After a v. successful return-to-play tournament in July, the NWSL is coming back, baby.

While 2020 is still wreaking havoc, at least we can find solace in our Canadian athletes and teams kicking ass.

This week co-hosts Ellen and Steph give their review on the first round of the NHL and NBA playoffs, talk about the havoc COVID-19 is still wreaking across the sports world and why some U.S. women’s national soccer team players are ditching the NWSL to play overseas. The drama.

The bubbles are working. The WNBA, NBA and NHL, three leagues playing inside bubble environments, have collectively gone another week without a positive COVID-19 test. So why the heck isn’t everyone sticking to the bubble plan?

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. The Houston Dash reminded us of that lesson yesterday, when they became the unlikely (but very welcome) winners of the NWSL Challenge Cup.

The NWSL season has just one game left — the Challenge Cup final! — but dang, we miss it already. After an exciting month of amazing soccer, it all comes down to the Houston Dash and the Chicago Red Stars.

This week co-hosts Ellen and Steph give #thegist on the NWSL’s expansion to Los Angeles with their new team Angel City. Backed by some massive names including actress Natalie Portman, GOAT tennis player Serena Williams, her Reddit co-founder husband Alexis Ohanian and actress America Ferrera, Ellen and Steph cover how this deal could change the women’s sports ecosystem as we know it. Exciting.

Remember when we told you (more than once) that the North Carolina Courage were the heavy favorites to win the NWSL Challenge Cup? Well, about that...

The NWSL was the first North American pro team league to return to play. And now, they’re the first league to start their playoffs as they move on to the knockout round of the Challenge Cup. Thank goodness for women’s sports.

The MLS may need to reconsider their super inventive return-to-play tournament name, aptly called the “MLS Is Back Tournament.” Maybe something like “MLS is kind of back, but maybe not for long, and not everyone is here...Tournament”?

The MLS Is Back Tournament (the most snoozy and literal name ever, we know) kicked off last night, meaning that, along with the NWSL’s Challenge Cup that’s already underway, it’s soccer’s time to shine. But unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the world’s most popular game.