Mary Harvey has seen the women’s game from almost every angle in her career, as a USWNT goalkeeper to FIFA leader and WPS executive. Today, she leads the Center for Sport and Human Rights, and she joins Open Mic to talk about the evolution of women’s soccer, the lessons of its past and where the game goes next.

0:00 Intro

1:26 The 1991 World Cup

4:57 Harvey’s Journey to the USWNT

7:58 How 1991 Changed Women’s Soccer

11:53 Inside the 1996 USWNT

16:25 From Player to FIFA Leader

24:11 How World Cups Drive Development

28:26 What Happened to WPS?

35:12 The Future of the Women’s Game

41:51 The Responsibility of Each USWNT Generation

44:46 Sport, Human Rights & the 2026 World Cup

57:30 Harvey’s Favorite Sporting Events

Open Mic is an Soccerwise interview series that features in-depth conversations with interest soccer voices from around the world. We’ll occasionally share select episodes here on First Touch when the conversation fits.

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Susannah Fuller welcomes Nico Cantor to explore the culture, history and competitive spirit of South American football. from the continent’s biggest clubs and competitions to Nico’s beloved Boca Juniors. They also discuss Lionel Messi’s international retirement and what his departure means for the future of the South American game.

0:00 The Latest From Around the World

4:32 Nico Cantor Joins the Show

9:02 Inside South American Football

12:36 The Powerhouses

14:47 Rise of Brazilian Clubs

21:17 Copa Libertadores Storylines

24:25 The State of Boca Juniors

29:07 Messi’s Argentine Farewell

32:00 What’s Next in CONMEBOL?

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Susannah Fuller chats with former Arsenal and England defender Kieran Gibbs to talk about his path from pro player to co-founding ONE FC, a youth soccer academy in Miami. Gibbs shares his approach to player development, how he hopes to bring his own experiences to the U.S. and where the project is now and going in the future. Plus, they discuss the 2026 World Cup and talk about Arsenal’s chance of repeating as Premier League Champions.

0:00 Intro

1:24 ONE FC Origin Story

6:03 Lessons from European Academies

8:26 The ONE FC Approach

10:59 Identifying Soccer Talent in the U.S.

14:36 Growing ONE FC

18:38 The 2026 World Cup Experience

25:26 Can Arsenal Repeat?

30:05 Where to Find Out More About ONE FC

Open Mic is an Soccerwise interview series that features in-depth conversations with interest soccer voices from around the world. We’ll occasionally share select episodes here on First Touch when the conversation fits.

The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation:

https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

The Women’s Super League (WSL) returns, and Susannah Fuller is joined by football journalist and the founder of The Cutback Flo Lloyd-Hughes to look at what could make this season different. They dive into Michelle Kang, Alexia Putellas and the ambitious London City Lionesses.

0:00 Intro

0:56 The Latest From Around the World

3:49 The Rise of the WSL

7:16 London City Lionesses, Michelle Kang & Alexia Putellas

10:17 Multi-Club Ownership Conundrum

12:22 Can London City Break Through?

The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation:

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Messi calls time on his Argentina career, Bayern Munich begin another title defense, and London City Lionesses enter the WSL with a squad built to challenge the established order. Plus, a closer look at the Champions League’s new league phase and the stories to watch as the transfer window closes.

0:00 Intro

0:35 Copa Libertadores Update

2:15 Bundesliga Kicks Off

3:40 WSL Kickoff Approaches

5:35 Messi Retires From International Soccer

8:22 A Closer Look: The Champions League Draw

12:36 One for the Road: Transfer Deadline Day

The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation:

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The European soccer season is underway, and there are already plenty of questions to answer.

Can Liverpool thrive under Andoni Iraola? What makes Como one of Europe's most intriguing teams? And how will José Mourinho fare at Real Madrid?

Susannah Fuller is joined by Ryan Hunn and Musa Okwonga of Stadio to look ahead at the teams, managers and storylines they're most excited to follow as the new season gets underway.

0:00 Intro

1:12 Premier League, Attendance Record & Baby Pitch Invader

5:28 Ryan Hunn & Musa Okwonga Join the Show

8:24 Liverpool’s New Era

13:26 Como Brings the Vibes

18:25 Venezia & Serie A Storylines

24:05 Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid

25:58 Marco Rose's Bournemouth

30:43 Americans at Middlesbrough

The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation:

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Ronaldinho returns to the pitch as Europe’s new season gets underway, Julian Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid grows increasingly complicated, and we take a closer look at the complicated relationship between Jose Mourinho and Vinicius Jr.

0:00 Intro

0:36 Johor Darul Ta’Zim’s Record Run

2:15 Ronaldinho Returns

3:14 The Premier League Is Back

6:20 Serie A Is Back

8:45 Alvarez and Atletico Madrid Headed for a Divorce

11:12 A Closer Look: Mourinho and Vini Jr.

14:45 One for the Road: 2027 Women’s World Cup

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Gianni Infantino rose to power promising a new era for FIFA. Ten years later, his presidency is facing its biggest crisis yet.

On the season two premiere of First Touch Weekly, Susannah Fuller examines how Infantino went from UEFA insider to the most powerful figure in world soccer, and how his pursuit of power, money and influence could ultimately define his legacy.

0:00 Intro

1:02 Chelsea, Liverpool & Memphis Depay

4:52 Patrick Vieira Takes Over Senegal

5:40 The Rise and Fall of Gianni Infantino

13:52 The World Cup Is for Sale

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Arsenal make a statement against Manchester City in the Community Shield, Mohamed Salah makes the move from the Premier League to the Turkish Super League, and the fallout continues around FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

0:00 Intro

0:37 Cameroon Win WAFCON

1:48 Cristiano Ronaldo’s Potential Retirement

4:14 Lens Win the Trophée des Champions

6:32 Arsenal Beat Manchester City

10:17 A Closer Look: Mohamed Salah Heads to Turkey

15:37 One for the Road: FIFA Fires COO Kevin Lamour

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On this episode of First Touch Dispatch, we dive into the latest from the soccer world, including Malawi’s historic qualification for the Women’s World Cup, a closer look at the buying power of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and a look at the pressure facing FIFA president Gianni Infantino. All this and more on First Touch Dispatch.

0:00 Intro

0:39 Malawi Qualify for the Women’s World Cup

2:20 Copa Libertadores

3:48 The Eredivisie Is Back

6:00 Falling Giants and Refereeing Controversy in Portugal

10:00 A Closer Look: Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Buying Power

14:50 One for the Road: Gianni Infantino’s Hot Seat

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