@casconearianna.bsky.social
Neuroscience PhD-turned data engineer | all things #NWSL for American Soccer Analysis, Equalizer Soccer, and ESPN // formerly Backheeled | Vassar + UNC-CH alumna | she/her
@casconearianna.bsky.socialA better question may be: how many of these matches did you want to catch but couldn’t, because there was no accessible way to watch?
@equalizersoccer.bsky.socialReposted by @casconearianna.bsky.socialWhat can we take away from the #USWNT's 2-2 draw against Spain on Tuesday? @casconearianna.bsky.social breaks down the ongoing lineup tinkering, major lingering defensive issues, and how the team thrives when playing direct in attack.
@casconearianna.bsky.socialIt's interesting to see Emma Hayes still experimenting with line-ups, substitutions, and combinations of players. At what point does that change with the World Cup looming?
@casconearianna.bsky.socialMal Swanson just scored an absolute banger of a goal off a Michelle Cooper assist to pull the USWNT level with Spain 2-2 with three minutes (+ stoppage) to play
@casconearianna.bsky.socialAshley Sanchez makes it 2-1 for the USWNT A weird (?) transitional goal for the U.S., but a goal nonetheless. Sanchez collected an over-struck pass, dribbled into the 18, stutter stepped, and found the back of the net Game on?
@jeffkassouf.bsky.socialReposted by @casconearianna.bsky.socialHALFTIME: #USWNT 0, Spain 2
(Again)
A pair of defensive mistakes for the U.S., and very little created offensively. Spain weathered the opening 10 minutes just fine, lulled the game back in their favor with possession, and executed when presented with U.S. mistakes.
@jeffkassouf.bsky.socialReposted by @casconearianna.bsky.socialWell, the opening few minutes were better for the #USWNT, but they are 2-0 down to Spain again here in the first half after a pair of defensive breakdowns. Slow (no) rotation on the first goal conceded, and then a dangerous giveway from Tullis-Joyce on a relatively innocuous play. Details.
@casconearianna.bsky.socialRough distribution from the back from Phallon Tullis-Joyce for the USWNT that ended with a defensive lapse - with Tierna Davidson seemingly caught flat-footed - and a score for Spain 2-0 with just under 15 minutes to go until halftime
@casconearianna.bsky.socialThe USWNT is finding success down the left flank today. How long will it take Spain to figure this out? And if they do - will the USWNT adjust? Things to keep an eye on for the next ~25 mins of this half
@optajack.optajoe.comReposted by @casconearianna.bsky.social78.8 - Following its win at Seattle on Friday, @nccourage.com's playoffs chances increased from 47.7 percent to 78.8 percent, according to the Opta Predictor.
Leap.
@casconearianna.bsky.socialThis is awesome! Go Joe!!
@jeffkassouf.bsky.socialReposted by @casconearianna.bsky.socialIf you want to go down a rabbit hole on how early #NWSL teams—and the league itself—got their names and logos, I did a series on it years ago on @equalizersoccer.bsky.social. Start with the Seattle Reign story.
I promise you the NWSL logo silhouette is not who you think it is.
@casconearianna.bsky.socialThis name needs work but the crest is very good
@casconearianna.bsky.socialHate to be that person - and realize this is beside the point - but why do we consistently refer to woman athletes by first name? Would have been better to use either Chawinga’s full name or last name only in the graphic
@casconearianna.bsky.socialThis made me laugh
@casconearianna.bsky.socialIt's not! That is exactly my point :)
@casconearianna.bsky.socialThere may be talk of how Sanchez tied Chawinga's record, but there are more regular-season games now vs. in 2024 Of note... Chawinga scored 20 goals in 2,142 minutes in 2024. Sanchez has scored 20 goals in 2,173 minutes (so far) this season
@casconearianna.bsky.socialGoal #20 for Ashley Sanchez is scored from the spot North Carolina pulled level with Utah 1-1 with a whole half and change to play. Game on
@optajack.optajoe.comReposted by @casconearianna.bsky.social3/3 - @thekccurrent.bsky.social's Haley Hopkins is the third player in #NWSL history to score a regular-season hat-trick on just three shot attempts after Jazmine Reeves in 2014 and Ludmila in 2025.
Efficient.
@casconearianna.bsky.socialDenver looked great for maybe 30 minutes of this game. And then Kansas City…took over? Three unanswered for the Current, whose 29-game home unbeaten streak looks poised to hit the 30 mark in just over a half over
