As the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) resumes following its Olympic break, the league has witnessed several significant changes. Among the most notable is the hiring of Landon Donovan as the interim head coach of the San Diego Wave. The decision to appoint Donovan, a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> legend, has sparked discussions and concerns; particularly from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/uswnt-tv-schedule/">USWNT</a> defender and Portland Thorns captain Becky Sauerbrunn.



Landon Donovan’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/landon-donovan-lands-new-job-as-nwsl-giants-interim-coach/">transition into coaching in the NWSL</a> comes as a surprise to many; given his lack of experience in the women’s game. The ex-striker has a long history of playing men’s soccer, including successful stints with the LA Galaxy and the USA. Despite that, he readily admits that coaching in the NWSL comes with a “steep” learning curve. 



Speaking to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40919724/donovan-learning-curve-san-diego-wave-interim-coach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a>, Donovan admitted, “I have a baseline, I know a lot of the players here [in San Diego] from watching them throughout the last few seasons, but the rest of the league…I’m going to have to lean on people, and I’m getting up to speed fast. I’ve watched a ton of film in the last two weeks trying to understand the league better.”



This honest admission has done little to ease concerns, particularly from those within the women’s soccer community; especially the ones who feel that coaching in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nwsls-ambition-is-to-be-more-like-nfl/">NWSL</a> requires a deep understanding of the league’s unique dynamics.



<h2>Becky Sauerbrunn reveals concerns about Landon Donovan with Wave</h2>



Becky Sauerbrunn, a stalwart of the USWNT and one of the most respected voices in the sport, has openly questioned the decision to hire Donovan. Speaking on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=k9nu60Vip4XnJsLh&amp;v=d7FZiY0BwdY&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Good Vibes FC podcast</a> alongside former USWNT star Sam Mewis, Sauerbrunn highlighted the challenges Donovan might face due to his lack of experience in the women’s game.



“I don’t know a lot about Landon, but I don’t think he has that experience of living the women’s game, of the ups and downs that we’ve gone through, both as a sport, as a league in the NWSL, as players,” Sauerbrunn remarked. Her concerns stem from the significant differences between the NWSL and MLS, where Donovan has spent most of his career.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240822_WST_524158_Landon-Donovan-NWSL-1200x675_defd831c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-524177" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Landon-Donovan-NWSL-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Landon-Donovan-NWSL-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Landon-Donovan-NWSL-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Landon-Donovan-NWSL-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Landon-Donovan-NWSL.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Sauerbrunn also speculated on the motivations behind San Diego Wave’s decision to appoint Donovan. “I wonder what San Diego’s goals are for these last 10 games,” she said. “I think that might make more sense why they hired Landon. Like, maybe Landon’s coming in as somebody to inject that motivation or have some change and something new and like, ‘Let’s just add a different X-factor into this combination and see what happens.&apos;”



The 39-year-old added that having experience coaching women’s soccer isn’t necessary to be successful in the NWSL. However, she stressed that the position becomes “exceedingly more difficult” when a coach is unfamiliar with the players, the league, and the surrounding atmosphere.



<h2>What did Donovan say?</h2>



Donovan has been candid about the challenges ahead, noting that the transition will involve “lots of bumps on the road”. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about the potential progress the team can make under his guidance. “You will not see a team that’s perfect tomorrow by any means, but there will be progress. I think it will be clear to see,” <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/landon-donovan-admits-steep-nwsl-learning-curve-prioritizing-team-identity-ahead-of-first-wave-fc-match/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the manager stated</a>. He also expressed his intention to approach the role with bravery and a willingness to adapt.



The 42-year-old did not shy away from addressing the speculation that his NWSL role might be a stepping stone to future opportunities, particularly in MLS. “I’ve been offered four MLS jobs in my life since I started coaching and turned down all of them,” he revealed. “One is, in no particular order, I love San Diego. I love working with good people…I don’t worry about the next job or the next gig or what this means, or the stepping stone.”



PHOTOS: IMAGO

USWNT star raises concerns about Wave hiring Donovan

The decision to have Landon Donovan join the San Diego Wave has been questioned by several, including Becky Sauerbrunn.

As the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season came to a close on Saturday, Gotham FC completed an improbable run from the depths of the league to the summit by defeating the OL Reign 2-1 in the championship game.



It was meant to be a sendoff for legends <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/uswnt-sends-off-megan-rapinoe-with-win-in-final-game-20230925-WST-458350.html">Megan Rapinoe</a> and Ali Krieger in the most anticipated <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL championship</a> game in the league’s short existence. 



However, the plot of the game was abruptly altered by the early injury to Rapinoe.



In the third minute of a scoreless contest, Rapinoe fell down with an injury that wasn’t caused by contact. She made a run at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/gotham-fc-tv-schedule/">Gotham</a>‘s Maitane Lopez, who was dribbling just beyond the penalty area when she abruptly fell down.



After lying on the field for almost two minutes, the 38-year-old athlete was eventually helped up by the training personnel. After that, she returned to the Reign’s bench at Snapdragon Stadium by walking along the sideline.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="409" height="471" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231112_WST_469484_image-6.webp&amp;width=409&amp;height=471" alt="" class="wp-image-469551" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-6.png 409w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-6-261x300.png 261w" sizes="(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px"></figure><figcaption>Megan Rapinoe montage after her last game</figcaption></figure>



Ali Krieger of Gotham FC and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/uswnt-tv-schedule/">U.S. Women’s National Team</a>, who is also retiring from the sport like Rapinoe, went up to give her a hug at the conclusion of the game. The veteran winger’s injury was not immediately known to be serious. In a postgame interview with CBS, the Olympic gold medalist, however, revealed that she may have ruptured her Achilles tendon in the incident.



Despite the match being promoted as a battle between legends Rapinoe and Krieger, it was the latter who ended up on top, lifting her first NWSL title in her 18-year-old career.



<h2>Gotham’s new signings overshone veterans’ efforts</h2>



Interestingly, the New Jersey club had the worst record in the whole National Women’s Soccer League a year ago, finishing at the bottom of the table. Gotham made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history thanks to some key personnel changes, a new coaching staff, and an overhauled attitude.



On Saturday in San Diego, two of the new recruits shone as unsung heroes. One of them was Lynn Williams, a two-time NWSL champion who was acquired in a trade with Kansas City on draft day.



Williams matched Kristen Hamilton for the most NWSL championships finals played when she took the field for Gotham in this, her fifth appearance. However, with the victory, she became the league’s first four-time champion, a feat that had never been accomplished before. She significantly contributed to that achievement by opening the scoring in the 24th minute.



Five minutes later, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/ol-reign-tv-schedule/">OL Reign</a> midfielder Rose Lavelle replied with a goal of her own, a beautiful left-footed effort that beat goalie Mandy Haught. Then, Esther Gonzalez scored in first-half stoppage time to give Gotham the lead for good after the Seattle opponents had tied the game.



<h2>Contest peaked in dying minutes</h2>



There was a lot of tension in the game’s closing minutes. Gotham FC almost lost control of the clash after their goalie Mandy Haught was sent out in extra time, but they were able to hang on to their advantage.



After the <a href="https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/var-101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-ever VAR review</a> in NWSL Championship history, Haught was sent off for a handball infraction and the evident missed goal-scoring chance that resulted from the play. After all of Gotham’s subs were used up, defensive back Nealy Martin suited up in goal.



Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle took the subsequent free kick, but it was blocked by a group of players before it could reach the back of the goal. A few seconds later, the referee sounded the final whistle, officially giving Gotham the win.



Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title

On Saturday, Gotham FC beat Megan Rapinoe's OL Reign 2-1, forcing her to leave her final game in her professional career with an injury.

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title - World Soccer Talk

CBS Sports’ decision to bring in former USWNT captain Carli Lloyd for coverage of the upcoming NWSL Championship final in San Diego on Saturday has proven to be controversial with fans.



The two-time World Champion with the USA has shifted into an analyst role post-retirement. Her prolific career on the field made her a fan favorite, but her comments as a broadcast personality have often stirred the pot and drawn criticism from women’s soccer fans.



This past summer <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/fox-adds-carli-lloyd-as-analyst-for-womens-world-cup-20230411-WST-427866.html">at the World Cup</a>, Lloyd raised eyebrows with a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/carli-lloyd-criticizes-uswnt-for-celebrating-after-draw-20230801-WST-446829.html">criticism of the USWNT</a> after some players were, according to Lloyd, inappropriately celebrating their narrow escape from the group stage after a 0-0 draw. The team would go on to lose in their first knockout game, becoming to only USA team to not advance to at least the 3rd place match at a Women’s World Cup. 



Later in the year, the former player again created a stir when criticizing the US Soccer program. Among other claims, <a href="https://justwomenssports.com/reads/carli-lloyd-uswnt-star-players-sponsorships-marketing-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lloyd asserted</a> she was passed over by US Soccer for sponsorships and other opportunities in favor of “more marketable” players.



<h2>Not everyone is happy about Lloyd joining CBS NWSL coverage</h2>



American soccer fans certainly enjoyed Carli Lloyd scoring goals for the USA over the years. But not everyone is a fan of her in the broadcast booth.



If you take a quick scan of Twitter/X or the <a href="https://old.reddit.com/r/NWSL/comments/17q02c9/claire_watkins_reposting_for_clarity_cbs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">r/NWSL Reddit page</a> regarding the news, you’ll see more than a few supporters bemoaning her being included in the coverage.



Among the highlights from the comment section are: “The only positive is that I’ll physically be at the game so I don’t have to hear or watch her on the broadcast.”



“Can’t wait to hear CL’s preemptive griping that no one worked hard enough and that what would be just is for both teams to lose and the trophy go to her because she #hustles Seriously girl, just complete the post-retirement heel turn and just stay on Fox.”



..and a “NO GOD PLEASE NO!” .gif from The Office. Some are pointing out the conflict of interest, given Lloyd happens to be a minority owner of Gotham FC, who is competing in the title match.



Then on Tuesday, Lloyd was involved in several back-and-forths on social media in reaction to the news, including with Eric Wahl (brother of the late journalist <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-soccer-writer-grant-wahl-has-died-20221210-WST-411858.html">Grant Wahl</a>):



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="592" height="276" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231109_WST_468507_Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-12.12.09-PM.webp&amp;width=592&amp;height=276" alt="" class="wp-image-468545" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-12.12.09-PM.png 592w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-12.12.09-PM-300x140.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px"></figure></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="590" height="338" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231109_WST_468507_Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-12.12.54-PM.webp&amp;width=590&amp;height=338" alt="" class="wp-image-468546" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-12.12.54-PM.png 590w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-09-at-12.12.54-PM-300x172.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"></figure></figure></div>



Some fans, however, are appreciative of Lloyd’s direct and no-nonsense style of analysis. Wahl’s comparison to Alexi Lalas is not entirely off-base. The former USMNT player and pundit shares a similar “love them or hate them” aura when it comes to soccer broadcasts in the US.



In any case, adding a former USWNT star to the broadcast team will no doubt beef up the prestige of the coverage. For better or for worse, depending on who you ask.



CBS Sports’ coverage of the NWSL Championship airs on Saturday, November 11 beginning at 8 PM ET on CBS and <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a>.



Photo: Imago.

CBS ripped for hiring "human clickbait" Carli Lloyd for NWSL final

CBS has added Carli Lloyd to the broadcast plans for the NWSL final. Not everybody is happy about the move.

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CBS ripped for hiring "human clickbait" Carli Lloyd for NWSL final