Heartbreak Down Under: watching the USWNT lose by millimeters, with U.S. soccer royalty Michelle Akers

In the aftermath of Spain’s World Cup win, Brendan and Rebecca marvel at the squad’s total dominance and wonder what went so wrong for England. Then, they get into the controversy between the Spanish players and coach Jorge Vilda, why you still can’t buy Mary Earps’s jersey, and the utter absurdity of the postgame trophy presentation. ‘Men in Blazers’ co-founder Roger Bennett joins the show to help process England’s loss and to give his take on what’s next for the USWNT and women’s soccer culture around the globe. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

It’s a listener mailbag! Brendan and Rebecca take questions on who should be the USWNT’s next coach, their picks for goal of the tournament, male coaches in the women’s game, netball basics, the new power centers of women’s soccer, and the secret to Lindsey Horan’s swishy ponytail. Then they look ahead to the World Cup final, and Rebecca offers up her take on whether Lauren James should start for the Lionesses post-suspension. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Brendan and Rebecca dive deep into the Lionesses’ cheeky, spectacular semifinal win over Australia and shed a tear for Sam Kerr, who finally got her World Cup moment in front of a boisterous home crowd. Then the pair take a look at England’s ensuing showdown with Spain. ‘After the Whistle With Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Brendan and Rebecca recap the exhilarating finish that sealed Spain’s trip to the World Cup final — and sing the praises of the team’s breakout star, 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo. Then, Brendan pens a love letter to Australia as he and Rebecca look ahead to the other semifinal matchup. Plus: a reflection on how this World Cup is contributing to a sea change for women’s sports. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Brendan and Rebecca catch up on the Lionesses’s cheeky quarterfinal win, the Matildas’ epic penalty-shootout victory, and the England-Australia matchup that awaits. Then, former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern joins Brendan in person in Auckland to talk about bringing the World Cup Down Under, and to explain the intense Australia-New Zealand sporting rivalry. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Brendan watches his World Cup winner prediction come crashing down in Auckland as Japan falls to Sweden in a stunner. But Sweden’s victory doesn’t make the U.S.’s loss any easier to bear for him or guest Mia Hamm. The legendary soccer player joins to discuss the remarkably entertaining gameplay of this World Cup — and what really went wrong for the USWNT. Plus: Brendan and Rebecca reflect on that record-breaking penalty shot from England’s Chloe Kelly, an unfiltered moment from the Dutch, and whether there’s any appropriate time to do the Wave. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

The Round of 16 has concluded, and Rebecca’s cheeky Lionesses have squeaked through to the quarterfinals — but not without major controversy. And after having had a few days to properly process the USWNT’s loss, Brendan and Rebecca muse over Alex Morgan’s performance, the pain and promise of penalty kicks, and why Vlatko Andonovski should be fired immediately. Football-soccer power couple JJ and Kealia Watt join to discuss their new Premier League minority ownership and give their takes on the future of soccer in America. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Immediately after the final whistle of USA-Sweden, Brendan and Rebecca reunite across the international date line to debrief about the devastating defeat. Brendan sets the scene at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, where a dramatic penalty shoot-out sealed the worst World Cup finish in USWNT history. U.S. soccer royalty Michelle Akers joins the pod to help process the loss — and to possibly settle the team-nickname debate, once and for all. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

No bloomin’ Germany?! Brendan and Rebecca recap the major upsets that concluded the group stage, then offer up their new predictions for the knockout rounds. And with the pivotal USA-Sweden showdown just days away, the pair give their takes on what the U.S. will need to change in order to avoid an untimely elimination. Plus: Brendan makes the trip Down Under and gives his first impressions of Australia!

Still reeling from the stunning USWNT result, Brendan and Rebecca wonder how everything went so very wrong — and discuss the team’s controversial celebration at the end of the match. Two-time World Cup winner Brandi Chastain joins to diagnose the U.S.’s numerous issues and to give her unfiltered take on coach Vlatko Andonovski. Plus: Australia’s epic group winner, an update on Rebecca’s cheeky Lionesses, and Brendan’s surprising new pick for tournament champion. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®