As a player, Bev Yanez was a force.\u00a0The forward represented teams in Finland, Japan and was a two-time NWSL Shield winner with the Seattle Reign. After Bev\u2019s\u00a0playing career ended, she started coaching \u2013 first as an assistant before stepping up to become Racing Louisville\u2019s head coach in 2023, and it was here that she really made her mark. Last year, Bev\u00a0led the team to their first ever playoff appearance \u2013 an accomplishment that saw her named 2025 NWSL Coach of the Year.<\/p>\n
In this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, host Meghan Klingenberg discusses Bev\u2019s transition from playing to coaching, her philosophy, how she handles difficult conversations with players, and her ambitions for the future.<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s not all! Kling also checks in with co-host and Philadelphia Union captain Ale Bedoya to talk about the upcoming MLS season.<\/p>\n
2:35 \u2013 Kling interviews Bev Yanez6:05 \u2013 Bev talks about her experience playing in Japan13:47 \u2013 Philosophy and team dynamics25:36 \u2013 How Bev handles tricky conversations with players34:48 \u2013 Bev describes the turning point for the team last season39:27 \u2013 Bev talks about her ultimate coaching ambitions42:20 \u2013 Kling catches up with Ale Bedoya and previews the 2026 MLS season51:32 \u2013 Ask the Pros presented by O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts<\/p>\n
Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, Ale Bedoya<\/p>\n
Guest: Bev Yanez<\/p>\n
Producer: Matthew Nelson<\/p>\n