Becky Sauerbrunn on Resiliency, Pregnancy, and Romantasy

Summary

BFFR with Sydney Leroux & Ali Riley: Episode Featuring Becky Sauerbrunn on Resiliency, Pregnancy, and Romantasy

Release Date: June 2, 2025

In this heartfelt and engaging episode of the BFFR Show, professional soccer stars Sydney Leroux and Ali Riley sit down with the legendary Becky Sauerbrunn to delve into themes of resilience, career transitions, motherhood, and personal growth. The episode is a blend of candid conversations, nostalgic memories, and insightful advice, all peppered with the hosts' signature humor and camaraderie.

---

Injury Update and Recovery

The episode begins with a light-hearted discussion about Becky's recent injury and her transition from using crutches to stepping back into her Porsche.

• Sydney Leroux (Sid) humorously remarks, “Sid brought strippers to her wedding ceremony” [00:03], setting a playful tone.
• Becky Sauerbrunn shares her positive outlook on recovery, stating, “I feel so good... I feel really good” [02:14].
• Ali Riley (Ally) highlights Becky's progress, noting, “the scooter is gone, which means Sid can now drive her Porsche again” [02:31].

This segment underscores Becky's physical and mental resilience, showcasing her determination to bounce back stronger.

---

Transition to Retirement and Broadcasting

Becky discusses her upcoming retirement ceremony and new role in broadcasting.

• When asked about retirement, Becky responds, “It's the best thing I've ever done” [07:17], reflecting her satisfaction with this major life change.
• Sid shares her experience transitioning to broadcasting: “Intimidating... I never thought I would do live TV” [15:57].
• Becky praises Sid's adaptability, remarking, “They were so great and put me at ease” [16:52].

This part of the conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of moving from an active sports career to a media role, emphasizing the support systems in place.

---

Pregnancy and Motherhood

The discussion shifts to Becky's pregnancy and the joys and challenges of impending motherhood.

• Becky announces, “She just announced that she's pregnant with a baby boy” [06:06], bringing excitement to the conversation.
• Sid reflects on her own pregnancy journey: “Am in the midst of finding something out about myself... learning how to go with it” [13:17].
• They discuss the balance between professional commitments and personal life, with Becky advising on supporting children’s passions without overburdening them.

Becky's openness about her pregnancy offers listeners a relatable perspective on balancing career transitions with growing families.

---

Memorable Moments and Team Relationships

The trio reminisces about memorable moments from their soccer careers and their deep-rooted friendship.

• Becky recalls, “We had a really fun time... I was the last person on the bus” [29:22], sharing a humorous anecdote from post-World Cup celebrations.
• Sid reflects on significant game moments, attributing memorable goals to her teammates: “your assist to me are probably some of the best goals I've scored” [20:25].
• They emphasize the strong bonds formed through shared experiences on and off the field, reinforcing their lifelong friendship.

These nostalgic exchanges highlight the enduring camaraderie and mutual respect among the players, celebrating their collective achievements and personal milestones.

---

Leadership and Team Dynamics

Becky delves into her leadership style as a captain, emphasizing the importance of quiet leadership and building trust.

• She explains, “Building relationships with players and having them know that if they needed anything, if they had questions, concerns, they could come to me” [23:28].
• Becky contrasts her style with more vocal leaders, indicating her preference for subtler, yet impactful, guidance.
• Sid adds, “I also have gotten back from a lot worse... miss that team environment” [09:31], illustrating the challenges and rewards of leadership roles.

This segment provides valuable insights into effective leadership within team sports, advocating for a balanced approach that fosters trust and collaboration.

---

Evolution of the U.S. Women's National Team

The conversation turns to the current trends and future of the U.S. Women's National Team, reflecting on generational shifts and emerging talent.

• Sid observes, “It's a normal part of the cycle... What excites me is seeing how good some of this young talent is” [25:11].
• Becky highlights the growth of players like Alyssa Thompson, noting her increased confidence and skill: “You can tell she's playing with confidence and she's feeling herself” [25:14].
• They discuss the natural progression of team rosters, acknowledging the seamless integration of new talents while maintaining the team’s competitive edge.

This discussion underscores the continuous evolution of the team, celebrating both veteran leadership and the promise of new players.

---

Personal Interests and Lifestyle

Beyond soccer, Becky and Sid share their personal interests, particularly cars and maternity clothing.

• Becky reveals her passion for cars, humorously mentioning, “I would never, like, say that I'm a car person” [03:23], despite her evident enthusiasm.
• Sid talks about adapting to maternity wear, “I started trying on maternity clothes for the first time... broadcast maternity clothes” [14:31], seeking Becky’s advice for stylish yet comfortable options.
• Their banter about fashion trends and personal style adds a relatable and entertaining dimension to the episode.

These lighter moments provide a glimpse into their lives off the field, emphasizing their multifaceted personalities.

---

Listener Calls: Parenting and Balance

In the listener call segment, Becky offers advice on parenting and supporting young athletes.

• Nicole from LA shares her struggles with insurance claims after losing her home, and Becky responds with empathy: “You are not alone... we will get through it” [39:56].
• Emily, a soccer mom, seeks guidance on balancing support for her daughter’s competitive soccer endeavors with maintaining a healthy family life. Becky advises, “they love to see you there... no matter what, they love to see you” [42:09].

These heartfelt exchanges highlight Becky's commitment to supporting listeners, extending the conversation beyond personal anecdotes to communal support and guidance.

---

Affirmations and Closing Thoughts

The episode concludes with an empowering affirmation and a wrap-up of the key topics discussed.

• Becky encapsulates the episode's theme with her affirmation: “What we do matters and impacts people in a positive way” [46:42].
• The hosts express their gratitude to Becky for her insights and the listeners for their continued support, promising more engaging content in future episodes.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sid: “Sid brought strippers to her wedding ceremony” [00:03].
• Becky Sauerbrunn: “I feel so good... I feel really good” [02:14].
• Becky Sauerbrunn: “What we do matters and impacts people in a positive way” [46:42].
• Sid: “I had to go through... We keep each other going now” [09:42].
• Becky Sauerbrunn: “You're a huge inspiration... the people's captain” [21:03].

---

Conclusion

This episode of BFFR skillfully blends personal stories with professional insights, offering listeners a comprehensive look into Becky Sauerbrunn's journey through resilience, career transformation, and motherhood. Through honest conversations and shared experiences, Sydney Leroux and Ali Riley create a relatable and inspiring narrative that resonates with both sports enthusiasts and general audiences alike.

---

Stay tuned for more episodes of BFFR with Sydney Leroux & Ali Riley, where professional athletes share their unfiltered stories and life lessons.

Transcript

[Ally]

We are so excited to have Becky Sauerbrun on the show.

[Sid]

Oh, I thousand percent was like Sid brought strippers to her wedding ceremony.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Period. Period, Period.

[Sid]

They would rather say they're not even an animal lover. That's terrible.

[Ally]

I'd be less surprised if someone abducted you and your little booty shorts crutching on the side of the freeway.

[Sid]

There's happiness on both sides.

[Ally]

Welcome back to another episode of the BFFR show with Sid and Ally.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Before we get into it, because we're gonna get into it, may we remind.

[Ally]

You please, please follow the show across social media at BFFR Show. Subscribe to the show on YouTube and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Wherever you get your podcast. But honestly, we don't really care where, how, when you're watching, as long as you're watching us.

[Sid]

Of course.

[Ally]

And please rate and review the show.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Five stars only.

[Ally]

It helps people find us and we.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Definitely want to be found.

[Ally]

You can also call us at 1-833-txt-BFFR.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Which is that's 1-833-898-2337.

[Ally]

If you're scared to pick up the phone, send us an old fashioned email to feedbackffrshow.com we love hearing from you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

And your question or comment could end up on the show. So make sure it's a good one.

[Ally]

Sid, let's get this rolling with another one of your brilliant affirmations.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

This one came from our. Our guest. It's what we do matters and impacts people in a positive way.

[Ally]

What you do definitely matters and impacts people in a positive way.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Same with you, puss.

[Ally]

All right, here we go. We have to start obviously with an injury update because she's out of the boot and into some hot steppers. Period.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Period. Period.

[Ally]

How you feeling?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I feel so good. I mean, I'm a, I'm a fast.

[Ally]

Healer mentally and physically.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Don't know about that, but no, I feel really good. I obviously didn't walk for like the first week and now she's back in.

[Ally]

So the scooter is gone, which means Sid can now drive her Porsche again.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I had to drive the. Yeah, the kid's car.

[Ally]

Yes, the mom. The mom mobile, which is also very nice. But Sid was a little bit ticked off because the scooter with the rusty handlebar really couldn't fit into the frunk of the Porsche. But she's back zooming around and I just at some point in the last year with, she had a wrapped metallic teal car and now a lime green and the silver one. And now this lime green one. And I didn't realize until recently that you are, like, a car person.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I didn't realize that either. And I was like, maybe I am. I do. I do. I do like cars, but I would never, like, say that I'm a car person.

[Ally]

Yeah, but, I mean, you're getting them kind of tricked out. You get something special with the wheels. She sends them off for months, and then they come back. It's funny because Sid has these very noticeable cars, and she'll try to surprise me. We had PT And I see her car in the parking lot. Very obvious. And I go in, and I'm turned around, and she comes and, like, puts her hand over my eyes, and I'm like, sid, I saw your car in the parking lot. She's like, oh, I see her outside cvs. I see her wherever she is.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, well, you have my location.

[Ally]

So before I had her location, I was able to locate her with her very recognizable cars. And you had a personalized license plate back in the day too.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Oh, did she ever. Did she ever. This was my time where I was. I'd moved away, and I was, like, kind of on my own, and I could do, like, my own thing. And I thought that it was really cool in high school to have my Honda Civic Beast as the license plate. Seduction. Syd. What was that? Syd.

[Ally]

I'm glad you can spell your name.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

CTN or S, Y, D, U, C, T, N. Seduction. Yeah. I don't know how it worked, but I made it work, and it was very obvious that it was Seduction. Sid. Get it? Like, my name is Sid.

[Ally]

Oh, thank you. That's where it is. Thank you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It comes from.

[Ally]

So she's thrilled to be driving the Porsche again. We have a little story about that later. That's. That's. That's for the end of the show. So you have to stay tuned because you're gonna want to hear this doozy. We had a major L this week since L was enough for the both of us.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Huge.

[Ally]

We'll get there later. But now we're doing rehab together, and it kind of just begs the question, how resilient is too resilient? Are we just too stubborn? Are we getting too old for this? So we brought on Captain America, the recently retired Becky Sauer Brun, to give us advice on our life, our careers, our injuries, and basically everything.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah. Yeah, we did. Of course we know Captain America. Two World Cups gold medals, an Olympic gold, and, like, a fighter for equal pay. And she's just. She's Just the best. And we love her so much. And one of the best captains we've ever seen.

[Ally]

Three NWSL Championships, two with FC Kansas City, one with the Portland Thorns. And she just started her broadcasting career as an analyst for tnt. And she just announced that she's pregnant with a baby boy. We are so excited to have Becky Sauer on the show. It's time for a break, but she'll be on right when we get back.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

So don't go anywhere. Welcome Becky, whom I call Bex. Hey, Bex. We're so excited to have you on bffr. And let's get into it.

[Ally]

I know right off this big news. How are you, Becky?

[Sid]

I'm. I'm good. I'm really good. I'm glad that the announcement is out there. Cause I don't think there's any hiding this anymore. I will be on broadcast in like, two weeks. And then I have my retirement ceremony, too. So I was just like, yeah, it might be time.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah. Amazing. Well, congratulations on retirement and the baby. Let's talk about retirement so far. What does that look like? And is it the best thing you've ever done?

[Sid]

Ooh, is it the best thing I've ever done? I don't know about that. I am enjoying it more than I thought. I thought I was really going to miss the game. And I don't know if it's because I kind of jumped into broadcasting. I had the podcasting. I knew that we were going to try to get pregnant and. And so my mind was just maybe not on soccer as much. So I haven't missed it as much as I thought I would. And I have to say, like, not being in the grind every single day like that. That part's nice. Like, when I watch a game now, I know everything that went into getting into that match. The travel, the pre game meals, the training, the prehab, the rehab, all of it. And on most days, I'm like, yeah, yeah, I. I don't think I have that in me anymore.

[Ally]

Yeah, well, you're looking at a couple. Couple of gals with a torn calf, a broken finger, and just a bum leg with a bad nerve. So we are just hoping you could come on here and offer us that guidance. Captain America, should we retire? Please tell us.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

No, it's actually, are we resilient or should we retire?

[Ally]

Yeah. How resilient is too resilient. There's a lot of baggage.

[Sid]

I. I asked you, I think when you resigned for Angel City, we were playing against each other and I just said, congratulations. And I Was like how we have.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Full blown conversations on the field every single time we play against each other.

[Sid]

We do, yeah. You're one of the few, few players that I will have a conversation.

[Ally]

I did not know that. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Said, oh, I just say, how are you? How are things? Oh, good. How are you? Oh, good. And then she said, congrats.

[Sid]

Yeah, congrats. Congrats on resigning. Like, how long do you think you're gonna do it? And you go, until the wheels fall off. And I go, okay. And the wheels have not technically fallen off. You just have an injury. It sounds like I think you're resilient. I also will just say I was very injured in 2023, missed the world cup because of a foot injury and then got to play 2024 and had the most minutes of anyone on the thorns. So, like, it is possible to get back from some injuries.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I also have gotten back from a lot worse.

[Sid]

Like, there you go.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Two births. Births.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah. There's been so, like, think about all the things we've been through in our entire career that you just have to come back from. You have to come back from. And then obviously I took a little time off. I took mental leave. And I think that that was like the best thing that I could do for myself. Because now.

[Sid]

Good for you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I'm like, I'm chilling. It's okay. It's fine.

[Ally]

Yes, says the girl with a three year contract extension. Time is ticking over here for this old, this old gal.

[Sid]

Ellie. How are you doing?

[Ally]

We're supposed to be asking you the questions.

[Sid]

I know, I'm sorry. I just want to catch up.

[Ally]

Better. Better. Yes. I said in our intro that I did sprint. I've sprinted a few times now.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

93%.

[Ally]

That's. I'm getting there.

[Sid]

Wow.

[Ally]

Getting there. It's a little bit like this. So this week I'm, I'm deloading a little bit. But you know, your, your story is now inspiring me. I have actually been working with a mental performance coach and she has completely changed the narrative going on in my head, which obviously when we're talking like this, I'll joke about it, but when I get out, out there on the field and need to try to push my body in ways that I haven't been able to do for almost a year, a year and a half now. Yeah, there's been a lot of negative self talk, so I'm changing that and seeing it pay off. So.

[Sid]

Yeah, well, good for you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

But also, I do Want to say this about Al. Every single day, she is in rehab, working her ass off. And, like, it has been a long time for her to get to where she is now, and I'm just so proud of her. And every single time I see her, I'm just like, oh, it's getting closer. And so you keep me. You keep me going. We keep each other going now because.

[Ally]

We'Re back together doing. Doing rehab. But, okay, enough about me. Enough about me. Okay, so what I've learned now. Inspirational story. It's possible to come back if you are going to retire, have a job lined up, and potentially a baby. So I'm like, okay, writing that down. We're writing that down. Keys, retirement.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah.

[Ally]

Do you. Well, now that. Now you're planning a whole. A whole new chapter and you do have this broadcast gig, but do you have time for something that you didn't have time for before when you were playing?

[Sid]

Do you have more time, as in, like, having a kid or the broadcasting stuff?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Just everything.

[Ally]

Yeah, everything.

[Sid]

Or do you hike? Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Have you picked up a new hobby?

[Ally]

Yeah. Do you have time for. For something else?

[Sid]

Yeah, I have time for a lot of things. Like, my busy times are in little clumps.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Okay.

[Sid]

Like the FIFA window. Or, like, I'll have to work two days of the week to get ready for a podcast. I've gotten into Pilates. I did, like, first girls weekend. Oh, Pilates is so great. Like, I got to go to a wedding of a friend during the season. Like, I have missed no way. So many weddings. Yeah. Like, all these little things that you just kind of take for granted. I actually have time for now.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It's really nice. Yes. I can't imagine.

[Ally]

Really nice. I know. I know.

[Sid]

You can't yet. And that's okay. Someday you will.

[Ally]

The whole. The wedding rush during the off season when every player is getting married.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah.

[Ally]

You got a month on the circuit to go to every wedding.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Now that you're becoming a mom, have you learned, like, anything new about yourself? Have you just, like, found this, like, crazy amount of energy yet? Are you there? Are you still tired and, like. Yeah. What have you found out about yourself during this journey?

[Sid]

I think I'm in the midst of finding something out about myself where, like, as an athlete, you're so in tune with your body and you're so in control of it, like, what you put into it, you know, why you feel bad or why you feel good and how you can change it. And I think since getting pregnant, it's basically just getting rid of all that control and things are just happening to you, and you. You just have to like, kind of enjoy the not having control and kind of go with it. So I'm. I'm in the midst of learning how to go with it. Because at first when my body started changing, I was like, what is happening? I don't understand. And I'm getting to the point where I'm like, this is what has to happen. And like, let's go.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, you're gonna have a belly. That's the. That was. Yeah, that was tough.

[Sid]

Already got it.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Wow.

[Sid]

Got it.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

What's this doing here?

[Ally]

What's the current trends with maternity clothing? Like, do you just wear bigger?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Is it like you can't wear bigger because it'll make look ginormous?

[Ally]

I mean, I see Rihanna out there, like, belly out.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Now Becky's. That's not Becky's style.

[Ally]

Hey, are we sure? I don't know.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Maybe this is.

[Ally]

This is the something she's found out about herself.

[Sid]

What?

[Ally]

You know, you're going on tv, you're gonna do these things. Is it like, is it gonna be front and center? Are we.

[Sid]

Oh, I don't know. Front and center. I just started trying on maternity clothes for the first time because I was doing the thing where you just wear bigger.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah.

[Sid]

And trying the maternity clothes. I'm like, oh, this is way more comfortable. Finding, like, broadcast maternity clothes. That's been a little bit more difficult than finding, like, loungy maternity clothes.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah.

[Sid]

I was going to text you today. I need you to give me recommendations for, like, nicer maternity clothes.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I'm good at that. Yeah, I. I think I still have maternity clothes in my storage unit, so let me go pull them up.

[Ally]

Along with her wedding dress.

[Sid]

Becky, send everything but the wedding dress. Yes, I was there.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yep, yep. Yeah, we had a good party though.

[Ally]

Yeah. Any highlights you remember?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Do you remember when the police came? Because.

[Sid]

Yes.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

We were having the party downstairs and we all thought it was strippers.

[Sid]

Oh, I thousand percent was like, sid brought strippers to her wedding ceremony. Yeah, that's on trend.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, I thought so too. I thought it was. It wasn't. It wasn't.

[Ally]

Well, tell us about the broadcasting gig. Besides getting stuck in an elevator, what's it been like? It seems really intense. I read that you still have a little bit of like a pre game routine. Are you loving it? Is it like playing soccer? Is it as exciting? I don't know. Tell us. Tell us.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It is.

[Sid]

For me, it's intimidating. I never thought I would do tv. I Never thought I would do live tv. And so when the producer kind of got into my ear when I retired, like, hey, we'd really like you to try this out, see if you like it. I did. She believes. And that feeling in your stomach before a big game where you're like, oh, no. Anxious, intense. I don't know what's about to happen right now. And I had not done a lot of reps. And so you have someone in your ear talking to you while you're trying to answer questions. And luckily, the people that I'm with, like Shannon Box and Julie Foudy and Sarah Walsh, who's the host, they were. They were so great and put me at ease and answered every single stupid question that I had. And they just kind of became like a team right away. And when you retire, you'll find out that you miss that team environment. And so to kind of walk into another team and have them take care of you, I was like, oh, I can do this.

[Ally]

You can. You are so, so good.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

You're so good.

[Ally]

Stunning. You look good. You sound good.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I texted her the first time when you did. She believes, and I'm like, becky, you look beautiful.

[Ally]

Yes.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

She looks so good on tv.

[Ally]

I know, I know.

[Sid]

So you know that I've never been good with makeup or dressing myself. And so they do your hair and makeup.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That's not true.

[Sid]

And I was like. I was like, please go. Very light coverage. And they're like, sure, sure, sure. We got it. And I saw my face that first time, and I was like, dear God. It, like, just didn't look like me. Luckily, on. On tv, it looks. It looks better. But, like, for sure, in person, you'd be like, oh, no, but you're.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That's not true. You are a light coverage girly, though, I'll give you that.

[Sid]

I am very.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Speaking of us knowing each other quite well, I want to talk about, like, my favorite moments with Max.

[Ally]

Please share.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

So the first one is when I had Cassius. We were playing together on Kansas City, and she had never held a baby before, And I, like, I think I had to go through. We were going to Sweden with a national team or something, and we had to go through, like, the whatever. And I got flagged to, like, whatever. And I was like, becky. And she was, like, holding baby.

[Ally]

Cassius, you bring this up now of all times, Sid. Perfect.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

But now I got. I got her ready. I got her ready.

[Ally]

You got her ready?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That and then her header. Who were we playing?

[Sid]

I think it was D.C. when you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Scored that big header. Yeah, I think it was dc. I was so excited that she scored that we were like, to each other. And then another one would be when Becky decided to be a forward and we were playing Canada and she came all the way from center back and is end line touchline, little cross dinky to me. And we scored like in the what, 70th minute and we won one nothing.

[Sid]

Yeah, it was a big game, Becky.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That was all you.

[Sid]

I love that memory. Just because I know how much you loved scoring against Canada. So anytime I could be involved in a game that you scored against Canada.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I was like, yes, I did enjoy that.

[Ally]

She will remember that forever.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yes. Yes. Okay, what are some of the things that you remember that we did like, that you remember?

[Sid]

I remember a lot. Just like you with Cassius and us, like, lugging all your stuff and making sure that, you know, we got into the team bands because FC Kansas City, we didn't have a bus, so we were all in charge of our own fans. We'd get it in at like 10:30 at night and we'd be like, we gotta find something to eat. So we're like going through the Wendy's drive through, like, just trying to find food. And just like looking back now, now that hopefully I will have a baby boy of my own. Just like, how fiercely you love Cash and like how amazing it was for me to be able to see someone just like, take care of their kid like that. Like, I feel like you are a role model for me now about how I want to be able to raise my kid. And a soccer one that I remember is that you had just gotten back from pregnancy and I think we're playing the Boston team and I assisted your first goal back and I knew how much it meant to you to get that first goal.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

You, you know, your assist to me are probably some of the best goals I've scored. Thank you, Becky. But remember, Cashus was basically on our roster. Oh, he came everywhere to every meeting. Like, he was just. He was the youngest NWSL player ever seen.

[Ally]

He still has the record. They're getting younger, but he still holds the record.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, Yeah. I just. I loved playing with you and against you. I always knew it was going to be a battle anytime we played against each other. And I just have the most respect for you.

[Sid]

I said it goes both ways, for sure.

[Ally]

It's so funny. I mean, you're our second guest now where I'm just listening about all these amazing success stories and winning World Cups and I'm kind of like, that's, that's so awesome, you guys. I had to play against you fuckers. But it's like when you're defenders, like you're having these full on conversations. I mean, Becky has probably been a hundred yards from me anytime we played against each other, but you see each other at the beginning, at the end, and we talked about in another episode, just the respect you have. I don't want to go as far as saying it's trauma bonding, but there is this resiliency and what we've gone through to build the sport and grow the game. And then at the end of our careers to look back as this generation and just be so proud of where the game has come. And that's a connection that I will always feel with you. And you're so respected. Watching you do broadcasting, which is something that, you know, I'm interested in maybe pursuing and seeing you jump into that so seamlessly and just everything you've given to the sport and how everyone speaks about you as the people's captain. Yeah, you're a huge inspiration. And the way you've led is something that I have really identified with. Are there moments from the national team as a captain that were kind of the quieter moments? Something that just has resonated with you or something that you remember that wasn't about lifting a trophy or winning a game, that just like when you look back, you think of very fondly?

[Sid]

Oh, man. I mean, most of the quieter moments, like, that's just kind of my leadership style anyway, whenever it had to be a little bit louder. I think we were so fortunate that people like Sid or Megan Rapinoe or Alex Morgan, there were people that would stand up and do that kind of stuff. So for me, a lot of the stuff was quieter and that's just kind of where I thrived. And I think building relationships with players and having them know that if they needed anything, if they had questions, concerns, like, they could come to me. And so I took a lot of pride in having relationships where people trusted me with important things. And so like working with the players association, like having people's livelihoods in my hand, like, that's weighty and really important and that's like quieter, smaller work that has bigger ramifications.

[Ally]

Absolutely.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I would agree with Becky on the quiet leadership, but the thing that, like, is so amazing about Becky is that she leads quietly, but it's so loud.

[Ally]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

You know, like anytime anything was going on, like, you just trusted Becky to have your back always. And she always did.

[Sid]

That means a Lot. Thank you, Sid.

[Ally]

Watching this new women's national team, what excites you? What feels very new and what when you watch, you're like, nah, this is still the U.S. women's National Team that I know and I love.

[Sid]

I think in many points in the program, there's just this like, huge transition phase where a coach will come in and they'll kind of phase out the older, more veteran, experienced players and just give a lot of time and energy to the youth. And I think we keep forgetting that this happens and it's very natural. So everyone's kind of like, oh my gosh, you know, there goes Alex and Kelly and Pino and Becky and like, what's going to happen? And it's like, this happens all the time. It happened to Boxy and Abby and like all these big name players. And so I think we just have to remember that this is a normal part of the cycle. And what excites me is seeing how good some of this young talent is. And I look at on your guys team, like an Alyssa and Giselle Thompson, like, that's like how they're playing right now, I think is like, really exciting to me to see how especially alyssa, like, from two years ago at the 2023 World cup to now, she just has, like, her game has evolved so much and so give her another two years and what is she going to look like in 2027? Like, that kind of stuff really excites me.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Even Alyssa's growth from last season to this season.

[Ally]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

You know, you can tell she's playing with confidence and she's feeling herself and that's. That's what we need from her.

[Ally]

Absolutely. I know this season is exciting. How tuned in are you to the nwsl? Is it like, do you watch every game? Do you watch Portland? How are your ties?

[Sid]

So because of my podcast, I have to watch a lot of soccer. Oh, so sad for me. So I watch if I can, so many of the games, like, if they're on at the same time. I have to usually pick and choose, but I'm always watching the Thorns. But yeah, I watch almost every single game I can.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

But your favorite team is Angel City. We know that.

[Ally]

Yeah.

[Sid]

Absolutely not.

[Ally]

You weren't.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That's what I heard.

[Ally]

Well, I was really thrilled to hear that you were a fellow cat lover and an avid reader. It's tough out here. It's tough out. You get called out a lot. It's always when someone comes. This is the new thing this season at Angel City. When a new player or Staff member. Are you a cat person or a dog person?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Like someone.

[Ally]

Obviously you have to say you're a dog person.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

When someone would say cat, they'd be.

[Ally]

Like, yeah, hostile environment.

[Sid]

That's. Come on.

[Ally]

Exactly. And I'm sitting there, if anyone be like, oh. And I'm like, I'm a cat person. Don't worry, you can say it. And they're like, they still won't say it. They're just like, I don't really like animals. Like, no one will own being.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, that's true. That's true.

[Sid]

They would rather say they're not even an animal lover.

[Ally]

That's terrible. I know.

[Sid]

Come on.

[Ally]

I know. What are you reading? Give us. Give Sid some recommendations.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, you know, I'm a big reader of. I love. I love a book.

[Ally]

She loves to buy a book.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Thinking, I'm going to read it. Thinking, I'm going to read it.

[Ally]

Good feeling she has it next to her bed.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Maybe one day.

[Sid]

One day. So I. I really like Romantasy. I like romance books. I like fun reads that, like, you pick up for two days and then you're done with it. And it's not just weighing on you. You don't have, like, a book hangover or anything. So I've been reading Ali Hazelwood, who is a romance writer with. She's got, like, one series about women in STEM and then another one that's about, like, sports. So there's one about chess, there's one about diving, and they're just, like, fun. I would say they're definitely adult. So there's definitely some sexy scenes in them, but they're just, like, really enjoyable reads.

[Ally]

Okay. Yeah. That last bit, I think will get Sid maybe a little more into, what's it called?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Spicy Books. Send me over any wrecks.

[Ally]

Oh, my gosh. Well, you know, we could talk to you all day and we're so excited for you to embark on, well, your new career and also motherhood.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Do you and Zola have a name?

[Sid]

We do. Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Actually, you have said you always had this name, right?

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

You've had it for. Yeah, yeah. Forever.

[Ally]

Is that the name?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah.

[Ally]

Oh, my gosh. And this is the one you're gonna go with?

[Sid]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

She's never name that could have gone.

[Sid]

Yeah, we're not gonna tell anyone until.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

No.

[Ally]

Oh, my God.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Even, like, years ago when you're like, I have a name. I'm like, okay, I'm not telling you.

[Sid]

Yeah. You know, you just don't want people to crap on it before it's 100.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

100. Everyone, like, craps on everything anyways.

[Sid]

So true.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It's okay.

[Ally]

Yeah, I know. We're just being ourselves out here.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ally]

What more can you do?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

And that could be. That could have been a girl name as well, right?

[Sid]

Huh? Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

See?

[Ally]

Oh, I'm gonna be rolling it over.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

You remember.

[Ally]

Of course. We're big fans.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, yeah. Big, big, big fans.

[Ally]

Any last memories here of all the. All the good times before we have to let her go?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Remember In Canada, the 2015 When We Won the World cup and we went to the club after and it was like all of our friends and family and then we had like 6am call time for like the morning show.

[Sid]

Yeah. And you almost missed call time.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah.

[Sid]

You were getting.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I was the last person on the bus. I'm pretty sure.

[Sid]

Per usual, we were quite worried.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah. And the whole time, like, Carly's doing the interview, blah, blah, blah. Everyone's all over the place. I'm just like.

[Sid]

It was a rough morning.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, it was a rough morning for a lot of us. Yes.

[Sid]

Probably everyone.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

We had a really fun time. Remember we were at national team camp, January camp, and then I found out I was pregnant and I had to call Blackco and I was like, hey, I need to talk to you about something. And he was like, what? Are you pregnant? And I was like, yeah, exactly. Yeah, I am. Missed the entire season. And Becky's like, don't worry, don't worry. You just signed, but it's okay.

[Sid]

No, I will say when you. You came up to me to tell me and the way that you started it, I was like, is something seriously wrong? And then you said you were pregnant and I was. I was just so happy for you. I was like, yes. Like, yes, I'm not.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I needed that. I needed that. Yeah, I needed that at that time for sure. But I was scared. I'm like, what happened? How did we get here?

[Ally]

So you had just signed for Kansas.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Just.

[Ally]

He was like, club coach.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Three days before. I found out every coach's dream. What? What? Are you pregnant?

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, yeah. Oh, well, such good memories.

[Ally]

Thank you, Becky, so much for joining us on the BFFR show. We'll see you on TV very, very soon. Come to your favorite clubs games. Angel City will get you out there doing the three clap, whatever you want.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

A big sweet.

[Ally]

Yes. Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Hang out with some celebrities, get you a jersey. Yeah.

[Ally]

Whatever size you need for the baby bump. Thank you for your life advice.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yes.

[Sid]

We appreciate you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

We will be thinking about that anytime.

[Ally]

We do miss you not playing against you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah. Oh, actually, one more.

[Ally]

Oh, here we go.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

When we went to Heyo's, like, birthday weekend, and I was the only one still playing, and everyone's like, man, it's so good on the other side. And I was like, yeah, you look really happy.

[Sid]

And we kind of did look happy, didn't we?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, you were very happy, and I were happy. Yeah. Yeah. So I'll remember that as well. I'll remember that as well.

[Sid]

There's happiness on both sides.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yes. Yes.

[Ally]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

A little more agony now, but there's been happiness. We can get back to that, Al.

[Ally]

We can and we will.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Thank you, Becky. Now it's a break. Please don't go away. Actually, you better not go away.

[Ally]

More BFFR coming up soon. Bye, Becky.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Bye, Becks.

[Sid]

Bye.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Thank you.

[Ally]

Hello.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It's time for happy hour at Bar bffr, where we serve up our L's and dubs of the week and answer some of your burning questions. Get into it.

[Ally]

Let's do it. Something we're loving. Okay. I will probably butcher how you say this, but the belong d' Or. Oh, I rolled my R. Ballondor Ballon D' Or.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Who knows?

[Ally]

Okay, well, there are three new women's categories, and the dates were shifted to better accommodate the FIFA women's calendar. It is about time.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Thanks for that.

[Ally]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The women's ballot will also expand to include best young Player, Best Goalkeeper, and top scorer for club or country. And those were categories previously limited to the men's side. So we are getting a little more equality in the prize giving and recognition space. So I think that's a big. A big win for us. I'm loving that. Do you have a win of the week?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Said a win of the week? Yeah, I'm walking.

[Ally]

Big win.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Big win.

[Ally]

Moonwalking. If we.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Oh, yeah, I did moonwalk for you today. Just to show everyone that my calf was. Was working.

[Ally]

Yeah. And then our PT whipped her head around and said all of a sudden was no longer moonwalking.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I know. I just left the facility.

[Ally]

My win is I am finally done with wedding thank you cards. Handwritten, shipped all over the world.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I. I don't know if anyone else is like this, but I just. You know, for my fake wedding, I just. I didn't send out any cards.

[Ally]

Were they fake gifts, too?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, but I forget, like, who gave me what, you know, I. And then it's like, too much, and then I'm like, thank you for coming.

[Ally]

You sent out.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

No, no. Okay, so this is your chance Everyone knows. Thank you for coming. Thank you for my baby shower gifts. Thank you for any gift that you've ever given to me. I'm also really bad at birthday presents because I forget who it comes from. But I want to say thank you. I love all of you, and I will get better at that as I grow up.

[Ally]

The next wedding.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, the next one.

[Ally]

Anyways, Bev Lowe is squirming right now. Hit us with the law. Said, this is. This was a big L. As your friend, I hurt for you.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Okay. First of all, I'm ashamed. Okay? I'm driving, and now I'm like, only in the crutches. That phase. And so I'm driving in the Porsche, and it says, like, hey, you need to find a gas station. I was like, yeah, no problem. I got, like, 15 miles left. So I'm getting off on, like, the next exit. All of a sudden, it starts slowing down, and I'm, like, putting the gas on, and it's just getting slower. And I'm like. It says 14. Like, why is it going out at 14 and the gas light is there and everything? And I was like, man, I'm running out of gas.

[Ally]

You ran out of gas?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yes, I ran out of gas on the 101. Okay. So luckily, I was able to park it on the side of that freeway. Of the freeway.

[Ally]

Very busy freeway, yes.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

And then I called AAA, as one would, and they're like, we'll be there in 53 minutes. And I'm like, I ain't waiting. So I. So I grabbed my crutches and I crutched from the 101 to the next exit, and I went to the gas station, and I got one of those little gas things, and I filled it, and then I got an Uber back to my car, and I put the gas in. And then I realized maybe sometimes it's okay to ask for help. But what I'm really upset at is the fact that no one stopped.

[Ally]

Can you believe that?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I was like, excuse me? What do you mean? Like, not even like a creep, right?

[Ally]

I would be.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It made me feel like I'd be.

[Ally]

Less surprised if someone abducted you in your little booty shorts crutching on the side of the freeway.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That.

[Ally]

But I did someone not stopping.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I feel like I didn't look crazy. I look normal. Maybe I do look crazy. I don't know. But I was like, no creeps.

[Ally]

I know.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That's tough. I know, like, really was a shot to the heart.

[Ally]

We've, like, canceled cat calling, but, like, helping Someone on crutches on the side of the road.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I feel like I would 100. Stop saying yeah, yeah, yeah. I crutched for 25 minutes through the 101.

[Ally]

Our medical team is not thrilled about this.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

So if you saw a girl in crutches on the 101, it was me.

[Ally]

Or a lime green Porsche just ditched on the side of the road. It was seduction.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It was seduction. Well, I was also wondering, I'm like, I wonder if someone's gonna tow it without me knowing. So I was like, I better. So I started going faster.

[Ally]

Maybe you did look a little. Anyways trend that I would like to talk about.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Okay.

[Ally]

The resurgence of puka shell necklaces.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Oh, okay.

[Ally]

Am I gonna see you with the puka shell necklace? Do you remember having a puka shell necklace back in the day?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

First of all, those were everything. Those were everything. If you didn't have one, you were a loser.

[Ally]

Okay, yes, I did have one.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

So you're not a loser.

[Ally]

I just remember that it would like a pinch, like.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, but like you went through it.

[Ally]

Yeah. So all you gen zers out there bringing back the puka shells, totally love it. We love this trend. But just remember when you get just that little like pinch in the middle of.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

It's your hair, it's your neck. Yeah, yeah. Puka shells. Yeah. Crazy.

[Ally]

I know.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Everything's coming back. That's why, like, you need to keep everything, everything. Because everything comes back.

[Ally]

And that's why you have your storage unit.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

That's why I have my storage unit. And that's why I have my skinny jeans.

[Ally]

Still coming back.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

You heard it here first.

[Ally]

I think we have a couple of calls from the BFF hotline. Let's listen.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Let's hear it.

[D]

Hi, Ali, this is Nicole from la. This isn't a question, but I just wanted to say as someone who's a fellow LA native who also lost their home in the Palisades fire, that I just wanted to thank you for still talking about it and still discussing kind of where things are at with your parents home. Because even though the outpouring of love and support from the community has been so overwhelming since day one of the fires, a lot of people are realizing how much everyone is still dealing with. I literally just had the insurance adjuster come out today to take a look to confirm that we really did lose everything. So it's wild how slow things are moving and how this is going to be a multi year process for everyone involved. I just want to thank you for so bringing it up because it does make me feel not as alone. So. Yeah, thanks for doing that and so sorry about your parents home, but great to hear that they're rebuilding.

[Ally]

Oh, that was so nice, Nicole. Thank you. I was not expecting that. I'm happy to share anything I can because you are not alone. And that's the only thing getting me through this is knowing that I'm not alone and having my parents. And it is, it's. Everyone moves on. And I totally understand that. It's human nature, but hearing you say that you just were going through this with the insurance claims and the adjuster. It is. We're still doing inventory on everything we lost and I just have to take breaks for weeks at a time because going through that list to prove that you lost everything that you owned for my parents sake. A lot of what I owned over the years, Everything that was left from. Yeah. Childhood and, and high school and even college. Yeah, it's really, really tough and it's kind of a sick process to have to keep going back there to prove to someone that you're not trying to bamboozle them into giving you your insurance money. So I. I'm so sorry. You're. Thank you for your message. And we're in this together. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how many years it takes and. And we will get through it. But thank you.

[E]

Hi, my name is Emily and I was calling because I'm a soccer mom out here. I've got an almost 12 year old and she loves playing soccer. She's playing competitive and I'm really happy for her and investing in it for her and with her and loving the days out in soccer field. But also if I'm being fucking for real, I am so exhausted a lot of the days and I also am a little bit stressed. Like, am I pushing her too hard? Is she doing too many extra practices and things? It seems like she's having a lot of fun and I want to keep supporting her, but I also have this fear of like, you know, is it taking over her life? So my question is, as players and as moms and aunt, where do you think the line is? What is your advice for making sure we're supporting our kids and letting them pursue what they want to pursue, but also keeping a balance in their life?

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, I think that's a really good question because of course we all go through it when our kids are like doing extra things. But when it comes to soccer, if she wants to do that, then she wants to do it. But it also has to, like, take you into account. Like, you can't be, like, so burnt out that you're like, now I'm stressed if I don't get her here, if I. Or if something happens, like, I think you have to, like, take that away and just do as best as you can. And if you can make some, you make some. But don't feel bad. One, like, it's just too much.

[Ally]

How did you feel with Cassius? He was in a really competitive environment, and then. Yeah, wasn't enjoying it as much.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah. Cassius went into this club and it was extremely competitive. He was 6, 6 or 7, and it was like, drill sergeant type. And he loves soccer. And, like, I could every day I could just see, like, the love just kind of leave. He didn't want to play soccer outside anymore. That's like our thing. We go in the back and we play. He didn't want to go to practice. He would cry. He didn't want to go to games. And so I took him out and I was like, he doesn't need to play on the best team. I need him to, like, love this because he loves it. And I think that's the most important thing. And also, like, 12, that's a good age. But, like, let her do everything. Bring. Bring other sports in and, like, have her be good at other things as well. I think that that's really helpful.

[Ally]

And I feel like with you, the mother's intuition, you'll know you're saying that. That your daughter is loving it. And so I think that's. That's genuine. Sid had a feeling that Cassius wasn't loving it. And then they found a really good solution. But I think.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Yeah, but that was really hard.

[Ally]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

When we were going through that and, like, to see him, like, someone who loved soccer so much, just hate it.

[Ally]

Yeah.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I'm like, I'm not letting that happen to you. At six. Sorry. Bye. Bye.

[Ally]

He's back, baby.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

He's back. And yeah, I was, like, very emotional because, like, you know, you're like, paying the big bucks for this and you're doing all the things and you're going out to all the trainings and. Yeah, it's, like, very taxing on me as well. Yeah. And then, like, parents were yelling at him, and I was like, we're done. We're done. Or like, I remember this was our last game that we ever played. He ever played in with this club. But they were waiting in between two games, and I was there and he asked to play. Like, they were playing two touch or something. And they said, no, no, you can't play with us.

[Ally]

The little boys, his teammates.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

And so I went down there and I was like, let's play two touch. We crushed, of course. Don't need you kids. Mom is coming, Mama's coming. But, yeah, I just. You will feel that, like, when it's too much or it's not working, don't, like, force that. Because, like, that is the strongest thing about us, is our intuition and what's best for our children.

[Ally]

Well, those were some amazing messages. So cool that people are calling us.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

I know. And also, congratulations to you. I think that that's really important that you're there for your daughter. I think, you know, no matter what, they love to see you there. So congratulations, and you're amazing.

[Ally]

Amen to that. Well, we've come to the end of another episode. Sydney, My boo boos.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

My boo boos.

[Ally]

So thank you to everyone who has sent said gifts throughout the years, and thank you for tuning in to another episode of the BFFR show. Please follow and subscribe all platforms. We are at BFFR Show. Follow us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, just keep listening. We love hearing from you. We appreciate you so much. Before we leave, Sid is going to finish off with that affirmation, but we'll be back here next Monday.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

From Becky, Captain America. What we do matters and impacts people in a positive way.

[Ally]

Thank you, Captain America.

[Becky Sauerbrunn]

Thank you.

[Ally]

See you next week.

[Sid]

Bye.