Tom Scholes - Author of Stateside Soccer

On this episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by guest Tom Scholes, author of the book Stateside Soccer. Tom discusses what inspired his book, how perceptions of players vary across time and leagues, and what team you can’t not talk about when discussing the North American Soccer League.

On this episode:
● How Tom became interested in the NASL.
● Why you can’t talk about the league without discussing the Cosmos.
● What player Tom says was too ahead of his time.
● How certain players are perceived differently than others.
● Preconceived notions of the league that didn’t stand up for Tom.
● The player who was named Detroit’s sexiest man.
● How the NASL worked as a development league.
● The type of players more teams are looking for now.
● Tell-tale signs that you’ve left a legacy.
● Why the MLS distances itself from the NASL.
● Why Tom believes that the MLS needs to embrace history.
● How leagues can leverage history to promote content.
● What Beckham was doing when he joined the North American Soccer League.
● Why any sports team shouldn’t be able to buy whoever they want.
● The teams that deserve recognition in the NASL outside of the Cosmos.
● What jumped out to Tom during the research of his book.
● What stands out to Tom about the NASL more than anything.
● What would have changed the fate of the NASL.
● The way people on the outside view the North American Soccer League.
● What Tom decided not to cover in his book and why.