Christina missed her triathlon.

Why?

🏆 She won a championship

🚤 Led a boat parade

🎥 Invested in a Hershey’s documentary

🗣️ Spoke at a mayor’s convention

💀 And then... she was dead (spiritually)

Lori? She’s training for a half marathon she has zero plans to run.

Also: she’s wearing a hat that says “Freaks.”

What starts as a conversation about fitness quickly unravels into:

• Inventing a Tuesday Morning Half Marathon (with no police)
• Secretly racing retirees on the bike trail
• Gas station barbecue rituals
• Italian piazzas… in Kansas City?

Then broadcaster Nate Bukaty joins the show to explain how KC became the unlikely architectural engine of the 2026 World Cup — and why the world should stop sleeping on the Midwest.

⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:

00:00 – Lori’s hat says Freaks; Christina thinks it says Thanks 😅

01:14 – Christina’s WHOOP stats are back in the green: post-championship recovery

04:22 – Why she skipped the sprint triathlon (hint: boat parades + movie deals)

06:08 – “Make Tampa the Mecca of Women’s Sports” — Christina’s plan

07:14 – Lori trains for a half-marathon she has no plans to run 🏃‍♀️

08:34 – Christina proposes an unstructured half-marathon… on a Tuesday

10:29 – “No FIFA, ice cream every day”: a former ref gets real

11:01 – Surprise guest: Nate Bukaty enters the chat

12:23 – How Kansas City went from soccer afterthought to World Cup host

13:24 – The Women’s World Cup watch party that sparked a franchise

15:08 – Interviewing the mayor on the 29th floor 🏙️

16:05 – KC is the global hub for sports architecture (yes, even Wembley)

17:14 – Gas station BBQ and Kansas City hospitality

17:57 – KC’s stadium piazza takes inspiration from Italy 🇮🇹

18:41 – Lori: “That part of town is all Italian—makes sense”

19:18 – Nate’s mission: ride the World Cup wave and tell KC’s story

21:07 – Nate’s Spanish is good enough for MLS post-match interviews 🇲🇽

23:33 – Christina: “Don’t ride the wave—build the base” 🌊

26:42 – What if your city isn’t hosting the World Cup? Build a toolkit

27:35 – No one knows the Club World Cup is happening… unless you’re Latino

28:55 – Why U.S. Soccer should market to the fans already showing up

29:58 – Lessons from the Club World Cup: who’s really buying the tickets?

31:31 – Christina heads into budget season while the staff goes dark

33:01 – Sam Meza gets her USWNT call-up thanks to actual minutes played

36:32 – Lori: some NWSL teams will scrimmage boys clubs to stay sharp

38:41 – Why Tampa’s next season is a full marketing reset

40:43 – Women’s Euros preview: Lori heads to LA, Christina slips a name 🤐

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Christina Unkel brings the USL Super League trophy to the podcast — and yes, it’s been filled up

Christine Cupo checks in mid-drive, in-makeup, and on her way to a comeback game from a brutal ACL/MCL tear. She talks about the mental and physical cost of returning to play, the joy of 3v3, and why she might start a burner account for fake women’s soccer transfers.

Meanwhile, Lori Lindsey says her share of the $1 million TST winnings is officially gone — and she’s headed to Italy.

Also in this episode:

⚽ Tampa’s boat parade celebration

🦵 a full breakdown of elite athlete candy choices

📈 Why Serie A Feminile is the next breakout league

🌊 NWSL heads into summer break

🧠 Is anyone paying attention to the the Club World Cup ? Take 2

👇 Drop a comment:

What’s your emotional support snack — and what soccer are you watching this summer?

#USLSuperLeague #NWSL #ChristineCupo #ChristinaUnkel #LoriLindsey #SoccerPodcast #TST #WomensSoccer #ACLRecovery #SerieAFemminile #ClubWorldCup

⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:

00:00 – Christina opens with the trophy: Tampa Bay Sun are champions 🏆

01:10 – Lori crashes the intro: “This should be the CBS podcast!”

02:26 – Christine Cupo joins mid-drive, heading to her first 3v3 since ACL surgery

04:30 – Wearing A3 makeup and ready to foul: Cupo’s game prep 😂

06:54 – What’s lighting Cupo up? NWSL evolution, USL growth, Italy rising 🇮🇹

08:40 – Lori: “Serie A women is going to explode. Watch this space.”

10:05 – Christina on how USL is diversifying the American game

12:36 – “Drinking from a firehose” — why the Club World Cup fell flat

14:10 – The dream job dilemma: Cupo almost misses transfer rumors more than matches

16:34 – “You get paid to talk about football” — Cupo on playing post-injury

19:43 – How Cupo first fell in love with the game

22:27 – Scholes, pageants, and Werther’s: generational soccer memories

24:12 – The elite athlete’s candy drawer: emotional support Skittles 🍬

25:22 – Lori’s share of the $1M prize becomes an Italian vacation

26:09 – Christina: “I’ll probably end up living in Italy”

27:00 – The Tampa boat parade: Champa Bay gets another trophy flotilla

29:00 – Will they etch our names on the trophy?

30:41 – Most proud moment? Grit, hurricanes, and selling out the final

33:04 – Stadium dreams: Tampa’s new stadium includes a poolside view

40:06 – Lori previews NWSL's final weekend before summer break

41:20 – Can Tampa go two‑for‑two? The women’s summer of soccer rolls on 🌞

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It’s all happening: The Gold Cup, Copa América, Club World Cup, and the USMNT in crisis. But before all that? Lori Lindsey just won $1 million at TST as GM of the US Women’s team — and she’s got a piece of the broken ball trophy to prove it.

In this episode:

• 🏆 Behind the scenes of Lori’s championship run at TST
• 🎤 Special guest Jessica Charman on the joy of chaotic soccer and commentating with flair
• 🧠 The birth of “Shut Up Sandra” — and why every team needs one
• ⚽ Lori’s fix for the U.S. Men’s National Team: “Shut Up Steve”
• 💬 Honest talk on pressure, expectation, and what the USMNT is getting wrong — and right
• 🦎 The wild story behind Soleil, Tampa Bay Sun’s designer-handbag-carrying mascot
• 💰 Why Club World Cup's billion-dollar bet feels… a little soulless

Smart, funny, and dead-on about the state of U.S. soccer, this episode is your full-field view of the summer soccer storm.

🎧 Listen now. Or as Lori says: Shut Up Steve—and press play.

⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:

00:00 – Lori returns as a million‑dollar TST winner 🎉

02:00 – Why they smashed the trophy ball (on purpose)

04:05 – Surprise guest Jessica Charman joins

05:04 – Jessica’s wild TST commentary debut: “Smash it! Take a shot!”

07:11 – Aguero own goal… in protest? Target Score chaos explained

08:45 – Christina: TST reffing feels like Miami street soccer

10:05 – Lori’s reffing past: “I once carded 8‑year‑old Lauren Cheney”

13:06 – TST meets grassroots: College kids, parents, and real connection

15:55 – Soleil the mascot’s diva moment: designer bag + helicopter dreams

19:14 – The deeper story behind Soleil—and what she's teaching Tampa

21:06 – Summer of Soccer overload: Euros, Copa América, Gold Cup

25:09 – Jessica on the USMNT: “Too many headlines, not enough soccer”

26:58 – Lori: “We’re not even talking tactics anymore”

29:06 – Christina: “This actually sets American soccer back”

32:56 – What would you do with a magic wand? Lori shares real fixes

36:00 – “Shut Up Sandra” and the mindset behind it

38:34 – New team mantra: “Shut Up Steve” hits the USMNT

38:52 – Club World Cup: Billion‑dollar budget, zero buzz?

41:17 – Christina: “Use it to build momentum — not lose credibility”

44:14 – Florida flex: Both women’s league trophies headed to the Sunshine State

45:06 – Can Christina’s team make it two‑for‑two in Florida?

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This week on The Soccer Podcast USA, Lori takes time out from managing the US Women team at TST to talk about the aches, pains, and joys of the tournament. Surprise guest Mike Grella heads straight from playing a game and agrees—even the warm-up is a challenge—and joins Christina and Lori in a spirited defense of Christian Pulisic’s decision to sit out the Concacaf Cup.

Plus: reaction to the USWNT’s two friendlies, and why the Club World Cup continues to struggle for relevance.

00:00 – Christina's glam intro and Lori checks-in from TST

01:45 – Mike Grella surprise drop-in: “I played seven minutes—I'll take it”

03:30 – How Grella stays fit (hint: mowing lawns + chasing kids)

05:04 – Lori on retiring from the pitch: “When warmups are a challenge…”

07:05 – Grella's new goal: 100% passing, 0 injuries

10:05 – Life calling Serie A for CBS: “Who doesn’t want to be Italian?”

14:10 – Como + Pizza = How Heather O’Reilly became president of soccer

16:14 – Grella defends Pulisic: “We’re all human. Let the man have his break.”

19:19 – Christina on the demands on players and the Club World Cup

21:48 – Ticket prices slashed? Club World Cup struggles for relevance

23:13 – Do Americans really care about international leagues?

25:13 – Lori on USWNT’s youth surge: “Confidence. Clarity. Smoothness.”

27:27 – LaBonta makes history at 32. Emma Hayes is making her changes.

30:00 – What it really takes to run a million-dollar TST team

31:01 – USL Super League playoff preview— could there be aTampa Bay Sun, Fort Lauderdale match up?

33:55 – USA + Mexico to co-host 2031 Women’s World Cup

35:27 – and...are Lori's team on their way to another championship?

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Lo’eau LaBonta is finally getting her USWNT moment — and could make history. This week, Lori and Christina dive into the Emma Hayes callups, preview the team’s friendlies, and get a surprise visit from Heather O’Reilly. She joins live from the dentist’s office to share the inside story of Como 1907, life as a team exec, and how her job in Italian football began with an 8–1 loss and a pasta party. Plus: the TST preview, tournament costs, and a chaotic candy confession.

⏱️ Time Code Highlights – The Soccer Podcast USA (May 27th Episode)

0:00 – Welcome Back! Chaos, Calendar Confusion & Secret Guest Teased

1:44 – Lori’s Hair Evolution + Christina Proposes an “Awkward Meter”

2:48 – Candy Confessions: Werther’s, Gummy Worms & Scuffed Rims

4:25 – LIVE from the Dentist: Heather O’Reilly Joins the Show

5:58 – Weekend Wins: Arsenal Women & UNC Lacrosse Titles

6:38 – Lori’s TST Team: GM Mode, Multi-Club Life, and Michelle Kang Jokes

7:39 – The Road to TST: From Underdogs to Defenders of the Crown

10:12 – What It Really Costs to Field a TST Team (Spoiler: It’s a Lot)

13:48 – Women’s Soccer Economics: What Players Should Know

15:22 – Pasta, Fabregas & Como 1907: Heather’s Italian Job

18:07 – Building a Club Abroad: Challenges, Culture, and a 5-Year Plan

20:26 – Dream Stadium on Lake Como & Heather’s Vision for Serie A

22:00 – Tampa Preseason Invite? Christina Shoots Her Shot

23:41 – Will Heather Come Out of Retirement Again?

24:31 – TST Strategy: Target Scoring, Sub Patterns & Veteran Wisdom

25:44 – Champions League Pride: Arsenal Wins, Tar Heels Shine

27:20 – Ref Storytime: Heather, Offside, and the 5-Minute Stare

30:01 – Leadership Lessons & Adjusting Abroad

31:03 – "It Started with Pasta": How the Italian Deal Was Born

31:38 – Ask the Ref: Why Offside Flags Are Delayed (And Why It's Fine Now)

33:43 – USWNT Call-Ups: The Lo’eau LaBonta Era Begins

36:21 – Youth, Veterans, and the Emma Hayes Development Pipeline

37:40 – Expanded Player Pool = No More Complacency

38:52 – Contract Culture Shift: No More "Locked-In" Status

40:22 – China v USA Preview: A Resurgent Rivalry

41:51 – USMNT Chatter: Culture Reset & Clock Ticking

43:39 – Summer of Soccer: What’s Coming Up

44:46 – Lori’s Travel Plans & TST Prep

46:01 – Shoutout: Tampa Bay Sun Clinch Playoffs & Sell Out Again

46:57 – Signing Off: Birthday Month, Werther’s Wisdom, and What’s Next

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This week’s episode dives into two referee decisions that confused even the pros. Christina breaks down why only holding qualifies as a continuation foul — and what makes a handball in the box “accidental.” Is it a Red? A Yellow? Or a mess?

Then, our surprise guest: former Mexican international, TV commentator, and trailblazing voice in the women’s game, Janelly Farías. She opens up about the moment she knew it was time to retire — the injury, the heartbreak, and the family tragedy that made her choose love over the game. Janelly also pulls back the curtain on locker room life in Mexico: low salaries, unequal treatment, and how money can fracture a team with players stopping passing — or even speaking — to each other.

• 00:00 – Cold open, referee talk begins immediately
• 01:45 – The “continuation foul” confusion: Jill Loyden’s penalty box dilemma
• 04:50 – Why only holding counts as continuation (and why everyone gets this wrong)
• 07:00 – Lori's game: handball, bracing arm, and the “new DOGSO interpretation”
• 13:20 – The “quadruple punishment” rule and how it's evolved
• 18:40 – Christina's hilarious rant: “I can’t stand kids’ birthday parties”
• 22:39 – Surprise guest enters: Janelly Farias
• 27:11 – “How did you know it was time to retire?”
• 28:40 – Shoulder dislocation + family tragedy — the moment it became clear
• 31:20 – Salaries in Mexico: from $300 a month to $300k a year
• 34:10 – Locker room resentment and the psychology of unequal pay
• 37:52 – Christina calls for unions in women’s soccer — and explains why
• 41:07 – Janelly’s second career: broadcasting, a new book, and a maybe-cookbook
• 48:00 – “Complacency kills the game”: Why mindset still matters
• 54:00 – Lori and Christina reflect on chasing adrenaline vs. taking time to grieve the game
• 56:00 – Closing updates: where the hosts are headed this weekend

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It's the week of the woof. Bay FC co-owner, Redefined podcast host, and former USWNT star Leslie Osborne crashes the pod—with help from her dog Gunner, who barks his way into a starring role. She, Lori, and Christina dive into why today’s NWSL players connect so powerfully with young fans (including Leslie’s own daughters). Plus: the "brilliant" Beckham troll, triathlon training check-ins, and chaos, as always.

00:00 – Welcome to the Mayhem

Christina and Lori tease a surprise guest. Chaos begins instantly. Christina reveals she's training for her first sprint triathlon—after mistakenly thinking she was turning 39 (she’s actually 38).

05:30 – Surprise Guest: Leslie Osborne (and Gunner 🐶)

Former USWNT star and Bay FC co-owner Leslie Osborne joins—interrupted by her protective pup, Gunner.

08:16 – Breaking News: Lori & Leslie to Coach at TST

Christina breaks the news: Lori and Leslie will team up as coach and assistant sporting director at this year’s TST tournament.

11:25 – Soccer Mom Life & NWSL Role Models

Leslie shares the joy of watching her daughters fall in love with the game—and the direct influence today’s NWSL stars have on young girls (and boys). Role models like Oshoala, Cunanagi, and Karlie Lima are household heroes in the Osborne home.

17:50 – Normalizing Women's Pro Sports

A powerful segment on representation, equal pay, and the importance of young boys seeing women as professional athletes—just athletes, full stop.

19:43 – Redefined: Leslie’s New Podcast

Leslie introduces Redefined, her show with Front Office Sports that spotlights athlete-moms, untold mental health journeys, and post-sport pivots. Christina is an upcoming guest.

22:29 – Christina’s Triathlon Panic

Leslie’s podcast inspires Christina as she preps for a June sprint triathlon, with comedic panic over bike transitions and age confusion.

23:54 – Beep Test Trauma, Shared

The trio swap memories—and scars—from their fitness testing days. Beep tests, sprint cones, and the mental toll of being punished for being tired.

31:02 – Banter Breakdown: Beckham vs. Minnesota

Christina and Lori cheer Minnesota United’s cheeky “Pink Phony Club” jab at Beckham’s Miami. Verdict: give that marketing guy a $1,000 bonus.

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VAR takes center stage this week—Christina and Lori break down a botched penalty call and debate whether American VAR will ever get it right (hint: not soon). Plus, is it V.A.R. or "var"? Let the record show: pronunciation matters.

Then surprise guest Jimmy Conrad—who proudly dubs himself Conradinho in honor of his inner Brazilian box-to-box midfielder—joins the pod to explain why he's pursuing a UEFA coaching license instead of navigating U.S. Soccer’s bureaucratic maze. The CBS analyst and Call It What You Want host doesn’t hold back on the red tape, and missed chances for ex-players. He also examines what’s gone so wrong with LA Galaxy.

Also: Christina’s team makes USL W history, but not the good kind—she walks us through the first red card and the ethical headache it left behind.

⏱️ Time-Coded Episode Guide:

00:00 — VAR Chaos & “The Touch”

Lori and Christina debate a rescinded PK in Gotham-Chicago—and why balance can backfire.

03:30 — Don’t Say VAR or PKs 🙅‍♀️

Christina’s pronunciation PTSD and secret referee societies.

07:05 — Why VAR’s Not Working in the U.S.

Christina explains the delays, decisions—and why it’ll take 5–10 years to fix.

14:13 — Red Cards & Real Consequences 🚨

Christina on a player on her team receiving the USL W’s first-ever red card—and her ethical dilemma over an appeal.

17:35 — Surprise Guest Call-Up: Conradinho 🎙️

Surprise guest Jimmy Conrad joins the show. He explains why he calls himself “Conradinho”—and how a center back can dream of being a Brazilian midfielder..

22:13 — Ditching U.S. Soccer’s Coaching License

Jimmy reveals why he chose UEFA over USSF—and how ex-players are boxed out.

38:32 — Can the Galaxy Be Saved? 🌌

Jimmy puts on his coach’s cap: good soccer decisions > panic.

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Christina and Lori kick things off with a critical question—flour or corn tortillas?—then get into the real debate: has the hype around the USMNT outpaced the results, and is Pochettino already under unfair pressure? They break down the complexities of syncing MLS with Europe’s calendar, the media and weather hurdles standing in the way, and what the NWSL’s new second division really means for the women’s game. Along the way: laughter, sharp takes, and a surprise guest from the broadcast world brings stories, wisdom, and a little chaos.

⏱️ Time-Coded Episode Guide:

00:00 — Welcome & Hair Watch

Christina introduces Lori… and her evolving hairstyle.

01:30 — The Great Taco Debate 🌮

Flour or corn? A pantry crisis sparks tortilla loyalties.

04:23 — Pochettino, Pressure & the USMNT

Are expectations too high? Is this déjà vu after Berhalter?

08:18 — The Club vs. Country Dilemma

Why cohesion is hard when players are scattered across continents.

11:32 — Should the U.S. Hire an American Coach?

Christina and Lori on identity, culture, and coaching DNA.

14:00 — MLS to Align with Europe?

A calendar shift? Weather, TV schedules, and cold realities.

20:19 — Surprise Guest Call-Up 🎙️

A broadcast pro joins with stories, perspective, and a bit of mayhem.

40:12 — NWSL Expansion & the Second Division

Why more teams and another league maybe just what the NWSL needs

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Lori’s back — and now she’s on every week. In her first official episode as a regular, she weighs whether to take coaching calls with a background of naked women (yes, really).

Plus:

⚽ Seattle Reign vs Portland Thorns — they hate each other

🔥 Angel City’s bold new hire

🎤 A surprise guest drops in mid-show

📉 What’s going wrong at LA Galaxy?

🎟️ And a new ticket giveaway to support your local team

📺 Watch on YouTube | 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

📲 @thesoccerpodcastusa

⏱️ Timecodes:

00:00 – Welcome Lori, naked photos, and Pinky and the Brain

02:59 – Seattle stomps on Portland's roses

08:53 –Angel City's new coach

13:00 – The Mystery Guest dials in

34:09– Ray Hudson's greatest line?

41:15 – What's going on with LA Galaxy

47:02 – Butts in seats, win 2 tickets to your favorite team

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