"What a gritty bunch, you know?" was Ruth Harker's response when asked about her team, the original USWNT. Ruth grew up with her Mom and older brother Steven (who she calls the Harker 'golden boy') who would put peanut butter on her face and hold her down while their dog licked it off. She was a tough cookie who once allowed to play sports, whole heartedly threw herself into them all. She started in goal because she started playing at 14, and "didn't have any foot skills" and the rest is history.

Flash forward to today, and things are a bit different. Ruth talks about retiring from soccer because of the need to get paid, the power of pressure, and her hopes for women's soccer moving forward.

This episode is cohosted with Michelle Akers.

Contributing experts include Ruth's brother, Steven, son, Max, and mentee, Preson.

Media used in this production:

-38 years after making history, first USWNT to be honored at Asheville City regular season finale, Chris Womack, June 29th 2023,

-The Forgotten Early History of Women’s Soccer, Laurent Dubois, January 22, 2016

-ESPN YouTube Channel, 'USWNT win the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage | 2023 ESPYS (📍 @CapitalOne)'