SkoPurp No. 18: Spirit Rewind and Gotham Preview

The Orlando Pride played perhaps their best game of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup and it still didn't matter. Orlando continues to be offensively challenged and no matter how good of a scoring chance the team creates, it never seems likely to go in the net. While broadcasters gush about how great the opposing goalkeeper is, one can't help but feel like shots are being left too close to the middle and poor decisions are being made to go near post when the far post is a more inviting target. At least there's only one more Challenge Cup game left and the club should be getting its international players, with Rafaelle getting settled in at Exploria Stadium (as shown in the photo above). This week's mailbagbox asked about potential rule changes in women's soccer, goalkeeper availability, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. The United States Women's National Team crashed out of the World Cup despite playing their best match of the tournament. We discuss what went wrong. Finally, we looked ahead to tonight's NWSL Challenge Cup match between the Pride and Gotham FC with our score predictions and key matchups. Here’s how Episode 18 went down: 0:15 – Another shutout loss in the Challenge Cup. 16:07 — The mailbagbox has content and responses must be given! 36:13 - The USWNT and our prognostication about tonight's Challenge Cup finale in New Jersey.