The third episode of Ted Lasso Season 4, titled “Richmond’s Got Talent,” dropped on Apple TV+ on August 19, 2026. The episode puts the newly formed AFC Richmond women’s team through a series of unexpected problems just before their first friendly match against Hayes & Yeading United FC. From losing another striker to a pregnancy announcement to a kit delivery disaster, the Lady Greyhounds face their toughest test yet. The episode also dives deeper into Rebecca’s (Hannah Waddingham) struggle to balance her new relationship with her work commitments and the growing tension between Coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds) and a former player named Gemma Jay.
Richmond Loses Another Striker Right Before the Game
The episode opens with a player screaming in the treatment room. The Richmond women’s team already lost one striker to a season-ending ACL injury in the previous episode. Now, their other striker discovers she is pregnant. While the team celebrates her good news, the reality hits hard. The team has no strikers left for their upcoming friendly match.
Coach Alice Chilton makes a joke about holding open tryouts to find new players. Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) takes the idea seriously and decides to run with it. The tryouts bring in a mix of hopefuls, including some familiar and new faces.
Open Tryouts Bring New Players to the Team
The tryout montage introduces three notable characters. Lizzie (Faye Marsay), a single mother and center back, impresses the coaches with her skills and leadership potential. She shows she can handle the pressure and even breaks up a fight between the twin defenders, Niamh and Siobhan. The coaches quickly accept her onto the team.
Shannon (Shannon Hayes), a character who appeared in earlier seasons as the local girl who showed off her footwork against Ted on the streets of Richmond, also joins the team. Coach Chilton and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) do not think Shannon is ready. But Ted accepts her anyway, showing his faith in underdogs.
Maria Rojas (Paloma Cinco), the sister of fan-favorite Dani Rojas, also shows up. She claims her brother taught her everything about soccer. The coaches soon realize she has never actually played the sport before. Her tryout does not go well, and she misses the ball during a penalty kick. The show uses this moment for a self-referential joke about Dani’s famous “Football is Life” catchphrase.
Keeley Faces a Kit Disaster Before Match Day
Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) has a rough episode. At the shareholders’ meeting, she takes the stage to talk about the women’s team. Someone asks her about the “Higgins Report,” a document circulating on Reddit that claims the women’s team is not financially sustainable. Keeley had no idea the report existed, and Rebecca never mentioned it to her. She feels blindsided and embarrassed.
Later, Keeley learns that the team’s new kits have not arrived. An employee named Derek at the delivery company causes the mix-up. The women’s team has no proper uniforms for their first match. This sends Keeley into a spiral of frustration.
Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) steps in to save the day. He recruits his niece Phoebe (Elodie Bloomfield) and her friends to create makeshift jerseys. The teenage girls sew the Richmond logo onto plain shirts. The jerseys are far from perfect and invite mockery from the opposing team. But the gesture shows the show’s signature warmth and ability to find joy in imperfect moments.
Rebecca Struggles to Balance Work and Romance
Rebecca’s personal life takes a backseat to her work responsibilities. Her boyfriend, Matthijs (Matteo van der Grijn), visits Richmond. They try to find time alone together, but work keeps interrupting. Rebecca misses multiple dinner dates with him because of her commitments to the women’s team.
Rebecca also faces a major setback when Pinter and Sons, the team’s sponsor, decides to pull its financial support. The sponsor cites the Higgins Report and concerns about profitability. Rebecca visits the CEO, Elaine Pinter, to plead her case. She explains why the women’s team deserves a chance. Elaine eventually relents and says she will make a call. But this victory comes at a cost. Rebecca realizes she has missed yet another dinner date with Matthijs.
Despite the setbacks, Matthijs remains understanding. The couple finally manages to have dinner at the restaurant they have been trying to go to. The show depicts how a mature, adult relationship can work even under pressure.
Gemma Jay Makes a Surprise Return to the Field
The episode’s main storyline revolves around finding a new striker. Ted asks Coach Chilton if she knows anyone who could fill the role. She mentions Gemma Jay, a former player who quit football to study law. Chilton does not reveal that she and Gemma have a history of bad blood.
Chilton visits Gemma at a local football game, but Gemma refuses to acknowledge her. Chilton returns empty-handed. Ted does not give up. He joins Chilton on a second visit to Gemma’s law school library. Gemma admits she left football because of Chilton’s harsh coaching style. Chilton defends herself, saying she was hard on everyone. Gemma was the only one who could not take it. Their words do not convince Gemma to return.
Later, Gemma watches a video of a football match during her study group. She feels bored with her law studies and inspired by the game. She changes her mind and shows up right before the team’s first friendly match. Ted welcomes her to the team. Gemma makes it clear she plans to play football and continue law school at the same time. This decision invites Chilton’s criticism.
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AFC Richmond Women’s Team Secures Its First Win
The episode builds toward the team’s first friendly match against Hayes & Yeading United FC. The team enters the game without a proper striker or proper kits. The makeshift jerseys and the lack of a forward create a tense atmosphere.
Gemma Jay enters the game in its final stages. She scores a goal that secures the win for AFC Richmond. The victory provides a much-needed boost for the team. After the match, Gemma reveals she has not dropped out of law school. She had something to prove to Alice, and she did it by scoring the game-changing goal.
The episode ends on a positive note. The team has its first win. Ted’s faith in his players pays off. Rebecca finds a moment of connection with Matthijs. The women’s team survives its first major test.
Also Read: Jason Sudeikis Clears Up Ted Lasso Spin-Off Talk and Hints at More Seasons Ahead
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