America the Beautiful Game

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.

Recent Episodes

Matchday 29 - Ashley Horsley, Sacramento Republic

Matchday 29 - Ashley Horsley, Sacramento Republic

May 15, 2023

I talk to Sacramento Republic boss Ashley Horsley. We talk about the excitement of running a soccer team, what a non-sports job can teach you about sports and what an Open Cup run do for a team. We talk about women in sport,…

Matchday 28 - Cody Cropper, goalkeeper Orange County SC

Matchday 28 - Cody Cropper, goalkeeper Orange County SC

April 26, 2023

Today is Open Cup day and we speak to Cody Copper, former US Youth and MLS keeper now plying his trade for Orange County Soccer Club. He talks about the magic of the cup, returning to an MLS stadium and why the USL is such a…

Matchday 27 - Devon Kerr, Broadcaster/Analyst

Matchday 27 - Devon Kerr, Broadcaster/Analyst

March 6, 2023

We talk to ex-player and now leading commentator and analyst Devon Kerr. Together we reminisce about Orange County's 2021 USL Championship victory, the growth of the US game and how much the young American player's experienc…

Matchday 26 - Mark Donaldson, ESPN commentator and Hearts fan

Matchday 26 - Mark Donaldson, ESPN commentator and Hearts fan

Jan. 18, 2023

We talk to the hilarious and fascinating Mark Donaldson, long-time ESPN commentator. We talk to editing radio with a knife, the first team ever to beat the New York Cosmos and writing four sports books. He tells us about his…

Matchday 25 - Kevin Baxter, LA Times soccer reporter

Matchday 25 - Kevin Baxter, LA Times soccer reporter

Sept. 21, 2022

We talk to LA Times soccer writer Kevin Baxter. We talk the battle for LA supremacy, the rise and fall of LA Galaxy and his love of Manchester City - and his car. He tells us about his reluctant move away from baseball repor…

Matchday 24 - Adam Richman, Spurs superfan, Grimsby shareholder and former Man vs Food host

Matchday 24 - Adam Richman, Spurs superfan, Grimsby shareholder and former Man vs Food host

Aug. 21, 2022

We talk to the effervescent Adam Richman, former host of Man vs Food and a true football lover. He tells us why he chose Spurs, why he bought shares in Grimsby and why he is the shirt sponsor of charity football side Broadle…