The Forecast

KVRU 105.7 FM / kvru.org
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The Forecast is a new show here on KVRU where we’re taking traditional sports radio and turning it on its head. That means, we’re here to cover the women’s sports scene in Seattle. We love you Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders and Kraken, but honestly, you get enough coverage. This show will be all about The Seattle Storm, Reign, and Torrent (hence our name, The Forecast), and all of the other incredible women athletes here in the Seattle area. We’re talking Salmon Bay FC, Seattle Majestics, Rat City Roller Girls, the Seattle Riot, The Seattle Tempest, and of course our local college athletes, the Huskies, the Redhawks, and many more. We want to broaden the horizons of what it means to cover sports here in Seattle, and we can’t wait to get started.

  1. Aug 6

    WNBA Talking Points and Reign FC with Susie Rantz

    August 4th, 2026 Episode Summary This episode of The Forecast, Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM hosted by independent journalist Maggie Mertens, opens with updates on recent results for the Seattle Reign and Seattle Storm, highlighting the Reign’s 3–2 win over Bay FC and the Storm’s continued struggles in close losses to the Fever and Dream. The hosts dive into the WNBA trade deadline, debating the Los Angeles Sparks’ decision to trade Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for minimal return, what the move signals about the Sparks’ rebuild and Nneka Ogwumike’s future, and whether the Storm should have pursued Plum or another high‑impact guard given their long‑term plan, cap space, and desire to develop a young core rather than add older veterans. They frame Seattle’s strategy as a deliberate investment in emerging players like Dom, Awa, and Fla’jae and a likely push for a top draft pick, while acknowledging the tension between “taking lumps” now and the risk of demoralization without a proven winner to help close out tight games. The show then turns to the growing national discourse around trans inclusion in sports and its local implications in Washington State. Mertens previews an upcoming episode on Ballot Initiative 638, which would ban trans girls from participating on sports teams, and introduces an interview with John Gallagher, a Seattle native, coach, teacher, and counseling student involved with No Hate in Washington State. Gallagher criticizes the large sums spent on anti‑trans campaigns compared to underfunded classrooms, recalling teaching a Title I class of 56 students due to lack of resources. He emphasizes the WNBA’s importance as a visible, queer‑inclusive space and laments that a single exclusionary player’s stance is dominating media coverage, overshadowing the league’s inclusive culture and affecting trans youth and questioning kids who are listening. Gallagher notes that Washington’s proposed policy would be among the most extreme in the country, raising concerns about invasive exams, abusive medical encounters, and emboldened parents policing children’s gender expression at youth sporting events—such as telling kids to cut their hair or stop painting their nails—and potentially confronting them about their gender or demanding “gender tests.” In the second half, Mertens focuses on the Seattle Reign with recurring guest Susie Rantz of Sounder at Heart. Rantz describes how Seattle’s men’s World Cup hosting created a powerful, unifying soccer atmosphere and how the Reign capitalized on that momentum and increased club outreach—family ticket deals, promotions, and a rivalry matchup with Portland—to draw nearly 15,000 fans on July 12, the club’s best non‑Rapinoe regular‑season attendance. On the field, the Reign have transformed their attack, jumping from just 10 goals in their first 11 games to eight goals since the World Cup break, with a new emphasis on scoring early and then defending leads. Rantz credits a consistent front four, improved pressing, and better defense‑to‑attack transitions for unlocking players like winger Maddie Darlene, who recently recorded a goal and an assist, and striker Mia Fischl, who has returned from an ACL tear and now has two goals and more dangerous touches. They revisit a dramatic 3–2 loss to Gotham FC in which the Reign led 2–0 until the 81st minute before conceding three late goals, including a stoppage‑time winner, after Gotham introduced star attackers such as Sam Kerr, Ester González, and Guro Reiten and former Reign favorite Rose Lavelle scored the decisive goal. Rantz notes that the Reign became too defensive too early in that match, a lesson they applied in subsequent road wins: a 2–0 shutout at San Diego, powered by a standout return from goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, and a 3–2 victory at Bay FC in which the Reign dominated early, saw momentum swing after a spectacular Bay goal, and then won late through a classic Jess Fishlock strike seconds after she entered as a substitute, assisted by impactful bench player Emory Adams. Fishlock, who announced her retirement before suffering a major injury earlier in the year, has recently returned in a limited “as‑needed” role but appeared to tweak her hamstring after the Bay winner, raising questions about how much she can feature as a super‑sub in the congested schedule. The Reign’s coaching staff has also evolved: assistant coach Lee Nguyen departed unexpectedly to become head coach of Dallas Trinity in the USL Women’s League, prompting the club to appoint longtime defender and franchise icon Lauren Barnes as interim assistant coach to satisfy league staffing requirements and maintain cultural continuity. Barnes, who retired only six months ago, is still processing the transition from player to coach, but her deep familiarity with Laura Harvey’s system and her role in shaping the Reign’s player‑driven culture make her a natural fit, at least through season’s end. Meanwhile, the Reign loaned young talents Miku Purcell and Sophia Cedeno to Dallas Trinity to secure valuable playing time in the USL Super League while retaining them on long‑term contracts, following a successful pattern established with previous loanees Sam Meza and Maddie Mercado; these moves also open three roster spots for potential additions during the current transfer window, which runs into September. Looking ahead, Rantz argues the Reign could still use a veteran attacking midfielder to help manage games and replace Fishlock’s leadership as she departs, though the eventual return of forward and proven scorer Lynn Biandolo—who recently rejoined the team in Seattle after giving birth in April—could provide a major late‑season boost if her postpartum recovery allows. In the standings, the Reign sit ninth, level on points with eighth‑place Angel City but with one to two games in hand on many teams above them; they now host Angel City in a pivotal match, followed by another home game—including a Pride Night on August 14—before entering a grueling stretch of three matches in one week, two of them on the road at Racing Louisville and at home‑dominant Kansas City. Rantz believes that if the Reign can navigate August successfully, they are well‑positioned to secure a playoff spot even if the top three remain out of reach. For new or returning fans, Rantz highlights the upcoming Angel City match as a showcase of high‑tempo, attacking soccer and singles out 18‑year‑old midfielder Ainsley McCammon—already with four assists and the youngest player in league history to record two assists in a game—as a must‑watch playmaker whose vision is now being matched by her physical execution alongside tenacious defensive midfielder Sam Meza. She also points to comeback stories like Ryan Brown’s first regular‑season NWSL goal after a long ACL layoff, Mercado’s team‑leading goal tally, Darlene’s recent breakout, and Claudia Dickey’s star performances in goal—complete with fan‑favorite foam claws—as evidence of a deep, balanced squad where a different player can shine every match. Episode Notes0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap 2:43 - Kelsey Plum Trade + Storm Roster Moves 21:10 - Conversation with No Hate in Washington State advocate John Gallagher 29:38 - Interview with Sounder at Heart’s Susie Rantz ____________________________________________________________ Susie Rantz is a self proclaimed nerd, storyteller, and soccer fan. Susie writes mostly about the Seattle Reign and women’s soccer for Sounder At Heart : www.sounderatheart.com/author/susie/ ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

  2. Jul 30

    Salmon Bay and Reign FC Holding Down Soccer City

    July 28th, 2026 Episode SummaryThe Forecast — Seattle’s Weekly Women’s Sports ShowIn this episode of The Forecast, Maggie Mertens and Jeff Scott Shaw catch up on a busy week in Seattle women’s sports, with a big focus on Salmon Bay FC, the Seattle Reign, and the Seattle Storm. The conversation moves from local soccer pride to WNBA All-Star Weekend, then closes with a sharp hot take about Sophie Cunningham and the culture-war rhetoric around the Fever’s upcoming visit to Seattle. Episode highlightsMaggie and Jeff open with Salmon Bay FC’s USL W League national championship win after a tense penalty-kick finish at home in front of a record crowd. They celebrate the team’s rapid rise, the significance of an 18-year-old local player stepping up in the moment, and the bigger picture of semi-pro women’s soccer creating more pathways for athletes in Seattle.Why local women’s soccer mattersThe hosts dig into the importance of accessible, community-rooted women’s sports at every level — from semi-pro to pro. They discuss how local teams build fans, create real rivalries, and give players visibility that can change careers and build a stronger soccer culture in the city.A turning point for the Seattle ReignMaggie argues that the Reign’s second-half form feels like a new chapter: more goals, more consistency, and signs of a team that’s beginning to click. They break down recent results, the impact of young players like Maddie Mercado and Jordan Bugg, and what the remaining schedule could mean for Seattle’s playoff hopes.Seattle Storm takeaways from All-Star WeekendThe second half turns to the Storm, where the hosts recap All-Star Weekend and the team’s recent games against the Lynx. They talk about standout performances from Natisha Hiedeman, Dominique Malonga, Flau’jae, Zia Cooke, and others, while also questioning the team’s identity, bench production, and long-term direction. Hot take: Sophie Cunningham in Seattle Maggie’s hot take centers on Sophie Cunningham and the backlash surrounding her anti-trans sports rhetoric. The hosts discuss what it means for that energy to show up in Seattle, how the WNBA’s visibility can attract controversy, and why inclusive Storm fans may want to make their presence felt at the game. Teams and topics coveredSalmon Bay FCSeattle ReignSeattle StormWNBA All-Star WeekendSeattle women’s sports cultureInclusivity in sportsLocal soccer developmentThe Fever’s visit to Seattle What to watch nextSeattle Storm vs. Indiana FeverStorm vs. Atlanta DreamStorm vs. New York LibertyReign’s upcoming match against Bay FC Episode Notes0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap of Salmon Bay FC and Reign FC 27:00 - Seattle Storm and WNBA All Star Weekend 50:20 - Maggie’s Hot Take : Sophie Cunningham ____________________________________________________________ About the showThe Forecast is Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM. Hosted by Maggie Mertens and produced by Jeff Scott Shaw, the show covers the latest in Seattle women’s sports, with analysis, interviews, headlines, and hot takes.Listen live Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 a.m., or find the show on your favorite podcast platform. ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

  3. Jul 24

    2026 Seattle Storm Mid Season Roundtable

    July 21st, 2026 Episode SummaryThis episode of The Forecast, Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, examines the Seattle Storm’s rebuilding season at the mid-point of a 46-game schedule, where the team holds a 6–21 record but remains competitive in numerous close losses, including a recent 110–107 defeat to the Indiana Fever. Host Maggie Mertens speaks with reporters Roberto Rodrigues (Black Rosie Media) and Jeff Brown (Storm Chasers) about how the franchise has shifted from short-term patchwork after the departures of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart to a clear long-term identity built around one of the league’s youngest starting lineups, highlighted by 20-year-olds Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam alongside fellow young core pieces. The discussion emphasizes measuring success through growth rather than wins and losses, noting improvements in areas like rebounding, boxing out, and offensive focus on interior play, even as many games still slip away in clutch moments due largely to inexperience and late-game decision-making. Rodrigues and Brown grade the Storm’s first half around a “C” level—passing but unfinished—arguing that close, competitive losses are far more encouraging than the blowouts of 2023 and position the team for another high draft pick to deepen its youth core. They project a second half similar in record but featuring “better losses,” with fewer demoralizing defeats and more evidence of incremental progress, while acknowledging a difficult remaining schedule and the likelihood that the team’s struggles are partly by design in a rebuild year. A major focus is the promising fit between Malonga and Fam: Awa’s three-point shooting and perimeter versatility complement Dom’s interior dominance, giving Seattle a modern inside-out frontcourt that could become a matchup nightmare as both develop and eventually integrate with injured big Ezi Magbegor. The conversation also highlights unresolved questions in the backcourt, particularly at point guard: Natisha Hiedeman has exceeded expectations as a scorer and has increasingly prioritized feeding the bigs, but both she and Jade Melbourne still struggle to consistently make elite pick-and-roll reads and timely pocket passes that would fully unlock the frontcourt’s potential. Looking ahead, the guests see the 2025 draft as a key opportunity to secure a high-level guard—mentioning prospects like JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo—as the franchise seeks a new point guard legacy in the wake of Sue Bird’s retirement. First-year head coach Sonia Raman is praised for quickly identifying team strengths, tailoring schemes to her personnel, and fostering resilience—evident in the Storm’s comeback from a 17-point deficit against Indiana—though both guests would like to see more sideline fire and note that her performance should be judged on development and identity-building rather than win totals. The episode closes by touching on league-wide officiating concerns, particularly free-throw disparities and the physical treatment of dominant bigs like Malonga, with examples such as Indiana’s 31 free throws to Seattle’s 18 and Dom’s two free throws on 19 paint attempts, which the guests liken to Shaquille O’Neal–style under-calling and warn could be dangerous if unchecked. Throughout, Mertens and her guests frame 2024 as year one of a multi-year rebuild in which patience, player development, and the forging of a new identity take precedence over immediate playoff contention, while inviting listeners to stay engaged and share their own perspectives on Seattle women’s sports. Episode Notes0:00 - Mid Season Roundtable with Jeff Brown and Roberta Rodrigues ____________________________________________________________ Jeff Brown has been covering the Seattle Storm since 2015. Storm Chasers is dedicated to covering the 4-time WNBA Champion Seattle Storm and the WNBA league overall. Aiming to be the very best media coverage for the Storm. You can follow and support Jeff’s coverage by subscribing on substack https://stormchaserswnba.substack.com/ or by following on X : https://x.com/wnbastormchaser Roberta F. Rodrigues is a Brazilian-American journalist covering women’s basketball. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Universidade Anhembi Morumbi and an MBA in Sport and Entertainment Management from Seattle University. Her experience includes front office and agency roles in the basketball industry, both nationally and internationally. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Beta Basket, the first women’s basketball outlet in Latin America, launched in Brazilian Portuguese in 2020, with an English version released in 2024. Roberta immigrated to the United States in 2016 and currently lives in Seattle with her spouse and their pets, Parker and Atlas. You can follow Roberta for continued coverage of women’s basketball on and off the court, including breaking news and analysis by subscribing on substack https://betabasketinenglish.substack.com/ or by following on X : https://x.com/robertawba ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

  4. Jul 13

    Summer Book Bingo with Julie Kliegman Author of Finding Renee Richards

    July 7th, 2026 Episode Summary The Forecast is Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, hosted by independent journalist and author Maggie Martins and produced by Jeff Scott Shaw, dedicated to covering all aspects of Seattle’s women’s sports scene and giving it the spotlight it deserves.The show is entering a short hiatus to seek funding, plan longer and deeper future segments, and improve the program, while continuing to air at its usual times—Tuesdays at 4:00 PM and Wednesdays at 9:00 AM—with a mix of repeat and unaired interviews from its summer reading series and Seattle Storm rebuild series. In this featured episode from the summer reading series, Martins interviews journalist Julie Kliegman about their forthcoming book Finding Renee Richards: The Groundbreaking Story of Tennis’s Trans Pioneer, releasing August 18, which explores the life and legacy of trans tennis player Renee Richards, who successfully sued for the right to compete in the US Open in the 1970s. Kliegman discusses their path to the project through years of reporting on trans athletes, their relationship with Richards, and the book’s focus on Richards’s full humanity—her medical career as a renowned ophthalmologist, her family relationships, and her complex stance on trans inclusion in sports, including her later regret over the lawsuit that secured her own right to compete. The conversation situates Richards within the broader history of women’s tennis in the 1970s—alongside Title IX battles, the fight for equal pay, and events like the Battle of the Sexes—while contrasting the relatively less politicized environment of Richards’s era with today’s highly charged debates and restrictive laws targeting trans athletes in more than half of U.S. states.The episode also highlights Seattle Public Library and Seattle Arts & Lectures’ Book Bingo program, which this year includes a women’s sports book square, encouraging listeners to engage with women’s sports literature such as Kliegman’s book. Listeners are invited to catch up on past episodes via podcast feeds or kbru.org, rate and subscribe to support the show, and share feedback or sponsorship inquiries via email or Instagram to help sustain independent women’s sports media in Seattle. Episode Notes0:00 - Welcome to The Forecast 41:05 - Summer Reading Series Interview with Julie Kleigman ____________________________________________________________ Julie Kliegman wrote Finding Renée Richards: The Groundbreaking Story of Tennis’s Trans Pioneer and Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes. Julie’s writing has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, Bookforum, Slate, The Ringer, Defector, Vulture, and The Verge. They are a regular guest on podcasts including You’re Wrong About and Hang Up and Listen. They are a copy editor at ProPublica and have been copy chief at Sports Illustrated and a copy editor at The Ringer. Julie has also taught journalism to undergraduates at the New School. ___________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

  5. Jul 1

    Hot Takes - PWHL Chaos and USWNT vs Brazil Drama

    June 30th, 2026 Episode SummaryThe episode of “The Forecast,” Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, opens with host Maggie Mertens announcing a short hiatus during which the program will seek funding, plan deeper future segments, and air a mix of repeat and previously unaired interviews while maintaining its regular broadcast schedule. In a post-show “hot take” segment, Mertens and producer Jeff Scott Shaw critique the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s rapid expansion from eight to twelve teams and the handling of star forward Hilary Knight’s EFO contract, arguing that short-term deals, unclear rules, and single-owner league structures undermine player stability, fan loyalty, and fair roster-building. They compare the situation to minor-league baseball logistics, question housing and compensation standards, and highlight how limited household-name talent is being shuffled among franchises in ways they see as poorly thought out and potentially exploitative. They then pivot to the U.S.–Brazil women’s soccer rivalry, celebrating a dramatic, card-filled match in Brazil that featured physical play, VAR scrutiny, and a late surge of intensity from the U.S. team under coach Emma Hayes. They frame the match as a signal of a new era for the U.S. women’s national team, noting a refreshed, more aggressive core, rising global competition, and the build-up to a Brazil-hosted Women’s World Cup and subsequent Olympics, which they see as a major opportunity to leverage momentum for women’s soccer. The episode’s centerpiece is an introductory press conference with 19-year-old Spanish forward Awa Fam, the Seattle Storm’s number three draft pick and the highest-drafted Spanish player in WNBA history. Fam describes fulfilling a childhood dream by joining the WNBA, emphasizes her professional experience with Valencia and the Spanish national team, and highlights her readiness to contribute immediately despite a packed schedule of international competitions. She expresses excitement about playing alongside fellow young frontcourt talents Dominique Malonga and Ezi Magbegor, citing their energy, experience, and potential synergy, and identifies her passing, court vision, team-first mindset, and competitive “Spanish” mentality as key strengths. Fam also notes her admiration for A’ja Wilson and her eagerness to face her on court, and praises the Storm’s welcoming, supportive locker room culture. Building on the theme of “Rebuilding,” the show debuts a new segment focused on the Seattle Storm’s organizational reset after losing veteran talent, parting ways with coach Noelle Quinn, and hiring new head coach Sonya Raman. Veteran guard Natisha Heidemann, entering her eighth WNBA season and first with Seattle, discusses embracing a leadership role centered on energy, on- and off-court guidance, and culture-building. She frames her move from Minnesota as a calculated risk driven by the desire for growth and by the Storm’s trust in her as a veteran playmaker, noting that the staff encourages her to take chances and values her experience. Heidemann stresses that individual stats matter less than stacking wins, praises teammates’ behind-the-scenes work, and points to the team’s incomplete roster—due to injuries and pending arrivals—as a sign of untapped potential. She also welcomes league expansion and new developmental spots as critical for keeping deserving players like “Baby T” in the WNBA, and reflects on adjusting to Seattle’s big-city environment and the importance of strong relationships with coaches and front office. Guard Zia Cook, in her fourth WNBA season and second stint with the Storm, describes both team and personal growth within the rebuild. She emphasizes building a strong culture on a young roster, refusing to lean on youth as an excuse, and focusing on “being where my feet are” to stay present and productive. Cook interprets her early-season scoring surge as validation of long-term work and credits new coach Sonya Raman for recognizing her value and instilling confidence.Off the court, she highlights mental and spiritual growth through reading, faith, and maintaining a strong mindset as foundations for her on-court performance. Cook also discusses mentoring younger teammates like Flau’jae Johnson, acknowledging that while she is only in year four, she is entering “vet years” and can help franchise-caliber youngsters expand their playmaking and leadership. She describes her return to Seattle as an answered prayer, allowing her to build a legacy in one place consistent with her loyalty, and envisions the Storm’s growth as a process of culture-building, accumulating wins, and earning the community’s support through visible effort. The episode closes with extended postgame audio featuring Cook and Johnson reflecting on a shared career-high performance against the Connecticut Sun. They praise each other’s energy, aggression, confidence, and professionalism, and describe the mutual accountability and trust developing within the team. Johnson details how she responded to a coaching challenge by impacting the game defensively and learning she can contribute even without scoring, while Cook underscores the importance of emotional resilience, short-term memory, and belief—what Johnson calls being “delusional” in a positive way—to bounce back from losses and maintain confidence. They also highlight improvements in pace control, ball movement, and defensive pride, and express excitement about the team’s depth once injured players like Awa Fam, Ezi Magbegor, Dominique Malonga, and Katie Lou Samuelson return. The show concludes with a rundown of upcoming Storm, Reign, and Tempest games and a reminder that “The Forecast” will continue airing weekly during its hiatus, inviting listeners to support the show, share feedback, and stay engaged with Seattle’s women’s sports scene. Episode Notes2:29 - Maggie’s PWHL Roster Chaos Hot Take 13:07 - USWNT in Brazil Hot Take 25:04 - Awa Fam Introductory Press Conference 33:57 - Rebuilding The Storm ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

  6. Jun 26

    Summer Break Clelia Castro-Malaspina Full Interview and Torrent Roster Shakeup

    June 23rd, 2026 Episode SummarySeattle’s weekly women’s sports show “The Forecast,” hosted by journalist and author Maggie Mertens on KVRU 105.7 FM, announces a short hiatus to seek funding, plan deeper segments, and improve future programming while continuing to air at its usual times with a mix of repeat and previously unaired interviews from its summer reading and Seattle Storm “Rebuild” series. In the episode, Mertens interviews author and lifelong soccer fan Clalia Castro-Malaspina about her YA book “Girls With Goals: How Women’s Soccer Took Over the World,” written for her 16‑year‑old self and other teen fans to provide an accessible, end‑to‑end history of women’s soccer that fills a gap in the trade book market and highlights more than a century of struggle and progress before the iconic 1999 Women’s World Cup. Malaspina reflects on growing up in a soccer‑obsessed, multicultural household, the impact of the 1999 U.S. team as her first female sports heroes, and early experiences of gender inequity in youth soccer, then traces key milestones such as the corporate‑run 1970 and 1971 women’s “World Cups” in Europe and Mexico, FIFA’s delayed and reluctant adoption of the women’s World Cup in 1991, and the ongoing global fight for equity, including equal pay battles and structural barriers in many countries. She highlights surprising historical figures like Victorian‑era pioneer “Nettie Honeyball” and the British Ladies Football Club, underscores the importance of Title IX and soccer’s relative affordability in making it a major U.S. girls’ sport, and argues that the next frontier lies in women‑specific sports science, medicine, and injury research, particularly around ACL injuries and tailoring training and equipment to female athletes. The show also supports Seattle’s summer “book bingo” by recommending “Girls With Goals” for a women’s sports square and amplifies additional women’s sports reading, including Elizabeth Rush’s “A Greater Goal” and the historical work of soccer scholar Jean Williams. In the second half, Mertens turns to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and the Seattle Torrent’s turbulent expansion‑season roster changes, bringing on analyst Ava Wood (“365 Hockey Girl”) to decode the league’s complex move from eight to twelve teams via multi‑phase signing windows and a mini expansion draft.Wood explains Seattle’s initial protection of goaltender Hannah Murphy, center Alex Carpenter, and defender Anna Wilgren, the strategic gamble not to protect free‑agent star Hillary Knight, and the departures of key players Hannah Bilka and Kayla Barnes to PWHL Detroit and goaltender Corinne Schroeder to PWHL San Jose. Mertens notes that immediately after their interview, Knight’s contract was assigned via an expansion foundational offer to Las Vegas and then traded to Detroit, removing her agency in the move and further depleting the Torrent roster.Wood outlines how expansion foundational offers, free‑agent signings, and the looming mini expansion draft interact, why the league chose this convoluted structure to accommodate four new teams and a large free‑agent pool, and how reserve players and a deep upcoming draft class will help fill expanded rosters. They discuss Seattle’s remaining assets and needs, the uncertainty around draft order, the broader coaching carousel—including Torrent’s vacancy and Vancouver’s firing of its coach—and the systemic barriers that contribute to the scarcity of women coaches in women’s hockey.Wood also highlights top draft prospects such as defender/forward Layla Edwards, anticipates a stronger West Coast identity as Seattle, Vancouver, Las Vegas, and San Jose play each other more, and directs listeners to her Beehive‑hosted “365 Hockey Girl” newsletter and social channels for a live tracker of all PWHL expansion moves. Episode Notes2:30 - Clelia Castro-Malaspina Full Interview 33:00 - Interview with Ava Wood AKA 365 Hockey Girl ____________________________________________________________ Clelia Castro-Malaspina : Clelia has been a children’s publishing professional for over a decade. She’s an author, a former literary agent and vice president of a boutique literary agency, where she successfully launched a children’s book division. Clelia is dedicated to bringing diverse, meaningful and illuminating books to the next generations. GIRLS WITH GOALS: HOW WOMEN’S SOCCER TOOK OVER THE WORLD came out in May 2025. Kirkus called it "a spirited, well-told success story, all the better for being true" and the UK’s The Sun called it a “wonderfully researched book.” Clelia is a mother of two young daughters and you can find her writing and editing while nestled amidst old mossy pines on Mercer Island. Follow Clelia on Instagram : @mossypinesclelia Ava Wood founded 365 Hockey Girl to talk PWHL every day. Ava’s mission is to make women’s hockey accessible, inclusive, and fun. Follow 365 Hockey Girl on all social media but more importantly, subscribe to the 365 Hockey Girl newsletter here : https://tinyurl.com/5s6me9r6 ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

  7. Jun 15

    Storm Growth and Girls with Goals Summer Book Bingo

    June 16th, 2026 Episode SummaryThis episode of “The Forecast,” Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, covers major developments across local and global women’s sports, alongside an author interview for the show’s summer reading series. Host Maggie Mertens and producer Jeff Scott Shaw open with news that the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent have hired assistant coach Christine Bumsted as their new head coach, highlighting the rarity of women head coaches in the league, her Canadian hockey roots, and her extensive coaching résumé with the University of Saskatchewan, the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, and Team Manitoba.They frame her promotion as a key step in building a sustainable women’s hockey pipeline and note her public praise of Seattle as “the best city in the world for women’s sports.” The show then shifts to NCAA track and field, spotlighting University of Washington twin pole vaulters Amanda and Hannah Moll, who finished first and second at the outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon. The hosts recount their recent dominance, including alternating NCAA titles, multiple collegiate records, and Amanda’s winning clearance of 15 feet, 10½ inches—this year’s highest outdoor mark and a new collegiate record that would have met the Olympic A standard. They emphasize that both are still juniors, already competing at a world-class level, and part of a strong UW pole vault group that placed three athletes in the top eight. A detailed Storm segment analyzes a grueling stretch in the WNBA schedule, including a competitive road loss to the Las Vegas Aces and a narrow home loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Mertens highlights signs of growth despite a seven-game losing streak: improved cohesion, reduced turnovers, and balanced scoring with all starters in double figures against the Sparks. Individual performances from Awa, Dom, Natisha Hiedeman, rookie point guard Flau'jae Johnson, and Jordan Horston are dissected, with particular praise for Flau'jae’s back-to-back turnover-free games and her status as the only WNBA rookie with two double-doubles so far. The hosts also discuss defensive matchups against Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, and Cameron Brink, bench struggles, and the ongoing absence of center Ezi Magbegor due to a lower-leg injury with no clear return timeline. Postgame, Mertens plays clips from Flau'jae’s press conference, where the rookie reflects on transitioning from a powerhouse college program to a rebuilding WNBA team and embraces a “no rain, no flowers” mindset focused on process, culture, and daily improvement. In a second clip, Flau'jae outlines how the Storm can flip close losses by controlling controllables—rebounding, on-ball defense, and adherence to team principles rather than shot-making variance. The segment closes with the hosts noting that the season is about a quarter complete and encouraging listeners to follow All-Star voting and new team content, including a “Welcome to the W” video series featuring Flau'jae Johnson. In the summer reading portion, Mertens interviews author Clelia Castro-Malaspina about her YA book “Girls With Goals: How Women’s Soccer Took Over the World,” which chronicles the global history of women’s soccer for teen and tween readers. Castro-Malaspina describes growing up in a soccer-obsessed, Peruvian-French household in 1990s New York–New Jersey, playing travel soccer, and being profoundly influenced by the 1999 Women’s World Cup and its stars, including Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers, Briana Scurry, and Julie Foudy. She recalls the 1999 opening match at Giants Stadium as a formative moment that gave her her first female athletic heroes and reshaped her understanding of women’s strength and visibility in sport. Motivated years later by a lack of accessible trade books on women’s soccer history, she wrote “Girls With Goals” for her 16-year-old self and today’s young fans, uncovering more than a century of struggle and progress predating 1999. She recounts the unofficial 1970 and 1971 women’s “World Cups” organized by Italian soda executives, including the 1971 tournament in Mexico that drew crowds of around 100,000, treated teenage players like celebrities, and ultimately forced FIFA to assert control over women’s soccer—initially without investing in a formal World Cup. Castro-Malaspina explains that FIFA’s first official women’s World Cup in 1991 was initially branded under a corporate name tied to M&Ms before being retroactively recognized, illustrating the “one step forward, two steps back” pattern that women players have repeatedly overcome. The conversation also explores how successive generations of U.S. women’s national team players—from Abby Wambach to Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan to today’s Trinity Rodman cohort—inherit both benefits and responsibilities from earlier pioneers, and how older pros work to instill a sense of historical context and ongoing obligation in younger teammates. Castro-Malaspina notes that while the U.S. leads globally in women’s soccer, many countries still restrict or stigmatize women’s participation in sport, underscoring the need for continued advocacy. She recommends additional reading, including Elizabeth Rush’s YA book “A Greater Goal” on the U.S. team’s equal pay fight and the historical work of soccer historian Jean Williams, whose research underpins much of her own book. The episode closes with Mertens announcing a brief hiatus for “The Forecast” while the team seeks funding, plans deeper segments, and refines the show. During this period, the program will continue to air in its usual Tuesday and Wednesday slots with a mix of repeat and previously unaired interviews from the summer reading series and the Seattle Storm “Rebuild” series, and listeners are encouraged to support the show via underwriting, sponsorships, ratings, and feedback Episode Notes0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap 32:26 - Interview with Clelia Castro-Malaspina author of Girls with Goals ____________________________________________________________ Clelia Castro-Malaspina : Clelia has been a children’s publishing professional for over a decade. She’s an author, a former literary agent and vice president of a boutique literary agency, where she successfully launched a children’s book division. Clelia is dedicated to bringing diverse, meaningful and illuminating books to the next generations. GIRLS WITH GOALS: HOW WOMEN’S SOCCER TOOK OVER THE WORLD came out in May 2025. Kirkus called it "a spirited, well-told success story, all the better for being true" and the UK’s The Sun called it a “wonderfully researched book.” Clelia is a mother of two young daughters and you can find her writing and editing while nestled amidst old mossy pines on Mercer Island. Follow Clelia on Instagram : @mossypinesclelia ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones

  8. Jun 11

    Tempest Championship Hopes and Torrent Roster Shakeup

    Tempest Championship Hopes and Torrent Roster Shakeup June 9th, 2026 Episode Summary“The Forecast” is a weekly Seattle women’s sports radio show and podcast hosted by journalist Maggie Mertens on KVRU 105.7 FM, spotlighting local teams, recapping games, and featuring interviews with athletes and experts across sports like WNBA, ultimate frisbee, and professional women’s hockey. This episode opens with a detailed breakdown of three recent Seattle Storm games, highlighting offensive struggles, turnover issues, free-throw disparities, and the team’s difficulty closing out tight contests, while also emphasizing the promise of young players such as Awa Fam, the return of Dominique Malonga, and the ongoing rebuild complicated by injuries to key contributors like Ezi Magbegor. Mertens also reports roster news, including the waiving of guard Lexie Brown and the resulting open roster spot that could be used to promote development players or add new talent, while reiterating that 2026 is a development-focused season for the Storm. The show then shifts to ultimate frisbee, previewing Western Ultimate League Championship Weekend in Portland, where the Seattle Tempest (6–2 in the regular season) will compete as one of the league’s top four teams; cutter Caitlin Rolling discusses her path into professional ultimate, the sport’s community-driven culture, Tempest’s roster turnover and preparation, and the self-officiated “spirit of the game” system supported by observers. In the second half, Mertens and analyst Ava Wood (365 Hockey Girl) unpack the complex PWHL expansion from eight to twelve teams, explaining multi-phase signing windows, expansion foundational offers, and a potential mini expansion draft, while focusing on how these mechanisms affect the Seattle Torrent’s protection decisions, departures (including key players like Kayla Barnes, Hannah Bilka, and goaltender Corinne Schroeder), and uncertain future around star forward Hilary Knight and the coaching vacancy. Wood also addresses the scarcity of women coaches, systemic barriers in hockey’s coaching pipeline, and fan backlash to Detroit’s signing of a controversial player whose public anti-trans affiliations clash with a PWHL fan base that includes many LGBTQ and especially trans supporters, underscoring tensions between league growth, inclusivity, and expansion strategy. The episode closes by looking ahead to the upcoming PWHL draft—highlighting prospects like defender/forward Layla Edwards—and to a reshaped, more West Coast–oriented league structure, while directing listeners to Wood’s 365 Hockey Girl newsletter for a live expansion tracker and reminding audiences how to find “The Forecast” on air, online, and via podcast. Episode Notes2:11 - Weekly Sports Recap 17:06 - Interview with Kaitlynne Roling of the Seattle Tempest 33:01 - Interview with Ava Wood 365 Hockey Girl ____________________________________________________________ Kaitlynne Roling : https://seattletempest.com/12-kaitlyn-rolling Ava Wood founded 365 Hockey Girl to talk PWHL every day. Ava’s mission is to make women’s hockey accessible, inclusive, and fun. Follow 365 Hockey Girl on all social media but more importantly, subscribe to the 365 Hockey Girl newsletter here : https://tinyurl.com/5s6me9r6 ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

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About

The Forecast is a new show here on KVRU where we’re taking traditional sports radio and turning it on its head. That means, we’re here to cover the women’s sports scene in Seattle. We love you Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders and Kraken, but honestly, you get enough coverage. This show will be all about The Seattle Storm, Reign, and Torrent (hence our name, The Forecast), and all of the other incredible women athletes here in the Seattle area. We’re talking Salmon Bay FC, Seattle Majestics, Rat City Roller Girls, the Seattle Riot, The Seattle Tempest, and of course our local college athletes, the Huskies, the Redhawks, and many more. We want to broaden the horizons of what it means to cover sports here in Seattle, and we can’t wait to get started.

Information

  • Creator
    KVRU 105.7 FM / kvru.org
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 KVRU 105.7 FM / kvru.org
  • Show Website
    The Forecast

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