Presented by adidas

Produced by Storied Sports

Executive Producer: Michelle Akers

In the series premiere of Origin Story: The 85ers, hosts Erin Foley and Jane McManus first immerse listeners in an unforgettable moment inside the tunnel at Lumen Field in Seattle, where 15 members of the first-ever U.S. Women’s National Team reunite exactly 40 years after their historic debut in 1985. But first, let’s rewind to the beginning of this sisterhood and discover how a group of mostly unknown athletes became the pioneers of American women’s soccer. Through archival moments, player memories, and reflections from legends like Abby Wambach - this first episode uncovers why this origin story was nearly lost to history and introduces the extraordinary personalities who shaped the sport. At the center is Michelle Akers, whose early life, raw talent, and relentless drive foreshadow the greatness to come.

00:00 — Michelle Akers intros the series

01:02 — The 40-year 85ers reunion

03:15 — The forgotten legacy of the first USWNT

05:16 — How the 85ers laid the foundation of a dynasty

07:07 — Meet hosts Erin Foley & Jane McManus

08:27 — Even legends didn’t know this soccer history

11:02 — The making of Michelle Akers

13:13 — Early barriers: no girls’ teams, no role models

20:11 — Why Seattle became a women’s soccer powerhouse

22:10 — Pioneer Bernadette Noonan starts soccer revolution

31:40 —  Booth Gardner & the Cozars

34:12 — Title IX and the rise of women’s college soccer

40:11 — The “paper teams” & the birth of the 1985 USWNT

Featuring (in order of appearance):

• Michelle Akers: Midfielder/Forward | Fifa Co-Player of the Century | USWNT Olympic Gold Medalist & 2x World Cup Champion

• 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

• Stacey Enos: Midfielder | Member of the 1985 USWNT | 3x NCAA Champion - University of North Carolina

• Denise Boyer Merdich: Forward | First USWNT Player of the Game

• Lori Henry: Defender | Former USWNT Captain & World Cup Champion

• Emily Pickering Harner: Midfielder | First Assist In USWNT History

• Ruth Harker: Goalkeeper | Member Of The 1985 USWNT | St. Louis Soccer Hall of Famer

• Lori Bylin Sweeney: Midfielder | Member of The 1985 USWNT

• Sharon McMurtry: Midfielder | 1985 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year | First-Ever U.S Soccer Female Athlete of the Year

• Kim Wyant: Goalkeeper | First GK Win in USWNT History | NYU Men's Soccer Head Coach 

• Tara Buckley O’Sullivan: Midfielder | 4x All-American & 1982 Honda Award Winner

• Bernadette Noonan: Early Architect of Seattle Women's Soccer

• Marty Mankamyer: First Female Board Member of United States Soccer Federation | U.S. Olympic Committee President 2002 -2003

• Abby Wambach: USWNT’s All-Time Leading Scorer

• Anson Dorrance: USWNT Head Coach 1986-1994 | 65–22–5 Record with USWNT

• Becky Sauerbrunn: USWNT Olympic Gold Medalist & 2x World Cup Champion

• Kristine Lilly: USWNT 2x Olympic Gold Medalist & 2x World Cup Champion | Most Caps in International Soccer History

• Michael Lewis: Award-Winning Soccer Writer/Editor

• Cindy Parlow Cone: USWNT 2x Olympic Gold Medalist & World Cup Champion | U.S. Soccer Federation President

• Jan Smisek: Legendary Coach of Seattle Women's Soccer | First Woman to Own a USSF "A" Coaching License

Episode 2: 12.11.25

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