I thought they were exceptional and they had chances, didn't they? So let's start by talking about how good they were.

Yeah, I think everybody, at least for me, maybe I can't speak for everybody, but I know for myself, I love the concept of a Cinderella story.

We're looking at those debutantes and what they can do and I think this was a juicy matchup for them.

You're motivated by that, getting into the Champions League, getting in there for the first time, wanting to leave that impression.

And I think if you see on the schedule books that it's Chelsea, you're thinking, OK, maybe there's some opportunity here because Chelsea kind of showed maybe their struggles a little bit in last campaign where they have maybe take their foot off the gas sometimes and leave open opportunities.

And I think if you're looking at that lineup and you don't see a Lucy Bronze that you have to concern yourself with, you're chomping at the bit.

And we saw Austrian side do that against Chelsea.

You talk about stories last year, O.H. Leuven, unbelievable story back in the competition again this year.

Now that we're seeing this, how could this affect the future contract terminations within the league? Because the collective bargaining agreement, which helps protect the NWSL PA and the players, was negotiated in this, but it seems that there w- there was something that kind of, there was some sort of misstep in order for this to happen, 'cause this is not typical for contract termination.

I think, I think you have to take a look also at, like, the, the dynamic of, of Gotham.

I, I think w- when we look at their makeup, they have a great general manager in Al Averbuschs-West, and we are seeing former players step into these roles, and there's something to be said for the former player kinda taking on these executive roles.

They understand what it's like to kind of be on that end of things, at the negotiations where you're kind of the player, and you don't really maybe have a full on say or know what's going on.

It is your agent's job or your managing team's job to go to those tables and then kind of relay that information to you.

You are in play when you have to go there and actually sign the contract.

[laughs] That's kind of when the player comes in, into play, after those negotiations are, are done.

So why does this one differ, and what can be put in place for next time to make sure that nobody's caught off guard?

I think McCall made some really great points about that leeway now that Bay has, but can you give us some insight into maybe what could have gone into this change at this point in the season?

I think you have to take a look at what you just mentioned, this point of the season.

I think you have to look at the timing of this.

I think you have to take a look with Bay FC, where they're in at this moment.

I think we have to take into consideration how they look specifically coming out of that month-long break.

This is the second half of the season.

This is where the razzle-dazzle happens, right? It's the magic.

But boom, bop, bam with coaches and these poor players are struggling the entire time.

Love you.

To taking everybody, you know, behind the scenes and also like maybe the J school.

I don't, I don't read, I didn't read the headline guys.

Like, but, but definitely my content.

I mean, it gave the energy though.

I'm not mad about it.

I'm not mad about it at all because that's, that's kind of what the reaction is.

Do we think this is going to be good right now, Sandra, just given the resume, the fit, the experience level, what Chicago demands and honestly deserves?

What is this? What does it mean? What did you get from

it? I should have worn my best, like, uncle hat, like, to just drop it down and break it down.

But yeah, look, the commissioners' meetings are just that.

The Associated Press Sports editors, they host sort of a two-day conference somewhat annually to kind of gather all the commissioners, and they get the opportunity to kind of be in front of so many of these editors and other media members to kind of exchange ideas, share info, and the biggest thing, ask questions as well.

And And NWSL, to their credit, hadn't always been part of these before in the past.

So some credit to Jessica Berman there and making sure that she has a seat at that table and is in around these, you know, other folks who are making decisions and speaking on other sports leagues.

But she got asked a number of questions.

Do they need any of that at all?

Sandra, what's your hope for this next step with Boston?

Just build that competitive roster.

I'm ready for Boston to ball.

I'll just be frank.

You know, I think when we have heard a lot coming out of this franchise, I think there was a little bit of a wait and see approach in terms of how they're going to handle their arrival to the league.

And look, they've had some hiccups along the way.

Some of those hurdles definitely got knocked over instead of jumped over.

having a previous team in Boston before, do you think that's more helpful or hurtful to build it from the ground up and to do things differently and kind of get a better taste in the Bostonians' mouth?