Friendlies presented by Verizon: Ally Sentnor Is Right On Time

0:00You're listening to the MIB media network and this is the women's game. Had eyes cram and like walked around. Oh my gosh, one second. Oh my god, go go go. It's totally fine. Hi, yeah. Um, no thank you. Yeah. You know the life, the life in the traveling soccer girl. Yeah. Sorry. You're remained. Well, it's Evelyn Shores. You want to make it, can you? Hi Evelyn. Hey. Hi everyone and welcome back to Friendly's brought to you by the women's game. Today in the podcast we have US Women's National Team an angel city attacker, Ali Setnor. Now his Sentinel. Set know with a strike. I want a strike. It was. She scored the last goal from distance against the spirit. And she's done it again now.

1:01That was Ali scoring a screamer from distance for angel city in front of her hometown crowd in Boston a couple weeks ago. In this episode, we're going to dive into this exact moment and so much more about Ali's move to angel city. This podcast is brought to you by our good friends at Verizon, a proud supporter of the global game and the players who inspire us on and off the pitch. As an official FIFA women's World Cup 2027 supporter in the US, Verizon is honored to help share the stories of the world's top players, especially the incredible women changing the game at every level. Stay tuned for more on how Verizon gets fans closer than ever to the beautiful game with much more to come in the lead up to next summer's tournament. All right everyone, here is Ali Setnor. Hello everybody and welcome back to Friendly's. I'm Sam Ueson today. I'm joined by one of my favorite rising stars of the NBSL,

2:01the US Women's National Team and the global game at large. She's an attacker with the ability to turn every touch into magic as her new fans at angel city are quickly learning from Hanson and from distance. It's Ali Setnor. Ali, welcome back to the show. Thank you for having me. I am so excited to catch up. I know that when we're sitting down to do this interview, it is just after this incredible game where your new team angel city beat the Boston legacy five to two. You scored your second goal for Angel City. You also got an assist and you just looked like such a such a long time member of the Angel City family and you got to do all of that in your hometown in Boston, Massachusetts. So I want to go back into that game. It just felt like such a, I'm in a new team. I'm in my hometown. Such a huge moment. Take us back into like the hours before the game. What were you thinking about? How were you feeling going into that kind of like return to home with your new team? Yeah, well, we're on this really massively long road trip. So we came from North Carolina.

3:01So kind of felt like another home game being back in North Carolina, which is really fun. And then we got to Boston a few days early before the game. So I actually got to go home to Hanson and see my family and see like just go to all my favorite spots. Let's go to my favorite ice cream shop. Heidi's home. I saw that you went to Heidi's home. I was going to ask you all about that. Yes. So they actually let me scoop a couple flavors for my teammates. And I'm not, I'm known to really over serve there. So that's probably why I don't work there. But love the owners there. One of them is a former coach of mine actually for the youth national teams, which is wild. What? So really why I got hired. But it was just so fun bringing some of the girls back to Hanson. You know how it is when you get to go home and just have a complete day where you just feel all the feels get to be loved on by your family. And then going into the game, I just felt so energized.

4:04And what a fun opportunity to play at Jalada. I don't know if you've ever gotten to play there. No, wait. No, I don't think I've ever played at Jalada. Yeah, it's a, but it's, you know, the Patriots field group going to reps games there with my club team. So it was really a full circle moment to be out there in the massive stadium with a bunch of friends and family in the crowd. Oh my gosh, Ali, I was so happy for you. I as listeners may know, I had a live show in Denver the day after. So I couldn't be at the game. But I was so devastated because not only did you score, but our other Hanson Massachusetts sister, Sammy Smith, score to goal for Boston. Yeah, I can't believe that we're all from Hanson. I know, it's, it's truly wild. I was like, I guess if Austin needs a score, Sammy can score. I know, I know, I know. You already kind of said like how crazy was to play at Jalada. I'm sure you had so many friends and family there. How did it feel to like have such a great game in this game? Like, I think there's a lot of pressure when you go back to your hometown

5:04and everybody's like wanting you to score. But then five minutes into the game, you like ripped this incredible shot. I mean, when I'm out there, I am so focused on the game. You kind of like block out everything that's going on outside of it. But so I wasn't really even thinking about it. But I had that little feeling before the game that, you know, something special is going to happen. And I'm just really happy. I got to score in front of friends and family. It's always really fun. Even though they were just so happy to be there, regardless. Honestly, just for us to put on a really fun performance, you don't get to score five goals often in a game. So it was pretty magical. And I was just out there hanging out with everyone for so long after. Oh, so sweet. I know it was a really big game for Angel City. We're going to get into your season and your move and everything in just a couple of minutes. I do want to hear a little bit about what it was like. Who from the team went back to Hanson with you and like had ice cream and like walked around? Oh my gosh, one second. Oh my god, go, go, go. It's totally fine. Somebody's just, somebody's just knocking on Ali's door. Hi, yeah.

6:04So I'm joking, yeah. Yeah. You know the life, the life and the traveling soccer girl. I know you're in hotel in Louisville right now, right? Yeah, sorry. Oh my god. I'm so nervous today. Yeah. Tell me about your visit back to Hanson. Who from your team went with you? I need to know who's been there. Yeah, no, literally. And I told them. So they ubered from Foxboro where we were staying. And I said, if you think you're going the wrong way, you're going the right way. Yeah. And if then you think you're going even further, the wrong way, you're still going the right way. Yeah. You'll get there. You'll eventually. And it'll just pop up. So they were, they were dying laughing. But it was, um, Ev, Eve and George and Sam's nearly, uh, Faith and Karina. And they're just like dolls. So sweet. I, I wish I could have had the whole team. But it was so fun just to, we made homemade lobster rolls. My mom chefed up some, some lobster rolls. Yeah. Was on the grill. So honestly, it was the perfect day.

7:06Oh my gosh. That sounds amazing. I'm so happy that you got to do that. Um, you mentioned your family who obviously still live in Hanson. Massachusetts. Um, how much is it you in LA yet? Yes. They've made the track a few times actually. And they heard it out next weekend as well. So I know it's, it's really crazy that they're just going across country now. But it's, I mean, my brother's in Denver now too. Oh, okay. College. So they'll make lots of West Coast trips. But they love it. Brought them to the beach. Super amazing. Okay. So happy for you. I have made that flight a lot of times myself. I went also from Hanson, Massachusetts. But I went to UCLA for college. I'm curious how you've adjusted in general. You do look so happy. I'm obviously I've been following you on Instagram. But are there any big differences between LA and all the other places you've lived? Yeah. I don't know if you feel the same way. But being from the East Coast, you're kind of like a West Coast hater at first. And then you're like, like, why is everyone so happy there? Why do you want to be nice? And then you get out there and I was like,

8:06oh, wow, this is really nice. So I'm honestly loving it. You get sunshine 24, 7. The beach is awesome. But I feel like what truly is making my LA experience is the girls on this team. They're just incredible. We have so much fun together. I mean, we're on a two week road trip and we still want to hang out. And we have a book club. We play games. We honestly, like, it's just so fun. And I'm lucky that they've gotten to show me around LA, show me their spots. And we do game nights. It's honestly a blast. Oh my gosh. I'm like, that's on so fun. What are you reading in book club? So we just read yesterday year. Love. I will say half of us didn't finish it. Oh, no way. Because the other half didn't give great reviews. Okay. I've had a lot of mixed conversations about it. I was in Rose the Vell's apartment right now. Because I'm visiting New York to visit my sister and nephew and Rose and my friends here.

9:08And she just asked me what I thought of it. And I really liked the book because I thought it was a great read. And I thought it sparked a lot of conversation. But I know half of those conversations were people being like, didn't like it at all. Yeah. So we'll see what book number two brings. Yeah. Yeah, I'm excited for you guys. I'll have to Rose is a big reader. So maybe I'll ask you if you have any. I'm always asking Rose for Rex. Yeah. I can't be probably sick and tired of me. But I'm like, hey. Hi, it's Sam US of the Women's Game Podcast. If you listen to or are listening to Goodbabs FC right now, you'll know I absolutely love Oli Pop. After a long summer practices in the grueling heat, my sister and I would always stop for a soda on our way home. And cracking a lemon lime Oli Pop takes me back to those summer days with my sister exhausted and thirsty for something cold and refreshing. Today, it's become a staple for both me and the Goodbabs squad. With up to nine grams of fiber to support digestive health, Oli Pop is made with real ingredients

10:09and has around 90% less sugar than traditional soda. But it seriously tastes like the soda you grow up sipping. And with 21 flavors ranging from classics to fruity varieties, there's a flavor for every mood. Personally, I always keep lemon lime and vintage cola in my fridge. And you can find your flavor at drinkolipop.com slash GVFC, where you can receive a buy one, get one free offer redeemable at any retailer where Oli Pop is available. If you buy two Oli Pop's, our great friends at Oli Pop will Venmo or PayPal you back for one of them. Oli Pop can be found all across America in stores like Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, Whole Foods, HB and Publix. Thank you to Oli Pop and all our listeners for supporting the women's game. You mentioned that you love being around the girls, which makes me so happy. You did just join Angel City, where you came from Kansas City. You were playing there with the current. Angel City as a club played their first season in 2022. And it was like this big watershed moment for the league. They had so much ambition, stars on the team, record breaking crowds, celebrity investment.

11:11And it feels like Angel City is one of the clubs in the anybody cell that has pushed everybody to kind of think bigger about what this league can be. On the field, they've struggled a little bit with inconsistency, results wise, tactics wise, and leadership wise. They've had a lot of coaching changes over the years. But when I talk about Angel City, the club still brings me so much hope because it's obvious that they're building something really special. What about the club appealed to you when it came up that you might have the opportunity to go there? One of the things you just mentioned is ambition. And I think there's a ton of energy and ambition coming from all the way at the top from this club down to the players playing every game on the field. Watching the team, you can tell there's so much passion, you can tell there's that want and desire to be one of the top teams in the league and be that consistently. Like you said, I think in the past, it hasn't been consistent. So what really appealed to me is coming in and trying to be someone that can be a glue for this team and someone that can bring even more energy

12:17and help just create what's already there and make it even better. I think there's so much potential and there's LA's huge city. So imagine this team consistently winning, getting into the playoffs often, how much energy and buzz there can be around a team. Like Angel City, I think that's just really cool to think about. Yeah, it's so fun. I totally get what you're saying because I was drawn to LA and you say life for like a similar reason. I was just like, it's such a new and exciting opportunity. There's like this lore of moving out west and like being near so much ambition. So I totally get what you're saying. How about your early conversations with the club? Like what did they lay out to you as their vision for you as a player? Why they wanted you to come join them? It's funny because I'm such a loyal person. I'm such a loyal player. So when I commit to something, I go full in 100%. So I've moved to a few clubs, but that is for opportunity.

13:17And I think Angel City just presented the most opportunity at the time. And careers are short and I think you really need to take advantage of the opportunities given to you. So when I talk to them, just the passion and the excitement they had for a player like me coming in and really being there for time to build a formative team and to build a formidable team. That teams don't want to play again. So I think being someone that can create and score goals and defend on all those three aspects is something that they really wanted to buy into. And I think there's already such incredible players on this team that I just wanted to add to that brilliance. Yeah, wow. I, what a great answer. I also know you had been at Kansas City for about a year. Previously you were on the Utah Royals and I'm curious if you had, it sounds like you were so excited to make the move in that there was so much opportunity. But I am curious if you had any anxiety as a person about making another move. Yeah, for sure. I think, like I said, I'm a super loyal person.

14:20I've lived in the same hometown my whole life. Played for the same club team, only played at one college. Like that really moving around and changing that often was very new to me. And I definitely scary. I think I am very family oriented. I like to be where my feet are. I put everything into what I do. So I think moving was not necessarily what I had in the picture. That's not what I planned for my career. Like going into professional soccer as wide as I had no idea what I was getting into. And I was like, I'll be at the same club my whole life. And I think now like you take so much from every situation, every club that you're at. And I'm just hoping to at the end of my career be the most complete player and person that I can be. And if I can take that from all the people around me that I've met and all the places that I've been, like I would call that the biggest success. So definitely some anxiety, but leaning on my inner circle and leaning on the people that know me

15:22and know what I want has been huge. Amazing. It really does seem like you have such a good head of nurse shoulders and also such a great support team. So wherever you are, I know you're going to make the most of everything. You also did join the team at kind of a tumultuous time though. Angel City started the season really strong and have had great moments throughout the season. But they hit a little bit of rough patch before the summer break during which they parted with their manager, which was announced literally, I think, on the same day as your trade, which I just for you. I was like, oh my god, what's happening? But I do think that something that always comes through about Angel City is how united they are as a squad. The first thing you said about them was I love the girls. I love the players. And that is something even I from the outside can just tell. Tell me about those early days when there was that bit of uncertainty and just your first impressions of your new teammates. I mean, definitely crazy. You know, the league is crazy and stuff happens like this all the time. So you really have to roll with the punches a lot of the time. I mean, I was never there with Alex. So I came in not knowing anything different than what we've had.

16:27Obviously, the girls had. So it was learning what they need and learning how they're operating and getting over certain things and moving on from certain things. So it was really getting to know the girls first was most important and just seeing how I can connect with them on and off the field. Definitely wild. You know, it's been a roller coaster, but I think we're really happy with how things are going. We know that we can win more games, get more points and like has done a good job leading us so far. Amazing. I also think, you know, player leadership is so important. I think someone who stands out who would have stepped up in a kind of crazy moment like that is obviously Sarah Gordon. She's such an icon of this team. She's been with them since the beginning. We've had her on the show here and just she's one of those players that the fans are so passionate about and just love following. Is there anything you think that we maybe don't know about Sarah Gordon that we, you know, she hasn't shown on like her TikToks or even in her play, like what's it been like getting to know her as a person?

17:28Yeah, it's funny because I think she's one of the only like American players. I didn't really know or have it come across in the league coming on to the team and she is just a badass on the field. Like so from afar, you're like, oh my gosh, like she's so close. It's so cool. I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm a little intimidated. Like, and she is one of the kindest, most loyal leaders that I've seen on a team. I cannot say enough good things about her on not the field. The consistent she has on the field is really no worthy to me. She shows up every single game, puts her body on the line for this team no matter what the circumstances. If we've played two days prior, if we've had two weeks off, you know, I'm just like so impressed with the way that she cares herself on the field. But then she like really cares for us off the field, always advocating for us, always just like doing the most for Angel City. And I think that it's hard to come across leaders like her. So I can't say enough good

18:30things. Wow, that was like really high praise. The thing I also just love about Zarek Gordon is like she has set a new standard like defensive highlights. I feel like aren't always shown, but it's like every time I see a defensive highlight now, I feel like it's Zarek Gordon. I'm like, we need to be showing these more. The blocks, the slide tackles, the hustle back. Like she's so gritty and so tough and like so talented at timing. When it comes to her defending, she's just one of those like innately good defenders. And I think she's honestly inspired our backline to really following her footsteps because now it's like I feel like every 20 minutes in the game, I'm seeing one of our defenders make some crazy tackle. That's like cooler than I could ever see. I'm like, I don't know what you guys are doing back there, but you're doing a great job. I know. So impressive. Zarek Gordon is obviously like closer to my age, but I know she's going to be keeping up with all the Gen Z stuff. You have a lot of young players on Angel City as well. Your fellow US women's national team team, H.S.L. Thompson, U23 national team regular Evelyn Shores, plus Riley Tyrannan, Savvy King.

19:35What is that like to have all these young players that I assume you're really close with on your club team now? It's honestly awesome and we really do have a super young team. Especially when you look at it on paper, I mean we're like truly all around the same age. And so I feel like I even feel old sometimes with the trends going on. I have to really try hard to keep up. The amount of tiptocks, funny jokes, just everything going on where all like sisters, it's almost like you're in college again and the professionals were all around the same age and then all of our older players as well are just young souls I feel like. So that's a compliment to them and we all just yoke around and have a good time. I love that. It's so important too. And I just know this from all my own experience in the league when your team really likes each other. Even if it's a tumultuous season or like a tough time on the field, you will come through it because of that bond and that chemistry. It's just so so important. So I'm really happy to hear that you have that at Angel City.

20:36What has it been like to get to know the fans of Angel City? Some of the most loyal in the league and to play at the most stadium? Yeah. Remain. Moe, it's Evelyn Shores. You want to make a can of you? Hi Evelyn. I was just talking about you. Hey, how are you? I'm good. How are you? I'm great. Congrats on all your success this season. Thank you. I appreciate it. Maybe you can come on the podcast soon. Oh, maybe. Okay. I'll talk to Lisa. You're having all my closest friends on the match. Yeah. My match. Well, means you're next. Oh, are you so close with Badi? They were roommates in college. Yeah. Oh my god. How fun. Okay. Well, I'll talk to Lisa. Tell me about getting into the fans and playing at BMOS stadium. BMOS is so cool. Honestly, I liked playing there as an away team. So playing there as the home team is really, really fun. I think the fans are so into it.

21:39And I think they were as hype about, you know, me scoring my first goal to Angel's PK save the other day to Sarah Gordon's slide tackle in the box to Savvy's return. And like they're just so hype and excited for everyone. And it's always a great crowd. It's really loud. It's a great field. And so it's pretty cool. Well, I know that the fans were like so hyped to watch you score your first goal. One of our producers here, Colleen, as an angel city season ticket holder. And she's been watching all your away games. They have watch parties together and she overheard some of her other season ticket holders being like, we really want Allie to score her first goal at home so that we can cheer her on. And that first goal did come in mid August. Your seventh game with the team. But oh my gosh, the goal was so special. It was worth the wait. It was from distance. An absolute rocket. The kind of goal that gets everybody up on their feet. Kind of like a classic Allie set nor rum distance. Incredible shot. I want you to take us into that moment. When you're watching the ball, you know, you feel it.

22:41Come off your foot. What are you thinking? What are you feeling? Yeah, well, honestly, so I thought I had scored my first goal in the first half. I know. And so I was like really high for like excited. And then I got taken away. And honestly, that was pretty brutal because also it just was like a game changing moment in a game when you're up a goal or and then we actually went down a goal. So it really was a rollercoaster of a game. And I think that's when I kind of get most into my mode is when, you know, things are hard. You got to just put your head down. And I just kind of felt it coming. Like I was getting some good shots off. I had some save. We had some that deflifed it for corners. Like we were like right on the edge of it. And I guess I decided to try a crazy. This is one which I tend to do. And I just like felt it to be right. I beat a couple defenders and I said, you know what? I'm going to try it out. And it like perfectly bent into the corner.

23:41And I think the best part about it was just seeing how happy the team was. Seeing how excited the fans were and the fact that I was like, okay, I actually feel like we could score another and win this game too because of that. So it was really magical. I was really excited. I'd been waiting for it to come. So as a goal scorn, as a forward, like it's one of the best feelings. I know. I can just feel it to the feeling when you strike it so well and you kind of know what's going to go in and you think it's almost slow down and you see the path for the ball to go into the net and you kind of know before everybody else. Yeah, I kind of was I didn't even like really look at it. Yeah, you're just like, well, that was a goal. Yeah, I'm so. I know. Oh, that's amazing. Something else that stood out to me about this and then even your next goal in Boston. It's something so you're that you're so good at. It's like kind of integral to who you are as a player is these shots from distance. There are some of the most difficult to score. Not just because of the power and accuracy required to get it on target and get it past goalkeepers

24:45at this level, but also just because of the skill and awareness required to create these opportunities tactically on the field. You have such unique abilities to set these shots up in different ways to play in the pocket. You can be in that space between defensive lines to turn and dribble at speed. You can create and combine and get the ball back. You can just dribble yourself. You can play back to go and combine. You have so many tools. Talk to me about what you're thinking tactically in a game while you're playing with Angel City. What are you focusing on in order to set up opportunities for yourself to shoot? I'm grateful that I've been given a lot of freedom here as an attacking player to both being the pocket, flow wide, change sides. I think that is really huge as a player that likes to play creatively and isn't just a vertical fast player. I'm not going to outrun anyone in a 40 yard race. I think I'm more of a shifty player.

25:48You can play 360 degrees in an angle. I think that freedom has really allowed me to use my tactical knowledge on the field and just find the space and find where I'm most useful. If I'm in the pocket and it's been a while since I've been on the ball, I'm going to float wide. I'm going to get on the ball and create or just create a couple of passes. I think that's been really fun to figure out because I don't necessarily feel like I have a specific position. Which is fun. It's versatile. It's helpful. It's been really cool. I think my evolution as a player is I love those shooting from distance. I'm never going to take that away because that's something special that I have and can do. But it's also then how do I get maybe 10 yards closer with the combination and how do I fake a shot and slip it wide and just the deception and versatility of that being a real complete player.

26:49I think is going to be my next step. Well, I love hearing you talk about this because obviously every big decision you make like the move to Angel City has this other team in the background, the US Women's National team, the 2027 Women's World Cup is next summer. And I know when you are making a big decision, you're also thinking, how is this move going to help set me up to make that roster to be on that team? How is the way you're playing right now at Angel City and the skills that you're able to showcase there going to help you make that roster? Yeah, I mean, obviously that's one of the biggest goals in your career. It's so you know it. Make a World Cup roster. Play a World Cup win a World Cup. That is one of the biggest focuses I think of in the short term. And it is just a dream of mine. I know like Kristi had said in the past two, like the closer it gets and the more you think about it, like the realer it gets and the crazier of a dream it becomes. And that is just my ultimate dream is to be on that team. I've had such a blast learning from all the players and all these camps.

27:51So I think for me it's just putting myself in the best position to hopefully be someone that that team can can utilize and utilize my skill set and whether you know that's coming in off the bench, starting a game, whatever that means. Like I want to be there and I want to be able to help that team succeed. So I think showcasing all different qualities in an end of a cell game and being able to defend, being able to play multiple positions, being able to shoot from distance and get close, can only hopefully set me up to succeed and be an integral part of that team. Amazing to hear that. I am so excited for you. I am curious if when you were considering making this move, if you talk to Emma Hayes about it at all and if she gave you any feedback or advice about just making decisions like this. Yeah, she was really helpful honestly and really honest and I can only appreciate that so much. And I think she knows us pretty well and knows what we need and she was really helpful in helping me

28:53decide where I can feel most confident. I think was the biggest thing and feel like I can play my best soccer leading into that world cup and being able to showcase like I said all those different qualities. What team can do that the most and what opportunities the biggest and honestly just where I can feel the happiest when you're happy on and off the field you're going to play your best soccer. So I love that that's the environment that Emma is creating with the national team. I think that it feels like something that would be both enjoyable and allow players to actually play their best. I feel like I played in a lot of environments national team and not that were built on kind of a different thing and happiness wasn't necessarily the priority and I wonder, you know, I played on so many great teams and successful teams but I always wonder what it would have been like to have that prioritized. So I just feel so happy for you guys that that's the environment that's getting created because I think it has the power to really bring out the best in all of you. Okay, a couple more questions and then I'm going to let you go. I know I know that

29:55Angel City is again going through this big transition. You've joined the team but a lot of fan favorites and a lot of important members of the team have also recently come back Claire Emsley had a baby. Say the Rue is back such a legend. Somebody who is like goes extends beyond the world of women's augur. How does it feel as a team to have them back in the mix and kind of have more people apart of what you're trying to build? Yeah, I think it's incredible. I mean, Jamie, Claire's son is like our traveling mascot. We all are obsessed with him. We just pass him around. He's the sweetest little boy. So I think Claire has become even greater because of him and you can tell she's just so happy and has so much love and appreciation for what she's doing because of him. So it's been really great to see her back on the field and just such an international veteran. You're always going to want people like that on on your team and I always am trying to go to her for advice and pick her brain on what you know about World Cup and about you know her career. I think

30:59that's so important and to have people like Sid and Savi coming back to like you want the best people in your training environment because that's what makes your team the best and we always talk about with our team. It really does take everyone. It sounds like a cliche, but I think the best teams are the ones where you could put Emma talks about the slot anyone on the field and put them into the system and style that you want to play and everyone's going to know what they should do. So when it comes time to the playoffs and it comes down to these like last games having everyone back has been a huge advantage. Love that. I love that so much. Okay, last question. It sounds like you know I think normally it takes time to like adjust to being on a new team, but it just sounds like you've embodied Angel City's mentality. You're such an important part of the team and it happened so quickly. So now as you think about the rest of the season, you know Angel City's I think only made playoffs one time. What would it mean to you? What does the team have to do in these next few games to get over that playoff line and make a real run for a championship? When those games

32:03are literally tied up once you games and around, you're like guys we can't keep crawling, we need to run. But no seriously, we had a really great you know team conversation the other day about what it will mean to us and what we need to do to get there and I think every team is fighting to be in playoffs. That's no secret. Every team wants the same thing. So it's figuring out how we're going to get there and the differences that we need to do and I think we keep making progress and we are at that point where I think we're in we're a good team but we can be a really great team and that's going to take time. It's going to take attention to detail, but we're really close and I think that's exciting. It's fun to be a part of it. It's fun to build something, build something special and I think that we have a real chance to be like an upsetter in the playoffs. Love. Well I can't help but cheer for you guys. I'm always rooting for you, Ali, no matter what team you're on, no matter where you're going. I just feel like we're hands and sisters forever and I'm really

33:04really proud of you. And proud to be from the same town. I know. I always say I'm like Sammy starting the same sort of movement. Well let's keep it going, Ali. Thank you so much. Good luck. I love it. Catching up. This is so much fun. I am such a huge fan of Ali's. Obviously I love it from the same hometown and I don't think I'll ever get over that but she's also just so fun to hang out with and has such a great attitude and perspective on everything that's going on. I'm really excited to see her continue to shine with Angel City and I'm always rooting for her. Before we let you go, we've got our linked up voicemail of the week presented by Verizon. Each week we want to hear from you. So call and leave us a voicemail at 855-611-4050 and you could be featured on a future episode of Friendlies. Here's

34:04our caller this week. Hi Sam, it's Carly from Long Beach again. Thank you so much for answering my questions a few weeks ago. I'm calling with another question this time about the Ballendor. I was so excited as E-Roses name on the list but I think there's so much more in the Pizal talent that was snuck. My question is why do you think that is and as fans, what can we do to help get our players recognized on the global stage? Thanks so much. Bye. Hi Carly. Wow. Thank you so much for calling us back. It's so great to hear from you again. The Ballendor. Man, it's tough because it does skew European every single year. There's obviously a ton of great talent and a concentration of competitions there but I agree with you that players from other parts of the world are getting overlooked. I think one thing to keep in mind is that this is a French award and while it's so so prestigious and meaningful and like I would have killed to be on this list or witness award, it is just one award. I was glad to see five end-of-a-sell players on the list, Rosalbaal, Tammashwinga, Barbara Bandat,

35:05Lorrainea and Monacamette Tsukubo who has since moved to Chelsea but was nominated for her play with North Carolina. I also think that Lila Johanis' inclusion in the Young Talent Award is promising but I agree there were some snubs. Players like Emily Fox and potentially even Lindsey Heaps or Trinity Robben should and could have been included. Becky's hourbred and I actually just did a whole mini-sode about this that you can find on the Women's Game YouTube channel. As far as what fans can do about it, let your voices be heard on social media, continue supporting and tuning into games from all over the world and just cheer on your favorite players. We may not be the ones making these final decisions but there are lots of other really important ways to make players feel seen and supported so I think just continuing to be a fan is the best that any of us can do. Thank you again so much for calling in. It's always so nice to hear from you. That was our linked up voicemail of the week presented by Verizon. If you want to join us for this segment, the banana phone is open, give me a call at 855-611-4050. Just leave a message, ask me whatever you want and you could be the

36:05next featured listener. Thanks to our friends at Verizon. We will be back tomorrow with Mewa Squared and then we'll be back next week with good vibes. Thank you all so much for being here and we'll see you soon.