The 85ers: Building What Wasn’t There with Michelle Akers

Legendary soccer player Michelle Akers joins Sarah to talk about Origin Story: The 85ers, a new podcast documenting the first U.S. Women's National Team, the topless surf outing that resulted in a lasting nickname, and the joy, injuries and heartbreak that came with setting into motion 40 years of U.S. women’s soccer dominance. Plus, the field beats the favorite, a caucus teams up with a union, and a quicker-than-quick quadragenarian.

• Read Jeff Kassouf’s story on the NWSL's "High Impact Player" mechanism here

• Read the feature on Midge Purce in Women’s Health here

• Find the ever-updating list of NWSL free agent signings here

• Learn more out the podcast Origin Story: The 85ers here

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 TikTok: @Spain.Sarah

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 

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