Claudia Dickey: From Bench to NWSL MVP

Claudia Dickey: From Bench to NWSL MVP

She didn’t start. She didn’t play. She just stayed ready. In this episode of Life of a Soccer Girl, Evie tells the story of Claudia Dickey’s rise from backup goalkeeper to NWSL MVP and U.S. Women’s National Team player. From sitting on the bench for an entire professional season to stepping into the spotlight when it mattered most, Claudia’s journey is about patience, resilience, and being ready when your moment finally comes. We dive into: Her path from UNC to the NWSL What it’s like being a backup goalkeeper at the highest level The mental challenge of waiting without playing Her breakout moment with the Seattle Reign Playoff performances and proving herself under pressure Becoming an NWSL MVP and USWNT player This episode isn’t just about soccer — it’s about trusting the process, staying ready, and proving yourself when the opportunity finally arrives.

Megan Rapinoe: Peak, Pressure & Legacy

n this episode of Life of a Soccer Girl, Evie tells the story of Megan Rapinoe’s journey to the top of women’s soccer — and everything it took to get there. From growing up in California and overcoming family hardship, to battling multiple ACL injuries, Rapinoe’s path was anything but easy. But through resilience, confidence, and a refusal to stay quiet, she became one of the most influential players in the game. This episode dives into: Megan Rapinoe’s early life and soccer beginnings Her comeback from multiple major injuries The iconic 2011 World Cup assist vs. Brazil Olympic gold and international success Activism, equal pay, and using her platform The unforgettable 2019 World Cup performance What it means to peak under pressure At 34 years old, Rapinoe stood on top of the world — Golden Boot, Golden Ball, World Cup champion — proving that greatness doesn’t always follow a straight path. This is more than a soccer story. It’s about resilience, identity, and showing up as your full self — even when the world is watching.

Gisele Thompson: Writing Her Own Story

What's it like to have a sister who's just 13 months older than you and plays the same sport? To be on the same teams, go to the same clubs, sign with the same pro team? To make history together but also get compared constantly? Gisele Thompson is 19 years old and one of the highest-paid players in the NWSL. She and her sister Alyssa became the first siblings to start together in an NWSL game and the first to combine for a goal. In this episode, I'm exploring the unique pressure and opportunity of building your career side by side with family—and what it's like to be so young with so much already happening.

Mia Hamm: Before There Was a Path

Mia Hamm played for the U.S. Women's National Team for 17 years. She won two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals. She scored 158 international goals. But here's what I keep thinking about: for most of her career, there was no professional league. No endorsement deals. No sold-out stadiums. She played when almost no one was watching. In this episode, I'm talking about what it must have been like to be THE pioneer — to carry women's soccer on your shoulders before anyone cared. To build something from nothing. To be the first, so that players like me could have a path to follow. This one's different. It's about gratitude. It's about understanding where women's soccer came from. And it's about saying thank you to the player who changed everything.

Avery Patterson: Six Positions, One Player

Most players spend their entire career mastering one position. Avery Patterson has played six. From central midfielder to center back to right wing to right back, she's reinvented herself at every level of soccer. In this episode, I'm talking about the Houston Dash MVP who went from second-round draft pick to NWSL Best XI in just two seasons — and how she scored two goals in an NCAA championship final and still lost. Plus, I'm sharing what it's like when you have to keep proving yourself in new roles, and why getting stuck in an elevator before your national team debut might actually be the most Avery Patterson thing ever.