BFFR with Sydney Leroux & Ali Riley
Episode: Soccer Girl Problems, Raw-Dogging Flights, & Running Into Syd’s Ex
Release Date: July 21, 2025
1. Opening Banter and Personal Updates (00:00 - 05:11)
Sydney Leroux (Sid) and Ali Riley kick off the episode with their signature playful banter, touching on personal experiences and setting a relaxed tone for the show. Ali shares an update about their upcoming NWSL-mandated break, mentioning, “I just trained with the team for the first time... she hit 104% of her max speed, which means she's faster than she has been in three years” (02:11).
2. Pelvic Floor Health Discussion (05:11 - 05:44)
The conversation takes a turn towards health, specifically focusing on pelvic floor health. Ali introduces her pelvic floor specialist, Dr. Cappuccino, stating, “Dr. Cappuccino, she's been working with me now for almost a year... she’s been tending to my knees. It does not feel good” (03:43). Sid expresses interest in seeing a pelvic floor specialist, joking about concerns with “the anus” (05:19).
3. Immigrant City T-Shirts and Online Backlash (05:44 - 09:08)
Sydney and Ali discuss their recent initiative wearing Immigrant City football club T-shirts, created in response to riots in Los Angeles. Ali emphasizes their philanthropic intent: “the shirts that are being sold, a hundred percent of the net proceeds are going to Camino Immigration Services” (07:50). They address the negative feedback received online, with Sid remarking, “But also, like, you looked at that picture and then you were like, no one's there” (06:54). Ali counters the criticism by highlighting the collective generosity behind the project.
4. Welcoming Guests Shannon and Alana (12:00 - 19:18)
The hosts introduce Shannon and Alana, the brains behind the popular Twitter account “Soccer Girl Problems.” Shannon reflects on the organic growth of their platform: “It was truly just a preseason bonding experience to make a Twitter... the community's very small” (14:05). Alana adds, “We've gone back and we've deleted some tweets that maybe you shouldn't have put up... it was like relatable” (14:49).
5. The Origin and Evolution of "Soccer Girl Problems" (19:18 - 26:00)
Shannon and Alana delve into the inception of “Soccer Girl Problems,” recounting their first viral video in 2012 where they humorously portrayed common soccer-related issues. Alana shares, “We made this website... and ordered like 300 T-shirts. Didn’t even think to put a cap on the T-shirts” (16:22). They discuss the challenges of scaling their merchandise, such as manually handling thousands of packages and the initial lack of professional branding.
6. Turning Viral Content into a Sustainable Business (26:00 - 30:02)
The guests discuss their collaboration with Football Co and Divisa to elevate their brand after 14 years of self-managed growth. Shannon states, “We recently joined forces with Football Co and Divisa just to help us get to the next level” (20:25). They highlight the enduring relevance of their content, noting, “These problems aren't going anywhere, and they will never be less, you know, funny and just something to commiserate over” (20:27).
7. Rapid Fire Segment (31:15 - 37:50)
Funniest Player They've Interviewed: Alana mentions Christy Mewes, recalling a humorous mishap during recording where Christy forgot to record (31:21).
Soccer Girl Crush: Shannon fervently supports Alana Kennedy, calling her “the coolest soccer girl ever” (31:47).
Worst Merch Idea: Alana shares a near-launch of a high-heel logo for their merch line, which they ultimately decided against due to impracticality (32:10).
Soccer Trend to Retire: Shannon passionately argues against tiny shin guards, comparing them to “putting a tampon in the front of your sock” (32:52).
8. Dating Red Flags and Hot Takes (45:18 - 49:52)
Sid and Ali engage in a lively discussion on dating red flags, emphasizing skepticism when someone mentions their ex is “crazy.” Sid advises, “Maybe they're the problem” (46:15). They also debate the dynamics of having “work husbands” or “work wives,” with Sid firmly stating, “No work wife. No work husband. It's weird” (49:34).
9. Listener Questions and Closet Chats (50:02 - 53:29)
Mary from Maryland poses a question about the hosts' styles and wardrobe management. Sid humorously admits to struggling with outfit planning: “Sid puts a lot of thought into her outfits, and then when it's time to leave, hates them” (51:04). Ali complements Sid as “the tunnel fit queen, the icon” (52:38). They encourage listeners to follow their social media for more behind-the-scenes content.
10. Closing Remarks and Teasers (53:29 - 54:06)
Sid and Ali wrap up the episode by thanking their guests Shannon and Alana, expressing excitement for their rebranding journey. Sid hints at personal anecdotes to share in future episodes, including a humorous encounter with an ex at a game: “And I might go to Dr. Cappuccino and I might come back and tell you how it goes” (54:06).
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Ali on Pelvic Floor Health:
“Dr. Cappuccino, she's been working with me now for almost a year... she’s been tending to my knees. It does not feel good.” (03:43) -
Shannon on Organic Growth:
“We just air our dirty laundry out on this Twitter account... every player, every college player comes from a club team and a high school team.” (14:05) -
Alana on Viral Content:
“The YouTube video went viral without us even trying to Go viral.” (14:05) -
Shannon on Merchandise Scaling:
“We made this website that no one should have ever trusted to put their credit card information into. It was so sketchy.” (16:22) -
Shannon on Rebranding:
“We have been doing this for so long by ourselves, almost 14 years... now it's nice to have a team to help back us up and get us to the next level.” (20:25) -
Sid on Ref Behavior:
“When a referee calls you like by your first name. Oh God, don't do that.” (21:59) -
Ali on Work Relationships:
“I have had a lot of work wives, like, someone on my team... but I would definitely have a hard time if he was spending a lot of time with a woman at work.” (49:16)
Conclusion
This episode of BFFR brilliantly intertwines personal anecdotes, professional insights, and engaging conversations with Shannon and Alana from “Soccer Girl Problems.” Hosts Sydney Leroux and Ali Riley provide a candid look into their lives as professional athletes, addressing both lighthearted topics and more serious discussions about health and community initiatives. The episode is a testament to the hosts' ability to balance humor with meaningful dialogue, making it an enriching listen for both fans and newcomers alike.
Note: Timestamps correspond to the provided transcript for reference.
