The Soccer Podcast USA with Christina Unkel and Lori Lindsey

This week, it’s the classic standoff: player vs. referee.

Christina Unkel (former FIFA ref) and Lori Lindsey (former USWNT midfielder) go head-to-head over a Gold Cup handball call—one says deliberate, the other says natural fall. Jacqui Oatley joins the fray with all the charm, prep, and broadcasting wisdom you’d expect from one of the sharpest voices in the game.

Also in this episode:

– Should you time your emails to avoid freaking ...

Jenny Nguyen didn’t set out to start a movement. She just wanted to watch women’s sports on TV. When no one else created that space, she did—and called it The Sports Bra.

The tagline said it all: We Support Women.

In this episode, Jenny shares the real story behind the country’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports. It started as an idea and a pun. It became a national symbol of visibility, equity, and joy.

You’ll hear:

• The quiet ...

Christina missed her triathlon.

Why?

🏆 She won a championship

🚤 Led a boat parade

🎥 Invested in a Hershey’s documentary

🗣️ Spoke at a mayor’s convention

💀 And then... she was dead (spiritually)

Lori? She’s training for a half marathon she has zero plans to run.

Also: she’s wearing a hat that says “Freaks.”

What starts as a conversation about fitness quickly unravels into:

• Inventing a Tuesday Morning Half Marathon (with no police)
• Sec...

Christina Unkel brings the USL Super League trophy to the podcast — and yes, it’s been filled up

Christine Cupo checks in mid-drive, in-makeup, and on her way to a comeback game from a brutal ACL/MCL tear. She talks about the mental and physical cost of returning to play, the joy of 3v3, and why she might start a burner account for fake women’s soccer transfers.

Meanwhile, Lori Lindsey says her share of the $1 million TST winnings is...

It’s all happening: The Gold Cup, Copa América, Club World Cup, and the USMNT in crisis. But before all that? Lori Lindsey just won $1 million at TST as GM of the US Women’s team — and she’s got a piece of the broken ball trophy to prove it.

In this episode:

• 🏆 Behind the scenes of Lori’s championship run at TST
• 🎤 Special guest Jessica Charman on the joy of chaotic soccer and commentating with flair
• 🧠 The birth of “Shut Up Sandra...

This week on The Soccer Podcast USA, Lori takes time out from managing the US Women team at TST to talk about the aches, pains, and joys of the tournament. Surprise guest Mike Grella heads straight from playing a game and agrees—even the warm-up is a challenge—and joins Christina and Lori in a spirited defense of Christian Pulisic’s decision to sit out the Concacaf Cup.

Plus: reaction to the USWNT’s two friendlies, and why the Club ...

Lo’eau LaBonta is finally getting her USWNT moment — and could make history. This week, Lori and Christina dive into the Emma Hayes callups, preview the team’s friendlies, and get a surprise visit from Heather O’Reilly. She joins live from the dentist’s office to share the inside story of Como 1907, life as a team exec, and how her job in Italian football began with an 8–1 loss and a pasta party. Plus: the TST preview, tournament c...

This week’s episode dives into two referee decisions that confused even the pros. Christina breaks down why only holding qualifies as a continuation foul — and what makes a handball in the box “accidental.” Is it a Red? A Yellow? Or a mess?

Then, our surprise guest: former Mexican international, TV commentator, and trailblazing voice in the women’s game, Janelly Farías. She opens up about the moment she knew it was time to retire — ...

It's the week of the woof. Bay FC co-owner, Redefined podcast host, and former USWNT star Leslie Osborne crashes the pod—with help from her dog Gunner, who barks his way into a starring role. She, Lori, and Christina dive into why today’s NWSL players connect so powerfully with young fans (including Leslie’s own daughters). Plus: the "brilliant" Beckham troll, triathlon training check-ins, and chaos, as always.

⏱️ T...

VAR takes center stage this week—Christina and Lori break down a botched penalty call and debate whether American VAR will ever get it right (hint: not soon). Plus, is it V.A.R. or "var"? Let the record show: pronunciation matters.

Then surprise guest Jimmy Conrad—who proudly dubs himself Conradinho in honor of his inner Brazilian box-to-box midfielder—joins the pod to explain why he's pursuing a UEFA coaching license instead of nav...

Christina and Lori kick things off with a critical question—flour or corn tortillas?—then get into the real debate: has the hype around the USMNT outpaced the results, and is Pochettino already under unfair pressure? They break down the complexities of syncing MLS with Europe’s calendar, the media and weather hurdles standing in the way, and what the NWSL’s new second division really means for the women’s game. Along the way: laugh...

Lori’s back — and now she’s on every week. In her first official episode as a regular, she weighs whether to take coaching calls with a background of naked women (yes, really).

Plus:

⚽ Seattle Reign vs Portland Thorns — they hate each other

🔥 Angel City’s bold new hire

🎤 A surprise guest drops in mid-show

📉 What’s going wrong at LA Galaxy?

🎟️ And a new ticket giveaway to support your local team

📺 Watch on YouTube | 🎧 Listen wherever...

The United Soccer League (USL) is betting big on a bold idea: introducing promotion and relegation to American soccer by 2026. It’s a move that challenges the closed-league structure entrenched in U.S. sports—and could change the game forever.

In this episode, host Christina Unkel sits down with Kim Shelton, CEO of Lexington Sporting Club, one of the most ambitious new clubs in the country. With professional men's and women’s teams,...

This isn’t your normal podcast episode—because nothing about this week was normal. Christina Unkel takes you on an 8,598-mile journey behind the scenes of global soccer. From breaking down controversial refereeing calls mid-flight for CBS Sports to delivering a major presentation to Brentford FC’s board, she dives into the rules, business, and culture of the sport. She soaks in the electric atmosphere of Old Trafford, where Manches...

Three-time Olympic champion, World Cup winner, and TNT analyst Shannon Boxx joins Christina Unkel to dissect the latest phase of Emma Hayes’ USWNT rebuild. Is the plan on track? After a 2-1 loss to Japan, what lessons can be learned from a defeat in a major final? Plus, who are the rising stars to watch? Ally Sentnor, Lilly Yohannes, Yazmeen Ryan, and Emily Sams all get a mention. And, Christina reveals why Shannon Boxx “terrified”...

Bev Yanez is the kind of coach players run through a brick wall for - straightforward, passionate, and deeply committed. In this episode she reflects on how her time in Japan shaped her tactical mind, the challenges and joys of transitioning from player to head coach, and the fierce loyalty she feels for her team. From game time to motherhood, and scheduling date nights, Bev shares it all with humor, warmth, and unshakeable determi...

Emma Hayes has wasted no time in reshaping the USWNT, launching a U23 squad, orchestrating an unprecedented month-long January camp, and earning early plaudits for her proactive approach. But the challenges ahead are immense. Global powerhouses like Spain, Germany, and England are evolving rapidly, and the U.S. must adapt or risk falling behind. In Part 2 of our conversation with Julie Foudy and Lori Lindsey, we break down the sign...

Hats off! 🎩⚽ @JulieFoudy and @LoriLindsey start with a little hat talk before diving into the massive Netflix deal for the next two Women’s World Cups. Is this a game-changer or a ‘walled garden’ for fans? They also discuss the first million-dollar player in women’s soccer history, the growing financial landscape of the sport, and what’s next for the USWNT.

👽 Plus, Lori reveals a mystery text she received: "Hey, have you been take...

We’re thrilled to launch The Soccer Podcast USA with an unmissable first episode featuring Emma Hayes—gold medal-winning coach of the US Women’s National Team, seven-time champion with Chelsea, and one of the most influential voices in soccer today. Emma outlines her vision for the USWNT, starting with a new U23 program to identify and develop more players for the senior team. She also shares her thoughts on:

• Her hopes for more ...