Ted Lasso Doesn’t Know What to Do With Women’s Soccer

Ted Lasso returns for Season 4 on Apple TV, this time to coach the women's soccer team of AFC Richmond, known as the Lady Greyhounds. However, his attempts to lead the team prove challenging as he struggles to adapt to the unique dynamics of women's soccer and the female-dominated environment. Despite the presence of many talented actresses in the cast, such as Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, and Tanya Reynolds, the show's focus remains on the new cast members like Keeley, Rebecca, and Alice.

While the original cast members, including Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift, remain integral to the story, the plotlines involving female characters feel stilted and lack the depth and complexity the original cast brought to the series. The absence of strong, well-rounded female characters like Roy and Jamie from previous seasons hinders the show's ability to tackle important issues surrounding sexism in sports and relationships.

Although the show attempts to address these issues through the character of Alice, her portrayal feels more like a symbol of progress rather than a fully fleshed-out individual. Ultimately, Ted Lasso Season 4 serves as a mild attempt at addressing sexism in sports and providing a safe space for women in sports. However, it falls short of being a groundbreaking story about women's soccer, as it remains a workplace comfort show rather than a transformative narrative.