The summer of soccer begins this weekend, but the USWNT or USMNT will not be the first team to take the field and embrace the moment. The U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team takes the field at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against Australia this Saturday as part of a historic doubleheader with the USWNT. We welcome Amy Griffin, USDWNT head coach and 1991 Women’s World Cup champion, to the USA Soccercast on Episode 133.

The Deaf Women’s National Team match on Saturday kicks off at 2:00pm ET and will be televised on TruTV. It’s the first time an Extended National Team has been broadcast on TV in a US Soccer-controlled match, while Volkswagen’s title sponsorship is the first time an ENT match has had a presenting partner. Amy Griffin speaks with us to discuss how the program has been so successful - unbeaten all time in 38 matches and with 3 Deaf World Championships and gold medals at 4 Deaflympics. She also discusses some of the challenges the team faced before they became a part of U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Team program in 2022.

The platform that they will have being on national TV this weekend is a historic one, but it’s also a special one for them. Griffin breaks down some of the nuances of the deaf soccer game and how she had to adapt as a coach, and she even gives fans some tips on how to support the team when they’re playing on the field. You won’t want to miss this interview ahead of an important match!

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