VP of Sporting for the NWSL Sarah Gregorius makes a return visit to the show for the second installment of our new series, “Built By Women: The Story of Soccer in the U.S.” Sarah talks about the winding path of professional women’s soccer leagues in the U.S., how leagues outside the States are competing with the NWSL for top talent, and how the USWNT and the NWSL are dragging the rest of the world (sometimes kicking and screaming) into the future.

“Built By Women: The Story of Soccer in the U.S.” was inspired by the FIFA Men’s World Cup — ‘cause you know Big Citrus was watching and thinking about the *women’s* national team (the one with FOUR stars on their jersey!). Unlike pretty much any other country in the world, the United States fell in love with footie primarily through women – through the success of the ‘96 Olympic gold medalists, the ‘99ers, and all of our truly global superstar women players. So with next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in two years, we thought it was a good time to trace the roots of the beautiful game here in the United States. Stay tuned for more episodes in the series over the coming weeks!

SHOW NOTES: 

• Listen to the first episode of “Built By Women: The Story of Soccer in the U.S.” here, or watch the interview on YouTube here

• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 

• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social