Ep. 145: Interview with Gotham FC + Denmark WNT Midfielder Josefine Hasbo — The Women’s Soccer Podcast

November 3, 2025·22 min·2 clips

At 11, Josefine won the Norway Cup and realized soccer connects people worldwide.

This episode features an interview with Josefine Hasbo, a midfielder for NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Danish Women's National Team, conducted by host Leon. Hasbo discusses her journey from grassroots soccer in Denmark to playing in the NWSL and for her national team. She recalls winning an international youth tournament called the Norway Cup at age eleven as an early formative memory. Hasbo earned her first senior national team cap for Denmark at 18 in a match against Sweden, where a last-minute goal secured a win. She explains her decision to leave Denmark's top division to play college soccer at Harvard, valuing the holistic student-athlete experience and personal growth. Hasbo describes how a training stint with Gotham FC two summers ago, arranged to prepare for European Championship qualifiers, led to her signing with the club. She emphasizes the appeal of Gotham's community and the competitive, detail-oriented environment. Hasbo was part of Denmark's roster for the 2022 European Championships and the 2023 World Cup, where the team reached the round of 16. A key insight is her reflection on managing expectations during major tournaments, where external factors like tactics or injuries are beyond a player's control. She notes the significantly faster speed of play in international matches compared to club football. Hasbo discusses improving her understanding of how to play with different teammates at Gotham, specifically learning from Rose Lavelle's scanning abilities. She expresses admiration for the fluid, positionless style of play exemplified by Spanish players like Salma Paralluelo. The midfielder outlines her player philosophy focused on constant growth, aiming to be brave on the ball and a disciplined, attentive teammate. In rapid-fire questions, Hasbo shares that her favorite off-field hobby is non-profit work and that she enjoys seeing the Brooklyn Bridge. She states she didn't have a specific soccer role model growing up and picks Kai as the best Gotham teammate for a TikTok dance. The episode maintains a conversational and reflective tone, structured as an informal interview. Listeners interested in the personal journeys of professional athletes and the nuances of adapting to different soccer cultures would enjoy this episode. Those seeking tactical breakdowns or match analysis might find it less aligned with their interests.

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