Laces Out Loud is officially expanding! In Episode 31, we celebrate the podcast’s move to Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, iHeartRadio, and more before diving into a packed soccer week.

Gotham adds another trophy with a Challenge Cup win over Kansas City, while the NWSL’s new cleat-branding rules spark a bigger conversation about player compensation, endorsement deals, and whether women athletes are finally getting paid for the visibility they provide. We also dig into women-specific footwear design, sneaker culture, and why “shrink it and pink it” should have been left behind a long time ago.

Then it’s on to World Cup drama, FIFA’s science and technology exhibit in Vancouver, goal-line tech, player tracking, VAR experiments, and the NWSL’s return from break — including heat policy questions, Spirit survival plans, San Diego vs. Gotham, Denver vs. Kansas City, and possible debuts to watch.

Find us on Instagram @lacesoutloud or email us at lacesoutloudpod@gmail.com.

The World Cup break continues, but the NWSL news cycle is refusing to rest. This week, Pamitha, Gurushabd, and Alli dig into Angel City’s chaotic week, the Ally Sentnor trade, Kansas City’s next move, and Gotham somehow getting even more Gotham with Sam Kerr’s return to the NWSL.

Then the crew takes on the bigger soccer culture questions: why American chants need an upgrade, how women’s soccer fans can lead the way, and whether World Cup “hydration breaks” are becoming commercial breaks in disguise. Plus: Atlanta’s 2028 NWSL rollout, underdog World Cup bandwagons, the Rocky statue curse, and a passionate rant against the "James Cordenification" of soccer coverage.

From roster chaos to chant culture, this one is peak World Cup break energy.

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The Laces Out Loud crew is back and digging into the numbers. This week, Pamitha, Gurushabd, and Alli break down whether the Kansas City Current can actually win without Temwa Chawinga, comparing her impact to other stars like Esther and Barbra Banda while asking bigger questions about coaching, roster construction, and what separates good teams from truly elite ones.

Plus, we recap the USWNT’s spicy Brazil matchup, praise Emma Hayes’ leadership, give flowers to the USMNT, roast American soccer chants, celebrate the NWSL Championship coming to D.C., and manifest a Washington Spirit finals run.

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The Laces Out Loud crew is finally together in person for a special episode full of NWSL joy, chaos, and very loud opinions. After a sold-out Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign match at Audi Field, we break down the game day experience, fan culture, Youth Night energy, questionable chants, Lacey Santos’ gorgeous free kick, and what makes women’s soccer supporters so special.

Plus, we dig into the Kansas City Current’s record-setting home unbeaten streak, Temwa Chawinga’s impact, Chicago’s GM shakeup, VAR frustrations, the new goalkeeper time-wasting rule, USWNT roster updates, Triple Espresso, and why FIFA remains firmly on the bad list.

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This week on Laces Out Loud, we’re breaking down a wild CONCACAF final, the Washington Spirit’s 5–3 thriller against Club América - remind us - who thinks women's soccer is inferior? Silence? Good. We also discuss the very real tension between growing the women’s game and protecting player health. We also dive into the NWSL’s latest strange trend — hair pulling, red cards, tactical fouls, and what foul data could tell us if anyone actually made it public.

Plus, Gurushabd is headed east for Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit at a sold-out Audi Field, which means Laces Out Loud is going in person for good soccer, good coffee, questionable ice cream planning, and full Rowdy Audi energy. We also check in on Utah’s surprise rise, the expansion teams making noise, and why Ashley Sanchez deserves every bit of national team buzz.

Follow us on Instagram @lacesoutloud and send us your thoughts, hot takes, and DC ice cream recommendations at lacesoutloudpod@gmail.com

This week on Laces Out Loud, Pamitha, Alli, and Gurushabd catch up on two weeks of NWSL action, starting with Gurushabd’s trip to Angel City at BMO Stadium, where the vibes were immaculate and the mango ice cream may have stolen the show. The crew talks Ashley Sanchez’s heater, NC Courage crowds, Mal Swanson’s return, José the Coyote social media beef, Gotham’s $5 ticket push, and what accessible soccer really means as the NWSL continues to grow.

Then it’s time for a full VAR on VAR review: inconsistent NWSL officiating, missed calls, penalty drama, player safety, fan education, and whether VAR is actually making the game better. Plus: drumming grandmas, deep dish slander, referee chants, and the eternal question—should ice cream cake count as ice cream or cake?

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This week on Laces Out Loud, we open with a heartfelt tribute to Zuko, our beloved black cat and unofficial podcast supervisor, before diving back into the beautiful game. Alli brings the spreadsheets, the math, and the FBref deep dive as we explore the growing international footprint of the NWSL: which countries are represented, which players are logging serious minutes, and which clubs are building the most global rosters.

From Sandy MacIver and Rosemonde Kouassi with the Washington Spirit to Assata Traoré, Iceland’s impact, England’s strong presence, Jamaica’s rise, and San Diego’s international firepower, we look at what these numbers say about the NWSL as one of the best women’s soccer leagues in the world.

Plus: Racing Louisville’s international goose egg, vegetarian breakfast chaos in Kentucky, and Gurushabd’s trip to BMO for Angel City vs. San Diego Wave.

Follow us on Instagram @lacesoutloud and send your questions, comments, and NWSL thoughts to lacesoutloudpod@gmail.com

Technical difficulties may have stolen our planned international players deep dive, but the NWSL gave us plenty to talk about. This week on Laces Out Loud, we recap a wild return from the international break, including the Washington Spirit’s dominant 4-0 win over Kansas City, Sandy MacIver’s big saves, Trinity Rodman’s first goal of the season, Claudia Martínez making history, and Gotham and Washington finding their spark against Bay FC.

We also dive into Seattle’s tough loss to Utah and the latest on Jess Fishlock, Racing Louisville’s first win, Boston’s continued search for a breakthrough, Sophia Wilson getting on the scoresheet, Portland and Angel City delivering late-game chaos, and San Diego Wave’s comeback against Denver Summit. Plus, we talk midweek games, Croix Bethune and McKenna Morris returns, the Spirit’s new lucky charm José the Coyote, and our excitement for Ted Lasso Season 4 and AFC Richmond Women.

Follow us on Instagram @lacesoutloud and email us at lacesoutloudpod@gmail.com. Like, subscribe, and be good to each other — from the fans, for the game.