Founding Futbol

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 [https://loggerathletics.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/coaches/stephanie-cox/503] 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 [https://foundingfutbol.com/]. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com [kent@foundingfutbol.com]. Subscribe to Founding Futbol [https://podfollow.com/1734477634] on your platform of choice. Host: Kent Malmros Guest: Stephanie Cox [https://loggerathletics.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/coaches/stephanie-cox/503] (Former USMNT and NWSL Player, Head Coach Women's Soccer at Puget Sound) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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 [https://awfulannouncing.com/author/andrewbucholtz] 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. 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 [https://foundingfutbol.com/]. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com [kent@foundingfutbol.com] Subscribe to Founding Futbol [https://podfollow.com/1734477634] on your platform of choice. Host: Kent Malmros Guest: Andrew Bucholtz [https://awfulannouncing.com/author/andrewbucholtz] (Staff Editor, Awful Announcing) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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 [https://www.nytimes.com/by/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 [https://foundingfutbol.com/]. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com [kent@foundingfutbol.com]. Subscribe to Founding Futbol [https://podfollow.com/1734477634] on your platform of choice. Host: Kent Malmros Guest: Jonathan Mahler [https://www.nytimes.com/by/jonathan-mahler] (Staff Writer, New York Times Magazine) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Eddie Robinson [https://ussoccerplayers.com/player/robinson-eddie] 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. 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 [https://foundingfutbol.com/]. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com [kent@foundingfutbol.com] Subscribe to Founding Futbol [https://podfollow.com/1734477634] on your platform of choice. Host: Kent Malmros Guest: Eddie Robinson [https://ussoccerplayers.com/player/robinson-eddie] (Former MLS Player) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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 [https://ussoccerplayers.com/player/mike-sorber-usmnt] 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 [https://foundingfutbol.com/]. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com [kent@foundingfutbol.com]. Subscribe to Founding Futbol [https://podfollow.com/1734477634] on your platform of choice. Host: Kent Malmros Guest: Mike Sorber [https://ussoccerplayers.com/player/mike-sorber-usmnt] (Former USMNT Player and Coach) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]