The Soccer Podcast USA with Christina Unkel
The Soccer Podcast USA with Christina Unkel
Podcast Description
The Soccer Podcast USA, is a new weekly podcast hosted by Christina Unkel—CBS Sports commentator, former FIFA referee, and lifelong advocate for the game—our podcast explores the dynamic landscape of soccer in the United States, focusing on the stories, people, and ideas driving the sport forward.Our mission is to provide a platform that reflects the breadth and depth of soccer in the U.S., from the growth of the men’s and women’s games at all levels to the vital role of grassroots soccer. By spotlighting players, coaches, executives, advocates, and community leaders, we aim to celebrate the contributions of those shaping soccer both on and off the field.At a pivotal moment for the sport—with the international success of the USWNT, the upcoming 2026 Men’s World Cup, and the continued expansion of MLS and NWSL—we believe The Soccer Podcast USA can help amplify the narratives shaping the future of soccer in this country. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and balanced dialogue, celebrating the progress of the game while addressing its challenges and opportunities.📺 Watch us on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@TheSoccerPodcastUSA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast emphasizes various topics including the growth of women’s soccer, the dynamics of the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, and grassroots development. Specific episodes cover events like the SheBelieves Cup, analyze the impact of significant figures in soccer such as Emma Hayes, and discuss changes in the financial landscape with mentions of Netflix's involvement in the Women’s World Cups.
The Soccer Podcast USA, is a weekly conversation hosted by Christina Unkel—a former FIFA referee and CBS and ITV Sports rules analyst hailed by The New York Times and The Guardian as a standout voice during the 2024 European Mens’ Championships. She brings a rare mix of legal insight, officiating expertise, and executive leadership as President and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Sun FC.
Each week, Christina is joined by Lori Lindsey, former U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder and one of the most respected voices in American soccer broadcasting. A 14-year pro and Olympic gold medalist, Lori has played in all three of the U.S.’s top women’s leagues and now serves as lead analyst for the NWSL on Prime Video and MLS Season Pass, with credits across FOX, CBS, NBC, and ESPN.
Together, Christina and Lori explore the week’s biggest stories across the U.S. soccer landscape—from tactics and transfers to leadership and equity—with clarity, humor, and an eye on what’s next.
At a defining moment for the sport—with the rise of the NWSL, the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, and the reshaping of grassroots and pro soccer alike—The Soccer Podcast USA offers informed, fearless conversation with two of the most experienced minds in the game.
Big names. Bold takes. The future of American soccer.
Oh—and did we mention the surprise guests?
📺 Watch us on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@TheSoccerPodcastUSA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christina missed her triathlon.
Why?
🏆 She won a championship
🚤 Led a boat parade
🎥 Invested in a Hershey’s documentary
🗣️ Spoke at a mayor’s convention
💀 And then… she was dead (spiritually)
Lori? She’s training for a half marathon she has zero plans to run.
Also: she’s wearing a hat that says “Freaks.”
What starts as a conversation about fitness quickly unravels into:
- Inventing a Tuesday Morning Half Marathon (with no police)
- Secretly racing retirees on the bike trail
- Gas station barbecue rituals
- Italian piazzas… in Kansas City?
Then broadcaster Nate Bukaty joins the show to explain how KC became the unlikely architectural engine of the 2026 World Cup — and why the world should stop sleeping on the Midwest.
It’s smart, chaotic, and 100% them.
⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:
00:00 – Lori’s hat says Freaks; Christina thinks it says Thanks 😅
01:14 – Christina’s WHOOP stats are back in the green: post-championship recovery
04:22 – Why she skipped the sprint triathlon (hint: boat parades + movie deals)
06:08 – “Make Tampa the Mecca of Women’s Sports” — Christina’s plan
07:14 – Lori trains for a half-marathon she has no plans to run 🏃♀️
08:34 – Christina proposes an unstructured half-marathon… on a Tuesday
10:29 – “No FIFA, ice cream every day”: a former ref gets real
11:01 – Surprise guest: Nate Bukaty enters the chat
12:23 – How Kansas City went from soccer afterthought to World Cup host
13:24 – The Women’s World Cup watch party that sparked a franchise
15:08 – Interviewing the mayor on the 29th floor 🏙️
16:05 – KC is the global hub for sports architecture (yes, even Wembley)
17:14 – Gas station BBQ and Kansas City hospitality
17:57 – KC’s stadium piazza takes inspiration from Italy 🇮🇹
18:41 – Lori: “That part of town is all Italian—makes sense”
19:18 – Nate’s mission: ride the World Cup wave and tell KC’s story
21:07 – Nate’s Spanish is good enough for MLS post-match interviews 🇲🇽
23:33 – Christina: “Don’t ride the wave—build the base” 🌊
26:42 – What if your city isn’t hosting the World Cup? Build a toolkit
27:35 – No one knows the Club World Cup is happening… unless you’re Latino
28:55 – Why U.S. Soccer should market to the fans already showing up
29:58 – Lessons from the Club World Cup: who’s really buying the tickets?
31:31 – Christina heads into budget season while the staff goes dark
33:01 – Sam Meza gets her USWNT call-up thanks to actual minutes played
36:32 – Lori: some NWSL teams will scrimmage boys clubs to stay sharp
38:41 – Why Tampa’s next season is a full marketing reset
40:43 – Women’s Euros preview: Lori heads to LA, Christina slips a name 🤐
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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