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Soccer Is the Great Connector | VE, Philly Soccer Culture & Why the Game Never Leaves You

This episode is a little different. Freddy heads home to the Philadelphia area to "play" with VE in an Over 50 regional semifinal against Christos SC, but what unfolds becomes way bigger than the game itself. From legendary Philly soccer stories and reconnecting with old teammates, to beers in the Ratskeller and conversations about aging, identity, and community, this episode dives into why soccer stays with us forever. Inspired by recent conversations with Jimmy Connor, Dave Jones, Barry McCarthy, and Mark Franek’s idea that soccer is “the great connector,” Freddy reflects on club culture, the soul of the game, and why places like VE remain the heartbeat of American soccer. Featuring candid conversations with players around the club, including VE Director of Coaching Rob Oldfield, and an old friend and teammate: Jeremy Philo (plus a few others) this episode is about friendship, belonging, old stories, brutal heat, missed chances, penalty kicks, and the people who keep showing up because they simply love the game. Link to all things VE: https://veclub.org/catering/ Also, want to shout out Paul Zgalich. He funded and sponsored the uniforms. Paid the ref fees and picked up the tab at the Ratskeller. Scored the goal of his life as well. Please check out his company: https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/paul-zgalich-156843 Additionally, yuge thanks to the Friends of Freddy: Philly Soft Pretzel Factory Langhorne https://phillypretzelfactory.com/location/langhorne/ [https://phillypretzelfactory.com/location/langhorne/] Hill & Sea Co. https://hillandsea.com/ [https://hillandsea.com/] American Soccer Nation by Mark Franek https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/American-Soccer-Nation/Mark-C-Franek/9781668034837 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/American-Soccer-Nation/Mark-C-Franek/9781668034837] Save Sight Now https://savesightnoweurope.org/ [https://savesightnoweurope.org/] Brendan Sullivan and XtraTime215 Camp https://xtratime215.com/ [https://xtratime215.com/] Reduce Everyday https://reduceeveryday.com/ [https://reduceeveryday.com/] Play Free FC. Real conversations with the people who shape the game.

Chasing the Game | USA Over 40s Head to Senior World Cup

A group of former high-level American players, all over 40, are heading to Thailand to represent the United States at the Over 40 World Cup… and somehow, almost nobody knows this exists. In this episode, Freddy sits down with U.S. Over 40 Men’s National Team head coach David Jones to talk about building the program from scratch, competing against countries with professional over-40 systems, the brutal World Cup draw featuring England and Iran, and the passion driving this entire movement forward. This conversation goes way beyond soccer. It’s about culture, sacrifice, brotherhood, and proving the game never really leaves you. Check out their site here: https://www.usmsnt.com/ Big thanks to our supporters: Philly Soft Pretzel Factory [https://phillysoftpretzelfactory.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Hill & Sea Co. [https://hillandsea.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] American Soccer Nation [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/American-Soccer-Nation/Mark-C-Franek/9781668037710?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Save Sight Now [https://savesightnow.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] XtraTime 215 [https://xtratime215.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Reduce [https://reduceeveryday.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopn4A7p5Wr9DQLbMOUaWtfeSrfGIxP5pq4_VgPuZr1qOEgMeGYN]

Part 3: American Soccer Nation with Mark C. Franek

And here we are… part 3 and the final chapter of this conversation with Mark C. Franek, author of American Soccer Nation. Mark’s new book, American Soccer Nation, published by Simon & Schuster with forwards from Tim Howard and Cavan Sullivan, dives deep into the overlooked story of how soccer truly took root in the United States. What started as “let’s do a podcast episode” quickly turned into a full series because there was just too much to leave on the cutting room floor. Across these conversations, we talked about the roots of soccer in America, the immigrant communities that carried the game forward, the early clubs and rivalries, and how this sport has always been part of the fabric of this country… even when people tried to say otherwise. In this final episode, we bring it all together and talk about where the game goes from here. The past. The present. And why understanding the history of soccer in America matters as the sport continues to explode heading into the 2026 World Cup. Huge thanks to Mark for the time, the stories, and the incredible work behind American Soccer Nation, available now through Simon & Schuster. And as Mark says… we’re all connected. Especially through this game. Buy American Soccer Nation here: ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/047Thljx⁠⁠ [Here] ------------------------------------- Support the folks that support us!!! Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: ⁠⁠https://hillandseaco.com/⁠⁠ [Hill and Sea] And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel. Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone. This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share: ⁠⁠https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio⁠

Part 2: American Soccer Nation with Mark C. Franek

Welcome back to part 2 of our conversation with Mark Franek, author of American Soccer Nation. If you caught part 1, you already know… this conversation could have gone on for hours. And, if you listened in full to the first release, then you can skip right on to part 3 (we cut the original episode 1 in half for a better experience...hey...I'm learning). In this episode, we keep digging into the real roots of soccer in America. Long before MLS. Long before the NASL. This game was already woven into immigrant communities, factory towns, college campuses, and cities all across the country. Different versions. Different rules. But always here. Mark’s new book, American Soccer Nation, published by Simon & Schuster with forwards from Tim Howard and Cavan Sullivan, dives deep into the overlooked story of how soccer truly took root in the United States. Former Duke player. Lifelong student of the game. Teacher turned lawyer turned educator again at YSC Academy… Mark brings a perspective that’s thoughtful, detailed, and honestly fascinating if you love the history and culture of this sport. If you love soccer and love learning how we got here… then you will dig this! Part 3 coming soon. Buy American Soccer Nation here: ⁠https://a.co/d/047Thljx⁠ [Here] ------------------------------------- Support the folks that support us!!! Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: ⁠https://hillandseaco.com/⁠ [Hill and Sea]And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel. Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone. This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share: ⁠https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Part 1: American Soccer Nation with Mark C. Franek

One of my favorite conversations I’ve had… easily. This is Part 1 with Mark C. Franek, a Philadelphia Union Academy (YSC) educator, teacher, and historian, and we barely scratched the surface. This will be at least a 2 part series… maybe 3. Mark just launched his book, American Soccer Nation which was published by Simon and Schuster with forwards written by Cavan Sullivan and Tim Howard. Its a deep dive into the real story of soccer in America. Not the “it just showed up” version. It’s been here for over 150 years. College campuses. Immigrant communities. Different rules, different versions… but always there. Played at Duke. Lifelong student of the game. Teacher to lawyer… then back to the classroom, now helping shape the next generation at YSC while documenting the history of how this game took root in the U.S. If you love history. And you love soccer. Sit back and enjoy. Part 2 coming soon! Buy American Soccer Nation here: https://a.co/d/047Thljx [Here] ------------------------------------- Support the folks that support us!!! Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: https://hillandseaco.com/ [Hill and Sea] And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel. Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone. This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share: https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio