The 2019 World Cup-champion U.S. Women’s National Team was arguably the most dominant team ever fielded by the most dominant institution in soccer. But striker Jessica McDonald remembers that for many people, what that team represented off the field was more important than what it accomplished on it, as fans around the world rallied behind the players’ public battle for equal pay. Legends of the women's game — including Julie Foudy, Michelle Akers and Joy Fawcett — look back at the early days of the USWNT, and a gritty fight for equality that had been unfolding behind the scenes for decades.

New episodes coming each Tuesday, through May 17.

To continue supporting journalism like this, visit charlotteobserver.com/payback or newsobserver.com/payback . 

The host of Payback is Alex Andrejev. It's produced by Kata Stevens, Casey Toth, Julia Wall, and executive producer Davin Coburn. The executive producer for iHeartRadio is Sean Titone.

The 2019 World Cup-champion U.S. Women&rsquo;s National Team was arguably the most dominant team ever fielded by the most dominant institution in soccer. But striker Jessica McDonald remembers that for many people, what that team represented off the field was more important than what it accomplished on it, as fans around the world rallied behind the players&rsquo; public battle for equal pay. Legends of the women's game &mdash; including Julie Foudy, Michelle Akers and Joy Fawcett &mdash; look back at the early days of the USWNT, and a gritty fight for equality that had been unfolding behind the scenes for decades.
New episodes coming each Tuesday, through May 17.
To continue supporting journalism like this, visit <a href="http://charlotteobserver.com/payback">charlotteobserver.com/payback</a> or <a href="http://newsobserver.com/payback">newsobserver.com/payback</a> .&nbsp;
The host of Payback is Alex Andrejev. It's produced by Kata Stevens, Casey Toth, Julia Wall, and executive producer Davin Coburn. The executive producer for iHeartRadio is Sean Titone.

In 2019, U.S. women’s national soccer team striker Jessica McDonald capped a World Cup journey few could have imagined. A teen runaway who became a single mom, McDonald tells The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer for the first time how she rose from a broken home in Phoenix to the pinnacle of sports in Lyon, France — and how today, she’s using her voice to battle systemic inequalities in soccer, including as part of the U.S. women’s national team’s recent settlement in their landmark fight for equal pay. Hosted by Alex Andrejev. 

In 2019, U.S. women&rsquo;s national soccer team striker Jessica McDonald capped a World Cup journey few could have imagined. A teen runaway who became a single mom, McDonald tells The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News &amp; Observer for the first time how she rose from a broken home in Phoenix to the pinnacle of sports in Lyon, France &mdash; and how today, she&rsquo;s using her voice to battle systemic inequalities in soccer, including as part of the U.S. women&rsquo;s national team&rsquo;s recent settlement in their landmark fight for equal pay. Hosted by Alex Andrejev.&nbsp;

Longshot: Payback

In 2019, U.S. women’s national soccer team striker Jessica McDonald capped a World Cup journey few could have imagined. A teen runaway who became a single mom, McDonald tells The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer for the first time how she rose from a broken home in Phoenix to the pinnacle of sports in Lyon, France — and how today, she’s using her voice to battle systemic inequalities in soccer, including as part of the U.S. women’s national team’s recent settlement in their landmark fight for equal pay. Coming March 15. Hosted by Alex Andrejev. 

In 2019, U.S. women&rsquo;s national soccer team striker Jessica McDonald capped a World Cup journey few could have imagined. A teen runaway who became a single mom, McDonald tells The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News &amp; Observer for the first time how she rose from a broken home in Phoenix to the pinnacle of sports in Lyon, France &mdash; and how today, she&rsquo;s using her voice to battle systemic inequalities in soccer, including as part of the U.S. women&rsquo;s national team&rsquo;s recent settlement in their landmark fight for equal pay. Coming March 15. Hosted by Alex Andrejev.&nbsp;

Part 1: The Roach Motel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fe40d6d4-501c-4bcd-b34b-ae5800dbc183/transcript