Women’s World Football Show, Episode 175 features an exclusive interview with North Carolina Courage and Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team midfielder Denise O’Sullivan; plus soundbites from North Carolina defender Abby Erceg and head coach Paul Riley.
What happens when the king gets knocked off the throne? In the case of the NWSL champions North Carolina Courage, they get up, brush themselves off, and come back with a vengeance. Their unexpected departure from the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup in the quarterfinals could be a pivotal moment in the history of the game – we’ve seen it before!
Back in 2017, when the Portland Thorns defeated the Courage in the NWSL Championship Final, the Courage vowed to come back and they did – winning the championship in 2018 and 2019. In fact, they only lost 6 games over the course of two seasons. On this episode we take a look at this very special team with the motor of the squad and 2-time team MVP, Irish international Denise O’Sullivan. We also hear from North Carolina captain Abby Erceg and head coach Paul Riley.
Denise O’Sullivan
Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan is praised by the top head coaches in the game today as one of the best players in women’s soccer. Denise stops by to chat about her thoughts on the NWSL Challenge Cup, playing during a pandemic, her growing up days in Cork, the mentality of the Courage, and more.
We also discuss the upcoming UEFA Women’s EURO qualifiers, the chances of Ireland in the tournament, their new head coach Vera Pauw and much more. It’s an amazing time to be an Ireland fan and Denise is a big part of their success. Do not miss hearing from this exciting young star! (17′)
Follow Denise:
Twitter: @OSullivanDenise
Instagram: @deniseosullivan100
Paul Riley
North Carolina head coach Paul Riley talks about his scrappy midfielder Denise O’Sullivan and in the next segment discusses the game that knocked his team out of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Paul also shares his thoughts on the future of the team. (13′ and 46′)
Abby Erceg
The Kiwi defender and captain of the North Carolina Courage gives us her post-game thoughts on the team’s elimination in the tournament, the possible causes, a look toward the future of the team, and more. (45′)
Episode Links:
Read about the UEFA Women’s EUROS at https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/
Listen to our exclusive interview with Abby Erceg in 2018 – Episode 125.
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, Castbox, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and direct from our website at www.WWFShow.com.
Photo Courtesy of: North Carolina Courage
Original Broadcast Date: July 19, 2020
Women’s World Football Show is hosted, written, edited & produced by Patty La Bella.
Additional assistance for this episode by Denise O’Sullivan, Morgan Brown, Megan Rogers, Mark Jones, NWSL
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.

Florida (USF) women’s soccer team has posted 6 consecutive seasons of 10+ wins and 8 in the last 9 years, thanks in part to their fearless leader, Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The coach takes time from the NCAA Div. l playoffs to chat with Patty about the amazing 2018 season where the Bulls finished14-3 and went 8-1 in the regular season.
Westfield W-League Report
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.
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.
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Every once in awhile a book comes along that we just have to talk about. North American Soccer Guide 2018 is that book! Join us as we welcome longtime sportswriter and editor of the North American Soccer Guide, Charles Cuttone to the show. Spotlighting everything in USA and Canada women’s soccer, NASG offers recaps, results, rosters, stats, award-winners, all-time champions, red-letter dates, and more! Patty sits down with Charles to discuss this huge undertaking, what inspired him to compile all this info, why was it important to give the women’s game equal treatment and more! (01:13:28’)
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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’)