For the Love of the Game

Soccer skills on the basketball court, with Donny Marshall

Most people know about Donny Marshall's time in the NBA and his current broadcast career, but did you know that this basketball forward got his start on the soccer field? In this episode, learn how Donny's time playing soccer made him a better basketball player and why he ultimately decided to transition to a life on the court. Photo of Donny Marshall from Journal Inquirer [https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.journalinquirer.com%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Fuconn_mens_basketball%2Fthis-day-in-husky-history-march-23%2Farticle_92d440c8-6d1d-11ea-9721-bb180368f37a.html&psig=AOvVaw0CgaEBPzuyOJSGHPvpO0bW&ust=1675362802570000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCMDZ8Pv69PwCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD].

From Soccertown USA to the World Cup, with Tony Meola

Tony grew up playing every sport he could. He was captain of his high school's basketball team, an all-state baseball player and one of the top ten high school soccer players in New Jersey. He attended The University of Virginia on a soccer and baseball scholarship, where he trained with coach Bruce Arena for two years before joining the U.S. Men's National Team. He played in the World Cup the following year, 1990, and again in 1994 and 2002. In this episode, they’re talking about why Tony chose soccer, what he learned in his pro career and his thoughts on U.S. soccer today, which he also discusses on his daily SiriusXM FC show, Counter Attack. Photo of Tony Meola from MAC Hermann Trophy [https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.machermanntrophy.org%2Ftony-meola&psig=AOvVaw3VeKRDO5swtsdY6kMlJVUR&ust=1674767257034000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBAQjhxqFwoTCNiO-q3Q4_wCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAX].

The most-capped player in U.S. Women’s National Team history: Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly is one of the most accomplished athletes in soccer history. Her decades-long career began at the University of North Carolina, where she helped lead the team to four straight national championships. With 354 caps, she’s the most-capped player in U.S. Women's National Team history. In this episode, Ralph, Ray and Kristine talk about how she developed the skills that built her notable career and what she shares in her best-selling book, "Powerhouse: 13 Teamwork Tactics that Build Excellence and Unrivaled Success."

Building a Championship Culture in Youth Soccer, with Rick Jacobs

Join Ralph, Ray and Rick Jacobs, a 23-time state championship-winning coach, as Rick delves into the importance of creating a winning culture in youth soccer. With a 94% winning percentage and a 131-game unbeaten streak, Rick shares his insights on cultivating trust, building relationships with his players, and fostering a sense of tradition and belonging among his teams. Tune in to learn more about the role of culture in sports success and how to implement it in your own coaching style. Rick is the all-time winningest high school soccer coach in the U.S. and has coached players that have ended up on the World Cup and Olympic teams, and in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Scottish Premier League and MLS. For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/].

Stories from the 1994 World Cup, with Alexi Lalas

Alexi Lalas has been a symbol and standout in U.S. soccer for over 20 years. After an extraordinary performance in the 1994 World Cup, he became the general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, the New York Red Bulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and he was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006. Today, he’s a soccer analyst for Fox Sports. In this episode, hear him share some untold stories from his time in the spotlight. This episode was first released on May 20, 2022. For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/].