Match Day 46
Five things from the world of footy that caught the eye this week...
1. Ticket Punched!
As of this past Tuesday, all but six of the 48 World Cup spots have been claimed. We’ll dive deeper into the full picture another time, but for now, I want to highlight the four first-time qualifiers:
Uzbekistan is a testament to what long-term investment in youth football can accomplish when done with intention. They’re the first Central Asian nation to ever qualify, and their strong showings in youth tournaments prove they’re no pushovers.
Jordan joins the party as runners-up of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup — their regional tournament, similar in structure to the Gold Cup (CONCACAF) or Copa América (CONMEBOL).
Cape Verde, a small Atlantic archipelago off the coast of West Africa with a population around 600,000, is officially on the world stage. For context, that’s roughly the size of Las Vegas’ population in 2024 (678,922). The “Blue Sharks” are sure to bring energy to North America and will be hoping for a favorable group draw.
Curaçao becomes the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup. The Caribbean country, with a population of roughly 156,000, leaned heavily on Dutch support to rebuild its national team. A draw against Jamaica sealed their spot — and sent Jamaica to the intercontinental playoff.
Seeing these stories has made me realize that some of the more developed football nations might just take this World Cup stuff for granted. Look at it what it means to the people from these first time nations. That is the true beauty of the World Cup, not the capitalistic gains, but the people. Their stories, their passion, and the way they find identity within their team, regardless of how they perform on the world stage.
2. Urgent Attention Required
TL;DR:
The NWSL is hitting a tipping point. With a full USWNT-caliber squad now playing abroad and Trinity Rodman, the league’s biggest star, free to walk, the league is staring down a crisis of its own making. Salary caps, slow adjustments, and rising global market competition mean Trinity’s next move will be more than a transfer decision — it’ll be the moment that defines whether the NWSL evolves or gets left behind.
I’ve talked before about the Messi effect and the impact he had when he arrived in MLS. I’ve also shared how Heung-Min Son joining Los Angeles Football Club shifted culture in a major way.
But in the NWSL, we’re seeing the opposite happen — and if the league doesn’t address it urgently, the repercussions could be serious. Let’s dive deeper.
First, here’s the context (absurd as it sounds): these are the players currently abroad who are part of the USWNT or who’ve been recently called up by Emma Hayes:
Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC), Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal), Lindsey Heaps (Lyon), Lily Yohannes (Lyon), Korbin Shrader (Lyon), Crystal Dunn (PSG), Eva Gaetino (PSG), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
That’s 12 players. Honestly, a hell of a starting XI too.
Second, as you’ve probably seen, Trinity Rodman is making headlines for her second straight NWSL Final and potentially her second championship in five years. But the other big headline is that her contract is expiring. “Where will Trin play next year?” is the question everyone’s asking. The Southern California native candidly said she doesn’t know and is focused on winning Saturday — fair. But how did we get here? How did the Washington Spirit and the NWSL allow arguably the league’s biggest star to reach the end of her contract and walk away for free?
So here’s the real question: Is the league — looking at you, Jessica Berman (commissioner) — going to let Trinity walk? Or is the league ready to confront one of the biggest self-inflicted wounds the NWSL has created?
For those saying “just pay her,” it’s not that simple. Per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NWSL salary cap stays in place until at least 2030. The cap will rise from the 2025 number of $3.3 million to a base of $5.1 million by 2030.
Losing Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea in January should’ve been a wake-up call. Whether through ignorance or arrogance, it wasn’t treated as one. Will Trinity being free to leave finally spark that urgency?
On top of that, the NWSL should be alarmed that its parallel Division I competitor — The Gainsbridge Super League — reportedly offered Trinity a contract far beyond what the NWSL can provide. And it’s another team in the same DC market. Will she actually jump leagues within the U.S.? Probably not. But if that isn’t a warning sign, it’s only a matter of time before this often-dismissed competitor becomes a real threat.
Bottom line: The NWSL is at a critical crossroads. Too many top U.S. players, including a full-strength USWNT core, are already abroad, and another is on the verge of leaving for free because of structural issues the league has failed to address. You can’t be the best league if you can’t keep your talent.
All I know is Trin holds immense power in this moment. Her decision will shape the near future and the long-term trajectory of the NWSL.
3. Delivery For Shaw
On NWSL final eve, The Shoe Surgeon pulled up and delivered a hell of a custom samba to Gotham FC’s Jaedyn Shaw.
The sneaker is complied of real panels from the world cup ball, Trionda, on an Adidas silhouette, the Samba and is in collaboration with Dicks Sporting Goods. The Sambas are extremely limited and are only available via a giveaway on the Dicks Sporting Goods app.
4. Shared Stadium, Divided City
One of the biggest rivalries in football goes down this weekend — this time in Serie A — with Internazionale Milan (Inter Milan, or simply Inter) facing AC Milan (often just Milan). This matchup is widely known as the Derby della Madonnina.
The name comes from the statue of the Virgin Mary perched at the top the Duomo in Milan, one of the city’s most revered symbols. It is affectionately referred to as the Madonnina.
As for the football: Inter sit at the top of the table, with Milan two points behind in third. This derby is especially intriguing because it’s historically balanced and fiercely competitive. The rivals have met 244 times across all competitions: Inter have 91 wins, Milan have 82, and 71 have ended in draws. In true derby fashion, two of the last three meetings finished 1-1.
Inter enter the match with a slight edge, but Milan haven’t lost in five meetings. As we know in football, derbies are more than just three points. Form rarely tells the full story of the theater the San Siro will witness on Sunday.
Will you be watching? Which Milanese side do you support?
5. More New Threads
It’s the end of November, and the 3rd kits and 4th kits keep coming! This week Versailles FC from the Championnat National (3rd tier in French football), and FC Barcelona blessed us with stunning 3rd and 4th kits.
For Barcelona the story attached didn’t really connect, but the kit in my eyes is the best of the 4 drops this season. (@) me!
There is something aesthetically pleasing. From the color selection and the way it seemingly has an artsy nod, hence the tagline used with the drop, “Football is Art.” It’s unmistakably Barça, while being fun and providing a twist. It wouldn’t work as the primary kit, but it isn’t. So miss me with all the uptightness. (lol)
Kappa and FC Versailles dropped what they are calling a two part 3rd kit or a Dual-Identity. Or better yet, they are back on their regal wave, and the new third-kit duo makes sure their royalty isn’t forgotten.
The first shirt is pure elegance. It’s clean, dignified, and detailed with a faint architectural pattern that nods to the symmetry of the Palace of Versailles. Paired with refined “Versailles” lettering, it’s basically football couture.
The second of the dual identity kits turns it up a little louder. It has a bold navy stripe running straight down the middle, framed in white and stacked with three symbols: the fleur-de-lys, a sun motif for the city’s royal roots, and Kappa’s iconic “banda omini” down the sleeves. It has the retro nods that make it trendy and street wear-esque, and the lean into the long sleeve hype ensure it will fully stand out way beyond match day.
I don’t know about you, but I need it.