After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe

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®

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 16 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 11 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 8 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2023

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!

Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2023

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®

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2023

In the aftermath of the USWNT’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands, Brendan and Rebecca lament some confounding lineup decisions and extol the heroics of captain Lindsey Horan. Jill Ellis, who coached the U.S. to its 2015 and 2019 World Cup trophies, joins to give her take on the team’s performance and what she’d change ahead of a pivotal matchup with Portugal. Plus, still in search of a new USWNT nickname, Brendan and Rebecca round up some of the best audience submissions.

Transcribed - Published: 27 July 2023

This World Cup is well underway, and not everything has gone quite as predicted. Brendan and Rebecca recap the most unexpected moments of the tournament so far, including (of course) England’s 1-0 squeaker over Haiti. Plus, The Athletic’s Meg Linehan joins from New Zealand to give an insider’s take on the USWNT’s performance vs. Vietnam and their chances to three-peat as champions. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2023

A win is a win … right? Brendan and Rebecca break down a clunky and frustrating opening performance from the USWNT — as well as some curious roster decisions. World Cup legend Julie Foudy joins to offer perspective on why the match was closer than anyone expected. Plus: the magic of Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan’s crushing missed penalty, and an update on the “dark-horse race” happening in Group B. ‘After the Whistle With Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2023

Brendan and Rebecca are back to preview everything you need to know before the Women’s World Cup kicks off on July 20. They share hopes and dreams for their beloved USWNT and England Lionesses, pick dark horses and make winner predictions, and mull some new nickname options for the U.S. And with 32 teams in the tournament for the first time ever, Brendan and Rebecca offer up a primer on every squad, from A to (New) Z. ‘After the Whistle With Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is presented by State Farm®

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2023

They’re back! Join Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard on ‘Ted Lasso,’ and Rebecca Lowe, host of NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage, as they team up again to celebrate the 2023 Women’s World Cup. They’ll talk about all the superstars, the drama … and, of course, the Team USA women, who are hoping to secure their third World Cup win in a row. Plus, Brendan and Rebecca will have a few special guests stopping by along the way. Join us this summer for an all-new season of ‘After the Whistle.’ Presented by State Farm®

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2023

They’re back! Join Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard on ‘Ted Lasso,’ and Rebecca Lowe, host of NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage, as they team up again to celebrate the 2023 Women’s World Cup. They’ll talk about all the superstars, the drama … and, of course, the Team USA women, who are hoping to secure their third World Cup win in a row. Plus, Brendan and Rebecca will have a few special guests stopping by along the way. Join us this summer for an all-new season of ‘After the Whistle.’ Presented by State Farm®

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2023

If ever a match lived up to the hype, today’s match was it. Immediately after the whistle, Brendan and Rebecca relive the most incredible World Cup final of all time: 80 minutes of Argentine dominance, two Kylian Mbappé goals in two minutes, a nail-biting extra-time period with goals on each side, and a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner. And how else could it end but with Lionel Messi lifting the trophy and cementing his place in football history?

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2022

From a ninth-minute equalizer to Croatian swim caps, today’s third-place match had it all. Brendan and Rebecca briefly recap the day before jumping into listener questions, including: What rules would they change for the next World Cup? Which USMNT player’s stock went up the most? And how does one choose a Premier League team to follow? After that, they look ahead to tomorrow’s Argentina–France showdown and make some final predictions.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2022

Brendan and Rebecca react to the end of a historic Cinderella run as Morocco falls to France 2-0. Then they briefly preview an unpredictable France–Argentina final and wonder: Will the Messi–Mbappé showdown bring complete chaos, or a nil-nil draw? Later, with Rebecca back across the pond, the two talk through how this strange midwinter World Cup could have a massive ripple effect on the Premier League. And finally, Rebecca shares the one thing she’s most looking forward to in London … the supermarket.

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2022

Brendan and Rebecca react to Argentina’s decisive win over Croatia and revel in Lionel Messi making the World Cup final, which just feels so right. Then, they break down the major controversy swirling around Gio Reyna and the USMNT, as coach Gregg Berhalter airs out the team’s dirty laundry just days after its elimination. Plus, Seth Meyers joins to talk about his love for the Dutch (not in 60 seconds) and why neither Messi nor Ronaldo bring him joy, and to fondly (?) remember Brendan’s “weird apartment” in Amsterdam.

Transcribed - Published: 14 December 2022

A despondent Rebecca podcasts through the pain of England’s 2-1 loss to France in the quarterfinals. She and Brendan dissect how it all went wrong, from Gareth Southgate’s questionable game management to Harry Kane’s crushing missed penalty and a “joke” of a referee. They then celebrate Morocco becoming the first African team ever to make the World Cup semifinals (and wonder why Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t do the same). Finally, Brendan and Rebecca pay tribute to the incomparable American soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who died Friday at age 48 while covering the tournament in Qatar.

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2022

Rebecca and Brendan recap a stunning day at the World Cup as two quarterfinal matches end in penalties: Underdog Croatia took out star-studded Brazil and Brendan’s beloved Netherlands fell to Lionel Messi’s unrelenting Argentina. Plus, power couple Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle join the podcast to share the emotional roller coaster of newfound soccer fandom (Glennon) and give an expert’s take on penalty kicks (Abby). Note: Hours after recording this episode, we learned that soccer journalist Grant Wahl passed away while reporting on the World Cup in Qatar. We will have more to say about Grant as a writer and as a person in tomorrow’s episode.

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2022

Brendan and Rebecca go around the grounds on the latest Round of 16 results: Why are World Cup Cinderellas so rare? Are Brazil’s goal celebrations just too much? And is there anything more badass than a Panenka to win a penalty shootout? Then, they preview all four quarterfinal matches, and Rebecca has an unexpected change of heart about her beloved England side.

Transcribed - Published: 7 December 2022

A 3-0 victory over Senegal wasn’t enough for Rebecca, who has some quibbles for England’s manager, Gareth Southgate. Plus, Brendan and Rebecca recap all of the day’s action, delighting in Harry Kane finally scoring a goal and marveling at the magic of France’s Kylian Mbappé. And Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent on ‘Ted Lasso,’ joins the pod to share his favorite thing about watching England (Jordan Pickford’s attitude) and to propose a creative way for England to handle Mbappé in the squad’s quarterfinal matchup (lasagna, anyone?).

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2022

Minutes after the U.S.’s heartbreaking loss to the Netherlands, Brendan and Rebecca talk through where The Guys went wrong: an uncharacteristic flub from Tyler Adams, questionable lineup decisions from Gregg Berhalter, and above all else … youth. And after this “naive but brave” performance, Brendan and Rebecca can’t help but be hopeful for 2024 and 2026. Then they briefly look ahead to England–Senegal and take a detour into the startling way that most Brits butter their toast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2022

Brendan and Rebecca put a bow on the group stage of this entertaining, bizarre, and totally unpredictable World Cup. Then basketball legend (and footy superfan) Steve Nash joins them to discuss his global World Cup allegiances (Canada, England, Wales, AND the U.S.), his thoughts on why Gio Reyna is on the bench, and to make some knockout-round predictions. Steve shares Rebecca’s affliction with the “Southgate flu” and comes together with Brendan despite their Spurs–Arsenal rivalry. Finally, Brendan and Rebecca talk out X-factors and nerves for Saturday’s pivotal USA–Netherlands showdown.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2022

Brendan and Rebecca break down some stunning results no one could have predicted, as Morocco and Japan win their respective groups and Germany and Belgium are both eliminated. Then, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr joins to share how he became a soccer superfan later in life (thanks, Mo Salah), explain why he shows soccer videos to his NBA team, and go on the record about an iconic moment with Michael Jordan at the 1998 NBA Finals. Brendan and Rebecca wrap up with some bits and bobs on the Ghana-Uruguay beef and Christian Pulisic’s injury, then tip their caps to Stéphanie Frappart, who made history today as the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match.

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2022

A joyous Brendan and Rebecca breathe sighs of relief as the U.S. and England both advance to the knockout rounds. Brendan complains about not sitting down for an hour and a half, while Rebecca complains about which players rested the final 30 minutes in a 3-0 win. They cover Christian Pulisic’s thrilling goal (and painful injury) and the harrowing final minutes of the U.S.–Iran match, and attempt to answer an important question: Is England actually any good? Then, “Dutch in 60” takes on a whole new meaning as the pair preview this weekend’s U.S.–Netherlands and England–Senegal games.

Transcribed - Published: 30 November 2022

Coming off an action-packed weekend, Brendan and Rebecca recap the tournament’s biggest headlines: Has Belgium wasted a golden generation of talent? Will Germany somehow win it all despite opening with a loss and a draw? Is Lionel Messi actually coming to MLS? And ... is it cool to blow the final whistle right before a corner? Then, they touch on rising Iran–U.S. tensions before offering up a viewers’ guide to the pivotal “feast of footy” happening this week, as just two (!) teams have been eliminated from contention thus far.

Transcribed - Published: 29 November 2022

In the aftermath of a stunning USA–England result, Rebecca has a serious case of the Southgate flu and Brendan is disappointed by the USMNT’s failure to emerge victorious. They discuss Southgate’s baffling personnel decisions, Tyler Adams’s star turn, and a surprisingly great performance from ... Harry Maguire? Then, Rebecca and Brendan give their optimist’s and pessimist’s takes on both teams’ chances to advance from the group stage, and recap other big headlines from the tournament.

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2022

Brendan and Rebecca team up for a special episode before the whistle to preview what could become the most watched soccer game in U.S. history: the impending USA–England showdown on Black Friday. ‘Ted Lasso’ co-creator Jason Sudeikis joins the show to discuss his time living in England, his nerves about Friday’s match, and to give a bold prediction on the final result. Plus, a lightning-round recap of Saudi Arabia’s wild upset of Argentina and all the Cristiano Ronaldo drama.

Transcribed - Published: 23 November 2022

Minutes after the final whistle, Brendan and Rebecca air out their thoughts on Group B’s first day of World Cup action. Brendan is not in a great place after the U.S.’s 1-1 draw with Wales, but Rebecca thinks there’s actually much to love about The Guys’ performance. Meanwhile, Rebecca is giddy over England’s six (!) goals against Iran and in awe of Jude Bellingham. Plus: Rebecca and Brendan dive in on the “One Love”–armband controversy, the Iranian team’s brave stand, Jack Grealish’s touching goal tribute, and that inescapable Peyton Manning–David Beckham commercial. ‘After the Whistle With Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is an Apple News Original podcast produced by Meadowlark Media. For around-the-clock World Cup news, plus live scores and standings, follow along on the Apple News app in My Sports, where available.

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2022

We’re officially two days out from the start of the World Cup, so it’s time for Brendan’s and Rebecca’s predictions: Who will be the dark horses? The underperformers? The breakout stars? The most fun to watch? And of course: Who will go all the way? Plus, hear Brendan and Rebecca discuss what could be Messi’s and Ronaldo’s last rides and educate everyone on the do’s and do nots (… mostly do nots) for how to behave at a World Cup party. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is an Apple News Original podcast produced by Meadowlark Media. For around-the-clock World Cup news, plus live scores and standings, follow along on the Apple News app in My Sports, where available.

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2022

In this inaugural episode, Brendan Hunt (who plays Coach Beard on ‘Ted Lasso’) and Rebecca Lowe (who covers the English Premier League for NBC Sports) gear up for the World Cup. Hear them battle out their national allegiances to the U.S. and England, reflect on the human-rights abuses taking place in Qatar, and share the story of how ‘Ted Lasso’ brought them together eight years ago. ‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is an Apple News Original podcast produced by Meadowlark Media. For around-the-clock World Cup news, plus live scores and standings, follow along on the Apple News app in My Sports, where available.

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2022

Join Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard on ‘Ted Lasso’, and Rebecca Lowe, presenter for NBC Sports, as they celebrate, mourn, laugh, and cry during the World Cup. They’re teaming up to talk about all the dramatic moments, the favorites and the dark horses, the stars and the flops ... with a few special guests stopping by along the way. It’s the beautiful game, as experienced by two of the very best friends (who just met).

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2022