Founding Futbol

Epilogue: Why Founding Futbol (with Kendall Malmros)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

When Founding Futbol began, over a year ago, it was intended to be a year-long project exploring 52 key moments that helped soccer become popular in America. There was, by definition, a beginning, middle and end to the the series. The vision was to research those moments and present a point of view on their relevance, alongside interviews from people involved. It quickly evolved to become more ambitious, with Extra Time episodes featuring additional conversations with key figured in American soccer history.

The end result was a 126 episode run that helps document modern soccer history in the United States -- spanning from 1950 through 2023. Chapters include an exploration of national teams, professional leagues, technologies, writers and more.

While that's the design of the series, the backstory is more personal. Maybe even more relatable. It was conceived by asking the question, "how did we get here?" In a country that shunned soccer for so long something must have changed. Many things, in fact, had to change. Host Kent Malmros asked that question, then examined his own evolution as a soccer fan and realized his story -- falling in love with the game by watching his daughter start playing at four years old and continue all the way to college -- was common. And that model was a key factor in the American soccer stories. Families fell in love with the game and became fans because of their kids.

Kendall Malmros is Kent's daughter. She joined the show to reminisce about her soccer journey and reflect on how the game helped bring them closer together. Kendall also shares how playing has impacted her fandom, and what she's observed with her friends and teammates.

The balance of the episode summarizes some key themes of the season and reveals what is next for Founding Futbol.

Founding Futbol has been a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kendall Malmros (College Soccer Player)

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Extra Time: The Passion of Asli Pelit

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Asli Pelit came to the US to study journalism, but quickly realized she missed the soccer culture she gew up with in Turkey. In search of a way to combine her passion for the beautiful game and her desire to tell stories, Asli traveled to South America to learn more about the obsession with great "number 10s." That was among her first exposure to the cult of Lionel Messi.

That work launched her career as a soccer writer. She subsequently went on to write about soccer for various outlets, including Sportico. As the sports deals reporter she dedicated numerous articles to the impact of Messi's arrival at Inter Miami to play in Major League Soccer. Pelit explored how he changed the business dynamics of the league and brought fans to stadiums like never before.

Pelit joined Founding Futbol to tell her story and reflect on Messi's career, as well as his importance in America. She then discusses her transition to cover the women's game for The Athletic and why fostering fandom is critical to the growth of soccer in the United States.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Asli Pelit (Staff Writer, Women's Soccer at The Athletic)

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Extra Time: Safid Deen, Lionel Messi Reporter

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The story of Lionel Messi coming to America to play for Inter Miami of MLS was so big, that USA Today decided to dedicate an entire job to just that beat. Safid Deen is that reporter. After a long and successful career covering more traditional American sports -- like basketball and American football both at the professional and college level, Deen had the opportunity to cover Messi and jumped at it.

Located in Miami, Deen has seen and covered the the sports scene in that city for years. That has given him the perspective to observe and report on Messi-mania within the context of traditionally popular sports in America. It also gave Deen the opportunity to fall in love with and appreciate Messi as a fan and reporter all at the same time.

He joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey to becoming a Lionel Messi reporter. Deen then shares his reflections on the job to date, why the Messi experiment matters, whether or not he needs to win an MLS Cup to be deemed a success and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Safid Deen (Lionel Messi Reporter, USA Today)

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Extra Time: Michelle Kaufman Talks Messi to Miami

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Lionel Messi's decision to join Inter Miami of Major League Soccer had historical precedent on many levels. Despite it's failure, the first MLS team in Miami -- the Fusion -- attempted to harness the unique location and demographic makeup of the south Florida to the benefit of soccer in America. With a strong connection to Latin America, stars like Carlos Valderrama wore Fusion colors in an attempt to create fan interest and help grow the game in the United States.

While those elements felt familiar, luring the best players in the world and greatest player of all time to Miami to play for the second iteration of an MLS team in the city seemed unlikely. And, yet, Messi arrived in 2023 and changed the landscape of sports in the city and soccer in America.

Michelle Kaufman is a long-tenured sports writer for the Miami Herald, with a deep focus on international sports. She was working for the paper when the Fusion played and then saw the establishment of Inter Miami. Kaufman covered Beckham putting roots in the city, working with the Mas brothers to buy the club and ultimately bringing Messi to the team.

She joined Founding Futbol to share her recollections and insights about the evolution of soccer in Miami and America. She also talks about the significance of Messi's decision and shares how she's seen it impact the city.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Michelle Kaufman (Sportswriter, Miami Herald)

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Chapter Fifty-Two: Messi Comes to MLS (with Paul Tenorio)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Lionel Messi is widely considered the great soccer player of all-time. His accomplishments are virtually unrivaled. His counting stats in many was are incomprehensible. Messi's long career primarily with Barcelona, at the club level, and Argentina, internationally, have built him a fan following second to none on the history of professional sports.

With David Beckham's involvement in the Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami CF, there were whispers that the potential for Messi to come to MLS may be a reality. But, when it happened in 2023, it was still a shock. The greatest of all time, just months removed from his first World Cup win in 2022, was coming to play soccer in America. Despite his advanced age, Messi was still regarded as one of the best players in the world. Virtually any team in top five European leagues would happily have added him to their roster. Yes, he chose MLS.

The impacts of the deal were well documented but still hard to conceive. Messi's arrival triggered economic ripples that included a massive broadcast partnership between MLS and Apple TV, among others. His arrival immediately boosted ticket sales as well.

Paul Tenorio is a senior writer at The Athletic, covering soccer. He has documented "Messi-mania" in all forms -- on the field, off the field and beyond. Tenorio has written numerous pieces for The Athletic breaking down the economic impacts of Messi's arrival in America and is working on a book about his overall effect on MLS and soccer in the United States. He joined Founding Futbol to talk all things Messi in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Paul Tenorio (Senior Writer, The Athletic)

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Extra Time: ESPN's Jeff Carlisle

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 19:10:12 +0000

Jeff Carlisle is one of the best known soccer reporters in America. He career covering the sports has mirrored its ascension in the United States. After transitioning out of a job in corporate America, Jeff tried his hand in writing with a focus on the beautiful game. Within a few years, she was working for ESPN and quickly emerged as one of the lead writers covering Major League Soccer and the US Men's National Team.

As a result, he watched enthusiasm for soccer grow in America as both the national team and top-flight domestic league gave fans big, memorable moments. Jeff also witnessed any number of perceived setbacks; the USMNT's failure to qualifying for the 2018 FIFA Men's World Cup, the roster's subsequent transition to a younger group of talent, and then the redemption of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup is an example of seeing the ups and downs of this country's soccer growth all within a four year cycle.

Carlise joined the showed to talk about that time. He first shares the story of how he go into sports writing, then discusses his perspective on the importance of the USMNT qualifying for the 2022 World Cup after missing out in 2018.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jeff Carlisle (Senior Writer, ESPN)

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Extra Time: Connecting with Kellyn Acosta

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Kellyn Acosta was a key member of the US Men's National Team that qualified for and then played in the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar. His journey to that tournament, and significance of his participation, is unique to the story of soccer in America.

Acosta was born in Dallas, Texas and joined he FC Dallas youth system in 2009. He worked his way through the Development Academy, then onto the senior team in 2013. He emerged as a regular on the FC Dallas team and became recognized as a rising star in the US Soccer ecosystem. He finally broke through with the US Men's National Team in 2016, at a time of transition. The team was unsuccessful in its efforts to qualify for the World Cup; then a legendary group of veterans was transitioning out of the program and a young group introduced rapidly into the first team. Kellyn was part of that group and experienced the ebbs and flows of the transition before ultimately being a key contributor in the Qualifying cycle.

He is the son of a Japanese father and an African American Mother. When he earned a roster spot for the 2022 World Cup, Kellyn became the first Asian American man to appear for the United States in a World Cup.

He has played 11 seasons in the MLS and is an MLS Cup winner with LAFC. Kellyn currently is a member of Chicago Fire FC. He talks about his story on the show

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kellyn Acosta (MLS and USMNT Player)

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Chapter Fifty-One: The USMNT Returns to the World Cup (with Aaron Long)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 7 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

When the US Men's National Team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, it was a setback to the growth of soccer in America. The disappointment of that failed qualification triggered changes at the top of the team, and a concerted effort to integrate a new group of young talent that could get the team back to the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2022. Players like Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Antonee Robinson, Kellyn Acosta and others became fixtures of the starting XI through 2018 and into the 2019 Gold Cup in an effort to gain the experience needed to excel on the international stage.

Aaron Long was in that group of players. He worked his way into the national team picture after becoming a stalwart defender under Jesse Marsch for the NY Red Bulls. Once he landed on the senior team roster, his impact was felt. Long became a starter and team captain. Then, after fighting through injuries, figured into the final stages of the World Cup Qualifiers before making the roster for the team's trip to Qatar.

Long joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey through MLS and onto the national team. He discusses how then coach Gregg Berhalter gave the team clear focus on a return to the world's biggest tournament, and what it was like learning to win with a young group of players. Long also reflects on the importance of the USMNT return to the World Cup, and how it helped continue to elevate the game in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Aaron Long (MLS and USMNT Player)

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Extra Time: Joanna Lohman on Amplifying Impact

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 3 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

While the equal pay fight was driven by players on the US Women's National Team, they represented all women trying to make a living playing soccer at the highest level. The fight extended into the professional ranks where players like Joanna Lohman used their voices to advocate for, initially, just a living wage at the WPS and then NWSL levels.

But, for players like Lohman and so many others, the equal pay fight represented so much more -- it was a proxy for activism and advocacy on so many levels. Women's soccer players in this country became the champions of lifting women and other underrepresented communities up to articulate and ask for their value to be seen.

In this Extra Time episode, Lohman shares here journey through the soccer world. She talks about how hard it was to afford life as a professional soccer player. She shares her perspective on the broader implications of being undervalued -- from how it impacts confidence to social justice issues -- and why the USWNT and soccer community was uniquely suited to help elevate the status of women in America, overall.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Joanna Lohman (Former NWSL Player, Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur)

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Chapter Fifty: The Women Win Equal Pay (with Jeffrey Kessler)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

After the 2015 Women's World Cup, the US Women's National Team used their heightened profile and propensity for activism to file a complaint with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against US Soccer seeking equal pay to their male counterparts on the US Men's National Team. Five players -- Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, and Becky Sauerbrunn -- asserted that the US Soccer Federation's payment structure unfairly favored male players, resulting in women earning significantly less than their male counterparts for similar work. Jeffrey Kessler, maybe the world's most prominent sports attorney, became the legal anchor to the USWNT efforts then and would remain so moving forward.

That complaint went unresolved but was the first step in a series of actions that ultimately brought the USWNT a victory. After a reconfiguration of the players union, and a few iterations of collective bargaining agreement negotiations, the women took charge of the fight for equal pay. And leading up to the 2019 Women's World Cup, they decided to escalate the conflict, working with Kessler to file a lawsuit against US Soccer -- this time in the name of 28 players on the national team roster at the time. Filed on International Women's Day, the suit sought backpay and damages, in addition to equal pay moving forward.

It would take three years to resolve, but eventually the women emerged victorious, settling with US Soccer for a landmark $24M.

Kessler joined Founding Futbol to share his experience supporting the USWNT in their pursuit of equality. He talks about how he ended up in sports law, when he first connected with the team and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jeffrey Kessler (Sports Attorney, Co-Executive Chairman of Winston & Strawn)

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Extra Time: David Copeland-Smith's Beast Mode Soccer

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

David Copeland-Smith founded Beast Mode Soccer in in 2010 as a training system to help guide soccer players’ technical development. His methodologies quickly caught on among college, international and pro players, leading him to work with the likes of Alex Morgan, Rachel Daly, Landon Donovan, Allie Long and Kristie Mewis. In fact, 13 of the 24 members of the 2019 World Cup winning World Cup squad have trained with Copeland-Smith.

While his ability as a trainer earned him the attention of those players, working with those players and then using platforms like Instagram to document those session to the broader soccer public, earned him national recognition as an elite level trainer. Beast Mode has become synonymous with the soccer trainer culture on Instagram, something that has connected the fans with a different side of the soccer world.

Copeland-Smith joined Founding Futbol to share the story of how he landed in LA, began his journey along the path of personal training and the importance of Instagram in his journey. He shares stories of staying with pop star Robbie Williams, having Kelley O'Hara bring "friends" to pickup games (that turned out to be global soccer icons) and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: David Copeland-Smith (Founder and Owner, Beast Mode Soccer)

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Chapter Forty-Nine: Soccer Takes Over Instagram (with Kelley O'Hara)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The exploration of key moments in US Soccer history has revealed the importance of media and then social media in amplifying the beauty of the game and connecting fans to it in a variety of ways. Cable sports helped expose the American public to highlights. YouTube let fans see world class goals at the same time Messi emerged on the global stage. Twitter gave American soccer fans the ability to connect, cheer and celebrate Abby Wambach's miracle goal against Brazil in the 2011 Women's World Cup.

Instagram continued and then magnified the value of social media in the growth of soccer in the United States. The visual nature of the content lent itself to the beautiful game. Importantly, images and videos also gave players another way to use their voice. That let fans into their world and, in particular with the women's players, forged a bond that made more people fans. Soccer players have become the most followed personalities on the entire platform and their posts the most liked as well. Soccer Instagram has given rise to a player culture, a highlight culture, a trainer culture and a creator culture.

Kelley O'Hara played at a time when social media and, in particular, Instagram were changing the way fans found soccer and soccer players. She was part of two World Cup winning teams in 2015 and 2019 that used the platform to build an even bigger following and fan base. The ability to visually curate their lives to connect with various communities and bring even more people into the game of soccer. O'Hara joined the show to talk about how social media enabled the team's activism. She shares how she approached balancing Instagram's importance, with contnued piortization and focus on the game. O'Hara also discusses how social media has given rise to her second career.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kelley O'Hara (Former USWNT and NWSL Player)

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Extra Time: Welcome to Wrexham's Josh Drisko

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

When actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham AFC, it generated significant interest in the United States. Two Hollwood stars attaching themselves to a team in Wales, par of the English football system, gave Americans another way in which they could connect with the beautiful game, globally. But, when they turned it into a sports documentary, it opened the door to soccer for casual fans in the same way Ted Lasso and other cinematic content did as well.

Josh Drisko joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey with Welcome to Wrexham. He built a successful career in television, intersecting with McElhenney in multiple cities, and ultimately working with him on the hit television show "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Drisko and others remained together working on more McElhenney projects over the years. When the actors bought Wrexham, a series of events led Drisko to become part of the project. He talks about the differences between fiction and documentaries. The connection he built with the content, and more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Josh Drisko (Showrunner and Editor, Welcome to Wrexham)

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Extra Time: Angel City's Julie Uhrman

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Angel City FC brought top flight professional women's soccer back to Los Angeles.. Announced in 2020, the team began playing in 2022. But the process of making that initiative a reality started in 2019 during a conversation between the club's co-founder and CEO, Julie Uhrman, and others. An idea quickly turned into action and within months, Uhrman and team of co-founders were putting together a unique syndicate of owners that represented Hollywood, soccer history and the business world.

Uhrman joined Founding Futbol to share her journey with Angel City FC. During the conversation, Uhrman talks about how and when the idea to bring an NWSL club to LA was born. She delves into the steps required to make it a reality -- from raising money and putting and ownership group together, to building.a staff, to assembling a team. Uhrman shares how she translated her business experience to the soccer world, how she learned about running a club and what makes the Angel City formula unique.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Julie Uhrman (Co-Founder and CEO, Angel City FC)

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Chapter Forty-Eight: The Hollywoodization of Soccer (with Saskia Webber)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

With the success of Ted Lasso, as well as the growing popularity of soccer documentaries and broader program on streaming services, Hollywood began to seen an opportunity to connect with soccer. In 2020, two different initiatives marked the Hollywoodization of soccer in different ways. Angel CIty FC, a Los Angeles expansion team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was announced with a star-studded, celebrity-laden ownership group. And two world famous actors -- Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds -- bought Wrexham AFC with the intent to create a documentary about the club geared towards an American audience.

The two evens happened within just a few months of each others. And while they were very different in effect, they shared a deep connection to LA and Hollywood based on actor and actress based ownership. Both Angel City and Wrexham generated significant publicity as a result. Which allowed both teams to draw new and different fans into the game.

Angel City also added a slew of former USWNT players to its ownership group -- in addition to entrepreneurs and actress..Saskia Webber was one of the players in that group and she returned to the show to talk about owning an NWSL team in LA. She shares how the opportunity came about. What it was like helping get it off the ground. How the former player contribute to the club's success, and more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Saskia Webber (Former USWNT Player, Angel City FC Owner)

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Extra Time: Charles Curtis, For The Win

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Ted Lasso was successful because it was a great television show. One that developed lovable characters and compelling storylines. Its award-winning run, alone, made it story worthy for so many media outlets, including For The Win, a USA Today website that covers sports and pop culture. But, it's deep connection to sports put it even more into the zeitgeist, drawing on the deep connection between actors and athletes.

Charles Curtis joined Founding Futbol to talk about what made Ted Lasso a hit but also why sites like For The Win found it compelling to cover. He dives into how the show touched on the intersection of sports and entertainment, creating crossover of fan bases that may not have otherwise connected. During the discuss, Curtis shares his opinion on how Ted Lasso pulled casual fans into soccer, helping it become more popular in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Charles Curtis (Managing Editor, For The Win)

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Chapter Forty-Seven: Ted Lasso (with Andrés Martinez)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 04:00:00 +0000

In August of 2020, when the world was quarantined inside consuming streaming content like never before, Apple TV+ launched Ted Lasso. In search of a hit to match the growing success of Netflix and make themselves a force in the subscription-based streaming wars, Apple took a chance on the creative powers of Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence and others. As well as faith that a promotional skit created to help NBC launch its coverage of the Premier League, that had twice gone viral, could evolve to become a sustainable and successful comedy.

Ted Lasso became a runaway hit, launching Sudeikis even further into Hollywood superstardom. The show also brought an entirely new fan base into the world of soccer, while building a sophisticated commentary around the idea that Americans could integrate with a traditional English soccer culture, and be accepted, maybe even succesful.

Andrés Martinez wrote an article in the LA Times detailing how the show was a match made in globalizer heaven. He joined Foundign Futbol to talk about how the show connected so many in America to the game in ways the country had never experience. Martinez also discusses how the momentum the show gave Apple TV may have carried it deeper into the soccer market. And, he outlines how Ted Lasso is a good example of the growing sportification of media.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Andrés Martinez (Former Journalist, professor of practice at the Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University)

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Extra Time: The Analytical Mind of Ravi Ramineni

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 6 Mar 2025 16:21:03 +0000

The rapid evolution of soccer analytics was both influenced and driven by a group of Americans. From the emergence of sabermetrics in baseball, and it's popularization in the book "Moneyball," to the growth of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, the application of mathematical models to various sports has been a passion of many in the United States. Soccer falls into that category as well. While the discipline started in England, many of the most influential minds in the space have been based in the US. Ravi Ramineni is one such individual. The one-time Microsoft employee was both a computer engineer and soccer fan, who hoped to turn his passion into a profession.

He started by created a fan blog. But, a series of events directed him to soccer analytics and helped him turn it into a career. Ramineni spent nine years with the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer building best practices for the team and league's approach to harvesting data and using it for player analysis -- first focusing on development and then later recruiting.

Ramineni joined Founding Futbol to share his path to working in soccer. From meeting his wide, fellow soccer analytics pioneer Sarah Rudd, to attending Sloan, to connecting with the Sounder, he walks through key moments in his career.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Ravi Ramineni (Former VP of Soccer Analytics and Research, Seattle Sounders)

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Chapter Forty-Six: Soccer Joins the Analytics Revolution (with Lucy Rushton)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 3 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In 2020, the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference featured a panel entitled, "Soccer Analytics: The Beautiful Game Meets the Analytics Edge." While the broader sporting public was acknowledging that soccer analytics had finally hit the mainstream, it had been evolving for decades. Starting with the work of Charles Reep, who is largely credited as being the first person to capture soccer match data en masse then analyze it, soccer analytics truly accelerated in the 2000s.

A combination of American influence co-mingled with application globally pushed the practice forward. Thanks to the "Moneyball" phenomenon, conferences like Sloan, enterprising data scientists and opportunistic entrepreneurs, soccer analytics began to forge an influential path with English clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool

Lucy Rushton broke into the soccer world in that environment. After working for her hometown club, Reading FC and then later Watford FC, Rushton moved to the US to take on a lead analytics role for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. She was later hired as the General Manager of DC United and then also of Bay FC in the National Women's Soccer League. Rushton joined the show to talk about her journey and the evolution of soccer analytics over the last few decades.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Lucy Rushton (Former GM, Bay FC and DC United)

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Extra Time: The Secret Weapon, Dawn Scott

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

During the 2015 Women's World Cup and then even more so in the 2019 Women's World Cup, fans of the US Women's National Team came to know the name: Dawn Scott. The long time performance coach and sports scientist joined US Soccer in 2010. She remained with the program through multiple coaching changes and then, when the team made history as repeat World Cup Champions, players consistently referenced Scott as a key contributing factor. Many referred to her as the team's "secret weapon."

Scott joined Founding Futbol to recount her journey through the soccer world -- from breaking into the business through her current work as one of the world's leading soccer sports scientists. She recalls moments from her start with US Soccer, the 2015 and 2019 World Cup runs, and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Dawn Scott (Sports Scientist, Former USWNT Assistant Coach)

Correction: Some content in the show previously suggested the 2019 USWNT as the first women's team from any country to win back-to-back World Cups. That was inaccurate. Germany won both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. The language in the show has been corrected.

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Chapter Forty-Five: The 2019 Women's World Cup (with JP Dellacamera)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In 2019, the USWNT was attempting to make history as the first women's national team to win back-to-back World Cup titles. Jill Ellis was still at the help and had overseen some turnover from the roster that won the 2015 World Cup -- in fact, about half the roster was different. Despite that, the team still has some of it's most prominent stars, including Megan Rapinoe. A combination of youth and Rapinoe dominance propelled the team to the top of the podium. And she did that while still maintaining her stance on off-field issues.

JP Dellacamera has broadcast 17 World Cups, making him the voice of soccer for many Americans. He returned to the show to recount the USWNT's journey through the 2019 Women's World Cup. During our conversation, Dellacamera recounts key moments in the tournament. He talks about the significance of Rapinoe's performance and more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: JP Dellacamera (Broadcaster)

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Extra Time: Jonathan Tannenwald On The Ertz Impact

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The emergence of Julie Johnston, now Julie Ertz, during the 2015 World Cup brought attention to her relationship with Zach Ertz. Their journey together from college athletes to professional athletes and, in the case of Julie, international star, made headlines. As their careers progressed, their place in the sports power couple continuum evolved. And fans of each cheered on the other.

Jonathan Tannenwald is one of the leading soccer writers in the country and a previous guest of the show. As a college student, he was in Philadelphia to see AJ Feeley and Heather Mitts create the football/soccer couple archetype. Then, as he began working for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tannenwald witnessed Julie's impact on soccer in the city where Zach was becoming an NFL star.

He joined Founding Futbol to share his memories of covering Julie Ertz during her emergence, and discuss the merits of how sports couples should (and shouldn't be) covered, as well as the impact of cross-pollinating fans.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jonathan Tannenwald (Chief Soccer Correspondent, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

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Chapter Forty-Four: Mr. Julie Johnston (with Katie Baker)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

in 2015, en route to a third Women's World Cup victory, new stars emerged for the US Women's National Team. No one's profile was elevated more than Julie Johnston, who at the time went by Julie Johnston. The Santa Clara product had been a key part of the Youth National Team pools, but was on the fringes of the USWNT roster heading into the World Cup Qualifying cycles in 2014. Injuries opened the door, she impressed Jill Ellis and Johnston made her way to Canada with the team.

She quickly emerged as a key part of the squad, anchoring the backline next to veteran Becky Sauerbrunn. With her blond ponytail, blue pre-wrap and propensity for biting tackles followed by a bright smile, fans quickly fell in love with Johnston. The more she gained popularity, the more fans craved information about the new star. They quickly learned that Johnston, was in a long-term relationship with emerging NFL star Zach Ertz -- a tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. Just as USWNT fans fell in love with Julie, so too did they fall in love with Zach. And as their individual fame grew, their collective fame grew as well, transcending sports journals into the pages of People and US Weekly. But, something interesting happened along the way -- in a country where American football is the biggest sport on the block, a woman playing association football was seen as the bigger overall star and the more accomplished athlete. The cross pollination of both fan bases brought more people to soccer. And the power of sports power couples was realized.

Katie Baker, a writer for The Ringer that covers sports, culture and more, joined the show to talk about the impact of Zach Ertz and Julie Johnston when they first broke onto the scene, and the continued interest in their relationship as they became Zach and Julie Ertz once married. Baker also talked about why America is fascinated with the love lives of celebrities and how it helps bring attention to a sport like soccer. She also explores why the USWNT uniquely features a variety of power couples.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Katie Baker (Senior Staff Writer, The Ringer)

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Extra Time: Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The 2015 Women's World Cup wasn't just about the US Women's National Team return to the top of the soccer world and winning its third star. It was also an opportunity to showcase the impact American women's soccer had on the rest of the world, by seeing the growth of the field and improvement in competition from other federations.

Glenn Davis was on the Fox broadcast team in 2015 and he had the chance to see a variety of countries compete at the tournament. He joined Founding Futbol to talk about the impact women's soccer has had on the game in the US, and the impact US women's soccer has had around the world. Davis reflects on the 2015 Women's World Cup and the evolution of the USWNT.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Glenn Davis (Soccer Play-by-Play Announcer, Voice of the Houston Dynamo)

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Extra Time: The Legacy of Heather O'Reilly

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

There were many storylines associated with the US Women's National Team heading into the 2015 Women's World Cup. Jill Ellis was early in her tenure as head coach. Emerging young talents were on the ascension. Alex Morgan was a certified star. But above all, the team was looking for its first World Cup win since 1999. A key group of veterans made the trip to Canada with multiple Olympic gold medals on their resume, but yearning to add the World Cup win to their personal list of accomplishments as well.

Heather O'Reilly was one of those players. Along with Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx and others. For O'Reilly, better known as HAO, 2015 presented an opportunity to help the team achieve new heights. She joined Founding Futbol to talk about her career. HAO discusses how the team's performance may have been under appreciated during those Olympic runs, without the World Cup title. She shares the challenges of taking on different roles as the USWNT evolved and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Heather O'Reilly (Former USWNT and NWSL Player)

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Chapter Forty-Three: The 2015 Women's World Cup (with Becky Sauerbrunn)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

in 2015, the US Women's National Team embarked on a mission to bring home its third star. Fortunately, the team didn't have to travel far, with the tournament being hosted in Canada. While the physical travel wasn't taxing, the pressure to continue evolving the sport in America, with momentum from the 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympics, was palpable. So too was the desire to win a a World Cup championship for legends like Abby Wambach and Heather O'Reilly as they approached the late stages of their international careers.

Becky Sauerbrunn joined the show to talk about the journey to that competition. The legendary center back shared her memories leading up that run in Canada. She talks about the program's evolution, the new coaching regime that led the team to the 2015 World Cup, the impact of that win and more. Sauerbrunn discussed why that win was so important and how it continued to change the perception of women's soccer in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Becky Sauerbrunn (Former USWNT and NWSL Player)

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Extra Time: David Sarachan Returns

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 6 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

When Christian Pulisic broke onto the international soccer scene, playing for the USMNT as a teenager, he represented a new wave of hope that the Americans could establish themselves with more prominence on the global stage. It wasn't just Pulisic, but a group of up-and-coming young talent that included the likes of Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Tyler Adams and others. The team faced disappointment when failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but also grew from that experience, forming the core of the team for years to come.

David Sarachan had the chance to coach that group during his stint as the interim USMNT head coach in 2017 and 2018. He joined Founding Futbol to share his experience with those young players. During the conversation, Sarachan talks about how the game change, why it's so hard to compare different generations of players and more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: David Sarachan (Former Assistant Coach, USMNT)

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Chapter Forty-Two: Christian Pulisic Signs with Dortmund (with Brian Sciaretta)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 3 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

When Christian Pulisic broke onto the youth soccer scene as a teenager, playing for PA Classics and the IMG residency for US Soccer, other countries and clubs took notice. Specifically, in the process of scouting another US youth national, Dortmund took notice. When he moved to Germany to join the club, his emergence on the global scene accelerated.

Pulisic impressed for both the U17 and U19 Dortmund teams, and quickly worked his way into the senior team. At the same time, Pulisic broke through with the US Men's National team. He, along with a generation of young American talent featuring in the top flights of Europe, offered the country a new sense of hope that the country could break through globally.

Brian Sciaretta joined the show to talk about Pulisic's continued growth at Dortmund, then Chelsea and most recently AC Milan. He shared his thoughts on the generation of talent that has defined the Pulisic-era of the USMNT and contemplates what still may be yet to come.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Brian Sciaretta (Soccer Journaist)

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Extra Time: Noah Davis Recounts Morris-mania

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

When Jordan Morris broke through with the US Men's National team, still an emerging college star at Stanford, soccer fans wanted to know more about the kid from the Seattle area. They wanted to know, specifically, how he beat the odds to break through on the senior national team as a college player, which hadn't happened in decades. Reporters sought out his story and began hearing about the near-mythical goal he scored when the Cardinal scrimmaged the national team in a pre-World Cup training camp.

Noah Davis was one of those reporters. In April of 2015, after Morris became a fan favorite scoring his first international goal against rival Mexico, Davis delivered a profile on the player for ESPN's Grantland. It shared the story of his conversations with USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann leading to the call-up. Stories like that one, revealing the player's humility and work ethic, further stoked the Morris-mania that would come when he led Stanford to an NCAA title.

Davis joined Founding Futbol to share his work on the Jordan Morris and reflect on what his story meant to the growth of soccer in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Noah Davis (Freelance Journalist, Co-Founder of Three Point Four Media)

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Chapter Forty-One: Jordan Morris-mania (with Jeremy Gunn)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

College soccer is unique to the American sporting culture. Much of youth soccer's growth has been built around the promise of earning a college scholarship to play the sport, an attribute that is unique to both the game and higher education in the United States. Often, that puts it at conflict with the development pathways most commonly used to build strong national team programs in other countries. And, yet, college soccer itself doesn't generate significant revenue or fan interest. That leaves college soccer in the unenvious place of having a misunderstood identity.

However, in 2014, Jordan Morris emerged on the senior national team scene while still playing at Stanford. He stayed and helped lead the Cardinal to an NCAA national championship, just months after scoring his first USMNT goal against Mexico. His national team popularity brought attention to mens's college soccer like never before.

Jeremy Gunn coached Morris during his time at Stanford and joined the show to talk about the players impact on the program and soccer in America. He recounts how Morris caught the attention of Jurgen Klinsmann during a scrimmage between the national team and Stanford, and the call-up that followed. Gunn reflect on the reasons Morris stayed at Stanford when he could have left, and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jeremy Gunn (Men's Soccer Head Coach, Stanford University)

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Extra Time: Brett Bebber's Professorial Perspective

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 12:54:00 +0000

When NBC won the rights to broadcast the Premier League starting in 2013, it seemed like just another TV contract for a professional sports entity with a new broadcast partner. But there were unique attributes of that deal and the the way NBC approached the partnership gave Americans a better platform on which they could invest in and become attached teams in the Premier League. By earning exclusive rights to show all 380 games, it became possible for fans in the US to spend enough time with each team truly understand the nuances of their cultures and histories and find ways to identify with teams authentically.

Brett Bebber has spent his professional life studying various elements of historical British culture. As an American that grew up playing soccer, he was always fascinated by the Premier League, but fell in love with it differently like so many when NBC's coverage began. He has a unique understanding of why based on his academic research. Bebber joined Founding Fubtol to talk about how the culture of leisure and the intersection of British and American histories truly accelerated with when the partnership between NBC and the PL began.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Brett Bebber (Associate Professor of History, Old Dominion University)

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Extra Time: Robbie Mustoe On NBC

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

After a long and successful professional career in England, Robbie Mustoe came to the United States to coach college soccer. He found his way to Bentley University and then Boston College, on a trajectory to becoming a college head coach. Along the way, however, he decided to try his hand at television and landed a gig at ESPN covering the sport he played for so long in England.

When NBC won the rights to the Premier League, the expressed an interest in adding Mustoe to the studio team being assembled to support the partnership. Mustoe was chosen, along with Robbie Earle and Rebecca Lowe. He and Earle have become known as "The Two Robbies" and, along with Lowe, continue to anchor the league's coverage over a decade later.

Mustoe joined Founding Fubtol to talk about his journey to NBC and beyond.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Robbie Mustoe (Studio Analyst, NBC Sports Premier League coverage)

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Chapter Forty: The Premier League on NBC (with Jon Miller)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The Premier League is arguably the best professional soccer league in the world. With an infusion of capital over the last few decades, teams like Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and others have become household names around the globe. In the United States, before the 2000s, soccer fans following England's top flight had to get their fix either during summer exhibition tours or through appointment viewing on limited network availability. That began to change through the league's partnership with Fox, but then fandom in the US exploded after NBC won exclusive league broadcast rights beginning in 2013.

Jon Miller was the NBC Sports executive responsible for making that deal happen. He joined Founding Futbol to breakdown what drew the network to the Premier League initially, how the deal got done, the birth of Ted Lasso and the importance of the studio team. In a far reaching conversation, Miller shares how streaming had an impact on the expansion of NBC's coverage and reflects on the importance of Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jon Miller (President, Acquisitions & Partnerships, NBC Sports)

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Extra Time: Cari Roccaro Emerges

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Cari Roccaro was a standout college player at Notre Dame before establishing herself as a rookie on the Houston Dash, the National Women's Soccer League's first expansion team. She then won two NWSL championships with the North Carolina Courage and was part of Angel City FC's first season before settling in most recently as a key player for the Chicago Red Stars.

Roccaro has also had an impact off the field. Her efforts to ensure mental health support for NWSL players as part of the first collective bargaining agreement became a critical part of the resources provided for players. She joined Founding Futbol to share her story.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Cari Roccaro (Midfielder, Chicago Red Stars)

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Extra Time: The Impact of Yael Averbuch West

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Yael Averbuch West has an unmatched impact on women's soccer in America. She had a outstanding career at North Carolina, winning national championships with Anson Dorrance and the Tar Heels. She then emerged on the professional women's soccer scene and earned time as part of the US Women's National Team.

And while her playing career was outstanding, West's most notable contributions may have come off the field. She was a driving force behind the National Women's Soccer League Player's Association (NWSLPA) and has become the general manager of Gotham FC.

West joined Founding Futbol to share the story of how these moments came to pass, and what impact she believes that had on soccer in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Yael Averbuch West (Former NWSL Player, General Manager of Gotham FC)

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Chapter Thirty-Nine (Part Two): The NWSL is Reborn (with Marla Messing)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

After years of growth, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) hit two consecutive bumps in the road. The first it shared with the rest of the professional sports world -- the COVID pandemic. But, then after the 2021 season, scandal rocked the league and left everyone concerned that it would potentially fold. However, Marla Messing came in as interim CEO and stabilized the league. Not only did it find a way to recover from the challenges, but hit a new period of growth -- ratifying the league's first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), adding key sponsors and expanding into multiple new cities over the coming years.

The NWSL's rebirth, thanks in large part by the short tenure of Messing, launched the league into a new phase of growth that has elevated women's professional soccer to new heights. She joined the shows to talk about the critical window in the league's history, how she approached a job that came about so abruptly and had so many challenges, and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Marla Messing (Former NWSL Interim-CEO)

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Extra Time: Brittany Cameron Makes Her Way to New Jersey

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 9 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Brittany Cameron is known by youth soccer players hoping to take the field for Wake Forest one day. A staple on the Demon Deacons sideline, Cameron has made a trailblazing name for herself in the coaching ranks, also acting as the goalkeeper coach for the US Youth National Teams (U19 and U20).

Before Cameron helped make Wake a perennial collegiate power -- including a trip to the NCAA Championship finals in 2024 -- she was a college and professional standout at a time when women's professional soccer was anything but an obvious career choice. She played in the WPS and then the NWSL, suiting up for Sky Blue FC in the league's first three seasons.

She eventually followed professional soccer opportunities to play in Japan before fully dedicating herself to what has become a fruitful coaching career. Cameron joined Founding Futbol to share her story -- including how soccer opened doors for her and why she believes its important to represent underserved communities and help give them access to the beautiful game.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Brittany Cameron (Former NWSL Player, Associate Women's Soccer Head Coach at Wake Forest University)

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Extra Time: Ashley Phillips' Professional Journey

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 6 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

When the NWSL was founded in 2012, four of the founding teams were former members of the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) -- including the Boston Breakers. One Breakers player that had been with the team between 2009-2011, and rejoined the team in 2013 initial to coach, was Ashley Phillips , who ultimately ended up playing as well.

Phillips had starred at Clemson University, then graduated at the awkward time in the sport when the best American female players didn't have a top flight domestic professional league to play in. That realization helped Phillips, who already had an interest in coaching, realize the need for options. During her time with the Breakers when they played in the WPS, she began coaching to help pay the bills. Eventually, she walked away from the game and became the head coach of the women's soccer team at Northeastern

She joined Founding Futbol to share her story -- one that reflects how hard a generation of players had to fight to stay in the game when options were limited.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Ashley Phillips (Former NWSL Player, Women's Soccer Head Coach at Northeastern University)

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Extra Time: Leigh Ann Brown Wins Two NWSL Championships

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 2 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

While the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has emerged as the best women's professional soccer league in the world, it took years to achieve that status, striving first for stability. Early successes, such as the fan support for the Portland Thorns and on-field performance of FC Kansas City, gave the nascent league showcase moments, players and teams.

FC Kansas City rostered the likes of Becky Sauerbrunn and Lauren Holliday of US Women's National Team, and combined them with young talents like Erika Tymrak. Meanwhile, players like Leigh Ann Brown had significant professional experience in the then defunct WPS (Women's Professional Soccer), and made FC Kansas an even more formidable force. The team had the league's second-best record in year one, then won back-to-back championships in years two and three.

Brown joined Founding Futbol to talk about her journey to the NWSL, how persistence landed her on the FC Kansas City roster, why she ultimately left the game after three successful season in the league, and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Leigh Ann Brown (Former NWSL Player)

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Chapter Thirty-Nine (Part One): The NWSL is Born (with Cat Whitehill)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

When the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) folded in 2003, many believed the prospect of a sustainable top-flight women's professional league in America was undermined. The resulting league fragmentation made it difficult for our top US Women's National Team players to compete at the appropriate levels after college between national team camps. When the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) was founded in 2009, there was once again hope. But, yet again, the league folded within three years.

However, coming off the enthusiasm around the women's game in the 2011 World Cup and approaching what would become a gold medal run at the 2012 Olympics for the USWNT, US Soccer regrouped and tried again. The outcome was the establishment of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Leveraging lessons learned from the past, the league focused on creating a sustainable model first, then finding a way to grow from there. The first eight teams included instant success stories in Portland where the Thorns drew unexpected crowds and also won on the field.

Cat Whitehill was the captain and later player-coach of the Boston Breakers -- a carryover club from the WPS -- in the team's first NWSL season. The long-time USWNT defensive stalwart joined Founding Futbol to talk about how her journey to both the USWNT and professional soccer, and how the NWSL finally created the league women's soccer needed.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Cat Whitehill (Former USWNT and NWSL Player)

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Extra Time: Jonathan Wilson Inverts the Pyramid

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:42:29 +0000

Jonathan Wilson and his book, Inverting the Pyramid, became popular in America due to the television show Ted Lasso. Despite never having seen the show, Wilson has noticed an increased appetite for his work in the United States, which is reflective of both the show and a growing soccer culture. He joined Founding Futbol to talk about how he got into covering soccer, his books and how they are similar (and different).

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Extra Time is an additional weekly episode that shares reactions and reflections from the chapters, and brings additional guests into the fold.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jonathan Wilson (Author and Writer)

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Chapter Thirty-Eight: Soccer IQ (with Dan Blank)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Dan Blank didn't plan to be a soccer coach or a best-selling author. But after stumbling into coaching almost by accident, Blank began thinking about how written resources could help coaches and players, alike, play the game of soccer with a bit more acumen. In 2012, when self-publishing had become more common, Blanks wrote and published Soccer IQ: Things That Smart Players Do. Sales were initially modest, but some well placed promotion launched Soccer IQ onto the bestsellers list and made it one of the most purchased soccer books in America.

Blank's title underscored a growing wave of both soccer literature as well as the beginning of other self-published resources about the game, such as training courses and videos. With an abundance of information available for Americans to access and consume, there were new ways to get smart and catch up on a game historically more accessible in other countries.

Blank joined Founding Futbol to talk about how he came to write Soccer IQ, discuss some of his other titles, and more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Dan Blank (Head Women's Soccer Coach, The College of New Jersey)

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Extra Time: Peter Mellor Mentors Tim Howard

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Peter Mellor had a successful goalkeeping career in England, playing for Fulham, Burnley, Portsmouth and more. He later moved to North America to play in the North American Soccer League, before retiring. He moved to Florida and, ultimately, began life after soccer. However, Mellor was pulled back into the coaching ranks and ultimately become a critical influence in goalkeeping development within the ranks of US Soccer.

In that role, Mellor coached many of the best young players in the game. One of those players was Tim Howard, who he first met during an ODP camp where the New Jersey native stood out among older, more established players. Mellor joined Founding Futbol and shared his memories of Howard, how their relationship evolved, what made the US Soccer legand special, and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Peter Mellor (Former EFL Goalkeeper, Goalkeeping Coach US Soccer)

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Chapter Thirty-Seven: Tim Howard Scores From 100 Yards Out (with Steve Jolley)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

By 2012, Tim Howard had established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. As Everton's starter, he regularly placed in the top four of various statistical categories and helped The Toffees inch their way towards the upper half of the table. At the same time, Howard was well established as the first choice keeper for the US Men's National Team. However, in his illustrious career a few moments still rise above the rest. One such moment was the goal Howard scored against Bolton on January 4, 2012. For both the sheer rarity and excellence of the feat, as well as the way he handled it, Howard endeared himself to American soccer fans in a way that highlighted a legendary career.

Steve Jolley played ten years in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the LA Galaxy, NY/NJ MetroStars and FC Dallas. He was named an All-Star in 2001 when he was teammates with Tim Howard. Jolley joined Founding Futbol to recount his time playing with Howard, talk about what made him special on and off the field and so much more. He remembers when Howard left for the Premier League and talks about watching him evolve in Europe.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Steve Jolley (Former MLS All-Star)

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Extra Time: Lori Lindsey Reflects on the Importance of 2011

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Lori Lindsey was a mainstay of both the US Women's National Team and the three women's professional soccer leagues founded in the United States during the early and mid-2000s. She has also built a successful broadcast career in her post playing days working for ESPN, SiriusXM FC, Apple TV and other networks covering a variety of soccer events.

She was an important part of the 2011 World Cup squad, having made her USWNT debut in 2005 and solidifying her place on the squad leading up to that pivotal tournament. Lindsey joined Founding Futbol to talk about her memories of the World Cup Qualifying process, the miracle header by Abby Wambach, how quickly fans latched onto the game thereafter and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Lori Lindsey (Former USWNT and NWSL Player)

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Chapter Thirty-Six: Abby Scores, at the Death (with Stephanie Cox)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 9 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In 2011, the US Women's National Team was twelve years removed from its second World Cup win. The shine of the 99ers was wearing off, particularly after two third places finishes in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. Fans were wondering whether or not the period of American dominance in the women's game had passed. The team was hoping to prove the doubters wrong with a strong showing in the 2011 edition of the tournament.

Qualification was anything but straight forward. The US needed a playoff against Italy to even make it in. But, they got the job done and headed to Germany. Though they wouldn't come home with a third star, the USWNT produced one of the greatest moments in soccer history -- a miracle goal at the death by legend Abby Wambach that ultimately propelled the team to the finals against Japan. It would lose in that game and come home with a second place finish, but Abby's goal and the team's overall performance won fans over at a time when they were becoming invested in the game like never before thanks to changing technology.

Stephanie Cox was a member of the USWNT between 2005-2014, amassing 88 appearances in that time. A locked-in starter during the 2007 World Cup, Cox was part of the 2008 Olympics and 2011 World Cup squads as well. She joined Founding Futbol to reflect on her career and the unique attributes of the time that magnified Abby's goal and the fans reception to the women in that tournament.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Stephanie Cox (Former USMNT and NWSL Player, Head Coach Women's Soccer at Puget Sound)

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Extra Time: Exploring Men in Blazers, with Andrew Bucholtz

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 5 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Men in Blazers helped grow soccer in America at an important time in evolution of sports analysis and entertainment through new channels. By betting on the growth of podcasts they were early in the adoption curve. By aligning with Grantland, Roger Bennett and Michael Davies were on the leading edge of new approaches to merging short and long form sports stories. In other words, Men in Blazers wasn't just an early litmus test for the changing appetite around soccer in America, but also for the rapidly changing sports media landscape.

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media and MIB for Awful Announcing since 2012. He joined the show to share his perspective on how Men in Blazers' rise mirrored key changes in the media landscape. Bucholtz talked about the growth of podcasts and new media, reflected on the importance of aligning to Grantland and more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Andrew Bucholtz (Staff Editor, Awful Announcing)

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Chapter Thirty-Five: Men in Blazers (with Jonathan Mahler)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 2 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In 2006, Roger Bennett and Michael Davies had a chance meeting at a wedding. The two bonded over their love for soccer and their frustration with missing the World Cup final. Friendship turned into a podcast, their podcast turned into a television show and a brand was born. Men in Blazers became a legitimate phenomenon, propelling the two men into the soccer media spotlight. The show became a fixture for a devoted group of American soccer fans and helped elevate coverage of the Premier League and beyond for audiences throughout the country.

Jonathan Mahler was a media reporter for the New York Times in 2014, a time when Men in Blazers had emerged as dominant voice in soccer coverage in America. Mahler joined Founding Futbol to talk about the evolution of Rog and Davo, BlazerCon, their impact on the popularity of the game and what MIB's next act might look like.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jonathan Mahler (Staff Writer, New York Times Magazine)

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Extra Time: Eddie Robinson Plays With and Against Landon Donovan

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 11:59:18 +0000

Eddie Robinson was a Major League Soccer "one club loyalist" having spent his entire career with the same team, in two locations. He began play with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001 and only changed locations and team names, when the Quakes relocated to Houston and became the Dynamo. Robinson remained with the team through 2011. Along the way, he won four MLS Cups and established himself as one of the league's top defenders.

He had the unique situation of playing with Landon Donovan in San Jose, then against him in Houston, when Donovan moved on to the LA Galaxy. Robinson joined Founding Futbol to share his memories of playing with Donovan, then what it was like to face off against him. He shared memories of Donovan's maturity, reflects on how Donovan "saved" MLS before David Beckham did and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Eddie Robinson (Former MLS Player)

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Chapter Thirty-Four: Landon Donovan Shocks Algeria (with Mike Sorber)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 11:35:00 +0000

The US Men's National Team went to the 2010 World Cup with high hopes. Coming off a massive win over Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup and looking to avenge a disappointing 2006 World Cup showing, the trip to South Africa was one filled with expectations. When the draw put them in England's group, everyone highlighted that game as the one to watch. But, as often happens, group play brought interesting dynamics and the US needed a win against Algeria to make it happen.

What unfolded was one of the most dramatic late-game goals in the history of American soccer. Landon Donovan received a pass from Tim Howard to start the break after regular time had expired, and after passing the ball away, followed his run and finished a rebound that would live forever in the history books

Mike Sorber became the first person in US Soccer history to both play in and coach a men's World Cup for the national team. He joined Founding Futbol to help us explore the build-up to the World Cup, that game, the significance of that group of players and more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Mike Sorber (Former USMNT Player and Coach)

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Extra Time (Bonus): Nancy Armour Reflects on Alex Morgan's Legacy

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Nancy Armour is a sports columnist for USA Today who frequently covers the intersection of sports, culture, politics and how they influence each other. Her evolution in that role parallels the evolution of Alex Morgan on the national and international soccer scene. She has extensively covered the USWNT star over the years and, upon Morgan's announced retirement, wrote about the impact she had on the game.

Armour joined Founding Futbol to talk about the California-natives rise to stardom. The impact she had on the field and the bigger impact she had off it.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Nancy Armour (Sports Columnist, USA Today)

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Extra Time: Tom Sermanni On Coaching Alex Morgan, Twice

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Tom Sermanni is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of world women's soccer. Currently in his third (though, interim) stint as the head coach of the Australian Women's National Team, Sermanni also coached the US Women's National Team from 2013-2014 and then the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In both settings, Alex Morgan was the team's star. When Sermanni entered the USWNT picture in 2013, Morgan was at the top of her game having starred at the 2012 Olympics the Americans won, and receiving numerous awards and accolades. In Orlando, Morgan was one of the faces of the NWSL and the star used to market the expansion Pride. It's fair to say, Sermanni had a chance to know Morgan at two unique points in her career.

He joined Founding Futbol to share his memories of coaching Morgan both on the USWNT and when she was the face of the NWSL during her time on the Pride. Sermanni also shares his journey to Australia to build the women's national team, how he connected with American coaches during that tenure and how it ultimately landed him coaching jobs in the US.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Tom Sermanni (Australia Women's National Team Interim Coach, Former USWNT Coach, Former Orlando Pride Coach)

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Chapter Thirty-Three: Alex Morgan Emerges (with Steph Yang)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In March of 2010, a standout soccer star at the University of California, Berkeley -- better known as Cal -- stepped onto the field to play for the US Women's National Team for the first time. Alex Morgan was known within the soccer world, but lesser recognized by the broader sporting public. Over the next two years, with standout performances in the 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympics, that would change. Morgan's knack for scoring big goals and her willingness to flash a big smile, thrust her into the pop culture spotlight where she would stay for years to come. When she announced her retirement in 2024, Morgan's legacy was well established. Her influence on the game, outsized.

Steph Yang has covered Alex Morgan both as a player for the USWNT and her NWSL clubs. She joined Founding Futbol to discuss Morgan's impact on the field and off. Yang talked about Morgan's propensity for big moments, her

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Steph Yang (Staff Writer, Women's Soccer at The Athletic)

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Extra Time: Jimmy Conrad Bets on Himself (with Jimmy Conrad)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

At the same time players like Clint Dempsey were building the game overseas -- scoring legendary goals for the likes of Fulham in the Europa League -- a group of players were making their mark on the game domestically. One such player was Jimmy Conrad. The California native made his way to UCLA, where he wasn't guaranteed a spot on the team, bet on himself and became a standout. Then when Major League Soccer passed on drafting him, he bet on himself again. Ultimately, Conrad worked his way into MLS stardom and the US Men's National Team.

Jimmy Conrad joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey and how he thinks the game has evolved. He talks about life after playing, including coaching, and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jimmy Conrad (Former USMNT and MLS Player)

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Chapter Thirty-Two: Dempsey Chips Juventus (with Doug Allison)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Clint Dempsey is one of the most successful men's players in international soccer history. He starred for the USMNT, delivering big goals in multiple World Cups, and captained teams to tournament victories. But his biggest impact on American soccer may be the success he had playing in England for Fulham. From his arrival in January 2007, Dempsey became a big part of Fulham's plans. He helped the Cottagers avoid relegation with a May 5th goal over Liverpool, and it was the first of many big goals he'd score for the club.

But none was bigger than his 2010 goal against Juventus in the Europa League. Having improbably worked their way back from a three goals deficit in the tie with the Italian giants, Dempsey entered the game as a late substitute and delivered an audacious goal that would go down in both the Fulham and American soccer history books.

Doug Allison recruited Dempsey to play at Furman and helped him develop into the player that would win the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2004, and ultimately earn a starring role at Fulham. Allison joined the show to talk about what makes Dempsey a special player and human, how playing in Europe was always a key goal, and how his career has impacted soccer in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Doug Allison (Men's Soccer Coach, Furman University)

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Extra Time: The Unlikely Rise of Jay DeMerit (with Jay DeMerit)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 7 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

One of the unique attributes of the 2009 US Men's National Team that beat Spain in the Confederations Cup was the dynamic makeup of the roster. From established stars like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, to young emerging talent like Jozy Altidore, as well as young talents like Jonathan Bornstein. But once player's story became well known because of its unlikelihood. Jay DeMerit was a starting center back for that team after working his way into England's top flight as part of Watford. However, he only played for Watford because Major League Soccer passed on him, he took a chance on himself and moved to England with few resources and a big dream.

DeMerit joined Founding Futbol to talk about the 2009 Confederations Cup win over Spain, his path to the Premier League with Watford and how that helped him land a spot on the USMNT. DeMerit also shares his current endeavor -- RISExSHINE -- and why he is passionate about helping harness the reality of a device-driven world to help our youth become well rounded individuals through development multiple forms of intelligence.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jay DeMerit (Former USMNT, EPL and MLS Player)

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Chapter Thirty-One: The US Shocks Spain, 2-0 (with Jonathan Bornstein)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 4 Nov 2024 11:27:00 +0000

The US Men's National Team went to the Confederations Cup in 2009 hoping to continue its ascendancy in the global game, in advance of the 2010 World Cup. With teams like Brazil, Italy an Spain in the field, the Americans would have a chance to prove they belonged. However, the tournament got off to a bad start for the US, with two decisive losses. They scraped through to the knockout round by the skin of their teeth, setting up a showdown with Spain, the world's stop ranked team and widely considered the best international soccer team ever assembled.

Coach Bob Bradley gave the players a gameplan that would put them in a position to stop Spain's 35-match unbeaten streak. With strong execution and a little luck, the Americans did the impossible and walked away with a win that changed the perception of the program.

Jonathan Bornstein was a long-time Major League Soccer star, and member of that 2009 USMNT. The win over Spain was one of his 38 caps, and the current assistant coach of the Florida State women's soccer team joined the show to share his memories about that game, the Confederations Cup and more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jonathan Bornstein (Former MLS and USMNT Player)

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Extra Time: John Ellinger's DA Influence

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Before the the Boys Development Academy came into being in 2007, it needed a model. Something the represented new concept of training and youth development for America's growing soccer population. When US Soccer established the Bradenton residency of its U17 Men's National Team, John Ellinger was the man to run it.

Ellinger built a curriculum of development for forty of the countries top soccer talents -- a group that included the likes of Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley -- helping shape the future of the senior men's team. That program, and its success, also shaped "what good looked like" for a new approach to developing youth soccer talent in America. John Hackworth, considered the architect of the DA, credits Ellinger as the real "father" of the DA.

He joined Founding Futbol for a wide-ranging conversation about the Bradenton residency, the DA, and the current state of youth soccer.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: John Ellinger (Former MLS Player)

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Chapter Thirty: The Boys Development Academy (with John Hackworth)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Youth soccer in America has gone through multiple progressions. US Youth Soccer created pathways for players to make their way to the national team. The evolution club soccer in the late 90s and early 2000s changed the competitive dynamic even more. But there was still more needed for the US to take a critical step competing globally. The U17 Bradenton residency was the first step in this progress. Then, that led to the Boys Development Academy.

John Hackworth was the primary architect behind the Boys DA. He joined the show to talk about how it got off the ground, why it was important, and what makes him wish it was still around.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: John Hackworth (St. Louis City SC Interim Head Coach, Former U17 National Team Coach)

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Extra Time: Joe Cannon's Beckham Experience

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Joe Cannon was one of the best goalkeepers in MLS history. He was a key factor in San Jose Earthquakes 2001 MLS Cup win. And he was 2002 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Cannon later won the same award for the Colorado Rapids in 2004, and over the next two seasons helped his team to the Western Conference final.

For 2007 he was surprisingly traded to the LA Galaxy, and would soon play with David Beckham. Cannon joined the show to talk about his one season with the Galaxy -- Beckham's first. He shared stories about how the team handled the arrival of a global superstar, how the roster shifting created challenges and more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Joe Cannon (Former MLS Player)

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Chapter Twenty-Nine: David Beckham Comes to LA (with Kevin Baxter)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

After contracting in 2002, Major League Soccer (MLS) was searching for a way to bring fan support and financial stability to the league. Some executives turned to a familiar playbook -- bringing a global superstar to the league, hoping fans would follow. It was the strategy behind Pelé's arrival in New York when he joined the Cosmos of the North American Soccer League in the mid 70s. Some believed it could work again.

In this case, David Beckham was the target. With some shrewd rule changes, and a healthy dose of salesmanship, he was lured to MLS to join the LA Galaxy. With that, everything changed for the league and soccer in America.

Kevin Baxter joined the show to talk about how David Beckham's arrival in Los Angeles changed the course of soccer in America. He recounts how the global superstar impacted the game on and off the field, and how his influence still looms large today.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kevin Baxter (Soccer Writer, LA Times)

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Extra Time: Linda Hamilton Returns to Talk Eurosport

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Linda Hamilton was a critical member of the on the 1991 Women's World Cup championship team. And, as she trained to stay fit for international competition, the 2022 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee also worked in the call center of local soccer catalog retailer Eurosport. Alongside her was women's soccer legend, Mia Hamm. It was a job that helped her earn some money while she was still in a soccer hotbed, training with many of her USWNT teammates.

Linda joined the show to share her memories of that job, the growth of Eurosport and the Moylan brothers, who founded the company. She also shared some of her thoughts about the recent changed on the USWNT coaching staff and their performance in the 2024 Olympics.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Linda Hamilton (Former USWNT Player)

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Chapter Twenty-Eight: Soccer.com Expands its Reach (with Mike and Brendan Moylan)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

At one time, it was nearly impossible to get the best soccer cleats, gear and apparel in America. That was very clear to Mike Moylan who, as an elite high school soccer player committed to Georgetown, wanted better options. So he decided to do something about it. As part of a high school project, Mike began Eurosport, a catalog business designed to deliver better soccer equipment options to the playing community in the US. Along with his brother Brendan, and the rest of his family, Mike turned the Eurosport into the first of its kind high-end soccer sporting goods catalog-based retailer.

It later evolved into an early eCommerce success story in America, as the business transitioned to Soccer.com. Over the years, the business model has expanded further and thrives today as part of the Sports Endeavors, which includes other brands like WorldSoccerShop.

Mike and Brendan Moylan joined the show to talk about their journey and the evolution of Soccer.com

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Mike and Brendan Moylan (Co-Founders, Eurosport/Soccer.com)

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Extra Time (Bonus): Andrew Petcash and Profluence Sports

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:37:49 +0000

Andrew Petcash is the founder of Profluence Sports, a venture fund specializing in sports assets that has evolved from a incredibly prolific brand and community company. Andrew has become known for his research and synthesis of the business of sports, frequently posting extensive breakdowns on social media.

Petcash, who played Division I basketball at Boston University, and Profluence recently invested in Westchester SC of the USL. The club is slated to begin play in 2025. He joined the show to talk about soccer clubs as an asset class and what makes them different from other sports investments.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros (kent@foundingfutbol.com)

Guest: Andrew Petcash (Founder, Profluence Sports)

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Extra Time: Simon Hallett Buys His Childhood Club

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Simon Hallett was born in England, but has long since been working in the United States. That's why, technically, as owner of Plymouth Argyle FC he falls into the category of American owners of English football teams. But, his ownership is far more than a technicality as Argyle was his childhood club. It just so happens that the life he built in America helped him ultimately become owner and chairman of that club.

Hallett joined Founding Futbol to discuss his journey, how he came to buy the team, and how his ownership differs from other clubs. He also talks about his teams chances of moving beyond the Championship and into the Premier League, and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Simon Hallett (Owner and Chairman, Plymouth Argyle FC)

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Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Glazers Buy Manchester United (with JD Deitch)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 7 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

When the Glazer family bought into Manchester United in 2003, American ownership of Premier League teams simply didn't exist. By the time they took full control of the team in 2005, English football was still scarce on television in the United States. But, the Glazers ownership, as well as the recognition of a team that had toured the US as part of the ChampionsWorld Series, made for a combination that helped elevated the profile of the Red Devils and global soccer in America.

For the Glazers, who also owned the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ownership was rocky from the beginning with United supporters in England protesting the takeover. But, those protests created content that forced coverage of soccer in America in a new and expanded way. Bringing even more attention to a game that was changing rapidly.

JD Deitch helped recruit new Manchester United fans in America during that time, and joins the show to discuss how and why there is so much support for ManU in the US, and how the Glazers ownership impacted it.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: JD Deitch (Chair, Manchester United Supporters Trust)

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Extra Time: The Transitional Career of Brian Ching

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 3 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Brian Ching was first Hawaiian to ever play for the USMNT, after rising in the Major League Soccer ranks. Ching started his career with the LA Galaxy, then made his way to the San Jose Earthquakes and moved with the franchise to Houston when it became the Dynamo. He was crucial to the Houston Dynamo the MLS Cup title in 2006 over the New England Revolution.

Ching initially earned his first USMNT caps from coach Bruce Arena by rising from relative anonymity to a spot in the San Jose Earthquakes’ starting lineup in only two years. In 2006 his strong start to the MLS season was rewarded with a sport on Arena’s 23-man roster for the 2006 World Cup.

Ching retired as a member of the Dynamo following the 2013 season, spending the season as a player/assistant coach. He was also the managing director of the Houston Dash, leaving that role in 2019.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Brian Ching (Former MLS and USMNT Player)

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Extra Time: Talking Soccer with Jason Davis

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Jason Davis is a host of soccer programming on SiriusXM FC. Best known for his long-running show, "The United States of Soccer," Davis now co-hosts "Wynalda Talks Football" with Eric Wynalda. Before his time at Sirius, Davis hosted Soccer Morning on World Soccer Talk and in podcast form. He is well known for both his long-form interviews with players, coaches, front office staff, owners, and journalists as well as his deep knowledge of the men's and women's pools of players in the US.

He just launched Morning Kickaround, a three-times weekly YouTube live show with Robert Kerr.

Davis joined the show to reflect on his time covering the sport in America. How it's changed, what he believes the biggest influences have been on the sport's growth and so much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jason Davis (Host, SiriusXM FC)

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Extra Time: Brian Maisonneuve's Midwest Soccer Journey

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Brian Maisonneuve grew up in Michigan before making his way to play soccer at Indiana University. There he won the Hermann Trophy his senior year, and left the Hoosier as the Big Ten's all-time top goalscorer with 44. Maisonneuve then spent a year training with the US Men's National Team in preparation for the 1996 Olympics, before establishing himself as a fixture of the Columbus Crew midfield, where he'd spend the duration of his playing career.

A member of the 1998 World Cup team, Maisonneuve also spent time with the USMNT between 1997-2002. After his playing career was over, he began a coaching journey that has led him to the head coaching job of the men's team at Ohio State.

Maisonneuve joined Founding Futbol to discuss his journey, the importance of the midwest soccer culture and how Crew Stadium -- the first soccer specific stadium in America -- helped the game grow.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Brian Maisonneuve (Former USMNT and MLS Player)

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Extra Time: Werner Roth's NASL Journey

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Werner Roth began his soccer career in American at a time when there was no top flight domestic professional league. Roth began his career with the German American-Hungarians and would remain with New York clubs for the duration of his career. He became a member of the storied New York Cosmos during their glory years in the 1970’s. Roth was also part of the US National Team from 1972-75.

He joined the show to discuss his ascension through the ranks an into the North American Soccer League. Roth also shares what it was like to play with Pelé.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Werner Roth (Former NASL and USMNT Player)

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Extra Time: The Passion of Marcelo Balboa

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Marcelo Balboa was a fixture on US Men's National Team during its ascension in the early 1990s. He played a key role on the 1990 World Cup team and is among the most memorable figures on the 1994 World Cup roster. In fact, Balboa is so inextricably intertwined with the evolution of American soccer at that time, that he is maybe best remembered for a near-miss bicycle kick in the team's win over Colombia in 94.

Balboa also represents so many other key themes around soccer's growth in America -- he is of Argentinian descent and has been a key symbol of hispanic and latino populations in the US driving the game forward. The defender was a stalwart of the early years of MLS and so much more. He continues to work around the game as broadcaster to this day.

He joined Founding Futbol to talk about how the game has changed over the last few decades and touches on where it may be headed.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Marcelo Balboa (Former USMNT and MLS Player)

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Extra Time: A Conversation with John Harkes

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

John Harkes played a critical role in the evolution of the US Men's National Team in the late 80s and early 90s. A product of Kearny, New Jersey, Harkes had an outstanding college career at the University of Virginia, then broke into the USMNT scene. At the same time, he became the first American to truly emerge as an outstanding contributor in England, where he played for Sheffield Wednesday.

Harkes was on the field for Paul Caligiuri's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" and then played in both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. He went on to coach and is currently Technical Director at McLearn Youth Soccer in Virginia.

The USMNT legend joined us to talk about growing up in Kearny, playing in England when no one could really track his exploits, and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: John Harkes (Former USMNT and MLS Player)

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Extra Time: 99er Saskia Webber

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The 1999 US Women's National Team made history with its second World Cup win. While names like Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Julie Foudy and Brandu Chastain typically stole the headlines, the hallmark of that squad was its team dynamic. The leadership of Foudy and Carla Overbeck ensured that every member of the squad felt valued and had a role to play. Saskia Webber embodied that concept.

Despite being the backup goalkeeper, to Brianna Scurry, Webber became a fan favorite with her exuberant personality and red, white and blue colored hair. The Rutgers Hall of Famer later played in the WUSA, coached at the college level and has gone on to become part of the Angel City FC ownership group. Webber, who is also now in broadcasting, joine Founding Futbol to talk about her recent 99ers reunion, how connecting to the current team has benefits, and much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Saskia Webber (Former USWNT Player)

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Extra Time: Santino Quaranta's Prodigal Journey

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 9 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

When Freddy Adu joined DC United in 2004, he would become teammates with two other players that had made their professional debute as teenagers. One of those players was Santino Quaranta. The Baltimore native exploded onto the national soccer scene, made his way to IMG Academy like Freddy would, and then became the youngest MLS player ever, beating Bobby Convey's record, when he made his DC United debut.

Injuries and challenges with substance abuse derailed Quaranta's career, but also strengthened his resilience. The one-time prodigy made his way back to MLS, then started his own club after retirement. He still leads Pipeline SC and is at the forefront of developing the next generation of youth players in America. Quaranta's story shares many similarities and differences to that of Adu's but parallels it in so many ways. Each is a crucial part of understanding the evolution of soccer in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Santino Quaranta (Former MLS and USMNT Player)

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Extra Time: Jonathan Tannenwald Reflects on Freddy Adu

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 5 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Jonathan Tannenwald is one of the leading soccer writers in the country. Before he was covering the game for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tannenwald was a native of the Washington DC area, who watched the Freddy Adu story through the eyes of a fan. He later covered Adu's time with the Philadelphia Union. And he has subsequently written about the most recent surge of teenage talent in the soccer world -- from Cavan Sullivan to the NWSL.

Tannenwald joined Founding Futbol to share him memories of how Adu impacted the growth of MLS. He discussed how the league infrastructure has evolved to support players like Sullivan and how the NWSL situation differs in key ways.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jonathan Tannenwald (Chief Soccer Correspondent, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

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Chapter Twenty-Six: Freddy Adu (with Thomas Rongen)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 2 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The Freddy Adu story is well known in the world of American soccer. It is one of promise and then unmet opportunity. But, in the end, one of the most important elements of the Freddy Adu story is how he brought so many people to the game of soccer in the United States. His youthful exuberance, his talent and his charisma were all the stuff of marketing fuel. And, as Adu's rose to prominence through the US Youth National Teams and then MLS, the marketing machine thrust him into the spotlight.

Thomas Rongen, known for his stint coaching American Samoa that became the move "Next Goal Wins," coached Adu on the U20 National Team and saw his talent immediately. He also grew to care for Adu personally, and saw the challenges the young prodigy faced as he transitioned into the professional ranks. However, Rongen still witnessed first hand how big Adu's impact was on growing soccer in the US. He joined Founding Futbol to talk about it.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Thomas Rongen (Former MLS and U20 USYNT Coach)

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Extra Time: Jeff Agoos Returns to Talk Dos a Cero

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Jeff Agoos previously joined Founding Futbol to share his memories from the early days of MLS. On this episode of Extra Time, he returns to talk more about his USMNT career, and specifically recount the evolution of the team's rivalry with Mexico. He talks about two games that began to turn the rivalry into something meaningful. Agoos also shares his experience playing in the 2002 World Cup, the critical knockout stage win against Mexico that dawned the "Dos a cero" name, and more.

Agoos had storied career at the University of Virginia, and was reunited with Bruce Arena as part of the first DC United team. He played in the very first MLS game and was a key part of the league's first great success story. Agoos won MLS championships in five of the league’s first eight seasons, and emerged as a stalwart for the USMNT -- playing in 134 international games. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2009.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jeff Agoos (Former MLS and USMNT Player)

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Chapter Twenty-Five: The US Defeats Mexico, Dos a Cero (with Dave Sarachan)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The birth of the rivalry between US Men's National Team and Mexico wasn't a rivalry at all for decades. But then, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, that all changed. The US became competitive with its neighbor to the south and finally established itself as not only a threat to Mexico's CONCACAF dominance, but eventually as the regions strongest team.

The biggest game in that progression, and one that is most largely responsible for the "Dos a Cero" moniker was the USMNT 2-0 defeat of Mexico in the 2002 World Cup knockout round. That game propelled American soccer into the international spotlight in a new way and changed the nature of its rivalry with El Tri.

David Sarachan was an assistant coach for the US on that World Cup team. He joined Founding Futbol to share his memories of how the rivalry emerged and why the USMNT performance at the 2002 World Cup was so impressive.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: David Sarachan (Former Assistant Coach, USMNT)

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Extra Time: Gabriele Marcotti Remembers Grant Wahl

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Few people truly understand the life that Grant Wahl lived as a soccer writer in America. Gabriele Marcotti not only followed a similar trajectory, but also became close friends with Wahl as he pursued a similar career path. Marcotti, now a senior writer for ESPN and regular contributor on ESPN FC, regularly sat in the same press boxes as Wahl covering World Cups and more.

He joined Founding Futbol to talk about what made Wahl such a great journalist. Marcotti gives his perspective on how Wahl contributed to soccer's growth in America and also talks about their friendship. He even recounts why his family considered Wahl the ideal house guest.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Gabriele Marcotti (Senior Writer, ESPN)

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Chapter Twenty-Four: Grant Wahl (with Alexander Wolff)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Few individuals have impacted the growth of soccer in America more than Grant Wahl. What makes his influence even more incredible is that he was neither a coach nor a player. He wasn't even an executive. Instead, Wahl is the single most prolific writer to cover the game for the most important sports publication -- Sports Illustrated -- at a time when the building blocks of soccer's popularity were being put in place.

From the time he joined SI in the late 90s until his tragic passing in 2002, Wahl became a trusted voice for stories surrounding soccer globally and its evolution domestically as well. In a new book, "World Class," editors Alexander Wolff and Mark Mravic curate his best work and provide insight as to how his journalist genius helps advance the craft and the sport of soccer in America.

A long time colleague of Wahl's at SI, Wolff joined Founding Futbol to share memories of his friend, discuss how they approached editing the book and so much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Alexander Wolff (Author, Sports Journalist)

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Extra Time: Bob Reasso Returns to Talk ChampionsWorld

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Bob Reasso spent nearly three decades as the head coach of the Rutgers Men's Soccer team, where he recruited and coached Alexi Lalas at Rutgers. He joined Founding Futbol to talk about that, and during the interview mentioned his time working with Charlie Stillitano to get ChampionsWorld off the ground.

Bob came back on the show to talk about his experiences with ChampionsWorld. What it meant to be a technical director and how he helped facilitate the operations of exhbitions for the largest clubs in Europe. He talks about his friendship with Charlie and what makes him so special as a connector in the American soccer world.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Bob Reasso (Former Coach, Rutgers Men's Soccer)

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Chapter Twenty-Three: Charlie Stillitano and ChampionsWorld (with Charlie Stillitano)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

European club exhibitions have become a fixture of American soccer fandom. Premier League teams like Manchester United, Arsenal Liverpool and Chelsea have built, in part, their massive followings in the United States through television exposure, but also by touring US cities and building community at live events. While clubs have a long history of touring the US, the weight and gravity of those exhibitions changed through the vision of Charlie Stillitano and his company, ChampionsWorld.

Stillitano founded ChampionsWorld as a full-service soccer promotional agency, one that facilitated the sale of Tim Howard to ManU. But he always had a vision of spotlighting European clubs via events in America and turned that vision into reality with the ChampionsWorld Series in 2003 and 2004.

Stillitano joined Founding Futbol to share his journey to the creation of the company and the touring series. He shared the inspiration for the idea behind ChampionsWorld and more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Charlie Stillitano (Sports Executive, SiriusXM FC Host)

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Extra Time: Leadership Lessons with Carla Overbeck

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 8 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The 1999 Women's World Cup was special for so many reasons. The event itself, hosted in the United States, was an ambitious undertaking. The US Women's National Team won in improbable and memorable fashion, with Brandi Chastain's celebration creating one of the most memorable sports photos of all time. But the bond of that team was critical and the leadership of players like Carla Overbeck has become legendary in its importance to the group.

Overbeck joined Founding Futbol to share what leadership looked like as part of those historic teams. She shared hows he thought about leadership at the time, how it's evolved in her second act as a college coach and much more.

Overbeck was captain of the USWNT team at the 1999 Women’s World Cup -- which the team won to earn its second World Cup title. During her 13 years in the national team, she earned 168 caps for the United States. Overbeck also won an Olympic gold medal in the 1996 games, a Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) title, and four NCAA titles during her career. She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Carla Overbeck (Former USWNT Player)

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Chapter Twenty-Two: The 1999 Women's World Cup (with Marla Messing)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 5 Aug 2024 11:01:00 +0000

The 1999 Women's World Cup in unquestionably one of the most memorable moments in American soccer history. From the record crowds at venues across the United States, to the incredible moments on the field. Few images have been seen more than Brandi Chastain's celebratory moment after her championship winning penalty kick.

Winning a second World Cup was a massive accomplishment for the USWNT and US Soccer. But doing it as the host country with an audacious vision for the event made it even more impactful. Marla Messing, President and CEO of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup organizing committee had a vision that women's soccer could support an event on par with the 1994 World Cup. She proposed a business plan outlining it, went to work marketing it and developed a strategy that changed the course of the game in America.

Messing joined Founding Futbol to discuss her career, organizing the event and memories of the games.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Marla Messing (Former soccer executive)

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Extra Time: Lee Hoos, An American in London

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 1 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Many variables contributed to the evolution of Fulhamerica. From new ownership, to ambition, to the growth of American players in England at the right time. But, unbeknownst to many, the door opening moment for US soccer players at Fulham FC may have been a decision Mohamed Al-Fayed made to bring over a trusted executive, American Lee Hoos, from his Harrods business to the front office of the Cottagers. Hoos wasn't a football man, but he was a shrewd business man that worked his way into more influential positions companies in the United States before moving to London for the opportunity to work with Al-Fayed.

Hoos, who recently stepped down as CEO of Queens Park Rangers but remained on as Chairman, joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey to Fulham and beyond. He shares how when he moved to Fulham, there remained a connection to his homeland. American players and agents felt more comfortable picking up the phone and soon, Hoos was able to help the club consider that, maybe, a market opportunity existed with American players. Eventually, some of those players became club legends and are now inextricably intertwined with Fulham's identity.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Lee Hoos (Chairman, Queens Park Rangers)

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Chapter Twenty-One: Fulhamerica (with Tony Banks)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Fulham FC is among the most storied clubs in the history of English football. And, uniquely, it holds a special place in the history of soccer in America as well. After Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed bought the club in 1997, he promised the club would return to the England's top flight within five years. The owner began spending in the transfer market to improve the club's roster. And one unexpected source of talent emerged starting in 1999 with the arrival of Marcus Hahnemann from Colorado Rapids on Major League Soccer (MLS) - the United States. Within a few years, Fulham brought key players into its squad from the US, those players became club legends, and the concept of Fulhamerica was born.

Tony Banks, journalist and author of The Great Adventure: Al-Fayed’s Rollercoaster Ride with Fulham FC, joined Founding Futbol to walk through the progression of the Fulhamerica evolution. He shares his thoughts on what prompted the influx of American talent, how some players fit and how the new era of American talent at the club differs from the first wave.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Tony Banks (Journalist, Author)

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Extra Time: Changing the Game with John O'Sullivan

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The evolution of youth soccer into the club model, and the founding of clubs such as Players Development Academy (PDA) had a positive impact on the continued growth of the sport in America. But it also accelerated the concept of "pay to play" which has made the game inaccessible to many communities, while simultaneously giving more opportunity to those that can afford participation. However, with increased cost and increased competition, burnout is occurring in volume with kids dropping out of the sports in huge numbers throughout their teenage years.

John O'Sullivan wrote Changing the Game after seeing the challenges youth sports faced in this country. The book highlights the ways youth sports, soccer included, has gotten away from us in America. It also provides strategies to help us recapture its essence, giving the sport back to our children in the process. He founded the Changing the Game Project to facilitate speaking engagements and other events to spread the ideas associated with his book.

O'Sullivan joined Founding Futbol to talk about ideas in the book, how they combat the problems associated with a "pay-to-play" mindset. He talked about his journey trying to, literally, change the game and much more.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: John O'Sullivan (Author, Coach)

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Chapter Twenty: PDA and The Evolution of Youth Soccer (with Glenn Crooks)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The popularity of youth soccer in America has unquestionably contributed to it's rise on popularity over the years. However, in the late 90s and early 2000s, the continued evolution took on a new form. Clubs like Players Development Academy (PDA), founded in 1998, represented a new approach to organizing youth soccer in a way that broke from the state and regional alignment of USYS, and built resources within one club for better and broader player development. US Club Soccer emerged as a new governing body to reinforce these ideas, and leagues like the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) formed to give the top teams in the nation a new level of competitive format.

Glenn Crooks is a well-known soccer broadcaster, hosting The Coaching Academy on SiriusXM FC and also as the national radio voice of New York City FC. But, he also had a long and accomplished coaching career. Crooks was the head coach of the women's soccer team at Rutgers University and also a long-time coach at PDA. He joined Founding Futbol to talk about the evolution of youth soccer.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Glenn Crooks (Broadcaster, Journalist, Coach)

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Extra Time: Shannon Mac Millan's Golden Moments

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Soccer's journey in America has been built on a series of events. But within those events -- and the broader context of why they matter -- are individual moments of greatness. The 1996 Olympics exemplifies that idea. The USWNT saw an opportunity to continue its ascension to the top of the women's game with a gold medal in the first ever inclusion of women's soccer in the Olympics. It mattered on so many levels, including an early fight for fair and equitable compensation that took place just a few months earlier.

The women needed to win. And, despite an incredible team, they needed the individual brilliance of Shannon Mac Millan to propel the to the Gold Medal. The 2016 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee has a storied international career. But, arguably, no other accomplishments eclipse her efforts during those game in the US.

She joined Founding Futbol to discuss her pivotal goals in the 1996 Olympics, her contributions to the 1999 World Cup and more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Shannon Mac Millan (USWNT Legend)

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Chapter Nineteen: The 1996 Olympics (with Kristine Lilly)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The Olympics has played a critical role in the evolution of soccer in America. Strong attendance during the 1984 games, hosted in Los Angeles with soccer matches played across the country, was a key factor in FIFA's decision to award the 94 World Cup to the United States. But women's soccer had not been part of the Olympics historically. That changed in 1996, which was also hosted in the US, this time in Atlanta. With one World Cup win to its name, the USWNT saw an opportunity to showcase its excellence on a stage that American sports fans truly understood and embraced -- the Olympics. A legendary group of female athletes dominated headlines at those games, and the USWNT was at the top of the list, marching to the Gold medal and thrusting the team into the consciousness of the sports consuming public.

Kristine Lilly played a vital role in the USWNT 1996 Gold Medal run. In total, she in played in five World Cups (winning two) and three Olympic Games (also winning two) and was the most capped player in the history of women’s soccer with 352 full internationals for the United States between 1987 and 2010. Lilly joined Founding Futbol to talk about her storied career, and why the 96 Olympics was a critical step in the emergence of the USWNT and the continued ascension of soccer in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kristine Lilly (Former USWNT Player)

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Extra Time: Steve Ralston's MLS Rise

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In a world of early player identification in the US Youth Soccer system, Steve Ralston's journey to Major League Soccer's first ever Rookie of the Year award was an unlikely one. As he shares with Founding Futbol, he didn't even start on his high school team. A few years later, he was drafted 18th overall in the 1996 MLS College Draft by the Tampa Bay Mutiny; Ralston played in 31 games as a rookie and launched what would become a special professional career. By his second season, the midfielder earned All-Star honors.

By 1999, Ralston was named Team MVP, MLS Best Eleven, and MLS Fair Play Award winner after leading the league with 18 assists. He also became Tampa Bay's all-time leading scorer as well as the first MLS player to play 10,000 minutes. He ended his career with 135 assists, the most in league history at the time, and now second behind Landon Donovan on the MLS all-time record list.

He joined Founding Futbol to discuss the early days of MLS, his outstanding career and more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Steve Ralston (MLS Legend)

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Chapter Eighteen: MLS Kicks Off (with Jeff Agoos)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 8 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

When the United States was awarded the 1994 World Cup, no top-flight professional league existed in America. But, part of the proposal to FIFA included the creation of a new domestic league, and US Soccer went to work creating Major League Soccer (MLS) in parallel to preparing for the 94 World Cup. The magnitude of the event delayed the start of MLS, but when it finally kicked off in 1996, the league featured US Men's National Team and international stars expected to draw crowds to the inaugural season's games.

Jeff Agoos had storied career at the University of Virginia, and was reunited with Bruce Arena as part of the first DC United team. He played in the very first MLS game and was a key part of the league's first great success story. Agoos won MLS championships in five of the league’s first eight seasons, and emerged as a stalwart for the USMNT -- playing in 134 international games. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2009.

Agoos joined Founding Futbol to share his memories from the early days of MLS and talk about how the league helped move his career forward.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jeff Agoos (MLS Executive, Former MLS and USMNT Player)

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Extra Time: Janusz Michallik's Soccer Journey

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 4 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Janusz Michallik is a former US Men's National Team and Major League Soccer player. He later became a coach, and is currently working as a television sports commentator for ESPN and also as a radio commentator for SiriusXM FC.

Born in Poland, Michallik lends a unique perspective to the evolutions of soccer in America. He moved to the US as a teenager, after having played un the Poland national team system. He then provided a consistent presence for the US Men's National Team backline in the run-up to the 1994 World Cup. Michallik was later an original member of the Columbus Crew who has played at nearly every level of American professional soccer. He can now be found sharing his soccer insight on TV and streaming services, such as ESPN and YouTube.

He joined Founding Futbol to discuss his evolution with the game and how technology has impacted his second career in the sport.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Janusz Michallik (Former USMNT Player)

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Chapter Seventeen: The First Streaming Sporting Event (with Luis Miguel Echegaray)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 1 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000

You can now watch soccer at virtually any time, on any device streamed from any location in the world. Yet, before the advent of streaming technology and the first sports streaming event in 1995, that wasn't possible. Linear broadcast networks and a growing, but still limited, number of cable sports television stations determined if and what soccer you could watch in America. But that all started to change in the mid 90's, opening the global world of soccer to American fans and changing the way the game was consumed in the United States (and around the world).

ESPN soccer commentator Luis Miguel Echegaray, who has also taught classes on engagement media, joined Founding Futbol to discuss the impact of streaming media on the growth of soccer in America. He talks about how giving fans access to different flavors of the game on different platforms has a magnifying impact.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Luis Miguel Echegaray (ESPN Soccer Commentator)

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Extra Time: Bob Reasso On Coaching Alexi

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Bob Reasso spent nearly three decades as the head coach of the Rutgers Men's Soccer team. During that time he lead the Scarlet Knights to 13 NCAA appearances, including the 1990 national championship game, three Final fours, six league titles and coached 19 All-Americans. During his 29 seasons at Rutgers, Reasso compiled an overall record of 351-183-71, winning 10 or more matches in 21 seasons and reaching the 15-win mark seven times.

He also recruited and coached Alexi Lalas at Rutgers. Bob joined Founding Futbol to talk about what it was like to coach the legendary figure. He shares his experience managing the big personality and much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Bob Reasso (Former Coach, Rutgers Men's Soccer)

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Chapter Sixteen: Alexi Lalas (with Alexi Lalas)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

There were so many factors that made the 1994 World Cup a success. Great marketing. Success on the pitch for the US Men's National Team. And, importantly, a roster full of personalities to whom America could uniquely connect. There's probably no better example of that than Alexi Lalas. The larger-than-life personality looked like a rock star with long red hair, and became indispensable for his play on the field as well.

Lalas, now a broadcaster for Fox Sports, joined Founding Futbol to talk about how he combined his love for music with soccer and considered himself an entertainer, first, on the field. He also shares memories from his time at Rutgers, how he progressed to the USMNT, what it was like playing in the 1994 World Cup and how he transitioned into broadcasting.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Alexi Lalas (Former USMNT Player)

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Extra Time (Bonus): Thomas Dooley's Accidental Journey to the USMNT

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 16:09:00 +0000

Thomas Dooley was a critical piece of the US Men's National Team that made it to the knockout stage of the 1994 World Cup. He played every minute of that tournament, then played a vital role on the 98 World Cup team as well. But, born and raised in West Germany to a German mother, Dooley was focused on his aspirations of playing professionally in Germany and then also playing for the German National Team. He never even considered that, because he was born to an American father, he might be eligible to play for the USMNT.

Dooley joins Founding Futbol to share how his journey to the USMNT happened almost by accident, but became one of the most fulfilling aspects of his accomplished career. He shares memories of playing in the 94 World Cup, how he knew America's view on the game changed in real time, and much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Thomas Dooley (Former USMNT Player)

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Extra Time: Marketing Soccer in America with Gary Hopkins

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Gary Hopkins is the founder and CEO of HSE Sports and Entertainment, and the author of Star Spangled Soccer. He is an experienced soccer marketing executive who was intimately involved in the efforts to promote the 1994 World Cup. His book outlines the critical role that marketing played in the growth of soccer in America, overall, specifically drawing on the need to package and sell the game in a way that was appropriate to American industry.

He joined Founding Futbol to talk about the critical role of leadership as soccer evolved in America. Hopkins also talked about how his colleagues "packaged" the game to make it familiar to American fans, and much more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Gary Hopkins (Author, Star Spangled Soccer)

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Chapter Fifteen: The US Hosts the 1994 World Cup (with Andrei Markovits)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In 1988, FIFA awarded the United States hosting rights for the 1994 World Cup. The US Men's National Team appearance in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, thanks to Paul Caligiuri's famous goal in the qualifiers, legitimized America's presence in the tournament. And, when 1994 came along, an emerging community of soccer fans was ready to capitalize on the unique opportunity to see the world's best players compete on domestic soil.

The result was the most successful World Cup in the tournament's history, both in terms of fan attendance and revenue generation. It was so successful, in fact, that the 94 World Cup attendance records still stand. Combined with a strong showing from the USMNT, the marketing and promotion around the event launched soccer to new heights in the United States.

Sports historian and author Andrei Markovits was there. He joined Founding Futbol to talk about his memories of the World Cup, its impact on the sport in America and the lasting legacy it left on the growth of soccer.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Andrei Markovits (Author and Sports Historian)

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Extra Time: Kevin Strunk Talks EA Sports FC

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Kevin Strunk grew up playing soccer and playing soccer video games -- specifically EA Sports FIFA. His playing career took him to Lehigh University where he was Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2011, a feat that had only been accomplished three times in conference history. Kevin's college success earned him an MLS trial, but his professional dreams faded soon after. With a business degree, Kevin moved into marketing and brand roles at various companies.

Then, in 2020, his playing days, video game days and business experience came together when he joined EA Sports. Now responsible for regional brand campaigns associated with EA Sports FC, Kevin joined Founding Futbol to reflect on the importance of the video game in his life and as part of America's soccer history. He shared how EA Sports connects with various communities to promote the game and how they view its place in soccer ecosystem.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Kevin Strunk (Director, FC Franchise Activation, Markets at EA Sports)

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Chapter Fourteen: EA Sports Releases FIFA (with Michael LoRé)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

By 1993, EA Sports was a well established video game manufacturer with titles like Madden Football, which was released in 1989 and PGA Tour Golf, which was released in 1990 already commercial successes. These franchises began the model of licensing the rights to likenesses, league and team names and beyond to help market the games.

But they had been resistant to releasing a soccer title largely because the company didn't think it would sell. But a persistent group of UK employees made their case and, ultimately, convinced executives it was worth a shot. The release of EA Sports FIFA, now EA Sports FC, in 1993 began the ascension of a video game title that would become a runaway success. Along the way, it helped grow fandom in America. That marriage between video games and building a soccer culture may have initially been unexpected but, over time, the marriage was clear.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Michael LoRé (Forbes SportsMoney contributor)

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Extra Time: Randy Waldrum Talks Coaching Education

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 6 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Randy Waldrum has a storied career in the coaching ranks. He was the head coach of the women's soccer team at Notre Dame for 14 seasons years, where he led the program to incredible heights. Under his leadership, Notre Dame became a perennial power. In his time there, Waldrum led the Fighting Irish to two national championships, capturing the College Cup title in 2004 and '10. His teams won eight Big East Tournament titles and appeared in eight NCAA Final Four games in that span. Waldrum was the first coach in NCAA history to lead a team to a national title in his/her first season with a program. He wrapped up his tenure at Notre Dame with a mark of 292-58-17 (.819). He also has coached in the NWSL and two women's national teams (currently Nigeria and previously Trinidad and Tobago).

Though less known publicly for his work in soccer coaching education, his contributions in that area are equally impressive and appreciated by the soccer community. Waldrum is a former president of United Soccer Coaches and continues to advance coaching education in a variety of ways.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Randy Waldrum (Women's Soccer Coach, University of Pittsburgh / Head Coach, Nigerian Women's National Team)

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Chapter Thirteen: United Soccer Coaches (with Dr. Missy Price)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 3 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In 1941, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) was founded. Now known as United Soccer Coaches, the largest soccer coaches organization in America (and the world) has been a key driver for the continued and evolving education of the coaching ranks. They were an initial investor in the coaching curriculum developed by US Soccer and then created their own programs later. The United Soccer Coaches organizes an annual convention that draws over 15,000 attendees and 200 vendors, connecting the soccer community in a vital way.

Former president of United Soccer Coaches, Dr. Missy Price, joined us to share her journey through the coaching ranks and her passion for coaching education. She talks about her tenure at the helm of United Soccer Coaches and how she believes it and other organizations have advanced the discipline of coaching in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Dr. Missy Price (Vice President of Education & Development, US Club Soccer )

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Extra Time: 91er Linda Hamilton

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 30 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

When the US Women's National Team began winning on the international stage, much credit was given to Anson Dorrance's innovative tactical approach. He deployed a 3-4-3 to counter 4-4-2 setups most commonly utilized by other international programs. Leveraging his team's athleticism, Dorrance relied on pressing to create transitional attacking opportunities. With talents like April Heinrichs, Michelle Akers and Carin Jennings-Gabarra ready to take advantage of those chances, the USWNT had enough fire power to win the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991.

With all the attention given to the team's attacking prowess, it was easy to overlook the importance of defenders like Linda Hamilton. The 2022 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee was often given the task of marking and shutting down the oppositions best player. Her intimidating and physical style was important to the success of that 91 World Cup team, allowing that attacking talent to flourish while she solidied the last line of defense. Linda joined the show to share her memories of that team, her career and beyond.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Linda Hamilton

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Chapter Twelve: The Women Win America's First World Cup (with Carin Jennings-Gabarra)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 27 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In 1991, FIFA staged the first ever Women's World Cup in China. The tournament took place in November, featured 12 teams from six (6)confederations and delivered performances for the ages. When the two weeks of play had ended, The US Women's National Team emerged with not only the first Women's World Cup win ever, but America's first World Cup win of any type. Michelle Akers continued her ascension to super stardom with a tournament-high ten (10) goals en route to Golden Shoe honors.

Akers was one of three American scoring threats that, collectively, were dubbed the "triple-edged sword." The other two were team captain April Heinrichs and our guest, Carin Jennings-Gabarra, who scored six (6) goals of her own went on to win Golden Ball honors as the tournament's most outstanding player. Jennings-Gabarra was kind enough to sit down and spend time with us to share her journey to the USWNT, her memories of the epic 1991 season, and what made that team so special. She talks about her now more than 30 years as head coach at the Naval Academy, and why a career in coaching was so important for players in the late 80s and early 90s.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Carin Jennings-Gabarra (Former USWNT Player, Head Coach Women's Soccer US Naval Academy)

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Extra Time: Luis Omar Tapia

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 23 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

As the latino community grew in America during the 80s and 90s, Spanish-language television stations such as Univisión played a critical role in expanding the coverage of soccer. Broadcasting the World Cup, UEFA Champions League and top-flight European professional leagues such as La Liga and Serie A, Univisión, Telemundo, ESPN, TV Azteca and others built a culture of soccer fandom among not only latinos but also among the broader American soccer-playing public who turned to those networks to find the broadcasts of the game they loved.

That put Spanish-language broadcasters such as Luis Omar Tapia into the spotlight and has, over the last three decades, made him the voice of soccer to so many in America. Tapia is best known as the voice of the UEFA Champions League across the U.S. and Latin America having called the competition for 27 consecutive years. Now with Fox Sports, he spent a decade with Univisión Deportes calling some of the biggest matches and tournaments in soccer for the Spanish-language network, including Major League Soccer, German Bundesliga, U.S. Men’s National Team and Mexico National Team friendlies and more. He has also worked for GolTV, ESPN, TV Azteca and beIN Sports.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Luis Omar Tapia (Broadcaster)

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Chapter Eleven: The Impact of Latino Immigration on Soccer in America (with Andrés Martinez)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 20 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In the early 1990s, latino immigration in the United States peaked. As millions moved to the US from Latin America, they brought with them a passion for futbol. At the same time, US Soccer was devising new ways to build and sustain the game in this country. That meant stages the world's largest events, such as the Olympics and World Cup, and proving that fans in this country would fill stadiums to watch the beautiful game. The birth of Major League Soccer brought with it anxiety of failed predecessors, such as the North American Soccer League, and a desire to overcome similar shortcomings. The growing, soccer-crazy latino communities proved as a bedrock of growth for the game throughout those times.

Andrés Martinez came to the United States in the 1980s, from Mexico. Futbol had been part of his upbringing, a part of his identity as real as his name or Mexican roots. But, when he arrived and settled in his new home, he felt as though he had to give up futbol to fit in with his new peers. Then, he watched the sport grow over the subsequent decades, in large part based on the rapid expansion of other latino immigrant populations who brought their passion for the game to America. Even as a boy, Andrés had a thoughtful point of view on the sport he loved, and the two countries that he's called home. A veteran of The New York Times, LA Times and other papers, Martinez shares his personal story and how it reflects that of millions more soccer fans in the US just like him.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Andrés Martinez (Journalist, Sports Historian)

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Extra Time: 61st Minute Sub, Stolly for Krumpe (with Paul Krumpe and John Stollmeyer)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 16 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On November 19, 1989 the US Men's National Team travel to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago with a chance to qualify for its first World Cup since 1950. In the 32nd minute, Paul Caligiuri scored the game's first goal on a long, dipping, left-footed strike from distance that ultimately became the game winner.

With a one-goal lead, the team needed to remain defensively stout. Paul Krumpe was one of the team's starting defenders, then in the 61st minute John Stollmeyer replaced him to help see out the win. Both joined us for a double episode of Extra Time. Just like that game, Kurmpe starts the episode and Stolly closes it out. They bring amazing and different perspectives on what it was like to participate in that historic game, and even provide insight on that time in US Soccer.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Paul Krumpe and John Stollmeyer (Former USMNT Players)

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Chapter Ten: Paul Caligiuri's Shot Heard 'Round the World (with Brian Bliss)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 13 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Paul Caligiuri's iconic 1989 goal that sent the USMNT back to its first World Cup since 1950 is one of the most celebrated moments in the history of American soccer. It's been dubbed the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" and became the central plot point of the CBS sports / Paramount + documentary, "The Billion Dollar Goal." It's impossible to tell the story of soccer's rise in this country without exploring that storied event.

As part of our study of the Caligiuri goal, we explore the context of the USMNT leading up to the World Cup qualifiers, and the team's subsequent performance in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Brian Bliss joins us to talk about his involvement in the goal -- it began on his throw-in -- and his journey as part of the program.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Brian Bliss (Former USMNT player)

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Extra Time (Bonus): USWNT OG, Linda Gancitano

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Sun, 12 May 2024 13:54:00 +0000

Linda Gancitano had just two caps for the US Women's National Team, but they were as part of the first 1985 squad that traveled to Italy to play in the Mundialito. In other words, she was an OG. One of the women that helped open the door to the rise of the USWNT over the subsequent decades

Linda joined Founding Futbol to talk about her journey through the soccer world, including a decorated career at the University of Central Florida, where she played with both Kim Wyant and Michelle Akers. Linda was the defensive MVP of the 1982 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship (the first played) and earned All-American honors in 1981. She joined the show to talk about her short-lived but important career, how she's reconnected with the 85ers over the last few years, and more.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Linda Gancitano (Former USWNT Player)

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Extra Time: The Pioneering Career of Kim Wyant

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 9 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Kim Wyant was the starting goalkeeper on the first ever US Women's National Team when it came together in 1985. She defied the odds, overcoming injury and lack of opportunity, to ultimately have a successful playing career in the USL W-League. Kim moved into the coaching ranks and is currently the only female head coach of a men's college team, having been at the helm of the NYU Violets since 2015.

Kim joined Founding Futbol to talk about the early days of the USWNT, her experience playing in Italy, overcoming injury and finding her way into an extended soccer career. She shared memories of playing in Italy and how the men's heading coach job at NYU came to pass. Kim talks about how she feels lucky to have always been in the right place at the right time and we tackle the question as to whether or not she is a pioneer.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kim Wyant (Former USMNT Player)

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Chapter Nine: The First US Women's National Team (with Emily Pickering Harner)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 6 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In 1985, the United States finally assembled its first women’s national team. It was a critical step in moving this country towards international relevance – just not the way so many had anticipated. With the men’s team still struggling to gain traction, and the rapid emergence of women’s stars at the college level, a US Women’s National Team had the chance to become immediately relevant both nationally and internationally.

The initial journey was bumpy but the results of the first USWNT games launched players like Michelle Akers to super stardom and showed the world that the US could compete internationally. It was the beginning of America’s first truly great international success in the soccer world.

Our guest on this episode is former USWNT player Emily Pickering Harner, who is credited with assisting the first goal ever scored by the women’s national team, and scoring the second. Emily also served as the captain of the team in 1986 and beyond. She was a four-time national champion at UNC.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Emily Pickering Harner (Former USWNT player)

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Extra Time: A Conversation with Perry Van der Beck

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 2 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Perry Van der Beck was one of the first rising young stars in American soccer. Drafted out of high school by the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1978, Perry joined a team that would go on to play in the Soccer Bowl -- the NASL's championship game -- his first two years.

Perry quickly emerged as a key talent for US Soccer, specifically approaching the 1980 Olympic Games. As a key part of the US Men's Olympic team, he experienced the frustration of missing out on an opportunity to play for his country when the US boycotted the games. He joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey to the NASL from high school, as well as his time as part of the National Team and Team America. Perry also provided insight on the challenging times that American soccer faced in the 1980s.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Perry Van der Beck (Former USMNT Player)

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Chapter Eight: The 1980 Olympic Soccer Team That Wasn't (with Ty Keough)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Founding Futbol is about moments that helped grow soccer in America. But there is one event we’ve decided to cover that breaks that mold – the 1980 Olympic Boycott. The US Men’s National Team was unable to compete in Moscow in 1980, setting the program and this country’s pursuit of international success back years, possibly decades. In many ways, it also contributed to the continuing decline of the North American Soccer League (NASL), and the combination of factors led to possibly the darkest period in modern American soccer history.

While the immediate outcomes were unquestionable negative, it forced executives to reconsider the path our country would take to making soccer a prominent and sustainable sport. This chapter connects the dots of how an event that didn’t happen triggered a series of decisions that put us back on track to embracing the world’s game in a uniquely American way.

Our guest on this episode is former USMNT player Ty Keough. The son of legendary USMNT player Harry Keough, Ty also coached collegiately at Washington University for eleven years and covered four World Cups as a broadcaster, working for ESPN, ABC and TNT.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Ty Keough (Former USMNT player)

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Extra Time: Amber Brooks on Playing for Anson

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Anson Dorrance had a chance to share his story with Founding Futbol. But what is it like to play for him? The legendary coach has recruited and coached some of the best players in American soccer history.

Amber Brooks played four years at North Carolina, winning NCAA Championships in 2009 and 2012. She was a two-year captain on Tar Heels teams that included Crystal Dunn and Kealia (Ohai) Watt, before moving on to play professionally in Europe and the NWSL. She joined us to share her experience playing for Dorrance and being part of the North Carolina program. Brooks talked about why her relationship with Anson transcended that of a typical coach and what it's like to be back training with the UNC team now as she settles on her next career move.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Amber Brooks (UNC and NWSL standout)

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Chapter Seven: Anson Dorrance (with Anson Dorrance)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In 1979, Anson Dorrance, already the men’s soccer coach at the University of North Carolina, was hired to coach the women’s team as well. It was transitioning from a club team to varsity team through the opportunities afforded women’s collegiate athletics by Title IX. Despite having the men’s job, Dorrance was tapped to take on a second team and within two years, the landscape of women’s college soccer would be forever changed.

During his tenure at UNC, Dorrance has built one of the best dynasties in sports history. He also is known globally as the coach of the US Women’s National Team that won the first Women’s World Cup in 1991. His contributions to the game are immeasurable.

Our guest on this episode is Anson Dorrance, himself.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Anson Dorrance (UNC Coach)

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Extra Time: Kevin Crow, Indoor Soccer Legend

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000

After the North American Soccer League folded in 1984, many of the league’s top American players moved to the Major Indoor Soccer League. Some, in fact, moved with their franchises, who also found a new home as part of the indoor game. One such club was the San Diego Sockers. Their star defender, Kevin Crow, had achieved All-Star status in the NASL and then became five-time Defender of the Year in the MISL.

Crow joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey through four leagues with one franchise. He sheds light on how he managed the challenges of a down era in US Soccer, talks about the differences between the indoor and outdoor game, and recounts how focused on his transition away from the game, while he was still playing.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kevin Crow (MISL Legend)

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Chapter Six: ESPN, Indoor Soccer and The Highlight Culture (with JP Dellacamera)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 17:41:00 +0000

When ESPN began broadcasting in 1979, no one knew if a 24-hour sports cable station would work. The concept was new. The format was new. And there was no data to suggest the American public would watch.

But ESPN not only worked, it changed the sports culture globally by giving airtime to sports that previously went unbroadcast and by creating a highlight culture. Soccer benefited from these factors – as ESPN broadcast the Major Indoor Soccer League, bringing fans to the game in new and interesting ways. It also gave sports fans distilled key moments from various soccer matches exposing more people to the beautiful game.

JP Dellacamera has broadcast 17 World Cups, making him the voice of soccer for many Americans. He joined the show to discuss the start of his career at ESPN and how the game has evolved with the cable sports networks over the decades.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: JP Dellacamera (Broadcaster)

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Extra Time: Roses from Pelé (with Lawrie Mifflin)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Journalist Lawrie Mifflin joined us to talk about her experience covering Pelé and the New York Cosmos. Mifflin was the first woman sports reporter at the New York Daily News, which is where she earned the Cosmos beat. During our interview, she recounts how that came to pass. She covered the team for four years, and shares some of her memories of Pelé and her reflections on his time in New York.

Mifflin later moved on to become a sports reporter for her first eight years at The New York Times. She stayed with the Times in various roles for 30 years, total. When Pelé passed away in 2022, Lawrie was asked to write his obituary.

She is currently managing editor of The Hechinger Report.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Lawrie Mifflin (Writer)

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Chapter Five: Pelé Comes to New York (with Michael Lewis)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 8 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Before there was Beckham or Messi coming to America to play for Major League Soccer Franchises, there was Pelé and his stint with the New York Cosmos. From 1975-1977 the world’s most recognized footballer spent the twilight of his career helping this country fall in love with the beautiful game.

His time playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL) provided a blueprint for what success could look like for the sport in this country. It boosted the NASL to previously unseen heights. Unfortunately, Pelé’s (second) retirement also showed the continued vulnerability of America’s top flight professional league. This episode explores the many layers of his time in New York and it’s long-term impact on the game in the US.

Our guest on this episode is Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis; he has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. He also was the soccer columnist for the New York Daily News for 22 years. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island, New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists and United Soccer Coaches (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America), is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written nine books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. He is also a member of four Halls of Fame, including the Eastern New York Soccer Hall and Long Island Soccer Football League Soccer Hall.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Michael Lewis (Writer)

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Extra Time: It’s Football, Not Soccer (And Vice Versa)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 4 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Extra Time is an additional weekly episode that brings additional guests into the fold.

After releasing the Prologue and the first four Chapters of Founding Futbol, we share a few reflections on the initial topics and interviews. Then, we are joined by Stefan Szymanski and Silke-Maria Weineck to discuss their book, “It’s Football, Not Soccer (And Vice Versa).” The Michigan professors share what motivated them to write the book and the methodology behind their academic approach to researching it. They explain why this is such an unusual linguistic scenario and share some of their favorite personal anecdotes that came out of their interviews and outreach. It’s a fun listen and enlightening for anyone that doesn’t know the history of the word “soccer” and has ever wondered why Americans (still) use the word when other countries have shunned it.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Stefan Szymanski and Silke-Maria Weineck (Co-Authors, It's Football Not Soccer)

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Chapter Four: The Founding of US Youth Soccer (with Skip Gilbert and Thom Meredith)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Tue, 2 Apr 2024 02:03:00 +0000

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Despite the existence of other youth soccer organizations, US Youth Soccer’s formation in 1974 helped organize and cultivate pathways for youth soccer players in America. The approach USYS took to coordinating state, regional and national competition gave structure to a previously localized competitive landscape.

The organization’s connection to US Soccer, and the formation of the Olympic Development Program (better known as ODP) offered clear pathways for youth players to reach the national team. Over the years USYS has served a critical function in fueling the one constant in American soccer’s efforts to be relevant – mass youth participation.

USYS CEO Skip Gilbert is our guest. He has been at the helm of US Youth Soccer since 2020 and shared some outstanding insights on the evolution of the youth game and his plans for the future.

Former US Soccer executive Thom Meredith joined Skip for the conversation, bringing historic perspective to the conversation. He is one of the great champions of American soccer growth, organizing many of the biggest events this country has ever seen.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guests: Skip Gilbert (CEO, US Youth Soccer), Thom Meredith (Former Executive, US Soccer)

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Chapter Three: Title IX (with Victoria Jackson)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

In 1972, historic legislation was passed intended to create equity in the American education system. Title IX wasn’t about soccer; in fact, it wasn’t originally about sports at all. And, yet, it single-handedly gave women more the opportunity to pursue college through sports in ways that simply weren’t available before.

Soccer, through a combination of factors and then ultimately successes, became one of the primary sports to benefit from Title IX. That spurred growth of female participation in the youth game and also urged the US to ultimately participate internationally as well. Title IX may be one of the biggest contributing factors to how we have now become a soccer nation.

Sports historian Victoria Jackson is our guest. She is a professor at Arizona State University who writes and speaks about the intersection of sport and society, exploring how the games we play (and watch) tell us much about the communities – local, national, and global – in which we live. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Slate, Letras Libres (Mexico), El Universal (Mexico), Epoca (Brazil), The Independent (UK),The Athletic, and Sportico. Jackson has appeared on 60 Minutes to discuss American college sports and is a frequent podcast, radio, TV, and documentary film commentator on sport and society.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Victoria Jackson (Sports Historian)

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Chapter Two: 1959 NCAA Men’s Championship and the St. Louis Era (with David Lange)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In 1959, the first year the NCAA staged a national soccer championship, St. Louis University converted its club program to varsity status. It was unlikely that the Billikens would immediately become a powerhouse. After all, some programs had already been in existence for nearly five decades and hundreds of others for at least a decade. How would this upstart team compete? But head coach Bob Guelker built a roster full of St. Louisans that would become an immediate powerhouse and the beginning of a college soccer dynasty. Their model would change college soccer and help forge a path for the sport to become popular in America.

Author Dave Lange is our guest. He wrote ⁠⁠⁠Soccer Made in St. Louis⁠ which features rich details about the 1959 NCAA Championship and St. Louis University's soccer history.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Dave Lange (Author, Soccer Made in St. Louis)

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Chapter One: USA vs. England in the 1950 World Cup (with Geoffrey Douglas)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 02:15:00 +0000

Soccer didn’t start in America on June 29th, 1950. But the 1950 US Men’s National team’s impossible victory over England in the World Cup was an anchor moment – our first moment – in the decades long journey that soccer has taken back to prominence in America. In Chapter One of Founding Futbol, we explore why that game had meaning, what made it special and what key information soccer fans should know about that team and match.

Author Geoffrey Douglas is our guest. He wrote ⁠⁠The Game of Their Lives⁠⁠, the book about this 1950 game that later become a movie.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Geoffrey Douglas (Author, The Game of Their Lives)

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Prologue: The Soccer War of 1929 (with Roger Allaway)

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:48:00 +0000

History simply doesn’t teach that soccer was nearly a mainstream sport in America. Soccer was growing in popularity late in the 1800s then again in the early 1900s, with unquestionable gains in momentum into the 1920s. It was on track to be relevant, maybe even a topflight draw. Then, the Soccer War killed it.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Before digging into our weekly episodes focused on the sport's growth, this Prologue episode provides a brief history of soccer in the United States, culminating in The Soccer War.

Noted soccer historian Roger Allaway is our guest, providing context on the events leading up to and The Soccer War itself.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Roger Allaway (Soccer Historian)

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Founding Futbol Trailer

ti@bluewirepods.com (Blue Wire) — Tue, 5 Mar 2024 17:42:00 +0000

Welcome to Founding Futbol, the first podcast brought to you by Football Vision. Founding Futbol is a weekly podcast that explores soccer’s journey in America, analyzing how key moments in the sport’s history have contributed to its rising level of popularity. The show features research and expert guests as it breaks down 52 key events that have influenced growth of soccer in the United States. Host Kent Malmros combines narrated research with long-form interviews in each episode. Founding Futbol will provide in-depth analysis on topics such as Title IX, Pelé’s time in New York, the USWNT’s dominance and Paul Caligiuri’s iconic 1989 goal.

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