Minutes from the Committee Meeting
August 1, 2025 — Committee Meeting # 1
Review of the Previous Week’s Group Chat:
Agenda Items:
NWSL is back and Jordan Angeli and David Gass are diving into this weekend’s slate of matches. At the top is the return of Trinity Rodman from injury, rejoining the Washington Spirit and newly appointed Head Coach Adrian Gonzalez. Elsewhere, newly acquired USWNTer Mia Fishel will look to propel Seattle Reign’s young stars past Angel City, and KC Current…well it doesn’t matter who KC is playing (it’s Racing Louisville), they’re probably going to win.
Leagues Cup might be back, but the real conversation in MLS is around the big name midseason additions of Thomas Muller and Son Heung-min. Let’s just say it: the Western Conference isn’t very good this year, and the path to the final is wide open. What will Jesper Sorensen cook up with Muller’s off-ball movement? Will any team be able to cope with Dennis Bouanga and Son on the counter? Our own Tommy “Scoops” Bogert is on top of both stories.
Bend it Like Beckham 2? One of the few good soccer movies ever made (we’re looking at you Ladybugs) is back. The Committee is wondering…what other soccer sequels should be made? And what should they be about?
Approvals:
Best Bluesky Post: The soccer conversation on Bluesky is always bumping, but we particularly enjoyed this treatment given to the Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC 2024 NWSL Playoffs semi-final. Shoutout to @gingersforhal.bsky.social for producing the next hit Hal Hershfelt Broadway musical!
Matches to Watch This Weekend:
Vermont Green FC vs. Ballard FC, USL League 2 Final (August 2nd, 7 pm ET, Streaming VGFC website): It’s the biggest prize in (semi-pro) soccer. The Committee’s own David Gass will be calling the game, and may have put it all on the line.
Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns, NWSL (August 3rd, 12:30 pm ET, ABC & ESPN+): Trinity Rodman is back! Maybe someone will make a musical out of it…
Tigres vs. San Diego FC, Leagues Cup (August 1st, 11:00 pm ET, AppleTV+): Mikey Varas has San Diego FC playing some of the most interesting soccer in recent MLS history, but face their stiffest competition yet in club history — North American giants, Tigres.
One Knoxville SC vs. Portland Hearts of Pine, USL League 1 (August 2nd, 7:00 pm ET, ESPN+): Committee chairperson Susannah Fuller will be on hand for this big six pointer.
Level Up:
Each week the Committee approves the leveling up of a player who simply has taken that leap with their game. This week, it’s Zavier Gozo.
Damn, what can we say? Real Salt Lake already has the hype-iest men’s player in the country with Diego Luna, and now 18-year-old Gozo is just torching players on the wing. His electric speed is combined with dynamic 1v1 skills and just the right amount of swagger. A winning goal against Club America in Leagues Cup confirmed it…Gozo is Leveling Up.
Allocate your points wisely, Zavier.
Action Items:
Soccerwise: Listen to this week’s NWSL midseason return show with David Gass and Jordan Angeli.
Kickback Committee: Join our second ever episode hosted by Susannah Fuller and Committee Members Claudia Pagan and David Gass, and featuring Lori Lindsey.
First Touch: Check out @soccerkicksofficial’s Soccer Story Time.
Remember folks, Kickback Soccer Media recommends you remind your coach and chief sporting officer to please, Play the Kids.