Episode 49 – Soccer in a Football Nation II – Going the College Route

Episode 49 – Soccer in a Football Nation II – Going the College Route

From Grüezi Amerika. Views from the Sister Republic by Claudia Franziska Brühwiler

June 12, 2026 · 38 min · Season 1 · Episode 49

About this episode

The episode discusses the significance of collegiate soccer for female players in the U.S. and features guest Alina Brühlmeier's journey from Switzerland to playing soccer in college.

While the odds of the United States men's national soccer team winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup are much lower than many Americans believe, the women’s team (USWNT) has long been a force to be reckoned with. The USWNT won the World Cup four times and became five times Olympic champions. Mia Hamm, Megan Rapino, and Abby Warmbach are household names – and they all honed their skills as college players. Why is collegiate soccer still the most popular route to take for female players? What difference thus it make to play soccer in college instead of a club? Emmental native Alina Brühlmeier has started her soccer career in a Swiss club, but then seized the opportunity to join a US College team: after her commercial apprenticeship (KV), she joined the Hawkeye RedTails in Iowa. Now she is finishing her Bachelor’s degree in finance – and playing soccer at Webber International University in Florida.

People in this episode

Host: Claudia Franziska Brühwiler

Guest: Alina Brühlmeier

Topics covered

  • soccer
  • women's sports
  • college athletics
  • USWNT
  • sports culture

Keywords

  • soccer
  • USWNT
  • college soccer
  • women's sports
  • Mia Hamm
  • Alina Brühlmeier
  • Iowa
  • Florida
  • 2026 FIFA World Cup

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hawkeye RedTails, Webber International University

Places: Iowa, Florida

More episodes of Grüezi Amerika. Views from the Sister Republic

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Grüezi Amerika. Views from the Sister Republic podcast page.