Kickin' Back

Lesle Gallimore is the commissioner of the newly formed Girls Academy, and elite youth league which was formed after U.S. Soccer dissolved the Development Academy. Gallimore is a longtime coach and has a vision for a unified approach to youth soccer and one which eventually incorporates support from the professional ranks. She shares her visionary plans on the latest Kickin' Back.

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This week, Jess Fishlock joins Kickin' Back to discuss her experience at the NWSL Challenge Cup, the uncertainty of the future, and the circumstances that led to her current loan with the WSL club Reading.

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Aly Wagner joins the Kickin' Back podcast to discuss her career broadcasting soccer, the big stories and tactical trends we saw at the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, and the future evolution of women's soccer.

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United States women's national team legends Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm join the Kickin' Back podcast to discuss why they are investing in the new National Women's Soccer League team in Los Angeles, which will begin play in 2022. Foudy and Hamm discuss their vision for the team, why they are so optimistic about the state of the league, and how quickly they were able to get 12 other former U.S. players on board with investing. Read more about the new LA team here.

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Shea Groom joins the Kickin' Back podcast to discuss her arrival at the Houston Dash at a time when she needed a fresh start. Shea discusses why she plays with a chip on her shoulder and how that influences her tough but creative style of play, plus why the entire new-look Dash team has embraced that identity.

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Unexpected house guests, a Peloton bike, and exceptional cooking: these are the quarantine stories of roommates Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams, who are teammates on the North Carolina Courage and U.S. women's national team. Williams and Mewis are also player representatives on the NWSLPA and USWNTPA, respectively. They discuss their roles in making the NWSL Challenge Cup happen and in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

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Former United States international goalkeeper and World Cup champion Saskia Webber joins Kickin' Back to talk about what the sport was like in the '90s, including her experiences as game-changer in 1999 and the mixed-emotions she had as an alternate at the 1996 Olympics. She also discusses the U.S.' ability to produce great goalkeepers, and women's soccer's ongoing fight for equality.

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Nicole Hercules is the chair of the United Soccer Coaches Black Coaches Advocacy Group, the first woman to hold the role. Nicole and I discuss the need for more Black coaches across all levels of soccer, the need for those hiring to better educate themselves on diversity, and how her group is working toward change. Nicole also shares her experiences in bringing soccer training to Black communities.

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NWSL Players Association co-executive director Yael Averbuch West joins the podcast to discuss racial inequality in the world, and how NWSL players are using their platforms to speak out against racism. Yael and Jeff have a self-reflective conversation about their roles in combating racism.

Yael also speaks about the players' ability to secure guaranteed pay for the NWSL Challenge Cup during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the health challenges which made her step away from the pro game (but why she'll never use the word "retired").

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