Episode 170: Giovanna Dionicio, Gabriella Marte

Women’s World Football Show, Episode 170 features exclusive interviews with Dominican Republic Women’s U-20 Defenders Giovanna Dionicio and Gabriella Marte.

History! It’s something we talk a lot about in sports. However, when history is made by a women’s youth team, it’s something special and definitely worth, not just talking about, but featuring on a Women’s World Football Show episode!

In March, 2020, history was made by the Dominican Republic U-20 Women’s National Team during the Concacaf U-20 Championship when, for the first time ever at any level in men’s or women’s football, a Dominican Republic National Team reached a semifinal stage of a Concacaf sanctioned competition.

On this episode we spotlight that remarkable achievement with DR defenders Giovanna Dionicio and Gabriella Marte.

Giovanna Dionicio

Hailing from West Hartford Connecticut, Giovanna Dionicio made her Dominican Republic U-20 National Team debut in the 2020 U-20 Concacaf Women’s Championship. Giovanna was a standout at the high school and youth club levels. Now, majoring in Bio-Medical Engineering at Yale, Giovanna is setting her sites on the next phase of her football career and she’s here to tell us all about it.

The young defender stops by to share her football journey, how she was recruited by the Dominican Republic U-20 team, the experience of making history with the national team, and more! Plus, how close did Giovanna come to missing that quarterfinal game against Jamaica?? She gives us the stressful details! (15’)

Follow Yale Women’s Soccer on Twitter @YaleWSoccer

Gabriella Marte

Only two months after turning 17-years old and still in high school, Gabriella Marte stepped onto one of the biggest stages of women’s football at the U-20 Concacaf Women’s Championship and into the record books. We talk to Gabriella about defeating Jamaica in the historic quarterfinals at the tournament, what the Dominican Republic U-20 Women’s National Team’s success means to the growth of women’s soccer in the Dominican, and much more.

Already with a few senior national team caps under her belt, Gabriella is regarded as one of the future Top Prospects in her position on the Dominican Republic National Team. A National Honor Society student and member of the DA club team Penn Fusion, Gabriella is on the cusp of a promising football career and she’s here to give us her vision on her promising future.

Could Gabriella be the youngest player we’ve ever interviewed on Women’s World Football Show? We’re on the case! (44’)

Follow Gabriella on Twitter @GabriellaMarte

Follow Penn Fusion SA on Twitter @PennFusion_SA

Episode Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic_women%27s_national_football_team

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriella_Marte

https://www.concacaf.com/en/under-20s-women/article/dominican-republic-dig-deep-to-reach-semifinals

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_CONCACAF_Women%27s_U-20_Championship_squads

https://mailchi.mp/d2d15c8f8496/dominican-republic-named-host-for-2020-concacaf-womens-under-20-championship

https://yalebulldogs.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/giovanna-dionicio/14385

https://twitter.com/fedofutbol

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Photos Courtesy of: Dominican Republic U-20 Women’s National Team

Original Broadcast Date: May 3, 2020

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

Additional assistance for this episode by John Marte

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 133: Yujie Zhao, Krystyna Freda, Sandra Prusina

Women’s World Football Show, Episode 133, features a special 2018 CONCACAF report with sports Canadian broadcaster Sandra Prusina; Interviews with Florida State University midfielder Yujie Zhao; and Barcelona FA striker Krystyna Freda.

The 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship has finished up and the tournament was just as predictable as it was surprising. As expected, both USA and Canada punched their ticket to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, placing first and second respectively in the tournament. The surprises were the early elimination of Mexico and Costa Rica. The other surprise was the third place final, which was a battle to the end between Jamaica and Panama. The match ended in Penalty Kicks, resulting in the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history.

In this special Concacaf report, Patty and Adam break down group play, dissect the failures of Mexico and Costa Rica, and discuss the parity of the Concacaf nations. Then in a special report with Canadian sports broadcaster and journalist Sandra Prusina comes in to chat about the Concacaf Final. What did the USA do right, what did Canada do wrong, and what can be done about the shoddy refereeing? Plus, Sandra takes a deep dive into the Canada Women’s National Team. What do they need to do to be real contenders in France? How is the team doing with Kenneth Heiner-Møller at the helm? Who are some of the standout players, and more! Ready for a heaping serving of Concacaf with extra Canada on the side? You do not want to miss this special report!
Learn more about the Calgary Inferno broadcast and Sandra Prusina’s new show “Inside the Inferno” on Sportsnet 960!

Krystyna Freda
Cypriot First Division is the top women’s football league in Cyprus and one of the longest-running leagues in women’s football (established in 1998). On this episode, Adam sits down with Golden Boot winner Krystyna Freda of 2018 league winners Barcelona FA, who play out of Germasogeia. As the top scorer in the league, Krystyna is making her mark in Cyprus and gearing up for a new season.

The New Jersey native shares her journey from being a Top Drawer collegiate player at Winthrop University in South Carolina to training in the NWSL, playing in Finland, and now a star in the Cypriot League. If you want to know more about the league in Cyprus, other avenues to play professional soccer, or just catch up with Krystyna, this is the interview you want to hear! (46’)
Connect with Krystyna on Facebook!

Yujie Zhao
While China failed to make it out of the group stage in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, their standout midfielder Yujie Zhao learned a valuable lesson and made a name for herself on the national level. The exciting young star is now studying and playing soccer at Florida State University and is continuing her rise to the top in women’s football.

Yujie sits down with Patty to give us her thoughts on playing in the NCAA, how the experience is helping her get stronger, and how she’s been able to assimilate so quickly into the unique experience of American collegiate soccer. Plus, we delve into her background, find out what motivated her to play soccer at such a high level, what the future holds, and more. This interview has a surprise ending (never before has this been done on Women’s World Football Show!), so get ready for a Chinese treat!! This is one of our highlight interviews, so pull up a chair and get to know the China star Yujie Zhao! (01:14’)

PLUS…
College Rankings with the Englishman; Upcoming Women’s World Cup qualifiers; England vs. Australia, and MORE!

Photos/Logos Courtesy of: Concacaf, Seminoles.com, Krystyna Freda, Perrons Ford, FSU Athletics

Original Broadcast Date: October 21, 2018

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 129: Randy Waldrum, Lachy France

Women’s World Football Show, Episode 129: Features an exclusive interview with University of Pittsburgh Women’s Soccer Head Coach Randy Waldrum; CollegeMatildas.com founder and editor Lachy France; and updates on NWSL, FA Women’s League Cup, and more.

A legend among college coaches in the United States, Randy Waldrum’s tenure at Notre Dame lasted 14 season, leading the Fighting Irish to two national championships, capturing the College Cup title in 2004 and 2010. His teams won eight Big East Tournament titles and appeared in eight NCAA Final Four games during that time. After a three-year stint as head coach of the Houston Dash, Waldrum is at the helm as head coach of the the University of Pittsburgh Panthers.

Adam sits down with the legendary coach for one of the more candid conversations ever to air on Women’s World Football Show. Coach Waldrum doesn’t pull any punches when discussing everything from his decision to leave Notre Dame for Houston, his experiences in the pro league, weighing in on youth club culture and the “Pay to Play” path, and more.

How long did it take Waldrum to miss the college game after leaving Notre Dame for Houston Dash? What happened with his Nigeria WNT appointment? What will it take for the NWSL to survive? And what lead the Coach back to the college ranks? It’s all here and its all riveting!

Whether your interest lies in youth, college or pro soccer, this is the interview you want to catch! And it’s guaranteed to have you following PITT this season and for seasons to come! (12′)
Follow Pittsburgh Panthers on Twitter @pitt_wsoc.

College Matildas
Our college soccer conversation continues with founder and editor of CollegeMatildas.com, Lachy France. Learn more about this unique website that covers all the Australians playing NCAA Div 1 women’s soccer. All the way from Sydney, Australia, Lachy walks us through his website, which features complete player profiles, stats, game previews and highlights, recruitment and commitment news, and so much more. If you love college soccer and Aussie football (who doesn’t?), this is the perfect storm of an interview! (01:15′)
Check out the website at CollegeMatildas.com and follow @CollegeMatildas on Twitter and Facebook.

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
The 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup is in the books! Patty and Adam recap the Final match between Japan and Spain; the thrilling third-place match between England and France; and the tournament on a whole. Plus, your dutiful hosts delve into the decline that used to be a powerhouse of U.S. Youth Soccer. What’s killing the program and how much is the “Pay to Play” path hurting the future of women’s soccer in the U.S.? We roll up our sleeves and dive in! (2′)

PLUS…
• Focusing in on the 2018 NWSL playoff picture and its question marks.
• FA Women’s League Cup is underway and it’s already turning heads (did you see the crowd for Manchester United vs. Reading?!)
• MAC Hermann Trophy List announcements
• Riding the Orlando Pride nose dive
• AND MORE!!

Photos Courtesy of: PittsburghPanthers.com; CollegeMatildas.com

Original Broadcast Date: August 26, 2018

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 83: Crystal Dunn, Jess McDonald, Lynn Williams, Sabrina D’Angelo

Women’s World Football Show, Episode 83 features post-game interviews with USA stars Crystal Dunn, Jess McDonald, and Lynn Williams; Canada stars Sabrina D’Angelo, Stephanie Labbé and Shelina Zadorsky; Former University of Texas goalkeeper Alexa Gaul; USA U-20 head coach Michelle French; and sports agent Lenny Lun.

The 2016 NWSL season is in the books and a new champion is crowned! Western New York Flash met league leaders Washington Spirit in a hard-fought championship final at BBVA Compass stadium in Houston, Texas on October 10, 2016. At the end of the battle, it was WNY Flash hoisting the trophy. Patty and Adam bring you all the news and highlights. Plus we hear from Washington Spirit forward Crystal Dunn, as well as WNY strikers Jessica McDonald and Lynn Williams, and goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo.

Shelina Zadorsky & Stephanie Labbé
While covering the 2016 NWSL Championship Finals, Michelle Stile (aka Old Pipster) caught up with Washington Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé and defender Shelina Zadorsky. In this “spirited” interview, our favorite Canadians share their thoughts on the NWSL, the Spirit, their teammate Crystal Dunn, and more!

Alexa Gaul
A name known around the world of women’s soccer, Alexa Gaul joins the show to chat about her new role as goalkeeper coach at Columbus State University. Alexa spent a year and a half in Willstätt, Germany playing for SC Sand in the Frauen Bundesliga. During Alexa’s tenure, SC Sand found success which included advancing to the DFB Pokal Finale, the German Championship, as well as defeating the defending European Champion, VFL Wolfsburg, for the first time in club history.

The former University of Texas goalkeeper also discusses her time playing for UMF Selfoss in Iceland and her USA national team experience, as a member of the junior U.S. National Teams. Straight from the professional ranks after wrapping up her playing days in Germany, Alexa gives us insight on what it’s like to transition from player to coach in a very short time and her goals for the future.

Frauen Bundesliga & German National Team report
Women’s World Football Show welcomes back German sportswriter Jana Lange to discuss all things Germany! The Bundesliga is already five rounds in, so Jana and Adam discuss the surprising rise of Turbine Potsdam, the slow start of Bayern München, and everything in between. The pair also take an in-depth look at the progress the German National Team, their recent Olympic Gold Medal victory, Germany’s new head coach Steffi Jones, and more!

Michelle French
As the USA U-20 team prepares for the upcoming 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Patty caught up with head coach Michelle French. The affable coach talks about the recent NTC Invitational held at Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif., where England came away with an impressive win (Brazil and Korea DPR also participated). Coach French discusses the U-20 Women’s World Cup, the progress of Mallory Pugh, and answers the burning questions – Just what is it like to travel around the world with a bunch of teenagers?! All this and more!

Lenny Lun
Movies and TV shows have glamorized the profession of a sports agent. But what is life really like for a top sports agent representing professional athletes? Women’s World Football Show welcomes Leonard “Lenny” Lun, president and CEO of Upper V Athlete Management. Lenny has become the sports agent to many stars in women’s soccer and he’s here to give us a rare inside look into the profession.

Sarah “The Cowgirl” Hallett
If you would like to contribute to help with medical expenses during this challenging time, visit Sarah’s GoFundMe page. Also, send our Cowgirl a message of encouragement through Twitter @hallett_sarah.

Plus…
U-17 Women’s World Cup report; Upcoming international match scheduled dates; Euro qualifiers; And just how many times can we mention Iceland? Apparently a lot!

Fade Out Music by Alicia Keys

Original Broadcast Date: October 16, 2016

Photo credits courtesy of: ussoccer.com; NWSLSoccer.com; Brad Smith/ISIPhotos.com; Columbus State University