Back Passes: A Women’s World Cup Ads Retrospective (1995–2023)

We took a deep dive into Women's World Cup advertising — from Nike's gut-punch 1995 "If You Let Me Play" spot to the star-powered 2023 campaigns. We're reacting in real time to Mia Hamm vs. Michael Jordan, Rainn Wilson's questionable 2007 choices, the Lionesses' BBC hype video, a very cheeky German ad, and the Nike what the football campaign that started it all. Buckle up.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

@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

00:00 – Intro
07:00 – Nike "If You Let Me Play" (1995) — Still hits different
13:13 – Mia Hamm vs. Michael Jordan — The Gatorade ad
20:10 – 2003 WWC Adidas ad & the SARS relocation
20:10 – Rainn Wilson hosts: 2007 "Greatest Team You've Never Heard Of"
25:22 – 2015 WWC: TV records broken, but where are the ads?
30:22 – 2019: BBC Lionesses hype video feat. Ms. Banks
39:26 – German DFB ad — "We don't need balls, we've got ponytails"
43:59 – 2019 Nike World Cup ad (the little girl one)
48:13 – Fox Sports "USA vs. The World" (2023)
53:14 – Nike "What the Football" campaign — the one that started it all
1:00:10 – Outro & where to find us

FURT: The Most Unhinged Marketing Campaign in Women's Soccer History | Back Passes

We're diving deep into one of the most legendary memes in women's soccer history: FURT. Eva took over with a full PowerPoint presentation — yes, with Comic Sans and pink soccer ball animations — and we broke down the NWSL's infamous 2016 marketing campaign that gave us "FURT" We laughed, we cringed, and we're officially campaigning to bring FURT back for its 10-year anniversary.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

@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

00:00 – Intro & welcome to Back Passes
00:10 – Introducing tonight's topic: FURT
01:20 – Why Eva is the right person for this job
02:50 – Eva's PowerPoint begins: The She Believes Cup & 2016 women's soccer context
05:54 – The birth of FURT — "Stronger Her, Faster Her, Further"
09:12 – Mario sees FURT for the first time (reactions)
10:22 – Eva's proposal: The He Believes Cup
17:00 – Fan & community reaction to FURT in 2016
20:30 – Was FURT salvageable? What they should have done
23:10 – FURT's legacy and why we need to bring it back
27:30 – FURT tattoo plans + outro

Angel City vs Orlando Pride Preview | Top of the Table & What to Watch

We're sitting top of the table at 3-0, and now comes the real test: Orlando Pride on the road. We break down the gritty comeback win over Houston, discuss why controlling possession is our key to success, and preview Orlando's dangerous attackers. Plus, we geek out over Denver's record-breaking 63,000-fan opener and talk about what makes this Angel City team different.

🗓️ Friday, April 3, 5:00 PM PT
🏟️ Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando
⚽ vs Orlando Pride
📺 Prime Video
🎙️ iHeart Radio

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

@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

00:00 – Intro
01:05 – Mario and Angela's Text Venn Diagram
04:02 – Match Preview Info
05:40 – TOP OF THE TABLE!!!
08:26 – Weekend Press Box Surprise/FOMO #2
12:38 – Match Recap and Footy Therapy
21:39 – Roundabout Scores From This Week
23:19 – Denver Opening Was Insane
27:52 – Amazing Representation
27:52 – Scores Continued
30:53 – Match Preview: Orlando Pride
40:07 – Angel City Key Points
45:40 – Angel City Player Spotlight: Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir
50:23 – Support The Pod

Angel City vs Houston Dash Preview: Top of the Table Battle + NWSL Chaos Recap

We're two wins in, top of the table, and seven goals deep — now it's time to preview Friday night's showdown against Houston at BMO. We break down Angel City's hot start, Sveindís's electric speed, the collectible pin controversy, and a wild NWSL weekend that included four red cards. Plus, our friend OSG from the Dash Dispatch drops a scouting report on the players to watch. Let's go.

🗓️ Friday, March 27th, 7:00 PM PT
🏟️ BMO Stadium
⚽ vs Houston Dash
📺 Prime Video
🎙️ iHeartRadio

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

@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

00:00 – Intro
00:42 – Welcome to Casual FC
01:11 – Match Details & Friday Night Vibes
03:49 – Collectible Pin Shortage (5,000?!)
08:51 – Last Match Highlights: 2 Wins, 7 Goals
18:38 – Footy Therapy: Discord Reactions
24:56 – NWSL Score Roundabout
25:14 – Chaos Award: Cascadia Clash & 4 Red Cards
32:00 – Houston Dash Match Preview
33:04 – Guest Spot: OSG from the Dash Dispatch
35:53 – Breaking Down Houston's Key Players
47:09 – Support the Pod & Outro

Angel City FC at Bay FC - San Andreas Cup | Match Recap, Bay FC Preview & Kennedy Fuller Spotlight

WE WON FOUR TO NOTHING. Most assertive win in Angel City history! Angela recaps the home opener from the press box (where she had to stay quiet 😤), Mario has major FOMO about meeting iHeart's Isaac and Tracey, and we break down the Bay FC match ahead. Our featured Angel is Kennedy Fuller — the 19-year-old midfield phenom who just keeps leveling up.

🗓️ Saturday, March 21 at 5:45 PM
🏟️ PayPal Park, San Jose
⚽ vs Bay FC
📺 ION TV
🎙️ iHeartRadio

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

@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**

00:30 - Welcome to Casual FC
02:36 - San Andreas Cup promo (it's silly and we love it)
03:35 - Join the Discord — it was POPPIN' this weekend
05:37 - Opening weekend vibes were immaculate
06:27 - Mario's FOMO: Angela met Isaac AND Tracey
16:36 - Chicago match recap: FOUR TO NOTHING
31:36 - Haiku of the year
32:26 - Scores around the league
33:34 - NWSL chaos award: two red cards in one weekend
35:34 - Bay FC match preview & San Andreas Cup stakes
39:57 - Player spotlight: Kennedy Fuller
47:50 - Follow & support the pod

#AngelCityFC #ACFC #NWSL #BayFC #SanAndreasCup #KennedyFuller #FootyTherapy #CasualFC #WoSo #NWSLMatchPreview

OPENING WEEKEND IS HERE EVERYONE! We are so excited to bring you the next match preview of ACFC v Chicago Stars FC. We cover how to get all your footy needs taken care of this weekend, and as always Angela breaks down all we need to know about the match. Our featured Angel today is Sarah Gorden - we talk about her early career and all the things that make her great.

🗓️ Sunday, March 15 at 4:00 PM
🏟️ BMO Stadium
⚽️ vs Chicago Stars FC
📺 Victory+
🎙️ iHeartRadio

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
@casualfcpod INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | THREADS
@casualfc.com BLUESKY

SUPPORT THE POD
Leave a review where ever you listen!
Buy fun merch at shop.casualfc.com
Buy us a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/casualfcpod
Find other great WoSo pods at **https://casualfc.com/support-woso-pod**

#AngelCityFC #NWSL #ChicagoStarsFC #footytherapy

00:29 Welcome to Casual FC
10:48 Opening Weekend Schedule
13:59 Chicago Stars FC Match Preview
24:27 ACFC Player Spotlight: Sarah Gorden
36:51 Support the pod

All Things Angel City: Coachella Recap, Flare Kit Reveal, Key Dates + Full Roster Deep Dive

Mario and Angela present the “All Things Angel City” episode, recapping Angel City’s Coachella preseason (2–0 win vs Portland, 2–1 loss vs Seattle), reacting to the leaguewide jersey drop and Angel City’s Flare Kit, and sharing stories from the jersey reveal event. We lay out key season dates (the summer “sauna matches” and the San Andreas Cup). We also talk major departures from last season and the offseason, then break down the current roster and new additions including rookies & vets. WE ARE SO PUMPED FOR THE SEASON!!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

@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 #Seasonpreview #WomensSoccer #FootyTherapy

00:00 Angel City FC Season Preview
02:50 Coachella Valley Invitational Recap
04:50 ACFC New Kit!
09:29 Angel City FC Kit Reveal
15:42 Important Upcoming Dates
18:49 Who's In/Who's Out from Last Season
23:08 ACFC Offseason Moves
41:25 Current ACFC Roster
54:30 New Series: Backpasses
56:31 Support The Pod

NWSL 2026 Kickoff

We’re officially back for the 2026 season, and this episode is our big league-wide reset before we go full Angel City next week. We get into the Trinity Rodman re-signing and the messy new “high impact player” rule, then run through the key dates you need for the season and a break down how to actually watch games with this year’s streaming and TV situation. After that, we do a (semi)quick whip-around of the NWSL offseason. Who leveled up, who took a hit, and which teams (including the new clubs) might cause chaos.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

@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**

#NWSL #Seasonpreview #WomensSoccer

00:00 NWSL Season Preview
00:17 We're Back!
03:28 The High Impact Player Rule (HIP)
10:56 2026 Season Important Dates
16:11 How to watch the NWSL this season
21:55 Bay FC Preview
24:29 Boston Legacy FC Preview
27:04 Chicago Stars FC Preview
29:46 Denver Summit FC Preview
32:53 NJ/NY Gotham FC Preview
35:25 Houston Dash Preview
38:50 Kansas City Current Preview
42:58 North Carolina Courage Preview
46:26 Orlando Pride Preview
48:56 Portland Thorns Preview
53:34 Racing Louisville FC Preview
55:58 San Diego Wave FC Preview
58:28 Seattle Reign FC Preview
01:00:59 Utah Royals FC Preview
01:02:16 Washington Spirit Preview
01:05:35 Ways to support the pod