Episodes

Matchday 13 - Thomas Enevoldsen, Danish international
13
June 18, 2021

Matchday 13 - Thomas Enevoldsen, Danish international

We talk to former Danish World Cup player Thomas Enevoldsen about his team-mate Christian Eriksen, what it was like to watch him collapse and see his countrymen play so soon afterwards. He tells about Champions League football, playing in a World Cup and playing without fans. Thomas talks about US football, why he loves Orange County and his regrets at not coming to America earlier in his career.
Matchday 12 - John Green, author, Liverpool fan, AFC Wimbledon owner
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 t...
Matchday 11- David Mayer, author, podcaster, coach
11
June 2, 2021

Matchday 11- David Mayer, author, podcaster, coach

We talk to David Mayer, author and podcaster, about his playing career with Blackburn and Wigan and then two different Division One colleges, the injuries that ended his career and why he become inspired to give back to the game. We examine the difference between coaching systems in the UK and the US, the extraordinary facilities at colleges in the US and the different routes American players have taken to reach the top of the game in Europe. David talks about the advantages and disadvantages of...
Matchday 10 - Jacqui Oatley MBE, groundbreaking broadcaster
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...
Matchday 9 - Neil Smythe, Hashtag United
9
May 12, 2021

Matchday 9 - Neil Smythe, Hashtag United

We talk to Neil Smythe, Media/Operations Director at the football disruptors Hashtag United. He gives remarkable insight of how Hashtag United came about and then rose to having one of the largest social media followings in European football. We talk why the club has appeal in America, the stardom of their players, both the benefits and the scrutiny that brings. We talk sharing a kit manufacturer with Southampton and Everton, taking non-league football seriously and how their less famous opponen...
Matchday 8 - Julian Stone, writer, producer and soccer tech
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...
Matchday 7 - Sophie Nicolaou, broadcaster, podcaster and Arsenal fan
7
April 28, 2021

Matchday 7 - Sophie Nicolaou, broadcaster, podcaster and Arsenal fan

We talk to fellow Brit and long-term broadcaster Sophie Nicolaou. The Beckham effect, the change in profile of women's football and watching soccer the American way, are all covered in this lively discussion by two soccer-loving ex-pats. Sophie talks about her love of Arsenal, how MLS has grown and we discuss whether the women's club game would grow more quickly if the team's were affiliated to existing men's clubs. We also talk about MLS rivalries, Zlatan and the rise of the USL.
Matchday 6 - Oliver Wyss, President of Soccer at Orange County Soccer Club
6
April 22, 2021

Matchday 6 - Oliver Wyss, President of Soccer at Orange County Soccer Club

In a special crossover episode we combine United States of Dramerica and America the Beautiful Game. We talk to whisky lover and soccer expert Oliver Wyss. The former Swiss international youth player, coach, agent and soccer tech is now the President of Soccer at Orange County Soccer Club in the United Soccer League. We talk about the controversial new European Super League, his love of wine and then whisky and the state of soccer in the United States. Oliver tells us about working on Playing fo...
Matchday 5 - Warren Barton, Fox Sports and former Wimbledon and Newcastle player
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 ...
Matchday 4 - Jason Trost, founder of Smarkets
4
March 31, 2021

Matchday 4 - Jason Trost, founder of Smarkets

We talk to founder and CEO of sports betting company Smarkets Jason Trost. He talks about the betting landscape in the UK, why companies are being put under pressure by regulators, and the failure of the industry to offer fair prices. And he gives his views on the US betting scene, what's legal, what's coming and where soccer sits in all of that. Jason talks about the link between participation and betting volumes, how soccer has some natural benefits that will help it grow in the US and we comp...
Matchday 3 - Ryan Bailey, digital content creator (and AFC Wimbledon fan)
3
March 24, 2021

Matchday 3 - Ryan Bailey, digital content creator (and AFC Wimbledon fan)

We talk to Ryan Bailey, digital content creator and AFC Wimbledon fan. In a podcast of comparisons, we talk about the evolution of the fan experience in the US, how much American fans love FIFA and the authenticity of fans of new clubs. We explore the strength of the US national sides, when the men's team will challenge for the World Cup and whether they will ever match the women's team's success. We also cover family friendly experiences, the need to build events around games and how soccer has...
Matchday 2 - Thomas Gronnemark, Throw-In coach
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...
Matchday 1 - Gary Gibson, Head of Soccer Academies and International Relations Rangers FC
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 w...
The Kick Off
March 5, 2021

The Kick Off

Dan Rutstein explains what the new podcast is all about.