Why Alyssa Naeher Almost Walked Away From Soccer

Summary

Podcast Summary: Welcome to the Party – "Why Alyssa Naeher Almost Walked Away From Soccer"

Date: March 12, 2026
Host(s): Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy
Special Guests: Billie Jean King, Alyssa Naeher

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the pivotal moments that almost caused Alyssa Naeher—USWNT legend, NWSL’s all-time saves leader, and two-time World Cup champion—to step away from professional soccer. Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy, joined by icon Billie Jean King, guide listeners through Alyssa’s bout with self-doubt, the friendships and advice that kept her in the game, and the coming NWSL season. The conversation toggles naturally between personal stories, league updates, and timeless advice for the next generation of athletes.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Explosive Growth of the NWSL

• [03:08–06:53]
  • Expansion: The league has doubled from 8 teams to 16 in its 14th season.
  • Excitement About Attendance:
    • Denver Summit's opener at Empower Field to break records (>45,000 tickets sold).
    • Boston Legacy's opener at Gillette has 20,000+ tickets out.
  • Key Additions and Returns:
    • Sophia Wilson and Mal Swanson returning from maternity leave; Trinity Rodman starring.
    • Julie: "The caffeine buzz is real. Different timelines, of course...it's going to be a huge boost." [05:27]
• Breakdown of Big Offseason Moves:
  • BFC (Bay FC) signs 20-year-old star Claire Hutton and international names.
  • Denver Summit making headlines with Lindsay Heaps and Janine Sonis.

2. Pre-Season Picks and Hot Takes

• [10:39–14:00]
  • Who Will Win?
    • Julie: Picks Washington Spirit ("They've been the last two finals...they're stacked.")
    • Abby: Chooses Kansas City for culture and chip-on-the-shoulder potential.
    • Banter about Angel City and connections to the clubs.

3. The Moment Alyssa Almost Quit—and Billie Jean King's Intervention

• [20:24–26:20]
  • Alyssa recounts attending Billie Jean King’s autobiographical play, after which Billie told the Chicago Stars, apparently unprompted:

    “I just have this feeling like somebody needs to hear that they're not done yet and they've got more to give to the sport and to the team.” – Billie Jean King [22:04]

  • Alyssa interprets this as a sign not to retire, reinforcing her decision to return for another season.

4. The 'Why' and 'How' of Not Walking Away

• [26:20–29:04]
  • Alyssa’s process of deciding to stay:
    • Emotional and physical "mechanic check" after the season.
    • Commitment philosophy: “It's either 100% or it's nothing.” – Alyssa Naeher [54:00]
    • The feeling that she still had something to offer, especially with the club at a moment of growth and transition.
  • The value of being an “advisory player”—mentoring while still contributing on the field.

5. What Makes a Goalkeeper (and Alyssa) Special

• [29:04–32:14]
  • The common traits of top goalkeepers:

    "You have to be a little bit crazy...a little bit of a reckless abandon." – Alyssa Naeher [29:25]

  • Alyssa on her own evolution: balancing quiet confidence and assertiveness without arrogance.

6. Resilience through Setbacks: Lessons for the Next Generation

• [32:14–38:17]
  • Alyssa’s early struggles: passed over for national team camps, told she lacked an ‘X factor’.
  • The power of supportive teammates and mentors:

    "Lauren Chaney would come up to me all the time. She's like, Alyssa, you deserve to be here..." [34:50]

  • Abby and Julie underscore the impact of small gestures and mutual support.

    "It's just, it matters...you're like the example of compounding all of these good pieces of goodness that you just wanted to put into the team." – Abby Wambach [39:27]

  • On consistency and work ethic:
    • The importance of "showing up for other people", values instilled by her family. [41:16]

7. Legacy, Leadership, and Hope for the Future

• [51:04–53:09]
  • Abby asks if the next generation is ready to “carry the torch”:

    “I do think that there's power in having to go through challenges and hard things and come out the other side...” – Alyssa Naeher [52:03]

  • On the changing landscape: younger players getting opportunities earlier, and how the “fight to get in” shapes team culture.

8. Looking Ahead: Chicago Stars and Season Aspirations

• [53:09–56:48]
  • Alyssa is optimistic about the new season, excited to build on last year’s progress:

    “I'm excited just to continue to see the growth of the team…to see who steps up and who steps into different roles.” [53:45]

  • The motivation of finally being on the cusp of lasting organizational change.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On choosing to continue:

  "I didn't want to come back if I couldn't give 100%…It's either 100% or it's nothing." – Alyssa Naeher [54:00]

• On what kept her going:

  “I had such a strong group of community around me...even in the lowest moments...Lauren Chaney would come up to me all the time...You deserve to be here.” – Alyssa Naeher [34:50]

• On team culture:

  “You have to be a little bit crazy. Reckless abandon.” – Alyssa Naeher [29:25]

• Billie Jean King’s advice (the pivotal moment):

  “I just have this feeling like somebody needs to hear that they're not done yet and they've got more to give…” – Billie Jean King [22:04]

• On legacy and impact:

  "People aren’t going to remember your stats…they’re going to remember how you treated them." – Alyssa Naeher [42:00]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• NWSL Expansion & Season Preview - [03:08–06:53]
• Notable Offseason Moves - [06:54–08:59]
• Predictions for the Season - [10:37–14:00]
• Alyssa’s Near-Retirement and Billie Jean King’s Advice - [20:24–26:20]
• Alyssa’s Decision Process & Commitment - [26:20–29:04]
• Goalkeeper Personality & Mindset - [29:04–32:14]
• Resilience, Mentorship, and Fighting Through Doubt - [32:14–38:17]
• Consistency, Showing Up, and Family Values - [41:16–42:00]
• Leadership for the Next Generation - [51:04–53:09]
• Chicago Stars Hopes for Season - [53:09–56:48]

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Episode Tone and Style

• Warm, celebratory, and conversational throughout.
• Frequent moments of laughter, mutual respect, and candid vulnerability.
• Intergenerational mentorship is a strong underlying theme (from Billie Jean to Alyssa, from Alyssa to current and future players).
• The episode is packed with practical advice for athletes, emphasis on community, and the power of small actions ("compounding goodness").
• Ends with the signature “party people” cheer and genuine appreciation for Alyssa’s leadership and character.

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Summary Usefulness:
This summary offers a clear, topic-driven guide through the episode, with timestamped highlights and direct quotes. It’s perfect for anyone wanting the substance and spirit of Alyssa Naeher’s remarkable journey, women’s soccer’s current landscape, and the enduring power of mentors—without needing to listen start to finish.

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Listen to Welcome to the Party for more stories celebrating and elevating women’s sports.

Transcript

[Abby Wambach]

5:00am I'm up with a crisp Celsius energy drink running 12 miles today. Grab a green juice, quick change and head to work. Meetings, workshops. One more Celsius. No slowing down. Working late, but obviously still meeting the girls for a little dancing.

[Julie Foudy]

Celsius Live fit.

[Abby Wambach]

Go grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate [e-mail]

[Alyssa Naeher]

Shot

[Julie Foudy]

clocks, big shots, upsets, aces. TGL playoffs are here.

[Alyssa Naeher]

First, Atlanta Drive starts their repeat run

[Abby Wambach]

against Los Angeles Golf Club.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Then Rory's Boston Common golf and Tigers Jupiter Lynx face off in their playoff debuts.

[Abby Wambach]

Who will advance?

[Julie Foudy]

Keep up its playoffs.

[Abby Wambach]

Tune in Tuesday, March 17th at 6:30pm and 9:00pm only on ESPN and the ESPN app. This episode of welcome to the Party is brought to you by McDonald's Big

[Alyssa Naeher]

Arch Burger party people.

[Julie Foudy]

One of the greatest goalkeepers in U.S. history.

[Alyssa Naeher]

I didn't want to come back if I couldn't give 100% to what I to what I want. It's either 100% or it's nothing.

[Julie Foudy]

If I was gonna choose anyone on the national team to go into business with, Alyssa Nair was my gal. Let's go.

[Billie Jean King]

Really?

[Abby Wambach]

Ooh. Wow.

[Billie Jean King]

You're a goalie. Why did you choose that?

[Alyssa Naeher]

You have to be a little bit crazy. If I'm being like, I mean, I'll own it a little.

[Abby Wambach]

I was gonna say it. I'm glad you did.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Attention,

[Abby Wambach]

the party is about to commence.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Welcome to.

[Julie Foudy]

What's up party people. I'm Julie Foudy.

[Abby Wambach]

And I'm Abby Wambach.

[Julie Foudy]

Abigail, I'm super excited for this, as I know you are, because coming up, party people, listen. Air. One of the greatest goalkeepers in U. S. History, all time saves leader in the NWSL played with Abby. She is on the pod. You guys, I don't know if this was part of you, but teammates. Did you call her uncle? This is like her.

[Abby Wambach]

I never called her uncle. She was a baby. I was basically Grandma. True, I was grandma.

[Julie Foudy]

Well, later in her career, her teammates nicknamed her uncle because apparently she always has the tools and she can fix about anything. So it turns out even Uncle Alyssa needed a little advice at a super pivotal moment when she was thinking about retiring. She'd retired from the US Women's National Team. Of course, she was thinking about do I keep going with the nwsl. And the person who gave her that advice, well, let's just say her first name might rhyme with silly. Any ideas? Abigail. Happy to report both of them will be joining us later.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, and also I. I really can't wait. Because what is crazy is Alyssa played in her first NWSL 13 years ago. The inaugural season of the NWSL. Yeah, but Jules, you know as well as I, a lot has changed since then.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, a lot. Doesn't even scratch the surface. I mean, I am beyond excited for what is now the 14th season of NWSL about to kick off. So I think we should actually get into that before we even get into the interview.

[Abby Wambach]

I think we should too. It's. It's happening.

[Julie Foudy]

It's happening. Okay. 2026 NWSL regular season begins actually tomorrow, party people. Friday, March 13th, with all 16. This is the crazy thing. 16 clubs in action across opening weekend. Abby, I know when you started NWSL in 2013, there were not 16 teams. How many there?

[Abby Wambach]

Eight. Yeah, there were eight teams, Jules. And since then the league has doubled and that's been done in 13 years.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

So the expansion teams bring us now to 16. With Boston Legacy and the Denver Summit joining as the 15th and 16th team now. Jules. Denver Summit, their first three games on the road to BFC will Orlando Pride and Gotham, which is a tough, tough first. Three games on the road against some of the best teams in the league. And then they have their home opener March 28 at Empower Field at Mile High. That seats about 75,000 versus the Washington Spirit. Now, Jules, you're going to that, right?

[Julie Foudy]

I'm going, I'm going. I'm taking Izzy hitting that opener in Denver.

[Abby Wambach]

I wish I could go. I wish I could go to that. And that game is expected to smash all the league's all time attendance records of 40,091 with. With. I think they already have 45,000 tickets already sold three weeks ago.

[Julie Foudy]

That was the base Washington Spirit game back in San Francisco at I think Oracle park is what they call it. Right. Where they had 40,000 and now. And they've already sold more than that 45. Yeah, and that was. Yeah, like you said a while ago.

[Abby Wambach]

And I suspect they're going to sell more as the season starts. Right now the Boston Legacy also is playing. Their home opener at Gillette stadium. Holds about 65,000 on March 14th versus Gotham. And they have already over 20,000 tickets sold.

[Julie Foudy]

Go get them.

[Abby Wambach]

And then also we got to talk about the triple espresso. Jules, we're very excited because we can't talk this season without mentioning how awesome it is to be having the three shots of espresso back caffeinated. The caffeine buzz is real. Different timelines, of course, because Sophia Wilson just got in for A scrimmage a few days ago with Portland and she's, she and Mal are obviously coming back from their pregnancies. Mal Swanson still making her way back from maternity leave. So we're looking to see when that will happen. And then Trinity playing in all three us she believe cup games even when she scared us a little bit with an injury. But the fact is, is that, that we've barely seen all of them since the Olympics, which has been wild if you think about it. So this is going to be a huge boost. It's going to be incredible to see them all fighting, you know, as we look ahead towards the 27 World Cup.

[Julie Foudy]

And, and the crazy thing is, is that like, you know, they score all these goals and are the stars coming out of that Olympics and then you're like, awesome. They're coming back to nwsl. And then of course because of trends injury and because Sophia and Mal both had babies, like we barely have seen them. So this is going to be I think a huge boost. Having the triple espresso back eventually. Not yet.

[Abby Wambach]

Like, it's very exciting.

[Julie Foudy]

Patience people, they're coming back from pregnancy. Okay. I wanted to talk about some of the teams I was impressed with in the off season and some of the moves they met made because I was really impressed and a lot of these moves actually are still, they were still happening last week. BFC Emma Coates is the new coach there. She's got a long history with the youth national teams in England and particularly them getting 20 year old, you know, future US women's national team star, up and coming star of our youth, I mean of our full national team, Claire Hutton. I mean this kid, beyond how great she is on the field, Abby, when you talk to her, which we do a lot before national team games, she, she's literally just 20, is so wise and so smart and so grounded and I'm like, oh my God, this kid very much like a Sam Coffee. You know, when you listen to Sam Coffee and you're like, how do you have all this put together at such a young age? Claire, Claire gives off that vibe as well.

[Abby Wambach]

So I love watching Claire play. She's one of my favorite players to watch right now for sure.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. And I emailed that ownership group who we all know at Bay FC very well, all the, our former teammates, Leslie and Danielle and Brandy and them. And we said, I was like, you got a good one. They're like, yep, we're gonna build around her because they, they, they also were saying how impressed they were by her so they also signed Comedy, who was the center back that we watched all she believes cup play for Argentina, who was really good. She was playing in the French league for FC Fleury, who. Who was actually doing really well in the French league. They were sitting in fourth or sitting above PSG in the French league, but they signed Come who's the captain of the Argentinian team. And she's coming over to bfc. They also signed BFC in this last week. Italian forward Cristiani Garelli.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Do you.

[Julie Foudy]

Do you remember her? She's been playing forever for Italy. She's on loan from. From Juventus. She. Okay, feisty. She's 35 years old. That's the only downside. I would say almost 36. But she's been banging in goals for Italy for the last 13 years. And she actually helped the team at the Euros. She was the one who scored those three amazing goals for Italy at the Euros in 2025.

[Billie Jean King]

Yes.

[Julie Foudy]

So, yes, I like her. I like her a lot. What else do I got? Oh, the other one I was impressed was with Denver Summit. I think it's hard when you're, as we know, an expansion team and you're coming in and you're having to build from scratch. First person that we, you know, big name. Big name.

[Alyssa Naeher]

They.

[Julie Foudy]

They announced was Lindsay Heaps. They're getting her from Lyon when she's done in June. She's from Colorado. Makes a ton of sense. I love that. They have also Sonis, Janine Sonis, who's the Canadian star, who's also from Colorado. She's really good. They got her from Louisville. Oh, they also have this young up and coming again, who really impressed me in the January window with the U.S. women's National Team. IO. Okay. She's a defender who can get forward, bombs forward, and has tons of experience with youth. U.S. youth National Team. She actually won the Mexican League championship last season while playing down with Pachuca. So I could keep going, but I won't. Okay, final thing. We gotta get to Alyssa. Should we pick a team on and decide who's going to win it?

[Alyssa Naeher]

All right.

[Julie Foudy]

I mean, we haven't talked.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes.

[Julie Foudy]

Do you want to pick Angel City?

[Abby Wambach]

Well, no, actually, I don't.

[Julie Foudy]

No, No.

[Abby Wambach]

I think that what we should do is we should say that we can't pick Angel City just because we are.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

It's too conflicted. Yeah. You. You go first Card owners.

[Julie Foudy]

I'm gonna go with Washington.

[Abby Wambach]

Damn it. That's what I was gonna say.

[Julie Foudy]

You were gonna go with the spirit, too. They've been the last two finals. Obviously we know all the drama around re signing Trinity and could they make it happen. They instilled that hip rule, high impact player rule that gives each team and that's still to be discussed. What's happening with that with the players Association. But they have more room in their cap to bring in impact players. So they're stacked. They got a lot of really good players. If Trinity can stay healthy and a lot of that team can stay healthy then. Although they did lose Croy Bethune who went to Kansas City in the Claire Hutton trade to Bay fc, that three team trade, so. But they're good. So I'm going to Washington.

[Abby Wambach]

I'm gonna say Kansas City for a lot of reasons. One, there's like a general vibe that I'm experiencing and this has this. There's no scientific evidence to this, but I think that when I look out at the league, I look for the teams that I think the players are the happiest at. And it does feel like the Kansas City team, those players are treated really, really well and their ownership group, you know, they have the stadium, they've got the facilities. I personally love the city of Kansas City. Like I think like living there would be fun. The community comes out and watches their games. And then of course them getting, having such a ridiculous season last year and not getting as far as I think that they probably in some ways should have, right? In some ways could have. Yeah, I think that they're gonna have a little chip on their shoulder of that. So I think that they made some really good trades in, in, in this off season and, and, and yeah, I'm really looking more than anything to see some of these breakout stars. The, this last transfer window, in this last year we've lost a couple of NWSL players to, to European teams and I think that some of it just gives a really unique opportunity to some of these up and coming stars and to not just get on the field and make impact, but become responsible for their team success. And that changes the way that a player plays like this. Claire Hutton, right, going to Bay fc, Claire's not just a young player anymore. She's now a player that the team themselves are building around and that comes with a totally different set of responsibilities for her. So yeah, I'm looking to see. Obviously we want Angel City to do as well as they can, but because we couldn't choose them, I think that Kansas City is going to have another incredible year and hopefully go all the way.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, right on.

[Abby Wambach]

We will be watching But Angel City. I pick Angel City. Okay, good.

[Julie Foudy]

All right, party people, stick around. The Kinger and Alyssa Nair coming up next.

[Abby Wambach]

All right, Jules, you want to break through the busiest time of the year with the brand new Peloton Cross Training Tread plus, powered by Peloton iq. Huh?

[Julie Foudy]

I do, I do.

[Abby Wambach]

Do you?

[Julie Foudy]

Yes.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay, so, Jules, Peloton Cross Training Tread plus is their most sophisticated system to date, combining real time performance insights with a range of training modes that let you move seamlessly between solo sessions and instructor led workouts, which I love. It brings struct and flexibility together, so your training evolves with you. What makes Peloton I think work for me is how it removes the friction. Consistency for me is everything. And Peloton makes it simple to. Yeah, to plan the workouts, to stay engaged and keep building the momentum. Right. To keep going back instead of overthinking, Jules, what to do. I can just show up, run, lift, and challenge myself. Right. So that the guidance is essentially there. You don't have to think, just show up. And also, Jules, the experience feels intentional, from the design to the programming, to the instructions themselves. Okay. It keeps things fresh, motivating, and genuinely enjoyable. Which is exactly why I stick with it. Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. Explore the new peloton cross training tread

[Julie Foudy]

[e-mail] CARE is a global powerhouse for change ABS. They are, as you know, an organization that fights poverty all over the world, and they have a special focus on women and girls. So it makes sense, perfect sense, that we are partnering with them to celebrate International Women's Day. And this year, CARE is talking about something we know really well, the uneven playing field that women face. And let's face it, every woman who has competed in sports, has had a successful career or sometimes just fought to be heard, knows it can be an uphill battle. We can have tremendous talents. We can put in extra hours at work and at home. But the truth is, the playing field is. Is uneven. And we exceed expectations because we've learned we often have to. And still, the truth is unavoidable. The playing field has never been level. I will say that again. The playing field has never been level. This isn't about ability or ambition. It's about unspoken barriers that honestly continue to tilt the ground beneath our feet. And despite the imbalance, women keep pushing forward. But we always find a way to lead. That's what we love about women. We excel. And by doing that, we reshape spaces that weren't built with us in mind. And that's what care does every single day all over the world. So who cares about leveling the playing field for women?

[Abby Wambach]

You do.

[Julie Foudy]

And so does care. And so do we every day around the world and local communities with local leadership. Sign the [e-mail] pledge this episode of welcome to the party is brought to you by McDonald's Big Arch Burger. Abigail, I know you love some Mickey D's. And McDonald's has a new Big arch burger. Have you heard about it?

[Abby Wambach]

I have.

[Julie Foudy]

It is the most McDonald's McDonald's burger yet. Okay, picture this. Two quarter pound patties.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes.

[Julie Foudy]

Three slices of cheese. Tangy. I love cheese too. Tangy. Big arch sauce. Lettuce. Pickles. Crispy. And slivered onions. I love the onions. And a poppy and sesame seed bun. Okay, so my favorite thing about McDonald's burger is probably the sauces. They know how to do a sauce so well. Yeah. And to hear there's going to be a special Big arch sauce on this burger. Let's go. And I'm a big fan of the sauce and pickle combination. So I cannot wait to try this. So order the new Big arch. The most McDonald's McDonald's burger yet at participating McDonald's for a limited time while supplies last. And now to the partiest part of our party. Today we've got a two time World cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, 2024 U. S soccer female player of the year and the NWSLs. I can never say that the NWSL's all time leader in saves. Yes. This Chicago stars star is defined by her cool, her calm, her absolute composure between the pipes. And today we're going to talk retirement from the US Women's national team. We're going to talk the next NWSL season ahead of her, her 14th season. Which makes her, I believe, one of only two NWSL OGs left in the league who have played since its inception in 2013.

[Abby Wambach]

We'll talk about.

[Julie Foudy]

While weighing whether or not she should.

[Abby Wambach]

That is the most craziest sentence. While weighing whether or not.

[Billie Jean King]

Lots of w's in there.

[Julie Foudy]

Whether she should retire from the nwsl. How that decision may or may not have been influenced by the Kinger herself. Billie Jean King, Alyssa Nair, you crossword loving salt of the earth goodness. Welcome to the party.

[Abby Wambach]

Let's go. Listen,

[Alyssa Naeher]

I'm excited to be here. What an intro. That was great.

[Julie Foudy]

Wow.

[Billie Jean King]

Julie knows how to do intros.

[Alyssa Naeher]

But believe me, I know that was. That was great. I need to. I needed to get an instrument.

[Billie Jean King]

Julie, why don't you give her a pep talk before every time she goes out to play. I mean, come on.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Yeah, right. I'm. I'm going to have to call you up and say, I got a. I got a big game coming up.

[Julie Foudy]

Well, Kinger, apparently you did already.

[Abby Wambach]

What's the story I need.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Abby. Actually, I haven't told her because I'm like, I'm saving it for the pod.

[Alyssa Naeher]

I'm like, going back and forth about retirement, whatnot. Obviously getting older, and we'd had an interesting season, to say the least. At this point. We were already on our third coach of the year, so I grabbed Julie. I think when I saw you at the NWCL championship game is when I think I told you this story, and I was like, I got. I have the best story for you now that you guys are doing your podcast. So we had the opportunity here in Chicago last summer to attend Billie Jean King's play. That was the story, all about her life and everything here, which was an incredible experience. I mean, I, I don't know how you actually sat through and like, the vulnerability to, like, sit through and watch your, your whole life story get played out in front of every, like, people is incredible. I feel like I learned so much about you as, as a Billie Jean, like, off the court, rather than just like everything I knew about you from, you know, all the Title 9 stuff and the pay equality and the fight for women's in sports. But to hear your, your whole story and to feel like, you know, it's very vulnerable view, so it was very impressive. And you then came and spoke to us as a team. There was, I think, 15 of us or so that were in the audience for, for the show, and you start saying, and you're, you know, you're giving your spiel about how, you know, excited to be here and good to see women in sports. And, you know, I think you might have. I think you might be friends with Laura Ricketts, who's our owner right now. And then you kind of just like, you. Yeah, you kind of just like pause. You're like, wait a minute. I feel like there's. There's someone here that, like, I need that, like, needs to hear something that. I just feel like there's somebody sitting here that just like, I just need to tell you, you're not done yet. I don't know what's coming over. Like, you're not done yet. And like, literally all the girls are sitting next to me like, it's Alyssa, Alyssa, Alyssa. Like, and I was like, I was kind of one of those, like, does she know? Like, did she give. Like, did somebody give her, like, a. Hey, try to talk to Alyssa about, you know, maybe staying on or whatnot? But it was just, like, so out of the blue. So just, like, seemed like, off the cuff of just, like. I just have this feeling like, somebody needs to hear that they're not done yet and they've got more to give to the sport and to the team. And I was just like, jaw dropped. I was like, okay. I was like, well, Billie Jean King is telling. Is, like, giving me this, like, sign that it's not time yet. Like, I should probably. Should probably think this one through a little bit. But, yeah, it was hilarious. And I was like, amazing.

[Abby Wambach]

Billy. Did she. Did somebody tell you?

[Billie Jean King]

No, no, no.

[Abby Wambach]

Not at all.

[Billie Jean King]

No. I was worried it was gonna be late. I couldn't find where they were. They're actually still in the Shakespeare theater there. And I'm like, oh, okay. I thought we'd find a room away. Because it'll be really pretty private. Not. And some people were still listening.

[Alyssa Naeher]

No. It's, like, right in the middle of everything.

[Billie Jean King]

A little more generic, probably, than I'd like to, but. No, I just. I don't know. But then you and I talk. We did talk. Because you did talk to me.

[Alyssa Naeher]

We did.

[Billie Jean King]

While we're there, just for a couple of moments. And I just. I just know how hard it is when you're finally watching. And no matter how much you wish you could play, you know, we're older, you cannot. There's a point in time where it doesn't matter. You just can't cut it. And I didn't feel like you were there yet. I don't know. There was something telling me that you weren't there yet, but you have to decide. But now you have decided, which. Wow, I can't wait. This is gonna be great.

[Julie Foudy]

I'm so happy that Kinger was there to convince you not to retire. Thank God. Good.

[Billie Jean King]

I think she convinced me. I don't think I had much.

[Julie Foudy]

The crazy thing is, she was telling me that story, Abby at the NWSL championship game, and she's like. And then out of nowhere, Kinger says, you know, I just have this feeling that someone in the crowd is weighing this really heavy decision.

[Alyssa Naeher]

And she's like, do you think she talked to Laura?

[Julie Foudy]

And I was like, I don't think so. I don't think so. I said, I remember before she was having that conversation with y', all. I had a. Remember, we talked about A Kinger, you called me and was like, you know, hey, what do you suggest? You know, what advice would you give about this, too, team? And I was like, give them a pep talk. They need it, right? So as she's telling me this story, Abs Kinger calls at the national, at the NWSL Championship. My phone rings as I'm standing next to Alyssa, Kinger calls me about something. And so I have Alyssa go, hello, Kinger, this is Alyssa. Let me tell you about this story. And I said, we got to do this on the podcast.

[Abby Wambach]

So good. So good.

[Billie Jean King]

No, but how do you feel now? I mean, how are you feeling about this process?

[Alyssa Naeher]

I feel good. You know, I definitely got to the end of the year and did, like, the typical, you know, you, like, send the car into the mechanic and just get, like, the full. You know, how is everything doing? Check all the. Check engine lights that are on at this point, so. And make sure everything can keep. Because I knew that if I. I didn't want to come back, if I couldn't give 100% to what I. To what I wanted to do, you know, I think that's how I've approached everything. My whole career is. It's either 100% or it's nothing. So I wanted to make sure that if I was coming back, it was for the right reasons. It was to come, and I was 100% committed and able to do what I wanted to do. But I felt like. I felt like I still had more to give. I felt like there was still more that I could be doing for this team, for the organization, and I was excited to decide to come back again and for another season.

[Abby Wambach]

What are you hoping? Like, you've done everything that you probably set out to do. Is there something else that you're hoping to achieve in this last year or last year's? I don't want to pretend like I know when you're going to retire.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Yeah, it felt like we were right on, like, the precipice last year towards the end of the year, and, like, really trending in the right direction as a team. And like I said before, like, we went through four coaches last year, you know, a lot of different players coming through, and it was a. It was a tough. A tough year for us as a team. And I feel like there was at times a big disconnect from, you know, the. You know, what the organization. The direction the organization is going and what we're trying to do is incredible. You know, Laura has big dreams. She has huge, huge aspirations, but it felt Like, a little bit. We were stuck in this, like, almost in between of times of, like, you know, the training facility is a pipe dream. It's now. It's getting built now. It's, you know, we want a stadium. We want this. We're gonna. We're making the move to Northwestern, so it's different. So there was a big part of me that felt like, you know, I'd fought for so long and given so much, and, like, we're just so close to like, finally turning the corner, and I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to kind of continue to see that through, and I felt like there was still more that I could give in a. Almost in an advisory role while still playing of like, hey, this is what I've seen throughout my career. This is what I've seen work for other teammates that play for other teams as they've gone through different transitions of ownership and changes and try to just help give a little bit of color to. This isn't just like, oh, my opinion is, let's do this or, let's do that. It's like, no, I've seen this team try to do that, and it failed. But I've seen this team and this organization try to do it this way, and they found a lot of success in doing that. So just in trying to, you know, I feel like I have a lot of lived experience over the years within the league and within just soccer in general, that if I can help contribute to the progression, then I wanted to be a part of that. And I wanted. I was, you know, being with my teammates on the field, it's something that you'll never be able to replicate, that you'll never be able to get that back. That, you know, the competition, the camaraderie of a locker room of a group of people, and I think that's the probably the scariest thing to walk away from is like, how are you going to recreate that? And I think if I wanted to still be competing with my teammates. Yeah, for sure.

[Billie Jean King]

What kind of personalities. Is there any sameness to goalies in soccer?

[Abby Wambach]

I would love.

[Julie Foudy]

We're gonna talk for days. King.

[Abby Wambach]

Want to hear a little bit? Because I think.

[Billie Jean King]

I think the fans would love to hear. Your goalie. Why did you choose that?

[Alyssa Naeher]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

What do you.

[Billie Jean King]

What kind of attributes? What do you need to be a great goalie?

[Alyssa Naeher]

You have to be a little bit crazy. If I'm being like, I mean, I'll own it a little. You gotta have, you know, that a

[Billie Jean King]

little bit of a Reckless abandon behind you.

[Alyssa Naeher]

We'll refer to it more as reckless abandon than crazy. But, yeah, I think there's just like this.

[Billie Jean King]

Oh, that's great.

[Alyssa Naeher]

But, yeah, I mean, I think for me, it was. I grew up playing a lot of basketball as well. I'm a huge advocate for kids to play multiple sports. I think it's just huge for development both on and off the court. I think just, you know, everything I learned on a basketball court, I've even contributed to, you know, my soccer career. And I think the, like, that's where, like, the hand. Eye coordination. I mean, I remember going up for rebounds in high school and, like, yelling keeper. Because I would, like, get confused, like, which sport I'm playing at the time. But it's funny, too, because even, you know, we're starting, we're in preseason, and we've got new coaching staff. And I go and I sit right in the back, and the coaches are like, oh, come on. Like, you're supposed to be a leader. You're supposed to be a captain. Like, you gotta. You gotta sit in the front. I'm like, uh, I'm a back row. And they're like, what do you mean? I was like, I need. I need to see. I need to keep everything in front of me. I need to see. I was like. I was like, don't worry. I'm still paying attention. I'm locked into what you're saying. I'm not just hanging out back in here, but, like, I need to visualize. I need to keep everything in front of me. I want to be able to see the whole. The whole picture.

[Abby Wambach]

I have the unique experience of having, like, played with Alyssa. And I will say this, that you probably were the most normal goalkeeper I ever played with. Your. And you also came in just really wanting to, like, soak up all of what the national team had to offer. And we also connected because you were a crossroad, a crossword person as well. I'm a big crossword person. But what I loved about you, Alyssa, is. And watching you continue on past when I retired, you just have this. This incredible, like, belief in yourself and confidence that never reads arrogant, which I think is a very hard thing to do, especially as a goalkeeper. Right. Like, sometimes goalkeepers get louder than they need to be. And when they're. That when they're. They're too loud, I'm thinking, oh, I think there might. There might be a little insecurity there. But, like, you were always very, like, measured. And then when you needed to get fired up, you got Fired up. I just wanted to say, like, I loved playing with you. And then I think more than anything, I loved seeing you soar and like, win player of the Year, the U.S. soccer Player of the Year in 2024.

[Julie Foudy]

I did not play with you, Alyssa, but I have called and watched you for many years. Many of your games and your career stands out to me for many reasons. But the things I think about, and I want kids to hear this and I want parents to hear this, is when I talk to you, you talk about being told often by coaches that you didn't have the X factor, needed to be at the national team level. Right. Whether it was you weren't vocal enough or you weren't. You didn't have a presence enough and goal. We've. You've told me these things before, that coaches has said that to you, that you got sent home from a senior US women's national team camp in 2010, that you were on the cusp. Cusp of getting in for years. And it took a long time. Took a long time. It very much reminds me of Emily Sonnets trajectory as well, what you went through. And you thought about quitting multiple times, but you didn't. Why not? Yeah, that's what I want parents and kids to hear. Why not? What kept you going?

[Alyssa Naeher]

Yeah, for me, it was when I, and I try to tell a lot of my younger teammates this now, especially now that I'm one of the more older, more veteran players. I fortunately, when I was a rookie and younger, I figured out pretty quick that I was very fortunate to have the veteran players around me that I did, whether it was with the national team or, you know, I was drafted by the Boston Breakers. I was drafted by Tony DeCicco. And on that team was Christine Lilly, Leslie Osborne, Stephanie Cox, Amy Lapelbit, Kelly Smith, Alex Scott, Lauren Holiday or Cheney at the time was in my same draft class. We were, I mean, incredible. Rachel Bueller was on that team too. Kelli o' Hara ended up on the team like Lindsey Tarpley. It was just like. It was just like an incredible group of not just players, but people that I was like, you know what this is? This is such an incredible opportunity to. To learn and just be a sponge and like, soak up, like, watching how Lil and Tony interacted as a captain and a coach and watching how, you know, all these different players at the time, who were these incredible players, learning how to have fun off the field and also do your job on the field, because that's a huge part of what we Try to do too. Like, you have to have a life. You have to be a real person. But obviously we have a job to do as well. And learning what that work life balance looks like. And even then I would go in with the national team and it's. My first roommate was Lori Kolupny. And I'm like, oh, God. I'm like, like, this is incredible. And it's like Shannon Box is there and Abby and Christy Rampone and all these incredible players that I had looked up to for so long that now I'm getting the opportunity to play side by side. I'll never forget my first camp playing 5e5. My team is winning, by the way. Two nothing and a ball goes out and Cat Whitehill starts screaming behind me to get the ball in faster. And I'm like all frantic. I'm like, even now, to this day, I'm like sprinting to get a ball in 5v5 to put it back in play regardless if we're winning or losing. But I think what I was and just having like such incredible, you know, a goalkeeper group that I was able to learn from Hope, I was able to learn from Barney, I was able to learn from Jill and Ashlyn and A.D. and all these other. And Paul, like, you know, Paul and Graham and Puli, all these coaches that kind of came through, had such different things to share that I just tried to soak up as much as I could in that so that whenever my opportunity did come, I wouldn't waste it. You know, I think it was, it was really hard over the years of, you know, is my time ever going to come? Is this going to work out? Is this worth it? Is this not worth it? Like, you kind of go through all those things when you're, when you're waiting. And now in retrospect, like, I'm very grateful for what the time waited. But I think what helped me the most in that was I had such a strong group of community around me, whether that was teammates or family, that even in like the lowest moments of, you know, self doubt or frustration or do I belong to be like, do I deserve this? Do I belong here? You know, Lauren Chaney would come up to me all the time. She's like, Alyssa, you deserve to be here. Like, you deserve to be on this field. Like, you're ready to be here. Like, Amy Lapelbet coming in this, one of the best center backs of all time is like, lys, I want you behind me. Like, I trust you behind me. And having players like that, that whether it was to know that they believed in me and know that they could see the work that was getting put in. And knowing that, you know, I was earning in their respect and their trust gave me a lot of confidence to keep going, even when it was really hard. In those moments, whether I remember, I remember Kelli o' Hara coming up to me after a qualifying tournament in 2014 that wasn't rostered on. I was basically not even allowed in the locker room, not allowed on the field when we won, not allowed to do anything. And I remember her pulling me aside and saying, like, hey, you just need to know how important you were to what we just did. Because you went to 30 straight days of training, took hundreds of shots with the forwards. You played as a center back, you played as a forwards. I just need you to know that we see that and we feel that and you helped this team win. So it's like little moments like that along the way from teammates just made it all worth it and made you want to keep going.

[Julie Foudy]

I hope people hear that.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Right?

[Julie Foudy]

The importance. I talk to my kids about this all the time. Like, take the time as a teammate

[Alyssa Naeher]

to tell a player 100%, it could

[Julie Foudy]

be in the middle of training, it could be after training, it could be before the next training. But say, this is why what you did matters. This. It doesn't have to be. I said, it's not like a five minute conversation. It's literally 30 seconds of thank you. You made me better. You made this player better. And I just want you to know how much we value this. You know who is excellent at doing this? Mia Ham. Because then the person who's maybe not playing, who could easily. You could have maybe, if you hadn't had that feedback, maybe quit along the way. Right. I don't love this group. I'm not. They don't. They don't understand my value. And. And so as a teammate and being a great teammate and leader is like, take that role seriously. It's huge. Those little conversations go so far to people who maybe aren't starting, aren't getting the highlights, aren't getting the headlines.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

That's awesome.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah. And I'll say this like, Alyssa definitely made me a better player. You know, coming in and out from 2010 to 2014 to. To when I retired, close to 2016, the end of 2015. You know, the amount of times that, that goalkeepers have to. Just. By the way, people don't know this about goalkeeper world and their timeline, but they go to training like an hour before the Rest of the team shows up and they do their goalkeeper technical training and then they have to sit through and play through the entirety of our training. Oftentimes just like, you know, they're. If we're playing in, you know, an 11 aside game where goalkeepers aren't as, as active, right. Like, so they have to go and train hard for like an hour. And then some days we have like 5v5s, which is hard for the goalkeepers, right, because they're getting lots and lots of reps. And the amount of times that like lists you just like would get in goal and the amount of. I just want to say, like it's just, it matters, right? Like all of those little things do add up and like I think that, that you are a perfect example of just doing the small little things over a consistent period of time, then having them compound, right? Like you're like the, the example of compounding all of these good pieces of goodness that you just like wanted to put into the team. It's just really special. Where do you think that that comes from? Like, where does that part of you live, like being this consistent, showing up day in and day out person?

[Alyssa Naeher]

I think, you know, I'm very fortunate with, you know, the parents that I grew up with. I think they, the values that they instilled in me and my sisters when we were growing up of just, you know, my dad was a basketball coach for a long time. He attempted to coach us playing soccer, which was hilarious to try to do a three man weave up the soccer field with the ball. But I think just he would what he would always say and like he even, you know, whether it was if we had a bad day or we'd get frustrated and you know, like, I want to quit, I don't want to do this anymore. He would always ask like, well, why do you want to quit? Well, like, do you not have fun anymore? Like, is it not fun? Did you just not have a good day? Are you frustrated? And I'm like, I just wasn't good. He's like, that's not a good enough reason to not do this. Then we go back tomorrow. If you don't enjoy it, if you're not having fun, we're gonna honor our commitment. We're gonna play through the end of the season because we're not going to, you know, we're going to honor our word to you, committing to the club and the coaches. But if you're not enjoying it, you're not having fun, then after the season we can talk about It. But right now, you. We're finishing out the season, and I think even, like, small things like that end up just going a long way in, you know, whether it's even in a basketball practice, how you're, you know, interacting with teammates and in a high school level. And I think just my parents always instilled the most important thing you can do in life is to show up for other people. And that's how you can. That's how you care about people. That's, you know, and honoring your word, and that's the only thing that you can really control. And I think that that applies to a field, I think that applies to a court. That applies to every aspect of life, is how you show up for people. And, you know, one of my teammates, even here in Chicago, you know, had said to me at some point last year, which always stuck out to me, was like, you know, you. You might have the, you know, a great career, but people aren't going to remember your stats. They're not going to remember your wins, your losses. They're going to remember how you treated them. You're going to remember how, like, you treated teammates and fans and everybody that you interact with. And that stuck out to me a lot. You know, even hearing, you know, hearing her say that, I was like, you know what? That makes a lot of sense. Like, people remember you for you, not for what you've necessarily done. And I think that there's. I hope that I've been able to have an impact on other people, and I hope that the impact that that has then, you know, trickles down further. Because like I said, I was very fortunate to learn and grow from incredible women when I first came into this profession. And I learned a lot from them. And the best way that I can honor them, the best way that I can even honor Tony and all these players that I got to play with is to pass on and teach the players that are coming after me and kind of replicating and doing those same things that I saw them do on a consistent daily basis. And I think that's just the way that I hope then the next generation passes on those things to the next and the next to the next. And it's just this pay it forward kind of thing.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah. This is the epitome of relationships are everything. They are.

[Abby Wambach]

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[Julie Foudy]

It's brilliant.

[Abby Wambach]

It's just. It's so much better. Okay, so you start with pre wash, which is this incredibly gentle scalp rinse that like, melts away.

[Julie Foudy]

Scalp brush.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, that melts away the buildup without that, that stripped, squeaky feeling. And then you follow it with new wash, this rich, creamy cleanser that replaces like both your shampoo and conditioner in just one step. And Jules, what shocked me the most was how immediate the difference was. My hair felt softer, smoother, and somehow calmer after the very first wash. Like. Like it had reset. And the best part, I don't feel like I have to wash it constantly anymore. It stays balanced and healthy for so much longer. So it's honestly feels like that's the biggest win. Yeah, it feels like I've been overdoing it for years. And this is like the first routine that's shown me less can actually be transformational. So if you want your hair to feel healthier, stronger, and more alive, Hair Story is absolutely worth discovering. Try it for yourself. Go to hairstory.com welcome to the party and use code PARTY15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Do you think the next generation is in a position right now that you remember being in when you were midway through your career? Do you think that they have the same mentality that you have? Because sometimes I look and I, you know, this young US national team, I see them and they're fantastic athletes. And I just wonder because I'm not in the system. I don't know. I wonder if you think that the leadership on the women's national team is going to Continue to carry it on.

[Alyssa Naeher]

I hope so. I think, you know, I think there's still the small group of veterans that are left of, you know, Sonnet and Rose and Lindsey. Obviously, a number of us have moved on at this point, but I think that I'm hopeful that they are strong enough, you know, in leadership roles that they can instill the. That mentality. I think that's the mentality the US has always had over the years. I know things have changed a little bit in, you know, you're not necessarily having to wait years to get your opportunity anymore. It's a little bit. Happens a little bit quicker now, which I think has its pros and its cons. I think you kind of learn by doing as well, and you're kind of just getting thrown into the fire and there's benefit to that also. So it will be interesting to see kind of how it plays out, because I think that's something that, like, my generation and your generation, like, what we had in terms of building that mentality was like that gnawing at, like, just trying to, like, fight tooth and nail to make a roster, to get onto a field. I mean, I was with the team for five years before I even saw my jersey hanging in a locker to sit on the bench. So I think that there's a lot of that. If you can persevere and get through that, then you really do. You don't take anything for granted. And I'm not saying that they take anything for granted or anything like that. I don't know. I would not say that. But I do think that there's power in having to go through challenges and hard things and come out the other side of it to see, you know, what it takes to do that and the bond that that happens within a team of. Of you guys doing that as a group as well. And I think that's what led to a lot of our shared success as teams was a lot of the different bits of adversity that we went through, both individually and collectively, because it just builds your build you stronger.

[Julie Foudy]

Can we go back to NWSL for a second? Because I do want to. Before we let you go, I want to. To just get a quick. Since you've been with this team for so long with Chicago Stars, and I know you didn't have the season y' all wanted last year, but for NWSL fans, what are you thinking this next season is going to look like with y'? All? I know Ludmila got traded to San Diego, but hopefully Mal Swanson is back Right. You got Jamiece Joseph, who's been playing with the US Team a bit now. So what are you most excited with this this season?

[Alyssa Naeher]

I am excited to. To hopefully just continue to build off of how we finished last year. It felt like. It felt like we were again, like, instilling once we had, you know, Anders had come in, who is now our first assistant coach to finish the year in July or August. A lot of what he tried to instill was, you know, he and Martin, who's now our head coach, have worked side by side for a number of years. So a lot of what he was instilling was kind of setting the framework for this year. So my hope is that, you know, we obviously make improvements from what, because we were close last year. That was almost one of the more frustrating pieces of it is like, we weren't. Like, we were so far off that it was, you know, no chance. We were fighting and competing and, you know, one or two inches away from a, you know, different type of season. But I'm excited just to continue to see the growth of the team, to see what we're able to. It's always fun and exciting to see, like, new young players who steps up and who steps into different roles when a season starts and who takes on more leadership responsibilities, who becomes those veteran players after, you know, not, you know, kind of getting their feet wet in the league for a little bit of time. And now who's ready to step up in a different role? We've got players coming in from different teams that, you know, how are they. Obviously, we want to have our identity in a culture, but it's always trying to adapt and infuse, you know, new personalities into that. And I'm excited to share the field with Mal again. I think, you know, I'm so excited for her. I hopeful, you know, whenever she. She does get, you know, fully back in. In with the group, you know, I know she's working hard to get herself right and feel like she's in a good place. And, you know, whenever she gets back on the field, I'm excited for it. And I think that even just her being in and around the group is going to lift the group up just by her being who she is and just her presence. So I'm excited just to kind of

[Abby Wambach]

see

[Alyssa Naeher]

what we can build off of last year and hopefully find a bit more success in the win column this year.

[Julie Foudy]

You got it, Alyss.

[Abby Wambach]

Totally.

[Alyssa Naeher]

We're ready.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, you got it. I love the idea, too, of you staying on and saying I could still play and kind of be a consultant at the same time. Not just player manager. Player consultant, so. Because we are gonna. I did say if. If I was gonna choose anyone on the national team to go into business with, Alyssa Nair was my gal. Let's go.

[Billie Jean King]

Really?

[Julie Foudy]

Oh.

[Billie Jean King]

Anyway, yeah, you're a leader.

[Abby Wambach]

You just.

[Billie Jean King]

You're a leader. Go for it.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, we're really happy that you could. Come on. I mean, Alyssa, your. Your stats obviously prove that you're a shoe in for me for the hall of Fame. But more than anything, like, you're just such a good person. Every single time I speak to you, you're always, like, looking at me in the eye, and you're totally present. So I just, like, I really value what you've not only brought to me personally, but then what you've done on to carry on like the torch for our women's national team. Thank you for that service, and we wish you so much luck. Except when you play Angel City during the NWSL season.

[Julie Foudy]

Best of luck this season, Alyssa. Okay, party pose on three. Alyssa, are you ready? One, two, three. Three.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Ready?

[Julie Foudy]

Man, I abs love that woman. She's like salt to the earth, grounded. Oh, goodness. So much goodness comes out of her. She's. And, man, she. She's gone through a lot. As she was talking about. It took her a long time to ever even win that starting position. And she's just. You know how hard it is to be a really good teammate during all of that. And she was a really good teammate from everyone you talk to to a player. Like, how amazing she was for years and years and years.

[Alyssa Naeher]

Listen.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah. And I think any time that I've ever watched her not only play, but the way she talks about her teammates, I was just always really impressed. And she impressed me today. So much so that we forgot to actually do the USA cheer with her. Like, I feel kind of embarrassed. Like, the one person that knows usa like, what is wrong with us? Jules. So, like, she popped off. This was a different thing, and now

[Alyssa Naeher]

this was a different day.

[Julie Foudy]

We're all over the map here.

[Abby Wambach]

We're lonely. Just. It's just me and Jules here, but here we are. We're gonna go do our ooh. So I'm gonna actually do it quieter. Just wait.

[Julie Foudy]

We're gonna do our outro first. Then we'll do our oosa. But we did forget. I mean, the one woman we should be having doing our USA with us, and we didn't even ask her. All right, party people. Don't forget. And this is just a good reminder too. Like it's fun to watch all of this and the interviews and all the fun things they throw in the B roll and they cover things with it's fun on YouTube. So don't forget to subscribe to the welcome to the party YouTube channel so you can go watch it and they'll remind you every time a new episode comes out live.

[Abby Wambach]

And if you can take one minute, we would appreciate it. Like for real. It really matters to our show. If you can rate, leave a comment and subscribe to pop to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and then also just be sure if you could to follow us on Instagram or YouTube and wherever you get your socials at. Welcome to the Party show where Julie, Billy and I will bring the party straight to your feed. You can also email us at party people questions gmail.com shout out again to Kate Theme music All right Jules, let's bring it in. I'm going to do a soft one. That and and my softness in the Oosa is is indicative of my shame and and not having Alyssa do it with us.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, we'll both do a soft one. I don't know if I can do a soft Oosa.

[Abby Wambach]

Actually I can.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay. USA on three. One, two, three.

[Abby Wambach]

Usa.

[Julie Foudy]

Usa. Usa. Sorry Elusa.

[Abby Wambach]

Welcome to the Party is an independent production brought to you by Treat Media. Treat Media makes art for humans who want to stay human. Initial Digital is our production partner and you can also watch our full conversations on the welcome to the party YouTube channel and follow us at welcome to the Party show on Instagram and TikTok. Thanks for listening.

[Alyssa Naeher]

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[Julie Foudy]

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[Alyssa Naeher]

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[Julie Foudy]

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