Soccerish

From heartfelt confessions to laugh‑out‑loud chaos, Soccerish is Oneish pulls together the funniest, most serious, and most moving moments from across Soccerish. Featuring surprise guests and the legendary “I’m just doing the financials” refrain, this greatest‑hits special celebrates the voices, stories, and shenanigans that made Soccerish unforgettable. Expect refereeing lessons, coaching secrets, wild anecdotes, and emotional payoffs — all stitched into one epic highlight reel. Guest appearances include Julie Foudy, Sam Coffey, Laura Harvey, Bev Yanez, Danny Higginbotham, Jill Loyden, Leslie Osborne, Charlie Davies, Susannah Collins, and Ann‑Katrin Berger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lori Goes to Ref School is a three-act deep dive into the decisions that shape matches — the ones fans debate, players argue, and TV analysts replay endlessly.Across Grade School → Junior High School → High School, Christina Unkel walks Lori Lindsey through real match scenarios, the laws behind them, and the gray areas where football and refereeing collide.Act I covers early-career lessons — including a Marta–Heather Mitts moment Christina never shared publicly until now.Act II breaks down deliberate handball, continuation fouls, and the ethics of a goal scored through broken nets.Act III goes all in on VAR: why some decisions take so long, what the officials are actually checking, how football understanding informs interpretation, and why referee development in the U.S. still requires patience.This is the referee classroom the audience has been asking for — honest, detailed, and rooted in what actually happens on the field and in the booth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christina and Lori pop back in with a holiday hello — same outfits, no Christmas sweaters, full honesty. They talk about holiday traditions (or not having them), Guatemalan vs. every-other-kind-of tamales, homemade rolls, red vines, and why Lori doesn’t own a single ugly sweater.They share:why Lori’s “tradition” is… not having oneChristina’s Noche Buena ritualthe great tamales debatefavorite holiday foods (yes, dessert counts)New Year’s resolutions (or “time sweeps”)Christina’s challenge: do one new thing every weeka reminder that Boxing Day football is the real holidayA short, festive drop-in from the Soccerish crew — Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes someone choose the loneliest position on the field? In this Soccerish Special, we dive into The Goalkeeper’s Story — a journey from backyard dreams to the highest levels of the game.Tony Meola remembers the mullet era and how the role has transformed.Jill Loyden and Christina Unkel unpack the pressures young keepers face and the bravery the position demands.Jenny Nguyen brings humor and honesty about what it means to “dream big” in goal.Ann-Katrin Berger shares her philosophy on playing high, her iconic one-handed save at the Euros, and her fight through thyroid cancer — including the tattoos and sign language she uses to honor her sister.Danny Higginbotham explains how footwork has become as important as shot-stopping in today’s game.Across acts — Who’d Be a Goalkeeper, Look No Hands, and A Goalkeeper’s Story — this special weaves technical evolution with human resilience. It’s about gloves, grit, and the courage to stand in hard places. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soccerish Presents | Women Who Lead is a special compilation featuring the voices of coaches who’ve shaped the NWSL at its highest levels.You’ll hear:Bev Yanez, 2025 Coach of the Year, on balancing leadership, family, and staff trust.Laura Harvey, a three-time Coach of the Year, reflecting on authenticity, therapy, evolving with her players — plus her unexpected admission about TikTok dancing and why The Summer I Turned Pretty absolutely does not pass the Harvey test.Freya Coombe, who’s lived both the highs of being hired as a head coach and the lows of being fired, sharing lessons in resilience and tactical growth.Together, they speak intimately to Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey about hardship, coping, caring, bonding, and success. They reveal what the game means to them, how they manage the relentless demands of coaching, and how they lead with authenticity and vision.This special isn’t just about soccer — it’s about leadership, vulnerability, and the human side of the NWSL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From boat parades to Euro finals, Christina and Lori lived soccer at full speed this year. In our season finale, they reflect — not with a grand “state of the game,” but a personal one: the moments that surprised them, the stories that stuck, and what they learned from being inside soccer’s biggest stages.They share:calling the Euros and the NWSL Championshipthe rise of Bev Yanez — and why it matteredLaura Harvey’s infamous AI momentLori’s childhood mission to become Tony MeolaChristina’s whirlwind of boat parades, contracts, and financialswhy the MLS Cup not having a neutral site caught them off guardwhat fans quietly tell them about how (and why) they listenhow they navigated the blur of 2024where they hope Soccerish goes nextand yes, Lori reacts to Christina’s “Chilly Willy” triathlonPlus: a first look at our December/January special series — Goalkeepers - The Last Defender, Women Who Lead, Soccerish One-ish, and Lori Goes to Ref School.Chapters (mm:ss)00:00 Ish-ing around & Thanksgiving reset01:30 World Cup draw + MLS Cup — Miami–Vancouver, Messi/Alba/Busquets, neutral-site debate05:00 Personal reflections — Bev Yanez, Laura Harvey & AI, Tony Meola childhood, Rochester Rhinos confusion08:30 Season recap & the future of Soccerish storytelling11:00 Grassroots voices — Jenny Nguyen’s Sports Bra, Club Eleven on the road13:00 Highlights — Euros, NWSL Championship, on-air chemistry16:00 Life inside the game — boat parade, contracts, stress, boundaries, triathlon23:30 A shifting year — calendars, parity, expansion across U.S. soccer27:30 Listener habits & the power of untold stories32:00 Looking ahead — 2026 plans, World 7, and our specials preview Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Thanksgiving special opens with the biggest story in American women’s soccer: the Trinity Rodman decision. Christina explains the business realities — the salary cap, the DP conversation, and how league structures affect player movement — while Lori breaks down what it feels like to face a choice like this during a championship run.They also revisit the key tactical moment from the NWSL Final: Hal Hershfelt’s injury and the delayed substitution. Lori explains how Washington’s hesitation shifted momentum to Gotham and influenced the winning goal.From there, Christina and Lori look ahead to the MLS semifinals — San Diego’s stunning expansion-year surge, Inter Miami’s form, and what Messi’s output means at this stage of the season. They close with the USWNT’s upcoming camp under Emma Hayes and what she’ll prioritize in the final window of the year.And yes, it’s Thanksgiving — so Lori is “bringing the vibes,” Christina is grateful for finally getting her hair cut, and both hosts take a moment to reflect on gratitude, rest, and the massive three-year runway ahead: the Women’s World Cup, Men’s World Cup, and the LA Olympics.Happy Thanksgiving — and buckle up, buttercups.Chapters (mm:ss) 00:00 Cold open — “Millions of hats” and Christina’s first haircut in a year 00:34 Thanksgiving intro — What Christina and Lori are grateful for 01:44 “Illuminated year” — Lori on work, balance, and unstructured time 02:15 Friendsgiving plans — Lori brings “the vibes” 02:52 Vibes era — Women’s sports and CBS Championship atmosphere 03:46 Record breaker — Most-watched NWSL match ever 04:29 “We have arrived” — San Diego → KC → San Jose 05:29 The catwalk — Stadium setup and matchday design 05:55 Trinity Rodman — The crossroads 06:40 Player reality — Compartmentalizing during a championship run 07:34 “Generational talent” — Why Lori hopes Rodman stays 08:58 Equal pay to star power — How we got here 09:45 Super League vs NWSL — Parity and the DC Power offer 10:52 Should NWSL adopt a DP rule? 12:26 Salary cap realities 13:40 Locker room dynamics 15:00 Players Association — Protecting parity 17:19 The league is evolving 19:07 Wild West window — Prospects and overseas movement 20:10 Why internationals want to come 20:41 Melting pot future 21:04 Hal Hershfeld injury — The turning point 22:49 The delayed sub — Momentum shifts 23:48 The “gingerly step” — Goal sequence breakdown 24:27 Coaching lessons 24:54 MLS playoffs — Miami and Vancouver–San Diego 25:18 Expansion shock — San Diego hosting a semi 26:07 Messi in form 26:54 Rising expansions 27:08 USWNT — Emma Hayes’ final camp of the year 27:38 Roster management 28:50 Italy preview 29:32 Holiday sign-off — “Buckle up” 29:52 Thanksgiving close Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Soccerish, Christina and Lori are joined by former USMNT striker, CBS analyst, and “Call It What You Want” podcast host Charlie Davies for a fast, honest look at a pivotal moment in American soccer.They preview the NWSL Championship between Gotham and Washington — two very different teams with clear strengths and real questions. Can Gotham handle Washington’s physicality? Will Ann-Katrin Berger steal the spotlight again? And is Trinity Rodman healthy enough to change the match on her own?Charlie also breaks down the USMNT’s evolving identity and why the real tests come in March against Portugal and Belgium, not in November friendlies.And they dig into the seismic changes reshaping the domestic game:• MLS preparing to shift to a fall–spring calendar• USL pushing ahead with promotion and relegation• Why these moves finally put U.S. soccer in step with the global gamePlus: the origin of Lori’s “Shut Up, Steve,” and a brief detour into her Tony Meola hair era.Soccerish at full speed — big matches, big changes, and a national program growing up in real time.New episodes every Thursday.Chapters (mm:ss)00:00 Cold open — Christina and Charlie bond over North Andover and ice cream spots 00:43 Welcome — “1-2-3 go vs 3-2-1 go” and show preview 01:32 NWSL semis — Lori on Gotham/Washington momentum and the Yellow Brick Wall 02:39 VAR chat — the razor-tight offside in Washington’s match 03:24 Gotham’s heroics — Ann-Katrin Berger’s “matrix save” 07:12 Travel panic — Christina freaks out about flights; everyone is flying into SFO 09:01 Picks — Christina leans Washington for the NWSL Championship 10:31 Gotham case — defensive strength vs. season-long inconsistency 10:56 Charlie arrives — “I finally made it to Soccerish!” 11:22 Coaching life — freezing practice, kids’ tournaments 12:11 Career intro — USMNT, Olympics, MLS clubs 14:25 Broadcasting — working with Jimmy Conrad & Tony Meola 14:57 Meola mullet lore — Lori modeled her hair after Tony 15:36 USMNT Paraguay recap — transition into Uruguay preview 16:27 Identity shift — Pochettino’s system, wide-player spacing, Balogun support 18:17 Summer 2026 — belief, injuries, and what’s needed for a run 19:25 Mentality — Charlie on the 2010 underdog mindset 20:10 Confederations Cup — Egypt win, beating Spain, belief they could win a World Cup 22:53 The belief — “We can beat the very best.” 23:11 Statement wins — why Mexico wasn’t enough 23:47 Uruguay — is it a statement win or not? 24:11 Portugal & Belgium — March matches as the real tests 25:25 Shut Up Steve — the Wake Forest backstory and what the USMNT needs 26:28 The brawl — fighting for each other as maturity 27:10 MLS shift — calendar vote and domestic impact 28:26 MLS realignment — why it finally makes sense 31:05 Weather reality — cold markets and scheduling 31:55 Right timing — MLS couldn’t do this before 32:24 Stadium economics — moving beyond NFL dependency 33:42 Fans vs cold — growth vs comfort 34:18 USL pro/rel — intent and pathways for players 36:42 Development — advice for young players and parents 38:00 Coaching kids — foundational ages 6–12 39:10 Writing — how Charlie joined The Athletic 40:20 The book — paused but coming 42:11 Topics — what he writes and why 43:05 Suggestion box — how listeners can pitch ideas 44:31 Final Q — Who wins the NWSL Championship? 45:00 Charlie’s pick — Gotham 46:18 Wrap — US vs Uruguay preview and sign-off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone wants to stop Messi. Danny Higginbotham says that’s the first mistake.This week on Soccerish, the former Stoke City captain and current MLS Season Pass analyst joins Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey to explain why obsessing over Messi breaks teams before kickoff — and what the real tactical challenge actually is. It’s not about stopping one genius and the game's "greatest player". It’s about denying rhythm, space, and identity to the entire team.Danny also unpacks the myth of the “cold, rainy night in Stoke,” takes us inside Tony Pulis’s infamous training sessions, and explains why long throws and set-piece chaos are suddenly back in fashion.Plus: what he misses most as a player, how hypnosis helped him conquer a fear of flying, and what he’s seeing in the MLS Playoffs.It’s tactics, toughness, and a touch of therapy — Soccerish style.Chapters (mm:ss)00:00 Welcome — Christina introduces Danny Higginbotham, former Premier League defender & MLS analyst02:27 Backstory — Lori recalls their delayed flight from Miami and Danny’s fear of flying03:30 Hypnosis — how Danny beat flight anxiety and what it taught him about control04:37 Home base — the basement games room, framed shirts & two floods06:00 Ref chat — VAR controversy from Cincinnati vs Columbus and what analysts see differently09:20 Pulis era — 6 a.m. bike rides, grind culture & learning to suffer for fitness10:10 Stoke style — the long throw, set-piece chaos & why old-school weapons are back23:45 Messi myth — “Teams try to solve the problem that is Messi… you’re wasting your time.”25:10 Defending the unstoppable — discipline, distance & structure over fear44:42 Game evolution — why slower tempo is bringing back box-to-box midfielders46:20 MLS trends — set pieces, transitions & the return of the gritty team1:08:20 Hypnosis revisited — panic, respect for anxiety & mental resilience1:08:43 Airport habits — Christina confesses she arrives 30 minutes before take-off1:09:22 Playoff preview — Philadelphia vs NYCFC and what to watch for1:09:39 The joy of live sport — unpredictability and why he still loves the game1:11:14 Final question — “Which team is the MLS Stoke City?”1:11:30 Danny’s answer — “Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United.”1:12:00 Wrap-up — Christina & Lori thank Danny and close with next-week’s tease Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one hits different.When Ann-Katrin Berger talks about signing “I love you” to her deaf sister before a match, everything stops — even Christina and Lori. The Gotham FC and Germany keeper opens up about what drives her: surviving thyroid cancer twice, staying calm when the world’s on fire, and why she listens to heartbreak songs before kick-off.She’s, funny, self-aware, and disarmingly honest — from her tattoos to that one-handed save at the Euros that made the world gasp.🎙 Hosts: Christina Unkel & Lori Lindsey🏆 Guest: Ann-Katrin Berger — Gotham FC & Germany NTNew episodes of Soccerish every Thursday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and soccerishpodcast.com.#Soccerish #AnnKatrinBerger #Goalkeeper #Germany #WomensFootball #Inspiration #SignLanguage #DeafCommunityChapters (mm:ss)00:00 Cold open — signing “I love you” & the story behind it 01:03 Welcome — Christina introduces Germany & Gotham FC’s No. 1 02:11 Home base — Stuttgart, Mercedes & Porsche pride 02:52 Car chat — “Get her that dealership deal!” 03:55 Match prep — calm, music & pre-game rituals 05:08 Playoff mindset — Adele, Bieber & heartbreak songs 06:13 Euro 2025 save — “It felt like The Matrix” 08:45 Why the Euros hit different — pride, pressure & depth 09:43 Speed vs. space — adapting to NWSL tempo 11:19 Lori joins — U.S. style, youth systems & boxed potatoes 13:15 Adapting across leagues — Germany, France, England, U.S. 16:57 The modern keeper — footwork, risk & composure 18:03 Advice for young goalies — “Play out of goal as long as you can” 20:55 Positioning — stopping attacks before they start 21:36 The save revisited — instinct, defiance & disbelief 24:37 Off-field life — family, sister & sign language 25:03 Growing up together — learning to connect beyond sound 27:40 Empathy — “Who decides what’s normal?” 28:17 Teaching Christina & Lori — how to sign I love you 🤟 31:19 Cancer & courage — speaking out and helping others 35:08 Tattoos — compass, tree & “All we have is now” 38:15 Reflection — resilience, humor & life perspective 39:27 Playoff focus — facing Kansas City next 41:31 Knockout mindset — “You have to beat them anyway” 41:55 Closing — gratitude, humor & no beer in Germany 43:26 Wrap-up — Lori & Christina debrief, viral week recap 47:22 Weekend plans — playoff calls & Racing Louisville shout-out 47:37 Outro — follow, subscribe & thank-yous Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey joins Soccerish to talk about leadership, burnout, and the boldest tactical experiment in the NWSL: asking ChatGPT what formation to play—then actually using it.Hosts Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey draw out Harvey’s trademark mix of honesty and humor: therapy sessions, karaoke misfires, and even enduring The Summer I Turned Pretty just to bond with her Gen Z squad.This is Laura Harvey unfiltered—funny, reflective, and redefining what modern coaching looks like.Highlights include:🧠 “I asked ChatGPT what formation to play… and it worked.”💬 Authenticity, leadership, and therapy off the field🎤 Karaoke choices and TikTok dances🍿 “I want my time back.” — on The Summer I Turned Pretty⚔️ Why the Portland–Seattle rivalry is the real deal🕳️ The viral “ghost goal” and lessons in honestyChapters (mm:ss)00:00 Cold open — delayed flights, MLS playoffs & chaos 01:03 Karaoke talk — Adele, Bieber & mic control 02:28 Rolling start — “Wait, are we actually recording?” 02:45 Welcome — Christina & Lori re-introduce Laura Harvey 03:45 Season grind — 12 straight weeks, coast-to-coast travel 05:15 Performance fatigue — introverts in an extrovert job 06:36 Self-care shift — therapy, leadership coaching, boundaries 09:45 Authenticity — “Be you, or players see through it” 13:34 Coaching advice — women, authority & finding your people 16:34 Generation gap — The Summer I Turned Pretty & evolving 18:09 Tactics — ChatGPT formation experiment (and it worked) 21:47 Deception by design — unpredictable systems & open coaching 24:30 Future of NWSL — expansion, youth movement & loyalty 27:02 Team identity — shifting focus from stars to clubs 28:46 Rivalries — Portland-Seattle, “true hatred with respect” 31:44 Outro — laughter, joy & “best job in the world” 32:19 Post-interview — rivalries, storylines & club culture 36:54 U.S. rivalries — geography, coaching personalities & fan energy 37:17 Ghost Goal clip — Doxa FCW vs. Lansdowne Yonkers 38:37 Law 5 debate — no VAR, no replay, pure chaos 40:33 Ethics — should players admit it wasn’t a goal? 41:25 Ref accountability — zip ties, field checks & fairness 47:55 U.S. bid — Women’s World Cup 2031 & CONCACAF vision 49:09 Summer of Soccer — the U.S. decade ahead 50:24 Wrap — gratitude, growth & watch on YouTubeWatch, listen, subscribe and follow• All episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast • Show notes & clips (Substack) → https://www.soccerishpodcast.com/ • Shorts playlist → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast/shorts • IG/TikTok/YouTube → @SoccerishPodcast • Audio podcast → https://pod.link/1786871720HostsChristina Unkel (CBS/ITV rules analyst; FIFA referee) & Lori Lindsey (CBS/Amazon/Apple analyst; former USWNT)Contact / bookings📧 [email protected] 🎬 Red Card Productions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the NWSL playoff race hits its two-game sprint, we revisit Bev Yanez—head coach of Racing Louisville and the only current NWSL coach who also played in the league. Her philosophy is clear: work rate, honesty, and sustained commitment to the group. From a coaching awakening in Japan’s brain-bending rondos to a midseason reset after a 4–1 home loss, Yanez explains how those moments shaped her leadership—and why Racing now carries her identity for 90-plus minutes.Inside the episode • How Racing built a hard-working team identity • Why Japan “broke” her (and made her better) • Leading a staff of former head coaches • Trust, growth, and ownership in the locker room • The (hypothetical) swear jar — and what it says about authenticityOn the record: Christina Unkel makes a bold call — Bev Yanez as a future USWNT head coach. Do you agree?Chapters (mm:ss)00:00 Cold open — proper English weather & hello again 00:40 Welcome — Christina & Lori re-introduce Bev 02:05 Fun fact — only NWSL HC who also played 03:38 Path to coaching — visibility, licenses, Japan spark 05:51 First months as HC — what you don’t see in the chair 07:49 Identity thread — work rate from player to coach 10:17 Box-to-box — effort as a throughline 15:07 Japan — the rondo shock 23:34 Playoff push — the 4–1 reset & principles 25:31 Calling card — “we work for 90-plus minutes” 27:33 Swear jar — authenticity with a bleep 32:49 Christina’s call — USWNT future 42:50 Outro — thanks & sign-off Watch, listen, subscribe and follow• All episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast• Show notes & clips (Substack) → https://www.soccerishpodcast.com/• Shorts playlist → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast/shorts• IG/TikTok/YouTube: @SoccerishPodcast-Audio podcast https://pod.link/1786871720HostsChristina Unkel (CBS/ITV rules analyst; FIFA referee) & Lori Lindsey (CBS/Amazon/Apple analyst; former USWNT)Contact / [email protected] | Red Card Productions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pablo Bayona Sapag is the founder of Club Eleven, a media company dedicated to telling the stories of American soccer—from grassroots clubs to national team stars.In 2025, Club Eleven turned a 1998 school bus named Woody into a rolling newsroom and museum and drove it 9,000 miles across the country, chasing the U.S. Open Cup and collecting stories you won’t find in a press release.Along the way:A tire blowout outside a funeral homeA block party in Brooklyn with Tim Weah and Allen LazardA USL2 final in Vermont with 5,000 fans—half outside the stadiumA jersey handed over with flare burns still freshA Bayern Munich event at Rockefeller CenterAnd a reminder that soccer in the U.S. isn’t a brand—it’s a habitChristina Unkel and Lori Lindsey dig in with Pablo on what’s growing, and what actually matters heading into World Cup year 2026. It’s grassroots over glossy. It’s the messy, funny, stubborn version of U.S. soccer you won’t get from a press release. Plus how Neil Armstrong took an Argentinean soccer club pennant to the moon.Watch. Argue. Believe.Chapters (mm:ss)00:00 Cold open — rubber, debris, and the birth of a soccer bus00:40 Welcome — Christina & Lori introduce Pablo and Club Eleven02:05 What is Club Eleven — from match-day stories to a bus museum05:10 The Open Cup thread — choosing a roadmap for the year06:40 Meeting Christina — the print mag interview in Austin08:20 Background — Peru → U.S., DC United, and starting Club Eleven12:45 MLS, regional fandom, and missing stories15:20 On the road — Nashville oil leak at a funeral home18:50 Tire blowout — New England detour and making Red Bulls on time21:40 Manhattan stop — Bayern pop-up; Icarus Cup to Vermont in a day24:50 Vermont final — 2,500 in, 2,500 on the hill; flare-burn jersey28:40 “America is a soccer country” — Asheville kids and optimism33:10 The crew — five friends, one bus, 9,000 miles35:20 Funding & vision — the “blank check” bus ideas38:40 Naming the bus — why Woody (and the Neil Armstrong pennant)40:10 Tally — 9,000 miles, 11 Open Cup games, 17–18 total stops42:10 Tuesdays in the lot — Open Cup community and first-timers44:10 Best bars — Phoenix Landing and the Premier League list46:10 Wrap — gratitude, next plans, and sign-offWatch & follow• All episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast• Show notes & clips (Substack) → https://www.soccerishpodcast.com/• Shorts playlist → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast/shorts• IG/TikTok/YouTube: @SoccerishPodcastHostsChristina Unkel (CBS/ITV rules analyst; FIFA referee) & Lori Lindsey (CBS/Amazon/Apple analyst; former USWNT).Contact / [email protected] | Red Card Productions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kansas City Current assistant coach Freya Coombe joins Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey to unpack the culture, detail, and day-to-day standards behind KC’s runaway NWSL Shield season. Freya also shares the now-legendary story of the Rolling Stones concert that almost derailed an early coaching opportunity—and what that taught her about preparation and accountability. We dig into why moving from head coach to assistant changed player dynamics (“they hate me less now”), and we answer a listener’s question on soccer’s “mysterious numbers”: what a 6/8/9/10 actually do, with KC examples.What you’ll hearKC Current’s blueprint: culture > clarity > ruthless game management“Standards don’t sleep”: work, don’t whine—and double down after you winThe assistant’s lens: relationships, selection pressure, and set-piece/defensive detailPositions explainer: clear, simple breakdown of 6 / 8 / 9 / 10 (no jargon)Chapters (mm:ss)00:00 Cold open — Stones night, dawn flight, and a first-impression test02:00 Stakes — KC’s Shield in September; why this season is different05:20 Origin beat — the MetLife concert story and what it changed10:10 Why KC win — standards, rotation, and game-state control17:10 Inside the staff — defensive detail under Vlatko; clean-sheet mentality19:30 “They hate me less now” — assistant vs. head coach dynamics33:20 Culture rules — train like champs; work, don’t whine36:57 After the Shield — “now is when we double down”41:40 Listener letter — what a 6/8/9/10 actually do (KC examples)47:50 Wrap — playoff look-ahead + where to find moreGuestFreya Coombe — Assistant Coach, Kansas City Current; former head coach at Gotham FC (Sky Blue) and Angel City FC.Watch & follow• All episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast• Show notes & clips (Substack) → https://www.soccerishpodcast.com/• Shorts playlist → https://www.youtube.com/@SoccerishPodcast/shorts• IG/TikTok/YouTube: @SoccerishPodcastHostsChristina Unkel (CBS/ITV rules analyst; FIFA referee) & Lori Lindsey (CBS/Amazon/Apple analyst; former USWNT).Contact / [email protected] | Red Card Productions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Coffey joins Soccerish in the thick of the NWSL playoff race to talk pressure, parity, and her past life as a barista. With Lori Lindsey and Christina Unkel, she gets into how to thrive in perhaps the most competitive league in sports: ignore the playoff math, win the day in front of you, and embrace a league where “you lose one game, you’re in 12th.”What’s insideServant leadership, not ego. Set others up to win; power to do, not power over.Unsung heroes. From Willie (Thorns) to Sophie (USWNT): equipment managers, comms, ops, medical—the backbone. Give them their flowers.The Emma Hayes effect. Intentionality, women’s health, purpose → performance.Parity without panic. Stop doom-scrolling the table; be great today.New episodes every Thursday with Christina Unkel & Lori Lindsey.⏱️ Episode 6 – Sam Coffey | Timecodes00:00 – Cold open: chaos, tradition vs. “our way” 🎙️00:48 – Christina + Lori introduce Sam Coffey; pressure of club & country ⚽️01:25 – Sam arrives (traffic!); first impressions and podcast format 🚦02:15 – Growing up in a sportswriting family; dinner-table sports talk 📰04:20 – Family still sports-obsessed; Portland visit stories 🌲05:30 – Mom’s tennis background; Yankees loyalty 🎾06:12 – Why Coffey majored in journalism; her sister’s feature writing ✍️08:28 – “Coffey’s Corner” idea → storytelling beyond soccer 💡10:36 – Unsung heroes: equipment managers, support staff, behind-the-scenes impact 🧰12:53 – Gratitude for staff at club and USWNT; “they run the team” 🙌14:38 – Coffey on leadership style → servant leadership, setting others up 🌟18:29 – Christina reframes: “It’s power to do something” 🔋19:05 – Emma Hayes’ influence: female lens, menstrual cycle research, joy in play 🇺🇸21:40 – Biggest changes in USWNT environment: clarity, intentionality, unity 🧭24:35 – Barista in camp? Yes → professionalism and comfort ☕️27:09 – Why details (like coffee!) matter when you play 11 months/year 🔄28:10 – Pressure of playing while also “building the movement” 🏗️29:19 – Life after soccer; financial + emotional pressure 💰30:12 – NWSL playoff race: tight table, mindset of one day at a time 🗓️33:44 – “Whoever picked us last doesn’t get Portland culture” 🌲34:27 – Dream guest question: Sam chooses Mikel Arteta (and Declan Rice shoutout) 🔴⚪️37:15 – Lori’s pick: Megan Rapinoe in a “Gary Neville walk & talk” 🚶‍♀️37:59 – Wrapping up: NWSL parity, Gotham match preview 🆚38:32 – Outro: follow Soccerish on YouTube + socials 🔗 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey sit down with Shaw Brown. He’s the person who decides what gets elevated, corrected, or cut—what to zoom in on and what to leave on the floor. Here's the conversation headlines and talking points.USWNT, no spin: Why he believes they’re the world’s best team—and where the goals come from next.USMNT reality check: Will the team be World Cup ready? What it takes to light up casual fans (hint: reaching the knockout rounds), plus Shaw’s “perfect World Cup” recipe.Ref-cam debate: Cool POV vs clunky hardware—why it helps the fan.Naomi Girma: Why he calls her the world’s best defender.When you’re wrong on air: Fix it next show. Simple as that.Breaking into TV: Work,and coachability, plus the 15-second test that launched Christina's TV career.Classic Soccerish chaos: CBS calls mid-record; Lori takes the wheel; Christina pops back in like nothing happened.If you care about the USWNT/USMNT—and want an insider’s take and how TV frames the game—this one’s for you.00:00 – Cold open: Champions League day chaos; Christina sets the tone ⚽️00:37 – Shaw: “I would be shocked if they did not win the ’27 World Cup.” 🇺🇸01:02 – Lori: “I want to do Champions League games… I need to get in touch with somebody in Europe.” ✨01:59 – Christina: “I love that you’re eating something. What is it that you’re eating?”02:07 – Lori: “I’m eating tuna… was engulfed in Champions League… let’s eat some tuna.” 🐟02:22 – “Is it okay? How do you eat tuna?” → mayo + mustard + “everything”03:02 – Microwave fish & boxed mash confession 🤢04:23 – Spaghetti with sour cream (and black beans) — childhood favorite → adult regret05:23 – “Friend… would eat raw ground beef with salt & pepper.”06:04 – Christina: “By any chance do you see the guest, Lori?”06:10 – “Who let this guy in?” → Shaw arrives; “legendary” entrance 🙌08:09 – “You’re going to have to jump in, Lori…” → Lori takes the wheel while Christina handles CBS 🎛️09:36 – USWNT under Emma Hayes: depth, direction, expectations10:18 – “Start seeing real squads… blowing some teams up pretty quickly.”12:43 – Shaw’s origin story: Ipswich to internships to World Cups 🌍16:24 – “There’s never been depth like this” (USWNT)18:48 – Naomi Girma praise + repeat: “I’d be shocked if they did not win the ’27 World Cup.” 🛡️20:36 – Why U.S. players in Europe matters (keepers, CBs, attackers)23:56 – USMNT state: roster churn, friendlies vs Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay, Uruguay26:44 – Christina returns: Real Madrid handball — “It’s not the bracing arm.” 🖐️32:00 – If you’re wrong on air, fix it next show; “the goal is to be correct.” ✅34:18 – World Cup résumé: seven men’s, seven women’s35:37 – Keeping 2026 momentum in the U.S.36:36 – World Cup “recipe”: USMNT knockouts + a Cinderella + Messi’s last run; ticketing gripe 🎟️41:12 – Stars sell; MLS = weekly chaos and fun (not always “the best,” always entertaining)45:39 – Ref-cam: “monstrous” vs why Shaw still likes the POV 🎥47:57 – Breaking into TV: reps, coachability, honest feedback; Christina’s 15-second test51:26 – Sign-off: gratitude, “pushing the envelope,” see you next week 👋 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Soccerish, Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey are joined by Susannah Collins.Kickback & Career: Susannah takes us inside the launch of Kickback Soccer Media, her time at MLS and CBS, and what it’s like living the USL League One “WAG life” while her husband coaches.Breaking News Hits: Mid-recording, the Suárez MLS suspension drops. Susannah reacts, sparking a debate on whether MLS needs villains and why Zlatan was the “good” kind.Life Beyond Soccer: Susannah opens up about her breast cancer diagnosis, why she chose to share it publicly, and the support she’s found in the soccer community.Scoreline Chaos: The crew close with predictions for the USMNT vs Japan—none of which aged well—before Christina’s power cuts out and Lori wraps the show solo.It’s Soccerish at its best: human, sharp, funny, unflinching, and unfiltered.⏱️ Time-Coded Highlights00:00 – Cold open: Would you rather be punched in the face or spit on? 🤔00:53 – Christina introduces surprise guest Susannah Collins 🎙️02:26 – Kickback Soccer Media: why Susannah launched it ahead of 202605:03 – From CBS mornings to Kickback nights: life after 4 a.m. alarms09:19 – The Call Up origins: hotel-bar conversations that became a podcast 🍸13:26 – Breaking news: Luis Suárez suspended mid-recording14:55 – Susannah on villains in MLS: “I’d rather be punched than spat on” 🥊21:12 – Zlatan vs Suárez: what makes a good villain23:17 – Susannah’s path into soccer media (and a DM that changed everything)26:45 – Life in USL League One: Susannah on being a “WAG” and her husband’s red card 🚩29:20 – Susannah shares her breast cancer diagnosis and why she went public ❤️36:31 – The power of community: how soccer rallied around her38:55 – Shaving her head: family support, laughter, and hidden gray hair ✂️😳40:21 – The wig reality: “Good Lord, they’re expensive” 💸40:55 – Charlie Davies’ advice: “Don’t let cancer win” 💪42:25 – Christina on wanting Storm’s white hair ⚡43:04 – Susannah: “Lori Lindsey’s my hair inspiration” ✨43:29 – USMNT vs Japan predictions (none of which aged well) 🇯🇵🇺🇸45:36 – Christina’s power cut → Lori closes the show solo ⚡ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in our first week of Soccerish, our friend Julie Foudy sat down with us, dropped an incredible behind-the-scenes story about launching a new podcast with Billie Jean King and Abby Wambach—then told us we had to delay airing it and wait for the official announcement. Fair enough.We’ve been sitting on it ever since. Now the embargo is over, and you’re getting the whole thing: how Welcome to the Party was born at an Angel City game, why Billie Jean is secretly the funniest person in the room, Abby’s golden-retriever energy, and Julie admitting she has “no ..... idea what TikTok is.”It’s smart, chaotic, and joyful. In other words: peak Soccerish.⏱️ Time-Coded Highlights00:00 – Cold open: “How do we win at podcasting? How do we become number one?” 🎙️00:21 – Soccerish relaunch + surprise guest Julie Foudy joins the party01:02 – Julie reveals her new podcast Welcome to the Party with Billie Jean King & Abby Wambach 🎉01:35 – Behind the scenes: how a quiet Angel City moment with Billie Jean sparked the idea03:08 – The spark turns real: Abby bounds in, they decide to launch together03:33 – Format preview: 2x weekly shows → interviews, plays, big moments, topical riffs04:32 – “It’ll be a party”: equal parts smart, ridiculous, and fun05:23 – Why separate studios, but lots of live events & “watch with us” parties planned 🥳07:12 – Julie on Glennon Doyle’s influence: “What Glennon did for women’s sports is what Taylor’s doing for the NFL”08:09 – Abby’s return after a decade: healing, joy, and a new media company launch08:56 – The grand plan: Treat Media, a women’s sports network run by athletes, not middlemen 💪09:58 – Christina and Lori tease Kevin as “the good middleman” 😂10:30 – Julie on the joy of working with Abby and Billie: laughter, hats, and high energy10:51 – Distribution: YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, video-first production11:45 – Billie Jean uncensored: “How do we win at podcasting?”11:52 – Julie: “Have a ton of fun—then you’re number one”12:15 – Official launch: September 4 in We Can Do Hard Things feed + dedicated Welcome to the Party feed12:44 – Julie on TikTok: “I have no effing idea what TikTok is” 🤷‍♀️13:12 – Farewell: Soccerish sends Julie off with congrats & good luck ❤️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Soccerish, Christine and Lori unpack the season’s most explosive penalty moment Thomas Muller's overtime goal for the Vancouver Whitecaps —was it actually clear and obvious or just really, really unlucky for St Louis City? We dive into the referee world, where one decision can trigger a cascade of group texts, Monday-morning blowups, and reassessments that make you second-guess everything.Then there's 40,000+ fans cramming into Oracle Park for Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit—proof the NWSL isn’t just growing, it's booming.And finally: Jill Loyden joins the mic. Yes, the former USWNT keeper and founder of The Keeper Institute, but also one of the sharpest analysts in the booth—heard everywhere from ESPN and CBS to ION and NWSL. She’s here to dismantle how goalkeeping is actually being taught—science-backed, coach-first, and built to make every kid think, “Yeah, I want to be that last line.”Refereeing chaos. Stadium-shaking crowds. A kicker (in the literal and metaphorical sense). That’s your episode.⏱️ Time-Coded Highlights00:00 – Welcome back: Christina vs. Lori on a controversial Vancouver penalty call 🎥00:54 – Oracle Park packs 40,000 fans for Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit ⚽🔥02:40 – Women’s sports boom: rugby shout-out & Christina’s unlucky sports weekend04:30 – The penalty breakdown: was it clear & obvious or just “unfortunate”? 🤔06:10 – Lori: “It doesn’t look like a penalty to me” → Christina confirms no-penalty08:15 – VAR debate: who initiated contact and was the defender allowed that space?12:20 – Christina on “robot referees” vs. refs who feel the game 🧠14:02 – Inside the referee world: one mistake sets off a storm of texts & calls 📱16:30 – Education over punishment: how refs review clips every Monday/Wednesday19:20 – Why NWSL & USL refs need full-time status (and still aren’t paid like it)20:25 – Jill Loyden joins: from USWNT keeper to world domination at TKI 🧤24:00 – Jill’s path: small-town NJ → Hope Solo’s teammate → coach & founder27:10 – Building The Keeper Institute: from South Jersey to a national brand 🌍29:45 – The evolution of goalkeeping: shot-stopper era is over, playmakers rise32:10 – Why England is ahead in keeper development & what the U.S. must fix33:45 – Jill on training coaches, not just kids: a science-based “coaching college”37:50 – Success markers: curiosity, bravery, and goalies who want to learn more40:17 – “Rising tide lifts all ships” – how better coaching raises everyone’s level42:09 – Who played in every U.S. pro league? Lori reveals the short list 📜43:30 – Heather Mitts vs. Marta: Christina’s unforgettable yellow-card story 😅45:01 – Jill’s big picture: building coaches early to change U.S. goalkeeping46:37 – Would you toss the penalty cheat-sheet water bottle into the stands? 💦48:09 – Jill: “I don’t care about winning anymore, only development”49:15 – Farewell to Jill: “One of the best humans in the game” ❤️50:30 – Christina on goalkeeper initiatives & corporate partners fueling change51:56 – Looking ahead: Labor Day matches, CBS game, and the grind of ticket sales Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was supposed to be scripted. We had stats, notes, a plan and even a quiz. Then Julie Foudy showed up.This week on Soccerish: a serious debate about Vegas bookies and plant survival, a nod to Emma Hayes’ calm rebuild and cultural reset of the USWNT, and a philosophical discussion about who does what in a bar fight. Also: Connecticut fireside chats, wine math, how Julie is coping with her daughter leaving for college and why “Soccerish” is the only name that captures this kind of freewheeling conversation.What did you expect when Christina, Lori and Julie got together? Oh we forgot, there's a running joke about Christina's financials too. And then there's Julie's broadcasting boo-boo....hot mics are dangerous.⏱️ Time-Coded Highlights00:00 – “Welcome to… not Gourish!” – Lori and Christina unveil Soccerish 00:40 – Lori: “It means everything we want it to mean” – redefining the show’s scope 01:11 – Christina vs. Werther’s (or “Weathers”) 🍬 01:18 – Christina shows off her gifted plant: El Jefe 🌱 01:48 – “Will this plant survive?” → the first official Soccerish prop bet 03:08 – Girls’ trip at Ojai with Sarah Spain, Aliyah Boston & more ✨ 04:14 – CBS talent meeting takeaways: people want more referee talk 05:28 – Julie Foudy appears on screen 🎉 06:06 – Julie on her daughter leaving for college (tears, stories, first day feels) 08:13 – Sarah Spain in a dark alley → “She’s had some bar fights, no question” 09:04 – Roles in a hypothetical bar fight: protector, joker, getaway driver 10:02 – Lori’s “Summer of Lori”: Copa América, Euros, endless games 12:55 – Foudy’s hot-mic college cup story: “Put a pitchfork in her” 🔥 13:59 – KC vs Orlando meltdown, 100° heat, 9-hour delay 15:18 – Christina: “I’m just doing the financials” (again) 💸 16:03 – Lost medals & dirty trophies: why hardware belongs “to the people” 18:16 – Trophy boat parade: beer, tequila, and Mayor Jane chugging 🚤🏆 19:28 – Why Christina built the Tampa Bay Sun when no option existed 19:57 – Fun fact: Lori played in every U.S. women’s pro league but one 22:25 – Early NWSL locker rooms: “basically like a high school gym” 23:11 – From sportsplex chaos to Portland’s world-class facilities 24:20 – Christina on referee abuse, policy, and leaving education behind 25:10 – Christina name-checked in Anson Dorrance’s NCAA email 💥 26:54 – EPL flashback: was that a foul or just keeper weakness? 27:45 – Planning a Soccerish live show around Alex Morgan’s Philly send-off 29:28 – Foudy recalls Becky Sauerbrunn’s surprise ESPNW honor 32:06 – Emma Hayes’ calm rebuild: freedom, joy, and intentional culture reset 34:07 – Foudy signs off: “Congrats y’all on Soccerish!” 🎙️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before everything changes, Christina and Lori want to say thank you—and look back on the best moments from Season 1 of The Soccer Podcast USA.In this special episode, we’ve divided our favorite clips into four chapters that show the full range of what makes this show unique: surprise guests and unexpected twists; deeply personal stories that reveal the heart behind the game; serious rants and rule debates that prove we know our stuff; and offbeat, weird moments that you won’t find anywhere else.Whether it made you laugh, think, or say “Wait, did that actually happen?” — these are the moments that defined our first season.Chapter Breakdown:It’s Surprising — Surprise guests, unexpected moments, and playful unpredictability.It’s Personal — Vulnerability, passion, and stories that reveal the human side of the game.It’s Serious — Rants, rules, and hard takes that prove we’re as smart as we are fun.It’s Different — Offbeat, spontaneous, and wonderfully weird moments that define our unique voice.Stick around until the end for a sneak peek at what’s coming next. New name? New vibe? New definition of “soccer”? We’re still figuring it out — but we promise it’ll be Soccerish.New episodes return August 21st. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it.⏱️ Time-Coded Highlights🤯 Surprise Guests & Big Reveals01:11 – Lori meets her “work husband” Chris Wittyngham 02:15 – Jenn Hildreth drops in—CBS crew reunion vibes 03:30 – Mike Grella joins fresh off the pitch🗣️ Speaking Out & Leading Change04:00 – Christina on retaliation, lost assignments, and finding a voice through TV 05:19 – Lori: “Different levels of the same fight—WNBA, AFCON, CONMEBOL” 05:40 – Coaching, leadership, and the emotional toll of being ‘always on’💔 Janelly Farias: The Shoulder, the Tragedy, the Transition08:06 – Deciding to step away from pro soccer 09:06 – Dislocating her shoulder in her final games 09:45 – A family tragedy shifts her priorities 10:22 – Choosing to be present for loved ones⚽ Fan Moments & Player Memories10:40 – Lori’s backyard goal and pretending to be Tony Meola at age 10 11:45 – Posters on the wall—men’s and women’s teams🌍 The Bigger Picture12:11 – Why breaks matter: “We’re all human” 13:25 – The Sports Bra origin story: TVs, tears, and women’s sports front-and-center 15:26 – Leaving a legacy: “Better than I found it”📺 The Netflix Deal & Women’s Game Growth17:18 – Shannon Boxx on Netflix winning Women’s World Cup rights 18:08 – FIFA finally separates women’s and men’s rights—“Wake up, FIFA!” 18:14 – Brazil players speak out: “Enough is enough”🧐 Referee Corner20:16 – Handball controversy vs. Mexico—Christina breaks it down 22:31 – “Is it natural?”—bracing falls vs. deliberate handling 23:49 – VAR delays and decision-making explained😂 Shut Up, Steve & Other Running Gags26:33 – The ‘Shut Up, Sandra’ mindset 29:07 – Birth of ‘Shut Up, Steve’ for the USMNT 29:25 – Old people candy: Werther’s Originals nostalgia🌮 Food, Flights & Flamingos30:53 – Corn vs. flour tortillas—this could end friendships 32:36 – Philly taco trucks and Italian Market finds 33:11 – Airline sponsor dreams and the “Phoebe the Flamingo” airport👽 Alien Texts & Random Closer34:19 – “Have you been taken by aliens?” text mid-recording 34:46 – Final sign-off: “It’s not just soccer—we’re learning about everything” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

57 matches in 31 days. A Copa América final. Extra time. Travel. Studio. MLS. Leagues Cup. Euros.Was it a world record? Maybe. Either way, it was The Summer of Lori.Christina and Lori look back on a ridiculous July, celebrate Trinity Rodman's emotional return, and hype the Seattle-Portland rivalry ahead of a huge NWSL weekend.Oh—and yeah, this is the end of Season 1. We’re not done. But something is changing. A new name. A new look. A new season. Coming soon.🎧 Subscribe now to follow what happens next.#Soccerish #NWSL #TrinityRodman #LoriLindsey #ChristinaUnkel #WOSO #CopaAmerica #Euros2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before she was a U.S. national team star, Lori Lindsey was a kid in the backyard pretending to be Tony Meola—mullet and all. In this episode, Christina and Lori sit down with the U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer for a funny, honest, and far-reaching conversation that spans generations of the game.🎧 Topics include:– Why today’s penalty takers are crumbling—and what’s changed in goalkeeping– How Tony would’ve thrived in the modern game (but not the 300 dives a day)– What keeps him coming back to the mic—and whether coaching still calls– Cheat sheets, stutter steps, and the science (and stress) behind modern PKsIt’s a mix of nostalgia, insight, and big energy from three voices who’ve helped shape American soccer on and off the pitch.📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube🔗 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok#TonyMeola #LoriLindsey #ChristinaUnkel #Soccerish #Goalkeeper #USMNT #WOSO #SoccerPodcast #PenaltyKicks #MulletEra⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:00:00 – England wins the Euros—but Lucy Bronze’s fractured tibia steals the headlines 01:34 – Lori: “It’s heroic—but what message does it send to young players?” 03:51 – Christina: “We need to talk about pain, glory, and responsibility” 05:24 – Chloe Kelly’s penalty routine has entered the cultural chat 06:55 – Special guest Tony Meola joins from a familiar hotel room 09:52 – Christina confesses: “I wanted to be Tony Meola as a kid” 🧤 11:39 – Tony: “Penalties today are harder—goalkeepers have evolved” 13:01 – Lori: “There’s more pressure than ever on women’s players now” 15:29 – What’s on that water bottle cheat sheet? Tony breaks it down 17:44 – Tony: “We didn’t even defend the middle of the goal back in my day” 20:24 – How Tony stumbled into broadcasting (and nailed it) 23:31 – Lori: “What keeps you in the game?” Tony: “The people.” 26:23 – Coaching comeback? Tony still feels most at home on the grass 28:39 – Reinventing adrenaline: Lori, Christina, and Tony on booth vs. pitch 31:30 – Tony on goalkeeping evolution: “I’d have thrived today” 33:17 – “45 minutes—still no hands!” The state of keeper training today 35:06 – Should we ditch penalties? Christina and Tony say no way 36:55 – Christina: “Tampa fans want shootouts—we want the drama” 38:01 – What Tony’s watching: MLS playoffs, EPL chaos, and Serie A heartbreak 39:39 – Christina: “We both won titles this summer—now it’s your turn, Tony” 40:22 – Mullet confirmed: Christina Googles 90s Tony Meola for the win Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Soccer Podcast USA, Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey connect the dots between protests across women’s sports—from the WNBA All-Star shirts and the USWNT’s equal pay campaign to the emotional stand taken by Brazilian players at Copa América. Christina shares a personal story about the real consequences of speaking out as a FIFA referee—and how leaving that role gave her the freedom to use her voice. Lori breaks down Ann-Katrin Berger’s gravity-defying save at the Euros 2025 quarterfinals and the mentality behind elite goalkeeping. Plus: a guest cancellation turns into a poop story, All-Star Games get a fashion makeover, and how culture, courage, and sport keep colliding in 2025.⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:00:00 – No guest this week—just Lori, Christina, and a poop emergency 💩 01:14 – Shoutout to Jill Loyden: advocate, goalkeeper, and game-changer 03:39 – Christina: “I still feel like an imposter—even after winning a championship” 04:50 – Tampa Bay Sun's players get a five-week mental reset before the new season 06:29 – Can we revive the I-4 Derby? Fans want it, Florida needs it 07:11 – Euros shine, AFCON & Copa lag behind—why global women's soccer isn’t equal 08:17 – Lori: “It’s disheartening and infuriating—enough is enough” 10:06 – Christina on U.S. vs global disparities: “Some are fighting for rights, some for water” 11:42 – What real accountability would look like in international women’s football 13:21 – Christina couldn’t even get into WNBA All-Star events: “Women’s sports? Sold out.” 15:29 – From Pacers to Fever: How fans grow into women’s sports—and profit from it 17:11 – Lori: “You speak out together—because there’s power in numbers” 19:02 – Christina: “I was retaliated against for advocating as a referee” 22:13 – Giving voice to the voiceless: why Christina went into TV 24:47 – Copa América Femenina: talent, emotion, chaos—and not enough support 26:27 – VAR, adrenaline, and Berger’s epic save vs France 🔥 29:27 – Lori on Sweden’s PK meltdown: “They didn’t even practice penalties?” 31:52 – Lucy Bronze wraps her own leg mid-match. Is this the new normal? 33:01 – “The best save I’ve ever seen”—why Berger’s moment is already iconic 34:21 – A cancer survivor at 34, Berger proves greatness has no age limit 35:53 – Can elite goalkeepers let teams play riskier, higher lines? 36:43 – Lori on tournament burnout: “You crash—then you rise again” 39:26 – Christina: “You can’t sneak out anymore—being a women’s footballer means fame” 39:48 – All-Star Games: fashion, culture, and zero defense 🏀 41:32 – Why All-Star weekends matter: cross-pollination, merch, and megawatt panels 44:07 – Would you rather play the best of your league—or a global powerhouse? 46:29 – Lori’s tournament reset: semi-finals, Copa, and then…NWSL returns 47:28 – Christina: “Boxing Day is sacred. Let’s keep it that way.” 🎁 48:05 – Tactics on the wall? Nah, just hotel art—kind of 😄 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Soccer Podcast USA, while the global game fixates on the $2 billion Club World Cup, the Women’s Euros, and an MLS season that never sleeps—we took a different path.We went to Minnesota.To a club built in a park.Powered by over 5,000 community owners.Run by a group of people that wanted to prove you don’t have to be rich or male to run a team. 🎙️ Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey sit down with co founder Andrea Yoch and Head Coach Jen Larrick of Minnesota Aurora FC to talk about what’s really growing the game.This episode also kicks off our new short-form series: Grassroot Truth—real stories from the front lines of American soccer that reveal where women’s football is, how far it’s come, and what still needs to change.📌 In this episode:– Grassroot Truth: Crystal Dunn changed in a porta potty– Grassroot Truth: 5,000 fans in 5 days– What it means to be professional—even when players aren’t paid– The NIL collective, recruiting culture, and training at 8am– And yes… the Lori Lindsey doll is real, and it’s watching.This is where the future starts—not with money, but with mission.#GrassrootTruth #MinnesotaAurora #WomensSoccer #TheSoccerPodcastUSA #LoriLindsey #ChristinaUnkel #USWNT #NWSL #USL #ClubWorldCup #WomensEuros #CrystalDunn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, it’s the classic standoff: player vs. referee.Christina Unkel (former FIFA ref) and Lori Lindsey (former USWNT midfielder) go head-to-head over a Gold Cup handball call—one says deliberate, the other says natural fall. Jacqui Oatley joins the fray with all the charm, prep, and broadcasting wisdom you’d expect from one of the sharpest voices in the game.Also in this episode:– Should you time your emails to avoid freaking people out?– Why Switzerland and Finland are turning heads at the Euros– What the BBC got weirdly wrong about Germany– And how Jacqui went from trademark enforcement to national broadcast booths—via a friend's floor.There’s no script. Just real talk, real stakes, and real relationships from inside the game.🎧 Hosted by Christina Unkel & Lori LindseySubscribe now. The name of the show might change—but the vibe definitely won’t. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny Nguyen didn’t set out to start a movement. She just wanted to watch women’s sports on TV. When no one else created that space, she did—and called it The Sports Bra.The tagline said it all: We Support Women.In this episode, Jenny shares the real story behind the country’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports. It started as an idea and a pun. It became a national symbol of visibility, equity, and joy.You’ll hear:The quiet moment when she sat alone in the bar and cried, realizing what she’d builtHow she came up with the nameWhat it’s like to build a business where the mission matters as much as the marginWhy representation on the screen—and behind the bar—still mattersThis isn’t just a story about sports. It’s about building something that didn’t exist—and discovering how many people were waiting for it.📺 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSoccerPodcastUSA🎧 Listen & follow on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts📣 Follow us on Instagram @thesoccerpodcastusa | TikTok: @soccerpodusa💬 Share the episode, leave a review, and help keep these stories alive.#TheSportsBra #WeSupportWomen #WomensSports #JennyNguyen #TitleIX #SupportWomen #TheBarIsReady⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:00:00 – Surprise! Lori’s the guest, Jenny Nguyen’s the co-host—kind of 😅01:14 – Jenny: “We’ll forget this episode… but Instagram will remember”01:43 – Meet Jenny Nguyen, founder of The Sports Bra – the first bar for women’s sports03:59 – The Starting Five: Portland, Vegas, Indy, St. Louis & Boston 🏙️05:47 – Jenny on growing up in Portland’s women’s sports scene07:45 – “We were ISO fans”: why The Sports Bra became a community hub10:18 – Lori invites Jenny to a CBS Thorns game—maybe11:10 – “Portland is women’s sports”—Christina explains why13:09 – Can you really play only women’s sports at a bar? Jenny says yes15:21 – Jenny: “I underestimated everything about The Sports Bra”18:26 – Franchising without losing soul: Jenny's plan for community-first growth25:12 – Lori: “You walk in and feel at home—no matter the city”26:13 – How a pun became a movement: the naming of The Sports Bra29:42 – The quiet moment Jenny cried under the trophy wall 🥹32:40 – The raucous moment: FaceTiming The Bra after the Thorns won it all35:31 – Dream soccer position? Jenny’s a 5’3” goalkeeper 🧤37:03 – Jenny: “Women’s soccer is just getting started. You ain’t seen nothing yet.”39:27 – “We’re building a 10-layer cake”: the rise of women’s sports fandom 🎂40:21 – Bonus: The Sports Bra is headed to London! 🇬🇧 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christina missed her triathlon.Why?🏆 She won a championship🚤 Led a boat parade🎥 Invested in a Hershey’s documentary🗣️ Spoke at a mayor’s convention💀 And then... she was dead (spiritually)Lori? She’s training for a half marathon she has zero plans to run.Also: she’s wearing a hat that says “Freaks.”What starts as a conversation about fitness quickly unravels into:Inventing a Tuesday Morning Half Marathon (with no police)Secretly racing retirees on the bike trailGas station barbecue ritualsItalian piazzas… in Kansas City?Then broadcaster Nate Bukaty joins the show to explain how KC became the unlikely architectural engine of the 2026 World Cup — and why the world should stop sleeping on the Midwest.It’s smart, chaotic, and 100% them.⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:00:00 – Lori’s hat says Freaks; Christina thinks it says Thanks 😅01:14 – Christina’s WHOOP stats are back in the green: post-championship recovery04:22 – Why she skipped the sprint triathlon (hint: boat parades + movie deals)06:08 – “Make Tampa the Mecca of Women’s Sports” — Christina’s plan07:14 – Lori trains for a half-marathon she has no plans to run 🏃‍♀️08:34 – Christina proposes an unstructured half-marathon… on a Tuesday10:29 – “No FIFA, ice cream every day”: a former ref gets real11:01 – Surprise guest: Nate Bukaty enters the chat12:23 – How Kansas City went from soccer afterthought to World Cup host13:24 – The Women’s World Cup watch party that sparked a franchise15:08 – Interviewing the mayor on the 29th floor 🏙️16:05 – KC is the global hub for sports architecture (yes, even Wembley)17:14 – Gas station BBQ and Kansas City hospitality17:57 – KC’s stadium piazza takes inspiration from Italy 🇮🇹18:41 – Lori: “That part of town is all Italian—makes sense”19:18 – Nate’s mission: ride the World Cup wave and tell KC’s story21:07 – Nate’s Spanish is good enough for MLS post-match interviews 🇲🇽23:33 – Christina: “Don’t ride the wave—build the base” 🌊26:42 – What if your city isn’t hosting the World Cup? Build a toolkit27:35 – No one knows the Club World Cup is happening… unless you’re Latino28:55 – Why U.S. Soccer should market to the fans already showing up29:58 – Lessons from the Club World Cup: who’s really buying the tickets?31:31 – Christina heads into budget season while the staff goes dark33:01 – Sam Meza gets her USWNT call-up thanks to actual minutes played36:32 – Lori: some NWSL teams will scrimmage boys clubs to stay sharp38:41 – Why Tampa’s next season is a full marketing reset40:43 – Women’s Euros preview: Lori heads to LA, Christina slips a name 🤐 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christina Unkel brings the USL Super League trophy to the podcast — and yes, it’s been filled upChristine Cupo checks in mid-drive, in-makeup, and on her way to a comeback game from a brutal ACL/MCL tear. She talks about the mental and physical cost of returning to play, the joy of 3v3, and why she might start a burner account for fake women’s soccer transfers.Meanwhile, Lori Lindsey says her share of the $1 million TST winnings is officially gone — and she’s headed to Italy.Also in this episode:⚽ Tampa’s boat parade celebration🦵 a full breakdown of elite athlete candy choices📈 Why Serie A Feminile is the next breakout league🌊 NWSL heads into summer break🧠 Is anyone paying attention to the the Club World Cup ? Take 2👇 Drop a comment:What’s your emotional support snack — and what soccer are you watching this summer?#USLSuperLeague #NWSL #ChristineCupo #ChristinaUnkel #LoriLindsey #SoccerPodcast #TST #WomensSoccer #ACLRecovery #SerieAFemminile #ClubWorldCup⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:00:00 – Christina opens with the trophy: Tampa Bay Sun are champions 🏆01:10 – Lori crashes the intro: “This should be the CBS podcast!”02:26 – Christine Cupo joins mid-drive, heading to her first 3v3 since ACL surgery04:30 – Wearing A3 makeup and ready to foul: Cupo’s game prep 😂06:54 – What’s lighting Cupo up? NWSL evolution, USL growth, Italy rising 🇮🇹08:40 – Lori: “Serie A women is going to explode. Watch this space.”10:05 – Christina on how USL is diversifying the American game12:36 – “Drinking from a firehose” — why the Club World Cup fell flat14:10 – The dream job dilemma: Cupo almost misses transfer rumors more than matches16:34 – “You get paid to talk about football” — Cupo on playing post-injury19:43 – How Cupo first fell in love with the game22:27 – Scholes, pageants, and Werther’s: generational soccer memories24:12 – The elite athlete’s candy drawer: emotional support Skittles 🍬25:22 – Lori’s share of the $1M prize becomes an Italian vacation26:09 – Christina: “I’ll probably end up living in Italy”27:00 – The Tampa boat parade: Champa Bay gets another trophy flotilla29:00 – Will they etch our names on the trophy?30:41 – Most proud moment? Grit, hurricanes, and selling out the final33:04 – Stadium dreams: Tampa’s new stadium includes a poolside view40:06 – Lori previews NWSL's final weekend before summer break41:20 – Can Tampa go two‑for‑two? The women’s summer of soccer rolls on 🌞 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s all happening: The Gold Cup, Copa América, Club World Cup, and the USMNT in crisis. But before all that? Lori Lindsey just won $1 million at TST as GM of the US Women’s team — and she’s got a piece of the broken ball trophy to prove it.In this episode:🏆 Behind the scenes of Lori’s championship run at TST🎤 Special guest Jessica Charman on the joy of chaotic soccer and commentating with flair🧠 The birth of “Shut Up Sandra” — and why every team needs one⚽ Lori’s fix for the U.S. Men’s National Team: “Shut Up Steve”💬 Honest talk on pressure, expectation, and what the USMNT is getting wrong — and right🦎 The wild story behind Soleil, Tampa Bay Sun’s designer-handbag-carrying mascot💰 Why Club World Cup's billion-dollar bet feels… a little soullessSmart, funny, and dead-on about the state of U.S. soccer, this episode is your full-field view of the summer soccer storm.🎧 Listen now. Or as Lori says: Shut Up Steve—and press play. ⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:00:00 – Lori returns as a million‑dollar TST winner 🎉02:00 – Why they smashed the trophy ball (on purpose)04:05 – Surprise guest Jessica Charman joins 05:04 – Jessica’s wild TST commentary debut: “Smash it! Take a shot!”07:11 – Aguero own goal… in protest? Target Score chaos explained08:45 – Christina: TST reffing feels like Miami street soccer10:05 – Lori’s reffing past: “I once carded 8‑year‑old Lauren Cheney”13:06 – TST meets grassroots: College kids, parents, and real connection15:55 – Soleil the mascot’s diva moment: designer bag + helicopter dreams19:14 – The deeper story behind Soleil—and what she's teaching Tampa21:06 – Summer of Soccer overload: Euros, Copa América, Gold Cup25:09 – Jessica on the USMNT: “Too many headlines, not enough soccer”26:58 – Lori: “We’re not even talking tactics anymore”29:06 – Christina: “This actually sets American soccer back”32:56 – What would you do with a magic wand? Lori shares real fixes36:00 – “Shut Up Sandra” and the mindset behind it38:34 – New team mantra: “Shut Up Steve” hits the USMNT38:52 – Club World Cup: Billion‑dollar budget, zero buzz?41:17 – Christina: “Use it to build momentum — not lose credibility”44:14 – Florida flex: Both women’s league trophies headed to the Sunshine State45:06 – Can Christina’s team make it two‑for‑two in Florida? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Soccer Podcast USA, Lori takes time out from managing the US Women team at TST to talk about the aches, pains, and joys of the tournament. Surprise guest Mike Grella heads straight from playing a game and agrees—even the warm-up is a challenge—and joins Christina and Lori in a spirited defense of Christian Pulisic’s decision to sit out the Concacaf Cup.Plus: reaction to the USWNT’s two friendlies, and why the Club World Cup continues to struggle for relevance.⏱️ Time-Coded Highlights:00:00 – Christina's glam intro and Lori checks-in from TST 01:45 – Mike Grella surprise drop-in: “I played seven minutes—I'll take it” 03:30 – How Grella stays fit (hint: mowing lawns + chasing kids) 05:04 – Lori on retiring from the pitch: “When warmups are a challenge…” 07:05 – Grella's new goal: 100% passing, 0 injuries 10:05 – Life calling Serie A for CBS: “Who doesn’t want to be Italian?” 14:10 – Como + Pizza = How Heather O’Reilly became president of soccer 16:14 – Grella defends Pulisic: “We’re all human. Let the man have his break.” 19:19 – Christina on the demands on players and the Club World Cup 21:48 – Ticket prices slashed? Club World Cup struggles for relevance 23:13 – Do Americans really care about international leagues? 25:13 – Lori on USWNT’s youth surge: “Confidence. Clarity. Smoothness.” 27:27 – LaBonta makes history at 32. Emma Hayes is making her changes. 30:00 – What it really takes to run a million-dollar TST team 31:01 – USL Super League playoff preview— could there be aTampa Bay Sun, Fort Lauderdale match up? 33:55 – USA + Mexico to co-host 2031 Women’s World Cup 35:27 – and...are Lori's team on their way to another championship? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lo’eau LaBonta is finally getting her USWNT moment — and could make history. This week, Lori and Christina dive into the Emma Hayes callups, preview the team’s friendlies, and get a surprise visit from Heather O’Reilly. She joins live from the dentist’s office to share the inside story of Como 1907, life as a team exec, and how her job in Italian football began with an 8–1 loss and a pasta party. Plus: the TST preview, tournament costs, and a chaotic candy confession.⏱️ Time Code Highlights – The Soccer Podcast USA (May 27th Episode)0:00 – Welcome Back! Chaos, Calendar Confusion & Secret Guest Teased 1:44 – Lori’s Hair Evolution + Christina Proposes an “Awkward Meter” 2:48 – Candy Confessions: Werther’s, Gummy Worms & Scuffed Rims 4:25 – LIVE from the Dentist: Heather O’Reilly Joins the Show 5:58 – Weekend Wins: Arsenal Women & UNC Lacrosse Titles 6:38 – Lori’s TST Team: GM Mode, Multi-Club Life, and Michelle Kang Jokes 7:39 – The Road to TST: From Underdogs to Defenders of the Crown 10:12 – What It Really Costs to Field a TST Team (Spoiler: It’s a Lot) 13:48 – Women’s Soccer Economics: What Players Should Know 15:22 – Pasta, Fabregas & Como 1907: Heather’s Italian Job 18:07 – Building a Club Abroad: Challenges, Culture, and a 5-Year Plan 20:26 – Dream Stadium on Lake Como & Heather’s Vision for Serie A 22:00 – Tampa Preseason Invite? Christina Shoots Her Shot 23:41 – Will Heather Come Out of Retirement Again? 24:31 – TST Strategy: Target Scoring, Sub Patterns & Veteran Wisdom 25:44 – Champions League Pride: Arsenal Wins, Tar Heels Shine 27:20 – Ref Storytime: Heather, Offside, and the 5-Minute Stare 30:01 – Leadership Lessons & Adjusting Abroad 31:03 – "It Started with Pasta": How the Italian Deal Was Born 31:38 – Ask the Ref: Why Offside Flags Are Delayed (And Why It's Fine Now) 33:43 – USWNT Call-Ups: The Lo’eau LaBonta Era Begins 36:21 – Youth, Veterans, and the Emma Hayes Development Pipeline 37:40 – Expanded Player Pool = No More Complacency 38:52 – Contract Culture Shift: No More "Locked-In" Status 40:22 – China v USA Preview: A Resurgent Rivalry 41:51 – USMNT Chatter: Culture Reset & Clock Ticking 43:39 – Summer of Soccer: What’s Coming Up 44:46 – Lori’s Travel Plans & TST Prep 46:01 – Shoutout: Tampa Bay Sun Clinch Playoffs & Sell Out Again 46:57 – Signing Off: Birthday Month, Werther’s Wisdom, and What’s Next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode dives into two referee decisions that confused even the pros. Christina breaks down why only holding qualifies as a continuation foul — and what makes a handball in the box “accidental.” Is it a Red? A Yellow? Or a mess?Then, our surprise guest: former Mexican international, TV commentator, and trailblazing voice in the women’s game, Janelly Farías. She opens up about the moment she knew it was time to retire — the injury, the heartbreak, and the family tragedy that made her choose love over the game. Janelly also pulls back the curtain on locker room life in Mexico: low salaries, unequal treatment, and how money can fracture a team with players stopping passing — or even speaking — to each other.⏱️ Time Stamps – Key Moments00:00 – Cold open, referee talk begins immediately01:45 – The “continuation foul” confusion: Jill Loyden’s penalty box dilemma04:50 – Why only holding counts as continuation (and why everyone gets this wrong)07:00 – Lori's game: handball, bracing arm, and the “new DOGSO interpretation”13:20 – The “quadruple punishment” rule and how it's evolved18:40 – Christina's hilarious rant: “I can’t stand kids’ birthday parties”22:39 – Surprise guest enters: Janelly Farias27:11 – “How did you know it was time to retire?”28:40 – Shoulder dislocation + family tragedy — the moment it became clear31:20 – Salaries in Mexico: from $300 a month to $300k a year34:10 – Locker room resentment and the psychology of unequal pay37:52 – Christina calls for unions in women’s soccer — and explains why41:07 – Janelly’s second career: broadcasting, a new book, and a maybe-cookbook48:00 – “Complacency kills the game”: Why mindset still matters54:00 – Lori and Christina reflect on chasing adrenaline vs. taking time to grieve the game56:00 – Closing updates: where the hosts are headed this weekend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the week of the woof. Bay FC co-owner, Redefined podcast host, and former USWNT star Leslie Osborne crashes the pod—with help from her dog Gunner, who barks his way into a starring role. She, Lori, and Christina dive into why today’s NWSL players connect so powerfully with young fans (including Leslie’s own daughters). Plus: the "brilliant" Beckham troll, triathlon training check-ins, and chaos, as always.⏱️ Time-Coded Episode Guide – Ep 11: "Gunner Steals the Show"00:00 – Welcome to the MayhemChristina and Lori tease a surprise guest. Chaos begins instantly. Christina reveals she's training for her first sprint triathlon—after mistakenly thinking she was turning 39 (she’s actually 38).05:30 – Surprise Guest: Leslie Osborne (and Gunner 🐶)Former USWNT star and Bay FC co-owner Leslie Osborne joins—interrupted by her protective pup, Gunner.08:16 – Breaking News: Lori & Leslie to Coach at TSTChristina breaks the news: Lori and Leslie will team up as coach and assistant sporting director at this year’s TST tournament.11:25 – Soccer Mom Life & NWSL Role ModelsLeslie shares the joy of watching her daughters fall in love with the game—and the direct influence today’s NWSL stars have on young girls (and boys). Role models like Oshoala, Cunanagi, and Karlie Lima are household heroes in the Osborne home.17:50 – Normalizing Women's Pro SportsA powerful segment on representation, equal pay, and the importance of young boys seeing women as professional athletes—just athletes, full stop.19:43 – Redefined: Leslie’s New PodcastLeslie introduces Redefined, her show with Front Office Sports that spotlights athlete-moms, untold mental health journeys, and post-sport pivots. Christina is an upcoming guest.22:29 – Christina’s Triathlon PanicLeslie’s podcast inspires Christina as she preps for a June sprint triathlon, with comedic panic over bike transitions and age confusion.23:54 – Beep Test Trauma, SharedThe trio swap memories—and scars—from their fitness testing days. Beep tests, sprint cones, and the mental toll of being punished for being tired.31:02 – Banter Breakdown: Beckham vs. MinnesotaChristina and Lori cheer Minnesota United’s cheeky “Pink Phony Club” jab at Beckham’s Miami. Verdict: give that marketing guy a $1,000 bonus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

VAR takes center stage this week—Christina and Lori break down a botched penalty call and debate whether American VAR will ever get it right (hint: not soon). Plus, is it V.A.R. or "var"? Let the record show: pronunciation matters.Then surprise guest Jimmy Conrad—who proudly dubs himself Conradinho in honor of his inner Brazilian box-to-box midfielder—joins the pod to explain why he's pursuing a UEFA coaching license instead of navigating U.S. Soccer’s bureaucratic maze. The CBS analyst and Call It What You Want host doesn’t hold back on the red tape, and missed chances for ex-players. He also examines what’s gone so wrong with LA Galaxy.Also: Christina’s team makes USL W history, but not the good kind—she walks us through the first red card and the ethical headache it left behind.⏱️ Time-Coded Episode Guide:00:00 — VAR Chaos & “The Touch”Lori and Christina debate a rescinded PK in Gotham-Chicago—and why balance can backfire.03:30 — Don’t Say VAR or PKs 🙅‍♀️Christina’s pronunciation PTSD and secret referee societies.07:05 — Why VAR’s Not Working in the U.S.Christina explains the delays, decisions—and why it’ll take 5–10 years to fix.14:13 — Red Cards & Real Consequences 🚨Christina on a player on her team receiving the USL W’s first-ever red card—and her ethical dilemma over an appeal.17:35 — Surprise Guest Call-Up: Conradinho 🎙️Surprise guest Jimmy Conrad joins the show. He explains why he calls himself “Conradinho”—and how a center back can dream of being a Brazilian midfielder..22:13 — Ditching U.S. Soccer’s Coaching LicenseJimmy reveals why he chose UEFA over USSF—and how ex-players are boxed out.38:32 — Can the Galaxy Be Saved? 🌌Jimmy puts on his coach’s cap: good soccer decisions > panic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christina and Lori kick things off with a critical question—flour or corn tortillas?—then get into the real debate: has the hype around the USMNT outpaced the results, and is Pochettino already under unfair pressure? They break down the complexities of syncing MLS with Europe’s calendar, the media and weather hurdles standing in the way, and what the NWSL’s new second division really means for the women’s game. Along the way: laughter, sharp takes, and a surprise guest from the broadcast world brings stories, wisdom, and a little chaos.⏱️ Time-Coded Episode Guide:00:00 — Welcome & Hair WatchChristina introduces Lori… and her evolving hairstyle.01:30 — The Great Taco Debate 🌮Flour or corn? A pantry crisis sparks tortilla loyalties.04:23 — Pochettino, Pressure & the USMNTAre expectations too high? Is this déjà vu after Berhalter?08:18 — The Club vs. Country DilemmaWhy cohesion is hard when players are scattered across continents.11:32 — Should the U.S. Hire an American Coach?Christina and Lori on identity, culture, and coaching DNA.14:00 — MLS to Align with Europe?A calendar shift? Weather, TV schedules, and cold realities.20:19 — Surprise Guest Call-Up 🎙️A broadcast pro joins with stories, perspective, and a bit of mayhem.40:12 — NWSL Expansion & the Second DivisionWhy more teams and another league maybe just what the NWSL needs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lori’s back — and now she’s on every week. In her first official episode as a regular, she weighs whether to take coaching calls with a background of naked women (yes, really).Plus:⚽ Seattle Reign vs Portland Thorns — they hate each other🔥 Angel City’s bold new hire🎤 A surprise guest drops in mid-show📉 What’s going wrong at LA Galaxy?🎟️ And a new ticket giveaway to support your local team📺 Watch on YouTube | 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts📲 @thesoccerpodcastusa⏱️ Timecodes:00:00 – Welcome Lori, naked photos, and Pinky and the Brain02:59 – Seattle stomps on Portland's roses08:53 –Angel City's new coach13:00 – The Mystery Guest dials in34:09– Ray Hudson's greatest line?41:15 – What's going on with LA Galaxy47:02 – Butts in seats, win 2 tickets to your favorite team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Soccer League (USL) is betting big on a bold idea: introducing promotion and relegation to American soccer by 2026. It’s a move that challenges the closed-league structure entrenched in U.S. sports—and could change the game forever.In this episode, host Christina Unkel sits down with Kim Shelton, CEO of Lexington Sporting Club, one of the most ambitious new clubs in the country. With professional men's and women’s teams, deep youth investment, and a 150-acre campus, Lexington SC is building a future from the ground up—just as the sport faces a structural revolution.Could Lexington be the next Wrexham? And can American fans embrace a system built on risk, reward, and relentless competition? This conversation unpacks what pro/rel could mean for U.S. soccer—from business to community to culture.Timestamps:⏳ 00:00– 00.37 The highs and lows of promotion and relegation 🎩⏳ 00:37 – 02:23 A brief history of U.S. Soccer - the booms, busts, passions and flirtations ⚽⏳ 02.23 – 08.51 Welcome to Lexington.⚽⏳ 08.51 – 14.21 So let's talk more about this promotion and relegation business ⚽⏳ 14.21 – 17.12 Winning delivers fans, and fans deserve a good product ⚽⏳ 17.12 – 18.50 But what happens if you get relegated? ⚽⏳ 18.50 – 20.30 How will the giants of American sport react? The NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA?⚽⏳ 20.30 – 22.34 What about NWSL and MLS? ⚽⏳ 22.34 – 25.34 Christina's Conclusions ⚽ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This isn’t your normal podcast episode—because nothing about this week was normal. Christina Unkel takes you on an 8,598-mile journey behind the scenes of global soccer. From breaking down controversial refereeing calls mid-flight for CBS Sports to delivering a major presentation to Brentford FC’s board, she dives into the rules, business, and culture of the sport. She soaks in the electric atmosphere of Old Trafford, where Manchester United fans make their feelings about the Glazers loud and clear, and steps inside the legendary Wembley Stadium, the ‘home of football.’At Brentford, she doesn’t just talk about women’s soccer—she pushes for its future. In a powerful and passionate message to the club’s board, she lays out why investing in the women’s game isn’t charity, it’s business. With new spectators, corporate partnerships, and rising global interest, the clubs that lead this movement will reap the rewards. And Brentford isn’t just talking about change—they’re building it.Timestamps:⏳ 00:00– 00.24| Taking your breath away at Manchester United 🎩⏳ 00:24 – 01:24 The journey begins, Tampa, New York, London, Manchester and a CBS broadcast from an airport lounge ⚽⏳ 01.24 – 03:21 Brentford FC, a club that's getting it right .⚽⏳ 03.21 – 03.40 Is it petrol or gas?⚽⏳ 03.40 – 04.09 Face to Face with a Glazer protest at Old Trafford⚽⏳ 04.09 – 05.18 The magic of the game, being inside Old Trafford when Bruno Fernandes scores⚽⏳ 05.18 – 07.55 Onto Wembley, the Vatican of "football" ⚽ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three-time Olympic champion, World Cup winner, and TNT analyst Shannon Boxx joins Christina Unkel to dissect the latest phase of Emma Hayes’ USWNT rebuild. Is the plan on track? After a 2-1 loss to Japan, what lessons can be learned from a defeat in a major final? Plus, who are the rising stars to watch? Ally Sentnor, Lilly Yohannes, Yazmeen Ryan, and Emily Sams all get a mention. And, Christina reveals why Shannon Boxx “terrified” her on the pitch.Timestamps:⏳ 00:00– 02.10| Podcast opening and Christina tells Shannon Boxx "i feared you the most" 🎩⏳ 02:10 – 05:11 Emma Hayes...everybody expects the team to win, again, and again and again ⚽⏳ 05.11 – 06:10 So much talent on the USWNT...Sentnor, Yohannes, Ryan, Sams...so much further ahead....⚽⏳ 06.10 – 06.55 Who's going to step up and challenge Triple Espresso? ⚽⏳ 06:55 – 08.00 Inside the camp..and style of play..keeping the ball and a transition game ⚽⏳ 08.00 – 13.20 Learning the lessons from losing. ⚽ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bev Yanez is the kind of coach players run through a brick wall for - straightforward, passionate, and deeply committed. In this episode she reflects on how her time in Japan shaped her tactical mind, the challenges and joys of transitioning from player to head coach, and the fierce loyalty she feels for her team. From game time to motherhood, and scheduling date nights, Bev shares it all with humor, warmth, and unshakeable determination.Timestamps:⏳ 00:00– 0:1.15 | Podcast opening montage and how do you pronounce Yanez? 🎩⏳ 02:20 – 04:44 | Leaving college and living the dream ⚽⏳ 05.08 – 07.00 My agent called and 'the league's folded' ⚽⏳ 07.20 – 14.10 Japan..technical & tactical..'can you play center forward?'..the coacihng lightbulb ⚽⏳ 14.21 – 17.20 Coaching..self reflection...'how can we make it better' ⚽⏳ 17.21 – 24.00 Being a head coach is different ⚽⏳ 24.00 – 28.10 Finding players like Emma Sears ⚽⏳ 28.10 – 32.30 Advice for aspiring players and coaches ⚽ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Hayes has wasted no time in reshaping the USWNT, launching a U23 squad, orchestrating an unprecedented month-long January camp, and earning early plaudits for her proactive approach. But the challenges ahead are immense. Global powerhouses like Spain, Germany, and England are evolving rapidly, and the U.S. must adapt or risk falling behind. In Part 2 of our conversation with Julie Foudy and Lori Lindsey, we break down the significance of the SheBelieves Cup, analyze Hayes’ early moves, and explore the structural shifts needed to sustain U.S. dominance in an increasingly competitive global game.Timestamps:⏳ 00:00– 0:1.28 | Podcast opening montage 🎩⏳ 1:28 – 06:38 | SheBelieves Cup, why do Julie and Lori say Emma is doing it right? ⚽⏳ 06:38 – 0.9.40 The importance of U23 players ⚽⏳ 09.40 – 13.20 Another women's league? ⚽⏳ 13.20 – 19.13 Billie Jean King's blank canvas ⚽⏳ 19.13 – 24.43 Blank slate, how do you grow the game? Deep pocketed owners. ⚽ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hats off! 🎩⚽ @JulieFoudy and @LoriLindsey start with a little hat talk before diving into the massive Netflix deal for the next two Women’s World Cups. Is this a game-changer or a ‘walled garden’ for fans? They also discuss the first million-dollar player in women’s soccer history, the growing financial landscape of the sport, and what’s next for the USWNT.👽 Plus, Lori reveals a mystery text she received: "Hey, have you been taken by aliens?" (Seriously, what?!)Timestamps:⏳ 00:23 – 02:50 | Hot Hat talk, podcast banter, & state of US women's soccer 🎩⏳ 07.28 – 14:10 | Netflix & the Women’s World Cup deal 📺⚽⏳ 14.11 – 19.15 | The first million-dollar player & what it means for the sport 💰⏳ 19.16 – End | Lori’s alien abduction moment & closing thoughts 👽😂🎧 Listen now and let us know—**is Netflix good or bad for the future of women’s soccer?**👇#USWNT #JulieFoudy #LoriLindsey #Netflix #WomensSoccer #TheSoccerPodcastUSA #NWSL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re thrilled to launch The Soccer Podcast USA with an unmissable first episode featuring Emma Hayes—gold medal-winning coach of the US Women’s National Team, seven-time champion with Chelsea, and one of the most influential voices in soccer today. Emma outlines her vision for the USWNT, starting with a new U23 program to identify and develop more players for the senior team. She also shares her thoughts on:Her hopes for more women coaches in the game.A U23 squadShould players go to college or go pro?Why happy players are the key to success.Her legacy and why she has to keep learning.At a time when U.S. soccer is experiencing explosive growth, The Soccer Podcast USA is your destination for the stories, strategies, and personalities driving the game forward.Follow and subscribe to join the conversation as we explore bold takes, big names, and the future of soccer in the USA.Please send us your feedback or ask questions at https://www.thesoccerpodcastusa.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re thrilled to launch The Soccer Podcast USA with an unmissable first episode featuring Emma Hayes—gold medal-winning coach of the US Women’s National Team, seven-time champion with Chelsea, and one of the most influential voices in soccer today.In this preview, host Christina Unkel—CBS Sports commentator, former FIFA referee, and lifelong advocate for the game— introduces her exclusive conversation with Emma Hayes. In the full episode Emma outlines her vision for the USWNT, starting with a new U23 program to identify and develop more players for the senior team. She also shares her thoughts on:Her hopes for more women coaches in the game.The question: should players go to college or go pro?Why happy players are the key to success.Her legacy and why she has to keep learning.At a time when U.S. soccer is experiencing explosive growth, The Soccer Podcast USA is your destination for the stories, strategies, and personalities driving the game forward.Don’t miss Episode 1, dropping this Thursday.Follow and subscribe to join the conversation as we explore bold takes, big names, and the future of soccer in the USA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're excited to introduce The Soccer Podcast USA, a new weekly podcast launching in January 2025. Hosted by Christina Unkel—CBS Sports commentator, former FIFA referee, and lifelong advocate for the game—our podcast explores the dynamic landscape of soccer in the United States, focusing on the stories, people, and ideas driving the sport forward.Our mission is to provide a platform that reflects the breadth and depth of soccer in the U.S., from the growth of the men’s and women’s games at all levels to the vital role of grassroots soccer. By spotlighting players, coaches, executives, advocates, and community leaders, we aim to explore the contributions of those shaping soccer both on and off the field.At a pivotal moment for the sport—with the international success of the USWNT, the upcoming 2026 Men’s World Cup, and the continued expansion of MLS and NWSL—we believe The Soccer Podcast USA can help amplify the narratives shaping the future of soccer in this country. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and balanced dialogue, celebrating the progress of the game while addressing its challenges and opportunities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.