This Thanksgiving special opens with the biggest story in American women’s soccer: the Trinity Rodman decision. Christina explains the business realities — the salary cap, the DP conversation, and how league structures affect player movement — while Lori breaks down what it feels like to face a choice like this during a championship run.

They also revisit the key tactical moment from the NWSL Final: Hal Hershfelt’s injury and the delayed substitution. Lori explains how Washington’s hesitation shifted momentum to Gotham and influenced the winning goal.

From there, Christina and Lori look ahead to the MLS semifinals — San Diego’s stunning expansion-year surge, Inter Miami’s form, and what Messi’s output means at this stage of the season. They close with the USWNT’s upcoming camp under Emma Hayes and what she’ll prioritize in the final window of the year.

And yes, it’s Thanksgiving — so Lori is “bringing the vibes,” Christina is grateful for finally getting her hair cut, and both hosts take a moment to reflect on gratitude, rest, and the massive three-year runway ahead: the Women’s World Cup, Men’s World Cup, and the LA Olympics.

Happy Thanksgiving — and buckle up, buttercups.

Chapters (mm:ss)

00:00 Cold open — “Millions of hats” and Christina’s first haircut in a year

00:34 Thanksgiving intro — What Christina and Lori are grateful for

01:44 “Illuminated year” — Lori on work, balance, and unstructured time

02:15 Friendsgiving plans — Lori brings “the vibes”

02:52 Vibes era — Women’s sports and CBS Championship atmosphere

03:46 Record breaker — Most-watched NWSL match ever

04:29 “We have arrived” — San Diego → KC → San Jose

05:29 The catwalk — Stadium setup and matchday design

05:55 Trinity Rodman — The crossroads

06:40 Player reality — Compartmentalizing during a championship run

07:34 “Generational talent” — Why Lori hopes Rodman stays

08:58 Equal pay to star power — How we got here

09:45 Super League vs NWSL — Parity and the DC Power offer

10:52 Should NWSL adopt a DP rule?

12:26 Salary cap realities

13:40 Locker room dynamics

15:00 Players Association — Protecting parity

17:19 The league is evolving

19:07 Wild West window — Prospects and overseas movement

20:10 Why internationals want to come

20:41 Melting pot future

21:04 Hal Hershfeld injury — The turning point

22:49 The delayed sub — Momentum shifts

23:48 The “gingerly step” — Goal sequence breakdown

24:27 Coaching lessons

24:54 MLS playoffs — Miami and Vancouver–San Diego

25:18 Expansion shock — San Diego hosting a semi

26:07 Messi in form

26:54 Rising expansions

27:08 USWNT — Emma Hayes’ final camp of the year

27:38 Roster management

28:50 Italy preview

29:32 Holiday sign-off — “Buckle up”

29:52 Thanksgiving close

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