Planet Fútbol with Grant Wahl

Latest Episodes:

A five-a-side team of our best 2015 interview guests Dec 24, 2015

Show notes

With December winding down, it's time to do some reflecting on 2015, a year in which we were able to, at last, bring back the Planet Fútbol Podcast. We're thankful that we were able to re-launch, we're even more thankful for every single one of our listeners and we're grateful that we were able to welcome some terrific guests while we discussed all of the happenings in the soccer world on a weekly basis. Over the last eight months we assembled an interview lineup that included three World Cup winners and a host of other international stars, coaches and executives, so it's only appropriate that as we compile a best-of edition of our show, we go position by position to come up with a five-a-side team (plus a coach) we'd take to battle on the field any day of the week. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com to play a risk-free tournament for up to $10.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A conversation with Abby Wambach Dec 16, 2015

Show notes

Abby Wambach's playing career comes to an end in New Orleans on Wednesday night, as she rides off into the retirement sunset in the U.S. women's national team's friendly vs. China. We teased a clip of her interview with SI's Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl) last week, but now listen to the entire interview, in which she reflects on her career and looks ahead to what's next in her life on this week's Planet Fútbol Podcast. We also put a cap on the year for the U.S. men's and women's national teams as a 2015 of mixed results and storylines comes to a close. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com to play a risk-free tournament for up to $10.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Inside the business of the Bundesliga Dec 10, 2015

Show notes

The Champions League field is down to the last 16 after the group stage ended this week, but Manchester United is not in the mix. What's plaguing the Red Devils, and how, after spending all that money in the summer, did Manchester United fail to get out of its group? SI.com's Ben Lyttleton (twitter.com/benlyt) joins this week's podcast to break down Louis van Gaal's side in addition to the slew of teams who did advance and will be part of Monday's draw. This week we also have a pair of unique and special interviews. U.S. women's national team icon Abby Wambach will have her playing career end next week in New Orleans, and she talked with SI's Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl) about the end of her storied run and what might be on the horizon for her. We'll give you a taste of the conversation, to come in full next week. Wahl is also joined by Bundesliga CEO Christian Seifert, who is attempting to make inroads globally with one of the world's premier leagues. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com to play a risk-free tournament for up to $10.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Didier Drogba has written more books than Grant Wahl Dec 04, 2015

Show notes

FIFA is back in the U.S. Department of Justice crosshairs, and MLS is on the cusp of crowning its champion. Just another week in the world of soccer. We kick off our latest podcast with the new revelations in the ongoing FIFA investigation, with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch indicting 16 more individuals connected to bribery, racketeering, corruption and more malfeasance clouding the world's game. We're also fortunate enough to be joined by Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba, who sheds light on his first foray into MLS, his thoughts on the Columbus Crew (who eliminated his squad in the playoffs), that bizarre leg lock and Chelsea's struggles. We close with MLS Cup analysis from Grant Wahl and Brian Straus, who are on the ground in Columbus ahead of the Sunday's championship bout between the Crew and Portland Timbers. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thankful for the messy and the Messi Nov 25, 2015

Show notes

It's Thanksgiving week, so naturally it's a time to reflect and give thanks, which we do with a soccer spin on the newest Planet Fútbol Podcast. Before that, though, we take a look at the MLS conference finals, where the Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers are each one result away from advancing to MLS Cup. Is there any way back from two-goal deficits for either of the two highest remaining seeds, the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas? We also have a special interview with longtime Trinidadian journalist Lasana Liburd, who spoke to Grant Wahl in Trinidad & Tobago during the USA's World Cup qualifier there about the post-Jack Warner state of affairs in the Caribbean nation. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Talking tactics, Timbers and Tissuegate with Caleb Porter; USMNT 2015 wrap Nov 19, 2015

Show notes

The MLS playoffs resume this weekend, and one of the key figures in the league's conference finals joins the latest Planet Fútbol Podcast. Portland Timbers manager Caleb Porter is this week's guest, and he delves into his growth since taking the Timbers to the Western Conference finals in his first season in 2013, that postgame scuffle with FC Dallas manager Oscar Pareja, that double-post penalty kick that could've ended Portland's season and Darlington Nagbe's emergence and potential for club and country. Speaking of Nagbe, he made his U.S. debut during the pair of World Cup qualifiers over the last week, which put a cap on the U.S. men's national team's 2015. If you had one word to describe the USMNT's year, what would it be? We pose that question to SI's Grant Wahl, Brian Straus and Avi Creditor. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The ups and downs of St. Louis-style pizza; Soccerperson of the Year nominees Nov 12, 2015

Show notes

This week's edition of the Planet Futbol Podcast comes to you on the eve of the U.S. kicking off its World Cup qualifying campaign vs. St. Vincent & The Grenadines at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. SI.com's Brian Straus (twitter.com/brianstraus) joins host Avi Creditor (twitter.com/avicreditor) and SI Senior Writer Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl) there, giving us an idea of what the team needs to do and why St. Louis-style pizza is incredibly delicious....until it isn't. The guys also review their soccer-specific nominations for SI's Sportsman of the Year (AKA Soccerperson of the year). Kei Kamara, Claudio Bravo, and Iceland all make the cut. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tokyo Sexwale, François Carrard interviews ; Kreis fired; Champions League Nov 05, 2015

Show notes

With the FIFA presidential election growing closer, the field of candidates is set, and the one with the name everyone is talking about (and trying to pronounce) is a guest on the Planet Fútbol Podcast. While in New York this week for the ICSS conference, South African candidate Tokyo Sexwale and the head of the FIFA reform committee, Francois Carrard, both spoke to Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl) as part of our latest episode to talk about the election, potential changes to FIFA and much more. There's also plenty happening in MLS to discuss, between NYCFC firing Jason Kreis after one season and the conference semifinal second legs of the league's playoffs. We wrap up by delving into the latest happenings in the Champions League, where Fabian Johnson became the first U.S. international to score in two years, Chelsea earned a dramatic and much-needed win, Bayern Munich put Arsenal to the brink of early elimination and Real Madrid, Manchester City and Zenit Saint Petersburg are already through to the round of 16. == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jesse Marsch interview; MLS playoff insanity; Abby Wambach Oct 30, 2015

Show notes

In January, the New York Red Bulls were a team in turmoil. Fast forward 10 months, and they're in the driver's seat to host MLS Cup. How did it happen? Red Bulls manager Jesse Marsch joins the Planet Fútbol Podcast for an honest, thoughtful and intriguing interview with Grant Wahl about the past year prior to the Red Bulls playoff opener this weekend against rival D.C. United. Speaking of the MLS playoffs, they've been insane. The four opening-round games provided drama, theatrics, golazos and an unprecedented penalty shootout, and Wahl, Brian Straus and Avi Creditor recap all of it before looking ahead to the conference semifinals. We close with talk about Abby Wambach's career, with the iconic U.S. women's national team forward announcing she will retire at the end of the World Cup victory tour. What made her such a special player? And did she really have a physical altercation with Straus early in her career? (Yes, and it's a hilarious story) == The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A dark week for U.S. soccer; How will Jurgen Klopp fare at Liverpool? Oct 15, 2015

Show notes

U.S. men's soccer teams endured a rough week, with the senior squad falling to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup and U-23s failing to qualify automatically for the Olympics. The debacles provide plenty of fodder for the new Planet Fútbol Podcast, in which SI's Avi Creditor (twitter.com/acreditor), Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl) and Liviu Bird (twitter.com/liviubird) wrap up the performances and provide some perspective for a frustrating October international fixture window for American soccer. It's not all doom and gloom, though. North of the border, Toronto FC has secured its first playoff berth, and we pay tribute to the Reds (most notably the spectacular Sebastian Giovinco) and their drought coming to an end. We close with some EPL manager talk, with "The Special One," Jose Mourinho, under constant fire, while "The Normal One," Jurgen Klopp, gets set for his first match on the Liverpool sidelines. == -- ThePlanet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at http://seatgeek.com. Enter code MEDIA in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code MEDIA at http://FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Planet Fútbol with Grant Wahl

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected