Sam Coffey joins Soccerish in the thick of the NWSL playoff race to talk pressure, parity, and her past life as a barista. With Lori Lindsey and Christina Unkel, she gets into how to thrive in perhaps the most competitive league in sports: ignore the playoff math, win the day in front of you, and embrace a league where “you lose one game, you’re in 12th.”

What’s inside

• Servant leadership, not ego. Set others up to win; power to do, not power over.
• Unsung heroes. From Willie (Thorns) to Sophie (USWNT): equipment managers, comms, ops, medical—the backbone. Give them their flowers.
• The Emma Hayes effect. Intentionality, women’s health, purpose → performance.
• Parity without panic. Stop doom-scrolling the table; be great today.
• New episodes every Thursday with Christina Unkel & Lori Lindsey.

⏱️ Episode 6 – Sam Coffey | Timecodes

00:00 – Cold open: chaos, tradition vs. “our way” 🎙️

00:48 – Christina + Lori introduce Sam Coffey; pressure of club & country ⚽️

01:25 – Sam arrives (traffic!); first impressions and podcast format 🚦

02:15 – Growing up in a sportswriting family; dinner-table sports talk 📰

04:20 – Family still sports-obsessed; Portland visit stories 🌲

05:30 – Mom’s tennis background; Yankees loyalty 🎾

06:12 – Why Coffey majored in journalism; her sister’s feature writing ✍️

08:28 – “Coffey’s Corner” idea → storytelling beyond soccer 💡

10:36 – Unsung heroes: equipment managers, support staff, behind-the-scenes impact 🧰

12:53 – Gratitude for staff at club and USWNT; “they run the team” 🙌

14:38 – Coffey on leadership style → servant leadership, setting others up 🌟

18:29 – Christina reframes: “It’s power to do something” 🔋

19:05 – Emma Hayes’ influence: female lens, menstrual cycle research, joy in play 🇺🇸

21:40 – Biggest changes in USWNT environment: clarity, intentionality, unity 🧭

24:35 – Barista in camp? Yes → professionalism and comfort ☕️

27:09 – Why details (like coffee!) matter when you play 11 months/year 🔄

28:10 – Pressure of playing while also “building the movement” 🏗️

29:19 – Life after soccer; financial + emotional pressure 💰

30:12 – NWSL playoff race: tight table, mindset of one day at a time 🗓️

33:44 – “Whoever picked us last doesn’t get Portland culture” 🌲

34:27 – Dream guest question: Sam chooses Mikel Arteta (and Declan Rice shoutout) 🔴⚪️

37:15 – Lori’s pick: Megan Rapinoe in a “Gary Neville walk & talk” 🚶‍♀️

37:59 – Wrapping up: NWSL parity, Gotham match preview 🆚

38:32 – Outro: follow Soccerish on YouTube + socials 🔗

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