The Women's Soccer Podcast

In this episode, LDG breaks down the chaos of NWSL Decision Day, analyzing a frantic slate of results that officially locked in the 2026 playoff bracket, mapping out the road that leads to the NWSL Championship on November 21 at Audi Field.

LDG breaks down NJ/NY Gotham FC secured its first-ever NWSL Shield with a clinical 2–0 victory over the Utah Royals, courtesy of goals from Guro Reiten and Jaedyn Shaw, unpacking Midge Purce’s tactical mastery of playmaking, while addressing the massive injury cloud hanging over Gotham after Jaelin Howell suffered a non-contact right ankle injury in the 24th minute. He evaluates whether the top-seeded reigning champions have the squad depth to weather this defensive blow as they attempt to defned their title in the postseason.

Shifting to the playoff line/bubble, LDG dissects the Seattle Reign clinching the final wild card spot with a gritty 1–0 win over the Orlando Pride. He highlights Jordyn Bugg’s set-piece winner that successfully extended legend Jess Fishlock's iconic career into one last postseason dance. LDG directly contrasts this triumph with the heartbreak in Cary, where the North Carolina Courage finished ninth and missed the postseason entirely despite a 1–0 win over the Denver Summit, a cruel twist in fate for Ashley Sanchez, who tied the single-season league scoring record with 20 goals to claim the Golden Boot.

He breaks down the rest of the Decision Day action, including San Diego Wave FC locking up the number two seed, the Washington Spirit blanking Chicago 2–0, Kansas City Current securing the four-seed, and Angel City FC storming into fifth with a 4–1 win over Boston.

Finally, LDG transitions into a comprehensive preview of the quarterfinal fixtures, mapping out the tactical keypoints to wach out for and score predictions for all four matchups. He walks through the strategic chess match of San Diego vs. Utah, analyzing the Wave's six-match unbeaten run against a sliding Royals side, before breaking down the explosive attacking form of both teams in the Kansas City vs. Angel City game. He then previews Gotham vs. Seattle and the Washington vs. Portland, where home-field advantage will test the Thorns' young backline.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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In today's episode, we sit down with Duke Blue Devils senior co-captain and All-American center back, Cameron Roller.

The rising star joins the podcast, in a special episode released just hours before the Blue Devils' highly anticipated heavyweight ACC clash against Florida State, to share insider insights on Duke's season and take us inside her elite defensive mindset.

Sharing her journey from participating in a youth recreational league to arriving in Durham as a highly touted recruit, Cameron shares how she manages external expectations while establishing her own leadership style, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded when the stakes are at their highest.

The formidable center back opens up about her extensive experience within the USWNT youth setup, detailing how her youth World Cup experience prepared her to organize a backline in college. She reflects on the psychological shift within the Blue Devils locker room, sharing how the team is channeling the frustration of back-to-back seasons where the team was close but unsuccessful at their national championship goal into an uncompromising unfinished business mentality this season.

Taking us behind the scenes of Duke's professionalized environment, she breaks down the daily reality of playing through intense physical adversity, cultivating on-pitch chemistry under a defining team motto, and the liberating piece of advice from her head coach that she keeps permanently in her notes before every match.

Cameron opens up about her NWSL aspirations as a premier prospect, what it takes to maintain consistency at the highest level, making 53 consecutive collegiate starts, and the shift in team mentality under head coach Kieran Hall as the Blue Devils chase a national championship.

Finally, she gets incredibly candid about balancing a rigorous academic schedule with her preparation for the next level, her perspective on navigating the post-draft free agency landscape while staying grounded at Duke, and the long and short-term goals pinned to her soccer vision board.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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All-American defensive powerhouse Zara Chavoshi joins the podcast to unpack navigating her dual-national identity, anchoring Wake Forest’s historic run to the College Cup final, and carving out her future as the Orlando Pride's pioneering direct-from-college signing.

Zara pulls back the curtain on the mental fortitude required to jump from a historical national championship game run with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons into an unprecedented market where she became the first direct collegiate free-agent signing in Pride history, leaning on her values and support systems in this new process.

She opens up about her unique international tug-of-war, tracing her thought process behind attending camps for both U.S. Soccer and Canada Soccer before making a senior breakthrough, what it means to have gotten to represent both nations internationally, and why she hasn't fully decided on either national team just yet. She reflects on getting her first senior cap against Haiti and subsequently opening her international goalscoring account against Costa Rica, utilizing those experiences to grow as a footballer.

Taking us behind the scenes in the NWSL, she reveals what it is like defending Marta in training on a daily basis, how she handled a mid-season coaching pivot under Yolanda Thomas, the first message Yo told her after taking over the role, and how the departing coach mattered to her personally.

She shares how the change was emotionally consequential, the team reconstituted itself around new leadership, and how she personally overcame mid-year injury setbacks.

She details the immense pride behind her nomination for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award for her her volunteering efforts with Seminole Cultural Habitat for Humanity, the goals pinned to her soccer vision board, + more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

LDG executes a complete post-mortem on the chaotic results, diving straight into the USWNT's two-game slate against Spain to unpack exactly what went wrong, who stood out, and how Emma Hayes is handling a glaring tactical reality check ahead of World Cup qualifying. LDG emphasizes the importance of youth development and the need for the team to adapt quickly to high-pressure situations without having the safety net of getting another opportunity to take on a top side after a tough result in the first game.

He dives deep into the 2-0 loss at Audi Field and the 2–2 comeback draw, proving that the USWNT is still at its most lethal when playing directly in a high-press transition rather than forcing a slow, methodical build. As he says, you cannot out-Spain Spain.

LDG delves into their defensive struggles without Girma anchoring the backline, which conceded four first-half goals across two matches, the impact of key player absences, and discusses individual player performances in the stock up, stock down segment, highlighting Ashley Sanchez's return and the midfield's challenges against Spain.

He isolates the massive contrast between NWSL Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez’s incredible return to the USWNT pool after 2 years and the captain Lindsey Heaps, who struggled against Spain's world-class midfield, raising questions for LDG on whether she should be a member of the USWNT’s starting lineup. Plus, he looks toward the goalkeeper race after Phallon Tullis-Joyce's elite shot-stopping was marred by a costly distributional error that directly led to Spain’s second goal, and the inconclusiveness this window provided on who will be the number 1 goalkeeper next summer.

Looking ahead to the high-stakes CONCACAF W Championship qualifiers in Texas, he predicts the upcoming 23-player roster, separating the locks from the bubble players, explicitly breaking down the tactical adjustments needed to crack El Salvador's inevitable low block, explaining why creators comfortable playing in the pocket spaces like Ally Sentnor and Jaedyn Shaw are needed.

Finally, LDG examines how the USWNT's rivals' performed over the window, and looks at the results of their World Cup and World Cup Qualifying competitors.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Dynamic Nigerian forward Gift Monday joins the podcast to share insider insights on the future of the Super Falcons, adjusting to the unique physical demands of the NWSL, and reflecting on her time with the Spirit.

Recorded mere days before, and published right after, her blockbuster trade to Boston Legacy FC from the Washington Spirit, this deep-dive interview covers her footballing journey from her earliest soccer memories into a prolific career that has spanned across multiple continents.

Gift bridges her formative youth international experiences, specifically looking back at what she absorbed during the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup alongside current senior stars, and how navigating those early global tournaments directly prepared her to step onto the pitch during Nigeria's historic 2023 senior World Cup run.

She pulls back the curtain on why she initially wanted to stay back with the U-17s despite her gratitude for receiving a U-20 call-up. She then talks about her development in the NWFL, detailing how winning a domestic title and finishing as the league's top scorer with the Bayelsa Queens prepared her to compete in elite environments like Spain’s Liga F with UD Tenerife, and ultimately the NWSL.

The prolific attacker gets incredibly candid about the emotional high of earning her first-ever senior call-up to represent the Super Falcons crest and stepping onto the pitch at the senior Women's World Cup. She breaks down the psychological pivot required to channel the disappointment of not making the 2025 WAFCON roster into incredible club form for the Spirit, eventually forcing her way back onto the international squad.

She takes us inside her transition to the NWSL, walking through the behind-the-scenes reality of her seamless adaptation to the league, including the exact shift in career trajectory she felt when she made league history by scoring the fastest-ever hat-trick from kickoff against the Houston Dash, and her ambitions for the rest of the season.

Finally, Gift breaks down the structural changes needed to help the national team regroup after recent continental heartbreak, the mindset of the locker room heading into the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, and the goals pinned to her soccer vision board.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz sits down to discuss her rise to the international stage and anchoring the defensive foundation of Bay FC in the NWSL.

Joining the podcast just days before the USWNT’s highly anticipated October window versus Spain, the rising star shares insider insights on her historic journey as the first Iowa State player ever drafted into the league, why the Bay FC project was the perfect step for her, and stepping into the undisputed number-one goalkeeper role.

Jordan dives into her spectacular personal form this season, reflecting on her trade to Bay FC, leading the league in goals prevented, and setting a historic penalty-saving record. She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of stepping into a vital leadership role while still developing as a young pro, navigating a grueling NWSL schedule alongside entering the senior international environment after receiving her first senior USWNT call-up ahead of friendlies against Italy, and more!

Jordan shares the profound pieces of coaching advice that altered how she views the game, including how goalkeeper coach Daniel Ball helped her rediscover her joy for soccer at a time when she seriously questioned whether she wanted to keep playing.

She walks us through the importance of the U-23 national team program as a fundamental international entry point, detailing what was going through her head when she achieved the "I will get called into a USWNT camp" flashcard inside her locker.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about the club's new direction under head coach Emma Coates, the short and long term goals on her career vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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What are the key storylines to watch as the USWNT prepares for its upcoming friendlies against Spain? How will roster changes, injuries, and selection questions shape the U.S. squad ahead of this defining stretch ahead of Women's World Cup qualifying and the 2027 World Cup in Brazil?

LDG takes a deep dive into this high-stakes international window to break down how a sudden wave of injuries has completely disrupted the U.S. roster and forced Emma Hayes to test the program's depth against top-tier European opposition.

LDG unpacks how injuries have dramatically reshaped the U.S. roster, explaining how the sudden absences of established key players have forced Emma Hayes to test the program's depth, and explores how these newly-opened slots have created major opportunities for newer and uncapped faces, including Kate Del Fava, Pietra Tordin, Evelyn Shores, and Trinity Byars.

He analyzes the sudden influx of fresh, uncapped talent breaking into the camp, exploring what she sees in these rising stars and why she chose to break her previous selection trends right now. Plus, LDG maps out the biggest unsettled positional battles on the pitch and what Ashley Sanchez's highly anticipated return means for the midfield dynamic.

On the Spain side, LDG examines notable absences, the world-class depth still available in its midfield and attack, and why this matchup should be a strict tactical test rather than a purely physical contest. He walks through the strategic adjustments required from the U.S., detailing how they must deploy their pressing game to manage Spain’s possession, wide progression, and ability to play through pressure while simultaneously testing new defensive backline combinations.

Finally, LDG wraps up with a comprehensive global scouting guide, highlighting five other must-watch international fixtures during this window and the specific tactical storylines you need to track across the globe.

Hear our full interviews with Avery Pattersonand Kaylee Hunter, as spoken about in the episode, they are two players to watch this upcoming international window!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@http://thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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1. FC Union Berlin defender Amber Tysiak sits down to discuss her football journey and orchestrating a backline in the Frauen-Bundesliga. She shares insider insights on her high-profile January transfer window move to Berlin, taking her game to the next level, and Union Berlin's high-stakes campaign to climb to the pinnacle of European soccer.

Tracing her journey from her senior Red Flames debut against the Netherlands to representing Belgium at two European Championships, she shares how she learned to navigate elite international pressure and the advice she would give to her younger self.

Amber also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial time in the Belgian domestic league with OH Leuven before joining West Ham United in the English WSL, and now thriving in Germany in front of Union Berlin's jaw-dropping, record-breaking crowds of over 17,000 supporters.

She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of adjusting to the unique physical demands of the Frauen-Bundesliga and what a highly anticipated club reunion with international teammate Hannah Eurlings actually means for the squad’s defensive chemistry on game day.

Amber pulls back the curtain on why she chose the Union Berlin long-term project at this specific point in her career, and the exact mindset required to serve as a focal point, including how an unforgettable, ultra-rare goalscoring milestone on the world stage completely shifted her confidence as a defender. She walks us through reaching a massive appearance milestone with the Red Flames, detailing how her leadership role on the backline has evolved and the legacy she aims to leave behind for country and club alike.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about the upcoming international playoffs/World Cup qualifiers, the goals on her soccer vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Tenacious midfielder and technical dynamo Noelle Bond-Flasza joins the podcast to share insider insights on signing her first professional contract, anchoring Linköping FC's high-stakes rebuild in the Elitettan, and entering a historic club at a unique turning point.

Tracing her journey from an abrupt introduction to the international stage with the Jamaica U-20 National Team to captaining the California Golden Bears through long-term injury setbacks, Noelle shares how she learned to navigate elite pressure and the resilience advice she would give to her younger self. Noelle also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial trial stint with the Utah Royals before completely unlocking her professional potential as an indispensable engine in the Swedish midfield.

She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of adjusting to the structural and physical defensive discipline of European club football, navigating the club searching process with a level head, and how growing up alongside a historic family soccer legacy shapes her own senior international ambitions.

Lastly, Noelle shares why the Linköping FC project was the perfect step for her current career phase, the exact mindset required to thrive under lofty first-place-or-failure fan expectations, and the profound lessons of mental fortitude that altered how she views the game after transitioning from the collegiate ranks to Europe, the goals on her soccer vision board, and so much more!

This is the third part of our three-part series in collaboration with Linköping FC! Listen to part one with Linköping + Swedish international legend Jonna Andersson and Linköping FC's former head coach Charlie Mitchell here!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

Houston Dash wingback and rising USWNT star Avery Patterson joins the podcast to discuss her high-stakes future in Houston, anchoring the club's tactical rebuild in the NWSL, and breaking into the senior international environment ahead of the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Tracing her journey from a young girl watching the national team from the stands to navigating pressure at UNC, she shares her earliest soccer memories filled with family chaos, unique childhood performance incentives, and the retrospective advice she would give to her younger self.

Avery pulls back the curtain on why the Houston Dash project was the perfect step for her career, the mindset required to serve as a designated squad centerpiece, and the profound pieces of coaching advice that altered how she views the game. She walks us through her chaotic first national team camp, detailing what was going through her head.

Avery also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial transition to the pros before finding her rhythm as a playmaker and hitting a serious hot streak for the Dash.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about upcoming fixtures against reigning World Champions Spain, what it will take for the squad to achieve its goals while establishing the standard that their ceiling should be their floor, the goals on her soccer and personal vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

How do NWSL clubs navigate the push for the postseason under the pressure of a shifting playoff line? How can we connect tactical adjustments to this weekend's results on the pitch?

In this episode, LDG breaks down NWSL Matchday 22, analyzing a weekend that delivered eight matches and 25 goals. He explores how top contenders are finding ways to win close matches when it matters most, contrasted against teams whose postseason ambitions mathematically evaporated.

The discussion begins with the mathup in Cary, North Carolina, where Gotham FC officially punched its playoff ticket with a 2–1 road victory over the North Carolina Courage. LDG unpacks the brilliance of forward Jordynn Dudley, who led the attack with her first career NWSL brace, including the stoppage-time winner. He pulls back the curtain on the game's major VAR decisions, analyzing the close margins that saw two potential Courage goals disallowed for offside before Natalia Staude’s equalizer.

LDG examines the battles at the top of the table as Gotham FC extended its lead while the expansion side Denver Summit FC caught up ground on the Kansas City Current as the Summit won and Current lost. He transitions to the West Coast, breaking down how Angel City FC surged into sixth place to command their own destiny, directly contrasted with the struggles of the Chicago Stars FC, whose 3–0 loss to the Washington Spirit mathematically ended their playoff hopes.

Finally, LDG highlights a massive clash of titans, detailing Portland Thorns FC's definitive 4–1 away win over the Orlando Pride. He rounds out the weekend with a comprehensive matchday roundup, dissecting the structural frameworks of the fixtures and delivering post-match insights from coaches and players across the league.

From broader playoff picture analysis to detailed analysis on this fixture, this comprehensive episode's got it all.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

Creative midfield engine and technical dynamo Antonia Baaß joins the podcast to discuss her path back to Germany, anchoring SGS Essen’s high-stakes promotion race in the Frauen-Bundesliga 2, and returning to a familiar club at a unique turning point.

Tracing her journey from entering the international environment at just 15 years old in the UEFA Development Tournament to navigating the early chapters of her career, she shares how she learned to navigate elite pressure and the retrospective advice she would give her younger self.

Antonia also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial 50-appearance stint with Essen before growing her game even further during a highly successful multi-season run at FC Basel. She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of pursuing a demanding Sport Science degree alongside her professional schedule, shifting between international leagues, and how her classroom knowledge directly impacts her personal approach to training, tactical thinking, and recovery.

Antonia shares why the SGS Essen rebuild project was the perfect step for her current career phase, the exact mindset required to serve as a designated squad centerpiece, and the profound pieces of coaching advice that altered how she views the game.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about sporting director Daniel Kraus's ambitious vision for the future, what she believes it will take for the squad to achieve its modern goals, the goals on her soccer vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

How do NWSL clubs remain competitive in the global transfer market despite strict financial restrictions? How can we connect the transfers/transactions we saw at the end of the window to this weekend's results on the pitch?

In this episode, LDG examines the systemic issues animating the league's salary cap architecture, a framework forcing front offices to build rosters like a puzzle to survive against the unconstrained spending of Europe, and how it connects to the results we see on the pitch. He explores whether a league with the wealthiest ownership groups in women's sports can achieve global dominance while its administrative rules actively hold ambitious investors back.

The discussion begins with the profound paradox playing out in the capital, where Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang deployed millions to secure stars like Claudia Martínez and Clara Luvanga. LDG breaks down how the rigid Net Transfer Threshold penalizes this economic ambition, triggering active reductions to a club's salary cap for non-compliance. He directly contrasts the American system with the European model, comparing the NWSL's manufactured middle class against the uncapped spending power of UEFA giants like Lyon, Barcelona, and Chelsea.

He walks through the Washington Spirit’s use of staggered annual installments, explains the loan mechanism utilized by San Diego Wave FC to acquire elite talent, and dissects the internal asset inflation that saw the Utah Royals drop historic transaction funds for forward Jameese Joseph.

He also dives into the breaking intra-league transfer of rookie forward Gianna Paul from the Kansas City Current to the North Carolina Courage, analyzing the distinct rationale behind the move for both organizations. Shifting from player management to leadership instability, LDG addresses the breaking news out of Texas, where the Houston Dash fired head coach Fabrice Gautrat and technical director Twila Kilgore.

From there, he transitions into a comprehensive matchday roundup across a massive weekend of action, breaking down the fixtures results and tactics, with some insights from coaches and players on Gotham, Washington Spirit, San Diego + Chicago included!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

Olympique de Marseille midfielder Lexi Missimo and Mint Farm Films producer Rush Olsen sit down to discuss the global launch of their docuseries Raising Her Game and the latest updates in their careers!

Lexi shares her earliest soccer memories and how she channeled the pressure of being the nation's top recruit into a historic collegiate career.

Rush pulls back the curtain on what drew Mint Farm Films to the project, balancing intimate subject access with unvarnished realities, and how directors must adapt when an unfolding real-life storyline spins completely out of their control.

Lexi opens up about the pivotal choices that defined her rise, including turning down life-changing professional offers from elite European giants out of high school, training under Emma Hayes at Chelsea, why she completely deviated from the traditional path to kickstart her professional career and the mental toll of a grueling nine-month injury recovery during her rookie campaign.

Lexi and Rush talk about the experience of visiting the National Soccer Hall of Fame to learn the history of the sport, exploring the legacy of Title IX and the local battles fought for female athletic equity decades ago, and the importance of players today learning about the history of the women's game.

Lastly, they share what excites them about the future of the sport, what's on Lexi's soccer vision board, and so much more!

Stream the documentary for free on Tubi across the United States, UK, Canada, and Mexico. Website: https://rhgmovie.com/ Instagram: @raisinghergame1 TikTok: @raisinghergame

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

AFC Toronto and Canadian National Team forward Kaylee Hunter sits down to discuss life in the Northern Super League!

The clinical attacker and rising star joins the podcast, in a special episode released just days before her debut at the U-20 Women's World Cup, to share insider insights on AFC Toronto's high-stakes season.

She shares what it meant to earn her first senior international cap, the whirlwind reality of debuting against elite opposition on the world stage, and how those milestones shape her perspective as she guides Canada into the next international cycle.

Kaylee also talks about her iconic rookie campaign, reflecting on the dominant personal form that garnered league-wide recognition during a historic debut season in the Northern Super League. She takes us into the attacker's mindset behind her personal "bad day, go play soccer" mantra, the role of compartmentalizing pressure as a teenager thrust into a core role at a brand-new club, and what it actually takes to consistently beat defenders and find the back of the net.

Kaylee pulls back the curtain on why committing to AFC Toronto was the perfect step for her career, how the chance to help build a historic club culture factored into her decision, and the process behind executing a massive new long-term contract extension.

Lastly, she reflects on the high-pressure environment of the league's inaugural championship final, what it means to kickstart her career at home in Canada after years of players advocating for a league like the NSL, what's on her soccer vision board, and so much more!

This is the second part of our three-part series in collaboration with AFC Toronto! Listen to part one with AFC + Nigerian international forward Esther Okoronkwo here and part two with AFC + Canadian international goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo here.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

Linköping FC head coach Charlie Mitchell sits down to discuss his path to the touchline and dominating the tactics board!

In this exclusive feature, head coach Charlie Mitchell joins the show to detail his data-driven model for long-term player development and building a sustainable culture. Recorded just prior to his departure from Sweden for personal family reasons, this conversation offers a comprehensive look at his footballing philosophy and tactical vision.

. He shares what it meant to transition from elite, analytics-centered roles, like serving as the Head of Analysis for the Wales National Team and Performance Analyst for Trinidad & Tobago, to being the man in charge of making final structural decisions on the touchline, and what it took to trust his coaching intuition over raw data in high-pressure moments!

Charlie also talks about his foundational coaching career at Bristol City, cultivating elite player development with the Women's U-21 team, and his seamless transition into the pros where he took over Sweden's historic powerhouse following a shocking relegation!

He takes us into the locker room to share the mindset shift he made when joining the Elitettan, the vital steps he and his staff implemented to address the club's 2025 drop, and how he managed the outside media noise as the youngest head coach in the league!

Charlie shares why the Linköping FC project and the challenge of the league was so intriguing to him, the logistics behind a massive squad overhaul featuring 16 player departures and only 5 returning veterans, and some of his favorite behind-the-scenes moments collaborating to build this brand-new roster from scratch!

Lastly, he shares what excited him about Linköping FC throughout their stellar 2026 campaign, what it took to lead a team under strict first-place-or-failure fan expectations, his long and short term career goals, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@http://thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

This is the second part of our three-part series in collaboration with Linköping FC! Listen to part one with Linköping + Swedish international legend Jonna Andersson here!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

San Diego Wave FC midfielder Lia Godfrey sits down to discuss her path to the NWSL and dominating the NWSL!

Four-time All-American and lethal midfield dynamo Lia Godfrey joins the podcast to share insider insights on her explosive breakout season with the San Diego Wave and making history on the global stage.

She shares what it meant to receive her historic first call-up to a U.S. Youth National Team at just 14 years old, making global headlines as the youngest player in USWNT youth national team history to suit up for a youth team World Cup, and what she took from that and her other national team experiences to college and as she joined the professional ranks!

Lia also talks about her legendary collegiate career at Virginia, dominating the ACC for six seasons, and her seamless transition into the pros where she locked down NWSL Rookie of the Month honors after scoring three jaw-dropping goals in her first four professional matches, all in the span of one week!

She takes us into the locker room to share the mindset shift she's made since joining the NWSL, the words of encouragement manager Jonas Eidevall told her, and she shares how her immediate game-winning impact ranks for her personally in her career (it is quite high on the list!) Lia shares why the San Diego Wave FC project and the growth of the NWSL as a whole was intriguing to her, the transition from college (and being an East Coast. person) to living on the West Coast, and why she loves playing in front of the Wave faithful at Snapdragon Stadium!

Lastly, she shares what excites her about this current San Diego group as they continue their stellar 2026 campaign, what she believes it will take for the team to achieve its goals this season, her long and short term goals, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

Should FIFA mandate NWSL player releases for the youth World Cup tournaments? Why is this current system of informal negotiation over player release so detrimental for all parties involved? Is it possible to create a system that doesn't hurt players, coaches, club and national teams?

In this episode, LDG tries to answer those questions that he has been pondering since the US women's national team dropped their U-20 World Cup roster, with a lot of recognizable names, but with some of the biggest names in the age group and talking points being those who were left off the roster entirely.

He breaks down why the growing tug-of-war between club obligations and international development is creating a massive structural gap across women's football. LDG gets at the Youth World Cup release rules for clubs, what power the clubs hold in discussion and how these discussions are the byproduct and cost of the packed football calendar.

He walks through the contrasting realities first: on the U.S. side, the 21 USWNT U-20 World Cup roster spots lack the plethora of skilled, eligible NWSL talent, with Claire Hutton, Lily Yohannes, Melanie Barcenas, Jordyn Bugg and Kimmi Ascanio all left off the squad due to their clubs not releasing them.

LDG examines why several U20 players were left out of the US roster, and why the issue is bigger than one tournament. The discussion connects youth development, NWSL club leverage, FIFA release rules, and the growing tension between club and country as the game keeps expanding, and he discusses how Emma Hayes, US Soccer, and clubs all have competing incentives, why youth tournaments are different from senior international windows, and why the player is the one who often loses out when calendars collide.

He contrasts that directly with the England side, where North Carolina Courage teammates Erica Meg Parkinson and Lauryn Thompson secured a partial-release compromise to stay with the Courage and miss the Lionesses' prep camp but play in the actual tournament, showing how collaboration is possible.

He argues that this same league producing two completely different outcomes within weeks of each other is proof of a system currently running on informal negotiation rather than enforceable rules.

From there, LDG gets into the policy routes to fix this chaos, dissecting Emma Hayes's ask for the youth World Cups to be included in the overall FIFA calendar that includes the senior competitions and implement all-encompassing mandates on player release, unilateral NWSL CBA adjustments, and the realistic necessity of a FIFA-backed insurance load-management backstop. He also doesn't shy away from the flaws in each path, showing how a domestic-only rule leaves European-based Americans untouched and fails to address the strongest club objections.

He ends by proposing what he believes is the best solution to this dilemma.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

Werder Bremen and German national team striker Lena Petermann sit down to discuss life in the Frauen-Bundesliga!

Frauen-Bundesliga star and elite finisher Lena Petermann joins the podcast to share insider insights on SV Werder Bremen's current season and her extensive career across Europe and North America. She shares what it meant to receive her first senior call-up to the German women's national team, her experience playing at her first-ever senior World Cup in 2015, what she took from those international tournaments as she returned to Germany last season, and so much more!

Lena also talks about the iconic U-20 World Cup final that Germany had in 2014, as she scored the dramatic tournament-winning goal in extra time against Nigeria to capture the trophy! She takes us back to that monumental tournament to share the mindset shift that happened as her career trajectory altered in real-time, and she shared how that specific goal and championship rank for her personally in her career!

Lena shares why the SV Werder Bremen project and the vastly improved Frauen-Bundesliga infrastructure as a whole was intriguing to her, her decision to return to German soil after a five-year stint playing in France and England, and why she loves the internal setup and philosophy at Werder! Lastly, she shares what excites her about advising the younger generation of German players on the NCAA college route, the state of the club as they look toward the future, what she believes it takes to build a lasting culture in the locker room, what making those historic World Cup rosters meant to her, her long and short term goals, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!