Fútbol with Grant Wahl

Latest Episodes:

Dr. Celine Gounder on MLS Virus Protocol; Chris Wittyngham on Champions League Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Grant is joined by his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder (at 23:42), for 10 good minutes on what she thinks MLS should be doing to stage games in the middle of a pandemic. She explains her thoughts on Dallas (and other teams) allowing fans in home venues and whether she thinks a second bubble would be a better call for MLS.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer news with Chris Wittyngham, including PSG's dramatic 2-1 comeback win in Champions League against Atalanta; this week's quarterfinals of Leipzig-Atlético Madrid, Barcelona-Bayern Munich and Manchester City-Lyon; and Portland's 2-1 win in the MLS final against Orlando City.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

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Angus McNab on Canadian Premier League; Taylor Rockwell on the Soccer News Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

Grant interviews Angus McNab (at 48:13), managing consultant of York9 FC of the Canadian Premier League, which begins its Island Games bubble tournament this Thursday. McNab, who used to be at Opta, provides the lowdown on why the CPL is a growing league, how his team engineered the transfer of Emilio Estévez to ADO Den Haag, and how the Island Games came together.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer news with Taylor Rockwell of our partner the Total Soccer Show. They get into detail on all the news in the UEFA Champions League (from Juventus turmoil to whether Barça might get blown out by Bayern Munich), how CBS is covering the UEFA events, a preview of the Orlando-Portland MLS final and how they feel about MLS's plan to stage games in home venues, even with fans in some locations.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

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Pablo Maurer of The Athletic; Chris Wittyngham on Soccer News Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

Grant is joined by The Athletic's Pablo Maurer (at 42:17) to talk about his phenomenal new story on George Best's time in the United States during the old NASL days. Maurer, who has also written about Johan Cruyff's U.S. experience and the infamous USMNT New York Times photo shoot before World Cup 2002, explains why he's fascinated by the history of American soccer and spends so much time pursuing these stories.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer news with Chris Wittyngham. They preview each of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 return legs and the second MLS semifinal. Then they discuss Grant's interview with the execs behind CBS Sports's UEFA Champions League coverage.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

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Jordan Angeli Interview; Chris Wittyngham on the Soccer Weekend Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Grant has a fun interview with Jordan Angeli (at 38:05), one of the busiest people in U.S. soccer media, on her work co-hosting the MLS Assist Podcast (where she has discussed the tactics of every game in the MLS is Back tournament) and the U.S. Soccer Podcast (where she recently interviewed Mia Hamm), as well as what she has been doing as the local TV analyst for the Columbus Crew and a longtime figure covering the NWSL. Angeli shares her story in the sport as a player in the NWSL and WPS, how she dealt with three ACL tears and how she transitioned into the media in recent years.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer weekend with Chris Wittyngham, who co-hosts the Chelsea Mike'd Up Podcast. They talk about Christian Pulisic's memorable game in the FA Cup final, Arsenal's eventual victory and the latest on the MLS tournament, which is now set for the semifinals.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

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ESPN's Stefano Fusaro; Chris Wittyngham on Soccer News Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

Grant interviews ESPN's Stefano Fusaro (at 23:46), who explains what it's been like inside the Orlando bubble covering the MLS is Back tournament. Fusaro provides the view from the ground at one of the most unusual sports events ever, explains the human challenge of covering it and gets into some soccer talk about what are the stories he's most interested in. He also gives his own personal backstory and shares what it's like being in the bubble with all the players and coaches.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer news with Chris Wittyngham, including previewing Christian Pulisic's role in this weekend's FA Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal, taking a close look at the MLS tournament, and considering the ratings win for the NWSL tournament and the choice by CBS to put the men's UEFA Champions League quarterfinals through semifinals behind the paywall at CBS All Access and not at all on TV channels.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

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Jeremy Ebobisse Interview; Taylor Rockwell on Soccer News Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

Grant has a fascinating interview (at 29:32) with Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse, who's had three goals in his first three games at the MLS is Back tournament. Ebobisse, who's also a board member of the MLS Black Players for Change organization, discusses his story of becoming aware of racial justice issues, his biggest influences among writers, his role in forming the BPC group, the response of MLS commissioner Don Garber in a call with him and other Black players, and the issues in the league that he wants MLS and its clubs to address in the future.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer weekend with Taylor Rockwell of our partner the Total Soccer Show. They discuss Man United and Chelsea qualifying for next year's Champions League, Aston Villa staying up, Bournemouth and Watford being relegated, the NWSL final won by Houston over Chicago and the MLS in Back tournament, with Orlando and Philadelphia reaching the quarterfinals and a big LAFC-Seattle elimination game set for Monday night.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

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LA NWSL President Julie Uhrman; Chris Wittyngham on Soccer News Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

Grant is joined by Julie Uhrman (at 31:13), the president and founder of the Los Angeles NWSL expansion team announced this week. Uhrman explains the origin story of the new LA team, which had more than 30 owners, including A-list Hollywood actors, tech entrepreneurs and many former USWNT legends; lays out the tasks she plans to accomplish soon (including team name, colors and badge); describes the club's social mission and capital infusion; and provides other details about what comes next for the NWSL's newest team.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer news with Chris Wittyngham of the Chelsea Mike'd Up Podcast, including Liverpool's 5-3 win over Chelsea (featuring Christian Pulisic's virtuoso sub performance), Man United's 1-1 tie against West Ham, the stakes for Sunday's final day of the Premier League, Atlanta's failure in the MLS tournament and Houston making the NWSL final.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

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Soccer Designer Matthew Wolff; Daryl Grove on the Soccer Weekend Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Grant has a fascinating conversation with Matthew Wolff (at 27:30), the leading designer of soccer badges in the American game, about his work with LAFC, Racing Louisville, the Oakland Roots and several other clubs. Wolff, who worked in-house at Nike (with the Nigeria 2018 World Cup kit, France and PSG) and at NYCFC, tells the story of his origins as a soccer designer and how he goes about his process involving communities, color, typography and other elements.

Before that, Grant catches up on the soccer weekend with Daryl Grove of our partner podcast the Total Soccer Show. They discuss Chelsea's win over Manchester United and Arsenal's over Man City in the FA Cup semifinals; Leicester City's loss to Spurs and what it means for the Top 4 battle; the MLS tournament, including LAFC, young American goal scorers and the fun/great/bad San Jose win over Vancouver; and Portland's takedown of top-seeded North Carolina in the NWSL tournament.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe

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Lori Lindsey Interview; Chris Wittyngham on Soccer News Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

Grant has lively conversation with Lori Lindsey (at 19:47), who's calling a boatload of games during the NWSL Challenge Cup, which is at the quarterfinal stage. Lindsey, who played for the U.S. in World Cup 2011 and in all three top-flight women's leagues (WUSA, WPS, NWSL), discusses her thoughts on the four NWSL quarterfinal matchups; how she has moved into media with the NWSL, calling MLS games on the Nashville SC local broadcasts and NCAA and U.S. Open Cup games; how she approaches her volunteer gig representing the Athlete Council on the U.S. Soccer board of directors; how she handled the board's discussion of the repeal for anthem protests; and her front-row seat to what her friend Megan Rapinoe had to deal with in 2016 and '17 after she kneeled in protest of police brutality toward Black Americans.

Before that, Grant breaks down the mid-week soccer news with Chris Wittyngham of the Chelsea: Mike'd Up Podcast. They discuss Arsenal's unlikely win over Liverpool, CAS overturning Man City's Champions League punishment, the remaining scenario for England's Champions League berths and the early lessons from the MLS tournament in Orlando.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe

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Jozy Altidore Interview; Taylor Rockwell on the Soccer Weekend Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

A candid Jozy Altidore speaks to Grant (at 29:44) about life in the MLS Orlando bubble, the powerful message he feels as part of MLS's Black Players for Change, whether he'll kneel once MLS starts playing the national anthem again, his push to support women's sports and the NWSL, his thoughts on equal pay and the USWNT, his take on the impact of MLS threatening a lockout and what's on his mind with the USMNT these days.

Before that, Grant breaks down the soccer weekend with Taylor Rockwell of our partner the Total Soccer Show. They discuss Tottenham's win over Arsenal in the North London Derby, the wild race for England's Champions League berths, Atalanta's continued great form, the UEFA Champions League draw, the fits and starts of the MLS is Back Tournament and the standout storylines of the NWSL Challenge Cup in Utah.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe

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