June 4, 2023 • 40 mins
On this episode, we welcome Scotland Women's National Team striker, now playing at Angel City FC Claire Emslie. We also hear from Angel City FC head coach Freya Coombe.
Life is surprising. The choices we make and opportunities that come our way can be life-altering. Claire Emslie is here to share her football journey with us - from a small town in Scotland to the USA to England to the World Cup and back to the USA - it's been a wild ride one she wasn’t expecting.
A true footballer, Claire's exceptional career has led her to play NCAA D1 soccer in the USA to scoring Scotland's first-ever goal in the Women's World Cup. Claire is here to share her extraordinary football journey with us and you do not want to miss it! (16’)
Plus Angel City FC head coach Freya Coombe shares her thoughts and expectations on Claire Emslie. (10’')
Episode Links:
Follow Claire Emslie on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/emslie_22/
Watch Claire’s goal vs. England in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup - https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/watch/H3BWLUskykqI3-Ly9jBaIg
Watch Claire’s Olimpico vs. OL Reign – https://youtu.be/Z_i486DhLD4
Watch highlights from the 2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final - https://youtu.be/q8_l9OShHLg
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.
Original Broadcast Date: June 6, 2023
Women’s World Football Show is hosted, written, edited, and produced by Patty La Bella.
Additional assistance for this episode by Claire Emslie and Lisa Goldberg from Angel City FC.
Women’s World Football Show website design and theme music by Patricia La Bella
Women’s World Football Show® is a registered trademark and its audio and logo cannot be used without expressed written authorization.
Life is surprising. The choices we make and opportunities that come our way can be life-altering. Claire Emslie is here to share her football journey with us - from a small town in Scotland to the USA to England to the World Cup and back to the USA - it's been a wild ride one she wasn’t expecting.
A true footballer, Claire's exceptional career has led her to play NCAA D1 soccer in the USA to scoring Scotland's first-ever goal in the Women's World Cup. Claire is here to share her extraordinary football journey with us and you do not want to miss it! (16’)
Plus Angel City FC head coach Freya Coombe shares her thoughts and expectations on Claire Emslie. (10’')
Episode Links:
Follow Claire Emslie on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/emslie_22/
Watch Claire’s goal vs. England in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup - https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/watch/H3BWLUskykqI3-Ly9jBaIg
Watch Claire’s Olimpico vs. OL Reign – https://youtu.be/Z_i486DhLD4
Watch highlights from the 2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final - https://youtu.be/q8_l9OShHLg
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.
Original Broadcast Date: June 6, 2023
Women’s World Football Show is hosted, written, edited, and produced by Patty La Bella.
Additional assistance for this episode by Claire Emslie and Lisa Goldberg from Angel City FC.
Women’s World Football Show website design and theme music by Patricia La Bella
Women’s World Football Show® is a registered trademark and its audio and logo cannot be used without expressed written authorization.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
Life is full of surprises, isn'tit. You're faced with decisions, you
make a choice, and then thatchoice leads to maybe life altering events or
life lessons or other choices. Youmight be in the right place at the
right time, meeting someone who changesyour life, or an event that leads
to a new job, or leadyou to a new journey that you never
(00:28):
thought in a million years you'd experienceour featured guest today as someone who will
tell you that her love for agame called football led to some of the
most outrageous experiences in her life andthose things opened up new paths and new
goals. Angel CITYFC striker and Scotlandwomen's national team star Claire Emsley is here
(00:49):
to share her football journey with us. From a small town in Scotland to
the USA, to England to Australiato the World Cup back to the USA.
It's been a wild ride and whenshe wasn't expecting when she began playing
football all those years ago as alittle girl. It's a great journey and
Claire Emsley is going to take usalong with her in this Women's World Football
(01:11):
Show exclusive you don't want to miss. Plus we'll hear from Claire's head coach
at Angels CITYFC, Freyakum, sharingher thoughts on the importance of her mighty
veteran as they take on the secondseason of this young team. Life is
certainly full of surprises, so let'stake the journey. This is Women's World
Football Show. Hey everyone, welcometo Episode two eighteen of Women's World Football
(01:46):
Show. I'm your host, PattiLabella. How are you. I hope
that you're doing well. Can youbelieve we're just a little over a month
away from twenty twenty three FIFA Women'sWorld Cup as we're recording us right now.
Of course, wow. I havethat opening match on my calendar New
Zealand versus Norway on July twentieth atEden Park in Auckland, and then a
(02:07):
few hours later, of course,Australia versus the debutante, one of the
debutants, Republic of Ireland, thatwe're playing in Sydney July twentieth. Will
you be there? Unfortunately I won't, but I will be sitting in on
virtual press conferences and I'll be gettingsoundbites, interviews and all that good stuff
as much as I can to bringto you throughout the tournament. We have
(02:30):
a few more shows to go beforeall of that, so we'll talk more
about Women's World Cup as we creepa little more closely. It feels like
we've been talking about Women's World Cupfor a long time almost every show it
comes up. Funny how that is, and our guest today, Claire Emsley,
has a few great World Cup storiesto tell as well. Of course,
(02:53):
unfortunately Claire and her Scottish teammates willnot be there this year. Coincidentally
enough, they were knocked out ofthe qualifiers by those Republic of Ireland debutantes.
But as I said in the opening, life is strange, right,
so full of surprises, and theone thing great about players like Claire,
as you'll hear, when things don'tgo as plan, you just switch gears,
(03:16):
you switch goals, and Claire definitelyhas big plans and goals set for
her future, which of course we'lltalk more about. I know I've said
this on every show, but ClaireEmsley is one of those players that has
been on my wish list, andas Women's World Football Show is celebrating their
ten year anniversary, it is mygoal to have on players that we've had
(03:39):
on our wish list for many yearsand just to not been able to get
them. So I'm really focused anddetermined to go through my wish list.
Guest, I guess my list oflists, and so far, so good.
I have a few more on mylist that I'm really working hard to
try to get on. So veryvery cool to have Claire Emsley on.
(04:00):
I tried to get her on whenshe was with Orlando, it just did
not happen. Couldn't make that moveso great. I'm just so appreciative that
Angel City came through for us andgot her on and so excited to share
that interview with you. And beforewe do, however, I want to
send out a great big congrats toChelsea women who sealed an historic fourth consecutive
(04:24):
fourth consecutive Barkley Women's Super League title. Congratulations to them. And on the
final day of the season to bootdefending ready And three nil and a result
that also saw the Royals relegated fromthe division. Unfortunately, Sam Kerr the
hero of the match or the villainif you're not a Chelsea fan. Sam
(04:47):
Kerr with a brace in that match. An exciting season in the FAWSL.
Manchester United could have finished on tophad they won their last game and Chelsea
lost. And they did their partthey beat Liverpool one nail, but of
course the Chelsea win left United tosettle for the runners up spot. Arsenal
finished the season in third place,despite suffering a two nil loss to Aston
(05:12):
Villa beating Manchester City did the thirdand final European spot on gold differential,
despite City beating Everton three two onthat last day. So very close races,
exciting to the end, so exciting. And speaking of exciting, we're
able to catch the UFA Women's ChampionsLeague Final on June third. Wow.
Barcelona versus Wolfsburg. Barsa down twonil at halftime looked pretty bleak, but
(05:40):
the one thing that makes the beautifulgame so beautiful, and I think that
you'll probably agree, is just nevergive up, never turn away, don't
turn that game off because you neverknow what's going to happen. Two goals
in three minutes from midfielder Patrigue Giharopulled Barca level and then Fridolina Rolfo capitalized
(06:00):
on a defensive mix up by Wolfsburgto make it three to two. Goals
for Wolfsburg came by way of awicked strike in the third minute by tournament
goal leader Avat Payor, and thatwas the opening goal. Then right before
halftime, bre fed an excellent ballto Alexandra Pop for the goal. So
they were on top going in tohalftime, like I said, and then
(06:24):
Barcelona with the big comeback. Sucha great tournament, but that final,
I mean, just too much.Get your heart sinking, right. Actually,
if you did miss that tournament,I'll look for the highlight reels and
put it on our show notes.I'm looking right now, Yeah, there
it is. I'll just copy thisand put it on our show notes and
then you can look at all thehighlights. Because just just a great,
(06:46):
great tournament. You know what nwseelsfun. Domestical league is fun here in
the United States, and it's exciting. There's some exciting games and some exciting
matchups as we're seeing. But there'ssomething about European football. There's just some
then about it. It's just Idon't know, even when it I means,
it's like pizza, right, evenwhen it's bad, it's good.
(07:08):
So it's so great to catch upwith that and to catch up with those
with the league. And I hadjust a great, exciting FAWSL season.
So many great so many great matchesall over the world, really really really
fun right now to be a women'ssoccer fan, and I wanted to catch
you up on those events, bigtime events in women's football. All right,
so let's switch gears, because Iknow you are all excited as I
(07:30):
am to hear from our featured guesttoday, Angel CITYFC and Scotland star striker
Claire Emsley. But first, youknow, I always like to hear from
coaches and get their their perspectives onplayers who we talk to, and so
I recently had the opportunity to askAngel CITYFC head coach Freakum what her thoughts
(07:51):
were on her star striker Claire Emsleyon a team with so many stars.
You know, I think Clare getskind of overlooked a lot of times,
and in fact him on a recentpress conference with Casey Stoney when the Wave
we're playing against Angel City, CaseySony mentioned Clara and said how she's kind
of like the underrated or the underunder the radar type player that you don't
(08:16):
always notice, but she's making allthese great plays and she's really a threat,
you know, against these other teamsbecause she's so you know, you're
so I ultra focused on all theseother other players on the Angel City's team,
you know, like Elissa Thompson andand now I got sid LaRue back
and the French star Amandy Henri andthen um, you know, Kristin Press
(08:39):
is back in the training ground.So there's a lot of big stars on
this team. Oh, Julie Art'sa lot of big stars on this team.
So Claire Emsley comes in very lowkey, very end of the radar,
but man as we're going to seeum and and talk more about her
career, she is really a threatto be reckoned with for sure. And
so anyway, so I had achance to talk to fry Komb about her,
So let's hear coaches starts expectations thatshe has on Clara, This is
(09:03):
freakol. Yeah. Claire, youknow, obviously came into US midway through
last season and through various different limitations, unfortunately didn't play as much as we
had liked her to last year,you know, with going away on national
team duty and then unfortunately she youknow, she had a death in her
(09:24):
family as well, which made hermiss a game. So I'm just really
excited to get her out on thefield for the whole season this year,
because I think that there are afew games that she did play she made
a real significant impact last year.I think she's a solid performer for a
national team as well. And youknow, she's just a true footballer.
She loves the game. She can'tget enough. She understands tactically the different
(09:48):
roles and responsibilities that she has.She is great with both feet, great
on the dribble. I think she'simpactful, she's a great finisher, and
yeah, I'm just really excited tosee what she can do with a full
season ahead of her. I thinkalso the fact that she's not coming off
the English season, so she's arrested. You know, we had we had
(10:11):
her at the end of our seasonlast year as well, So all in
all, it's just she's so excitingto watch and looking at her leading us
in the front line is fantastic.Great to hear from coaches always, and
Fry I'm sure has not been disappointedin Claire's performance this season. By the
way, did you see that Olympicoby Claire recently against ol Rain Holy Guacamoli,
(10:33):
That insane scored directly from the cornerkick. Not sure if that was
planned, not sure if Olympicos areever planned, but I mean that was
just one for the highlight reels.And once again, I'll find that link
if you missed it, and I'llput on our show nuts you can see
it. Because this is pretty.You know, when when somebody goes in
(10:54):
for the corner kick, you justyou know what to expect, right,
You're gonna they're gonna kick it intothe center and people are gonna jockey for
her or whatever. But when itgoes into the goal, you're just not
expecting it. It's just one ofthose things that's so exciting to see.
A few things before we hear fromClaire Emsley in case you don't already know,
Claire is a twenty nine year oldstriker born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(11:18):
She'll tell us more about her hometownand what it was like growing up in
her childhood days. Claire began hercareer in twenty eleven with the Scottish Women's
Premier League team Hibernian, winning theScottish League Cup in her debut year.
In twenty twelve, Claire came tothe States to play NCAAD one soccer for
Florida Atlantic University, and she goesthrough all her club journeys in this interview,
(11:41):
but I just want to give youkind of some deeper details of it
or because her career is pretty prettyremarkable, and like I said, the
journey that she's been on is wasprobably unexpected to her. But I mean
it's folded the way that it's supposedto fold, right, That's how fate
works, I guess. From twentysixteen to seventeen, she played for Bristol
in the FAWSL two as the leaguewas known. Then she played for Manchester
(12:05):
City in twenty seventeen to twenty nineteen, where she won a domestic cup double
during the twenty eighteen nineteen season,lifting both the League Cup and FA Cup,
so some major silverware under her belt. In twenty nineteen, Claire came
back to Florida to play for theOrlando Pride of the nw CELL, officially
joining the team upon conclusion of Scotland'srun at the twenty nineteen FIFA Women's World
(12:28):
Cup, which of course we'll talkto Claire Moore about. She then went
on to play for Melbourne City inthe Australia w League. So really a
world traveler. Claire Emsley taken thisride for all that it's worth, this
football journey, and I'm continuing towin as Melbourne City won that w League
championship that year, so another trophyon her mantle. Then, after the
(12:50):
pandemic restrictions were lifted in August oftwenty twenty, Orlando loaned Claire to faw
cl club ever Ten ahead of thetwenty twenty one season. The move was
made permanent in December of twenty twentyand Claire signed an eighteen month contract with
Everton at the time. Then anew NWSEL team by the name of Angel
(13:13):
City FC acquired the rights to signClaire Emsley in the twenty twenty two NWSLE
Expansion Draft and then they officially signedher on July seventh, twenty twenty two,
and then a few days later,on July ninth, she scored the
winning goal in her first appearance forAngel City versus their crosstown rivals San Diego
Wave. Not one to shy awayfrom the dramatics, Claire Emsley of like
(13:37):
I said, such such an interestingride she's been on Allen did. That's
just on the club level. Asfor her international career, Claire played for
Scotland on the youth level with theU seventeens. In U nineteens, she
scored goals in consecutive UEFA Women's Unineteen Championship tournaments in twenty twelve and twenty
thirteen. Claire made her senior leaguedebut in twenty thirteen, with a brief
(13:58):
hiatus as she finished out her collegedays in Florida. And then of course,
Claire was a big part of Scotland'sdebut at the twenty nineteen Women's World
Cup and incidentally scored Scotland's first everWorld Cup goal in the group stage match
against England. I guess said,not one to shy away from the dramatics.
Definitely one of her highlight moments ofher career and Claire of course tells
(14:22):
us more about that very very significantgoal. As of this recording, Claire
has fifty two caps for Scotland women'snational team with twelve goals. So,
you know, such an illustrious careeron both club and countryside, and one
of the main reasons why she's beenon my wish list to have on the
show, like for such a longtime, She's been doing all these great
(14:43):
things and she's like, her name'salways there right in the opening paragraph of
any story of any team or tournamentor you know, international club team that
she's debuted for or that she's beenon. So Susch's a great player and
one of the mainly reasons why it'staken so long to have her on the
show and why she's been on mywish list for so long. It's like
she's just like you heard, she'sjust been ping ponging all over the world.
(15:05):
So it's really difficult sometimes to getthese players who are like traveling all
over the world to kind of nailthem down and get them on. But
we finally did it, you know, we finally did it, and thanks
to the good people Angel City FC, we got it done. And I
know that you're excited to hear fromher, So please welcome Angel City FC
and Scotland striker Claire Emsley. Hi, Claire, thank you so much for
(15:28):
taking the time to visit with us. You've been on one of those players
that have been like on our wishlist for a while, so to have
you here is really exciting. Thankyou so much. Appreciate it well,
and I want to ask you aboutplaying in La and this the Scotland women's
national team of course. But first, tell us a little bit about yourself.
For those of our listeners who don'tknow you know, where did you
(15:50):
grow up, How did you discoversoccer, what attracted you to the game.
I'm from Scotland's a little town calledpanty Kicks, So I've got an
older brother and a younger sister andmy brother just he was always playing football,
so from a young age I alwaysjust copied him and wanted to play
with him. So and that's kindof how I fell in love with it.
(16:11):
So I grew up playing for Hibsin Edinburgh through my whole youth career.
When I was eighteen, I actuallygot a scholarship to FAU Florida Atlantic,
so that was my first experience likein America, and yeah, the
facilities and everything was just massive comparedto Scotland, so that's kind of when
(16:32):
I fell in love with the state. Then I played pro after college and
England. I played at Bristol City, Man City and Everton. I took
a spell at Orlando just before COVID, and I played in Melbourne as well.
So yeah, I've been a bitall over and now I'm in La,
so happy to be here. Yeah, we're happy to have you too.
(16:55):
What was the girls football like inScotland when you were growing up.
Was it as popular or was itsomething that you had to play with the
boys. Yeah, my first teamswere with the boys. I was the
only girl in skill that played andI wasn't able to play in the boys
skill teams. So yeah, Iremember thinking that wasn't fair and when I
was younger, but yeah, growingup there was only like a couple of
(17:17):
teams in my area, but therewas none in my area. I had
to travel like forty minutes to getto practices, so there wasn't much teams
to choose from. So I thinkcoming to the States and then seeing like
you know, all the soccer campsthere was for little kids, like little
girls and there was just hundreds ofthem, that really was shocking to me.
(17:37):
Hoping that changes, you know,and we see that more like throughout
the world. I think the leaguesthat are just blowing up overseas and stuff
are really really changing that for younggirls, which is very cool. And
you were a big part of theScotland team's debut in the twenty nineteen Women's
World Cup. I got a chanceto see you in person there a few
times and attend some of your training. So what was that experience like for
you personally and just for the teamas a whole. It was honestly like
(18:02):
the best thing in my career,like so far. Like it was just
to do it with those girls thathas grown up with and yeah, it
just to go for the first timefor their nation's experience so what old cup.
Like had never even experienced supporting themen's team at one because traditionally these
don't qualify for much. So yeah, that was amazing to feel the support
of Scotland going to that, andI think after that we did change people's
(18:26):
minds in Scotland's about women's football andtheir daughters playing and stuff, so that
that was huge. That was amazing. Yeah, I remember there were a
Cup. There was an open trainingI went to like outside of Paris and
it was raining. Then he hadall these little kids in the stands and
then the team took time to signautographs. So that was really great because
the fans were always there with youwin or lose. Yeah, And it
(18:48):
was nine seeing in all the alleveryone in their kilts and their Scotland's stuff
and any Tanis and then Nieces theyjust took over. So that was cool.
Yeah, very cool. And sonow, also, you scored the
first ever Women's World Cup goal,right, tell us about that because that
still kind of sparked some great memoriesfor you. Like I get goose bumps
(19:10):
just thinking about that. Supposed wewere losing two nil and to score to
make it too one. It didn'tfeel that great at the time because it
was like we were chasing the game, but it's definitely one of them.
Afterwards, when I went over tosee my family, like they were all
in tears and they were just soproud of me, and yeah, I
think that's when I felt it,like, oh my god. And I
(19:32):
think even now, people doing quizziesat work and one of the questions is
who scored the first goal, Andso all my friends and random people message
me saying, hey, I gotthis question right because it was you.
So it's little things like that.I think, Oh that that was cool.
Yeah, during the history books,like, yeah, that's very cool.
Was that something that you thought thatwould ever happen as it came now,
(19:53):
not at all, And like Inever thought we'd even qualify for attirement.
To be honest, like went up. I never thought it was possible.
I thought, all, we justdon't qualify for things, and and
yeah, to score especially against singlethese as well, like it was,
Yeah, it was cool. Ihave to say that, I know it's
in the disappointment for you, butthat the Argentina Scotland match. I know
(20:15):
I was there, and I wasbetween like a bunch of supporters for Argentina
and a bunch of supporters for Scotlandbecause I was in the stands. Probably
to this day, I think itis one of the most exciting matches I've
ever seen live. Yeah, Iknow, dramatic game, but I felt
everything in that game, like everythingfrom the highest highest to the lowest the
(20:36):
lows and it was just but Imean, we messed up big time,
like we were three and a loutbut twenty minutes to gol like we've only
our snelves to blame, and therewas a few dodgy decisions made, and
yeah, but we shouldn't a lot. We shouldn't have lost that. There
were so many bad refereeing things thataffected it so well. I think you
(20:59):
guys had so much hard and somuch hard work through that whole. Um.
I mean, I'm sure it wasjust emotional on it every match that
you played anyway, So I can'teven imagine, but I think that for
the fans getting to know the team, and especially with a lot of a
lot of you playing and like allover the world basically and in the States,
like you've really built up your fanbase. So do you have like
a message for the fans back home, like as far as the team goes
(21:22):
and the national team, what wouldyou say to those little girls out there?
You know every young player, isthat just work so hard and if
you want to matake you can andlike you can really achieve your dreams if
you just do the extra white thatno one else does. Because yeah,
what I experienced Matuldie and never foughtin a million years, it would be
possible. So yeah, I alwaysbelieve. Yeah. So, um switching
(21:45):
gears to Angel City now I knowthe rain here, it's almost like you're
you're playing back. I know,we're like, what is this stuff coming
from this guy? Um? Soyou came to Angel City mid season from
England last year. What were yourthoughts about coming back to the end of
yourself and playing like in this newteam in LA. Yeah, like I
knew, I want you to comeback because I've kind of obviously played quite
(22:07):
a lot of time in England andI only really went back to because in
COVID. Like how otherwise if ourseason had gone Aheads or Orlando, I
probably you know, would have justspade over. So yeah, when I
went unlown to Everton, that kindof got me through COVID. So my
intention was obvious to come back.And when I did know that Ellie weren't
creating a team, and obviously becausemy brother lives here that I thought that
(22:32):
would be perfect. Like I wantto win something in the US, I
want to win a championship here,so yeah, that's my goal in my
career. So I thought, ifI can do that, play in Just
City, which is obviously a greatclub with so many good models, which
was important to me. Obviously alot of female owners and kind of what
the club stands for meant a lot, to be honest that everything. I
(22:56):
know a lot of other English clubs, they just they don't treat the men's
team of respects that they deserve andthey're always second class citizens. So to
come here and feel, you know, like we are number one. We
are the priority. Everything's for us. It was Yeah, that felt so
so good. Definitely building something specialhere. I was going to ask you
about that because you've played on someof the biggest clubs in the world in
(23:18):
my Man City and Albourne City everything, like you said, now Angel City,
and I'm sure all those teams havea special place in your heart.
I wouldn't want you to compare AngelCity to them, but what makes Angel
City special to you? Yeah,I think just the whole organization and what
it stands for. You know,it's all inclusive at the cultures that it
well coomes. I love that becauseit's it's bigger than football. It's not
(23:40):
just about turning up and playing andthen going home. It's like you represent
something much bigger and the amount workthat's gone into the community and the money
and the investment, it's like we'reactually helping so many other people here.
It's not just about the team,and so yeah, that's that's great to
be part of that. We'll hearmore from clar Emsley after this short break.
(24:22):
Freya recently said I was talking toFreya about you recently and she said
that she expects you to be abig, a big part of the team
this season of making a big impacton the team and all the things that
you can do. She's excited towatch you. Um, how do you
hope that that happens? How doyou hope to make an impact on the
team. I think now obviously comingin Midsbay for you the last season and
just jumping straight and I'm like,the time to your lee and get to
(24:45):
know the girls and know they're playing, says So I think heaven this she
season, I've learned so much moreabout the Getos I've had that time.
So I'm hoping on the pitch,you know, our combinations are better,
our timing's better, we create moreseason I think, you know, just
playing that game on Mind's Day andI felt that already. I felt like
(25:06):
I had a better connection with theGettos and you know best we had a
lot going forward. So it's soexciting. Like potestion of Alyssa is obviously
amazing. We've still got Sydney andKristen to come back. So yeah,
the front line is exciting and I'mlooking forward to it. Yeah, definitely,
even in the press box where werelike saying there's something different about this
team. You know it does ithelp that you're going to be here like
(25:26):
the whole season for the most party, not coming in like halfway. Does
that to help you to kind ofbuild up? Yeah, And I think
it gives you a bit of momentumgoing forward. And obviously I'll have the
physical of preseason to you know,get me precked hens. It came off
the back and not much training andjust jumped straight in mid season, which
(25:48):
occult with But yeah, it definitelyfeels a bit more macn strol. Now,
Yeah, what are some of theaspects of your game like that you're
most proud of, Like something thatyou've worked on over the years. I
mean I noticed that you're very patient, Like you're not one to just like
go like you are always like lookingaround, you know, trying to make
plays, and you stay on theball, you know, at the right
time where you're not just not blastingfrom even though you can, you know,
(26:10):
blast from long range. But butwhat are some of those things that
you that you're most proud of?It you've worked really hard on, I
think from a young age and Ialways practice my left foot to the point
now where I'll take corners and preticksand even penalties with my left foot,
and I think that helps so much. It means that I can do clear
(26:30):
on the left or the right andput in and shoot or go wide and
cross equally on both sides, whichhas helped me a lot. And that's
too lot work. And when Iwas younger, and I think, to
be honest, my time at Mansithe was I learned the most about the
game there. And because they playthe whole academy and the women's team and
the men's team there, it's allkind of the way Pick plays the game
(26:52):
in terms of triangles and you knowMan's that you're so patient. They keep
the ball until it's the right timeto go. So I think kames where
that comes from. And I've gota deew balance obviously in the end up
the assailant. It's a lot ofjust attack, attack, attack. It's
quite a transitional game. I thinkthat has changed a lot of teams should
now try and play out from theback and keep possession, and that's certainly
(27:15):
what we want to do. SoI think having the balance between going direct
and choosing attempts to be patient isYeah, it's key. Yeah. I
always tell young kids to watch youbecause I just love the way that you
play, in the style that youhave. And somebody said the other day
you're like a triple threat. You'refast, you're strong, and you're loud.
(27:36):
So yeah, in that leadership onthe on the pitching and even at
the other night at the Wednesday gameagainst the Club America, you it seemed
like you were really like around AlyssaThompson a lot. You know, I
noticed that you were talking to hermaybe I don't want to say coaching,
but maybe guiding her. How haveyou developed your leadership style over the years.
How important is it for like veteranslike you to take someone, especially
(27:57):
like a young player like Alyssa.Yeah, I think it's huge. I
think you just it's just like awrite a passage. I suppose, kinds
of unwritten real like I remember thegirls that used to put their arm around
me and coach me and give mea little pointers and knowing that they had
to experience and they were, youknow, telling me valuable bits of information.
(28:19):
I really hung onto that. Andthen when you do what they tell
you and it worked, she think, wow, Like they just helped me
out so much there and it worked. So I think Obviously she's such a
young girl and she's got so muchtalent, and this is obviously her first
season playing professionals, so I thinkit can be a bit like done and
maybe for her. So yeah,if I can do anything to help her
(28:41):
and you know, just keep herfocused on the game and not get caught
up in everything that's going on around, I think that can help her.
Yeah. Do you remember like aspecific player when you were younger who kind
of helped you. Yeah. Yeah, there's a girl called Frankie Brown.
She's just Scottish. She played withme at Hibs and then I played with
(29:02):
her at Bristol City. She's actuallyadoptor now she she's working at Edinburgh University
as a lecturer. So yeah,she was the one for me that stands
out. Or Shannonlin, she isjust retired. She plays in Sweden.
She's now a goalkeeper coach. Butthose two always even now, if something's
going on in football or don't knowhow to deal with a situation, I
(29:23):
can always reach out to them andI kind of take their words for gospel
truths. So yeah, I thinkthat's nice to have that support. That's
awesome to hear. And then you'rejust you're doing the same thing. You're
like playing it forward. If Icould be what Shannon and Frank he are
to meet to anyone else, Iwould be really proud to that, so
I'll try. That's awesome. Soyou've accomplished so much in your career.
(29:44):
You played at the World Cup,you scored a goal at the World Cup,
played your way for Champions League.I know you won FA Cup.
What are some of the other thingsthat you'd like to achieve, like in
and out of football. Yeah,for me, obviously, I want to
win the nwsail. I want towin a championship and aviously we've got the
Challenge Cup now for me, that'smy that's my main target within club football
and that's what I was trying toachieve and within national team. I really
(30:11):
I want to qualify for three yearsI played the World Cup. We've not
qualified for the last years or WorldCup, which it hurts a lot.
So I think that's just made mea bit more determined. Like no,
like this is probably the last campaignI've got, so yeah, definitely qualified
for uros and a championship. That'sthat's my goal, that's my focus.
You're still young, so I thinkyeah, well, Claire, we can't
(30:36):
wait to see you in LA thisseason with the Angel City You have a
lot of fans I think throughout theworld, and I know that they're loving
to hear from you, So wereally appreciate you taking the time today to
talk with us. It's really fun. Honestly, I appreciate the support from
the fans so much here. Itreally does help, and yeah, I
feel the love, so thanks somuch, thank you. So great to
hear from Claire Emsley. Isn't sheawesome? When someone's on my wish list
(31:00):
for a long time and then weget her on it's like, ah,
I mean, she's everything I hopedshe would be and more. She exceeded
all expectations. And I love whenthat happens. When you hear players stories
straight from their own mouths, straightfrom their own perspectives, it's so awesome.
You can't replicate that, and itgives us a different view of them,
(31:22):
right. It makes us better fans, It makes us smarter fans,
I think, and so just soappreciative of Claire and to Angel CITYFC for
giving us the opportunity. The thingI love about Claire is she's a true
footballer. Right, even as ayoungster. You heard her, she worked
really hard, She worked on herleft foot. You know, she did
all the things that she needed todo to make herself a better footballer without
(31:45):
even knowing or having these long termplans like how far the game would take
her, Like she didn't even havea she didn't know about Women's World Cup.
That wasn't on her radar right asa kid playing but she wanted to
get better. She wanted to bethe best that she could be, and
I mean those and now, youknow, playing on these big stages,
like she'd never dreamed of that,and then it happened. I mean,
(32:07):
all that hard work paid off,exceeding her own expectations of herself, I
guess, and of her career.The other thing that Claire said that I
really liked is that she soaked inall the advice she was given by veterans
around her when she was young.She listened, she took it in.
Sounds like she still does, stillnot done learning, and now she's doing
(32:30):
the same thing for those young playersaround her, taking them under her wing,
helping them on their journey, helpingthem to be better footballers. I
mean, what a great role model. And I think that's also a great
lesson for kids out there. Ifyou're listening to you're young, you know,
take the advice of the older playersor even in of course your coaches.
People always say that, listen toyour coach, but listen to the
(32:51):
older players too. Try to soakin what they give you. And if
you find an older player who's reallygenerous and really takes you on their wings,
like, just take hold of thatwith all you've got and learn as
much as you can, because thoseare the those are the real people you
can learn from and take a pageout of Clare Emsley's books. She's really
had two great role models that havehelped her on her journey and continue too,
(33:14):
So that's great. It was alsointeresting too to hear about her talk
about Man City and how everyone there, for the men's team, women's team,
youth teams, they all played thesame they all have that same mentality,
and I love hearing that. YouKnow, we wonder why some clubs
like City, like Chelsea they continueto pump out great players, and I
(33:35):
think it's just that that system,that mindset that they're all ascribed to,
you know, they're all bought intoand it really works. It's a great
system there. So that was alittle nugget, little easter egg I didn't
expect from that interview, but somethingI would take away from it for sure.
Hey, I'm big thanks to ClaireEmsley for taking the time out of
her day. She was actually trainingthat day and she was on a break
(33:57):
and it was raining all day andthey her on the side of a building
that looked like to me it wasa zoom call and at you know,
at the training facility there at AngelCity, and they just miked her up
and she talked to us, andyou know, she couldn't be more gracious
and generous with her time. SoI really appreciate it. Thank you so
much, Claire, And of coursethanks to Lisa Milner Goldberg at Angel City
(34:19):
FC for helping to set up thatinterview. Angel City always so accommodating to
us, and we really appreciate themand they're hard work, So appreciate you
guys. Okay, I'm gonna goto my list here. I'm gonna scratch
off Claire emsley wish list accomplished.Hopefully we can get her back on another
time in the future and see whatother journeys she's on would that be great?
I love that? Okay, well, yeah, don't have to have
(34:42):
a wish list Part two, wishlist two point out Hey, And like
I always say, you know,if there's a player, coach, or
somebody in the game that you wantto hear from, um, send me
an email and we'll try to getthat person on Patty at wwfshow dot com.
You know, it's always it's alwaysa priority for me to read all
my emails. And if you havea player that you would like to have
(35:04):
on, just drop me a line. It's happened. Believe me, people
drop me a line a player maybeI haven't even heard of, you know,
somebody playing in another country who theywant to hear from, and we've
been able to make it happen.And then I learned so much, And
then we all learned so much becausewe're hearing from players that we don't even
know, you know, they're playing, and you know, countries that were
not we don't have access to maybesome of the games and the news coming
(35:29):
out, but you know, women'sleagues are all happening all over the world.
And yeah, somebody actually just justasked for a player in Ecuador and
I was like, does Ecuador play? Do they have a league? And
yeah, they have a league?Who knew? Ten years I'm still learning.
Ecuador definitely has a league and there'sa player there that somebody was telling
(35:49):
me recently they'd like to hear from. So we're working on it. And
then you don't. There's always thelanguage barrier. So that's my first question
is do they speak English? Yeah? So yeah, ten years, I'm
still learning stuff. Life is surprising, isn't it. I mean, going
back to the opening, life issurprising, I thought. I actually thought
about that a lot lately as Women'sWorld Football Show. It's celebrating our ten
(36:12):
year anniversary and wondering, you know, number one word of the years go.
But you know, during those tenyears, we've made some interesting decisions
when it came to the show,and where we are now is definitely a
reflection of where we were. Westarted out with that mindset to help grow
the women's game, you know,make this show about the players in this
game that we all dedicate so muchtime and commitment to, whether we're working
(36:37):
in it or we're just fans.I've also thought a lot about life's crazy
journey lately, as I just celebratedtwenty three years with my wife. We
met in a very unlikely way,a chance meeting, if you will,
at a place we both never visitedbefore and haven't since. That choice to
go into that place, that niceback in June of two thousand has changed
(36:59):
my life. And how many situationsare you in today because of the choices
that you made, Whether yesterday arelike twenty years ago, like chance meetings,
or maybe something you randomly read goodor bad. It doesn't matter.
What matters I think is acknowledging thosethings? You know. It's all about
acknowledgement and gratefulness, I guess.And just like Claire said, because of
(37:22):
the choices or opportunities that came herway, she found herself in unique situations
that she never dreamed of and experiencesthat she never even could fathom. And
when twenty twenty three Women's World Cupdidn't come her way, she retargeted her
focus into other goals. Winning theNWSL Championship, qualifying and playing in the
(37:45):
Euros with her country team. Thoseare new goals for her. Giving back
to the game by becoming a mentorthe way her mentors Frankie Brown and Shannon
Lynn mentored her and the sounds likethere's still helping her along the way.
What a great role model Claire Emsleyis and bring so much to the game.
Such an honor to have her hereshare her life's journey with us.
(38:07):
It's amazing. It reminds me thatno matter what path we're on, it's
the right one for us, andwhen it isn't right, we have the
power to change direction and drive towardsother goals. Life is interesting that way.
I really hope you enjoyed episode toeighteen of Women's Role Football Show.
I would love to hear your thoughtson my exclusive interview with Claire Emsley along
with our SoundBite from coach Freya kumbFeel free to email me at Patty atwtwfshow
(38:31):
dot com. I read all theemails into my best to reply in a
timely manner. If you did enjoythis episode, subscribe now on Apple Podcasts,
Spotify, iHeartRadio app, Google Play, who Didn't Cast, Box,
Spreeker, Stitcher, wwfhow dot com, or wherever you're listening to this right
now. And if you really reallyenjoy listening to Women's World Football Show,
what are the best ways you couldshow your appreciation is to give us a
(38:52):
five star rating and leave a reviewwherever you listen. I always love to
know your thoughts, and reviews arethe best ways for others to find a
show. Also, another way tohelp grow the show and grow this beautiful
game that we love is to tellyour friends and family about Women's World Football
Show. If you're listening on amobile device, swipe over the cover art
and you'll find the episode notes,including some details you may have missed.
(39:12):
For relative links from this episode,visit our show notes on WWF show dot
com. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at WWF show,
and follow me on Twitter at PattiLaBelle. At twelve. Women's World
Football Show is host and written,edited and produced by Patti Labella. That's
Me. Additional assistance for this episodeby Claire Emsley and Lisa Milner Buhlberg.
(39:34):
And thank you, especially you forjoining me on this exciting journey through women's
football. Stay strong, stay mindful, keep loving your heart. See you
all next time.
Life is full of surprises, isn'tit. You're faced with decisions, you
make a choice, and then thatchoice leads to maybe life altering events or
life lessons or other choices. Youmight be in the right place at the
right time, meeting someone who changesyour life, or an event that leads
to a new job, or leadyou to a new journey that you never
(00:28):
thought in a million years you'd experienceour featured guest today as someone who will
tell you that her love for agame called football led to some of the
most outrageous experiences in her life andthose things opened up new paths and new
goals. Angel CITYFC striker and Scotlandwomen's national team star Claire Emsley is here
(00:49):
to share her football journey with us. From a small town in Scotland to
the USA, to England to Australiato the World Cup back to the USA.
It's been a wild ride and whenshe wasn't expecting when she began playing
football all those years ago as alittle girl. It's a great journey and
Claire Emsley is going to take usalong with her in this Women's World Football
(01:11):
Show exclusive you don't want to miss. Plus we'll hear from Claire's head coach
at Angels CITYFC, Freyakum, sharingher thoughts on the importance of her mighty
veteran as they take on the secondseason of this young team. Life is
certainly full of surprises, so let'stake the journey. This is Women's World
Football Show. Hey everyone, welcometo Episode two eighteen of Women's World Football
(01:46):
Show. I'm your host, PattiLabella. How are you. I hope
that you're doing well. Can youbelieve we're just a little over a month
away from twenty twenty three FIFA Women'sWorld Cup as we're recording us right now.
Of course, wow. I havethat opening match on my calendar New
Zealand versus Norway on July twentieth atEden Park in Auckland, and then a
(02:07):
few hours later, of course,Australia versus the debutante, one of the
debutants, Republic of Ireland, thatwe're playing in Sydney July twentieth. Will
you be there? Unfortunately I won't, but I will be sitting in on
virtual press conferences and I'll be gettingsoundbites, interviews and all that good stuff
as much as I can to bringto you throughout the tournament. We have
(02:30):
a few more shows to go beforeall of that, so we'll talk more
about Women's World Cup as we creepa little more closely. It feels like
we've been talking about Women's World Cupfor a long time almost every show it
comes up. Funny how that is, and our guest today, Claire Emsley,
has a few great World Cup storiesto tell as well. Of course,
(02:53):
unfortunately Claire and her Scottish teammates willnot be there this year. Coincidentally
enough, they were knocked out ofthe qualifiers by those Republic of Ireland debutantes.
But as I said in the opening, life is strange, right,
so full of surprises, and theone thing great about players like Claire,
as you'll hear, when things don'tgo as plan, you just switch gears,
(03:16):
you switch goals, and Claire definitelyhas big plans and goals set for
her future, which of course we'lltalk more about. I know I've said
this on every show, but ClaireEmsley is one of those players that has
been on my wish list, andas Women's World Football Show is celebrating their
ten year anniversary, it is mygoal to have on players that we've had
(03:39):
on our wish list for many yearsand just to not been able to get
them. So I'm really focused anddetermined to go through my wish list.
Guest, I guess my list oflists, and so far, so good.
I have a few more on mylist that I'm really working hard to
try to get on. So veryvery cool to have Claire Emsley on.
(04:00):
I tried to get her on whenshe was with Orlando, it just did
not happen. Couldn't make that moveso great. I'm just so appreciative that
Angel City came through for us andgot her on and so excited to share
that interview with you. And beforewe do, however, I want to
send out a great big congrats toChelsea women who sealed an historic fourth consecutive
(04:24):
fourth consecutive Barkley Women's Super League title. Congratulations to them. And on the
final day of the season to bootdefending ready And three nil and a result
that also saw the Royals relegated fromthe division. Unfortunately, Sam Kerr the
hero of the match or the villainif you're not a Chelsea fan. Sam
(04:47):
Kerr with a brace in that match. An exciting season in the FAWSL.
Manchester United could have finished on tophad they won their last game and Chelsea
lost. And they did their partthey beat Liverpool one nail, but of
course the Chelsea win left United tosettle for the runners up spot. Arsenal
finished the season in third place,despite suffering a two nil loss to Aston
(05:12):
Villa beating Manchester City did the thirdand final European spot on gold differential,
despite City beating Everton three two onthat last day. So very close races,
exciting to the end, so exciting. And speaking of exciting, we're
able to catch the UFA Women's ChampionsLeague Final on June third. Wow.
Barcelona versus Wolfsburg. Barsa down twonil at halftime looked pretty bleak, but
(05:40):
the one thing that makes the beautifulgame so beautiful, and I think that
you'll probably agree, is just nevergive up, never turn away, don't
turn that game off because you neverknow what's going to happen. Two goals
in three minutes from midfielder Patrigue Giharopulled Barca level and then Fridolina Rolfo capitalized
(06:00):
on a defensive mix up by Wolfsburgto make it three to two. Goals
for Wolfsburg came by way of awicked strike in the third minute by tournament
goal leader Avat Payor, and thatwas the opening goal. Then right before
halftime, bre fed an excellent ballto Alexandra Pop for the goal. So
they were on top going in tohalftime, like I said, and then
(06:24):
Barcelona with the big comeback. Sucha great tournament, but that final,
I mean, just too much.Get your heart sinking, right. Actually,
if you did miss that tournament,I'll look for the highlight reels and
put it on our show notes.I'm looking right now, Yeah, there
it is. I'll just copy thisand put it on our show notes and
then you can look at all thehighlights. Because just just a great,
(06:46):
great tournament. You know what nwseelsfun. Domestical league is fun here in
the United States, and it's exciting. There's some exciting games and some exciting
matchups as we're seeing. But there'ssomething about European football. There's just some
then about it. It's just Idon't know, even when it I means,
it's like pizza, right, evenwhen it's bad, it's good.
(07:08):
So it's so great to catch upwith that and to catch up with those
with the league. And I hadjust a great, exciting FAWSL season.
So many great so many great matchesall over the world, really really really
fun right now to be a women'ssoccer fan, and I wanted to catch
you up on those events, bigtime events in women's football. All right,
so let's switch gears, because Iknow you are all excited as I
(07:30):
am to hear from our featured guesttoday, Angel CITYFC and Scotland star striker
Claire Emsley. But first, youknow, I always like to hear from
coaches and get their their perspectives onplayers who we talk to, and so
I recently had the opportunity to askAngel CITYFC head coach Freakum what her thoughts
(07:51):
were on her star striker Claire Emsleyon a team with so many stars.
You know, I think Clare getskind of overlooked a lot of times,
and in fact him on a recentpress conference with Casey Stoney when the Wave
we're playing against Angel City, CaseySony mentioned Clara and said how she's kind
of like the underrated or the underunder the radar type player that you don't
(08:16):
always notice, but she's making allthese great plays and she's really a threat,
you know, against these other teamsbecause she's so you know, you're
so I ultra focused on all theseother other players on the Angel City's team,
you know, like Elissa Thompson andand now I got sid LaRue back
and the French star Amandy Henri andthen um, you know, Kristin Press
(08:39):
is back in the training ground.So there's a lot of big stars on
this team. Oh, Julie Art'sa lot of big stars on this team.
So Claire Emsley comes in very lowkey, very end of the radar,
but man as we're going to seeum and and talk more about her
career, she is really a threatto be reckoned with for sure. And
so anyway, so I had achance to talk to fry Komb about her,
So let's hear coaches starts expectations thatshe has on Clara, This is
(09:03):
freakol. Yeah. Claire, youknow, obviously came into US midway through
last season and through various different limitations, unfortunately didn't play as much as we
had liked her to last year,you know, with going away on national
team duty and then unfortunately she youknow, she had a death in her
(09:24):
family as well, which made hermiss a game. So I'm just really
excited to get her out on thefield for the whole season this year,
because I think that there are afew games that she did play she made
a real significant impact last year.I think she's a solid performer for a
national team as well. And youknow, she's just a true footballer.
She loves the game. She can'tget enough. She understands tactically the different
(09:48):
roles and responsibilities that she has.She is great with both feet, great
on the dribble. I think she'simpactful, she's a great finisher, and
yeah, I'm just really excited tosee what she can do with a full
season ahead of her. I thinkalso the fact that she's not coming off
the English season, so she's arrested. You know, we had we had
(10:11):
her at the end of our seasonlast year as well, So all in
all, it's just she's so excitingto watch and looking at her leading us
in the front line is fantastic.Great to hear from coaches always, and
Fry I'm sure has not been disappointedin Claire's performance this season. By the
way, did you see that Olympicoby Claire recently against ol Rain Holy Guacamoli,
(10:33):
That insane scored directly from the cornerkick. Not sure if that was
planned, not sure if Olympicos areever planned, but I mean that was
just one for the highlight reels.And once again, I'll find that link
if you missed it, and I'llput on our show nuts you can see
it. Because this is pretty.You know, when when somebody goes in
(10:54):
for the corner kick, you justyou know what to expect, right,
You're gonna they're gonna kick it intothe center and people are gonna jockey for
her or whatever. But when itgoes into the goal, you're just not
expecting it. It's just one ofthose things that's so exciting to see.
A few things before we hear fromClaire Emsley in case you don't already know,
Claire is a twenty nine year oldstriker born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(11:18):
She'll tell us more about her hometownand what it was like growing up in
her childhood days. Claire began hercareer in twenty eleven with the Scottish Women's
Premier League team Hibernian, winning theScottish League Cup in her debut year.
In twenty twelve, Claire came tothe States to play NCAAD one soccer for
Florida Atlantic University, and she goesthrough all her club journeys in this interview,
(11:41):
but I just want to give youkind of some deeper details of it
or because her career is pretty prettyremarkable, and like I said, the
journey that she's been on is wasprobably unexpected to her. But I mean
it's folded the way that it's supposedto fold, right, That's how fate
works, I guess. From twentysixteen to seventeen, she played for Bristol
in the FAWSL two as the leaguewas known. Then she played for Manchester
(12:05):
City in twenty seventeen to twenty nineteen, where she won a domestic cup double
during the twenty eighteen nineteen season,lifting both the League Cup and FA Cup,
so some major silverware under her belt. In twenty nineteen, Claire came
back to Florida to play for theOrlando Pride of the nw CELL, officially
joining the team upon conclusion of Scotland'srun at the twenty nineteen FIFA Women's World
(12:28):
Cup, which of course we'll talkto Claire Moore about. She then went
on to play for Melbourne City inthe Australia w League. So really a
world traveler. Claire Emsley taken thisride for all that it's worth, this
football journey, and I'm continuing towin as Melbourne City won that w League
championship that year, so another trophyon her mantle. Then, after the
(12:50):
pandemic restrictions were lifted in August oftwenty twenty, Orlando loaned Claire to faw
cl club ever Ten ahead of thetwenty twenty one season. The move was
made permanent in December of twenty twentyand Claire signed an eighteen month contract with
Everton at the time. Then anew NWSEL team by the name of Angel
(13:13):
City FC acquired the rights to signClaire Emsley in the twenty twenty two NWSLE
Expansion Draft and then they officially signedher on July seventh, twenty twenty two,
and then a few days later,on July ninth, she scored the
winning goal in her first appearance forAngel City versus their crosstown rivals San Diego
Wave. Not one to shy awayfrom the dramatics, Claire Emsley of like
(13:37):
I said, such such an interestingride she's been on Allen did. That's
just on the club level. Asfor her international career, Claire played for
Scotland on the youth level with theU seventeens. In U nineteens, she
scored goals in consecutive UEFA Women's Unineteen Championship tournaments in twenty twelve and twenty
thirteen. Claire made her senior leaguedebut in twenty thirteen, with a brief
(13:58):
hiatus as she finished out her collegedays in Florida. And then of course,
Claire was a big part of Scotland'sdebut at the twenty nineteen Women's World
Cup and incidentally scored Scotland's first everWorld Cup goal in the group stage match
against England. I guess said,not one to shy away from the dramatics.
Definitely one of her highlight moments ofher career and Claire of course tells
(14:22):
us more about that very very significantgoal. As of this recording, Claire
has fifty two caps for Scotland women'snational team with twelve goals. So,
you know, such an illustrious careeron both club and countryside, and one
of the main reasons why she's beenon my wish list to have on the
show, like for such a longtime, She's been doing all these great
(14:43):
things and she's like, her name'salways there right in the opening paragraph of
any story of any team or tournamentor you know, international club team that
she's debuted for or that she's beenon. So Susch's a great player and
one of the mainly reasons why it'staken so long to have her on the
show and why she's been on mywish list for so long. It's like
she's just like you heard, she'sjust been ping ponging all over the world.
(15:05):
So it's really difficult sometimes to getthese players who are like traveling all
over the world to kind of nailthem down and get them on. But
we finally did it, you know, we finally did it, and thanks
to the good people Angel City FC, we got it done. And I
know that you're excited to hear fromher, So please welcome Angel City FC
and Scotland striker Claire Emsley. Hi, Claire, thank you so much for
(15:28):
taking the time to visit with us. You've been on one of those players
that have been like on our wishlist for a while, so to have
you here is really exciting. Thankyou so much. Appreciate it well,
and I want to ask you aboutplaying in La and this the Scotland women's
national team of course. But first, tell us a little bit about yourself.
For those of our listeners who don'tknow you know, where did you
(15:50):
grow up, How did you discoversoccer, what attracted you to the game.
I'm from Scotland's a little town calledpanty Kicks, So I've got an
older brother and a younger sister andmy brother just he was always playing football,
so from a young age I alwaysjust copied him and wanted to play
with him. So and that's kindof how I fell in love with it.
(16:11):
So I grew up playing for Hibsin Edinburgh through my whole youth career.
When I was eighteen, I actuallygot a scholarship to FAU Florida Atlantic,
so that was my first experience likein America, and yeah, the
facilities and everything was just massive comparedto Scotland, so that's kind of when
(16:32):
I fell in love with the state. Then I played pro after college and
England. I played at Bristol City, Man City and Everton. I took
a spell at Orlando just before COVID, and I played in Melbourne as well.
So yeah, I've been a bitall over and now I'm in La,
so happy to be here. Yeah, we're happy to have you too.
(16:55):
What was the girls football like inScotland when you were growing up.
Was it as popular or was itsomething that you had to play with the
boys. Yeah, my first teamswere with the boys. I was the
only girl in skill that played andI wasn't able to play in the boys
skill teams. So yeah, Iremember thinking that wasn't fair and when I
was younger, but yeah, growingup there was only like a couple of
(17:17):
teams in my area, but therewas none in my area. I had
to travel like forty minutes to getto practices, so there wasn't much teams
to choose from. So I thinkcoming to the States and then seeing like
you know, all the soccer campsthere was for little kids, like little
girls and there was just hundreds ofthem, that really was shocking to me.
(17:37):
Hoping that changes, you know,and we see that more like throughout
the world. I think the leaguesthat are just blowing up overseas and stuff
are really really changing that for younggirls, which is very cool. And
you were a big part of theScotland team's debut in the twenty nineteen Women's
World Cup. I got a chanceto see you in person there a few
times and attend some of your training. So what was that experience like for
you personally and just for the teamas a whole. It was honestly like
(18:02):
the best thing in my career,like so far. Like it was just
to do it with those girls thathas grown up with and yeah, it
just to go for the first timefor their nation's experience so what old cup.
Like had never even experienced supporting themen's team at one because traditionally these
don't qualify for much. So yeah, that was amazing to feel the support
of Scotland going to that, andI think after that we did change people's
(18:26):
minds in Scotland's about women's football andtheir daughters playing and stuff, so that
that was huge. That was amazing. Yeah, I remember there were a
Cup. There was an open trainingI went to like outside of Paris and
it was raining. Then he hadall these little kids in the stands and
then the team took time to signautographs. So that was really great because
the fans were always there with youwin or lose. Yeah, And it
(18:48):
was nine seeing in all the alleveryone in their kilts and their Scotland's stuff
and any Tanis and then Nieces theyjust took over. So that was cool.
Yeah, very cool. And sonow, also, you scored the
first ever Women's World Cup goal,right, tell us about that because that
still kind of sparked some great memoriesfor you. Like I get goose bumps
(19:10):
just thinking about that. Supposed wewere losing two nil and to score to
make it too one. It didn'tfeel that great at the time because it
was like we were chasing the game, but it's definitely one of them.
Afterwards, when I went over tosee my family, like they were all
in tears and they were just soproud of me, and yeah, I
think that's when I felt it,like, oh my god. And I
(19:32):
think even now, people doing quizziesat work and one of the questions is
who scored the first goal, Andso all my friends and random people message
me saying, hey, I gotthis question right because it was you.
So it's little things like that.I think, Oh that that was cool.
Yeah, during the history books,like, yeah, that's very cool.
Was that something that you thought thatwould ever happen as it came now,
(19:53):
not at all, And like Inever thought we'd even qualify for attirement.
To be honest, like went up. I never thought it was possible.
I thought, all, we justdon't qualify for things, and and
yeah, to score especially against singlethese as well, like it was,
Yeah, it was cool. Ihave to say that, I know it's
in the disappointment for you, butthat the Argentina Scotland match. I know
(20:15):
I was there, and I wasbetween like a bunch of supporters for Argentina
and a bunch of supporters for Scotlandbecause I was in the stands. Probably
to this day, I think itis one of the most exciting matches I've
ever seen live. Yeah, Iknow, dramatic game, but I felt
everything in that game, like everythingfrom the highest highest to the lowest the
(20:36):
lows and it was just but Imean, we messed up big time,
like we were three and a loutbut twenty minutes to gol like we've only
our snelves to blame, and therewas a few dodgy decisions made, and
yeah, but we shouldn't a lot. We shouldn't have lost that. There
were so many bad refereeing things thataffected it so well. I think you
(20:59):
guys had so much hard and somuch hard work through that whole. Um.
I mean, I'm sure it wasjust emotional on it every match that
you played anyway, So I can'teven imagine, but I think that for
the fans getting to know the team, and especially with a lot of a
lot of you playing and like allover the world basically and in the States,
like you've really built up your fanbase. So do you have like
a message for the fans back home, like as far as the team goes
(21:22):
and the national team, what wouldyou say to those little girls out there?
You know every young player, isthat just work so hard and if
you want to matake you can andlike you can really achieve your dreams if
you just do the extra white thatno one else does. Because yeah,
what I experienced Matuldie and never foughtin a million years, it would be
possible. So yeah, I alwaysbelieve. Yeah. So, um switching
(21:45):
gears to Angel City now I knowthe rain here, it's almost like you're
you're playing back. I know,we're like, what is this stuff coming
from this guy? Um? Soyou came to Angel City mid season from
England last year. What were yourthoughts about coming back to the end of
yourself and playing like in this newteam in LA. Yeah, like I
knew, I want you to comeback because I've kind of obviously played quite
(22:07):
a lot of time in England andI only really went back to because in
COVID. Like how otherwise if ourseason had gone Aheads or Orlando, I
probably you know, would have justspade over. So yeah, when I
went unlown to Everton, that kindof got me through COVID. So my
intention was obvious to come back.And when I did know that Ellie weren't
creating a team, and obviously becausemy brother lives here that I thought that
(22:32):
would be perfect. Like I wantto win something in the US, I
want to win a championship here,so yeah, that's my goal in my
career. So I thought, ifI can do that, play in Just
City, which is obviously a greatclub with so many good models, which
was important to me. Obviously alot of female owners and kind of what
the club stands for meant a lot, to be honest that everything. I
(22:56):
know a lot of other English clubs, they just they don't treat the men's
team of respects that they deserve andthey're always second class citizens. So to
come here and feel, you know, like we are number one. We
are the priority. Everything's for us. It was Yeah, that felt so
so good. Definitely building something specialhere. I was going to ask you
about that because you've played on someof the biggest clubs in the world in
(23:18):
my Man City and Albourne City everything, like you said, now Angel City,
and I'm sure all those teams havea special place in your heart.
I wouldn't want you to compare AngelCity to them, but what makes Angel
City special to you? Yeah,I think just the whole organization and what
it stands for. You know,it's all inclusive at the cultures that it
well coomes. I love that becauseit's it's bigger than football. It's not
(23:40):
just about turning up and playing andthen going home. It's like you represent
something much bigger and the amount workthat's gone into the community and the money
and the investment, it's like we'reactually helping so many other people here.
It's not just about the team,and so yeah, that's that's great to
be part of that. We'll hearmore from clar Emsley after this short break.
(24:22):
Freya recently said I was talking toFreya about you recently and she said
that she expects you to be abig, a big part of the team
this season of making a big impacton the team and all the things that
you can do. She's excited towatch you. Um, how do you
hope that that happens? How doyou hope to make an impact on the
team. I think now obviously comingin Midsbay for you the last season and
just jumping straight and I'm like,the time to your lee and get to
(24:45):
know the girls and know they're playing, says So I think heaven this she
season, I've learned so much moreabout the Getos I've had that time.
So I'm hoping on the pitch,you know, our combinations are better,
our timing's better, we create moreseason I think, you know, just
playing that game on Mind's Day andI felt that already. I felt like
(25:06):
I had a better connection with theGettos and you know best we had a
lot going forward. So it's soexciting. Like potestion of Alyssa is obviously
amazing. We've still got Sydney andKristen to come back. So yeah,
the front line is exciting and I'mlooking forward to it. Yeah, definitely,
even in the press box where werelike saying there's something different about this
team. You know it does ithelp that you're going to be here like
(25:26):
the whole season for the most party, not coming in like halfway. Does
that to help you to kind ofbuild up? Yeah, And I think
it gives you a bit of momentumgoing forward. And obviously I'll have the
physical of preseason to you know,get me precked hens. It came off
the back and not much training andjust jumped straight in mid season, which
(25:48):
occult with But yeah, it definitelyfeels a bit more macn strol. Now,
Yeah, what are some of theaspects of your game like that you're
most proud of, Like something thatyou've worked on over the years. I
mean I noticed that you're very patient, Like you're not one to just like
go like you are always like lookingaround, you know, trying to make
plays, and you stay on theball, you know, at the right
time where you're not just not blastingfrom even though you can, you know,
(26:10):
blast from long range. But butwhat are some of those things that
you that you're most proud of?It you've worked really hard on, I
think from a young age and Ialways practice my left foot to the point
now where I'll take corners and preticksand even penalties with my left foot,
and I think that helps so much. It means that I can do clear
(26:30):
on the left or the right andput in and shoot or go wide and
cross equally on both sides, whichhas helped me a lot. And that's
too lot work. And when Iwas younger, and I think, to
be honest, my time at Mansithe was I learned the most about the
game there. And because they playthe whole academy and the women's team and
the men's team there, it's allkind of the way Pick plays the game
(26:52):
in terms of triangles and you knowMan's that you're so patient. They keep
the ball until it's the right timeto go. So I think kames where
that comes from. And I've gota deew balance obviously in the end up
the assailant. It's a lot ofjust attack, attack, attack. It's
quite a transitional game. I thinkthat has changed a lot of teams should
now try and play out from theback and keep possession, and that's certainly
(27:15):
what we want to do. SoI think having the balance between going direct
and choosing attempts to be patient isYeah, it's key. Yeah. I
always tell young kids to watch youbecause I just love the way that you
play, in the style that youhave. And somebody said the other day
you're like a triple threat. You'refast, you're strong, and you're loud.
(27:36):
So yeah, in that leadership onthe on the pitching and even at
the other night at the Wednesday gameagainst the Club America, you it seemed
like you were really like around AlyssaThompson a lot. You know, I
noticed that you were talking to hermaybe I don't want to say coaching,
but maybe guiding her. How haveyou developed your leadership style over the years.
How important is it for like veteranslike you to take someone, especially
(27:57):
like a young player like Alyssa.Yeah, I think it's huge. I
think you just it's just like awrite a passage. I suppose, kinds
of unwritten real like I remember thegirls that used to put their arm around
me and coach me and give mea little pointers and knowing that they had
to experience and they were, youknow, telling me valuable bits of information.
(28:19):
I really hung onto that. Andthen when you do what they tell
you and it worked, she think, wow, Like they just helped me
out so much there and it worked. So I think Obviously she's such a
young girl and she's got so muchtalent, and this is obviously her first
season playing professionals, so I thinkit can be a bit like done and
maybe for her. So yeah,if I can do anything to help her
(28:41):
and you know, just keep herfocused on the game and not get caught
up in everything that's going on around, I think that can help her.
Yeah. Do you remember like aspecific player when you were younger who kind
of helped you. Yeah. Yeah, there's a girl called Frankie Brown.
She's just Scottish. She played withme at Hibs and then I played with
(29:02):
her at Bristol City. She's actuallyadoptor now she she's working at Edinburgh University
as a lecturer. So yeah,she was the one for me that stands
out. Or Shannonlin, she isjust retired. She plays in Sweden.
She's now a goalkeeper coach. Butthose two always even now, if something's
going on in football or don't knowhow to deal with a situation, I
(29:23):
can always reach out to them andI kind of take their words for gospel
truths. So yeah, I thinkthat's nice to have that support. That's
awesome to hear. And then you'rejust you're doing the same thing. You're
like playing it forward. If Icould be what Shannon and Frank he are
to meet to anyone else, Iwould be really proud to that, so
I'll try. That's awesome. Soyou've accomplished so much in your career.
(29:44):
You played at the World Cup,you scored a goal at the World Cup,
played your way for Champions League.I know you won FA Cup.
What are some of the other thingsthat you'd like to achieve, like in
and out of football. Yeah,for me, obviously, I want to
win the nwsail. I want towin a championship and aviously we've got the
Challenge Cup now for me, that'smy that's my main target within club football
and that's what I was trying toachieve and within national team. I really
(30:11):
I want to qualify for three yearsI played the World Cup. We've not
qualified for the last years or WorldCup, which it hurts a lot.
So I think that's just made mea bit more determined. Like no,
like this is probably the last campaignI've got, so yeah, definitely qualified
for uros and a championship. That'sthat's my goal, that's my focus.
You're still young, so I thinkyeah, well, Claire, we can't
(30:36):
wait to see you in LA thisseason with the Angel City You have a
lot of fans I think throughout theworld, and I know that they're loving
to hear from you, So wereally appreciate you taking the time today to
talk with us. It's really fun. Honestly, I appreciate the support from
the fans so much here. Itreally does help, and yeah, I
feel the love, so thanks somuch, thank you. So great to
hear from Claire Emsley. Isn't sheawesome? When someone's on my wish list
(31:00):
for a long time and then weget her on it's like, ah,
I mean, she's everything I hopedshe would be and more. She exceeded
all expectations. And I love whenthat happens. When you hear players stories
straight from their own mouths, straightfrom their own perspectives, it's so awesome.
You can't replicate that, and itgives us a different view of them,
(31:22):
right. It makes us better fans, It makes us smarter fans,
I think, and so just soappreciative of Claire and to Angel CITYFC for
giving us the opportunity. The thingI love about Claire is she's a true
footballer. Right, even as ayoungster. You heard her, she worked
really hard, She worked on herleft foot. You know, she did
all the things that she needed todo to make herself a better footballer without
(31:45):
even knowing or having these long termplans like how far the game would take
her, Like she didn't even havea she didn't know about Women's World Cup.
That wasn't on her radar right asa kid playing but she wanted to
get better. She wanted to bethe best that she could be, and
I mean those and now, youknow, playing on these big stages,
like she'd never dreamed of that,and then it happened. I mean,
(32:07):
all that hard work paid off,exceeding her own expectations of herself, I
guess, and of her career.The other thing that Claire said that I
really liked is that she soaked inall the advice she was given by veterans
around her when she was young.She listened, she took it in.
Sounds like she still does, stillnot done learning, and now she's doing
(32:30):
the same thing for those young playersaround her, taking them under her wing,
helping them on their journey, helpingthem to be better footballers. I
mean, what a great role model. And I think that's also a great
lesson for kids out there. Ifyou're listening to you're young, you know,
take the advice of the older playersor even in of course your coaches.
People always say that, listen toyour coach, but listen to the
(32:51):
older players too. Try to soakin what they give you. And if
you find an older player who's reallygenerous and really takes you on their wings,
like, just take hold of thatwith all you've got and learn as
much as you can, because thoseare the those are the real people you
can learn from and take a pageout of Clare Emsley's books. She's really
had two great role models that havehelped her on her journey and continue too,
(33:14):
So that's great. It was alsointeresting too to hear about her talk
about Man City and how everyone there, for the men's team, women's team,
youth teams, they all played thesame they all have that same mentality,
and I love hearing that. YouKnow, we wonder why some clubs
like City, like Chelsea they continueto pump out great players, and I
(33:35):
think it's just that that system,that mindset that they're all ascribed to,
you know, they're all bought intoand it really works. It's a great
system there. So that was alittle nugget, little easter egg I didn't
expect from that interview, but somethingI would take away from it for sure.
Hey, I'm big thanks to ClaireEmsley for taking the time out of
her day. She was actually trainingthat day and she was on a break
(33:57):
and it was raining all day andthey her on the side of a building
that looked like to me it wasa zoom call and at you know,
at the training facility there at AngelCity, and they just miked her up
and she talked to us, andyou know, she couldn't be more gracious
and generous with her time. SoI really appreciate it. Thank you so
much, Claire, And of coursethanks to Lisa Milner Goldberg at Angel City
(34:19):
FC for helping to set up thatinterview. Angel City always so accommodating to
us, and we really appreciate themand they're hard work, So appreciate you
guys. Okay, I'm gonna goto my list here. I'm gonna scratch
off Claire emsley wish list accomplished.Hopefully we can get her back on another
time in the future and see whatother journeys she's on would that be great?
I love that? Okay, well, yeah, don't have to have
(34:42):
a wish list Part two, wishlist two point out Hey, And like
I always say, you know,if there's a player, coach, or
somebody in the game that you wantto hear from, um, send me
an email and we'll try to getthat person on Patty at wwfshow dot com.
You know, it's always it's alwaysa priority for me to read all
my emails. And if you havea player that you would like to have
(35:04):
on, just drop me a line. It's happened. Believe me, people
drop me a line a player maybeI haven't even heard of, you know,
somebody playing in another country who theywant to hear from, and we've
been able to make it happen.And then I learned so much, And
then we all learned so much becausewe're hearing from players that we don't even
know, you know, they're playing, and you know, countries that were
not we don't have access to maybesome of the games and the news coming
(35:29):
out, but you know, women'sleagues are all happening all over the world.
And yeah, somebody actually just justasked for a player in Ecuador and
I was like, does Ecuador play? Do they have a league? And
yeah, they have a league?Who knew? Ten years I'm still learning.
Ecuador definitely has a league and there'sa player there that somebody was telling
(35:49):
me recently they'd like to hear from. So we're working on it. And
then you don't. There's always thelanguage barrier. So that's my first question
is do they speak English? Yeah? So yeah, ten years, I'm
still learning stuff. Life is surprising, isn't it. I mean, going
back to the opening, life issurprising, I thought. I actually thought
about that a lot lately as Women'sWorld Football Show. It's celebrating our ten
(36:12):
year anniversary and wondering, you know, number one word of the years go.
But you know, during those tenyears, we've made some interesting decisions
when it came to the show,and where we are now is definitely a
reflection of where we were. Westarted out with that mindset to help grow
the women's game, you know,make this show about the players in this
game that we all dedicate so muchtime and commitment to, whether we're working
(36:37):
in it or we're just fans.I've also thought a lot about life's crazy
journey lately, as I just celebratedtwenty three years with my wife. We
met in a very unlikely way,a chance meeting, if you will,
at a place we both never visitedbefore and haven't since. That choice to
go into that place, that niceback in June of two thousand has changed
(36:59):
my life. And how many situationsare you in today because of the choices
that you made, Whether yesterday arelike twenty years ago, like chance meetings,
or maybe something you randomly read goodor bad. It doesn't matter.
What matters I think is acknowledging thosethings? You know. It's all about
acknowledgement and gratefulness, I guess.And just like Claire said, because of
(37:22):
the choices or opportunities that came herway, she found herself in unique situations
that she never dreamed of and experiencesthat she never even could fathom. And
when twenty twenty three Women's World Cupdidn't come her way, she retargeted her
focus into other goals. Winning theNWSL Championship, qualifying and playing in the
(37:45):
Euros with her country team. Thoseare new goals for her. Giving back
to the game by becoming a mentorthe way her mentors Frankie Brown and Shannon
Lynn mentored her and the sounds likethere's still helping her along the way.
What a great role model Claire Emsleyis and bring so much to the game.
Such an honor to have her hereshare her life's journey with us.
(38:07):
It's amazing. It reminds me thatno matter what path we're on, it's
the right one for us, andwhen it isn't right, we have the
power to change direction and drive towardsother goals. Life is interesting that way.
I really hope you enjoyed episode toeighteen of Women's Role Football Show.
I would love to hear your thoughtson my exclusive interview with Claire Emsley along
with our SoundBite from coach Freya kumbFeel free to email me at Patty atwtwfshow
(38:31):
dot com. I read all theemails into my best to reply in a
timely manner. If you did enjoythis episode, subscribe now on Apple Podcasts,
Spotify, iHeartRadio app, Google Play, who Didn't Cast, Box,
Spreeker, Stitcher, wwfhow dot com, or wherever you're listening to this right
now. And if you really reallyenjoy listening to Women's World Football Show,
what are the best ways you couldshow your appreciation is to give us a
(38:52):
five star rating and leave a reviewwherever you listen. I always love to
know your thoughts, and reviews arethe best ways for others to find a
show. Also, another way tohelp grow the show and grow this beautiful
game that we love is to tellyour friends and family about Women's World Football
Show. If you're listening on amobile device, swipe over the cover art
and you'll find the episode notes,including some details you may have missed.
(39:12):
For relative links from this episode,visit our show notes on WWF show dot
com. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at WWF show,
and follow me on Twitter at PattiLaBelle. At twelve. Women's World
Football Show is host and written,edited and produced by Patti Labella. That's
Me. Additional assistance for this episodeby Claire Emsley and Lisa Milner Buhlberg.
(39:34):
And thank you, especially you forjoining me on this exciting journey through women's
football. Stay strong, stay mindful, keep loving your heart. See you
all next time.
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