Equal Time Soccer

We're LIVE from Blackhart for the USWNT night-before party. First we talk to Jen Larrick about her work to improve representation and expand access to soccer. Then we catch up with Stefanie Golan to talk everything Gopher Soccer. Finally we bring up Kassey Kallman to talk about what places like MN need to succeed in the NWSL (if they add a team) and the return of "the internet said it".

We chat with Chris Henderson of the Woso Independent podcast about returning Gophers who need to step into bigger roles, the strength of the backline vs the front six, Minnesota's tough schedule, and his Big Ten projections.

I know a little about Monarch from chatting with you two at events but tell folks about the organization. When was it founded and who are the communities you’re looking to serve? (1 min)

Talk about your soccer experience and what led you to want to do this work? (10 min)

Talk a little bit about the actual programming you do. How much of it is structured games against other teams vs open play on a random weekday and stuff like that? (18 min)

What are some of the biggest obstacles to doing this kind of work? (23:30 min)

What impact does that lack of access have on the growth and development of soccer in the US overall? (30 min)

Women still don’t have anywhere near fair representation in coaching. Talk a little bit about what we need to change to give women more of a shot in the coaching ranks? (36:30)

What role do the structured school soccer environments play in your work? Do you hope to get girls exposed to high school and college options or is the youth experience in and of itself part of the goal? (46:45 min)

How can average soccer fans, who maybe haven’t heard of Monarch, support your work? (53:45 min)

We caught up with former Gopher Soccer star, and Czech League pro vet Simone Kolander after her return to the professional ranks in Iceland. Simone talks about her recruitment to Iceland, adapting to a new country, the level of play, and our first edition of "the internet said it."

We sat down with Krystle Seidel to talk:

How Mac is looking this year(1min)

How she decided to get into coaching (4:30min)

How was the transition from player to coach (7min)

Transition from assistant to head coach (12min)

The impact of women coaches (15 min)

Finding her niche in a crowded recruiting landscape (21min)

Recruiting at Mac vs the U (25 min)

Who’s her favorite gopher soccer alum? (29min)

The Kallman Family (34 min)

What nickname did Jay-Bee (equipment mgr) give her & why (36 min)

It's Pride Month!! We sat down with three women who have coached and played through issues like representation, being a strong ally, and giving players equal treatment.

Haley Helverson has played professionally in Sweden and Puerto Rico since graduating from the University of Minnesota. We talk to her about playing in new leagues, fighting through injuries, and more.

We catch up with former Bundesliga and US Mens National Team star Tony Sanneh and Gopher Soccer Head Coach Stefanie Golan following their diplomatic trip to Kenya. We talk about connecting with kids across the world, Tony's recently awarded Bush Fellowship, the Gophers spring season, and how the game is growing in Minnesota.

Julie Eibensteiner owns and operates Laurus Athletic Rehab and Performance. She specializes in ACL rehab and was previously a starting goalkeeper for the Gopher Soccer team. We sat down to talk injury prevention and rehab, specialization and recruiting happening at younger and younger ages, the idea of paying college athletes, and more.

Alli Lipsher had a standout college career and a globe trotting pro career. Now, she's the Director of Goalkeeping for Gopher Soccer, the founder of First Line Futbol, and a strategist with Visible City. We talked to her about coaching young keepers, translating her playing experience into coaching, and urban planning!