Planet Fútbol with Grant Wahl

Grant speaks to his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, a CNN medical analyst and co-host of the podcast EPIDEMIC, about the latest coronavirus news and listener questions. Then he interviews American Lauren Barnes about playing for Melbourne City in the Australian women's league final on March 21, one of the last pro sports events anywhere on the planet during the virus. Barnes describes what it was like winning that final in an empty stadium and details her harrowing trip back from Australia to Los Angeles on a full Qantas flight, one of the last ones that wasn't canceled. Barnes adds her thoughts on her NWSL team, OL Reign, what kind of changes are in store under new owners from Lyon and what's up next for the NWSL as it hunkers down like the rest of us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel hail Christian Pulisic's breakthrough hat trick for Chelsea and Sergiño Dest's decision to play for the USMNT and break down Liverpool's comeback win against Spurs, as well as the misery at Southampton (9-0 home losers to Leicester) and Arsenal (where the home fans booed captain Granit Xhaka). On the MLS front, they discuss two mouthwatering semifinals in LAFC-Seattle and Atlanta-Toronto, and Grant shares from his experience covering the NWSL final in North Carolina, where the host Courage beat Chicago 4-0.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Planet Fútbol Podcast goes to two episodes a week! On Mondays, Grant and SI's Luis Miguel Echegaray will give their takes on the soccer weekend that was, and on Thursdays Grant will continue to interview the most intriguing people in fútbol. In this episode, they break down Norwich's stunning victory over Man City, whether Sadio Mané has replaced Mo Salah as Liverpool's most important attacking player, why Chelsea brought Christian Pulisic back early from the international break and then didn't use him, the remarkable breakthrough of Barcelona 16-year-old Ansu Fati, Neymar's chilly reception from PSG fans (and his phenomenal goal), yet another Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat trick in MLS, why MLS's ban on "political" signage is the league's biggest mistake since Precourt/Columbus, NYCFC's 5-point lead in the MLS East, Atlanta's second straight loss (and potential volatility), Jesse Marsch's big UEFA Champions League opportunity, and Heather O'Reilly's classic golazo for the North Carolina Courage, which is dropping sixes on teams with regularity and pushing for another NWSL title.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Laken go deep on the U.S.'s 2-1 semifinal victory against England: The extremely well-taken goals, Alyssa Naeher's career-defining game in goal, the highs and lows of VAR, and, ultimately, a berth in a third straight World Cup final for the USWNT. Next up for a fourth star: Sweden or the Netherlands.

Sports Illustrated is conducting an audience survey to better serve all of our listeners. It will only take a few minutes of your time and it really helps us improve our shows. Please take our survey here: si.com/pfsurvey

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Laken discuss the U.S.’s 3-0 win over Chile, and Grant interviews former FIFA president Sepp Blatter about his legacy in women’s soccer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices