Futbol W: SheBelieves Preview + Run it Back + Krieger Convos + Drippin of Trippin + Top 5 Goals of the Week

it's Tuesday clearly you know what that means welcome to football W yes back here in my very comfortable living room but no I am not alone because Allie Krieger as always joining me here to break it all down all right our two-time World Cup champion Allie we have a lot to break down Today, coming up, the U.S. Women's National Team starting 11, maybe a little debate. I know you obviously, as always, did your homework and you are going to present it here very soon. Also, you sat down with more stars from the NWSL, Olivia Moultrie, Barbara Banna. I'm so excited to hear about that. And of course, Riley Tiernan. But first, just around the corner, is the She Believes Cup. So let's get to it. Here is the schedule. First versus Argentina on March 1st. The tournament starts this Saturday, actually. And March 4th against Canada. March 7th against Colombia. So with those three rivals in mind, it will be interesting to see just what kind of starting 11 Emma Hayes will have. But before we get to that, Allie, with the rivals that we're seeing, two of them South American rivals. One of them, of course, Canada. what kind of performance are you hoping to see from the U.S. Women's National Team side and what Emma Hayes is really expecting to take away from the tournament? Well, hi. It's so good to be back this week, digging everyone out of the snow. So it's exciting to talk some – right. It's exciting to change gears a little bit, talk some football. But the She Believes Cup has been around since 2016. and such an historic moment for the U.S. Women's National Team because they're also celebrating how to inspire younger girls or the youth to just want to be better and to build that confidence in themselves. So I always used to love playing in this tournament because it was, you know, a lot bigger than ourselves. That's one. Two, there's always a different opponent, so it always keeps things interesting, right? It's very unpredictable and some of the best teams around the world are always invited. So the challenge, you have to be prepared for some of the best matchups. For example, Argentina gives you that unpredictability. I think that the U.S. national team needs to come out to be able to control the game and not have such an emotional start. I think this is a team where they need to connect the passes. They need to be able to break down a team that's going to sit back a bit in and around the box and make it really difficult to be able to create and score. So those chances are going to be super clinical. I think the Canadian team, they're always such a difficult team to play against because it's such a good battle. They're our neighbors. Historically, it's always been a great matchup. And they're young. They're talented. They have quality as well. So a lot of their players are also playing in Europe in the WSL, which is exciting to watch week in and week out. So a lot of those players are going to be played in, along with a handful of ours who are coming back from Europe. So that'll be exciting. And then Colombia. They've gotten better over the years and more recently. They have great talent as well. They have a few players, a handful of players playing in the league. so it's just going to be different types of challenges like you mentioned but I hope that the U.S. will come out and have some type of controlled chaos and you want to really impress this tournament this tournament is going to be about identity it's going to be about players stepping up and proving why they deserve to be more consistently in the squad now we have every single player is capped that's definitely been a change in the recent year. There's been always an uncapped player invited into camp. So now you feel this sense of responsibility, this sense of experience. So I hope that they're going to come out and control the tempo. They're going to control the game management. And they're going to really have these games to want to impress, to see the team that could potentially move forward into a tournament setting. That's what this is all about. And that's that practice that they need to have in order to be prepared for the World Cup qualifying. I love that you described it as controlling the chaos because that's truly something. And you have that experience, not only the She Believes Cup, but in the most important games that this national team can even have to just stay calm in those moments and have those quick turnarounds. Too, if you don't get the result you want, you have another game coming up. No time, no use crying over spilled milk in this sense. But with what Emma Hayes is already doing, as you said, no cap players, but the experience that Emma Hayes now has with these players is at another level. So when it comes to looking for those chances for creation, whether it's against Argentina, Colombia or Canada, where are you looking towards where they can gain that sort of momentum, create those chances? Well, I think when you look at, you know, Argentina, I think they're going to sit back and they're going to stay compact. So, of course, we have that quality up front. We have such depth in the attack. I do think I don't want to give away my starting lineup just yet, but I will say that you have the quality of, you know, Rodman, obviously, back fully fit. Shaw, Jaden Shaw, you have Alyssa Thompson, you have Ali Sentinel, you have Emma Sears. These are quality players who can really create and bring different dynamics and different types of game in the attack. So it's going to be unpredictable and it's going to be difficult to defend because you have players like Rodman who in possession are great at isolating 1v1. Fortunately, they could be interchangeable. So Alyssa Thompson, who's been playing on the left-hand side at Chelsea, is going to come in and apply what she's been learning there and what she's been developing, which is also not being afraid to get on the ball, get into good spaces in and around the box, create goal-scoring opportunities, also put the ball in the back of the net. But she and Trin also love to cut inside. So you're going to see a lot of that. You're going to see a lot of combination play, which I think is why Jaden would be my first choice in the nine. She could also play a false nine or a 10. But I think in these games, she's just going to stay in and around the box. She's going to be that goal scorer. which is gonna be that target player that we need. You also have Ali Centner who can do a similar job. I don't think she's as powerful as Jaden is, but she's super technical and she's clinical in putting herself in those spaces to score goals. So you have options. Then you have Rose Lavelle coming back. You have Lindsey Heaps controlling the midfield with Sam Coffey. So those front six are going to be lethal, but they can be interchangeable. Rose Lavelle can go out wide. Jayden Shaw can go out wide. Trinity Rodman can come in the nine. Alyssa Thompson can come in the nine. So as long as they do that in a fluid way, I think that the attack is going to be super dangerous. What also needs to happen defensively, because you have Girma back, you have Lily Real, you have Emily Sonnet, you have Emily Fox in there. You have very attacking-minded players with Sonnet and Girma hopefully building that connection with, I'm assuming, Fallon Tellus-Joyce. But you have these players in the spine of the team that can really create, that can really solidify. but defensively on that side of the game, there has to be communication. They have to stay compact and ultimately disciplined. So this tournament is exciting for a lot of the opponents to come in to want to beat the best team in the world. So it's going to be super unpredictable. But what the U.S. has to do because of the talent that we have is control those emotions and make sure that we connect passes and make sure defensively in the attacking phases of the game that they are smart about how they use those sides of the game. And because the three opponents are going to bring three different styles and provide different issues that they're going to have to be able to take care of, but also break down on the other side of the game. Yeah, it'll be completely different tests here in every game that they do have. And as we're reading here at the topic bar, we know that there's no triple espresso, So no Kat McCarri, who's coming back from that heel injury. So it's Trinity. And I know you mentioned her. You mentioned some of the, obviously, teammates that will be surrounding her here, Ali. But coming up that January camp, she had the captain armband. We know that won't be the case because Lindsay Heaps is back. But do you see added pressure for Trin with still no Soph and no Mal? No, I think she's proven that, you know, she's going to be who she's going to be and show up in the way that she's going to show up no matter who's surrounding her. She's going to be that type of player that makes other players better, right? She's going to set other teammates up for success. She's going to do her part. She's going to play her role. And she's going to score goals. She even tells head coach Emma Hayes, you know, once I go in or when I'm in, I'm going to score. And when I score, we're going to celebrate. So she's the one dictating the type of play that she's going to and the level that she's going to perform at. But I think that something super attractive about her and Alyssa, hopefully being on the field at the same time, is that mentality to want to put themselves in positions to create chances and to continue to combine. they're interchangeable they love to cut inside um they love to combine and hopefully we'll see that with either Ali Centner uh or Jaden Shaw often um but this is going to be a difficult task not only for her but for the entire team to be able to break down an Argentina who's going to want to sit in and then take those transitional moments uh when they can so this is always a good test for the U.S. Women's National Team and it was a test when I was playing as well when you play against, you know, some of these teams who like to sit in to be able to make it difficult to break down, then you have to come up with different solutions in real time. And that's what I'm going to be looking for now at this level with these players to be able to see how they can adapt and how they can change their game when this, you know, presents itself, when these issues come up, you know, can they adjust in real time? Are they experienced enough to see it? Are they experienced enough to then overcome these challenges to be able to find success. So that's something that the she believes is all about. You have some of the best teams in the world and you have three great opponents who bring and present different challenges that Rodman's going to have to take this attacking, you know, front three on her shoulders and really, you know, create some opportunities for the team to be successful and lean on. Let's get into those front three, at least against Argentina. So we know you picked your three for that match, Ali, and you mentioned a few. But when it comes down to what we're going to see against Argentina, who do you have up front? Like I said, I think Alyssa Thompson has been proving herself in the WSL with Chelsea, and she deserves to be back in that front line on the left-hand side. I do think that's where she's had the most consistency, has had the most goal-scoring opportunities. So I think she's going to be on the left. I chose Trin, obviously, on the right. By now, I think she's fully fit and ready to go. So they don't have to really manage her time. And then, you know, there's less players who are going to have to be able to be given the opportunity to prove themselves to make this camp. So now she's there. She's consistent. She's one of the best players, if not the best. She deserves to be on that right-hand side. And she's proven that the last few games coming in, whether that's coming in or starting, she's scoring goals and she's creating. So that's been great to see her back where she belongs. And then I think in the front, like I said, I would choose Jaden Shaw over Ali Centner. One, she's been playing really well. She can, you know, get on the ball in those tight spaces. She can screen the pivot. She can, you know, play back to goal. She's strong. But what I really want to look for is for her to stay in between the center backs to be able to then give Lavelle the opportunity to find those pockets underneath. I think that's going to be critical. But because Rose and Shaw play together at club, they're definitely, you know, building that good relationship that I think we're going to be able to see this tournament. And so I'm hopeful that Jaden will just be able to get into the box, get into good positions to score goals, to get her body on the ball, to be able to be that target player that that we want to see. and also because Kat, you know, is out. So I think Jaden can really hop in there and be a target player for the amazing service that I'm assuming we will be able to witness with Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson and the way that they've been performing and playing recently as well. Yeah, it's exciting to even think about, especially with what we saw from Jaden Shaw this season. And I know you'll agree with me on here, Allie, because we knew she had the talent and her mentality has just gotten so strong and it's kind of meeting her talent now in those critical moments. She showed that with Gotham and I'm sure she's ready to show that here with the U.S. Women's National Team when it comes down to just cutting down those names because we're getting to the nitty gritty and we're going to constantly be saying it not only this year, but heading into 2027 that the World Cup really does seem around the corner. So that's why Emma Hayes, every starting 11 that she'll present will have that intention in mind even if she is missing some of the bigger names here for the U.S. women's national team. So let's get into it now, Allie. No more having to give clues here or there. Let's present here your starting 11 for Argentina, and I will let you just take us through your decisions. Well, I think, you know, Fallon Tellers-Joyce obviously has proven her worth and then value because, one, she's playing Champions League football. She's playing really well. The team's, you know, on a high. She has built that confidence. She deserves to be in the back of the net. Then you have Lily Real, who was Rookie Player of the Year and champion with Gotham alongside Sonnet. They've been building that relationship now consistently for a handful of games, if not most of the season. And then Girma, she's back. She's our best defender. She deserves to be there leading the back line. Emily Fox has been brilliant with Arsenal, and I'm excited to see her back with the U.S. Women's National Team. And then Lindsey Heaps and Coffey holding down the double six. I think they're interchangeable as well. Lindsey Heaps will definitely be more in the eight, more in the attacking mentality. And then Sam will just hold it down, being able to intercept passes, switch to point of attack, and also not be afraid to get forward when she can. Rose Lavelle, as long as she's fit and healthy, I do think she's going to start in the 10. It's so good to see her back and building that relationship with Jaden that looked like such a positive progress since the championship game and the playoffs with the Gotham FC. So I'm excited to see those two out there connect again. And then, obviously, Trinity and Alyssa. Like I said, they've deserved to be back out there as long as Trinity is fully fit. And Alyssa Thompson, she's been playing brilliant with Chelsea. She's been scoring goals. She's been creating opportunities. She's been a consistent player now in their starting lineup. And there's no reason why she does not deserve to be starting on that left-hand side. Yeah, and I want to focus on not only what you said with Rose Lavelle, but who would kind of be playing alongside her because we're seeing this kind of mix of the next wave of players versus the veterans. Of course, Lavelle and Heaps being one. Sam Coffey really just, I don't even want to call her up and coming anymore because of what she's already shown and what she's showing now at the WSL level. But when it comes to Rose Lavelle, which partner would best unlock her fascinating abilities Well one you have Lindsay Hoops who been playing with her for years now you know if not a decade So they obviously have a great relationship along with Sonnet, and that's the spine of the team, right? So right there you have the spine of the team that's solidified. It's, for me, an identity statement, I think, if Emma were to start her best players, because this is the team that they want to build with in the future and they want to start solidifying that. Obviously give other players an opportunity, nothing's set in stone, but you want to have a good mix of that talent but have that veteran experience and leadership as well. Players who have been in a tournament setting I think is extremely important. So it's not, I guess, a reckless decision. It's going to be, you know, more comfortable and confident. And you're going to see this consistent lineup. I do think Emma Hayes is willing to challenge players to throw them into the fire a little bit. But there's no one on this roster that hasn't had that already and hasn't had that experience. So I do think this is a moment where she's she's seeing if players are capable of applying what is asked of them. Right. The roles, the responsibilities. This is our philosophy. This is our identity. and now we are going to implement that in each one of these games because this tournament we lost you know the U.S. lost last year to Japan and this is a you know probably third time I think the U.S. hadn't won and it was the first time that a non-European team had had taken the trophy so this is an opportunity for the U.S. to show up again to come back to feel that confidence to start off on the right foot and to perform well with the best players that they have. But Rose, I think, is forming a great relationship with Jaden and I think with club and country. So I'm excited to continue to see that grow. And that is why I do think Rose and Jaden, you know, will start over an Allie Centner. Yeah, a lot of Gotham FC players. I'm not saying that obviously there's a bias here, but it's just the reality of the most important pieces or some of the most important pieces are coming from the nwsl champion although we know that there were struggles throughout the season but one of the players that really stood out ali and i see her also in your starting 11 and it's one of the next wave i do want to call her up and coming but she's already been so impressive is lily real why are you willing to put her already in the starting lineup when we're talking about a she believes cup she has experience now with the national team what are you hoping to see from her specifically i want to continue to see her grow in this position to build that confidence that consistency that she's shown um the the willingness to want to continue to get forward but also defend defensively she's great one v ones she uses her body well she understands movement and timing and i think that's key for an outside back that's one of the most difficult parts of the game is positionally understanding how you can work smarter, not harder. And the willingness now in the modern game is to want to go forward into the attack and create and combine and, you know, create those numbers up situations, those two V ones in the outside areas, and then also be able to provide service in and around the box. You know, you have tremendous talented, uh, goal scorers who are going to be licking their chops wanting to score goals and put the ball in the back of the net and the the service has to be of quality now the the game has changed uh even you know in the last two three years um to a point where that's the expectation as an outside back you know get your get your behind four but also be able to get back and defend um and and get behind the ball as soon as we lose it so the mentality now is how can I get forward? How can I be that attacking minded player? How can I join to create numbers up to make it difficult for, you know, the team to be able to, you know, defend? How can we break these teams down? So that's what I'm going to be looking for her. I want her to continue on this path and this progress that she's shown and she's proven from winning the championship from getting rookie of the year um just proving her worth and value um not only for Gotham but for U.S. national team she's a tremendous outside back um there's obviously continued things that you can work on each and every day right there's little details that need to be cleaned up I think that just comes along with being able to gain more experience and that confidence when you put on that jersey it's a different level um so I think that's why a lot of these younger player, younger players need to play in this tournament who she sees will eventually be in the World Cup. Yeah. And I'm sure she will just feed off the energy because she is in fantastic company when it comes to obviously those defenders, not only with the teammates that she has in the day to day at Gotham, but she can also learn from, I don't know, Naomi Gurma and Emily Fox. Speaking of Naomi Gurma, let's run it back because yes, She is in a running back, not because she got a few minutes. Allie, she got her first goal with Chelsea. And this was brilliant because, you know, she's had a tough go at the beginning with a few injuries and just getting her feet wet with the team and being comfortable, you know, playing overseas and all the things that come along with that. So I am so happy that she got her first goal. She was able to contribute and, you know, get Chelsea that confidence that they needed recently. Yeah, we saw Fallon get a hand on that. It wasn't enough, but she did have five saves in this one against Chelsea Alley. Yeah, she's been showing up and showing out in the best way possible, both at this level but also in Champions League. She has that confidence. She's cool. She's collected. She's been leading from the back, and you can tell now she's feeling better in that role where she can gain that confidence from demanding better. Yeah, and Emily Fox here got an assist in Arsenal's FA Cup win as well. Defenders getting in and not defending, but doing quite the opposite, Allie. Yeah, I mean, I'm not sure the defense really showed up in this moment. That could have tightened up. But well done by Arsenal. They've been on a roll lately. Yeah, well done by Lindsay Heaps too. She also got an assist in this Lyon win. Yes, brilliant. Obviously, Lyon is a possession-oriented style team. They're always going to find a way to win and create opportunities like this one. Amazing goal. Good thing he was able to get a touch on this to create some chaos. And the ball's right in the back of the net. Yeah, that controlled chaos that we were talking about. And last but not least, Corbin Schrader also in this Lyon match, getting an assist in this win. I'm sure this built her confidence up a lot. She takes this ball down. It's really difficult, a bouncing ball to hit this first time. Low, direct, with pace right to the corner. She deals with this really well. Goalkeeper just couldn't get a touch on it. Yeah, absolutely. Like you said, getting that confidence back. We know there's been some interesting messages on social media, U.S. Women's National Team, and one following another. But that's a story for another day. I'm your host, Ryan Pata, senior defensive lineman from Miami. Gunned down. The key to this case, it's Ryan. Boy, he's ripping. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with somebody. This might be a hit. You want the truth. They just want a conviction. Being placed under arrest. We had a killer amongst us. Murder at the U. Listen now. We want to focus on a story of a very young player still who we've been following since she was 15 years old. She is young, but she is completely wise. And I am, of course, talking about Olivia Moultrie, who just signed an extension with Portland Thorns. I'm sure they're very happy about it. She's very happy about it, and I'm sure she was very happy to sit down and talk to you, Allie Krieger. Moultrie with the shot! Oh my! Olivia Moultrie with a rocket for the Thorns. When this player occupies those spaces, she just lets it go. Such a great strike for the 20-year-old. I'm the queen of the juggling. You know that I came to win. I'm the queen of the juggling. I just think she's really led this team in an incredible way. Olivia Moultrie, welcome back. Thank you so much for joining us and being here. Yes, thank you for having me. Before we get into all the football, I just wanted to know how the offseason was and if you had any time to reset, recharge, and refocus. Yeah, the offseason is good. It is short. I did actually have nasal surgery over the offseason because my septum was like, pew, pew, pew, pew. It was hard to breathe out of that thing. So, yeah. Now it's ready. I mean, I hope. Does it look straight? Yeah. Nothing happened to the bones. So, like, I didn't have to re-break. Anything just kind of cleared up the inside. So, that was good. I can breathe. And then, yeah, just a little bit of, like, recharging with the family. I had Christmas at home just with my sisters and stuff and my mom and dad and my dog. Oh, cute. Yeah, it was good. So it was kind of quiet. It was. Yeah, it was nice. Great. Because 2025, it seemed like it felt like a real turning point for you. Career high goals, best 11 honors and influence in big, big moments. When you look back, what do you feel changed most about your game this season? Yeah, I feel like I've kind of had this model of myself in my mind for a while, like the player that I want to be. And you're kind of watching all these elite players and how can I take things from them and kind of put that into my game. But I feel like last season, it kind of finally manifested itself and really just all the work that I've been putting in. Like, I don't think anything about me changed as a player. It just kind of came to fruition a little bit. And we just saw the results happen. And yeah, I'm just hoping to continue that this year. But last year was definitely an exciting season. Yeah, it looked exciting, especially from afar. And you're still so young, but you clearly stepped into a leadership role. And we spoke about this before, stepping in after some of the veterans had left and retired and moved on. How did you grow into that responsibility, especially during a season with injuries and maternity leave and so much change? Yeah, I feel like naturally I'm a very type A personality. So I feel like just being in an environment that allowed me to be myself, you kind of see that aspect of me come out. And yeah, I mean, I'm about to start my sixth season in the league, which is weird to say that as a 20 year old. But yeah, I just feel like the things that I've experienced just kind of been given the platform, I guess, to just be who I am naturally. And I think in some moments that requires me saying things and in other moments, I just kind of put my head down and go to work. But yeah, I feel like it just allows me to be my authentic self. And that's part of the reason why I love Portland so much. And as a midfielder, scoring goals, especially from a distance, isn't always expected. But how conscious are you of choosing your moments to step forward into the attack and take games in your own terms? Yeah, I think that's part of just who I want to be as a player is not only be dangerous in that way, but be dangerous in a lot of ways. and so that's part of why it's like okay if you're gonna give me space I'm gonna hit it and if you're not then it's like how can I make it happen in other ways so yeah that's definitely I feel like just growing into who I want to be and there were so many big moments that you delivered last season and why Portland ended up being as successful as you were towards the end of the year your first brace key assists in the playoffs do you feel more comfortable now embracing those pressure situations. Yeah, absolutely. I feel like every time, number one, like this is why we do this, right? To like make it happen in the big moments. And so I live for those moments and they excite me as opposed to like make me nervous. But also every time you experience one of them, it's like you just get to keep building off of how that moment feels. And especially like our quarter final against San Diego at home, getting to experience like playing that ball to Raylan and the goal. And so it's like, then you just want more of that and you're chasing that feeling again. And so, yeah, it's very exciting. Do you love those pressure moments? And how do you feel in those pressure moments? And, like, do you feel like that's a challenge you always want to take on and you feel like you're going to thrive in that? Or does it make you a little bit nervous until you get out there in that exact moment? I'm definitely, like, an attack the moment type of person. And I feel like just the player that I want to be, like, competing at the highest level, you know, want to be one of the best players in the world someday. Like, I got to live for those moments. I can't be, you know, afraid to step into that because at the end of the day, like who I want to be as a player is someone who can show up all the time. And so, yeah, I definitely live for those moments. And I'm like, yeah, let's make more great ones. We touched a little bit on, you know, the loss against Washington in the semifinals after, you know, fighting through a lot of adversity that year and resiliency that the team showed. But how do you personally process finish like that when you know how thin the margins really are within the league? Yeah, I think the part I hate losing, like it's just when you finish the year like that, that's just never how you want it to end. I am able to look back and know there was a lot of good that happened last year, especially for our team, considering all the obstacles that we had to overcome. And at the end of the day, just makes me really excited for this next season in terms of like, look how close we were before. And it felt like we were missing so much. So, like, what can we do this year? And yeah, that makes me excited. This offseason brought, you know, another big shift as we saw Sam Coffey, unfortunately, leave. Moving on to the WSL and Man City, she was captain and such a steady presence within the team, but also just within that midfield as someone who's already taken on leadership. How do you help carry that standard forward when a player like that, you know, heads on to something else new? Yeah, I mean, I'm going to miss her a lot both on and off the field. But I think for me, I've been asked this a couple times. And honestly, I think it's like I just need to stay 100% true to who I am. I think if you try too hard to necessarily fill a gap because we live in a world where there's a lot of people that come in and come out and it's just there's always like movement. And I think for me, it's just how do I stay consistent in who I am? Because I don't want to try to be something that I'm not. And I feel like our team will naturally kind of come around to fill. obviously the sam coffee sized hole that was left but yeah it's like this is the world we live in in professional sports so how do we overcome something like that and i feel like me just being myself is the best way to do that so the return of sophia wilson it's uh going to be amazing and it brings a lot of different level of presence to to the team and another leadership support uh for you But from a midfielder's perspective, how does that have her back change what Portland can do offensively in the in the attack and in the belief inside the group? Does that give the group a little bit more confidence going into this? Yeah, I'm sure it does. I'm really excited to have her back. And I've been talking to a couple of people about it. But like, I want us to be this duo that people are scared of, you know, and I think just for myself last year, like being kind of that presence for the team. And now it's like somebody is there that can take the line back and like we can kind of pull the presence almost like off of each other. Like, OK, if they're worried about me doing this and they're worried about her doing this, like how do you cover all your bases kind of? And yeah, so just that versatility that will offer our team, I think, will be very exciting for us. Yeah, I think as a defender, specifically, you know, and having Sophia Wilson on the field, you're always so concerned about her. So that could open up, you know, a lot of space for you. And that's what I'm looking for. So you're going to jump right on that. You were also named Supporters Player of the Year by the Riveters, which carries real meaning in Portland. So what is that recognition from the fans and supporters that come out and are so passionate about watching you and your squad play mean to you? Honestly, it was a really, really special moment. Obviously, I've grown up in Portland in a lot of ways, but kind of feeling like as I was fighting for so much, it's like I think it was like a little iffy at the beginning and people just didn't know how it was going to work out. But now as I've kind of made that my city and my home, it was just cool to feel like, not that it's the end of anything, it's more the beginning, but really just to feel that connection with the city and the fans to know like, yeah, Olivia's here and she's here to stay and she's a huge part of what we hope the club is moving forward. Like that was a really special moment for me. And obviously I appreciate them so much There really nothing better than home games at Providence Park Yeah a lot of people or players I spoken to about where their you know favorite place to play is outside of their own you know stadium is Portland because of the crowd and because of the intensity and also how difficult it is to play there. So I'm glad that you have that connection with the fans. I know that means a lot. You've also spent time with the U.S. Women's National Team environment, again, including the January camp. So congratulations on the two games. What have those experiences shown you about the level that you're working towards personally? It's really been fun to just experience that and play against obviously other countries and just experience like when we go to the World Cup in 27, like obviously we're going there to win. And so just to kind of get a taste of what it feels like, I just like want more. I'm like, oh my gosh, this is, I love being in this environment and being coached by Emma has been a really special opportunity and I hope to continue to experience that. But I already feel like it's made me a better player. And yeah, it's just been really a fun, enjoyable experience. What do you value most about, you know, her ability to teach the game and the knowledge of the game? And if anything, what do you take back to, you know, club team that you can apply there as well? I think the coolest thing about the environment is the balance she has of letting us be ourselves and creating like a fun welcoming you want to be here but at the same time like we're striving for excellence and we're striving to be the best and I think she does a really good job like merging those two worlds um and it doesn't feel stressful it's like no this is like what we're here for you know we're representing our country and that's so special and I think just bringing back that sense of like yeah you can strive to be great and be the best at something and that's an enjoyable experience like that's not I mean not to say it's not hard and it's not difficult but it's fun to go through that and so I think just kind of bringing that back to club and it's like I mean I love what I do at the end of the day so just kind of bringing the joy to both things um while we kind of strive to win and be the best so yeah that's a great balance to have and I'm sure a lot of your teammates in Portland can kind of look to you to bring that you know intelligence back to the club level I hope so I hope it's benefiting us well it looks like it is But I do want to talk about the Paraguay match where you assisted on Rylan Turner's goal. Her first international goal, a special moment, especially as club teammates. So what did that moment mean to you? And can you walk us through, you know, the action? It's so funny because we were talking before the game and I was like, dude, you're going to score and I'm going to assist the goal. Like we just kind of manifested it into happening. And I love Rylan. Like she is one of the funniest people I know. Her energy is always good, but it's been so fun to be able to play with her in Portland and then obviously her being in January camp. And yeah, as soon as I got the ball, I was just like, I know she's making that run. And it's just kind of like having that level of a connection with someone is really fun. And then seeing it manifest into obviously her first international goal was a really special moment. You're like, get anywhere inside the box and I'll put it on your foot. Yeah. What milestones do you want to achieve this year with this group and also for yourself? Yeah, I mean, I know it's the obvious answer, but like we're going out there to compete for a championship and be the best that we can be. I feel like there's an aspect of how can we just continue to grow from last season? Because I think we made a lot of big strides and also kind of gaining players back, maternity leave injuries, etc. But for me, it's just like when I talked about how kind of I've been the same player, but it manifested into like who and it started to show those results. Like I just want to build on that. I want to be able to consistently provide those things for my team so that we can compete at the highest level. And, yeah, I'm really excited to get started. I'm like, when's our first game? That's really far away. Yeah, when's opening day? What would success then look like for you in 2026? Yeah, I think on a personal level, like, obviously want to be competing in and around, like, best 11, midfielder of the year, MVP. Like, that's the type of player that I want to be and be in those conversations. And then if I'm doing that, hopefully that is allowing my team to compete for winning games, having building off more points every year and getting further in the playoffs. I could listen to her talk all day. Olivia Moultrie is as impressive off the pitch as she is on it with the goals. She was ranked sixth in the NWSL chances created. She was ranked first, unsurprising with the shots as well, third. and goals, I mean, above what she obviously does every season. She led the team in all categories, and it's no surprise to see her still wanting more, Allie, and that's just the mentality that we've been used to seeing from her. She's growing up right in front of our eyes, and now she's leading into another NWSL season, and like I said, with the experience that she has in extending recently with Portland and listening to her just talk to you, is there a next level to her game? There's absolutely another level to Olivia's game. And I felt that passion, as always, when I speak to her, just about wanting to get better and the willingness that she's wanting to put into her game to achieve success. And it's not just about the talent for her. It's, you know, she has that technical quality. The next step is for her to kind of grow in her game is that control and impact. Can she dictate the tempo? Can she turn, you know, good possession into goals and assists when needed? And when she starts deciding, you know, games instead of just influencing them, I think that's when we're talking about an elite Olivia Moultrie. so deciding in the middle of a game in real time how can I control this do I need to slow it down do I need to pick it up do I need to get get in positions to score goals to put the team on my back so I think that's going to be the next step for her um but we see game in and game out that she doesn't rush her play right she doesn't she doesn't play with that that rushed uh anxious type of of play that that some players have you know feeling pressure to to need to do something And then, you know, you start playing, you know, wild and not in your comfort zone and what you're good at, which is uncommon, I think, in young attacking midfielders to have that calmness, that coolness, that quality. So I think the next step is just to control the rhythm for her throughout the game. Yeah, she's Olivia Moultrie, not Olivia Wilde. I had to say that. That's that's my joke. I'll be here all week, folks. And we're done. No, we're actually not done. And we're not done talking about Olivia Moultrie because she mentioned, obviously, all the injuries. And that was kind of the biggest story of the season for Portland and how impressed we were at how well they still did, despite all of the missing players. And one of the bigger name, of course, being that of Sophia Wilson. So she's making her way back. Sam Coffey being in Manchester City. But when it comes to this partnership with Olivia and Sophia Wilson, how does Olivia Moultrie unlock the best version of Soph? I think it's just going to be the timing of those third man runs that I'm envisioning is going to continuously happen. Also, Sophia is going to have so many defenders surrounding her. So then that's going to free up a lot of that opportunity for Olivia to get in those spaces to get on the ball, which I think is going to be such an advantage for Portland. But I think if she can have those quick combination play, those quick bounce passes, and then playing off the instinct, right? She needs to just be comfortable and confident in how she normally plays and to be able to continue to play in that moment and not overthink. I think that's going to be super rare, but she's really good at that. So can she and Sophia stamp their personality on those games and really get back to the playoffs and solidify themselves as an elite squad? They have the tools. Obviously, they're missing a Sam Coffey that's going to be extremely difficult shoes to fill. So that'll be an area of concern. But as of right now, having, you know, Raylan Turner up front, you have Olivia Moultrie, you have Sophia Wilson back if she's fully fit. It's going to be an incredible front three for them. And so with the depth that they have, the young talent and the quality just right there, those two are going to be a dangerous duo. Yeah, and then having to adapt to a new head coach here eventually for Portland, but it seems like this team looks adversity in the face, and they just don't shake. They get the job done. Here's someone else who also gets the job done, and I am, of course, talking about Barbara Banda. She got some new hardware this week. Her FIFA Pro Women's World XI trophy came for the second time after she was voted into the World Team of the Year back in November of 2025. Now over 6,000 players from around the world vote in the recognition to which Banda said quote means a lot and she caught up with our Allie Krieger. How are you feeling about the return to play process? You had an injury in August and where are you in that process? It feels good now that I'm back with the team, fully back with the team training. So this is what I've been waiting for, and I'm glad that I'm back, and I'm so happy and excited to get started. So you were playing, obviously, at such a high level, one of the best players, if not the best in the league, before the injury in August. As a competitor, how challenging was it to mentally step away when you felt you were impacting games, obviously, the way that you do? Well, I think that's the worst that a player would have, usually, but it is what it is. It's part of the game, so we get to accept whatever comes up. But all in all, I think I've been good, like, doing my rehabs and with the team. I've always been with the team, the technical staff. I've been in an environment where everyone is helping, so I didn't feel that weirdness, you know, because everybody has been there for me. I've spent most of my time with the medical staff, so it was good. You more so needed a break from them than anybody else. But Orlando's season, unfortunately, ended on a single moment, a stoppage time goal. watching that unfold when you couldn't be on the field is a unique experience and probably really tough because you want to go help in any way that you can. So what was that like for you? Yeah, it was really tough for me because I felt like I can play, but I couldn't, but I just accept whatever came up and, you know, just looking forward to the new season. Yeah. What's motivating you most right now? What's motivating me most now is that I'm back with the team and everyone is so excited and so encouraging. You know, during practice everyone is happy to see me on the pitch, which I'm also, it's pushing also me to work more hard so that I would put more smiles on my teammates. And when you look at the season ahead, what would success look like to you personally, but also to the group as a whole? I think looking forward, we feel we need to have more success of winning more titles to the team. Yeah. Yeah, I feel that. And more success also to myself winning maybe personal awards, you know? Yeah, that's what I'm doing. Goal score of the year. Golden boot. you know you got to keep building the accolades is there a moment that you can look back now that you've had this amount of time within the league that you like to replay that memory in your mind yeah I think winning the shoot and the championship I would want it to come back again which we are working on I think that's the best memory that I've had she's definitely one of the most impressive players and i'm glad you told her that too ali because it really is the truth with orlando with the league and that's why they missed her so much so when it comes to her coming back she was placed on the season ending injury list on in august and it was heartbreaking to not see her play a single minute in the playoffs but with her back, a healthy banda, what is Orlando's ceiling? I, I, I, with a healthy banda, I mean, she's, you know, one of the best, if not the best players and forwards in the league, right? It's, she's, she's, the ceiling is, is most likely a title contender again. And they really struggled without her. You could see the game, you know, had to adjust drastically when she was injured through playoffs. So it's not just playoff good, it's championship dangerous, which is where Orlando is now in the past couple of seasons used to being in challenging other teams. So it's because she doesn't just score, right? She bends defensive structures, so to speak. You have to, as a defender, and I know this well, when you're playing against a type of player who has this quality and this pace, you have to drop deeper. you have to double her, you have to respect the space, and that opens the entire field for everyone else. So a healthy banda changes how a team's approach games and also their game plans. It would definitely adjust, and specifically speaking as a defender myself, you're not going to be that drastic, but you're definitely going to have to keep an eye out for her because she can warp defensive lines immediately. So she forces center backs to sit deeper. Like I said, fullbacks can't overcommit fully because you know, you're going to have to turn around and chase 30 to 40 yards of Barbara Vanda running one, they want a goal. Um, midfields, you know, have to hesitate a bit to press higher. Uh, so you're always keeping her in your back pocket. You're always making sure, you know where she is and what spaces she's trying to exploit. So it obviously creates more time for Orlando's midfield to play because there's three, four defenders worrying about Barbara Banda, which opens up those spaces in the middle of the park. And then you have cleaner entries into the final third because you know that if she's making a run, that first pass is a through ball and she's going to get there. Her strength, her ability, her pace, the quality that she has, and the more 1v1 isolations I think that she can create, not only in the center of the park, but out wide, is super dangerous. So she changes how opponents show up and the behavior that they need to apply in order to win games or to even compete just before she even touches the ball. So, you know, defenses are definitely understanding how lethal she can be. And Orlando has such an advantage when she's on the field. Oh, yeah. And she has such a joy for the game, which just adds an extra way of enjoying the game alongside with her. But listen, she will be number 10, actually. So that's just another added bonus. Thanks, Producer Beto, there for that tip. And speaking of the defenders of these teams, they will be already getting ready for Orlando because as we take a look at their schedule here, at least their first five games of the season, they face Seattle rain at home, March 15th, their home opener. Then they will face Denver summit, Chicago stars, add Gotham FC, maybe a little field trip there to Jersey. I wouldn't mind April 3rd against angels city. I mean, any chance to see Barbara band, especially after she had been gone for so long. All matches, of course, available on ESPN. There's beef. F***ing hell is that! It is the greatest league of chaos in football. You think I helped build this to leave now? I want to win a championship. You need to be very hungry to score. I'm serious, I'm walking in. It's do or die. You don't want to die. You just saw Riley Tiernan, And as we know, she was locked in from day one in her rookie season, being a standout forward for Angel City FC. Had a little bit of a dip, but that only means that she'll come back stronger here in year two for the Angel City FC forward, who sat down with our defender, Allie Krieger. Riley Tiernan, welcome. It's so great to connect with you again. Before we get into all the football questions, I would love to ask how your offseason was. Did you get any time to refresh and recharge? Yes, I did. I went back to Jersey. I spent time with the fam. That was pretty much all I did. And I saw my nephew, which is my favorite thing now because he's growing up so fast. But I love to just play with him and run around with him. What part of Jersey are you from? South Jersey. I live in Borges. Okay. I'm in Moncler. Oh, nice. Not that far. But getting into the football, you went from a non-roster invitee to starting every match and leading all rookies in goals which was super impressive last year. When you look back on that journey what does that say in the belief within yourself? Yeah I think as an athlete you face a lot of challenges throughout your career and I think it's the way you take it and the way you use it so for me a situation where it was very scary I had to turn it into motivation and just continue to be true to myself and be confident in the player I am and I think just reminding myself of all the success I've had and all the success I can continue to have if I just stay confident in myself. Starting all 26 matches as a rookie is super rare. What did you learn about your body, your mindset, and just the demands of the league through that grind? Yeah I think physically wise I was fine. I know I'm still young, but I think mentally it's just kind of taking it day by day. I think that's a process I've learned throughout this entire journey is just how strong your mental can control your physical. So just making sure I'm in check here so that I can perform on the field the way I'm supposed to, I think that's really helpful. And once the goals started coming, expectations obviously shift so quickly. But how did you handle going from proving yourself to being game, you know, game plan for every single week? Yeah, I think at first it was really exciting because no one knew who I was. So I kind of just went out there and did what I do. And it was a lot of fun. And then people started expecting more from me, which I think it's obviously something that can be tough as an athlete, but it's also a privilege. I think I earned that pressure. So I think, again, like I said, just reminding myself of all the success I've had. And if I've been able to do it multiple times, I can continue to do it. So not letting that strike any fear in me and just to continue to be confident. And you mentioned that, you know, no one knew who you were, but you obviously established yourself so quickly. And people definitely paid attention. But this year, the teams know exactly what you bring. and how do you continue to evolve now that you're on everyone's radar? Yeah, I think that's a part of the game as well. I think for me personally as a forward, I'm trying to be more dynamic and add layers to my game. I think I can make better runs in behind. I can get into better spaces. I think my vision and awareness can be better. So I think just adding those layers so that I'm more unpredictable and it's not just, oh, she's going to do this when she gets the ball so that there's really no way to prepare for defending me. But I still like to say, I know people always say, like, they know what I'm going to do, but I feel like even when they know, they sometimes can't defend it. So if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Right. Great mentality to have. Whatever's working, just continue to do that. But what do you enjoy most about being into the attack and really being on the ball? Yeah, I just love being able to be a part of the main plays and put the ball in the net or be assisting someone that's going to put the ball in the net. I think it's such a thrilling feeling. And to be able to celebrate in a stadium full of fans, I think there's no better feeling as an athlete. And Angel City last season didn't make playoffs. But there were real individual and teams steps forward for you all. But from inside the locker room, what progress did you feel despite the fact that it wasn't necessarily a success? Yeah, I think we faced a lot of ups and downs throughout the season. I think that comes with the sport. But I think the most important thing is to just remain together. I think being a part of a team is such a powerful thing because of that. Like, I feel like you can face all these problems, but you're doing it together because you're all on the same team and you're all working towards the same goals. So I think it grew our relationships and made us realize that we all want it. So I think it brought us together. And you also shared time with Kristen Press, also one of my friends and former teammates, but someone who obviously set the standard here for professionalism and impact and just the quality that she brings. What did you take from watching her up close every day? Yeah, I think she's just an amazing person, an amazing player. I think just her knowledge and her experience was so impactful for me especially. It's just an amazing opportunity as a young athlete to be able to play with someone who you've looked up to your entire life. And yeah, any chance I could get to learn anything from her, I would take it. And even off the field, she's just a great person. She's just like a giant ball of joy. So it's nice to have that. And it's refreshing in the locker room. So the club rewarded your breakout season with a contract extension. So congratulations on that through 2028. How did that commitment change? How you view your role now and this type of responsibility within this team? Yeah, I think having such a great first year was a good thing for me. And I think now I'm where I want to be, and I'm locked into a place that I want to be. So I think I can focus on the next journey, which is improving myself in as many ways as I can as a player and a person. So I think just, yeah, staying true to myself and my potential and not taking that as a sign to kind of take my foot off the gas, but rather just continue to work and keep my head down and just keep pushing forward. That's such a good attitude to have, because as you continue to grow, you continue to gain that confidence, that experience, and then it can just be applied to each and every game. But talking about continuing to grow, but what part of your game do you want people to associate with you most? I would want people to associate my work ethic, I would say. I think people can say a lot about the way people play, but I think you can't really frown upon work ethic. And I want to be a player that people know is going to show up every game and you're going to get the same performance out of them. And I think consistency is really important too. So I would say being just consistent and always working as hard as I can because it's all you can really do. Thinking about opening day and putting on that jersey, what excites you most about this new year ahead? There's so much that excites me. I think we have so many new players and a new coach with more time to prepare. so I'm excited to see how everything plays out and I'm excited to be back at BMO under the lights with all the fans I think this year is going to be extremely electric and I think the more we win the more the fans are going to want to show up for us and the more they're going to want to be crazy so it's going to be fun it'll be fun to watch Riley Tiernan tear it up here in the following NWSL season as the numbers that she had in the 2025 NWSL regular season there with eight goals. She was three-time rookie of the month that's tied for the highest record and it's no surprise to see her constantly performing and excited. But Allie, one of the things that really jumped out to me the most in your conversation is that you commended her mentality a few times throughout your conversation because it's really impressive to see that from someone still young and barely heading into their second season. But I ask you, with that mentality, with what we saw her in her first year, is Riley Tiernan ready to be an NWSL star? Yeah, I mean, what she already has is that winning mentality, that relentless movement to want to get on the ball, that confidence that a lot of young players really struggle to develop in the first year of their experience at the pro level. but I think that yes she's she's she's ready for that next jump excuse me that next jump but stardom in the NWSL isn't about those one or two flashes right it's about that consistency that we always talk about she has the movement like I mentioned the engine the confidence to impact games like she has been you know she's been one of the best goal scorers for Angel City and the question now is can she do that every week against different defenses right and and different profiles that are going to be presenting themselves because now teams know what to expect teams know that they need to keep an eye on her keep her in their back pocket and make sure they double down at times because she can affect games in such a positive way um but if she can stack those performances and be consistent, I think she's absolutely on that path. I think what makes an NWSL star different is just because this league definitely exposes players very quickly. So to become that star that we talk about, and she's wanting to become as well, you have to produce in different games. and you have to handle different physical defenders, different profiles, and you have to have that understanding of how to do that and approach the games. And then how does some of these players, these stars like a Kristen Press, like a Marta, like Esther Gonzalez, how do they approach a mini slump, so to speak? How do they react to maybe not having that consistency? because every player hits one, not every season, but most seasons. And then how are you going to be reacting to that? So the tools are there. What separates most prospects from being stars in the NWSL, especially in this league, is that consistency and repeatability. And I think that will be the next test for her. Yeah, absolutely. And it seems like she is really ready for it with everything that she was able to talk about there with you, being excited about being back with the fans at BMO Stadium. And it'll be interesting to see what role character-wise she plays here in the league. I'm excited to take a deeper dive into what we're going to see here in the final third with that little clip that you just saw as Riley Tiernan being one of those protagonists and those leading characters, as to call her here, at least for the series. All right. We're also looking forward to seeing all of the new kits here for the 2026 season. And Denver Summit FC said, bet, here's ours. They released their inaugural evergreen kits. Allie, dripping or tripping? I think it's dripping. I love it. I love the green. I love the blue. I, yeah, I love the patch, the badge. it's impressive. I think it's going to look really sharp out on the field. And it's perfect for Denver. You have the blue skies. You have the evergreen trees. And I think it's a perfect fit for them. What about you? What do you think? Listen, maybe I wanted a little bit more of a nod to the Rockies and the Mountain Rage, but green is my favorite color. I can't deny it. I like how everything matches and makes sense and what you just said just kind of brings it to life. So we are going to give this a drip in, especially because we're so excited to see a new team. Diamonds, they really are forever. And so, well, Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy facing Gotham FC. March 14th at 12.30 p.m. Eastern on ABC. It is truly right around the corner. We are less than a month out and we cannot wait. before we see amazing goals in the new nw soul season let's take a look at the top five goals of the week jana fernandez i saw this over and over again ali and i'm sure you did too yes and i feel like every goal like week after week is outside of the box a midfielder just takes a touch and just hits it in the back of the net it's unbelievable um well done to get it out of her feet and to have that pace on it. Yeah, I mean, and taking advantage of the space there from the defenders there for London City line, let's take it to number four, Emily Yelnick for Monterrey against Atletico San Luis. Thoughts? Yeah, brilliant. Just wrap it around to be able to, I mean, defending wasn't amazing. Could have put a little more pressure, at least affected the ball, but well done. wraps it around the goalkeeper and is able to get in the net. She understood the assignment. You see space from your defenders. You have to take the shot. Let's take it to number three, Kora Sikai for Wolfsburg versus Juventus. How about the play too, Ali? Yeah, one of my favorite goals are the Champions League playoff matches because both of these players were game changers coming into the game, trying to affect the game in any way possible. And this is a goal that she will remember forever. And this helped them get through to the next phase. And I'm really, really happy to see that. It was brilliant. First time is so difficult. Absolutely. It seems like the trend is from outside the box. We'll see if this one rings true. It's from inside the box. But come on, Melina Ayers just takes flight and slots that in, Ali. Yeah, I mean, the quality of the service, it doesn't always have to have pace on it, right? When you're picking players out into the box, this is perfect placement. And she really gets in front of that defender and volleys it into the goal. Pace, precision, perfect. I mean, if that was number two, okay, I get it. I get it. Or Enrique Alcantar, who always finds the most insane goals. This is from the UEFA Women's EuroCup. It's Thelma Encarnasau. I mean, how, Allie? That is very impressive. I think she was even shook that she did that. But well done. You're just trying to redirect it, right? You're just trying to redirect it. You're putting the back of the net. You're just trying to affect the ball. And fortunately, it was perfect. Yeah, it definitely was perfect. I don't even know how you would try to, I don't know, get on your back. Maybe I would hit my head. I never even tried it when I was very, very young. And I'm certainly not going to try it now because I know a little bit better at 34 years old. Prove it. I was, I'm exhausted from shoveling the snow. That was my workout yesterday. And that will be my workout here in the coming days. Allie, we will be back here next Tuesday and just closer and closer to the 2026 NWSL season. Thanks for hanging out with us. We will see you then. So so so