Soccer 101
176 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 793 ratingsAll the soccer history and explainers you can handle
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Episodes
#119 What is a 'Golden Generation' in soccer?
October 13, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutesRyan, 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 minutesOn 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 minutesOn 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 minutesWE’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.
#115 What is a ‘number 9’ and how has the position evolved?
September 09, 2022 14:00 - 33 minutesOn this week's episode, we're looking at a position on the field that's made a comeback on the pitch, quite literally in most cases: The Number Nine. The center forward has long been a staple of the beautiful game, but how did it evolve, why did it's popularity wane, and why has it reemerged? We have answers to those and many other questions! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#114 Why are World Cup jerseys such a big deal?
September 02, 2022 10:00 - 46 minutesOn this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan, Graham, and Joe talk all about World Cup jerseys. Why are they important? What can they look like? How have the changed? And what are some of the best and worst ones of all time? All that - and much more - on the show.
#113 How did the Premier League become the most dominant league on the planet?
August 25, 2022 20:14 - 42 minutesThe Premier League is regarded as the gold standard for global domestic soccer. It has the most fans, the most money, and the biggest brand of all the top leagues. On this week's episode, Ryan is joined by Graham and Taylor to discuss the league's origins, the specific factors that led to its rapid growth, and what the future holds for the Premier League as soccer's top dog. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#112 How has the Qatar national team been preparing for the 2022 World Cup?
August 19, 2022 16:00 - 41 minutesWith the 2022 World Cup looming, Taylor is joined by Graham and Joe to discuss the Qatar national team itself... a team, we should note, that has never been to a World Cup before. What is Qatar’s soccer history? How have they prepared for their moment on the global stage? What should we expect from them in terms of style and results? The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#111 What are the most surprising relegation campaigns in soccer history?
August 11, 2022 20:30 - 40 minutesRyan is joined by Graham and Taylor to discuss all-things relegation: what is it and which teams have successfully avoided it? We then turn our attention to the most surprising relegation campaigns in soccer history, for whatever reason. England, Scotland, Spain, Germany, Argentina, and a notable Italian club all get mentions! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#110 What makes Jurgen Klopp such a good manager?
August 05, 2022 14:23 - 38 minutesFrom his days as a prospective med student-turned-footballer to winning the Champions League with Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has had a fascinating career. On today's episode, we go deep on his history and influences to get a better idea of the pioneering football genius who is known the world over as one of the game's top managers. What are the defining characteristics of his style, who are his primary influences, what will he do next, and much much more! Ryan Bailey is joined by Graham Ruthven,...
#109 It's kicking off! How have the rules for kickoff changed, what are the best approaches to getting the game underway, and how could we improve on the present system?
July 29, 2022 13:40 - 27 minutesRyan is joined by Joe and Taylor to answer the age old question (in your best Jerry Seinfeld impression), "What's the deal with kickoff?!" How does a game get underway, how have the rules regarding kickoff evolved since the mid-1800s, what are the different approaches to getting your tactics right from kickoff, how could we improve upon the current system, and much much more! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#108 What is a front office and how does it work?
July 22, 2022 17:49 - 35 minutesWho makes what decisions? We have answers! Ryan is joined by Graham and Taylor to discuss front offices in football: what they are, how they work, which ones do it well, and which ones could use some help. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#107 Everything you need to know about preseason
July 15, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutesIt’s preseason time! On this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Graham Ruthven, and Joe Lowery dive into the world of preseason. What is it? Why is it important? How has it changed? We talk about all that - and more - on the show. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#106 How to become a referee, and why someone might do that to themselves?
July 08, 2022 18:33 - 35 minutesOn this week's episode, we're taking a deeper look at officiating! Why become a referee, what are the paths to qualification in the US and the UK, are there actual tests to be taken, who does the assigning, and much much more! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#105 What is the soccer schedule for the rest of 2022?
July 01, 2022 14:39 - 30 minutesOn today's episode, we go through the remaining calendar for 2022 to determine what competitions are happening and when, how the winter World Cup will impact club scheduling, and which leagues might suffer the most from fixture congestion? The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#104 What are coaching badges, how long do they take to acquire, how do they differ between federations, and how should they evolve?
June 24, 2022 15:05 - 33 minutesOn this week's episode, we're taking a deeper look at Coaching Badges (aka coaching licenses). What are they? Why does soccer have them? Can you coach without them? Can you actually sew them onto your uniform like a Boy Scout? All that and much much more! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#103 What is 'S***housery'?
June 17, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutesSoccer is a game of fine margins, which is why it is fairly common to see the dark arts employed to gain an advantage. In this episode, Ryan Bailey, Graham Ruthven and Taylor Rockwell discuss the delightful and dastardly world of 's***housery' (or 'poophousery' as its known in the TSS-iverse)! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#102 The best and biggest transfers of all time
June 10, 2022 12:00 - 48 minutesWe're in the midst of another summer transfer window, so the Soccer 101 team are looking back at some of the landmark deals that have shaped the history of the game. Join Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Joe Lowery and Graham Ruthven as they run down some of the biggest historical deals! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#101 The 101 soccer terms you need to know, part two: N-Z
June 03, 2022 18:15 - 56 minutesIn honor of our 101st episode, we finish off our list of the 101 soccer terms and phrases that you need to know. This one starts with "nutmeg" and runs through "zonal marking" and includes a bonus discussion about the term soccer at the very end. We stayed marginally more on track than in the preceding episode, but only just! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#100 The 101 soccer terms you need to know, part one: A-M
June 02, 2022 21:29 - 48 minutesIt's a two-part Soccer 101 extravaganza! As we near our 101st episode, we're running through the 101 key soccer terms that you need to know. On this episode, we're defining terms from A-M! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#99 What makes Pep Guardiola such a good manager?
May 20, 2022 11:00 - 58 minutesPep Guardiola started his playing career in Barcelona's "Dream Team" and graduated to become one of the most successful managers of the modern era. What makes Pep a great coach, where did his inspiration come from, and how did he rise to the elite level? Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell and Joe Lowery are here to explain all things Guardiola! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#98 The past, present and future of boot sponsorship in soccer
May 13, 2022 17:38 - 50 minutesToday, we're discussing a piece of soccer apparel that's been around since the 1500s, the football boot/soccer cleat! How have they evolved, who brought them to prominence, what are some of the biggest boot sponsorships in history, and much much more! Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Joe Lowery and Graham Ruthven are here to tell you everything you need to know about boot sponsorship in the beautiful game. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https:...
#97 How to start a soccer club in the United States
May 06, 2022 15:04 - 37 minutesRyan is joined by Graham and Taylor to discuss a super-straightforward topic in the United States: how to start a soccer club! What should people know about the ins and outs of founding a club, how can teams move up (or down) the pyramid in America, the importance of laying down deep roots if you want to be successful, and much much more! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#96 The past, present and future of jersey sponsorship in soccer
April 29, 2022 11:00 - 45 minutesSoccer is a multibillion dollar business, thanks in part to the revenue clubs make through selling real estate on their kits. But how does sponsorship work in soccer? When did it start? And where is it headed? Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Joe Lowery and Graham Ruthven are here to tell you everything you need to know about jersey sponsorship in the beautiful game. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#95 What are the differences between club managers and international managers?
April 22, 2022 14:59 - 28 minutesWhat are the qualities that make for a successful club manager? And what are the qualities that makes for a good international manager? How are these roles similar, and how are they different? Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell and Graham Ruthven are here to coach you through the differences in coaches! Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Get an extra 3 months of service for free at ExpressVPN.com/soccer The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right h...
#94 What was the European Super League, why did it fail, and why might it return?
April 15, 2022 16:01 - 34 minutesOn April 18th 2021, a news story dropped that heralded some of the biggest changes ever seen in the modern game: a group of soccer's elite European clubs announced their intention to form a breakaway European Super League that would rival, and perhaps replace, the Champions League. The reaction was monumental and the opposition was fierce—and within a few days, the whole idea collapsed. Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell and Graham Ruthven explain the European Super League story, and how its spectr...
#93 What made Sir Alex Ferguson such a successful manager?
April 08, 2022 15:54 - 1 hourWith the news that Eric ten Hag could soon be named the next Manchester United manager, Ryan is joined by Graham and Taylor to take a look back at the career of Sir Alex Ferguson. From his roots in the Scottish shipbuilding industry to his final season at Old Trafford, we ponder the moments, qualities, and core beliefs that made Sir Alex Ferguson such a wildly successful manager. Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Get an extra 3 months of service for free at ExpressVPN.com/so...
#92 What is the World Cup, how has it evolved since the inaugural tournament, and what will future iterations look like?
April 01, 2022 21:30 - 46 minutesThe usual foursome are together to discuss the history of the World Cup: what is it, how has it evolved since Uruguay in 1930, and what will future iterations looks like? Plus, the hosts list some of their favorite or most memorable moments from the tournament's history, and spend a little time delving into the darker history of the World Cup. Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Get an extra 3 months of service for free at ExpressVPN.com/soccer The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty...
#91 "Are we the baddies?" What constitutes a poorly-run club? Plus, some of the best (and therefore worst) examples in world football!
March 25, 2022 18:54 - 1 hourRyan is joined by Graham and Taylor to... basically do the opposite of what they did last week: discuss the qualities that make the most poorly run clubs in world football deserving of such a prestigious award. You gotta get up preeetty early in the morning if you want to do worse than these folks! The categories we decided upon are: 1) Ownership (financial, corruption, leadership) 2) Expectation of performance and results vs Reality of performance and results 3) Management 4) Recruitment and...
#90 What constitutes a well-run soccer club, and what are some examples in world football?
March 18, 2022 16:02 - 1 hourOn this episode, Graham and Taylor list the 5 main categories they value when determining if a club is well-run, and provide examples of each... culminating in a list of the 10 best-run clubs in world football! Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Get an extra 3 months of service for free at ExpressVPN.com/soccer The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#89 How has TV coverage helped grow the sport of soccer, as well as shape our understanding of it?
March 11, 2022 17:11 - 31 minutesOn this episode, Ryan is joined by Graham and Taylor (but not Graham Taylor) to discuss the history of soccer on TV. When was the first broadcast? When did live games start getting shown with more regularity? How did the Premier League breakaway change the role of television in the sport? All that, plus important innovation and the where we go from here! Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Get an extra 3 months of service for free at ExpressVPN.com/soccer The Soccer 101 theme,...
#88 How does MLS expansion work, and what comes next for the league?
February 25, 2022 21:30 - 43 minutesOn today's episode, with the MLS season kicking off this weekend, Graham and Taylor take a long look at the league's expansion history. What did they get wrong early and how they turned it around, what factors have been most important when determining potential new markets, and what the future looks like for the league AKA does more expansion necessitate promotion and relegation? Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Get an extra 3 months of service for free at ExpressVPN.com/so...
#87 What happened to all that money being pumped into Chinese soccer?
February 18, 2022 16:15 - 40 minutesFive years ago, Antonio Conte, Arsene Wenger, and many more notable figures were worried about the looming giant wading into the world of football: China. Chinese investors were buying into European clubs and Chinese teams were spending astronomical amounts to bring medium-to-big name players to the Chinese Super League. But today, things are drastically different. What happened to all that money, how did it work out for the development of the Chinese domestic game, and where do they go from ...
#86 What is Boxing Day and why is it such a big day for British football?
December 24, 2021 15:24 - 27 minutesOn this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan Bailey, Graham Ruthven and Joe Lowery look at the British cultural phenomenon of Boxing Day soccer: its origins, its importance in the calendar, and the traditions that surround it. This episode is brought to you by ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer to get 3 additional months for free! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#85 How and why are games postponed, abandoned or canceled?
December 17, 2021 17:05 - 29 minutesThis podcast usually looks at what happens during soccer games, but for today’s episode, we look at the times when soccer does not happen! In light of the recent spate of Premier League games that have been called off, Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Graham Ruthven and Joe Lowery look at game cancelations, abandonments and postponements. This episode is brought to you by ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer to get 3 additional months for free! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other ex...
#84 Everything you need to know about MLS Cup
December 10, 2021 16:51 - 31 minutesOn this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Graham Ruthven and Joe Lowery take a look at the showpiece event of the Major League Soccer season: MLS Cup. We delve into its format, its history, its popularity, and much more! This episode is brought to you by ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer to get 3 additional months for free! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#83 All about that Ballon d'Or! What is it, how did it come to exist, who are some lesser known winners, and does it matter all that much?
December 03, 2021 19:06 - 30 minutesOn this episode of Soccer 101, Graham, Joe, Ryan and Taylor get into a timely topic: The Ballon d'Or! We attempt to explain the following: 1) What is the Ballon d'Or and what's the history behind it? 2) How is it awarded? 3) The best and least known winners 4) Controversies surrounding its awarding 5) Should anyone actually care that much about it? Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by... NetSuite! Head on over to NetSuite.com/soccer101 to get started with their specialized f...
#82 Playoffs in soccer: their origin in the sport and weirdness throughout history
November 27, 2021 13:51 - 39 minutesOn this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan Bailey, Graham Ruthven and Joe Lowery go deep on playoffs: their history, their usage around the world, and some of the greatest moments they have inspired. Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer to get 3 additional months for free! NetSuite! Head on over to NetSuite.com/soccer101 to get started with their specialized financial packages. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can...
#81 Where did the terms brace and hat-trick come from, and what are our favorite examples of each?
November 19, 2021 19:14 - 26 minutesOn this episode, Ryan is joined by Graham and Joe to learn from history and reminisce about spectacular moments as they go deep on the origins of the terms "brace" and "hat-trick" as well as the best/most favorite examples of each. Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by... Shopify! Go to Shopify.com/soccer101 for a FREE fourteen day trial and get access to their entire suite of features. ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer to get 3 additional months for free! The Soccer 101 th...
Bonus Episode! Can I Kick It presents... A History of Cobi Jones
November 16, 2021 00:36 - 24 minutesThis week, our friends over at Can I Kick It are chatting with Cobi Jones about his life and legacy. So, we're airing their original bio episode of the USMNT legend in our feed to honor their efforts. Can I Kick it FC is a podcast built on telling the stories of Black athletes, coaches, and owners that have impacted the game of soccer on and off the pitch. Check them out wherever you get your podcasts!
#80 New to soccer? Things to consider when picking a soccer team to support
November 05, 2021 17:14 - 39 minutesOn this week's episode, it's semi-strange topic for Graham and Ryan and a more relatable topic for Joe and Taylor: how do I choose a club to support? We discuss how we each came to support the teams we do, the things to consider when trying to decide who to support, the importance (or unimportance, depending on your perspective), and much much more! Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by Shopify! Go to Shopify.com/soccer101 for a FREE fourteen day trial and get access to their entire...
#79 What is the Golden Goal rule and why isn't it around anymore?
October 29, 2021 17:16 - 34 minutesOn this episode, Taylor is joined by Graham and Joe (whoever speaks first wins!) to discuss the Golden Goal rule. How did it first come to be, how long was it in use, what are some of the best examples of it working out, and why did it so quickly fall out of favor so quickly? Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by... ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer to get 3 additional months for free! NetSuite! Head on over to NetSuite.com/soccer101 to get started with their specialized fi...
#78 Everything you need to know about pressing: what it is, its many forms, how it evolved, and much more!
October 22, 2021 17:26 - 39 minutesIn an homage to Daryl Grove's introductory explainer on pressing in episode 27, your intrepid podcasters take you on a longer journey through the topic: what does it mean, how do teams utilize it, who does it best, how has it evolved over time, what changes we might see in the future, and much much more! Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by NetSuite! Head on over to NetSuite.com/soccer101 to get started with their specialized financial packages. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty ...
#77 Who can own a soccer team, and how does club ownership work?
October 15, 2021 14:31 - 41 minutesOn this episode of Soccer 101, we discuss club ownership: who is allowed to own a team, and how do the regulations vary between leagues? Which owners have done a good job at the helm, and who leaves a lot to be desired? From fan ownership to controversial ‘sportswashing’ projects, we cover it all! Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by NetSuite! Head on over to NetSuite.com/sports to get started with their specialized financial packages. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other e...
#76 What are fan-owned clubs and how do they work?
October 08, 2021 17:35 - 42 minutesThe first part of the above question might seem straightforward... and it is. But! There's a lot more going on. If a thousand people own a team, who makes the decisions? Why are fan-owned clubs becoming more popular? What's the difference between a breakaway club, a phoenix club and a supporter takeover? What are some of the biggest and/or best examples of fan-ownership? Graham, Ryan, and Taylor are together to answer all those questions and more! Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you ...
#75 The comprehensive history of the soccer ball
October 01, 2021 00:37 - 36 minutesOn this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan Bailey, Graham Ruthven and Joe Lowery are talking balls. More specifically, the history and development of the humble soccer ball. From pig’s bladders to microchip-filled wonders, and everything in between, we’ve got it covered! This episode is brought to you by ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer to get 3 additional months for free!
#74 The best (and least best) approaches to soccer commentary
September 24, 2021 14:13 - 39 minutesGraham, Joe, Ryan and Taylor take a quick look at the history of commentary in soccer, before discussing their favorite play-by-play and color commentators and revealing their favorite-ever moments in punditry. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!! Today's episode is sponsored by NetSuite! Head on over to NetSuite.com/sports to get started with their specialized financial packages. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#73 "You're not singing anymore!" A brief history of chanting and singing in football
September 17, 2021 17:38 - 50 minutesRyan is joined by Graham and Taylor to discuss the history of chanting and singing at football: how did it start, how has it evolved, why does it lend itself to problematic lyrics, and what are our favorites from history. There was a lot more singing than 2/3 of the podcast members were comfortable with, but hopefully that translates to 100% of listeners enjoying the episode! Today's episode is sponsored by NetSuite! Head on over to NetSuite.com/sports to get started with their specialized ...
#72 How does World Cup qualification work? AFC, CAF, Concacaf, Conmebol, Oceania, and UEFA explained!
September 02, 2021 13:53 - 40 minutesThis episode of 101 fell in an international break, so Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Joe Lowery and Graham Ruthven are here to discuss the process of World Cup qualification. We run through how each of FIFA’s confederations determine their participants in soccer’s showpiece, and suggest some alternative methods that might be used. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other excellent music, can be found right here: https://aerialist.bandcamp.com.
#71 Why isn't Scotland better at football, aka fitba?
August 27, 2021 16:16 - 1 hourGraham Ruthven takes us through a history of Scottish football, from their role in helping develop and spread the game to The Three Kings era to a mythical time when they qualified for multiple World Cups in a row. But what's gone wrong since then, why has domestic football in Scotland suffered, and where can it go from here? Plus, pronunciation quizzes and Graham getting uncomfortable talking about his personal life! This episode is brought to you by ExpressVPN! Go to expressvpn.com/soccer...