Backpasses Ep. 1: A Quick (Wild) History of Women’s Pro Soccer in the U.S.

We just fired up the time machine and took the most chaotic walk through U.S. women’s soccer history—because if you’re loving the NWSL right now, you should know what it took to get here. We go from the barely-documented 1919 league, to the Craig League in 1950, to the USWNT forming in the ‘80s, to the brutal three-season curse of WUSA and WPS. We get into the WPSL quietly holding it down, then the early NWSL “YouTube days,” the Lifetime storytelling wins, and the GO90 streaming nightmare. And we don’t dodge the hard stuff: the 2021 reporting, the Yates investigation, and why real player protections finally had to happen. Come argue, learn, and nerd out with us—this series is just getting started.

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00:00 Backpasses Ep. 1 - US WoSo History
01:18 Before the beginning
03:49 In the beginning
06:35 An Evolution
10:50 A New Chapter(s)
17:31 NWSL: YouTube Era
25:43 NWSL: Lifetime Era & go90
33:59 NWSL: Modern Day Era

Celebrating Christen Press: Retirement Special

Join us for a heartfelt episode as we celebrate the incredible career of CP23, Christen Press, Angel City FC's first signing. Get your emotional support Capri-sun & some tissues ready as we celebrate her career and lasting impact to WoSo!

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#AngelCityFC #NWSL #FootyTherapy #ChristenPress #CP23

00:00 Introduction and Host Introduction

01:03 Retirement Special: Christen Press

03:29 Christen Press' Career Highlights

06:01 International Career and Achievements

10:52 Off the Pitch: Advocacy and Challenges

19:15 Dogs for Christen: A Fan Movement

24:21 Final Reflections and Legacy

27:27 Outro and Additional Episodes

Celebrating Ali Riley: Retirement Special

Join us for a heartfelt episode as we celebrate the incredible career of Ali Riley, Angel City FC's cherished captain. Get your emotional support Capri-sun & some tissues ready as we celebrate the career and lasting impact to Woso!

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@casualfcpod INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | THREADS

@casualfc.com BLUESKY

SUPPORT THE POD

1. Leave a review where ever you listen!
2. Buy fun merch at shop.casualfc.com
3. Buy us a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/casualfcpod

Find other great WoSo pods at **https://casualfc.com/support-woso-pod**

#AngelCityFC #NWSL #FootyTherapy #AliRiley

00:00 Introduction and Host's Message
03:08 Ali Riley's Early Career and High School Days
03:55 College Years and Transition to Professional Soccer
05:52 International Career and Return to NWSL
09:52 Ali Riley's Legacy and Impact
20:17 Conclusion and Farewell