Ian Plenderleith- Author of Rock 'n' Roll Soccer
Open Wide for Some Soccer
English - November 26, 2021 00:00 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MB - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsFootball Sports History bobby moore pele carlos alberto soccer eusebio franz beckenbauer george best gerd muller gordon banks johan neeskens Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Today’s guest is Ian Plenderleith, the author of Rock 'n' Roll Soccer: The Short Life and Fast Times of the North American Soccer League. Ian gets into the link between the NASL and MLS, along with how the NASL’s influence is still felt today. We also hear about the different approach towards marketing that each league has utilized.
On this episode:
● What inspired Ian to write a book about the NASL after having written many other books.
● How Ian came up with the title for the book.
● Why the MLS is disrespectful to the history of the NASL.
● Indications that people are still interested in the league.
● The US’ involvement in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
● Decisions to market Pelé while perhaps forgetting some other deserving players.
● Other mistakes made when trying to promote the league.
● Celebrity appearances and their help in growing the game in the US.
● Gimmicks used to promote the NASL and why Ian was a fan of them.
● The corruption of FIFA and why they aren’t doing the game any good.
● Why Bob used to have to spray paint his shoes white before every game.
● Improvements that MLS has made in marketing the sport.
● A story about a player who decided to not play for the Cosmos.
● The merging together of playing styles throughout the world.
● Where the NASL has had its most influence on American soccer.
● The increased interest of international scouts towards North America.