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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2m

This week’s pod is up! @danielsperrykc.bsky.social joined for the first segment to talk about the Sacid Lee press conference. Enjoy!

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1fol...

Episode 157 - Daniel Sperry joins for more CSO talk because soccer talk makes us grumpy

Podcast Episode · Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast · 10/09/2025 · 2h 28m

podcasts.apple.com

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

I think there are folks there that are extremely good at their jobs helping those in power achieve things in spite of themselves.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

I don't want to make sweeping generalizations here but Stine Ballisager Pedersen started at CB for them. She couldn't sniff regular minutes for the Current once Sharples arrived/was healthy. So maybe *some* UWCL teams aren't of the level of the top ones.

Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

Gabby had to drink that hot shot 🤢

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

Can you imagine what PL fans in England would do if Sky Sports kept doing this ad break shit?

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

I don’t think it’s unfortunate at all!

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

Good thing we are trying to endange the safety of the players and fans for said broadcast partner though.

andré @838carlisle.bsky.social · 1d

missing a goal because of a full screen ad is inexcusable and nasty work. you have to have a lot more care about the product you're airing; and for the nwsl, the product you're selling.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

Cooper enters the game, takes KC’s first shot of the game, and scores. I’d hate to be an opponent of this team.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

Lololololololololol

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 1d

These games don’t matter and I want the key players to be healthy in the playoffs. But perhaps rotating your entire front line for players that have a grand total of 476 league minutes combined is less than ideal.

Daniel Sperry @danielsperrykc.bsky.social · 1d

Welp. No shots for the Current in that first half. It's 0-0.

Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

Good to know my ability to skeet jinx is just as quality as my ability to tweet jinx.

Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

I assume it was due to LAFC playing on Sunday and wanting field priority(ie didn’t want Angel City playing field the night before)

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

dwight schrute and michael scott are standing next to each other in an office

Alt: dwight schrute and michael scott are standing next to each other in an office

media.tenor.com

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

This aged like a fine glass of milk.

Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

Remember when everyone was like the Chiefs are totally over?

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

Remember when everyone was like the Chiefs are totally over?

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

I think we know enough about Temwa's on again, off again injury and expected her to rest some before the playoffs, but I really hope Sharples isn't anything serious. That would be a big blow to the Current.

Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 2d

There's a Monday night #NWSL game this week, and it's as must-win as it gets for Angel City's playoff hopes — against the first-place Kansas City Current. Important to the match: Golden Boot leader Temwa Chawinga and centerback Kayla Sharples are both out injured for KC.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

This is something that is fairly easily fixed with money. NWSL chooses to use PRO2 referees.

It's telling that owners are cool with investing in nice stadiums because of the real estate play they get along with it, but paying a marginal % of that to improve play on the field is a bridge too far.

Ella Brockway @ellabrockway.bsky.social · 2d

Trinity Rodman speaks out on the refereeing in yesterday’s Spirit-Wave game. (You probably know this, but poor officiating has been a theme across the league this NWSL season.)

“This is one of many examples…. Refs need to be better at managing these games. No words”

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

We are seeing the same issue in the W, it appears that these leagues are increasing in popularity and quality at a much higher rate than those meant to administer them are capable of keeping up with. And they seem reticent to spend the money necessary to do so.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

The larger issue is PRO just doesn't have enough high quality referees for the number of games they are meant to officiate.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 2d

Maybe not "completely" but I watch a fair bit of both leagues and the disparity in referee quality between the two is jarring.

As you note, MLS getting priority for all the good referees(Natalie Simon, for example was the center for SKC/Minny this weekend).

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 5d

Just completely absurd.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 5d

That Mike has a point with this question is annoying as hell. Theres no reason these teams should be wearing inverted colors.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 6d

I know Wynder is from Louisville, but the point about being able give key playing time and compensation to high upside domestic youth remains.

Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 6d

We are having this chat on the podcast discord but what I am most hopeful for with the maturation of the U22 initiative is that it allows for young homegrowns to stay for a second contract and develop effectively. We are already seeing several examples of it paying off for both player and club.

Matthew Doyle @mattdoyle.bsky.social · 6d

• Josh Wynder was awesome, the best CB prospect I've seen for the US in a while. If he was w/ the right MLS team (Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, Columbus, RSL) he'd have played 2500 minutes this year and would have a clear path to the World Cup roster.

As is, I worry he's gonna stay buried at Benfica.

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Drew VanderPloeg @alvanderp.bsky.social · 6d

Also, while he is still obviously very young, he’s never really been that good for the national team. Like I said, still young, so that can change, but given the background I get why Poch isn’t prioritizing giving him more chances.

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