The Women's Soccer Podcast

LDG executes a complete post-mortem on the chaotic results, diving straight into the USWNT's two-game slate against Spain to unpack exactly what went wrong, who stood out, and how Emma Hayes is handling a glaring tactical reality check ahead of World Cup qualifying. LDG emphasizes the importance of youth development and the need for the team to adapt quickly to high-pressure situations without having the safety net of getting another opportunity to take on a top side after a tough result in the first game.

He dives deep into the 2-0 loss at Audi Field and the 2–2 comeback draw, proving that the USWNT is still at its most lethal when playing directly in a high-press transition rather than forcing a slow, methodical build. As he says, you cannot out-Spain Spain.

LDG delves into their defensive struggles without Girma anchoring the backline, which conceded four first-half goals across two matches, the impact of key player absences, and discusses individual player performances in the stock up, stock down segment, highlighting Ashley Sanchez's return and the midfield's challenges against Spain.

He isolates the massive contrast between NWSL Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez’s incredible return to the USWNT pool after 2 years and the captain Lindsey Heaps, who struggled against Spain's world-class midfield, raising questions for LDG on whether she should be a member of the USWNT’s starting lineup. Plus, he looks toward the goalkeeper race after Phallon Tullis-Joyce's elite shot-stopping was marred by a costly distributional error that directly led to Spain’s second goal, and the inconclusiveness this window provided on who will be the number 1 goalkeeper next summer.

Looking ahead to the high-stakes CONCACAF W Championship qualifiers in Texas, he predicts the upcoming 23-player roster, separating the locks from the bubble players, explicitly breaking down the tactical adjustments needed to crack El Salvador's inevitable low block, explaining why creators comfortable playing in the pocket spaces like Ally Sentnor and Jaedyn Shaw are needed.

Finally, LDG examines how the USWNT's rivals' performed over the window, and looks at the results of their World Cup and World Cup Qualifying competitors.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Dynamic Nigerian forward Gift Monday joins the podcast to share insider insights on the future of the Super Falcons, adjusting to the unique physical demands of the NWSL, and reflecting on her time with the Spirit.

Recorded mere days before, and published right after, her blockbuster trade to Boston Legacy FC from the Washington Spirit, this deep-dive interview covers her footballing journey from her earliest soccer memories into a prolific career that has spanned across multiple continents.

Gift bridges her formative youth international experiences, specifically looking back at what she absorbed during the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup alongside current senior stars, and how navigating those early global tournaments directly prepared her to step onto the pitch during Nigeria's historic 2023 senior World Cup run.

She pulls back the curtain on why she initially wanted to stay back with the U-17s despite her gratitude for receiving a U-20 call-up. She then talks about her development in the NWFL, detailing how winning a domestic title and finishing as the league's top scorer with the Bayelsa Queens prepared her to compete in elite environments like Spain’s Liga F with UD Tenerife, and ultimately the NWSL.

The prolific attacker gets incredibly candid about the emotional high of earning her first-ever senior call-up to represent the Super Falcons crest and stepping onto the pitch at the senior Women's World Cup. She breaks down the psychological pivot required to channel the disappointment of not making the 2025 WAFCON roster into incredible club form for the Spirit, eventually forcing her way back onto the international squad.

She takes us inside her transition to the NWSL, walking through the behind-the-scenes reality of her seamless adaptation to the league, including the exact shift in career trajectory she felt when she made league history by scoring the fastest-ever hat-trick from kickoff against the Houston Dash, and her ambitions for the rest of the season.

Finally, Gift breaks down the structural changes needed to help the national team regroup after recent continental heartbreak, the mindset of the locker room heading into the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, and the goals pinned to her soccer vision board.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz sits down to discuss her rise to the international stage and anchoring the defensive foundation of Bay FC in the NWSL.

Joining the podcast just days before the USWNT’s highly anticipated October window versus Spain, the rising star shares insider insights on her historic journey as the first Iowa State player ever drafted into the league, why the Bay FC project was the perfect step for her, and stepping into the undisputed number-one goalkeeper role.

Jordan dives into her spectacular personal form this season, reflecting on her trade to Bay FC, leading the league in goals prevented, and setting a historic penalty-saving record. She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of stepping into a vital leadership role while still developing as a young pro, navigating a grueling NWSL schedule alongside entering the senior international environment after receiving her first senior USWNT call-up ahead of friendlies against Italy, and more!

Jordan shares the profound pieces of coaching advice that altered how she views the game, including how goalkeeper coach Daniel Ball helped her rediscover her joy for soccer at a time when she seriously questioned whether she wanted to keep playing.

She walks us through the importance of the U-23 national team program as a fundamental international entry point, detailing what was going through her head when she achieved the "I will get called into a USWNT camp" flashcard inside her locker.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about the club's new direction under head coach Emma Coates, the short and long term goals on her career vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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What are the key storylines to watch as the USWNT prepares for its upcoming friendlies against Spain? How will roster changes, injuries, and selection questions shape the U.S. squad ahead of this defining stretch ahead of Women's World Cup qualifying and the 2027 World Cup in Brazil?

LDG takes a deep dive into this high-stakes international window to break down how a sudden wave of injuries has completely disrupted the U.S. roster and forced Emma Hayes to test the program's depth against top-tier European opposition.

LDG unpacks how injuries have dramatically reshaped the U.S. roster, explaining how the sudden absences of established key players have forced Emma Hayes to test the program's depth, and explores how these newly-opened slots have created major opportunities for newer and uncapped faces, including Kate Del Fava, Pietra Tordin, Evelyn Shores, and Trinity Byars.

He analyzes the sudden influx of fresh, uncapped talent breaking into the camp, exploring what she sees in these rising stars and why she chose to break her previous selection trends right now. Plus, LDG maps out the biggest unsettled positional battles on the pitch and what Ashley Sanchez's highly anticipated return means for the midfield dynamic.

On the Spain side, LDG examines notable absences, the world-class depth still available in its midfield and attack, and why this matchup should be a strict tactical test rather than a purely physical contest. He walks through the strategic adjustments required from the U.S., detailing how they must deploy their pressing game to manage Spain’s possession, wide progression, and ability to play through pressure while simultaneously testing new defensive backline combinations.

Finally, LDG wraps up with a comprehensive global scouting guide, highlighting five other must-watch international fixtures during this window and the specific tactical storylines you need to track across the globe.

Hear our full interviews with Avery Patterson and Kaylee Hunter, as spoken about in the episode, they are two players to watch this upcoming international window!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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1. FC Union Berlin defender Amber Tysiak sits down to discuss her football journey and orchestrating a backline in the Frauen-Bundesliga. She shares insider insights on her high-profile January transfer window move to Berlin, taking her game to the next level, and Union Berlin's high-stakes campaign to climb to the pinnacle of European soccer.

Tracing her journey from her senior Red Flames debut against the Netherlands to representing Belgium at two European Championships, she shares how she learned to navigate elite international pressure and the advice she would give to her younger self.

Amber also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial time in the Belgian domestic league with OH Leuven before joining West Ham United in the English WSL, and now thriving in Germany in front of Union Berlin's jaw-dropping, record-breaking crowds of over 17,000 supporters.

She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of adjusting to the unique physical demands of the Frauen-Bundesliga and what a highly anticipated club reunion with international teammate Hannah Eurlings actually means for the squad’s defensive chemistry on game day.

Amber pulls back the curtain on why she chose the Union Berlin long-term project at this specific point in her career, and the exact mindset required to serve as a focal point, including how an unforgettable, ultra-rare goalscoring milestone on the world stage completely shifted her confidence as a defender. She walks us through reaching a massive appearance milestone with the Red Flames, detailing how her leadership role on the backline has evolved and the legacy she aims to leave behind for country and club alike.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about the upcoming international playoffs/World Cup qualifiers, the goals on her soccer vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Tenacious midfielder and technical dynamo Noelle Bond-Flasza joins the podcast to share insider insights on signing her first professional contract, anchoring Linköping FC's high-stakes rebuild in the Elitettan, and entering a historic club at a unique turning point.

Tracing her journey from an abrupt introduction to the international stage with the Jamaica U-20 National Team to captaining the California Golden Bears through long-term injury setbacks, Noelle shares how she learned to navigate elite pressure and the resilience advice she would give to her younger self. Noelle also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial trial stint with the Utah Royals before completely unlocking her professional potential as an indispensable engine in the Swedish midfield.

She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of adjusting to the structural and physical defensive discipline of European club football, navigating the club searching process with a level head, and how growing up alongside a historic family soccer legacy shapes her own senior international ambitions.

Lastly, Noelle shares why the Linköping FC project was the perfect step for her current career phase, the exact mindset required to thrive under lofty first-place-or-failure fan expectations, and the profound lessons of mental fortitude that altered how she views the game after transitioning from the collegiate ranks to Europe, the goals on her soccer vision board, and so much more!

This is the third part of our three-part series in collaboration with Linköping FC! Listen to part one with Linköping + Swedish international legend Jonna Andersson and Linköping FC's former head coach Charlie Mitchell here!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Houston Dash wingback and rising USWNT star Avery Patterson joins the podcast to discuss her high-stakes future in Houston, anchoring the club's tactical rebuild in the NWSL, and breaking into the senior international environment ahead of the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Tracing her journey from a young girl watching the national team from the stands to navigating pressure at UNC, she shares her earliest soccer memories filled with family chaos, unique childhood performance incentives, and the retrospective advice she would give to her younger self.

Avery pulls back the curtain on why the Houston Dash project was the perfect step for her career, the mindset required to serve as a designated squad centerpiece, and the profound pieces of coaching advice that altered how she views the game. She walks us through her chaotic first national team camp, detailing what was going through her head.

Avery also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial transition to the pros before finding her rhythm as a playmaker and hitting a serious hot streak for the Dash.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about upcoming fixtures against reigning World Champions Spain, what it will take for the squad to achieve its goals while establishing the standard that their ceiling should be their floor, the goals on her soccer and personal vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

How do NWSL clubs navigate the push for the postseason under the pressure of a shifting playoff line? How can we connect tactical adjustments to this weekend's results on the pitch?

In this episode, LDG breaks down NWSL Matchday 22, analyzing a weekend that delivered eight matches and 25 goals. He explores how top contenders are finding ways to win close matches when it matters most, contrasted against teams whose postseason ambitions mathematically evaporated.

The discussion begins with the mathup in Cary, North Carolina, where Gotham FC officially punched its playoff ticket with a 2–1 road victory over the North Carolina Courage. LDG unpacks the brilliance of forward Jordynn Dudley, who led the attack with her first career NWSL brace, including the stoppage-time winner. He pulls back the curtain on the game's major VAR decisions, analyzing the close margins that saw two potential Courage goals disallowed for offside before Natalia Staude’s equalizer.

LDG examines the battles at the top of the table as Gotham FC extended its lead while the expansion side Denver Summit FC caught up ground on the Kansas City Current as the Summit won and Current lost. He transitions to the West Coast, breaking down how Angel City FC surged into sixth place to command their own destiny, directly contrasted with the struggles of the Chicago Stars FC, whose 3–0 loss to the Washington Spirit mathematically ended their playoff hopes.

Finally, LDG highlights a massive clash of titans, detailing Portland Thorns FC's definitive 4–1 away win over the Orlando Pride. He rounds out the weekend with a comprehensive matchday roundup, dissecting the structural frameworks of the fixtures and delivering post-match insights from coaches and players across the league.

From broader playoff picture analysis to detailed analysis on this fixture, this comprehensive episode's got it all.

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

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Creative midfield engine and technical dynamo Antonia Baaß joins the podcast to discuss her path back to Germany, anchoring SGS Essen’s high-stakes promotion race in the Frauen-Bundesliga 2, and returning to a familiar club at a unique turning point.

Tracing her journey from entering the international environment at just 15 years old in the UEFA Development Tournament to navigating the early chapters of her career, she shares how she learned to navigate elite pressure and the retrospective advice she would give her younger self.

Antonia also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial 50-appearance stint with Essen before growing her game even further during a highly successful multi-season run at FC Basel. She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of pursuing a demanding Sport Science degree alongside her professional schedule, shifting between international leagues, and how her classroom knowledge directly impacts her personal approach to training, tactical thinking, and recovery.

Antonia shares why the SGS Essen rebuild project was the perfect step for her current career phase, the exact mindset required to serve as a designated squad centerpiece, and the profound pieces of coaching advice that altered how she views the game.

Lastly, she shares what excites her about sporting director Daniel Kraus's ambitious vision for the future, what she believes it will take for the squad to achieve its modern goals, the goals on her soccer vision board, and so much more!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!

How do NWSL clubs remain competitive in the global transfer market despite strict financial restrictions? How can we connect the transfers/transactions we saw at the end of the window to this weekend's results on the pitch?

In this episode, LDG examines the systemic issues animating the league's salary cap architecture, a framework forcing front offices to build rosters like a puzzle to survive against the unconstrained spending of Europe, and how it connects to the results we see on the pitch. He explores whether a league with the wealthiest ownership groups in women's sports can achieve global dominance while its administrative rules actively hold ambitious investors back.

The discussion begins with the profound paradox playing out in the capital, where Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang deployed millions to secure stars like Claudia Martínez and Clara Luvanga. LDG breaks down how the rigid Net Transfer Threshold penalizes this economic ambition, triggering active reductions to a club's salary cap for non-compliance. He directly contrasts the American system with the European model, comparing the NWSL's manufactured middle class against the uncapped spending power of UEFA giants like Lyon, Barcelona, and Chelsea.

He walks through the Washington Spirit’s use of staggered annual installments, explains the loan mechanism utilized by San Diego Wave FC to acquire elite talent, and dissects the internal asset inflation that saw the Utah Royals drop historic transaction funds for forward Jameese Joseph.

He also dives into the breaking intra-league transfer of rookie forward Gianna Paul from the Kansas City Current to the North Carolina Courage, analyzing the distinct rationale behind the move for both organizations. Shifting from player management to leadership instability, LDG addresses the breaking news out of Texas, where the Houston Dash fired head coach Fabrice Gautrat and technical director Twila Kilgore.

From there, he transitions into a comprehensive matchday roundup across a massive weekend of action, breaking down the fixtures results and tactics, with some insights from coaches and players on Gotham, Washington Spirit, San Diego + Chicago included!

Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions! Leave me a voice message on our RSS.com voicemail page, and we might include it on the show!