Episode 100: Sophie Schmidt, Kate Gill

Episode 100 of Women’s World Football Show features exclusive interviews with Canada WNT midfielder Sophie Schmidt; Former Australia Women’s National Team striker Kate Gill; and sports journalists Jana Lange (Germany) and Sandra Prusina (Canada).

This milestone episode features interviews with a few of women’s soccer’s most influential people. First up is 2-time Olympic bronze medalist Sophie Schmidt. For the past two years, Sophie has been playing football for German club FFC Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga. The affable Winnipeg native took time to chat with Adam before traveling from Germany to Canada for upcoming friendlies for the national team.

As a longtime supporter of Women’s World Football Show, Sophie has the distinction of being the only 3-time guest on the show (and she still likes us!!). Sophie chats about her time in Germany, some of the challenges she’s faced and then overcame. She also shares some of her favorite memories, the importance of Coach John Herdman, and her future in the game. If you missed any of Sophie’s WWFShow interviews in the past, you’re in luck, because this is the best one yet! (4:00′)

Kate Gill
Of course we couldn’t celebrate our 100th episode without Matilda icon Kate Gill (her second appearance on the show!) Always the player’s advocate, Kate is still making an impact as a Player Relations Executive for the PFA, Australia’s football player’s union. The W-League 2-time Golden Boot winner (remember all those great Perth Glory days?!!), took time out of her busy traveling schedule to talk about her work in the PFA and what it means for women footballers throughout the world.

Still holding the record for all-time leading goal scorer for the Australian team, the former captain reveals what drives her to fight for player’s rights, why she will always be a Proud Matilda, and what she’s learned about herself since 2015. For Kate Gill supporters, this is a gem interview, and for those who don’t know her – now you know! (33:45′)

Jana Lange
How much more do you know about the German national team and Frauen-Bundesliga now then you did three-and-half years ago? So much more!! Thanks to German sports journalist Jana Lange! We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming Jana on the show throughout the years to educate and entertain us on all things German football! She’s back for this special episode to recap the growth of the women’s game in Germany over the past years, the changes we’ve seen, the ups-and-downs of the teams and more! (55:00′)

Sandra Prusina
It was January, 2014 (Episode 8 if you’re counting), when we first welcomed Canadian sports journalist and radio personality Sandra Prusina to the show (and she still keeps coming back!!). So, it’s only fitting that we bring the Calgary girl back on to chat about the past, present and future of the Canada Women’s National Team, it’s extraordinary players, and it’s intense coach. Are we seeing a changing of the guard? How is the soccer landscape changing in Canada? Just how do you pronounce Labbé? And just who is this kid named Jordyn Huitema? Sandra (aka “The Canadian Nostradamus”) answers these questions & MORE! (1:12:55′)

PLUS…
We’re looking back on the past 99 episodes with clips, outtakes and a few unforgettable memories. We’re also taking time to thank everyone (including YOU!!) for coming along on this journey with us to help grow the women’s game throughout the world!

Original Broadcast Date: June 10, 2017

Photo credits courtesy of: CanadaSoccer.com; SBS.com; FootballAustralia.com; PerthGlory.com; Zimbio.com

WWFShow theme music by Patricia La Bella

Episode 95: Julie Foudy

Women’s World Football Show – Episode 95 welcomes USWNT icon Julie Foudy and German sports writer Jana Lange.

As one of the more influential voices in women’s soccer, Julie Foudy continues to make an impact in the lives of young people everywhere. Women’s World Football Show welcomes the former captain of the USWNT to chat about a few of her upcoming projects, including her new book, Choose to Matter. In this engaging book, Julie encourages young women to find the leader that exists in all of them, whatever their personality or vocal chord strength might be.

Along with her book, Julie is releasing a video series through ESPN W titled #SockTalk, where she takes the audience along on the interviews she conducted for the book. Her interviews are always insightful, funny and inspiring. As a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time Women’s World Cup champion and now respected sports broadcaster at ESPN, Julie has become an advocate for teaching young girls to “step out of their comfort zone and become comfortable with the uncomfortable.” In this exclusive WWFShow interview, Julie shares why it’s important to empower young people to do and be more than they think they can be.

Julie also shares her thoughts on the current state of women’s soccer in the USA, what she thinks about USA players leaving the NWSL to play overseas, why she thinks Hope Solo is not a good fit for the future USWNT, and so much more! Julie is candid, honest, forthright and funny! If you’re a fan of women’s soccer and believe in empowering young girls to be leaders, this is a “must-listen.” (7:00′)

Important Links:
Order Julie’s book “Choose to Matter” on Amazon
Watch the first episode of #SockTalk featuring Mia Hamm and Alex Morgan.
JulieFoudyLeadership.com

Documentaries on the 1999 team:
Dare to Dream: The Story of the USWNT
The 99ers (ESPN Film, Nine for lX)

Germany
Women’s World Football Show welcomes back respected sports writer Jana Lange to talk all things Germany. Jana gives her report on the SheBelieves Cup, which saw FIFA’s new #1 team finish in second place. In this segment Jana chats with Adam about the high’s and lows from the German team, a look at some of the young players coming in, the style of play under new coach Steffi Jones, and more! With the 2017 European Championships around the corner, Adam and Jana discuss how some of the “big hitters” are shaping up.

There’s more exciting football happening in Germany as the Frauen Bundesliga table is heating up. Is Bayern out of the title race? Are there signs of FFC Frankfurt getting back on track? What’s the scoop on Bayer Leverkusen? And which teams look to be slipping into relegation? It’s all here and more in this special German report! (50:00′)

Plus…

A full report on the UEFA Women’s Champions League
Update on the current USWNT roster heading into the Russia friendlies
NWSL new signings
And More!

Fade Out Music by Prince

Original Broadcast Date: March 26, 2017

Photo credits courtesy of: Al Tielemans, usscocer.com; JulieFoudyLeadership.com

Episode 80: Briana Scurry, Amanda Frisbie

Women’s World Football Show, Episode 80 features exclusive interviews with USWNT icon Briana Scurry; and veteran midfielder Amanda Frisbie.

Legends don’t come around very often. So, it’s with great honor Women’s World Football Show welcomes former USA goalkeeper Briana Scurry to the show! Often recognized as one of the world’s best female soccer goalkeepers, Briana has become iconic for her work on and off the pitch.

Briana takes us back to that summer day in 1999 when the country was rocked by the US Women’s National Team. What was going through her mind during that Women’s World Cup final and what was her mindset when she walked into goal to face down China in that captivating penalty kick shootout? Briana shares her memories and that one instant when she just knew in her heart that she was going to make the save that would send her team into the annals of history forever.

Briana also brings us up to date on her current role as Honorary Captain of the Washington Spirit of the NWSL, and why she feels it’s important for past players to lend their name and support to the league.

The 2-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup Champion also shares her thoughts on the 2016 Olympics, the state of the current USA team, and the recent comments by Hope Solo. If you love women’s soccer, you do not want to miss this in-depth and inspiring interview with one of the all-time greats of the game.

Watch the powerfully moving video produced by the Washington Post on Briana’s experience with her career-ending concussion and the journey she took to get back to a normal life.

To learn more about concussion awareness and other facts about Briana, visit her website at BriScurry.com.

Amanda Frisbie
After leaving FCKC earlier in the season, Amanda Frisbie is now honing her skills in Iceland and enjoying ever minute of it. Amanda took time out to chat to Adam about her varied career from being a standout player with the University of Portland to being drafted by the Seattle Reign and her journey throughout the NWSL. A true fan-favorite, Amanda also chats about her love of music, early sports interests and her beloved Dallas Cowboys chances in 2016. Now, someone get a guitar to her quick!

FAWPL Chairman Carol West
The FA Women’s Premier League is England’s 3rd division of women’s football and is just getting underway. With that in mind, we are delighted to welcome the chairman of the FAWPL Carol West to explain the workings of the league and the future of women’s football at that level. It’s an exciting time for the league and Carol shares all about the goals and the expectations for the club game in women’s football in England. We also discuss varied challenges faced by clubs, officials and players alike. This is truly an entertaining and educational interview! Visit the FAWPL website.

Plus…
A 2016 Olympic Women’s Football recap; A spirited discussion on the Hope Solo debate and debacle; League updates from the NWSL and FAWSL and so much more!! Did we mention Briana Scurry??

Fade Out Music by Michael Jackson

Original Broadcast Date: August 28, 2016

Briana Scurry photo credits courtesy of BriScurry.com / Pam Whitesell