Welcome to the Party: The Most Dominant Team You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Podcast: Welcome to the Party
Host: Treat Media (Julie Foudy & Abby Wambach, regular appearance by Billie Jean King)
Episode Date: December 23, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode is a celebration and deep dive into the US Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team—a powerhouse program with a winning legacy, yet little mainstream recognition. Hosts Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy, joined by legendary teammate Billie Jean King, speak with guests Amy Griffin, Joy Fawcett, and current player Aaron Simbrail about the team’s undefeated record, the unique challenges faced, the fierce community they’ve built, and their battle for visibility and resources.
The episode aims to highlight not just the team’s success, but the resilience, innovation, and grassroots dedication that define women's sports and, especially, underserved communities like the Deaflympics athletes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Epic Legacy of the US Women’s Deaf National Team
[21:27] Julie Foudy:
- Since their inception 20 years ago, the team boasts 44 wins, zero losses, and one draw.
- Five Deaflympics gold medals, three World Cup titles, eight major international championships.
- Most recently: undefeated and unscored-upon in the Deaflympics, outscoring opponents 35–0.
Quote:
“In 20 years, 44 wins, zero losses, one draw. They’ve built all of this while fighting for visibility, for resources, for recognition, for every single inch. Their connection and their pride come from having to earn everything that they’ve achieved.” — Julie Foudy [21:27]
2. What is the Deaflympics?
[24:10] Aaron Simbrail:
- The Deaflympics is a multi-sport international event, like the Olympics, but designed for Deaf athletes.
- Unique because referees, organizing staff, and athletes are all Deaf.
- For many, it's the only time they get to live fully in a “Deaf world” for three weeks—authenticity, community, and connection.
Quote:
“It’s not just about competing for a medal... it’s about the opportunity to communicate and connect, to experience being with people who share your world.” — Aaron Simbrail [24:10]
3. Building a Dynasty with Zero Funding
[28:02] Amy Griffin & Joy Fawcett:
- The team started with no funding, no US Soccer support, and zero recognition.
- Players and staff self-funded (even putting costs on personal credit cards).
- Early camps included screen-printing T-shirts at home, using donated fields, and hand-written thank you notes to supporters (including Mia Hamm!).
- Despite lack of resources, the players were the linchpin: they raised money, found coaches, and built a culture of resilience.
Quote:
“Bring a light, a dark t-shirt, and your own ball. That’s kind of how far this team has come.” — Amy Griffin [28:02]
Quote:
“We trained at a dairy farm in Michigan once... These players do hard well.” — Amy Griffin [29:53]
4. Culture of Adaptation and Player-Driven Purpose
- The players are insistent on running youth clinics at every camp—even when coaches doubted they had time—because so many have been “that kid.”
- The team is built brick by brick, player by player, echoing the challenges of the early days of US women's soccer.
Quote:
“They do hard so well that imagine how much fun it is when things actually do work out. They don’t expect anything to work.” — Amy Griffin [29:53]
5. Deaf Soccer: Unique Rules and In-Game Experience
[38:37] Aaron Simbrail:
- All hearing devices (hearing aids, cochlear implants) must be removed to compete—guaranteeing level play for both Deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes.
- Referees use flags instead of whistles; universal hand signals replace verbal cues.
- Players are hyper-aware, using more visual information and sign language for on-field communication.
Quote:
“We take out our hearing aids, and then we just go play and fully feel free... you don’t have to hear, you just play the game you love. It’s like a free thing to do.” — Aaron Simbrail [39:02]
Memorable Moment:
“Hey, Loudy Fowdy, you try solving a problem without being able to communicate, right?... There are very few players and staff that can communicate with everyone freely... They just remain calm, they just flip and figure it out.” — Amy Griffin [41:29]
Anecdote:
- New keeper (not used to Deaf soccer) tries shouting tactical instructions—veteran keeper calmly points out “they can’t hear you.” Comic misunderstandings ensue as both realize how communication must adapt. [42:31]
6. Hard-Won Progress with US Soccer
[35:34] Amy Griffin:
- Only recently (late 2022/early 2023) did US Soccer bring the Deaf Women’s National Team under their official umbrella.
- Support now covers costs so players don’t need to pay thousands to participate (nor taxes on gold medals!).
- Ongoing need: fundraising for youth programs to build a pipeline, increase opportunity for Deaf girls nationwide.
7. The Power of Community, Identity, and Passing the Torch
- The Deaf Women’s National Team is now the only organized Deaf women’s soccer team in the country.
- Clinics for Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth are planting seeds for the future (mentoring, visibility, identity).
- Amy Griffin and Joy Fawcett announce stepping away from leadership, expressing pride in the team’s “player-driven” culture and excitement for the next generation to lead.
Quote:
“I got addicted to how I felt when I was with the team. I didn’t know what I needed, and for some reason, it’s time... the feeling of what it’s like to feel appreciated. And I get to coach a team that is the team like it was when we played... When was the last time anything was truly player-driven?” — Amy Griffin [45:46]
Quote:
“The culture is huge and it’s important, and everyone contributes to it... I’ll never leave it, I’ll keep pushing.” — Joy Fawcett [44:36]
- Aaron Simbrail, now a veteran, expresses bittersweet excitement for a new era, honoring mentors and paving the way for younger leaders.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “This is the most dominant US Soccer team you’ve probably never heard of.” — Julie Foudy [21:27]
- “We’ve built all of this while fighting for visibility, resources, recognition—for every inch.” — Julie Foudy [21:27]
- “We adapt. And adapt. Like, we’re never really thriving... We keep adapting.” — Amy Griffin [30:55]
- “All the little boys and girls out there, there is a place for them—a home for them.” — Aaron Simbrail [32:20]
- “You’d be shocked how a little goes such a long way. Thank you.” — Amy Griffin [52:31]
Important Timestamps & Segments
- Intro of Guests & Deaf Team’s Legacy — [21:12 – 23:00]
- Deaflympics Overview & Meaning in the Deaf Community — [24:10 – 25:50]
- Origins: No Funding, DIY Culture, Player-Driven Clinics — [28:02 – 32:20]
- Deaf Soccer Rules and On-field Adaptation — [38:37 – 41:29]
- Unique Communication & Problem-Solving in Deaf Soccer — [41:29 – 43:15]
- Youth Pipeline, Clinics, and Vision for the Future — [35:34 – 38:10]
- Amy & Joy on Stepping Down and Legacy — [44:36 – 48:54]
- Aaron: Looking Ahead to the Next Era — [48:54 – 50:08]
- Hosts Rally for Deaf World Cup in USA — [50:08 – 51:41]
- Closing Reflections: Inspiration & Continuing the Fight — [52:10 – End]
Closing Thoughts & Calls to Action
- The US Women’s Deaf National Team stands as an icon of underrecognized excellence—one built on resilience, partnership, and the unshakeable belief that women and Deaf athletes belong at the highest levels of competition and visibility.
- Support the Team: Donations and awareness through USA Deaf Soccer Association (USA DSA) are crucial for growing the pipeline and ensuring future generations can play.
- Get on Board: The hosts (and listeners) are all-in for a Deaf World Cup in the US in 2031.
- Legacy Matters: The episode celebrates not just a winning streak, but a community where culture, identity, and heart matter as much as medals.