Podcasts about soccer league

In this MUST-listen episode, LDG interviews Makenna Morris. Makenna is a winger and fullback for the Washington Spirit and the US Women's National Team youth system. In her second season in the National Women's Soccer League, Makenna has played an instrumental role with the Spirit, as her versatility and ability to deliver complete performances on both sides of the ball have been notable. Makenna was a first-round draft pick in the last-ever NWSL draft, and she helped the Spirit make the NWSL Final last season with her epic assist in stoppage time in the semifinals. Tune in for insights into Makenna's trajectory to the professional level, starting her career with the club she grew up supporting, and her recovery journey from injury last season to her joyous and incredibly successful return to the pitch. Makenna also shares insights into the first-ever Futures Camp and the time she spent with Emma Hayes, along with her future aspirations with the Spirit and the USWNT!Thank you 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!

We've got reaction from Cork's football & camogie action across the weekend plus we preview next weekend's Munster Hurling Final against Limerick.We also catch up with the latest news from the Cork Women & Schoolgirls' Soccer League via Steve Mulcahy.

In this episode of The Leadership Standard, host Jamie Mason Cohen sits down with two powerhouse leaders at the forefront of a national movement: Lara Murphy, CEO of Calgary Wild FC and founder of Ryan Murphy Construction, and Deanna Zumwalt, Executive Chair of Calgary Wild FC and business executive with a bold vision for equity in sport.Together, they're helping lead Calgary Wild FC, part of the Northern Super League, Canada's first professional women's soccer league. But their influence goes far beyond the field.Key Takeaways from the Episode:· The power of sport in shaping leadership: Both leaders reflect on how early athletic experiences built resilience and confidence.· Creating lasting impact: Calgary Wild FC is more than a soccer team—it's a platform for driving equity and representation in professional sports.· Business wisdom on and off the field: Lara and Deanna draw parallels between team-building, business operations, and leading with purpose.· Staying inspired: Hear the quotes, athletes, and books that continue to fuel their work and perspective.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating inclusive leadership, scaling with purpose, and turning bold ideas into lasting change.

The 3rd Hour crew is in Orlando, Florida! Dylan goes on a tour and checks out all the fun the city has to offer — from a tranquil oasis to a monster truck ride. Also, stars from the Orlando Pride, the defending champions of the National Women's Soccer League, join to discuss this season and making Orlando sports history. Plus, TODAY contributor Sarah Eggenberger shares a roundup of some of the best finds from local Orlando small businesses.

The Sports Rabbi Josh Halickman and Lukas Feldhaus our European basketball expert out of Germany took a deep dive into the Euroleague Final Four as we broke down the two semifinals, Panathinaikos vs Fenerbahce and Olympiacos vs Monaco. We also spoke about Israeli guard Ben Saraf who has been playing for Ulm in Germany this past season and will be entering the 2025 NBA Draft. Dov Halickman then came on board to talk about the Israel Basketball League semifinals series between Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Hapoel Holon while we looked back at the Youth League Final won by Hapoel Tel Aviv. Finally, we check out the Israel Soccer League's last matchday of the season as Maccabi Tel Aviv leads Hapoel Beer Sheva by 2-points.Make sure to subscribe to The Sports Rabbi Show on iTunes, Spotify or Google Podcasts.Also download our fabulous new App available for both Android and iPhone!Click here for the iPhone AppClick here for the Android App

In today's MUST-LISTEN episode, LDG interviews Kennedy Fuller. Kennedy is a midfielder for the Angel City Football Club in the National Women's Soccer League and a member of the USWNT youth national team ranks. Kennedy is in her second season in the NWSL after signing at 16 years old with ACFC. Kennedy won the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award as a high school sophomore, the Silver Ball at the 2024 U-17 Women's World Cup, and many other accolades. Kennedy has starred in her second season in the NWSL, as she is tied with Delphine Cascarino and Ryan Gareis for the most assists this season.Tune in for BTS moments from Angel City's tightly knit locker room, Kennedy's experience training with Chelsea, KC Current, + NC Courage, playing with ACFC, and the USWNT youth ranks, including co-captaining the U-17 World Cup team! Additionally, hear Kennedy talk about her youth career, why she went pro when she did, and the dynamic duo of Alyssa Thompson and herself!Thank you 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!

Note: Both versions of episode 108 are the same; this version supports more platforms!In this MUST-listen episode, LDG interviews Kennedy Fuller. Kennedy is a midfielder for the Angel City Football Club in the National Women's Soccer League and a member of the USWNT youth national team ranks. Kennedy is in her second season in the NWSL after signing at 16 years old with ACFC. Kennedy won the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award as a high school sophomore, the Silver Ball at the 2024 U-17 Women's World Cup, and many other accolades. Kennedy has starred in her second season in the NWSL, as she is tied with Delphine Cascarino and Ryan Gareis for the most assists this season.Tune in for BTS moments from Angel City's tightly knit locker room, Kennedy's experience training with Chelsea, KC Current, + NC Courage, playing with ACFC, and the USWNT youth ranks, including co-captaining the U-17 World Cup team! Additionally, hear Kennedy talk about her youth career, why she went pro when she did, and the dynamic duo of Alyssa Thompson and herself!Thank you 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!

For this week's episode, Andy Smetana is joined by Pam McIntyre, SVP & Corporate Controller at OneStream Software, and Susan Maron, Chief of Staff at Nova Advisory, for a refreshingly honest and inspiring conversation. Together, they explore the origins of OneStream's Women in Finance initiative, the unique leadership qualities women bring to the table, and how mentorship and open dialogue can help break longstanding professional barriers. Expect personal stories, surprising statistics (including a 1,000-person webinar turnout), and practical advice for women navigating the path to leadership. Whether you're a rising star or a seasoned executive, this episode is a reminder that transformation in finance goes beyond software—it's also about empowering people. ✨ Attending Splash in Nashville? Join us for the Women in Finance Luncheon at OneStream Splash, proudly sponsored by Nova Advisory. This exclusive event features a powerhouse panel moderated by Hope King (founder of Macro Talk, former Axios reporter), with leaders from Girls Who Code, the National Women's Soccer League, and OneStream Software.

In today's MUST-listen episode, LDG interviews a USWNT player for the first time! Emma Sears is a winger for the Racing Louisville FC and USWNT, and she is one of the top forwards in the National Women's Soccer League, widely regarded as the world's most competitive women's soccer league.In this engaging, insightful, and enjoyable discussion, which extends chronologically through Emma's career, she talks about everything from her youth soccer days to appearing for the national team at her club team's stadium.A true student of the game, Emma talks about everything from her draft day experience, why Racing has been such a great fit for her, appearing for the USWNT, and so much more! Stay tuned for the fascinating anecdotes that Emma shares throughout the episode.Thank you for listening, and 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 mean, who needs to keep score in a soccer game anyway?! And trophies every week!Leave a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps us out a lot! Also follow us on social @joeyandlaurenshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History of National Women's Soccer League and UFL Week 5 preview. 

In today's MUST-listen episode, LDG interviews a Gotham FC player for the first time! Khyah Harper is a rookie forward on Gotham FC, one of the top teams in the National Women's Soccer League, widely regarded as the world's most competitive women's soccer league.In this engaging discussion, Khyah takes us inside the Gotham FC training environment while talking about the Spain preseason trip, what made Gotham FC so appealing, being a prospective player in a no-draft ecosystem, and so much more!Tune in to hear the BTS experience of preseason and a training session at an NWSL club, the adversities of the world's best athletes, how NWSL players think their league matches up to the rest of the world, plus so much more amazing discussion you genuinely cannot miss! (Also, stay tuned for the engaging stories that Khyah shares throughout the episode!)Thank you for listening, and 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!

Hour 2 of Jake & Ben on April 18, 2025 RSL Partial Shareholder David Blitzer joined Jake & Ben to talk about LHM acquiring RSL.  Jake & Ben spoke with John Kimball, President of RSL & the Utah Roayals about LHM aquring the teams.  Hear from Steve Starks, CEO of LHM Sports + Entertainment, who joined Jake & Ben to talk about the acquistion of RSL Football Holdings.  Jessica Burman, Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League, chatted with Jake & Ben about the LHM Sports + Entertainment Group buying a majority share of the Utah Royals. 

Jessica Burman, Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League, chatted with Jake & Ben about the LHM Sports + Entertainment Group buying a majority share of the Utah Royals. 

Jake & Ben Full Show from April 18, 2025 Hour 1 Top 3 Stories of the Day: Big Announcement today from RSL, NBA Play-In continues tonight, Highlights from yesterday's show.  Today Miller Sports + Entertainment announced that they have acquired a controlling Interest in RSL & Utah Royals. Hour 2 RSL Partial Shareholder David Blitzer joined Jake & Ben to talk about LHM acquiring RSL.  Jake & Ben spoke with John Kimball, President of RSL & the Utah Roayals about LHM aquring the teams.  Hear from Steve Starks, CEO of LHM Sports + Entertainment, who joined Jake & Ben to talk about the acquistion of RSL Football Holdings.  Jessica Burman, Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League, chatted with Jake & Ben about the LHM Sports + Entertainment Group buying a majority share of the Utah Royals. 

Rach is here with a very special episode all the way from Canada, jetting over there for the launch of the brand-new Northern Super League! Ahead of the historic opening match between Calgary Wild and Vancouver Rise last night, she found time to sit down with Calgary's head coach and former Leicester City manager, Lydia Bedford. Lydia opens up about the challenges of relocating to a new country - during such a difficult time in her personal life - and shares the powerful way she managed to gel her squad in just a matter of weeks. And more importantly, Lydia reveals how she and her dog Baxter have been adapting to life in Canada! It involves some tabogganing... After that, we hear from Canadian sports journalist and friend of the pod Har Johal who joins Rach to react to this first-ever NSL match and explain what this brand-new league really means for Canada Soccer. Come and join us!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new Canadian professional women's soccer league is kicking off its first match this evening in Vancouver, with Vancouver Rise FC playing host to the Calgary Wild at BC Place. Former national team player and co-founder of the Northern Super League Diana Matheson joins the show as we ask viewers about women's soccer's place in the B.C. sports landscape.

AFC Toronto is set to kick-off Canada's first professional women's soccer league this weekend at BMO field. The Northern Super League, co-founded by Canadian star, Diana Matheson, includes six teams across the country competing at the highest level. The Agenda joined an AFC Toronto practice at York Lions Stadium to see how head coach Marko Milanovic and teammates, Cloey Uddenberg and Sarah Rollins, are preparing for the national stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States is seeing a boom in professional soccer, especially in California. The state is already host to four Major League Soccer teams and three teams in the National Women's Soccer League. There is also a crop of minor league teams  sprouting up throughout the state, in both big cities and small towns. We'll take to you to the Southern California city of Lancaster, which hopes to score big with its newest soccer team, AV Alta FC. The Trump Administration canceled the social security numbers of roughly 6,000 immigrants. Advocates say the move puts these people in economic limbo, since they wouldn't be able to obtain legal employment or access any bank services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Mitch Toda to discuss his principles and frameworks for acute injury management in athletes, including soft tissue injuries vs joint injuries.In this episode, we're joined by Mitch Toda, a seasoned sports medicine clinician and performance specialist with over 15 years of experience in elite soccer settings, including Major League Soccer, NCAA, and now the National Women's Soccer League. Mitch currently serves as the Head Athletic Trainer for the North Carolina Courage, where he leads the club's health and performance initiatives. He's known for his player-first approach, interdisciplinary leadership, and commitment to developing holistic strategies that support athlete well-being and performance at the highest level. Mitch is also one of the co-hosts of the PSATS Podcast, where he helps spotlight insights from professionals across the world of soccer sports medicine.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michita-toda?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_appPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKowmamllSGDGRtWxKdi3?si=OxjwWOzAQN2QpC_rrXSlxQFor more on Mitch, be sure to follow @mitchtodaatc*SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order!**Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Oro Muscles. For more on Oro, please check out www.oromuscles.com***Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.comEpisode Affiliates:MoboBoard: BRAWNBODY10 saves 10% at checkout!AliRx: DBraunRx = 20% off at checkout! https://alirx.health/MedBridge: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/brawn-body-training or Coupon Code "BRAWN" for 40% off your annual subscription!CTM Band: https://ctm.band/collections/ctm-band coupon code "BRAWN10" = 10% off!Ice shaker affiliate link: https://www.iceshaker.com?sca_ref=1520881.zOJLysQzKeMake sure you SHARE this episode with a friend who could benefit from the information we shared!Check out everything Dan is up to by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/braun_prLiked this episode? Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, Nikki Stanton from Vancouver Rise joins the podcast for an exclusive interview to talk about her time in the NWSL, why did she move to the NSL, importance of player safety, falling in love with Vancouver and PLENTY MORE!The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Follow me on X@SHEscoresbangerFollow NSL on X@NorthernSuperLeagueEpisodes are available on NSL.ca

Have you noticed more and more people are watching women's sports?  This episode's guest, Andrew LeRay of the National Women's Soccer League, is on a mission to grow the league through brand, product, and more. How do you sell tickets and merchandise to people who may not know the league exists? Andrew suggests that education and brand awareness are the two concepts driving people to think about the NWSL.  What are some ways Andrew has changed targeting strategies for the brand? Since coming into the role about two years ago, Andrew talks about how strategies back then were about retention and how the focus is now on creating messaging to welcome new viewers.   Plus, the NWSL has ties with US Soccer and other national teams. How do you leverage the popularity of more famous players in the league when they're away from their national teams? With the retirements of Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, there's a new set of players to be on the lookout for. Women's soccer doesn't just happen at the World Cup or the Olympics, so the league is THE place to watch it while you wait for the next tournament.  If you're a marketer who wants to learn more about growing or reshaping a brand, this is the episode for you.  Follow Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewleray/ Follow Daniel: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themarketingmillennials/featured Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Dmurr68 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-murray-marketing Sign up for The Marketing Millennials newsletter: www.workweek.com/brand/the-marketing-millennials Daniel is a Workweek friend, working to produce amazing podcasts. To find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about two big records: Alex Ovechkin topping Wayne Gretzky’s legendary scoring record in the NHL, and Geno Auriemma’s 12th NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship win as coach at the University of Connecticut. Then, they speak with Jessica Berman about how she has helped revolutionize the National Women’s Soccer League for the last three years as commissioner. Berman tells the hosts why the NWSL decided to get rid of the draft, how she’s making the most of her media rights deal with Amazon, ESPN, CBS, and Scripps ION, and whether she thinks expansion teams are getting too expensive too fast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, Jade Kovacevic from AFC Toronto joins the podcast for an exclusive podcast to talk about how soccer won her heart, importance of playing at home, becoming the first NSL signing, excitement of the league and PLENTY MORE!The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Follow me on X@SHEscoresbangerFollow NSL on X@NorthernSuperLeagueEpisodes are available on NSL.ca

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, Kiley Norkus from Halifax Tides joins the podcase for an exclusive interview to talk about how she fell in love with soccer, time playing in Europe, joining the Tides, excitement of the NSL and PLENTY MORE!The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Follow me on X@SHEscoresbangerFollow NSL on X@NorthernSuperLeagueEpisodes are available on NSL.ca

This week’s Candid Convo brings back one of last season’s guests - Carolyn Tisch Blodgett–for some important updates and a celebration of the new Gotham FC season. Carolyn is the fearless leader of the soccer franchise, Gotham FC, Next 3, mother of three, and of course, my sister! Since we last spoke with Carolyn, a lot has changed. Gotham FC sold a record number of tickets, hosted an inaugural fan fest, and became the first National Women’s Soccer League team to visit the White House. In this episode, we dig into making Gotham FC a legacy team, redefining the cultural narrative around women’s sports, and how Carolyn deals with it all personally. Plus, Carolyn breaks some very exciting NWSP news... this is an episode you don't want to miss! Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share with your friends if you liked this episode! She Pivots was created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Carolyn, follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast or visit shepivotsthepodcast.com.Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, French football legend Marinette Pichon, now Montreal Roses Sporting Director joins SHE Scores Bangers for an exclusive podcast to talk about becoming a Sporting Director, what her role looks like, the efforts to grow the sport, excitement of the NSL and PLENTY MORE!The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Follow me on X@SHEscoresbangerFollow NSL on X@NorthernSuperLeagueEpisodes available on NSL.ca

This month marks the opening of a new season for the red-hot NWSL–The National Women's Soccer League. Jim's this week is the Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer of the NWSL, Julie Haddon. Jim has known Julie for many years, going back to her years at the NFL as VP of Global Brand and consumer marketing, before joining the NWSL as its first-ever CMO. Great CMOs are growth drivers, and Julie has indeed done that with her team. Julie has been CMO for about 2.5 years and the growth rate is staggering; double the number of fans in attendance at matches; two new teams joining the league with more coming; a four-year media deal worth $240 million–the previous media deal was for three years for $4.5 million. And team valuations are increasing massively. Julie was a journalism major years ago at Indiana University in Bloomington, before launching a career in tech & entertainment that is epic: Dreamworks Animation, eBay, PayPal, Twitter, Zynga, Sofi, the NFL, and now the NWSL. Tune in for a conversation with a CMO who had a vision six years ago in France that she could help shape the future of women's soccer.---This week's episode is brought to you by Strawberry Frog, Deloitte and Adobe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, I am joined by Olympic champion and now Ottawa Rapid midfielder Desiree Scott. The Destroyer spoke about her return to soccer after announcing retirement, playing all over the world, coming home and landing in Ottawa, the excitement of the NSL and PLENTY MORE! The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Follow me on X@SHEscoresbangerFollow NSL on X@NorthernSuperLeagueEpisodes will available on NSL.ca

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, I am joined by the dynamic Christabel Oduro from Halifax Tides to talk about how she chose professional soccer, joining in the Northern Super League, her journey in Europe, and PLENTY MORE!The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Follow me on X@SHEscoresbangerFollow NSL on X@NorthernSuperLeagueEpisodes will available on NSL.ca

As the National Women's Soccer League kicks off a new season, Commissioner Jessica Berman joins Rapid Response to share how the league is seizing a moment of unprecedented growth and excitement in women's sports. Berman inherited a league in turmoil, plagued by allegations of abuse and the subsequent player revolt. After two years at the helm, Berman has not only steadied the ship, but secured historic media deals and record team valuations. Whether or not you're a soccer fan, Jessica shares lessons sure to inspire any leader looking to spark game-changing impact.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's MUST-listen episode, LDG interviews two NWSL players for the first time! Izzy Rodriguez and Bayley Feist are players on the Kansas City Current, one of the top teams in the National Women's Soccer League, widely regarded as the world's most competitive women's soccer league. In this engaging discussion, Izzy and Bayley talk about playing weekly at the first female-specific sporting venue, why the Current is such an incredible club, the abolishment of the NWSL Draft, and so much more! As the NWSL kicks off in just a week, tune in to hear the BTS experience of preseason at an NWSL club, how NWSL players think their league matches up to the rest of the world, plus so much more amazing conversation you genuinely cannot miss! (Also, stay tuned for the engaging stories that Izzy and Bayley share throughout the episode!)To hear more about NWSL off-season moves, check out episodes 97, 98, and 99, and stay tuned for more content from LDG breaking down NWSL transactions in the future!In our Instagram comments, share if you are worried about the NWSL exodus, or if you agree/disagree with LDG's opinion. You're also welcome to share your thoughts on the most recent transfers. Also, participate in the conversation by saying what positions your team could improve on the pitch! Thank you for listening, and 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!

Gol Bezan editor Samson Tamijani meets with new Orlando Pride signee Zara Chavoshi, a former U20 World Cup player with Canada, and Lily Nabet of Angel City FC, who became the first woman of Iranian descent to play professional football in 2022. This is released ahead of the start of the 2025 NWSL season, and on International Women's Day. Chapters: 0:00:00 Zara Chavoshi promo 0:00:52 welcome 0:02:18 Zara on turning pro 0:02:50 Family roots and Canada 0:04:45 Iranian heritage 0:06:25 Thoughts on Melika Mohammadi 0:07:05 Thoughts on representing Iran 0:07:44 Club manager thoughts on Zara 0:08:30 Role with Orlando Pride 0:09:59 Message to Iranian fans 0:10:25 Iranian food or Vietnamese food? 0:11:00 Update on Iran Women's Team 0:12:08 Lily Nabet welcome 0:13:20 Playing pro in hometown 0:14:36 Being from LA, Iranian roots 0:16:00 Soccer influences 0:17:15 Playing in college 0:25:10 Role models 0:29:50 Playing internationally 0:33:00 Goals for 2025 season 0:35:20 Message to Iranian fans 0:37:37 Conclusion 0:38:36 Zahiroleslam promo Follow us on social media @GolBezan, leave a like/review & subscribe on the platform you listen on - YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Amazon, Castbox. Editor & Host: Samson Tamijani Guests: Zara Chavoshi & Lily Nabet Graphics: Mahdi Javanbakhsh Intro Music: CASPIAN by ASADI https://instagram.com/dannyasadi https://smarturl.it/CASPIAN Outro Music: K!DMO https://instagram.com/kidmo.foreal Samson - https://twitter.com/GolBezanSamson Lily - https://www.instagram.com/lilynabet Mahdi - https://twitter.com/mativsh https://youtube.com/@UCKwPPeXDBpdpJWLb1U1cBSw https://twitter.com/GolBezan https://twitter.com/GolBezanFarsi https://instagram.com/GolBezan https://facebook.com/GolBezanPodcast https://tiktok.com/@golbezan https://patreon.com/GolBezan

The National Women’s Soccer League’s regular season kicks off next week. And thanks in part to a record-breaking media rights agreement and the growth of women’s professional sports across the board, the league is gaining more attention — and investment — than ever. Angel City Football Club became the highest-valued women’s sports team in the world last year when Willow Bay and Bob Iger acquired a controlling stake in the franchise for $250 million. Julie Uhrman, the team’s CEO and co-founder, says Angel City is just the beginning. On the show today, Uhrman explains how she and her co-founders got investors to see their vision, why a game day experience that leaves you with FOMO is key to Angel City’s growth, and how to watch the NWSL’s season. Later, how proposed funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health could leave a generational impact on the United States’ reputation as a science leader. And Adam Grant, host of the “Re:Thinking” podcast, answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How Angel City became ‘the most valuable women's sports team in the world' with new owners” from The Athletic “Ranking new 2025 NWSL team jerseys: Which kits hit?” from ESPN “Without the Draft, NWSL Clubs Are Navigating a Changing Landscape in College Recruitment” from Sports Illustrated “NWSL announces landmark media partnerships with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports” from NWSL “National Women's Soccer League Playoffs Docuseries Gets Premiere Date At Prime Video” from Deadline Listen: Adam Grant’s interview with Sabri Ben-Achour on Marketplace Morning Report Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The National Women’s Soccer League’s regular season kicks off next week. And thanks in part to a record-breaking media rights agreement and the growth of women’s professional sports across the board, the league is gaining more attention — and investment — than ever. Angel City Football Club became the highest-valued women’s sports team in the world last year when Willow Bay and Bob Iger acquired a controlling stake in the franchise for $250 million. Julie Uhrman, the team’s CEO and co-founder, says Angel City is just the beginning. On the show today, Uhrman explains how she and her co-founders got investors to see their vision, why a game day experience that leaves you with FOMO is key to Angel City’s growth, and how to watch the NWSL’s season. Later, how proposed funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health could leave a generational impact on the United States’ reputation as a science leader. And Adam Grant, host of the “Re:Thinking” podcast, answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How Angel City became ‘the most valuable women's sports team in the world' with new owners” from The Athletic “Ranking new 2025 NWSL team jerseys: Which kits hit?” from ESPN “Without the Draft, NWSL Clubs Are Navigating a Changing Landscape in College Recruitment” from Sports Illustrated “NWSL announces landmark media partnerships with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports” from NWSL “National Women's Soccer League Playoffs Docuseries Gets Premiere Date At Prime Video” from Deadline Listen: Adam Grant’s interview with Sabri Ben-Achour on Marketplace Morning Report Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, I am joined by Vancouver Rise Sporting Director and Gold medal Olympian Steph Labbe to talk about what the Rise is building, what the recruitment process looks like, making the NSL happen, the importance of it and PLENTY MORE!! The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Episodes will available on NSL.ca & @northern super league

Note: This is an unusual episode, in reaction to the events unfolding Thursday and Friday, with little time to edit or the usual setup. All sounds fine and is audible, but not as nice as usual. My apologies!Back last Summer, many Premier League clubs announced they would change, or do away with, "concession tickets" for seniors and youth, as well as a price hike on season tickets. Resistance formed at many clubs, but at West Ham, it seemed particularly organized, creative and social media savvy. In August, I talked with Alex, a chief initiator of the #SaveOurConcessions campaign online and on matchdays, home and away, as well as with Andy Payne of Hammers United and now the club's fan advisory board about their strategy to fight back. I predicted a "Fall storm." In recent weeks, not only did Liverpool announce a price freeze, West Ham restored all concessions and also froze season tickets. Seemingly out of nowhere, right before a home game. To Andy and Alex of course, the change is the result of months of hard work. This is a look behind the curtain at how a Premier League club makes bad business decisions, how fans mobilize, and how pragmatism and solidarity, creativity and activism make a difference for local fans even in the most glitzy league in the world.Unfortunately, the counter-example of today's fan activism omnibus episode comes from Chicago, where the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League changed their name to "Stars" without any organized protests by an otherwise fairly organized fanscene. One lone voice from Chicago was willing to speak on the record about why that might be. HELPFUL LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:Hammers United website, incl. press releases and statements by the group as the protests went on (full disclosure, I signed)The club's statement, with some background from Hammers United on their website"Save Our Concessions" initial petition, with over 20,000 signatures"Black Bubble Protest" by West Ham fans away at Crystal palace (X, video)NEW: send me a text message! (I'd love to hear your thoughts - texts get to me anonymously, without charge or signup) Please leave a quick voicemail with any feedback, corrections, suggestions - or just greetings - HERE. Or comment via Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. If you enjoy this podcast and think that what I do fills a gap in soccer coverage that others would be interested in as well, please Recommend The Assistant Professor of Football. Spreading the word, through word of mouth, truly does help. Leave some rating stars at the podcast platform of your choice. There are so many sports podcasts out there, and only ratings make this project visible; only then can people who look for a different kind of take on European soccer actually find me. Artwork for The Assistant Professor of Football is by Saige LindInstrumental music for this podcast, including the introduction track, is by the artist Ketsa and used under a Creative Commons license through Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/

In 2020, the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference featured a panel entitled, "Soccer Analytics: The Beautiful Game Meets the Analytics Edge." While the broader sporting public was acknowledging that soccer analytics had finally hit the mainstream, it had been evolving for decades. Starting with the work of Charles Reep, who is largely credited as being the first person to capture soccer match data en masse then analyze it, soccer analytics truly accelerated in the 2000s. A combination of American influence co-mingled with application globally pushed the practice forward. Thanks to the "Moneyball" phenomenon, conferences like Sloan, enterprising data scientists and opportunistic entrepreneurs, soccer analytics began to forge an influential path with English clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool Lucy Rushton broke into the soccer world in that environment. After working for her hometown club, Reading FC and then later Watford FC, Rushton moved to the US to take on a lead analytics role for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. She was later hired as the General Manager of DC United and then also of Bay FC in the National Women's Soccer League. Rushton joined the show to talk about her journey and the evolution of soccer analytics over the last few decades. Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com. Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice. Host: Kent Malmros Guest: Lucy Rushton (Former GM, Bay FC and DC United) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, I am joined by Montreal Roses player Tanya Boychuk to talk about playing in Europe, being a diving champion, making history in the NSL, excitement to play for the Roses and PLENTY MORE!The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Timestamps:0:00 Intro 2:30 Playing Soccer & Diving11:30 U of Memphis13:11 Going to Europe17:30 Returning home22:15 OutroFollow me on X @SHEscoresbangerFollow the NSL on X @NorthernSuperLgCheck out NSL's official website: https://www.nsl.ca/

Could ongoing BRT construction mean the end of the road for long-standing Colfax businesses? The public transit project has been in the works for years, but the real impacts of sidewalk closures and disappearing parking spots are finally hitting home. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by Westword staff writer Jason Heller to talk through his reporting on how business owners are balancing concerns with the prospect of better bus lanes. Plus, they dig into more news of the week, including The Lumineers' new album and frontman Wesley Schultz's guide to Denver, gender-affirming care for kids returning to area hospitals, and the questionable names being thrown around for Denver's new National Women's Soccer League franchise. Jason talked about new music from Plague Garden. Bree mentioned a 2013 New York Times article on The Lumineers and budget cuts impacting childcare programs across the state. Paul talked about the “Watershed Alliance" for Sloans Lake.  What do you think about The Lumineers? Are they a distinctly Denver band to you? Do you have a great Lumineers story to share? We'd love to hear it! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬ Do you have what it takes to win our Denverest Denverite Costume Contest? We're giving away an amazing prize pack to the person who can impress our panel of celebrity judges with a unique and super Denver-y costume. It's all going down at HEYDAY, our indoor fair on March 8. To enter the contest and receive access to your 2 free tickets to HEYDAY, simply follow this link to submit your entry form.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver Learn more about the sponsors of this February 21st episode: University of Colorado Denver Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 5280 Magazine Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“ I don't really want to be who I was before I was injured. In a lot of ways, I'm thankful to a place that just completely broke me, just brought me to some really low points. That's when I was able to grasp my faith or what it was, which is my personal worth. It has absolutely nothing to do with a soccer field or anything of the sort. Just learning that my worth and my fulfillment comes solely through my faith has been something that will go so much farther through life than soccer ever could.”   Civana Kuhlmann started playing soccer at a young age and quickly excelled, consistently playing on the youth national team beginning in eighth grade. From childhood through her sophomore year at Stanford, she faced no serious injuries.    But that all changed when she tore her ACL during preseason before her junior year. After surgery, she had to support the team in a whole different way as they reached, and then won, the NCAA championship.     After that, Civana went through several additional procedures for her meniscus and hips; she's now had a total of seven surgeries. Throughout, she faced pivotal moments of learning to advocate for herself in the face of physical pain. As skilled as they are, doctors aren't inside your body, she points out—athletes must trust their intuition and communicate their needs during recovery.    Through her physical and mental setbacks, including the emotional impact of losing her friend Katie Meyer to suicide, Civana learned to redefine herself on and off the pitch. But though she realized her worth had nothing to do with her skills as an athlete, her love for the game persisted. Ultimately, she was drafted into the National Women's Soccer League, where she's currently a free agent.    Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   Resources/links: Civana's Instagram and TikTok The first annual Coalition of Athletic Communities for Mental Health conference on Feb. 26-27, which Civana is helping organize   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase.    You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show.   To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.  

Hello friends! SHE Scores Bangers is collaborating with the Northern Super league over the next few weeks to bring you exclusive interviews with players and those gearing up for the inaugural season. In today's episode, I am joined by Calgary Wild's Jackie Sawicki, who reflects on her journey so far, making history in the NSL, World Cup memories with the Philippines, helping grow women's soccer and PLENTY MORE! The NSL, founded by former Canada International Diana Matheson, is Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League with six clubs based in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Fans can catch the action on TSN, CBC, and online streaming platforms. The league is set to kick off on April 16th. Follow me on X @SHEscoresbangerFollow the NSL on X @NorthernSuperLgCheck out NSL's official website: https://www.nsl.ca/

This week Full Time unpacks the outcome of a joint investigation by the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, Illinois, and New York into systemic abuse within the National Women's Soccer League from 2013 until 2021. As a result, the NWSL must create a $5 million player compensation fund as part of a settlement regarding its role in widespread allegations of abuse.We examine how we got here and what made the 2021 NWSL reckoning so impactful. What does this restitution fund mean for the league and women's soccer worldwide? Why is it important to note that the NWSL Players Association is the one forcing the league to be accountable?Hear from former players Erin Simon and Tori Huster as well as NWSLPA executive Meghann Burke as they reflect on the week's historic settlement.PLUS: The trial of former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales is underway in Madrid. How does it intersect with the NWSL's landmark changes and the broader landscape of making women's soccer safer around the world?_______________Articles mentioned on the show:NWSL agrees to pay $5 million to players who suffered abuse in new settlementNWSL players pause games in protest as games return in wake of Paul Riley investigation‘This guy has a pattern': Amid institutional failure, former NWSL players accuse prominent coach of sexual coercionLuis Rubiales trial: Jorge Vilda spoke of ‘consequences' for Jenni Hermoso, claims her brother_______________HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Theo Lloyd-HughesPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.comFollow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter hereVisit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Full Time unpacks the outcome of a joint investigation by the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, Illinois, and New York into systemic abuse within the National Women's Soccer League from 2013 until 2021. As a result, the NWSL must create a $5 million player compensation fund as part of a settlement regarding its role in widespread allegations of abuse. We examine how we got here and what made the 2021 NWSL reckoning so impactful. What does this restitution fund mean for the league and women's soccer worldwide? Why is it important to note that the NWSL Players Association is the one forcing the league to be accountable? Hear from former players Erin Simon and Tori Huster as well as NWSLPA executive Meghann Burke as they reflect on the week's historic settlement. PLUS: The trial of former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales is underway in Madrid. How does it intersect with the NWSL's landmark changes and the broader landscape of making women's soccer safer around the world? _______________ Articles mentioned on the show: NWSL agrees to pay $5 million to players who suffered abuse in new settlement NWSL players pause games in protest as games return in wake of Paul Riley investigation ‘This guy has a pattern': Amid institutional failure, former NWSL players accuse prominent coach of sexual coercion Luis Rubiales trial: Jorge Vilda spoke of ‘consequences' for Jenni Hermoso, claims her brother _______________ HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Theo Lloyd-Hughes PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen _______________ Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Wright has ended his tenure leading the NFL Washington Commanders and has joined Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson in a women's sports investing venture. The venture, Project Level, is a part owner in the newest National Women's Soccer League franchise in Denver. The two leaders discuss investing in women's sports and betting on diversity in boardrooms to boost corporate bottom lines. Plus, President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services appeared on Capitol Hill for two intense days of confirmation hearings. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. answered Senator questions about Medicare, Medicaid, and vaccinations, but former FDA Commissioner and Pfizer board member Dr. Scott Gottlieb said RFK's responses showed a failure to fully grasp the fundamentals of the current healthcare system. Plus, the clock is ticking on President Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico. CNBC's Steve Liesman breaks down the economics of the plans.  Steve Liesman - 06:25Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 15:46Mellody Hobson & Jason Wright - 26:55

In hour 2 of The Drive, Zach and Phil continue their conversation surrounding the Broncos running backs. Does Sean Payton trust running backs enough to keep a balanced play calling? The guys react to the list of inactives from the Chiefs for this weekend’s game in Denver. How do the Broncos get their defense back on track after struggling in December? Will Riley Moss return to his early season form after having a rusty game vs the Bengals? Could Vance Joseph be on the hot seat if the Broncos defense doesn’t show up in the final week of the season? Today’s “Three Count” includes the Avalanche rally to come back and beat the Sabers in overtime, Denver receiving the 16th National Women’s Soccer League franchise, and an ESPN story on Jimmy Butler wanting out of Miami and open to playing basketball anywhere besides Miami. 9News Broncos insider, Mike Klis joins the show to discuss the growth from Marvin Mims in later half of the season, the vibe in the Broncos locker room, and how Carson Wentz will play on Sunday after going through “football rehab” with Sean McVay and Andy Reid.

The National Women’s Soccer League is in the final stages of adding its 16th team. We’ll explain what it can tell us about the rise of the women’s sports industry. And, the Supreme Court will review the funding model of a federal program that subsidizes internet and phone services in low-income areas of the country. Plus, we’ll weigh in on condiments and pie during a Thanksgiving-themed game of This or That! Here’s everything we talked about today: “NWSL expansion: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver final options” from ESPN “Denver named finalist for National Women's Soccer League expansion team alongside Cincinnati, Cleveland” from The Denver Post “Homes With Low Natural Disaster Risk Are Rising in Value Faster Than Homes With High Risk for the First Time in Over a Decade” from Redfin “Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services” from AP News “Supreme Court takes up dispute over FCC fund that subsidizes telecom services in rural areas” from CBS News We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The National Women’s Soccer League is in the final stages of adding its 16th team. We’ll explain what it can tell us about the rise of the women’s sports industry. And, the Supreme Court will review the funding model of a federal program that subsidizes internet and phone services in low-income areas of the country. Plus, we’ll weigh in on condiments and pie during a Thanksgiving-themed game of This or That! Here’s everything we talked about today: “NWSL expansion: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver final options” from ESPN “Denver named finalist for National Women's Soccer League expansion team alongside Cincinnati, Cleveland” from The Denver Post “Homes With Low Natural Disaster Risk Are Rising in Value Faster Than Homes With High Risk for the First Time in Over a Decade” from Redfin “Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services” from AP News “Supreme Court takes up dispute over FCC fund that subsidizes telecom services in rural areas” from CBS News We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Just a few years ago, the National Women's Soccer League was a relatively small business. Now, it's becoming a financial juggernaut with multimillion-dollar investments, a big TV deal and huge attendance. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to tune in this weekend for the big game: the championship match between the Washington Spirit and the Orlando Pride.Guest host and sports writer Ava Wallace speaks with soccer reporter Steve Goff and sports editor Ella Brockway about how the NWSL emerged from years of scandal and underinvestment. Today's show was produced by Bishop Sand with help from Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Alison MacAdam and mixed by Justin Gerrish.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The National Women's Soccer League playoffs kick off tonight with a matchup between No. 1 Orlando Pride and No. 8 Chicago Red Stars, followed by more quarterfinal round matches on Saturday and Sunday.  But both on and off the pitch, the NWSL has arrived in a new era. Jeff Kassouf, lead women's soccer writer at ESPN, is here to discuss the league's recent seismic shifts, including the players' new collective bargaining agreement – both the unprecedented power it gives players and the ripple effect it's creating for management.  Plus, a preview of the game action itself, including a primer for the less-initiated into the league's most exciting players like Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda, and what to watch for in the most-anticipated matchups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices