01x01 - Chaos League

[bunniefuu]

[Seb] Anyone who
was here last year,

you know had their heartbreak
on the last game of the season.

But I think that was a blessing.

I think this has
prepared you for today.

I think it wasn't our time
last year, but today, it is.

[announcer] The 2024 NWSL final

at CPKC Stadium in
Kansas City tonight

will bring a historic season

of American women's
football to a close.

[Seb] I said it every
game, you have to earn it.

No one's giving you
f*ck-all this year.

You've earned
every moment of it.

We are not the underdogs.

Be arrogant. Be confident. Push your
shoulders out, go onto the field

and f*cking own it.

[serious piano music]

[announcer 2] This is the
first-ever NWSL Championship

where both finalists
weren't even

in the playoffs a year ago.

[Roger] This NWSL season is just

absolutely glut of young,
raw, ferocious talent

that you watch and you
cannot wait to see.

Their journeys are
just beginning.

[Trinity] So many of us are
reaching out for the baton.

We're like, "Yes,
give it to me."

[commentator 1] Mighty
Marta, who is banging form

at the age of 38 and the sixth
time FIFA world player of the year.

[commentator 2] Yeah,
what a legend she is.

The best women's
soccer player ever.

I've been waiting
for this for so long.

[announcer 3] It's
the top two teams

in the NWSL table
going head-to-head

for the first time since 2019.

- How do you see it going?
- [player] It's a freaking final.

Nothing else matters.

[Trinity] Every single
tackle, every celebration,

celebrate every single
thing on the field,

goal lines, goal kicks,
corners, everything, let's go.

[all] Let's go!

Let's do this, five minutes
five minutes let's go!

[Hal] "Spirit" on three.
One, two, three...

[all] Spirit!

["Left Hand Free" by alt-J]

[Trinity] The NWSL is the
National Women's Soccer League.

- [announcer] Chawinga!
- [Ashley] I think the NWSL is

the most competitive
league in the world.

[announcer 2] And
it is in! Marta!

[crowd cheering]

[commentator] Allison! A star!

[announcer cheers]

[announcer 1] Here come the
Current, and they score!

[announcer 2] Marta!

I'll leave everything on the
field, but I want this title.

- [announcer 1] Let's go!
- [athlete] Let's go!

Playoffs is terrifying.

[announcer 1] Well,
that's not good.

Every single game is
gonna be a battle.

[announcer 2] Tough
challenge, tempers flare.

[Hal] I knew it was
gonna be intense.

I obviously didn't
know how intense.

[Meredith] Big players
step up in big moments,

but when the pressure's on
like, it's win or go home.

You either crumble under
that pressure, or you thrive.

[announcer] The equalizer
in stoppage time!

[Roger] The regular
season, you have 14 teams.

They're playing for seedings
to be one of the top eight.

Those top eight
enter the playoffs.

Where it is single
elimination, one game,

quarterfinals, semifinals,

and then the one
for all the marbles.

[announcer] The seventh
minute of stoppage time...

The playoffs, I mean,
anything could happen,

that's what's fun
about a playoff.

["Left Hand Free"
by alt-J continues]

[announcer] Their
season-ending...

For most, it's over almost
before it even started.

[announcer] Goal!

[Roger] The NWSL is the greatest
telenovela in women's sports.

You see laughter, joy,
failure, tenacity,

and then, a couple of times
a game, if you're lucky,

you see the transcendence of
the human spirit reveal itself,

and if you're not for that,
then you have no other point.

[announcer] Time has run out.

[indistinct chatter]

[Seb] What's up? What's
up? What's up? What's up?

What's up? What's up? What's up?

f*cking side stepping
here. [laughs]

All right, guys,
evening. Let's go, okay?

First 20 minutes, get
after them, set a tone.

All the work you've done from the start
of the year comes into play today.

All that running after training

that you've done is for today,
because it's preparation.

This will be a physical game.

They are physical,
they are fast,

they are aggressive,
but so are you.

So, be ready for that. All
right? Let's go, come on.

[commentator] Perhaps a
history-making day, today

at Inter&Co Stadium, the
unbeaten Orlando Pride

will play for the NWSL Shield

in a one-two match-up against
the Washington Spirit.

[Roger] The shield's a
marker, it's a symbol.

The playoffs lie
ahead, but you have,

and no one can take
this away of you,

you are the team with the
best regular season record.

[Lynn] Orlando last
year, and historically,

has been a terrible team.

The last time they
made playoffs was 2017.

I just can't believe what it must
feel like to be an Orlando Pride fan

dealing with constant
player turnover,

coaching turnover, some
truly disastrous seasons.

[commentator] Orlando
was a doormat.

Never were they really close
to putting anything together.

Fast forward now
to 2024 in Orlando.

[announcer] The Orlando
Pride, so exciting.

[announcer 2] How do
you stop Orlando Pride?

[all] One, two, three, Pride!

First of all, you have Barbra Banda,
who is just an incredible striker.

[announcer] Banda scores!

Who can stop her at the moment?

[announcer 2] A star
is born in Orlando.

Then there's a lot of
Brazilians on the team

who get to play with each
other day in and day out,

are playing with each
other on the national team,

there's that connection there.

[announcer] Adriana plays
it across, shot and a goal!

Angelina!

[announcer 2] Adriana
is just so dangerous.

[Lynn] Seb Hines, their coach, has
obviously done an incredible job.

And then, you have
Marta, who is Marta,

I don't really feel like I have
to say much more than that.

[announcer] Marta
bending it and scoring,

what a goal!

[announcer 2] Oh, she's
a human highlight reel!

[Roger] Marta is the
true icon of the game.

She's six-time
world's best player.

This is a player
that's won it all.

She has a World Cup
runners-up medal.

She has an Olympic,
the silver medals.

The one thing in her career
that she has never won is NWSL.

[players laugh]

[Jordan] Marta, it's your
eighth season here with Orlando.

What would it mean
to you to be able

to lift a shield
in this stadium?

Well it would be
so nice, you know?

We need to have like a
good focus on the game,

like from beginning to the end,

and they know, like
I say, play together.

- Good luck.
- Thank you very much.

Yeah! See you!

[announcer] Perhaps a
history-making day today,

the unbeaten Orlando Pride,

who played for the NWSL
Shield in a one-two match-up

against the Washington Spirit.

Will this Orlando
team add some silver

to an already sterling
and unsullied season?

I always be nervous
before the game,

and then when they
start, I feel so good.

I feel so comfortable,

because that is the
place that I love to be.

I'm feeling good
when my team score

with so many people there.

You know this vibe,
that's why I still play.

[announcer] Maybe
some of the rain,

keeping some of the
crowd away tonight.

But those that are here

could see this team
hoist the trophy.

Marta, step over,
shot! And it's high.

Scoreless at halftime
in this one-two match-up

between Orlando and Washington.

[Seb] All right, guys, you're
k*lling them right now.

You're k*lling them.

Listen, you've done
ten months of work,

Forty-five minutes to be
crowned shield winners.

Forty-five minutes of work, forty-five
minutes of graft and competing.

Okay, you've got them on the
ropes. Take advantage of that.

Go after them. Go
score the f*cking goal.

Let's go, guys, come on.

[team applauds]

[announcer] As the
rain continues to fall

here at Inter&Co Stadium,

and everybody waiting
with bated breath.

Banda runs for it, you'd
think she is onside

and that has got be a
take down, penalty coming.

Barbra Banda creating, and
a yellow card shown for it.

Marta is ready with the
ball at the penalty spot.

[Marta] We train in PK like
almost every single training.

But like, it's the
moment, you know,

like you need to decide

what you're going
to do in the moment.

[announcer] Marta
makes the approach.

And it is in!

Marta gives the Pride a goal!

[announcer 2] You just
couldn't write a better story.

The greatest player
of all-time steps up,

puts it in the back of the
net, and everybody celebrating.

[team cheering]

[Marta] When they
blow the whistle,

there was like a relief.

You know, like, "Yeah,
fantastic, I am the best!"

[announcer] They've kept their
eyes on the prize all season long,

and tonight, for the first
time in club history,

the shield belongs
to the Orlando Pride.

[Kylie] It feels incredible,
I'm gonna get emotional.

We've gone through
so much, this team,

and to have Marta
score the goal,

I mean, you can't write it.

[cheering and applause]

[Marta] This team deserve,
because we show we can do

from the first game
in this season.

So this is for the
team, but for you guys,

who come to the game every
single week, thank you!

[cheering]

[Marta] It's nice, you know, this
still like make me feel so good,

because I've been wait
for this for so long.

Whatever! [laughs]

And you make me cry. Are
you happy now? [laughs]

[Juan] Ready there? You
ready there? Ready, guys?

[indistinct shouting]

[Lynn] I don't necessarily
think winning the shield

automatically means you're
gonna win the playoffs.

And I'm sure Orlando,

every time they go into a
game they're thinking like,

"Yeah, we're gonna
win this game."

'Cause you get on a hot
streak, and it's hard to stop.

But Gotham will be
stopping that. [chuckles]

[whistle blows]

I'm Lynn Williams.

This is my second year
playing for Gotham.

And I have been in
the league since 2015.

So, 17, 18, 19, 20... 10 years.

That sounds crazy.

And that feels like I should
have known that. [chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

I've won three shields

- and four championships.
- [crowd cheers]

[announcer] Oh, they've done
it! Gotham have done it!

[crowd cheers]

[Lynn] Last year, we
won the championship.

- [announcer] Lynn Williams!
- [crowd cheers]

[Roger] Gotham, I mean,
less a football team,

more essentially watching
Avengers assembled in cleats.

- [crowd cheers loudly]
- [fireworks fire]

Ready?

We got two of the goalies, and
then we change for the second set.

[Roger] The defending champions,

they had not just
rested on their laurels.

Yes, they'd won it all, but they
draw thin in the off-season.

And we felt like one massive
announcement after another.

[Jessica] This is a team that
despite winning the championship,

under Juan Carlos Amorós,
has a lot of new players.

This is gonna be a
crazy stacked team

with what they already have.

[Roger] Tierna Davidson, one of
the most intelligent defenders,

Crystal Dunn, she's world-class,
wherever she is on the field.

Emily Sonnett, she came
but she didn't come alone.

Rose Lavelle, possibly the
most natural footballer

America has produced
in her generation.

So you're bringing in a
quartet of superheroes,

but you're laying them on top
of a foundation of winners.

Esther, a clinical striker,

Jenna Nighswonger, defender,

with the ability to
just destroy teams

with her passing and her vision.

And above all, my
favorite, Lynn Williams.

[Tamerra] How is
Gotham going to look

and manage their
superstar squad?

You know, maybe this is
the villain era, you know,

maybe they're gonna
lean into that.

Maybe they're gonna lean
into the super team concept.

[indistinct shouts]

[Roger] Ultimately, it's an
incredible thing that Gotham did.

I've never seen the
like of it before.

That's the flag planting claim
that this is gonna be dynastic.

- [whistle blows]
- Okay, well done, guys. Get a quick drink!

Quick drink!

[traffic din]

- [Lynn] Can I put this here or?
- [Mel] Yes, please.

- I'm Mel.
- Nice to meet you.

Oh, my gosh! Cute!

How cute. So fun.

Oh, my gosh. That's
me. How sweet!

Right now, I'm getting
my hair and makeup done,

'cause we are going to a
fashion presentation with Tarte.

I'm not retiring tomorrow,

but I'm also closer to
the end of my career

than I am at the beginning.

And all these opportunities,

it's more common than it's
ever been in my career.

Especially 'cause in this
league, it was a rocky start.

When I went into college,
there was no league.

So it was either like,
you're gonna go overseas

or you're gonna play
on the national team.

And that's why I think, for
me and people around my age,

it was like national
team request.

Like, 'cause there literally
was no other option.

[crowd cheers loudly]

[Tamerra] The US Women's
National team is the soccer team

that represents the US at
the international level.

So, when you're
watching the World Cup,

when you're watching
the Olympics,

that's the US Women's
National Team.

And so, until the
NWSL arrived in 2013,

the path to success
was a lot more limited.

[whistle blows]

[reporter] With the start of the
National Women's Soccer League

many young pros
will get the chance

to display their talents
in the new A-team league.

[Alex] I mean, I've
been looking forward

to this league since
it was announced.

It's so much easier and
better to improve the game

and for the development of us.

At the beginning of the
league, the infrastructure

and stadiums was not
what it is today.

I'll just tell you, we have
come a long way. Oh, man.

In 2015, I got drafted
to Western New York,

and I was like, "I'm a
professional soccer player now."

And I got there and
for the first year,

I think I cried every day,
basically cried to my mom,

and I was like, "I don't
know if I can do this.

The quality is terrible."

The amount of club or
high school turf fields

that we were playing on,
is in itself, absurd.

You couldn't even
fit in a locker,

and then you would
spill into the bathroom.

My first contract,
I made $12,000,

and then the next year,
I got a raise to $15

and I thought I was rich,
and I was eating like Doritos

- and beans and cheese.
- [crowd cheers]

[Jessica] Over the last few
years, we've seen our league grow

in attendance, in viewership,
in social media following

and engagement.

We have doubled our salary
cap, and so much credit,

maybe even all of the credit,
needs to go to the players.

I'm gonna go look at
that exhibit over there.

Dang, how long do I
have to stand here?

[indistinct chatter]

[Lynn] I'm so proud of
where the league is.

That's not to say that we
don't need to keep pushing.

There still needs to
be more improvement.

There still needs to be
more professionalism,

there still needs to
be more everything.

And it's our job so teammates
and future teammates

never have to go through
what we went through

all the way up until now.

Ready? Come on, let's go.

- [player] Let's go!
- [crowd cheers]

[announcer] With two games
to go in the regular season,

we have a clash of champions
at Red Bull Arena tonight.

With the defending NWSL
Champions Gotham FC

hosting the top team in the
league, the Orlando Pride.

One of our storylines
in this match,

it's the retirement celebration
game for Kelley O'Hara.

- Let's go.
- Gotham on three. One, two, three!

[all] Gotham!

[Roger] NWSL is changing.
NWSL is growing.

Almost an entire generation
is leaving the scene

just as the game is
beginning to sort.

And Kelley O'Hara...

I love winning trophies.

[Roger] I mean,
she's a lead pioneer,

a undisputed league great.

Kelley's retirement celebration
was the last home game

of the season and unfortunately,
Kelley's season-ending injury

didn't allow her to play.

[announcer] Yeah, I'm looking
forward to this one, Jen.

I think it's gonna be a really
good game, good rehearsal

for what we can expect
going into the playoffs.

Kelley O'Hara, unfortunately,
she's not available

for selection, but
it's great to see

so many people coming
out to really pay respect

- and due to a real legend.
- [crowd cheers]

[Kelly exclaims]

Oh, that was sick.

[announcer] First
corner of the match

for either team
bouncing in the area!

- Yes!
- [crowd cheers loudly]

Yes!

[indistinct chatter]

- ...retirement...
- So sick.

That never happens.

No, it doesn't.

Only happens if
we're not playing.

Oh, okay.

Let's go, baby!

Even though me and Kelley never
played together in the NWSL,

we were extremely close
just going through

all of the world championships
and Olympics together.

And then when I had my daughter
in 2020, she was always

kind of the auntie
there from day one.

[laughs joyfully] Hi!

Oh, oh, oh, that's
such a good catch!

[Alex and Kelley exclaiming]

[announcer] Right on target.
It's still in front, look out!

Yeah!

[announcer] We can
feel the energy

from the crowd on this retirement
celebration night for Kelley O'Hara.

[Alex] Just to be there for her
was really important for me,

because you know, I
went through all of that

earlier this year.

[reporter] Massive
breaking news today

as US Women's National
Team legend, Alex Morgan,

has announced her retirement.

When I announced my retirement,
unfortunately happened

pretty much right in
the middle of season.

And I think that there
was a lot of surprise

in it being so immediate.

- Who's this for?
- Baby.

Baby!

[Alex] But I was coming up on
being three months pregnant.

Alex Morgan retiring. Woof.

[announcer] An artist
and her canvas,

Alex Morgan!

[Roger] She always
did it on the field.

Always the goals,
always the winner.

[crowd cheers loudly]

But genuinely, no one has done
more to grow the popularity

of women's football off the
field, than Alex Morgan.

When people see this, I want
them to tune into those games.

I want them to just cheer us on.

[Roger] She became a billboard
for the game, the league,

and herself in equal measure.

And at times, when she
was throwing her head back

drinking tea, after slicing
the English in the World Cup,

it felt like she was vaguely
visible from outer space.

This last moment I share
on the field with you.

- I will cherish forever.
- [woman] We love you!

[crowd cheers loudly]

Kel! Kel!

We have two goals and
they have one goal.

I know!

The good team has
two goals, huh?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Your team has two goals!

- Yeah.
- Whoo, whoo, whoo!

[announcer 1] Orlando really
being challenged tonight

in a way they have
not been all season.

[announcer 2] Do you know
what I'm gonna say, Jen?

This is the NWSL.
This is what happens.

And this is what makes
this league so great,

because literally
anyone can beat anyone.

And I think we're seeing exactly

how the playoffs is not
gonna be a walk-over

for this Orlando Pride team.

So, what's your main
stuff like during the day?

You're just like
working out and then?

Working out.
Podcasting. Podcasting.

- Doing errands, doing all the things.
- Doing errands.

Doing all the things that I
put off for the last 15 years.

I honestly am kind of like,
how do normal people work?

Like, say eight to four,
nine to five or whatever?

And then have
appointments and stuff?

How do they get their hair done?

...cook dinner?

- How do you cook...
- How do you take care of kids?

They can just leave.
They don't have to be.

An eight hour work day
seems far too long.

[laughs]

[announcer] Lavelle
from the corner.

Just the second corner
of the match for Gotham.

The first one wound up as
their first goal of her...

What a touch! Ella Stevens.

- Let's go!
- [crowd cheers loudly]

That was sick!

Yes, Ella!

That was sick!

- Wow. Wow. Wow, wow.
- That was good.

- [whistle blows]
- That was good.

[announcer] Impressive
performance from Gotham.

They're gonna pick
up a victory tonight

as the playoff picture starts
to come a bit more into focus.

[Roger] This is the
best of times for NWSL.

[crowd cheering]

But this is also a
time of transition.

Too many of the names that have
driven its dizzying growth,

Kelley O'Hara, Megan Rapinoe, Alex
Morgan, they are all retiring.

And so, this moment is not
without its challenges.

♪ Thank you Kelley ♪

♪ Thank you Kelley ♪

It does feel like it's
the end of an era, but,

you know, all good
things come to an end.

- [player] One, two, three!
- [all] Kelley!

[Roger] For NWSL, it's
really a moment of challenge

and a moment of opportunity.

The wave of young talent,
the players, are there.

When you think about the
players who are coming up now,

Alyssa Thompson, her
younger sister, Gisele,

Croix Bethune, wasted no
time breaking records.

Jaedyn Shaw entered the league
when she was a teenager,

plays well beyond her years.

And, as the game
changes, who's gonna be

the next Alex Morgan or who
will the next Kelley O'Hara be?

[announcer] Chance
here for Rodman?

Oh, Rodman, Rodman!

Minutes into her debut
scores for the Spirit!

It's a magical start to
her professional career.

[Roger] Trinity Rodman, someone the
like of which I've not met before.

She's the ultimate
player of big moments,

and her personality only
makes you adore her more.

[crowd cheering]

She's vivacious, she
has very little filter,

she is so unbelievably
authentic.

♪ It's the chill, yeah ♪

♪ Gonna hit, yeah ♪

[announcer] Bethune, now by
Rodman, Rodman off the post and in!

The first shot of the game!

[announcer 2] Reverse back heel.

Just incredible, look at this!

[announcer 3] You just
cannot stop Trinity Rodman!

Night-night, put it to bed!

[announcer 4] Trinity
Rodman, it's still Rodman!

Can she finish?
Of course she can!

♪ You're no other one ♪

Her rookie year, I do remember
her being a little shy,

a little nervous.

♪ I think I'm 'bout to blow ♪

[Ashley] But I feel like as
she continued to find her feet

in this league, she just took
off like a rocket, honestly.

♪ Like I'm a volcano ♪

[announcer] Rodman
off the post and in!

♪ I think I'm 'bout to blow ♪

[announcer 2] Rodman inside,
the shot on goal, Rodman!

♪ Oh, oh ♪

[announcer 3] The
shot and a goal!

Rodman!

[Trinity] The first memory
I ever had on the field

was losing for the first time.

Everyone else was there
for fun. I wasn't.

And I think that's when I knew
I was gonna be a sports girl,

is, like, how horrible
I felt after losing.

So the passion I had at four
years old was kind of insane.

[interviewer] Where do
you think that comes from?

I mean, genetics. [laughs]

[announcer] Rodman battling
for the rebound, saving it in.

You could say that athletic
prowess is maybe in her genes.

Her father is, of course,
Dennis Rodman, former NBA star

with the Chicago Bulls whose
style, whose flamboyance

was just as iconic as what Trinity
is sort of building for herself now.

- [girls screaming]
- Trinity!

[Trinity] My dad obviously
showed all types of sides to him,

the passion side and
the competitiveness.

[announcer] And the hard
hit by Dennis Rodman.

[announcer 2] Vlade
and Rodman going at it.

[announcer 3] Let's see if they
throw Rodman out of the game.

♪ Like I'm a volcano ♪

[Trinity] I feel like I channel my
inner Dennis Rodman on the field.

It's not only the way that
I play, it's the movements.

The way that I, like,
flare my nostrils

when I'm mad at the refs, like,

just little characteristics,
I'm, like, "Oh, my gosh."

♪ Go, Trinity Rodman ♪

♪ Go, Trinity Rodman ♪

[announcer] Now
you've just awakened

the beast that is
inside Trinity Rodman.

[announcer 2] This type of player
on fire, on flames, on smoke.

- Ref, hello?
- [announcer] And to be honest,

how impressive.

It's, like, crazy to
see someone in yourself

that you don't even talk to.

It's bizarre.

[somber music]

I don't have an issue talking
about it, like, it's reality

that he hasn't really
been a part of my life.

That it's a struggle not
having a father figure.

A lot of people don't see
it as a human thing, like,

that I have to deal
with it as a daughter.

It's a silly question, it's
like, "Was your dad at the game?"

I don't know! [laughs]
I haven't talked to him.

Was my mom at the game?

Yeah, she was and
she was the one

that gave me a
hug after winning.

I don't know, growing
up wasn't easy,

and I think the location
of where we were growing up

in Orange County, it
was a very wealthy area,

and we did not have that
when we lived there.

It was difficult for us
as a family to kind of,

I don't know, stay
afloat, in a sense.

My mom did it by herself.

Me and my mom, I don't
even know what to say.

Like, me and my mom
will forever be close.

She just does everything for me

and she is my number one
supporter through it all.

- [crowd cheering]
- Hi, Mama!

[Mom] Hi, baby!

[Trinity] Everyone thinks that
I'm, like, fast 'cause of my dad

and I, like, correct people.

I'm like, "No, my mom
was the fast one."

But my dad was athletic as hell.

I'm quick and I'm fast because of my
mom, so I just wanna shout that out.

I'll give him all
the other stuff.

With the second pick,
the Washington Spirit

select Trinity Rodman.

[Trinity] When I got drafted
to DC I was thinking,

"I've never been to DC,
oh, this is gonna be fun."

[laughs] So, my mom
had come with me

and stayed with me
for over a month.

I think the scariest part
was building relationships

at 18 years old.

That was like, these are grown women
that have already known each other,

already played in the league,
and now I'm trying to, like,

make friends and
understand this world.

[Jonatan muttering]

Okay, youngest
two in the middle.

[Trinity] Yay!

Oh, oh!

- sh*t!
- Why? Go off!

[Trinity] It's crazy, but
this will be my fourth year,

and I'm still younger
than the rookies.

[Jonatan] Trin, who
will start there?

[Trinity] I will start.

I feel like I've done a good
job to figure out the balance

of the leadership role

and also the learning,
developing role,

so it's been difficult, but
I still have a lot to learn.

[team yelling]

- Gosh, finally! f*ck!
- [Jonatan] Last one, last one.

So, I think we know exactly
what we have to do this week,

and we are f*cking
ready, guys. Good work.

[team whooping]

[Trinity] Spirit on
three, one, two, three!

- [all] Spirit!
- [Coach imitating dog]

[Tamerra] The Washington
Spirit this season,

along with the Orlando Pride...

[all] Pride!

[Tamerra] Gotham FC,
and Kansas City Current

were pretty far and away the
top four teams in the league,

but that still means that
there were four spots remaining

to make it into the playoffs

and that is where we saw the
traditional unpredictability

that makes this league
so irresistible.

Because the fight in
the middle of the table

was pretty rabid, and it lasted
until the final day of the season.

[intense music ends]

[KC] You guys
ready to take an L?

Loser gets no dinner tonight.

How about we just see who
can win without cheating?

[Bella] I don't cheat,
I don't need to cheat.

- Exactly, bud.
- What is one word...

My name's Olivia Moultrie,
I'm 19 years old,

I play for the Portland
Thorns, and I'm a midfielder.

Maybe I should have
shuffled these cards more.

- Wow, this is horrendous.
- Bad, bad.

[Olivia] My family is very
competitive, so, like,

that was an environment I
thrived in and grew up in.

[KC] That's suspicious, huh?

- What do you mean, suspicious?
- Deal the cards,

crappy cards, I'm
phasing, I-I...

I literally... I literally
didn't phase last round.

[KC] No, no trust.

- I'm not gonna say it, so...
- That's crazy.

My family has been an
enormous part of my journey.

Like, at the start, it was
figuring out my school schedule,

taking me out early, driving
really far, being willing

to commute to places
that were far away.

You know, my dad working
in the car all the time

because we would just be on
the road to training sessions.

And then, the biggest change
being when I was able to move

to Portland, my entire
family came with me.

[announcer] It's time for a
historic NWSL substitution.

It's 15-year-old Olivia
Moultrie to make her NWSL debut.

And with that, a new era begins

in the National
Women's Soccer League.

[Olivia] I was so excited,
like, the ref's, like,

telling me to wait, and I'm
like, "Okay, like, can I go?"

[announcer] And she
wants to get out there.

[Olivia] I couldn't even
feel my body. I was euphoric.

Hearing the crowd
in the stadium,

I was just, like, "Oh, my
gosh, this is so cool!"

[announcer] Smith trying to make
something happen, off to Moultrie!

She's got it! The youngest
player to score in the NWSL.

[Tamerra] When I think
about a city like Portland

and a club like the
Thorns, I think,

for a player like Olivia Moultrie
to begin her career there,

and then you add in the
leadership and the mentorship

that she was able to
receive from veterans

like Christine Sinclair,
Becky Sauerbrunn.

It's just the legacy of the club. It's
hard to think of a better pairing.

- [Olivia laughs]
- Bruh!

[KC] Are you on two or three?

- [laughs] Take that!
- Freakin' shuffle it!

- [Bella] I had three twelves.
- Count all your cards.

- This is embarrassing.
- I had three twelves.

Portland have been the gold
standard, not just for NWSL,

but for every team in
every league, globally.

The culture, the
tradition of winning.

[announcer] The first NWSL
Championship to Portland!

[announcer 2] The Portland
Thorns win the NWSL Championship!

[announcer 3] Portland,
once again rise to the top

of the National
Women's Soccer League,

winning their record
third NWSL Championship.

[Roger] When you watch
a Portland Thorns game,

you just wanna leap through
the television screen

and be part of that
absolute dizziness.

[announcer] Wow. It's
pulsating in this building now.

[announcer 2] And this place
is just electric right now.

[Roger] But this is also
a time of transition,

new ownership finding their
way, managers changing.

[announcer] Between
four straight losses,

it really has been a mixed
season for the Thorns.

[Tamerra] They have
struggled this season.

There were games where they
looked completely out of sorts,

unrecognizable, tons
of question marks.

[announcer] Sophia Smith,
she has been battling

through an ankle injury
throughout, really,

a lot of this season.

And Portland now a
little bit in desperation

for the last three games and
where they're gonna get points.

And yet, because
they have players

like Christine Sinclair,
Becky Sauerbrunn,

they still manage to make
it into the playoffs,

even with the difficulties
that they faced this season.

[announcer] The Thorns had
to have it and they do.

A three-nothing
win for Portland.

They're into the postseason.

[player] Get it flick, let's go!

[announcer] NWSL
playoff bracket is set.

Quarterfinals kickoff
on Friday, November 8th,

8:00 PM Eastern with Gotham FC

hosting the Portland Thorns.

[engine rumbling]

Portland, just a solid team.

I think they're gonna be a
hard team to beat, definitely.

At the end of the day, you
wanna be hitting your stride

and peaking into playoffs.

But, playoffs is a
whole different beast,

so I'm not counting anybody out.

This year, we didn't
start too hot as a team.

There are some games
where I'm like,

"Holy sh*t, we're really good and
what the hell, nobody can touch us."

And then there's other
times where I'm like, "Ah."

Because when this happens,
there is a massive hole here

if they jump on her, and we
are able to find those spaces.

[Lynn] We have had so
many new players come in.

So, when you're
bringing in six players

who are gonna be
playing big minutes,

it just takes a second to learn

what everybody's tendencies
are, what they like to do.

This is the moment
where we need, Bru,

get the ball there, how you were,
yes, Jess, go where you were.

[Lynn] My mentality
is, like, take the game

in front of you and don't
think about the championship,

don't think about the
next game at hand.

Because when you start thinking
about those things, then you misstep.

[Juan] Okay, well done,
guys, get a quick drink.

[Lynn] I think that
playoffs is just, like,

a whole different game, like,
a whole different mentality.

Can people perform at the
right time to make sure

that your season isn't over?

- [player] Just play?
- [player 2] Oh, yeah!

[teammates chattering]

[Olivia] We're playing
Gotham FC tomorrow.

They're a very good team.

The chance of three more games

to then be an NWSL Champion
is absolutely, like, the thing

that's, like, just running
through my veins right now,

like, it's just so exciting.

Mallie and Gabby are gonna
split the left back row.

Nicole, right, Isa, I've
got Hirsty dropping in

alongside you,
make that shift...

[Olivia] Absolutely
we're playing for Sinc

and I know the
team 100% are like,

"We are so rallied
behind her to try

to give her three more games."

So if it's the two
center-backs, Sinc presses this.

If they switch, we'll
come and we'll shift

as we would normally.

- Okay, we good? Play!
- [Roger] Christine Sinclair,

one of the greatest
to ever play the game.

This was her last hurrah.

She knew going into this, this
could be the last 90 minutes

of professional football
she would ever play.

[Olivia] To just, like,
get to this point, like,

it's kind of like a clean slate.

[Rob] Good, love that.

[Olivia] All we have to focus
on right now is tomorrow

and taking care of business.

Energy was good.

I think we're in a
really good space, okay?

This is a team that
we can get after.

We will hurt this team, okay?

100% commitment, 100%
belief that we continue on,

keep our season
going, put them out.

- One, two, three...
- Thorns, yeah!

[Rob] Come on, come on!

[Roger] For Gotham, winning
was expected, but Portland,

you know, perennial
winners in the past,

there's a question mark by it.

Can they step up to
meet the new big dogs

who've come to play in NWSL?

Hey, y'all ready?
You ready to go?

Huh?

[laughing] All right.

Where's your soccer ball?

We gotta get mentally ready for
this big game, playoff game.

If you win, you keep playing.
If we lose, the season's over.

Fired up for the game? What
do you expect is gonna happen?

Um, I want Lynn Williams to
score a goal and win the game.

Yes, I like that. It
sounds like a good one.

Lynn scores a lot of goals. What
about a hat-trick by Lynn Williams?

She can get three goals, you
think? Would you take that?

Yeah.

Yeah, I think that
sounds better, right?

The fact that Gotham is
right here in my backyard,

not far away where
get to go to the games

and when the opportunity came

to be a minority owner of
it, I, you know, jumped at it

just because I thought
it was just very cool

and a great opportunity,

and for giving the
opportunity for my kids to go

to a practice or go to games

or get to meet
some of the players

and for some of these, you know,

players to be role
models for my kids.

My kids, with my girls at least,

I was still playing
for the Giants.

We brought 'em down
to training camp,

and they didn't seem as
interested in meeting

Odell Beckham and Saquon
Barkley and some of those stars.

But when I told them
about the opportunity

to go to a Gotham,
you know, soccer game

or go to a practice,
they were so fired up.

Last year, we were the sixth
seed going into the playoffs,

not expecting much, and
just went on a tear.

You definitely want to be
playing your best at the end

of the season and I feel like
that is what we're doing.

I feel like we're coming into
the playoffs very confident.

All right, here we go.

I already hear it.

Did you hear the soccer?

[announcer] Red Bull Arena, site
of today's NWSL Quarterfinal.

Home of the defending
NWSL Champs,

taking on a Portland Thorn side

that is empowered
by the fully loaded

and finally healthy
starting lineup.

What's up, Coach? How
are you? Good to see you.

- Hello, guys.
- Want to give coach a high five?

- Give him five. There you go.
- Good to see you guys.

Good luck today.

[Rob] Nobody else
outside this locker room

but our friends and
family believe in us.

Odds are against all of us.

That's what people
outside believe,

because they don't know how
strong you are together.

So, collectively today,
go out and show everybody.

Side to side, front
to back, 27 strong.

Let's go and snap 'em.
Knock 'em off their perch.

Let's f*cking go and keep
our season going. Come on.

[announcer] The
defending champs ready

to kick off from Red Bull Arena.

[whistle blows]

First-ever home playoff
game for Gotham FC.

[Rob] Listen up!

[announcer] Gotham, though,
still in possession,

putting it into the box
and toward their attack.

[Juan] On the attack.
Yes, you can go.

[announcer] Ball on the
ground. This is the corner.

No inside! No inside!

[announcer] That's
a beautiful ball.

Smith gets around Berger.

All she has to do
is finish it off.

[whistle blows]

And yet, the flag is raised.

Smith can't believe it.

Here comes the free
kick from Portland.

Perhaps the final chance
of the first half.

Top, top of the bar.

[announcer 2] I tell you what, Ella
Stevens is a sigh of relief here,

because it's one of those
ones, you kick your leg

and you just hope it doesn't
go in the back of the net.

Berger does a really good job in
the end trying to see it over.

[announcer 1] Now, the first
half comes to a close, scoreless.

[Juan] This is the moment
where we have to now make sure

that we go at them and
we push and push, okay?

So we just need to make sure
more crosses, more shots,

more aggressive, mix it
up and we go and win it.

Okay? Remember, be honest,
bring the intensity,

remember the signs and
let's go and get them.

Okay? Anything from you
guys? No? You good? No. Yeah.

Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.

[upbeat music plays]

[announcer] A spot in the
semifinal is on the line

- for the winner of this match.
- [whistle blows]

Lynn Williams... will take
the ball... [indistinct]

[announcer 2] Unbelievable
defending from Becky Sauerbrunn.

[announcer 1]
Gotham and Portland,

still scoreless, and a legend

about to leave the
game for the Thorns.

Will Christine Sinclair
have a chance to play again?

Football gives us so many
moments of deep human symbolism.

We saw Christine Sinclair,
one of the greatest

to ever play the game, but
who substituted on for her?

It was really a
beautiful, fitting moment.

It was Olivia Moultrie, really
the future franchise player.

[announcer] Olivia Moultrie,

obviously a Portland
prodigy of sorts.

That symmetry, that beauty, that
poetry. That's what football gives it.

[announcer] Now the
service into the area.

Shot! Score!

Welcome back, Tierna Davidson!

The attacking third
here from Portland.

Yeah! What a move!

Looked to be pushed down
after Carter got beat.

For sure a foul,
and it is a yellow.

Moultrie.

Look at the bend!
Into the goal it goes!

Portland has equalized.

[announcer 2] Really pulled
into the box, Olivia Moultrie.

[announcer 1] That
service was gorgeous.

And it was Reilyn
Turner to do the honors.

What a moment for the
young player, the rookie.

Space...

Thorn's on the attack again.

The volley off the post!

Portland, inches away
from taking the lead.

[announcer 2] Yeah, Olivia
Moultrie's been excellent

since coming into this game.

[announcer 1] So Portland,

playing with a bit
of a pep in the step

after their equalizing goal.

[Roger] Christine
Sinclair on the sideline,

you know her impulse.

She's a warrior. She
wants to help her team.

She wants to score the goal.

That's the only
language she knows,

but she's been subbed
out, she's powerless.

[announcer 1] But
here comes Sheehan.

Ryan is open if Sheehan
can get in there.

Lavelle! Goal!

[announcer 2] That's exactly
what this Gotham FC team can do,

and it's Rose Lavelle
that calmly sneaks in.

Olivia Moultrie does her best.

Shelby Hogan does her best.

Rose Lavelle does excellent to
put it in the back of the net.

[announcer 1] Christine
Sinclair can only watch.

Now, you can celebrate, Gotham.

The defending champs,
stay alive as they move on

to the semifinals.

[upbeat orchestral music]

[announcer 2]
Disappointment, commiseration

for this Portland Thorns team.

It was always going
to be difficult

against this Gotham FC team
at home. Home field advantage.

The fans, the crowd came
in out in their numbers.

They are the defending champions

and I think they
showed why in the end.

[Christine] The competitor
in me hates losing,

so that's all I feel right
now is that, you know,

we played pretty well tonight.

Hit the post. The game
could have gone either way.

[Lynn] To be able to
play our first home game

in front of our crowd,
in front of supporters

who have been supporting us
when we weren't the best.

And now that we are going
in the right direction

of winning games,
it's really cool that

we can give that to
them, and also for them

to give their energy to us in
return. It's been really awesome.

[Roger] Football, like politics,
don't always understand

what you've just seen, but
the one thing sure as heck

you are gonna do is just
bolt on an explanation

that sounds so rational.

So, who scored for Gotham?

Tierna Davidson
and Rose Lavelle.

Two of the four new heroes.

So wow, that is great
vindication for Gotham's GM.

That's why we brought those
players in for Gotham's Manager.

That's why I started
who I started.

Gotham gets to go again

and we'll see if the strategy
works in the next one.

♪ Sha, la, la, la ♪

For you!

[Mike] Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to the
2024 NWSL playoffs.

It's going to be an epic week.

[commentator] Anything can happen.
It's the playoffs, and we love it.

[Roger] Chicago Red Stars
traveling to Orlando Pride.

[Ally] Orlando, you're the
ones everybody's chasing after,

and so let's go in there
and wreck it, then.

[announcer] Barbra Banda!

[player] No!

[Meredith] Maybe
someone will be offside.

[Meredith] We just
landed in Kansas City.

Careful what you wish for.

[Kayla] When the crowd is loud,

it creates chaos. You
don't wanna be here.

Let's go!

You know, in order to bring a
championship to Kansas City,

you need to give them
championship environment.

[announcer] For Washington
today, they're favorites,

but for Bay they
have nothing to lose.

No one really expects
much of an expansion side.

But here we are.

[Albertin] We're this close.
This is our time, baby.

- Let's do this.
- Our goal is to win a championship.

Hope that's okay, everybody.

[announcer] Dangerous.
Very dangerous.

I'm gonna be honest, I think
playoffs are terrifying.

[announcer] For Washington
Spirit, they must score.

[Trinity] You win
or you are done.

[announcer] Last chance.
The effort from distance...

[closing theme song plays]