On this episode of Conversations From Studio B, Dr. Ashley Allanson joins Chris Riddle to talk about player development in women’s professional soccer, with an emphasis on the route to professional play via the U.S. university system. Dr. Allanson also describes the differences between coming up as a player in the United States versus the path to professional soccer that young women often follow in the United Kingdom, as well as the future of professional soccer in the U.S. and abroad. Finally, the two touch on a recent Ohio University Alumni Association trip to England in March that focused on the beautiful game—both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Ash is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Sports Coaching Education here at Ohio University. He is also a former assistant coach for the Ohio University Women’s Soccer Team, played professional soccer in England with, among others, Hull City FC, and represented England on the world stage in futbal.