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.
We also explore the exceptional play of USA attacking midfielder Megan Rapinoe! Starting with soundbites from Jill Ellis (16:32) and Alex Morgan (17:29′) giving their expert assessment of Pinoe. Finally, we hear from the popular player herself in two interviews (pre-game and post-game)! Listen as Pinoe shares her secrets of success, how she changed her diet and fitness program after her recent ACL injury, and does she think she’s playing the best football of her career? Pinoe gives us the truth and nothing but the truth! Plus… just what does wearing the rainbow numbers on the back of her jersey mean to her? It’s all Pinoe and it’s all here! (18:33)
interview, Adam sits down with Houston Dash striker Veronica Latsko to talk about her soccer journey and the new heights she’s reaching in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The University of Virginia standout had to wait until the third round and the 28th pick of the 2018 NWSL College Draft before she found out she would be playing for Vera Pauw’s Dash.
Alana Gunn
Now, in a new town and a new team, Abby has won the job of Number One goalkeeper with the Utah Royals. Abby chats about her new team, what its like playing for Laura Harvey, and getting used to her new home in the Mountainous state.
Women’s FA Cup Final
Coming off an excellent year in the Eredivisie Vrouwen (the professional women’s football league in the Netherlands), Katja Snoeijs is picking up where she left off. Last season Katja led the Dutch league with most goals scored and is on pace to have another record-breaking season. Adam sits down with the young VV Alkmaar striker to chat about her recent successes, how she got where she is today and what the future looks like.
Adam took a trip to Southampton for the Women’s World Cup Qualifier between England and Wales. Don’t let the 0-0 score fool you… this was a feisty affair with a huge crowd and Adam breaks it all down. We hear what Welsh Head Coach and Arsenal legend Jayne Ludlow has to say about her team’s form and why a draw against FIFA ranked #2 England feels like a victory. (6:40’)
NWSL Previews, Pt. 2
Then, we jump on the Reign Train with WWFShow correspondent and Seattle Reign FC pundit Karen Valenzuela. The Reign has made some major adjustments in the off-season, but is it enough to get them that elusive NWSL Championship crown? Karen takes us through some of the important changes including the big trade that sent away fan favorites Christine Nairn, Carson Pickett and Haley Kopmeyer. (01:11’)
WWFShow post-game reporter Alana “AJ” Johnson returned to Orlando for the opening match against Utah Royals FC. Listen to AJ’s exclusive interview with new Pride defender and former Florida State Seminole Carson Pickett. Fresh off of a successful campaign at Brisbane Roar in the Westfield W-League, Carson chats with AJ about coming back home to play in Florida, her W-League experience and more! Plus, AJ brings us interesting soundbites from Orlando Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni and members of his team Sydney Leroux, Defender Shelina Zadorsky. Plus, what happened with that ‘face interference’ call? We hear from Utah Royals FC Head Coach Laura Harvey on the controversial call that may have cost the her team 3 points. (Laura Harvey 28:33′; Sydney Leroux 30:50’; Shelina Zadorsky 32:10’; Carson Pickett 34:03’)
to Houston; her assessment of the players and some of the things she’s doing right now to help turn the Dash around in 2018.
Sports journalist from FanSided and former Div 1 women’s soccer player Celia Balf stops by to chat about the 2017 NCAA Div l College Cup Final and the 2017 women’s soccer season. The Stanford Cardinal met their foes from down south, UCLA for what turned out to be a barn-burner ending. Celia, who has a weekly soccer column at FanSided online magazine, breaks down the final match for us.
In this interview Jane chats about the current condition Hurricane Harvey has left the city, how the city is getting stronger and what kind of impact it has made on the team.
World Cup at Giants Stadium. There was no stopping the kid from New Jersey from there. While she stayed close to home for college (at Rutgers University), Kristen decided to go off and play overseas for a few years before coming back and settling in to become one of the best midfielders in the NWSL.
Jessica Fishlock stepped out of her comfort zone at the age of 19, leaving her Cardiff City home to conquer the world. And she’s never looked back. As the only Welsh player male or female with 100 caps for the Wales National Team, Jess has set the standard for success in women’s football and beyond. In 2017 Jess played for & coached Melbourne City FC to its second consecutive W-League win. Soon after she was on her way to the USA to play her fifth season with Seattle Reign FC in the NWSL (one of six leagues she’s represented in her decade-long career).
better to get on the show than dangerous striker Nadia Lawrence! The Welsh international has been a huge part of the Yeovil success story and shares her experiences with the newly promoted team. What does the promotion mean to the team as a whole? How does WSL 1 compare with WSL 2? And what’s it like to be a role model in the fan-friendly town? Nadia gives us all the answers and more!
Ella is back and better than ever! The fan-favorite footballer updates us on her massive success at FC Rosengård in the Damallsvenskan League in Sweden. Ella also shares her thoughts on football in Sweden, her continuing growth in the game and the opportunities playing and living abroad has offered. With 14 goals in 21 games in 2016, Ella is proving herself to be a goal-scoring threat. What has led to this dramatic role change and what does the future hold for the affable soccer star? Ella gives us the insider scoop.
FAWSL and England
that’s Girls on the Ball! Sophie stops by to give us a look back on FAWSL 1&2 in 2016. Who were the stars of the league and what were some of the biggest matches and moments? And with big changes on the horizon, what does the future look like for both leagues? Sophie lays it all out for us. Plus, a look back on the England squad and insight into what 2017 holds for the team.
NWSL
Much to the dismay of everyone, HAO recently announced her retirement from international play, ending a celebrated career of 231 appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team. After a memorable farewell match against Thailand (where she scored and assisted with a goal), HAO shares with us that emotional match and some of her thoughts throughout the game.
Craig Deans
