Give N’ Go Episode 72 Rundown: NWSL Recap and Chatting with Lisa Cole

May 3, 2024
By Rohtas Wadera

Episode 72 features a special interview with Lisa Cole, the technical advisor for Zambia, whom she helped reach their first-ever World Cup. Cole speaks on how to build international programs from the ground up and gives insight into just how good players like Barbara Banda and Rachael Kundananji are. Host Rohtas Wadera also touches on the recent matches from the NWSL, the Women’s Champions League Semifinals first leg, and the FA WSL drama with Lauren James and her teammates. Download Give N’ Go wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Intro: 0:00-2:45

SheBelieves Cup: 2:45-8:00

The USWNT were incredible and fought back when faced with adversity; they’re showing the resolve of Champions. They allowed a goal within the first minute of the semifinal with Japan and roared back to win the game 2-1 and the younger generation of players are learning how to win and play together as well. Jaedyn Shaw and Trinity Rodman are growing exponentially and are going to be stars for a long time. Alyssa Naeher’s making and saving penalties is incredible, and they don’t win the Cup without her; it’s as if that World Cup penalty that barely went over the line changed something in her, and she’s set a new standard for goalkeepers at the national team level.

NWSL Recap

Kansas City Current 8:00-11:00

Temwa Chawinga and Bea Zaneratto are running rampant. Both scored braces, and both are setting the league on fire for the Kansas City Current. More game tape is coming out on how to stop them, but right now, if the rest of the league isn’t careful, KC is going to run away with the Shield. Like I said, Vlatko Andonovski is back with a vengeance. Plus, their new stadium is becoming a fortress and a tough place for them to lose.

Angel City 11:00-11:31

Angel City was able to get back on track with a huge win over North Carolina; Claire Emsile has been incredible; she’s been on fire and will be Angel City’s best player this season.

Portland Thorns 11:32-12:00

Thorns are off to their worst start ever, which prompted Mike Norris to be moved to a technical role as they look for a new head coach. They finally got a win at home, dispatching Houston with no problem and they should be getting back on track.

San Diego Wave 12:05-13:43

Maria Sanchez requested a trade and is heading to San Diego to join a loaded team despite signing one of the biggest contracts with the Houston Dash. Contracts and money could become an issue for the Wave down the line, but Sanchez’s addition helps the Wave tremendously.

Angel City letting players walk 13:45-16:37

Angel City didn’t have the money to make the move as they gave away Paige Niesen and Amandine Henry for money and didn’t get much else in return. The development of the young players will decide how this team does in the future.

Washington Spirit 16:40-18:15

Washington Spirit is for real, I was wrong about them being a playoff team, but I was not wrong about Croix Bethune, and she’s a star who cannot stop scoring. The defending champs came to town, and it wasn’t even close; the Spirit were dominant in a 2-0 victory

Racing Louisville 18:16-19:06

Louisville was dominant at home again, and Lynn Family Stadium is going to be a tough place to play. Reilyn Turner scored her first career goal, and DeMelo with a brace. They’re going to always be a strong home team, which will give them a chance to make the playoffs.

Orlando Pride 19:07-20:23

Orlando is keeping the good times rolling. What a season Summer Yates is having. A former star at the University of Washington, she is taking her chances in and around the box. The standings look flipped from what I would’ve expected, with the Reign, Thorns, and Wave all out of the playoff spots and the Spirit and Red Stars looking great early on.

Chicago Red Stars 20:24-23:47

Mallory Swanson might have come back even faster from her injury as teams are afraid of her completely. Easy counter-attacking goals saw them beat the Reign 2-1, who continue to have issues finishing off their chances. Seattle put the most crosses into the box and have converted the least; that’s not going to cut it, especially with Pinoe gone. They keep falling behind and having to play out of deficits, but the talent remains.

Lisa Cole Interview 24:27-35:50

The technical advisor for the Zambia National Team, helped them reach their first-ever World Cup and has worked with current NWSL stars like Barbara Banda and Rachael Kundananji. Cole talks about what it takes to be a coach and leader at the highest level, along with the ups and downs of it all.

Lauren James’s competitiveness spilling over and her inability to control her emotions will impact her career 35:51-41:50

Lauren James has dealt with a lot of abuse compared to other players, in all likelihood because she’s black. Millie Turner posted a picture of Lauren James putting her in a headlock when they were former teammates at Manchester United, James unfollowed her and another teammate on Instagram.

Women’s Champions League Semifinals 41:51-45:07

Chelsea manage to shutout Barca in the first leg

Lyon’s epic first-leg comeback coming down from 2-0 down to win 3-2 over French rival PSG with less than 20 minutes to go

Outro: 45:08-End