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Quick growth doesn’t mean overnight success
One of the recurring themes in my conversations with people about women’s football has to be the growth of the game, especially in the last 5 years. I’m pretty sure that this is something you’ve spoken about before more times than you can count, and also I would bet money that you think about it all the time.
I’ve only been watching women’s football since 2019 and the growth I have seen is beyond exponential, in every imaginable way. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to see it from the perspective all of the former players, coaches, journalists, club personnel, etc who have all helped shape what we know today. Women’s football people who have been there against all odds.
Even though this is factual, and that the growth has been clear and has been in a steady trajectory upwards, we cannot lose sight of the past and confuse the rapid recent growth with overnight success.
I certainly am guilty of not making this point from time to time and me bringing this whole topic up is not a way for me to imply that I DO remember that key distinction I’m talking about. If nothing else, I’m using this post to remind myself of how I need to meditate on this idea and to devise a way through which I can pay my respects to those who got us here.
What seems like quick, overnight success to the outsider it’s never actually like that to the insider, is it? I’ve lived it in my life with music and have seen it happen to friends and also to pop artists. Also, calling this recent growth quick is not accurate either.
It’s not about the current players or England winning the euros… I mean that is a part of history that cannot be separated from reality, and another thing that cannot be separated from this reality is the fact that every ball that was ever kicked by a woman got us here.
d ❤
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McCabe as a 10
If you just randomly read any one of my blog posts, chances are that you will read a compliment about Katie McCabe. She will always have a special place in my heart because she’s also the footballer I’ve seen play the most and every single time I see her play in person, I am overwhelmed by her tenacious, infectious energy. I have never seen or felt anything like it. She’s just at another level altogether.
The slow start of the season has had many topics of conversation. We all have different opinions as to why things haven’t clicked. Or maybe what I should say is that we think we have good and valid opinions about what is happening or why we aren’t were we think should be aka top of the league and still playing in CL.
While Viv is gone, we really struggle in the 10 position. I sadly don’t think Frida is having a good season at all and I would be more than ok with her rotating. And like I’ve said before, she doesn’t start if everyone is fit. So, who are the options? Well we have many options up top and on the wings, but as a 10 who do we have? Who can play there?
I had never noticed Russo dropping so deep as she did after Stina came on vs Villa. People told me that she has done that a bunch before for United, but I never ever noticed that, so she’s a potential answer for that role, having Stina as the 9 with Beth and Caitlin or Cloe.
Coupled with this is the thought that a lot of people hold that Steph and Caitlin have to play together because of their understanding. But like I said on my podcast, it’s not like we are lighting the league on fire on that left flank, is it? Well I’m always going to pick Katie over anyone, but what if we play her central?
Among the things we lack, a lot, is shooting from outside the box and being direct. She only scores screamers, looks to shoot every available possible time, has incredible vision and is tenacious enough and elegant enough to play the role.
If you ask me, she has all the attributes for that position. Why not? We have dropped other players and slotted others in different positions. I can see that working and not sure how it would happen but I would love to see that be a thing, specially soon haha.
When I saw her play with the Irish team vs USA, and I wrote about it a lot, she was all over the pitch. She was taking free kicks, corners, dropping deep, spraying passes, crossing the ball, attacking, pressing. All of it. It’s just logical. And I would totally get it if she didn’t want to play there, but there is something McCabe-esque about Messi. (See what I did there?)
Anyway, Bristol is up next and although we all wish we would be thinking about the CL draw, that is water under the bridge and we need to focus on this season and this season only.
d ❤
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The Tube, Navigation apps & Viv’s Call-up
Shortly after recording my podcast I took my bags and proceeded to walk towards the tube and headed to Heathrow. To say that commuting and getting around London was a total breeze would be an understatement. And I get that you would say: ummm yeah? its one of the most important cities in the world! Or you might even mention that this has been a thing for along time BUT if you dislike underground trains like in NYC, like me, then you might get why I don’t usually like the tube. So this was a breeze TO ME.
What this trip taught me was that it wasn’t about the trains or being underground or people; it was strictly about my dislike of getting lost and potentially ending up at a place where I shouldn’t end up at and what the consequences of that might be. Now, thanks to google maps this is just not an issue basically ever, and the technology will only get better and better.
There are other apps too like Rome2Rio etc so this is just an amazing time to be alive. I felt informed, confident and all I really needed was enough power on my phone to see where I was going. So, if you have ever been worried about the train, the tube, buses, traveling by yourself, etc I’m here to tell you that YOU GOT THIS. The time is now and be more worried about having a power bank for your phone and things like that, that if you’re going to get on the wrong train.
While I was trying not to have my bags roll over someone’s foot, I got a very gratifying notification…
Arsenal Women and Oranjeleeuwinnen twitter were very happy camps when we got the news that Viv had gotten called up by the squad. There seemed to be a whole variety of opinions about this, but lots of people, including myself were surprised, and I’m about to explain why that was for me.
I’m not surprised about her making a comeback, or about anything related to her fitness etc… We have all seen her training for Arsenal, we kinda/sorta know her recovery timeline if we compare it to Beth’s too and yeah she’s been involved with the dutch squad as far as I can tell, a bunch. This “as far as I can tell” sounds so silly as if I have any sort of inside info. This is what the internet does to people my friend! it makes you (think you) sound important.
What surprised me was just my unconscious assumption that before an international call-up there would be some involved with club. This is not accurate for factual reasons and its just also not based on any stat or data. In my brain I was like: “oh cool, I thought she would play for arsenal first.”
That’s it. Either way I’m beyond thrilled for her and I just cannot wait to see her on the pitch, just like all of you and the anticipation is so very exciting for us fans, imagine what she might be feeling… and Leah and Laura and Teyah.
❤
d
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THAT Comeback
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My soul left my body
Holy mother of Dennis Bergkamp that was ridiculous. I have never ever in my entire life as a sports fan, witnessed anything like this. Nowhere near this.
I have been lucky enough to watch The Netherlands with Cocu, Davids and others, Ronaldinho’s first match with Barcelona, the girls play the FA Cup Final… countless baseball games, I’ve watched Tom Brady play a few times, Kobe Bryant a couple of times, David Beckham, Gerrard and Thierry in the MLS too… but none of the games meant as much to me because I have never been as committed or involved with any other team/franchise as I am with arsenal, but beyond any of this, we were all there for something that we didn’t know was going to happen but we were all hoping.
I have never felt energy like I felt the moment Beth walked over to I don’t know who haha, and she was getting directions, pointers, strategy or being shown silly cat memes. THAT was the moment when something flipped for me. That and also the 12 minutes of added time. I’m getting goosebumps as I type this too…
She is a game changer and after waiting close to a year, she was finally on the pitch and not only did she look electric, but she got an assist, but of course you saw it. But this is why I feel so lucky to have been there in person and why I always say how lucky local fans are… what I felt live is not something I’ve felt before. The energy shift, the collective love and hope and joy… It was special.
I was very fortunate to have been there and I will chat more about the match itself on the pod tomorrow!
d ❤
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Villa Prediction
I’m just hours away from witnessing my first ever WSL match and only second ever Arsenal Women match. Also, if all goes well this will be my 3rd time seeing Katie McCabe play, which is always an incredible experience. Take this as a reminder of how lucky you are to get to see these incredible women all the time. I’m jealous is the most positive of ways.
The match is a tough one to objectively predict I think, as there are many factors (duh). The first thing that comes to mind is that hopefully there will not be a 3 at the back situation and if there is, you know what I’m going to say.
I would also love to see Cooney Cross make her debut actually and this seems, to me anyway, like a great match for that to happen. More than anything because I don’t think she will be intimidated by making her debut at The Emirates, not only because she’s elite, but because she lived the madness that was Australia as a host nation, so this will be chill for her I reckon.
Villa have started even worse than us so I’m hoping that continues of course. Sadly I don’t think Nobbs will start and also sadly for us in a way is that Van Domselaar will be on goal, whom I love a lot.
Anyway, here is my preferred lineup, not my predicted one as I have no damn clue what Jonas will do, how or why.
Post match “analysis” hella late tonight.
d ❤
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Whitesenal FC
We all saw the squad pic and we all love it. It’s amazing. I love all the girls and staff. I truly do, but what has been making the rounds on twitter is the convo about the obvious lack of diversity in the squad.
I’m not going to assume anything or imply anything, because I just don’t have any info and it’s none of my business anyway but my opinion on this will be centered around the fact the one of the reasons I fell in love with arsenal was because I watched Ian Wright, Kevin Campbell and David Rocastle on VHS tapes growing up and felt I looked like them. They had a skin color similar to mine and I saw myself in the club.
Representation matters and if it did for me, just a fan, imagine what it can and does mean to a young black girl who wants to play for the Arsenal today. There’s not a lot there to be identified with based on this alone.
Lianne, Alex, Rachel, Dan etc etc etc. These are historic women and there are so many historic women in the making that could be part of Arsenal and quite frankly they should.
Villa preview coming late tonight or early tomorrow.
xo
d ❤
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Gratitude
It feels surreal to say and goddamn am I happy to say that this is very real: this is the first blog post I have ever done from London. I made it safe and sound and after 3 days of normal sleep, its not even 7pm and my body is absolutely shot so hello jet lag, my old friend.
I also have to say that I’m emotionally drained, in the best ways possible, after the incredible event I was honored to be a part of in Cologne. Like I mentioned a few days ago and on my podcast, I got invited to speak at the annual alumni convention for the SAE Institute in Germany, where I spoke about getting pop gigs, how to keep them and more importantly, how to remain as happy and healthy as possible during that whole journey.
I am very aware of how privileged I am to be asked to do something like that and I’m truly humbled by not just the actual experience I lived, but the symbolism of this being something I have a big passion for and would love do more of.
And on the vein of gratitude I have to say that I’m incredible thankful and lucky to be here in London for what will be my second Arsenal women match ever. I bloody cannot wait and I am also holding space for all of those fans that live all over the world, that for whatever reason cannot ever make it to matches or to England overall.
I know the club knows how important your support is. You love the crest and the players in an unconditional way and that can be seen with so many fan accounts from countries all over the world, in many languages.
I hope one day this universe rewards you all, specially the incredible @argsenal and @spanishawfc
You will all be with me on Sunday.
d ❤
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Headed to The Emirates
d ❤
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3-5-2rauma
A few days have passed since both the Man Utd and the Liverpool matches and I have had a lot of time to think about it all. The first thing that comes to mind is how there’s SO MUCH FOOTBALL TO BE PLAYED and literally anything can and usually happens, that’s just the nature of this maddening game we all love. Every single season the unexpected happens and crazy stuff goes down and why anyone would think that this is not the case this season should go for a long walk.
I understand the reaction a lot of people have had as it relates to dropped points being absolutely crucial at the end of the season and those points seem even more precious in the WSL but I think that due to the league becoming much more competitive coupled with some horrendous refereeing that has become the norm in the whole of England it seems, I feel like those points are some we will be able to recover from and earn, one way or another.
My hope is that the next match vs Villa at The Emirates will be our first victory, and I’m not just saying that because I’m going to be there 😁😭🧡 I hope we put in a great shift and get the result this time and let’s face it: we’re due for a win goddamit.
I am so very excited to not only watch our girls but it will be my first ever match at The Emirates… which I’ve been to and toured but I have never been to a match there. And I gotta tell you, I’m also very happy that it’ll be against Villa so I can hopefully watch Jordan play plus Rachel Daly, Anna Patten and my fave keeper on planet earth aka Daphne Van Domselaar.
Since I’m a selfish asshat, I hope Jonas plays all the players I want to see on the pitch and we move on from that 3 at the back situation that made my FA Cup final experience unforgettable, to put it in a nice way haha. But honestly I’m not really sure what to expect and I don’t know how to feel about that.
Will this be Beth’s first match?!
d ❤
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A very subjective look into AWFC 