USWNT Players on the Bubble, Sam Kerr NWSL's next HIP?, Mal Swanson Back in Chicago & MORE

USWNT Players on the Bubble, Sam Kerr NWSL's next HIP?, Mal Swanson Back in Chicago & MORE

May 20, 2026 · 56 min

About this episode

Ali Riley and Kelley O’Hara discuss USWNT players on the bubble for the World Cup roster and potential changes to the NWSL's High Impact Player Rule.

Ali Riley & Kelley O’Hara talk about being a National Team bubble player, and give their pitches for USWNT players to make the World Cup roster. Including naming a potential starter! We break down the possible changes to the NWSL’s High Impact Player Rule, and could that mean Sam Kerr finds her way back to the league? Plus Ali & Kelley get into their friendship HERstory. This episode is presented by Amazon Prime. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:24 The Commentator’s Curse 06:40 Chawinga Rolling for KC 09:55 NWSL ICMYI 10:27 Mal Swanson BACK in ACTION 12:26 Sunshine Slide? 14:22 Set Piece School 18:59 HIP Criteria Roll Back? 21:29 Is Sam Kerr Coming Back??? 24:21 Who NEEDS Sam Kerr 26:09 World Cup Roster Roulette 27:35 Being a Bubble Player 31:18 Croix Bethune 32:45 Olivia Moultrie 34:19 Emma Sears 36:09 Emily Sams 38:25 Jaedyn Shaw 42:00 Ashley Sanchez DELIVERED 44:22 Kelley’s First Impression of Ali 48:44 NO MORE DESSERT 50:40 Alright, Bet Just Women’s Sports is the leading digital media platform dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. In a world where women’s sports have been historically underfunded and under-promoted, Just Women’s Sports exists to shine a light on all the…

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