Utah 5, Portland 1. We recorded two hours after the whistle, Marissa on a mic at her parents' place in Las Vegas, and the argument she has been making for five straight episodes died on air. All season it has been the hole Sam Coffey left at the six. Somewhere in the second half she texted Alan "we need center backs. fuck a 6," and most of this episode is her working out why she changed her mind and then defending the new version for twenty minutes. Portland scored inside the first minute and lost by four. Utah were playing their third game in eight days. Portland had been off for nine. Also in here: the back four that changes almost every week, why Marissa thinks Mackenzie Arnold is carrying blame that isn't hers, what the money is actually for, and why all of it comes back to Sophia Wilson's contract. Adults only. Bring a drink.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:14 Utah 5, Portland 1 — and it wasn't the road
02:47 Their third game in eight days, and we still fell apart
06:00 "Fuck a six. We need centerbacks."
08:49 The new coach, and five goals
10:35 The FIFA share sale that got scrapped
11:03 The table: sixth, and it flatters us
12:34 Mackenzie Arnold, and a back line that changes every week
14:31 The money is there
18:00 The window, and Soph
21:51 It isn't Arnold's fault
24:39 Klingenberg honored, and Sonnett's season
27:54 Back at Providence Park on the 15th

Takeaways:
- Utah Royals 5-1 Portland Thorns, August 2, at America First Field. Sophia Wilson scored inside the first minute. Delzer got two, then Mozingo, Palacios, and a Kate Del Fava header from a corner on 89. Portland had conceded 20 in the previous 17 matches.
- All season Marissa has said the problem is the hole Sam Coffey left at the six. Mid-match she texted Alan "we need center backs. fuck a 6." Most of this episode is her taking that apart.
- Utah were playing their third match in eight days. Portland had nine days off and scored in the first minute.
- The back four changes almost every week. Marissa puts Mackenzie Arnold's dip in form down to that rather than to the goalkeeper.
- Portland are sixth on 28 points from 18, goal difference +3. They went into the night two behind Utah and came out five behind. North Carolina, Angel City and Seattle all sit below them with games in hand.
- Sophia Wilson is a free agent after this season and still unsigned. The window shuts September 7.
- Portland have the same salary cap as Gotham. The money, the facility and the ownership are all there. No center back has been signed.
- Emily Sonnett ruptured her patellar tendon and is out for the season.
- Meghan Klingenberg is honored at Providence Park on August 15, the first game the two of us watch together in the building.

Next week is Boston away, our last remote recording. Then August 15, back in person.