Flame Bearers: Pathways to Paris

Emily grew up as #7 of 8 kids so she always had someone to play with...and she played every sport possible, particularly enjoying team sports. Older sister, Aimee describes Emily's "quiet strength" and "natural leadership" at a young age. Coach Mike Ryan called Emily a "maverick" because she tucked in her shirt sleeves, and wore her soccer socks down. "Mike was considering not taking us because he considered us mavericks" she shares, speaking of herself and co-host Michelle Akers for the 1985 Cupa Mundialito. In the end, it's a good thing that Coach Ryan did, as Emily scored and assisted the first two goals for the team. When Emily talks about her career, she says, "we just wanted to play and I was pretty darn focused." Flash forward to today and shares how the winning culture and record has helped the USWNT be able to successfully push for wins off the field: "Winning begets winning." In this episode, Emily plugs Marshall Harner's (her son) musical talent. Check out his work on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/37x37LhcgsJOagPnHZjhyZ?si=2mPFUjAWTEaX0qkROwSohQ Contributing experts include Coach Anson Dorrance, Lisa Gmitter-Pittaro (Emily's friend and teammate,), Steve Harner (Emily's Husband), Aimee Gazelle (Emily's sister) and Avery Harner (Emily's daughter) Media used in this production: -38 years after making history, first USWNT to be honored at Asheville City regular season finale, Chris Womack, June 29th 2023, -The Forgotten Early History of Women’s Soccer, Laurent Dubois, January 22, 2016 -ESPN YouTube Channel, 'USWNT win the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage | 2023 ESPYS (📍 @CapitalOne)'