Mariel V
@marielv33.bsky.social
English teacher in JC. Watcher of women’s sports. Go Bats! 🦇🗽
The PWHL fully does not care that their last expansion draft absolutely gutted the NY Sirens, leaving them with no marketable stars and an even worse on-ice product.
You want 12 teams when you can’t even fully back and support the ones you have? Unhinged decision making.
You want 12 teams when you can’t even fully back and support the ones you have? Unhinged decision making.
By next season the PWHL could jump to 12 teams depending on the next few months and the returns from the 2025-26 Takeover Tour.
To some this might seem quick, but the league's motto is simple: "Time is overrated."
frontofficesports.com/pwhl-12-team...
To some this might seem quick, but the league's motto is simple: "Time is overrated."
frontofficesports.com/pwhl-12-team...
PWHL Is Targeting Rapid Expansion to 12 Teams
The PWHL quickly added two expansion teams for 2025–26. It aims to add another four after gathering data from this year’s Takeover Tour.
frontofficesports.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The PWHL fully does not care that their last expansion draft absolutely gutted the NY Sirens, leaving them with no marketable stars and an even worse on-ice product.
You want 12 teams when you can’t even fully back and support the ones you have? Unhinged decision making.
You want 12 teams when you can’t even fully back and support the ones you have? Unhinged decision making.
Reposted by Mariel V
this piece provides a good look at why queer folks and allies are adamant about protecting the space. it's special, and necessary.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/25/s... A story that I’ve been working on for the past few months, about why women’s football is so important to queer people, is published! I really loved writing this and it’s a story that’s very close to my heart. I would love it if you kind folks would give it a read 🤍
Why women’s soccer is so important to queer people | CNN
Someone dressed as Marge Simpson, complete with a gigantic blue wig and a lime green dress, belts out Hot to Go by lesbian pop icon Chappell Roan to a rapt audience gathered inside a marquee in the mi...
edition.cnn.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
this piece provides a good look at why queer folks and allies are adamant about protecting the space. it's special, and necessary.
Reposted by Mariel V
More FUN FACTS from the FINAL …
BRUNINHA is youngest player to win 2 NWSL championships. She assisted the GWG.
LAVELLE goal is latest championship game-winner in regulation.
REALE is 2nd Gotham Rookie of the Year winner to also win the final.
SONNETT wins her 3rd NWSL championship, 1st with GFC
BRUNINHA is youngest player to win 2 NWSL championships. She assisted the GWG.
LAVELLE goal is latest championship game-winner in regulation.
REALE is 2nd Gotham Rookie of the Year winner to also win the final.
SONNETT wins her 3rd NWSL championship, 1st with GFC
November 23, 2025 at 3:53 AM
More FUN FACTS from the FINAL …
BRUNINHA is youngest player to win 2 NWSL championships. She assisted the GWG.
LAVELLE goal is latest championship game-winner in regulation.
REALE is 2nd Gotham Rookie of the Year winner to also win the final.
SONNETT wins her 3rd NWSL championship, 1st with GFC
BRUNINHA is youngest player to win 2 NWSL championships. She assisted the GWG.
LAVELLE goal is latest championship game-winner in regulation.
REALE is 2nd Gotham Rookie of the Year winner to also win the final.
SONNETT wins her 3rd NWSL championship, 1st with GFC
Reposted by Mariel V
“The contrasting responses serve as a reminder of car culture’s dominance in the Garden State. An estimated 92,000 drivers entered the congestion zone from New Jersey every day,... That’s less than half the daily ridership on the PATH train.” gothamist.com/news/nj-lead...
NJ leaders who hated on congestion pricing notably silent on PATH fare hikes
The PATH fare is set to rise from $3 to $4 over the next four years.
gothamist.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:02 AM
“The contrasting responses serve as a reminder of car culture’s dominance in the Garden State. An estimated 92,000 drivers entered the congestion zone from New Jersey every day,... That’s less than half the daily ridership on the PATH train.” gothamist.com/news/nj-lead...
Reposted by Mariel V
What the DC Power ownership is doing by offering a ton of money for Trinity Rodman but seemingly has refused to put money into their club in the last two years is insulting as hell to their current players/staff who arguably deserve better
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
What the DC Power ownership is doing by offering a ton of money for Trinity Rodman but seemingly has refused to put money into their club in the last two years is insulting as hell to their current players/staff who arguably deserve better
Reposted by Mariel V
We haven’t talked enough about Jess Carter saving that ball endline and dribbling around Marta while on her back👀
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
We haven’t talked enough about Jess Carter saving that ball endline and dribbling around Marta while on her back👀
In 2023, when Juan Carlos Amoros took the perennially underpeforming Gotham to the playoffs, he was the obvious COTY choice.
When Bev Yanez does exactly the same thing, suddenly aaaaalllll these people are dismissing her.
There was no KC equivalent in 23, BUT it still stinks of misogyny.
When Bev Yanez does exactly the same thing, suddenly aaaaalllll these people are dismissing her.
There was no KC equivalent in 23, BUT it still stinks of misogyny.
Her ability to develop players, her unique mentality, her historic season with Racing Louisville, and persevering through everything that was thrown at her both on and off the field, here’s why I believe Bev Yanez deserves to be #NWSL Coach of the Year.
www.si.com/soccer/why-r...
www.si.com/soccer/why-r...
Why Racing Louisville’s Bev Yanez Should Be Named NWSL Coach of the Year
The player-turned-coach has elevated the once middling club, with those around her praising her player-centric approach.
www.si.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
In 2023, when Juan Carlos Amoros took the perennially underpeforming Gotham to the playoffs, he was the obvious COTY choice.
When Bev Yanez does exactly the same thing, suddenly aaaaalllll these people are dismissing her.
There was no KC equivalent in 23, BUT it still stinks of misogyny.
When Bev Yanez does exactly the same thing, suddenly aaaaalllll these people are dismissing her.
There was no KC equivalent in 23, BUT it still stinks of misogyny.
Reposted by Mariel V
Bev deserving COTY isn’t to say Vlatko didn’t have a historic season with KC (he did) or that Adrian didn’t do well with the Spirit (he did), but that Bev did more with way less than either of those two. And she did it in the midst of unimaginable personal loss.
Her ability to develop players, her unique mentality, her historic season with Racing Louisville, and persevering through everything that was thrown at her both on and off the field, here’s why I believe Bev Yanez deserves to be #NWSL Coach of the Year.
www.si.com/soccer/why-r...
www.si.com/soccer/why-r...
Why Racing Louisville’s Bev Yanez Should Be Named NWSL Coach of the Year
The player-turned-coach has elevated the once middling club, with those around her praising her player-centric approach.
www.si.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Bev deserving COTY isn’t to say Vlatko didn’t have a historic season with KC (he did) or that Adrian didn’t do well with the Spirit (he did), but that Bev did more with way less than either of those two. And she did it in the midst of unimaginable personal loss.
Reposted by Mariel V
While we’re still discussing, I do also put a lot of KC’s success on Carducci’s roster building. You could say the same about DC’s roster depth.
Louisville Front Office did not hand the same framework to Yanez, in fact they traded away one of the best midfielders in the league last August.
Louisville Front Office did not hand the same framework to Yanez, in fact they traded away one of the best midfielders in the league last August.
November 10, 2025 at 8:16 PM
While we’re still discussing, I do also put a lot of KC’s success on Carducci’s roster building. You could say the same about DC’s roster depth.
Louisville Front Office did not hand the same framework to Yanez, in fact they traded away one of the best midfielders in the league last August.
Louisville Front Office did not hand the same framework to Yanez, in fact they traded away one of the best midfielders in the league last August.
Reposted by Mariel V
Also let me just add one more thing, LILLY REALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Also let me just add one more thing, LILLY REALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Reposted by Mariel V
Banda’s accolades, while impressive, are not relevant in the face of racist and transphobic attacks. If the league cannot be specific in naming what those "hateful attacks" are, this statement just noise.
November 4, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Banda’s accolades, while impressive, are not relevant in the face of racist and transphobic attacks. If the league cannot be specific in naming what those "hateful attacks" are, this statement just noise.
Reposted by Mariel V
I understand that the NWSL is trying to defend their best player, but this framing creates and reveals the reality that Black women have to be literally the most ELITE OF THE ELITE to "earn" minimal protection, while mediocre/terrible white women enjoy the protection of systemic silence
November 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I understand that the NWSL is trying to defend their best player, but this framing creates and reveals the reality that Black women have to be literally the most ELITE OF THE ELITE to "earn" minimal protection, while mediocre/terrible white women enjoy the protection of systemic silence
Reposted by Mariel V
will say it’s hilarious that the blue jays got revenge by just drilling the pitcher right back (in a legal way)
November 2, 2025 at 1:30 AM
will say it’s hilarious that the blue jays got revenge by just drilling the pitcher right back (in a legal way)
Reposted by Mariel V
Despite what anyone may write in the New York Post, trans people belong everywhere, including the NWSL.
Today, and every day, we stand with supporters groups across the NWSL to say - loud and clear: Trans People Belong.
In the stands, on the pitch, in our communities - everywhere.
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and celebrated.
No exceptions.
#TransPeopleBelong
In the stands, on the pitch, in our communities - everywhere.
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and celebrated.
No exceptions.
#TransPeopleBelong
October 27, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Despite what anyone may write in the New York Post, trans people belong everywhere, including the NWSL.
Gotham WON the thing and there was barely any fanfare made about it: just a single post-game “trophy lift.” No parade, no pep rally, no celebration event, no attempt to make it a big deal for the fans or media.
there's a fascinating conversation to be had about how these continental tournaments in women's soccer are being received and respected, relative to their age and investments by their respective federations
October 17, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Gotham WON the thing and there was barely any fanfare made about it: just a single post-game “trophy lift.” No parade, no pep rally, no celebration event, no attempt to make it a big deal for the fans or media.
Reposted by Mariel V
“Suggesting that someone who is mistreating you is only doing it because they are driven by queer desire is to play on an old and extremely toxic stereotype. It suggests queer desire is a joke, embarrassing, or at worst, predatory.”
Actually Homophobic
Taylor Swift, Queerness, and the Problems with “Actually Romantic”
open.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
“Suggesting that someone who is mistreating you is only doing it because they are driven by queer desire is to play on an old and extremely toxic stereotype. It suggests queer desire is a joke, embarrassing, or at worst, predatory.”
Reposted by Mariel V
It’s never lost on me that NWSL pays for PRO2 level referees because they can’t/won’t pay for the PRO level and at some point, all the owners in the league are going to need to talk about that if they want to be serious
Trinity Rodman speaks out on the refereeing in yesterday’s Spirit-Wave game. (You probably know this, but poor officiating has been a theme across the league this NWSL season.)
“This is one of many examples…. Refs need to be better at managing these games. No words”
“This is one of many examples…. Refs need to be better at managing these games. No words”
October 6, 2025 at 5:17 PM
It’s never lost on me that NWSL pays for PRO2 level referees because they can’t/won’t pay for the PRO level and at some point, all the owners in the league are going to need to talk about that if they want to be serious
Reposted by Mariel V
I think at this point, I’m always going to be frustrated with women’s sport branding that has a W if the counterpart doesn’t have an M.
Looks like the new UWCL coverage on CBS includes a rebrand for Attacking Third.
W Golazo loading 👀👀
W Golazo loading 👀👀
October 1, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I think at this point, I’m always going to be frustrated with women’s sport branding that has a W if the counterpart doesn’t have an M.
Reposted by Mariel V
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
September 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
Reposted by Mariel V
Soccer giveth and soccer taketh away. Going to need some time to process the feels.
🚨 Gotham FC has agreed to trade Nealy Martin to Angel City FC in exchange for $85,000 in transfer funds. The move was granted per Martin’s request.
I spoke exclusively with the midfielder ahead of the move on difficult goodbyes and new beginnings.
www.si.com/soccer/angel...
I spoke exclusively with the midfielder ahead of the move on difficult goodbyes and new beginnings.
www.si.com/soccer/angel...
‘A Calculated Risk’: New Angel City Star Nealy Martin Opens Up on Gotham Trade
The defensive midfielder spoke exclusively with Sports Illustrated after joining the LA side from NJ/NY Gotham FC for $85,000.
www.si.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Soccer giveth and soccer taketh away. Going to need some time to process the feels.
I freaking love NWSL soccer.
Six months ago, this Stars team lost to the Pride 6-0.
Today, they win the reverse fixture 5-2.
Today, they win the reverse fixture 5-2.
September 8, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I freaking love NWSL soccer.
Reposted by Mariel V
Your Reigning Finals MVP. Your superstar goal scorer. Your Ballon d'Or finalist. Out because she didn't get enough time to warm up in a game that shouldn't have been played. I'd quit and go into hiding from the shame.
August 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Your Reigning Finals MVP. Your superstar goal scorer. Your Ballon d'Or finalist. Out because she didn't get enough time to warm up in a game that shouldn't have been played. I'd quit and go into hiding from the shame.
Reposted by Mariel V
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman threatened to fine the Kansas City Current after a disagreement over extreme heat procedures that delayed a match against Orlando Pride roughly three and a half hours, sources told The Athletic.
August 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by Mariel V
