America the Beautiful Game
America the Beautiful Game is a podcast about soccer in the US and its relationship with Europe. Each week Dan Rutstein, a former sports journalist and diplomat and now head of International at Orange County Soccer Club, sits down with a new guest to discuss the sport and its growth in this country. We have current and former players, coaches, administrators and those from industries linked to soccer - betting, data, marketing and more.
America the Beautiful game is a chance to see soccer in the US from a new angle. Please join us.
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5
April 7, 2021
Matchday 5 - Warren Barton, Fox Sports and former Wimbledon and Newcastle player
We talk to ex-player and broadcaster Warren Barton. He talks about the importance of sport during the pandemic, how much the US game has improved in recent years on and off the field but how the college system needs to improve to better prepare young players. We talk about how playing for Wimbledon would have been good preparation for stadiums without crowds, why a coaching weakness cost the US a place at the Olympics and how far ahead the women’s game is in America, although Europe is starting
8
May 6, 2021
Matchday 8 - Julian Stone, writer, producer and soccer tech
We talk to writer, producer and soccer tech Julian Stone. We talk about soccer in television and film, why Ted Lasso is so good and why overhead kicks aren't always the best things to film. Julian talks about working with some of the game's biggest stars in commercials, the importance of narrative and story to a soccer team and the wide variety of shirts you see at American soccer games. We talk to the greed of European Soccer League, and why its creation was inevitable given the money in the ga
10
May 19, 2021
Matchday 10 - Jacqui Oatley MBE, groundbreaking broadcaster
We speak to Jacqui Oatley, the first female Match of the Day commentator and a leading advocate for women's football and women in broadcasting. We reminisce about sharing a press box at Bradford Park Avenue in 2003, discuss her journey from non-league to World Cups and Champions League and why it's so important to be authentic - even if that means interviewing Sam Allardyce with Peppa Pig stickers in her hair. She explains how she would have prepared for that first Match of the Day commentary di
12
June 9, 2021
Matchday 12 - John Green, author, Liverpool fan, AFC Wimbledon owner
We talk to author and passionate football fan John Green. He explains why he detests greed in football, why MLS needs relegation and his disappointment in Liverpool’s participation in the European Super League. John describes the sense of community at AFC Wimbledon, how it’s the only crowd he feels comfortable in and how he tells the story (regularly) at dinner party’s. We discuss his perennial disappointment with the US men’s national team, the success of the women’s team and his interest in th
2
March 14, 2021
Matchday 2 - Thomas Gronnemark, Throw-In coach
We talk to the extraordinary Thomas Gronnemark. He's coached throw-ins for Ajax, FC Midtjylland, RB Leipzig, Atlanta United and, perhaps most famously, Liverpool. The former track and field and bobsled athlete talks about his obsession with throw-ins, 'trying to change the world of soccer' with better technique and what it was like working with Jurgen Klopp's team. He describes how he uses the NBA, art work and even flocks of birds to find inspiration for space creation techniques and why Americ
1
March 10, 2021
Matchday 1 - Gary Gibson, Head of Soccer Academies and International Relations Rangers FC
In our first episode we talk to Gary Gibson of Rangers FC. He explains why the Scottish champions have invested so heavily in their international programs, the importance of outreach and what can be learned from working with clubs abroad. He talks about the US, how it is the next great frontier for a new generation of players and explains his club's partnership with Orange County Soccer Club. Gary also tells his own story of playing with a variety of different Scottish clubs and then coaching wi
Recent Episodes
39
Sept. 13, 2026
Ed Sheeran, Premier League promotion and relegation and the growth of US Soccer. Brett Johnson, Rhode Island FC and Ipswich Town owner
I sit down with Rhode Island and Ipswich Town owner Brett Johnson to discuss the translantic growth of the game. We discuss the joys of promotion and relegation with Ipswich, Ed Sheeran’s authentic love of the club and spending to stay up. He tells us about taking Rhode Island to an Eastern Conference crown, the growth of the game in America and why the USL has got the model right. Brett also talks about the World Cup, developing young players and his favourite games to watch.
38
Aug. 17, 2026
Matchday 38 - David Clarke OBE, CEO of Paralympics GB and England’s record goalscorer
An honour and a privilege to have David Clarke OBE on the show. England’s top goalscorer, he smashed in 128 goals for the England blind football team, playing in tournaments across the world. He now runs Paralympics GB. We talk about goalscoring, working with David Beckham and the excitement ahead of LA28. We discuss the wider impact of disabled sport, the skill to compete at the top level and his three best goals, including one piece of brilliance against Argentina. An inspiring epi
37
May 12, 2026
Matchday 37 - Juventus Head of Performance Darren Burgess
We talk to performance guru Darren Burgess. Currently leading Juventus having spent time with Arsenal, Liverpool and the AFL, we talk to Darren about advances in elite performance management, what different sports can learn from each other and excitement at the World Cup. He gives insights from his time at Arsenal, the joy of working in sport and how the role of head of performance really functions. We talk drinking after games, personal fitness for those working with athletes and working
36
March 3, 2026
Matchday 36 - Erich Simmons, former MLS referee and Manager of PRO2 Referees
We talk refs today. I sit down with Erich Simmons, head of refereeing at PRO2, and we discuss refereeing, how the game has changed in America and recruiting and training new refs. We discuss referee abuse and social media, sending off Tony Meola ahead of bobblehead night and changes to the laws. It’s a bit different but a chance to humanise the men and women in the middle.
35
March 14, 2025
Matchday 35 - Danny Stone, Orange County SC Head Coach
In a rare crossover episode, we combine American the Beautiful Game and United States of Dramerica and talk about football while drinking whisky. The guest is Danny Stone, head coach of Orange County Soccer Club. He drinks a Glenlivet 15 and we talk about the impact of the World Cup in America, his coaching strengths and weaknesses and his love for the game here in the States. We talk about his family's performance background, his skills as an orator and being hit by a golf ball struck
34
Jan. 28, 2025
Matchday 34 - Peter Moore, Liverpool and Santa Barbara Sky
We talk to the hugely impressive Peter Moore about his transition from CEO of the mighty Liverpool to founding Santa Barbara Sky in the USL Championship. He talks about the growth of opportunities in America, building a club from scratch and the importance of community whatever the size of the team. Peter explains why he and his wife wanted to undertake this opportunity, what Santa Barbara has to offer and the power of the badge. He describes his 4 C's of leadership, the balance between internat
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