Brianna Scurry

Exclusive interview with Ruth Harker, legendary USWNT goalkeeper of the iconic 1985 inaugural national team

It’s the last show the 2022 and we’re dialing it back to 1985 with special guest founding member of the USWNT goalkeeper Ruth Harker. The St. Louis Soccer Hall of Famer stops by to share her experiences as one of the first goalkeepers in USWNT history. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the women’s game here in the US, this episode is for you!

As former guest Julie Foudy says, “it’s important to understand the shoulders in which we stand on.” And Ruth was a big part of the beginnings of this powerhouse program.

Ruth Harker

As a standout goalkeeper at University of Missouri-St. Louis, Ruth Harker was selected to the inaugural US Women’s National Team by then head coach Mike Ryan. The team participated in the Olympic festival before heading to the prestigious Mundialito tournament in Italy. Ruth shares her experiences in this honest and endearing interview.

As a pioneer of the women’s game, Ruth’s story has appeared in many books and articles over the years but still the story of the 85ers remains overshadowed by the more popular 99ers. Join us as we travel back to 1985 to learn about this historic time in women’s soccer history with Ruth Harker! (17’)

Plus…

The thrilling recap of the 2022 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship final between UCLA vs University of North Carolina

Episode Links

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Follow Women’s World Football Show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and our blog at wwfshowblog.com.

Photo Courtesy of St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame

Original Broadcast Date: December 27, 2022

Women’s World Football Show is hosted, written, edited and produced by Patty La Bella.

Additional assistance for this episode by Ruth Harker and Ted Williams.

Women’s World Football Show website design and theme music by Patricia La Bella

Women’s World Football Show® is a registered trademark and its audio and logo cannot be used without expressed written authorization.

Women’s World Football Show, Episode 147 features an exclusive interview with U.S. Soccer Hall-of-Famer and sports legend Kristine Lilly; Sound-bites from members of the iconic 1999 World Cup winning team – Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain; with USWNT forward Alex Morgan.

On July 10, 1999, women’s soccer powerhouses USA and China met at the Rose Bowl in California for the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final.

In front of a record 90,185 spectators, the largest crowd ever to attend a women’s sporting event, the USWNT celebrated their overtime win and created a legacy unmatched by no other team in the history of U.S. soccer.

The game ended in a 5-4 shootout, with an iconic winning goal by Brandi Chastain. However, the outcome could have been much different, if not for a brilliant defensive play by midfielder Kristine Lilly.

Women’s World Football Show celebrates the 20-year anniversary of that historic match an exclusive interview with Kristine Lilly; plus, special interviews with Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm. Also, Alex Morgan shares her thoughts on the 99er’s, their influence on her and her USWNT teammates.

Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly played for the United States Women’s National Team for 23 years and is the most capped football player in the history of the sport (men’s or women’s) with 354 caps. She’s also the only player to play for U.S. Soccer in 4 different decades.

A staple in sports record books, Kristine is currently 4th in the world of all-time leading goal scorers behind Abby Wambach, Christine Sinclair, and Mia Hamm.

In this episode, Kristine Lilly shares her insights on her legendary career, the special bond she shares with her ’99 teammates and discusses her new book, Powerhouse: 13 Teamwork Tactics that Build Excellence and Unrivaled Success.

Follow Kristine Lilly on Twitter at @kristinelilly
Learn more about Team First Soccer Academy
Order Kristine’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Powerhouse-Teamwork-Tactics-Excellence-Unrivaled/dp/1626346380

Brandi Chastain

The entertaining and engaging Brandi Chastain talks with reporters about the long-lasting legacy of the 99ers, the current state of women’s soccer, VAR in the World Cup and more!

Mia Hamm

The legendary Mia Hamm shares her thoughts on bringing an NWSL team to Southern California, the growth of the game, the relativity of the 99ers and much more!

Alex Morgan

USWNT star forward Alex Morgan stops by the media pool to share her memories of the 99ers, their influence on her growing up and today.

Contributions to this episode provided by the following articles:
https://www.teamusa.org/Hall-of-Fame/Hall-of-Fame-Members/Kristine-Lilly

https://northcarolina.rivals.com/news/no-8-kristine-lilly

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-women-win-world-cup

Powerhouse: 13 Teamwork Tactics that Build Excellence and Unrivaled Success

More WWFShow Links:
Follow Women’s World Football Show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and our blog at wwfshowblog.com.

Listen to Women’s World Football Show on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Spreaker, TuneIn Radio, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and direct from our website at www.WWFShow.com.

Photo Courtesy of: Kristine Lilly

Original Broadcast Date: June 2, 2019

Women’s World Football Show is hosted, written, edited, sound designed & produced by Patty La Bella. Additional assistance for this episode by Kristine Lilly, Adrienne Fontaine, Aaron Heifetz and Ilyanna Guiterrez.

Women’s World Football Show website design and theme music by Patricia La Bella

Women’s World Football Show® is a registered trademark and it’s audio and logo cannot be used without expressed written authorization.

Episode 210: Ruth Harker

Exclusive interview with Ruth Harker, legendary USWNT goalkeeper of the iconic 1985 inaugural national team