Episode 2: A Golden Opportunity cover art

Episode 2: A Golden Opportunity

Episode 2: A Golden Opportunity

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 Presented by adidas Produced by Storied Sports Executive Producer: Michelle Akers Episode 2 digs into the chaos & confusion that led to the formation of the first U.S. Women’s National Team - unbeknownst to the players themselves. The women recount finding out they’d made the national roster in ways that ranged from the bizarre to the anticlimactic — including learning the news from a reporter before U.S. Soccer even contacted them. Behind the scenes, a group of determined women were pushing the sport forward. This episode spotlights Marty Mankamayer, along with Mavis Derflinger and Betty D’Anjolell — the unstoppable “Charlie’s Angels” of youth soccer whose organization, business savvy, and political grit forced open doors the federation wasn’t ready to unlock. Their biggest breakthrough: getting women’s soccer into the 1985 Olympic Sports Festival, a move that created the pipeline needed to scout and select the first national team. It’s a story of visionary leadership, bureaucratic battles, and the moment the potential of players like Michelle Akers, Sharon McMurtry, and Stacey Enos became impossible to ignore. 00:00 — Pam learns she made the team (…from a reporter) 01:52 — “There’s a USWNT?!” 02:26 — Chapter two: A Golden Opportunity 03:20 — The barriers for the USSF 04:36 — The addition: women’s soccer now in the Olympic Sports Festival 06:54 — Meet the power trio: Marty, Mavis & Betty 08:10 — The explosion of girls & women’s soccer after Title IX 11:27 — Michelle Akers appears: “A once-in-a-generation talent” 18:18 — Players arrive in Baton Rouge: “It was like the Olympics” 27:55 — The plan unbeknownst to the players: the national team selection 34:02 — The announcement: the first USWNT is named on the field 40:00 — “So… do you have a passport?” Featuring (in order of appearance): Pam Baughman Cornell: Forward | Member of the 1985 USWNT | Virginia / D.C. Soccer Hall Of Famer Erin Foley: Host Of Origin Story: The 85ers | Comedian & TV Writer Jane McManus: Host Of Origin Story: The 85ers | Sports Journalist & Academic Linda Gancitano: Defender | 1985 Olympic Sports Festival MVP | First Sub in USWNT History Lori Bylin Sweeney: Midfielder | Member of The 1985 USWNT Tara Buckley O’Sullivan: Midfielder | 4x All-American & 1982 Honda Award Winner Stacey Enos: Midfielder | Member of the 1985 USWNT | 3x NCAA Champion - University of North Carolina Michelle Akers: Midfielder/Forward | Fifa Co-Player of the Century | USWNT Olympic Gold Medalist & 2x World Cup Champion Anson Dorrance: USWNT Head Coach 1986-1994 | 65–22–5 Record with USWNT Kim Wyant: Goalkeeper | First GK Win in USWNT History | NYU Men's Soccer Head Coach Marty Mankamyer: First Female Board Member of United States Soccer Federation | U.S. Olympic Committee President 2002 -2003 Dana Giddens: Daughter Of Marty Mankamyer Ruth Harker: Goalkeeper | Member Of The 1985 USWNT | St. Louis Soccer Hall of Famer Lori Henry: Defender | Former USWNT Captain & World Cup Champion Brandi Chastain: USWNT 2x Olympic Gold Medalist & 2x World Cup Champion Sharon McMurtry: Midfielder | 1985 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year | First-Ever U.S Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Emily Pickering Harner: Midfielder | First Assist In USWNT History Kathy Ridgewell-Williams: Forward | Member of the 1985 USWNT Episode 3: 12.12.25 Episode 4: 12.16.25 Episode 5: 12.17.25 Episode 6: 12.18.25 Episode 7: 12.19.25
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.