Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn, on the USWNT’s rivalry with Sweden
Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn talk about the USWNT’s rivalry with Sweden ahead of the 2023 World Cup in New Zealand.
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
As far as backup plans go, Sam Mewis has a pretty good one.
The U.S. women’s midfielder, who has been out for much of the last two years with a knee injury, will anchor the Men in Blazers media network’s World Cup coverage. Mewis will do a daily podcast during the tournament with Roger Bennett, co-founder of Men in Blazers, and co-host the “Live and Dangerous!” Twitch streams, providing commentary and chatting with fans and celebrity guests, including Steve Nash and Lilly Singh, during games.
Mewis also will do live interviews with USWNT players from Australia and New Zealand.
“I’m so honored that Men in Blazers wanted to work with me,” Mewis told USA TODAY Sports ahead of Wednesday’s announcement.
“I have admired Roger and Men in Blazers for a long time. I think what they do, the content that they make, is so great, especially for American soccer fans. We need access to that kind of passion that exists in England and in Europe, and Rog brings that. So I’m just really excited to be a part of it.”
Men in Blazers 2023 World Cup plan
Men in Blazers has a robust coverage plan for the World Cup. U.S. captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who is missing the tournament because of a foot injury, will join Mewis on the Twitch streams. There also will be a daily newsletter during the tournament.
MIB’s focus won’t solely be on the USWNT, however. Canadian forward Janine Beckie, who is missing the tournament with a torn ACL; former England captain Casey Stoney; Chelsea manager Emma Hayes; and Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall also have signed on to work with MIB during the tournament.
The World Cup begins July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, and the USWNT plays its first game, against Vietnam, July 22.
“To be able to unleash this daily torrent of content, diving into every aspect of this tournament … it’s a testament to the growth of the women’s game in this nation,” Bennett said. “And it’s magnificent.”
Sam Mewis continues to rehab for potential return
Mewis was a key player on the U.S. squad that won the 2019 World Cup, starting five games and scoring two goals. She played in every game at the Tokyo Olympics, and had a goal and assist as the USWNT won the bronze medal.
But Mewis has known for several months she wouldn’t be able to play in this World Cup, having a third surgery in January for the knee injury that has limited her to two NWSL games since Tokyo.
She still wanted to be involved, especially with older sister Kristie playing in her first World Cup, but Mewis needed something that wouldn’t interfere with her rehab. The MIB opportunity is perfect because it gives her the flexibility to stay in Boston, where her PT clinic is located, along with her longtime strength and conditioning coach.
“I’m still trying to come back and play,” said Mewis, who said she doesn’t have a timeline for a return but that recovery is “going as expected.”
“Anytime I can learn and grow in a position where I can still access my PT and my rehab, that always seems like the best opportunity to me because it’s educational, but it also allows me to put my first priority first,” she said.
Humor, passion and “Snacks”
MIB also allows Mewis to showcase the skills she’s honed the last two years doing her own podcast, “Snacks,” with USWNT teammate and best friend, Lynn Williams.
“I’m telling myself that I should be confident in this,” Mewis said, laughing. “I’ve been doing this, I know what I’m talking about, and I can be myself and still be good at it, I hope. I also feel super safe with Roger. I don’t think he’s going to make me look foolish.
“I’m hoping that I can feel like I can just be myself and bring what I know about the game to the podcast, to the Twitch streams. I think that that live commentary piece is going to be new for me,” she added. “So I’m eager to learn, and I think this is such a perfect opportunity to kind of jump in with both feet.”
Bennett said he was thrilled when Mewis agreed to work with MIB.
That passion for the game Mewis referred to comes from shared experiences that exists all over the world. There’s a collective memory created when an entire country or large groups of fans stop to watch a game or a tournament, the lore being passed from one generation to the next.
That’s what MIB is trying to create here.
“The storytelling that surrounds (the World Cup) is fundamental to our audience’s memory making,” Bennett said. “(Mewis) is the rare athlete that can storytell. She can take you into that locker room at halftime when the U.S. has been struggling. She can tell us what happens inside there. She can talk about what it feels like to face that fear of defeat and turn the game around, like the U.S. did against Spain at the last World Cup.
“To top it all off, she’s just bloody funny. To make memories for our audience, I can think of nobody better than Sam Mewis to do that as a co-host.”
Mewis would rather be playing in this World Cup, of course. But at least she’ll still have a chance to make an impact.
“I feel like the coverage is going to be such a unique way for fans to engage,” she said. “I’ve loved so much watching the (NCAA basketball tournament) coverage when they have Sue (Bird) and Diana Taurasi on. My dream is that this is going to feel like that for fans who want just a little bit different and looser experience.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.
