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Soccer 101

172 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 793 ratings

All the soccer history and explainers you can handle

Soccer Sports football soccer
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Episodes

#163 What are parachute payments, why do they exist, and what are their positives and negatives?

March 15, 2024 13:16 - 23 minutes

MONEY PLEASE! On this week's episode, we're discussing Parachute Payments! What they are, how they work, and why they exist. Plus, the benefits and drawbacks to their usage in England, the role they've played in further stratifying the English football pyramid.

#162 What is doping and how prevalent is it in soccer?

March 12, 2024 14:43 - 42 minutes

On today's episode, Graham is fresh from some injections and ready to join Taylor in discussing doping in soccer. What is it? How many different forms of doping are there? How do players get tested and what happens if they get caught? How prevalent has it been in the history of the sport? And how widespread might it be in the present day? All that and more in a somewhat depressing but mostly enlightening conversation!

#161 Hooligans and Football: where does the term come from, when did hooliganism first come to prominence, and how prevalent does it remain today?

February 29, 2024 19:00 - 35 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor avoid fisticuffs to instead talk out the history of hooligans (and hooliganism) in football! We answer a variety of questions on the topic, including... 1) What does the word "hooligan" mean, and from where does it originate? 2) When were the peak years for hooliganism in football? 3) What are the most famous examples of hooligan activity in history? 4) How are hooligans and hooligan groups portrayed in media? 5) How big of a problem does it remain today?

Bonus episode! The Can I Kick It podcast discusses the new joint Anti-Discrimination Policy by MLS, MLSPA, and Black Players for Change

February 23, 2024 13:42 - 36 minutes

A bonus episode this week! We're cross-posting an episode from our friends over at the Can I Kick It podcast. Host Elliot Bar sits down with Greggo from For the Culture to discuss the new joint Anti-Discrimination Policy by MLS, MLSPA, and Black Players for Change. They get into how the policy came to be, why it was necessary in the first place, how other leagues should take note, and much more!  --- Can I Kick it is a podcast built on telling the stories of Black athletes, coaches, and owner...

#160 Everything you need to know about The Designated Player Rule in Major League Soccer

February 22, 2024 03:26 - 31 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor discuss a topic that they somehow haven't yet discussed on the podcast... Designated Players! What is a DP? Why does the concept exist in the first place? How has the reliance on DPs evolved over time? Who are the most notable Designated Players in MLS history? What does the future hold for the DP rule? Plus, Graham helpfully runs through the list of DC United's all-time DPs while Taylor silently weeps. Enjoy!

#159 What is an interim manager, and who are the most successful examples in soccer history?

February 15, 2024 20:42 - 27 minutes

On this week's episode, Taylor (who could be sacked at any moment) and Graham (waiting to take over as Interim Podcast Host) discuss Interim Managers. When should a club appoint one? Are there different types? Is it always a bad sign when one comes in? And who are the most successful examples in soccer history? Graham also manages to get in multiple shots at Manchester United, much to Taylor's chagrin. Enjoy!

#158 What are soccer's biggest conspiracy theories?

February 08, 2024 21:51 - 39 minutes

Graham and Taylor don their tin foil caps to discuss soccer's greatest conspiracy theories, and attempt to determine which ones are completely fictional (most of them) and which ones have some truth to them (some of them). Topics covered include... 1) Nike forced Ronaldo to play the 1998 World Cup final 2) A swimming pool scandal ended Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands career 3) Colombia’s secret service stung Bobby Moore at the 1970 World Cup 4) The 1958 World Cup was faked by the CIA 5) An Arsenal...

#157 What is the 3pm blackout and why does it exist?

February 02, 2024 02:13 - 26 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor make sure not to record on Saturday at 3pm, so they aren't in violation of any sort of blackout rules. Is that how it works? Well, if you aren't certain either, this episode is for you! What is The 3pm blackout? What's the logic behind it? How is it enforced? Does it still serve a purpose? Those and many more questions answered on this week's episode!

#156 What is the Asian Cup, and who are its most legendary competitors?

January 25, 2024 23:59 - 27 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor delve into the history of the Asian Cup, and there's a lot of surprising history there for the delving. When did it first begin? Who are its most successful competitors? What are the factors holding it back from getting the billing it deserves?

#155 What is a ‘wonderkid’ in soccer?

January 19, 2024 04:02 - 38 minutes

Graham and Taylor discuss everyone's favorite hype-train-generator: the wonderkid! Why is there such fascination with these players? What are the pitfalls of being one? Who are some of the most memorable wonderkids in soccer history, and which ones actually came good? That and much more… including the mention of the name Freddy Adu.

#154 What is the Africa Cup of Nations, who are its most successful competitors, and why does it take place mid-season?

January 12, 2024 04:05 - 32 minutes

With the 2024 (but actually 2023) iteration of the Africa Cup of Nations about to kick off, Graham and Taylor spend some time on the history of the tournament itself. When was the first AFCON? How has the tournament grown over the years? Why does it take place in the middle of the season? Which countries and players have had the greatest successes at the competition? We answer those and several more questions on this week's episode!

#153 What is the Club World Cup, and how will it change in the near future?

December 22, 2023 13:29 - 33 minutes

On this episode, we get into the past, present and future of Gianni Infantino's current favorite child: The Club World Cup! What is it, how has it evolved over time, who are its most successful competitors, and what will future iterations of the tournament look like? Plus, does it actually need to change? Will it ever be a "marquee" tournament? How much of the tournament will Graham end up watching? Spoiler alert: the answer to that last one is "way too much."

#152 What is a points deduction, who hands them out, and how common are they historically?

December 01, 2023 14:09 - 29 minutes

With the recent news that Everton would be docked 10 points for violating Financial Fair Play rules, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing points deductions. What are they, who hands them out, and why do they feel like the nuclear option? Plus, historical examples of their usage throughout English football history, and the rest of the world too!

#151 Why do throw-ins exist and how have their rules changed over time?

November 24, 2023 13:18 - 30 minutes

On this episode, Graham and Taylor toss themselves into the world of the throw-in. It's more interesting than it sounds, I promise! What is a throw-in? What is its history? Who are the great Champions of the Throw? How could throws evolve in the future? All that and more!

#150 The growth of the record transfer fee in soccer

November 17, 2023 05:57 - 51 minutes

Graham and Taylor discuss a moneymaker... the expansion of the record transfer fee over the years. Why did the transfer record grow so quickly? Which ones have worked out and which ones weren't exactly a bargain? Which ones are responsible for inflating the market? What is the history of the transfer fee, while we're on the subject? All that and more on today's episode!

#149 Scarves! Why did they become so widespread in soccer, what are the different styles, and more!

November 10, 2023 15:16 - 25 minutes

Graham and Taylor discuss your grandmother's favorite topic... scarves! How did they first become common in football, how have their usage and sales evolved over time, why half-and-half scarves are a sign you're a tourist, and much more! Plus, some of our personal favorites... or rather, some of Taylor's favorites and then Graham's single favorite.

#148 What is the ‘league pyramid’ in English soccer and how does it work?

November 03, 2023 02:31 - 33 minutes

Graham and Taylor get into a topic that just sorta... keeps on going: the English league pyramid! How many different levels are involved and how many clubs does that cover? What is life like for the smallest clubs in the structure? Which clubs have risen through the ranks? All that and more on this week's episode!

#147 How does prize money work in soccer?

October 27, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes

PRIZE TIME! We're answering all your questions about prize money in soccer, including how do teams get it, how does it differ between club and international levels, which leagues pay the most, and much much more!

#146 Why are gambling and football so intertwined, and how big a problem is that for sport in general?

October 20, 2023 12:40 - 44 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor tackle a concept that is ubiquitous in soccer (and sport in general) but simultaneously seen as a problem and potential source of a conflict of interest… gambling! How long has gambling been intertwined with soccer? What sorts of gambling sponsorship/advertising is in soccer? How big a problem is this for soccer in general? What measures have been taken to curb gambling’s influence in soccer? All that and much more!

#145 What is Team GB, why is it controversial and will it be involved with the next Olympics?

October 13, 2023 13:14 - 32 minutes

On this episode, Graham and Taylor dive deep into the branding statement/actual sports team known as Team GB. What is it, which countries are involved, how does it work when it comes to the Olympics, why is it controversial, and much much more!

#144 What are coefficients, how are they calculated and why are they important?

October 06, 2023 00:45 - 26 minutes

On this week's episode, we answer a question from the Discord, courtesy of Scouto: What are coefficients, what are they used to determine, how are they calculated, and why do they matter? We have answers, and Graham attempts to explain math while recording!

#143 More terminology explained! Recovery, duel, reducer, corridor of uncertainty, and more!

September 21, 2023 20:00 - 20 minutes

On this episode, Taylor and Graham spend some time discussing a few terms that get commonly thrown around, but can be a little more challenging to understand if you're new to the game: 1) Ball recovery 2) Duel 3) Hospital pass 4) Mickey Mouse Cup 5) Reducer 6) Corridor of Uncertainty

#142 Why was the England-Scotland rivalry so significant? Plus, why it's lost some of its luster more recently

September 15, 2023 03:26 - 32 minutes

Graham and Taylor explore the history of the historic rivalry between England and Scotland. What is the history of England v Scotland in soccer? Why did this fixture happen in the first place? Does this rivalry matter in the 21st century? Plus, some of the best moments from the fixture over the years.

#141 What is VAR, how does it work and why does it make people angry?

September 09, 2023 20:10 - 40 minutes

On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor delve deep into a topic that isn't at all divisive and doesn't make people completely lose their minds... VAR! What is it, why was it implemented, how does it work, how has it evolved, and what does the future hold? All that and more!

#140 What are 'half spaces' and why are they important?

September 01, 2023 02:23 - 17 minutes

On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor discuss a phrase that gets thrown around a lot but might not be as easy to understand: half spaces. What are they, why are they important, and which players are best at operating in them?

#139 How do teams prepare for a World Cup?

July 14, 2023 14:13 - 56 minutes

On today's episode, Graham and Taylor go deep on World Cup preparations! When do teams announce their squads for a World Cup? What do warm-up friendly matches achieve? How do national federations decide on a training base? What do players take with them when they travel? All those questions answered, and many more as well!

#138 All about season tickets

July 07, 2023 15:00 - 42 minutes

On today's episode, Graham and Taylor delve deep into season tickets: what are they, what are the benefits and drawbacks to becoming a season ticket holder, how has the process evolved over time, and what does the future hold? All that and much much more, including annoying Graham early and often.

#137 Why is it a yellow card for taking off your shirt?

June 30, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes

Graham (who managed to keep his top on the whole show) and Taylor answer the following listener question: Taking a shirt off is an iconic football celebration. Except that for a good long while now it has been punished with a yellow card. Why? What harm does it cause? Who pushed for the rule change? What, why, how, huh? We answer those questions and a few more! Plus, our favorite shirtless celebrations.

#136 What is the Gold Cup, and why does it seem less important these days?

June 23, 2023 02:00 - 36 minutes

With the 2023 iteration of The Concacaf Gold Cup right around the corner, Graham and Taylor discuss the history of the competition, how it has evolved over time, the various guest nations that have played, and the most successful teams to participate. Plus, why does it seem less important these days (and why that's likely a temporary thing), and what its future will look like ahead of the 2026 World Cup. All that and more!

#135 Where does transfer speculation come from and what’s the fascination with it?

June 07, 2023 17:35 - 56 minutes

The season is coming to a close, which means the silly season insanity is about to ratchet up! But instead of looking at specific rumors or pending transfers, they're discussing the speculation itself. How does transfer speculation come to be? Who and what are the trustworthy sources of transfer news? Why are we (meaning football fans in general) so fascinated with transfer gossip? All that and much much more on today's episode of Soccer 101!

#134 What is the A-League Men, is it the same as the A-League, and how has Australian club soccer evolved over the years?

May 26, 2023 11:53 - 38 minutes

Graham and Taylor discuss all-things Australia, without attempting to do accents or make jokes about shrimp and barbies. Instead, they focus on The A-League Men: the history of the league, how it has evolved, why it rebranded, current controversies, and future growth possibilities.

Bonus episode! Part 2 of our crossover with the Can I Kick It podcast: Understanding the Culture

May 13, 2023 00:39 - 53 minutes

I joined my buddy Elliot Barr on his podcast Can I Kick it, and we went way way over time. So, we split our chat into two segments. Part 1 is available over on their feeds and Part 2 is available over here. We covered a lot of bases, with the primary focus on what different leagues around the world have done to combat racism, and whether or not it's succeeding.

#133 Why is multi-club ownership becoming increasingly common?

May 12, 2023 02:30 - 39 minutes

On this episode, Graham and Taylor delve deep into an increasingly common setup: multi-club ownership. Along the way, they answer questions like... What is the difference between a selling club, a feeder club and a sister club? What are the most and least prominent examples of multi-club setups? Why are club networks becoming more common? What are the issues inherent to owning multiple teams? And ultimately, are they good or bad for world football?

#132 What is relegation? Plus, the ways teams cope with it, the disastrous ramifications, potential silver linings, and much more!

May 05, 2023 02:15 - 29 minutes

As a logical counterpoint to last week's Promotion special, this week we're tackling Relegation! What sort of damage can relegation cause? How do relegated teams respond to dropping down a division? What does relegation change for fans? All that and much more!

#131 It's a Promotion special! What is promotion, what are the benefits and drawbacks, and how do clubs approach trying to stay up?

April 28, 2023 12:41 - 29 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor dive into one of the happier things that can happen to a club: promotion! What are the approaches to getting promoted and then staying up, what are the obvious benefits and the less obvious drawbacks, what changes from the fan perspective, and much much more!

#130 Why does Graham dislike Dumbarton FC? Or, the proper protocol for postponing a match

April 14, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes

With Graham thoroughly enjoying his 4th cancellation of the season courtesy of Dumbarton, we discuss why a match might be postponed, who makes the decision, what happens after the decision is made, and much more!

#129 All about stadiums!

March 31, 2023 01:52 - 53 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor are taking a look at a big ol' concrete structure of a topic: stadiums! What makes a great stadium? What are the main differences between the facilities of the past and those of the present? How important is location location location? Plus, our favorites we've been too, and some of the most underwhelming we (Graham) have experienced.

#128 What is The Old Firm Derby and why is it so historically significant?

March 24, 2023 12:42 - 42 minutes

Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing the historic rivalry between Scottish clubs Celtic and Rangers, AKA The Old Firm Derby. How did the rivalry originate, how has it evolved over time, the key figures and moments in the derby's history, and what the future may hold for both teams.

#127 Why are entrance anthems played before games, what makes a good anthem, how do their vary between clubs and international competitions, and much more!

March 10, 2023 05:00 - 32 minutes

This week, Graham and Taylor do their best to avoid having to sing while discussing anthems in soccer: when did the tradition begin, how do they differ between club and international competitions, which ones work and which ones don't, and much much more!

#126 What are reserve leagues and how do they work?

March 03, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutes

On this week's episode, it's a look at not-quite-ready-for-primetime competitions, aka development leagues. What is a reserve league, is it different from a development league, how do they differ from country to country, and much much more!

#125 What is The New Manager Bounce, and is it a real thing?

February 17, 2023 16:30 - 24 minutes

Graham and Taylor take a look at a narrative that pops up every time a coach gets sacked: The New Manager Bounce. When things aren't working and clubs decide to sack their manager, it's often expected that with the hiring of a new manager will come improved results (hence, New Manager Bounce). But is it real? What do the stats say? Should you sack a manager when things seem bleak, or can that decision lead to greater problems? All that and much much more on today's episode!

#124 The Backheeled Show: What’s wrong with England? And can the USMNT take them down?

November 18, 2022 08:00 - 13 minutes

We don't know about you, but we're pretty excited for the USMNT's game against England that's coming up next week. On this special episode of Soccer 101, courtesy of The Backheeled Show, we dig into that matchup and answer questions like "what's gone wrong for England recently?" and "is this World Cup four years too soon for the US?" You can follow The Backheeled Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

#123 The Backheeled Show: How to win the World Cup, by the numbers

November 11, 2022 10:00 - 14 minutes

What if we told you there were some tricks that your team could use to boost their odds of making a deep run in the World Cup? Sounds pretty good, right? Today, we’re talking about some of those tricks. On this special episode of Soccer 101, courtesy of The Backheeled Show, we dig into what makes good World Cup teams...good. You can follow The Backheeled Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

#122 Why do children escort players onto the pitch before a game?

November 04, 2022 02:05 - 25 minutes

On this week's episode, Ryan and Taylor answer a listener question that felt Soccer 101 appropriate: why do little kids walk onto the pitch with players before games? Who are these children, how did they get such a good gig, and what are some of our favorite moments involving mascots in soccer history? The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here. And a reminder that WE'RE DOING A LIVE SHOW! The TSS foursome will be in New York for a live show on Sunday, ...

#121 Does politics belong in soccer? AKA Why soccer and politics will always be intertwined

October 28, 2022 03:15 - 49 minutes

On today’s episode, we're tackling a topic that won’t cause any furor online, never has copious columns written about it in newspapers, and always makes Piers Morgan keep a level head: politics in football!  Does politics belong in soccer? What are the rules about political messages in football? Is soccer becoming more political? What are some of the most notable examples of the intermingling of soccer and politics in the sport’s history? The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent mu...

#120 Everything you need to know about the Women's Champions League

October 21, 2022 10:00 - 36 minutes

The 2022-23 Women's Champions League season is underway, so Ryan, Graham and Taylor are here to explain the history of the competition, its dominant teams and players, and its outlook for the future! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here. And a reminder that WE'RE DOING A LIVE SHOW! The TSS foursome will be in New York for a live show on Sunday, November 20th. We’ll be talking World Cup, USMNT, and so much more.  Check out this link for tickets and...

#119 What is a 'Golden Generation' in soccer?

October 13, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutes

Ryan, Graham and Taylor convene to discuss the meaning of the term 'Golden Generation' in the beautiful game, while offering some examples of the teams that lived up to the moniker—and those that didn't. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here. And a reminder that WE'RE DOING A LIVE SHOW! The TSS foursome will be in New York for a live show on Sunday, November 20th. We’ll be talking World Cup, USMNT, and so much more.  Check out this link for tickets...

#118 What does a scout do and why are they important?

October 07, 2022 11:00 - 38 minutes

On today's episode, Ryan, Graham and Taylor dig into the world of scouting. Why do teams need scouts, how does one become a scout, and which teams have the best recruitment networks? The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com. And a reminder that WE'RE DOING A LIVE SHOW! The TSS foursome will be in New York for a live show on Sunday, November 20th. We’ll be talking World Cup, USMNT, and so much more.  Check out this link ...

#117 What is a medical and what happens when a player fails one?

September 29, 2022 17:41 - 32 minutes

On this week's episode, we're taking a closer look at something that every player does when they join a new team, but something we don’t necessarily know a ton about: the medical. Why are they necessary, what actually goes into the process, what happens when a player fails, and much more! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com. And a reminder that WE'RE DOING A LIVE SHOW! The TSS foursome will be in New York for a liv...

#116 How to host a World Cup and what makes a good one

September 23, 2022 07:00 - 47 minutes

WE’RE DOING A LIVE SHOW! The TSS foursome will be in New York for a live show on Sunday, November 20th. We’ll be talking World Cup, USMNT, and so much more.  Check out this link for tickets and the rest of the details! — On this episode of Soccer 101, Taylor, Graham, and Joe dive into the world of World Cup hosting. How does a country end up hosting the World Cup? What goes into the bidding process? And what are some of the best and worst World Cup hosts ever? All that - and more - on the show.