this might be for a forward.
Looks like Deb might be coming on soon...
November 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Rodman, Brown, Sylla all joining Metayer & Miura, but Abiodun is getting last instructions.
Curious about the move here. Hershfelt is playing through a thigh issue (you can see the wrap she has on), & Santos had some kind of mild illness recently...but this might be for a forward.
Curious about the move here. Hershfelt is playing through a thigh issue (you can see the wrap she has on), & Santos had some kind of mild illness recently...but this might be for a forward.
19,365 is the attendance for Spirit-Thorns, that's the building max with the team's new set-up on standing-room only tickets.
November 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
19,365 is the attendance for Spirit-Thorns, that's the building max with the team's new set-up on standing-room only tickets.
Spirit didn't offer much of their recent asymmetry in the 1st half, but we're seeing a bit more 3412 out of them as Portland has changed the angles with their own tweaks.
Spirit subs warming up currently are Metayer & Abiodun, but they're not going through the final, harder sprints yet.
Spirit subs warming up currently are Metayer & Abiodun, but they're not going through the final, harder sprints yet.
November 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Spirit didn't offer much of their recent asymmetry in the 1st half, but we're seeing a bit more 3412 out of them as Portland has changed the angles with their own tweaks.
Spirit subs warming up currently are Metayer & Abiodun, but they're not going through the final, harder sprints yet.
Spirit subs warming up currently are Metayer & Abiodun, but they're not going through the final, harder sprints yet.
Reposted by Jason Anderson
EXCLUSIVE:
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
NWSL's Berman defends salary cap as Rodman contract expiration looms
Berman talked exclusively to CBS Sports shortly before Rodman's Washington Spirit kicked off their NWSL semifinal match vs. Portland Thorns
www.cbssports.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:13 PM
EXCLUSIVE:
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
Reposted by Jason Anderson
Last Free DC here at audi field, just as loud as it has been all season
November 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Last Free DC here at audi field, just as loud as it has been all season
And to their credit, this has already resulted in their best pressing phase of the match, and their best sequence of possession around the box.
But! When play breaks the other way, they're in trouble immediately. Sam Hiatt just had to clear while facing goal from like 2 yards out.
But! When play breaks the other way, they're in trouble immediately. Sam Hiatt just had to clear while facing goal from like 2 yards out.
Thorns halftime adjustment appears to be a shift from 433 to 4231, to step their line of contention higher, and to free their fullbacks to help attack.
November 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
And to their credit, this has already resulted in their best pressing phase of the match, and their best sequence of possession around the box.
But! When play breaks the other way, they're in trouble immediately. Sam Hiatt just had to clear while facing goal from like 2 yards out.
But! When play breaks the other way, they're in trouble immediately. Sam Hiatt just had to clear while facing goal from like 2 yards out.
Thorns halftime adjustment appears to be a shift from 433 to 4231, to step their line of contention higher, and to free their fullbacks to help attack.
November 15, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Thorns halftime adjustment appears to be a shift from 433 to 4231, to step their line of contention higher, and to free their fullbacks to help attack.
Reposted by Jason Anderson
RE: Trinity Rodman's future, her impending free agency, the salary cap, and the #NWSL's inability to compete financially for a player like her in the global economy, a league spokesperson provided the following statement to ESPN.
November 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
RE: Trinity Rodman's future, her impending free agency, the salary cap, and the #NWSL's inability to compete financially for a player like her in the global economy, a league spokesperson provided the following statement to ESPN.
I had to wash my hands during this but:
Sandstorm at Audi!
Sandstorm at Audi!
November 15, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I had to wash my hands during this but:
Sandstorm at Audi!
Sandstorm at Audi!
1-0 Spirit at halftime. Washington's only flaw in the 1st half is that they didn't make it 2-0.
Electric stuff on the ball, but don't sleep on what's going on when the Thorns are in possession. They have no angles to exit, no easy way to progress play or even get a breather.
Electric stuff on the ball, but don't sleep on what's going on when the Thorns are in possession. They have no angles to exit, no easy way to progress play or even get a breather.
November 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
1-0 Spirit at halftime. Washington's only flaw in the 1st half is that they didn't make it 2-0.
Electric stuff on the ball, but don't sleep on what's going on when the Thorns are in possession. They have no angles to exit, no easy way to progress play or even get a breather.
Electric stuff on the ball, but don't sleep on what's going on when the Thorns are in possession. They have no angles to exit, no easy way to progress play or even get a breather.
Someone with pass map: how many times have Torpey or Spaanstra opted to just hoof the ball out of bounds?
Spirit press and shape, their mobility in midfield, there's just nowhere to go if you're a Thorns player & you receive the ball on your right flank.
Spirit press and shape, their mobility in midfield, there's just nowhere to go if you're a Thorns player & you receive the ball on your right flank.
November 15, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Someone with pass map: how many times have Torpey or Spaanstra opted to just hoof the ball out of bounds?
Spirit press and shape, their mobility in midfield, there's just nowhere to go if you're a Thorns player & you receive the ball on your right flank.
Spirit press and shape, their mobility in midfield, there's just nowhere to go if you're a Thorns player & you receive the ball on your right flank.
Reposted by Jason Anderson
For the sickos: Deb Abiodun is also warming up!
Unlike last week, Trinity Rodman is part of a group of 4 Spirit subs limbering up down at the south end of Audi Field.
Against Racing, we never once saw her do this, or even ditch the warm-up pants. Promising sign for her to see minutes.
Against Racing, we never once saw her do this, or even ditch the warm-up pants. Promising sign for her to see minutes.
November 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
For the sickos: Deb Abiodun is also warming up!
Reposted by Jason Anderson
This has been Portland’s Achilles heel all year, and Washington’s got the players to exploit it
Portland is going to have to do something on both flanks right now.
Torpey in possession has no options & has become a turnover machine as a result, while Reyes is being isolated in space by a player she cannot keep pace with.
Torpey in possession has no options & has become a turnover machine as a result, while Reyes is being isolated in space by a player she cannot keep pace with.
November 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This has been Portland’s Achilles heel all year, and Washington’s got the players to exploit it
Unlike last week, Trinity Rodman is part of a group of 4 Spirit subs limbering up down at the south end of Audi Field.
Against Racing, we never once saw her do this, or even ditch the warm-up pants. Promising sign for her to see minutes.
Against Racing, we never once saw her do this, or even ditch the warm-up pants. Promising sign for her to see minutes.
November 15, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Unlike last week, Trinity Rodman is part of a group of 4 Spirit subs limbering up down at the south end of Audi Field.
Against Racing, we never once saw her do this, or even ditch the warm-up pants. Promising sign for her to see minutes.
Against Racing, we never once saw her do this, or even ditch the warm-up pants. Promising sign for her to see minutes.
Reposted by Jason Anderson
Oh Opta needed to adjust some data, did they?!?!?
November 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Oh Opta needed to adjust some data, did they?!?!?
Portland is going to have to do something on both flanks right now.
Torpey in possession has no options & has become a turnover machine as a result, while Reyes is being isolated in space by a player she cannot keep pace with.
Torpey in possession has no options & has become a turnover machine as a result, while Reyes is being isolated in space by a player she cannot keep pace with.
November 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Portland is going to have to do something on both flanks right now.
Torpey in possession has no options & has become a turnover machine as a result, while Reyes is being isolated in space by a player she cannot keep pace with.
Torpey in possession has no options & has become a turnover machine as a result, while Reyes is being isolated in space by a player she cannot keep pace with.
Reposted by Jason Anderson
As I wrote in my column over on The Cutback last Monday, Kouassi and Monday are THE double-act in the NWSL this year.
November 15, 2025 at 5:42 PM
As I wrote in my column over on The Cutback last Monday, Kouassi and Monday are THE double-act in the NWSL this year.
Esme Morgan, pocket right back is absolutely cooking btw. She's found windows to pass through that show the vision of a 10, and just now is denied a goal by Arnold's fingertips.
November 15, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Esme Morgan, pocket right back is absolutely cooking btw. She's found windows to pass through that show the vision of a 10, and just now is denied a goal by Arnold's fingertips.
Reposted by Jason Anderson
Gift Monday was such a good signing lmao she rocks
November 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Gift Monday was such a good signing lmao she rocks
Rose Kouassi ⚡⚡⚡
Kouassi does it almost all on her own, Monday arrives for the finish. 1-0 Spirit after 28 minutes of nearly pure dominance.
Kouassi does it almost all on her own, Monday arrives for the finish. 1-0 Spirit after 28 minutes of nearly pure dominance.
November 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Rose Kouassi ⚡⚡⚡
Kouassi does it almost all on her own, Monday arrives for the finish. 1-0 Spirit after 28 minutes of nearly pure dominance.
Kouassi does it almost all on her own, Monday arrives for the finish. 1-0 Spirit after 28 minutes of nearly pure dominance.
When I walked in today, as the Spirit Squadron were completing a march around the building, the thought I had was that this is what RFK used to sound like 30-45 minutes before a match.
If you give DC a club to connect with, this is what you get back.
If you give DC a club to connect with, this is what you get back.
Kinda wild how quickly I stopped thinking of Audi Field as DC United's stadium and now think of it as the Spirit's
November 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
When I walked in today, as the Spirit Squadron were completing a march around the building, the thought I had was that this is what RFK used to sound like 30-45 minutes before a match.
If you give DC a club to connect with, this is what you get back.
If you give DC a club to connect with, this is what you get back.
Thorns pretty reasonably hitting the pause button here with a spell of possession among their backline & Arnold.
Audi crowd reading the moment and getting louder.
Audi crowd reading the moment and getting louder.
November 15, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Thorns pretty reasonably hitting the pause button here with a spell of possession among their backline & Arnold.
Audi crowd reading the moment and getting louder.
Audi crowd reading the moment and getting louder.
The siege continues, multiple blocked shots and Kouassi zips a cutback through the 6 that goes untouched.
One of the Spirit's best starts to a match of 2025.
One of the Spirit's best starts to a match of 2025.
Croix Bethune is pumped all the way up, Arnold diving save to deny her from 22yds.
Portland is wobbling here early, the seams to attack are there & the energy isn't.
Portland is wobbling here early, the seams to attack are there & the energy isn't.
November 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The siege continues, multiple blocked shots and Kouassi zips a cutback through the 6 that goes untouched.
One of the Spirit's best starts to a match of 2025.
One of the Spirit's best starts to a match of 2025.
Croix Bethune is pumped all the way up, Arnold diving save to deny her from 22yds.
Portland is wobbling here early, the seams to attack are there & the energy isn't.
Portland is wobbling here early, the seams to attack are there & the energy isn't.
November 15, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Croix Bethune is pumped all the way up, Arnold diving save to deny her from 22yds.
Portland is wobbling here early, the seams to attack are there & the energy isn't.
Portland is wobbling here early, the seams to attack are there & the energy isn't.