America the Beautiful Game is a podcast about soccer in the US and its relationship with Europe. Each week Dan Rutstein, a former sports journalist and diplomat and now head of International at Orange County Soccer Club, sits down with a new guest to discuss the sport and its growth in this country. We have current and former players, coaches, administrators and those from industries linked to soccer - betting, data, marketing and more. America the Beautiful game is a chance to see soccer in ...
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Matchday 35 - Danny Stone, Orange County SC Head Coach
57:21
57:21
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57:21In a rare crossover episode, we combine American the Beautiful Game and United States of Dramerica and talk about football while drinking whisky. The guest is Danny Stone, head coach of Orange County Soccer Club. He drinks a Glenlivet 15 and we talk about the impact of the World Cup in America, his coaching strengths and weaknesses and his love for…
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Matchday 34 - Peter Moore, Liverpool and Santa Barbara Sky
39:27
39:27
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39:27We talk to the hugely impressive Peter Moore about his transition from CEO of the mighty Liverpool to founding Santa Barbara Sky in the USL Championship. He talks about the growth of opportunities in America, building a club from scratch and the importance of community whatever the size of the team. Peter explains why he and his wife wanted to unde…
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Matchday 33 - Andrew Fox, Orange County SC defender and trivia legend
55:16
55:16
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55:16We talk to Andrew Fox, Orange County Soccer Club defender and legendary trivia figure. We talk about his unconventional journey to the USL, playing non-league in England, college scholarship in Texas, back to the English Football League before back to America. We also talk about his red card for Grimsby Town against Crystal Palace - the first playe…
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Matchday 32 - Jim McCarthy, founder of Impresario Strategic Services
46:13
46:13
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46:13We talk to soccer ticketing consultant Jim McCarthy. We talk about why top football teams aren’t better at ticketing, the Messi and Caitlin Clark impacts in American sport and how Championship teams in England have their models wrong. We discuss stadium seating areas, why ticketing is important and how he has turned bagel knowledge to Goldstar tick…
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Matchday 31 - Gareth Ainsworth, Wimbledon legend and manager
31:19
31:19
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31:19We talk to former flying winger Gareth Ainsworth about his playing and managerial career. He tells us about his literal baptism of fire at Wimbledon, what he learned there about culture and how he models himself on Diego Simeone. Gareth talks about his desire to manage in the US, the away dressing room at Accrington Stanley and why Ryan Reynolds ma…
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Matchday 30 - Simon Leslie, owner of Eastbourne Borough FC
31:19
31:19
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31:19We talk to entrepreneur Simon Leslie who took the plunge and bought himself a non-league team. He talks about transforming the business into a media company, bringing in celebrities and overcoming fan resistance. Simon explains why he’s in it for the long haul, changing the badge and firing the manager and trying to bring some aspects of American s…
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Matchday 29 - Ashley Horsley, Sacramento Republic
44:53
44:53
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44:53I talk to Sacramento Republic boss Ashley Horsley. We talk about the excitement of running a soccer team, what a non-sports job can teach you about sports and what an Open Cup run do for a team. We talk about women in sport, the public nature of the job and trying to conduct a business conversation during a match. Data in sport, cheering the front …
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Matchday 28 - Cody Cropper, goalkeeper Orange County SC
46:49
46:49
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46:49Today is Open Cup day and we speak to Cody Copper, former US Youth and MLS keeper now plying his trade for Orange County Soccer Club. He talks about the magic of the cup, returning to an MLS stadium and why the USL is such a growing league. He tells us about his time in England with Ipswich and Southampton, having bags of urine thrown at him in Gua…
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Matchday 27 - Devon Kerr, Broadcaster/Analyst
1:01:06
1:01:06
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1:01:06We talk to ex-player and now leading commentator and analyst Devon Kerr. Together we reminisce about Orange County's 2021 USL Championship victory, the growth of the US game and how much the young American player's experience abroad has changed. We talk about cherishing victories, emotionless commentary and deep research. Devon tells us about his t…
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Matchday 26 - Mark Donaldson, ESPN commentator and Hearts fan
57:52
57:52
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57:52We talk to the hilarious and fascinating Mark Donaldson, long-time ESPN commentator. We talk to editing radio with a knife, the first team ever to beat the New York Cosmos and writing four sports books. He tells us about his love for Hearts, the importance of Succession to the club’s growth, covering American sports as a Scotsman and who will be th…
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Matchday 25 - Kevin Baxter, LA Times soccer reporter
43:04
43:04
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43:04We talk to LA Times soccer writer Kevin Baxter. We talk the battle for LA supremacy, the rise and fall of LA Galaxy and his love of Manchester City - and his car. He tells us about his reluctant move away from baseball reporting, how his wife shamed into improving his soccer coverage and the use of statistics in covering sports. We talk World Cups,…
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Matchday 24 - Adam Richman, Spurs superfan, Grimsby shareholder and former Man vs Food host
48:22
48:22
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48:22We talk to the effervescent Adam Richman, former host of Man vs Food and a true football lover. He tells us why he chose Spurs, why he bought shares in Grimsby and why he is the shirt sponsor of charity football side Broadley FC. We go deep into fandom, growth of the game in America and why he gets trolled for ten year old tweets about West Ham. Ad…
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Matchday 23 - Ivor Heller, Commercial Director AFC Wimbledon
33:05
33:05
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33:05We talk to legendary AFC Wimbledon Commercial Director Ivor Heller. He talks about the franchising of the club, his involvement from day one and why he fell in love with Wimbledon. He describes the chance sponsorship deal with Football Manager, the extraordinary relationship with American influencer John Green and the broad appeal of the club well …
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Matchday 22 - Ajay Nwosu, CEO Teqball USA
31:07
31:07
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31:07We talk to ex-player, entrepreneur and now Teqball CEO Ajay Nwosu. He explains what Teqball is, why David Beckham loves it and how the best women can beat international male players. He tells us how many MLS, Premier League and even NHL clubs use it and the work he is doing to get the sport into the 2028 Olympics. Ajay tells us about his short play…
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Matchday 21 - Adrian Healey, veteran broadcaster and Austin FC’s lead commentator
51:38
51:38
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51:38We talk to British veteran broadcaster Adrian Healey. He talks about his time calling games for the New England Revolution, ESPN and now Austin FC. We talk about the birth of MLS, PKs vs penalties and the importance and joy of supporting League 2 clubs. We also cover home vs neutral commentary, monitors vs live games and celebrity ownership. Adrian…
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Matchday 20 - Mark Cartwright, USL Sporting Director
37:32
37:32
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37:32We talk to former pro footballer, technical director at Stoke City and now the USL’s Sporting Director. We talk about the potential of the league’s young players, the record breaking transfer of teenage sensation Kobi Henry to France and a possible move of the USL to the European calendar. Mark talks about winning a college national championship, t…
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Matchday 19 - Jim Piddock, actor, writer, Crystal Palace fan
40:56
40:56
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40:56I talk to actor, writer, producer and transatlantic football fan Jim Piddock. Jim tells us about attending the first ever Galaxy game (with an actor on the bench), the first LAFC game and how much American soccer has moved on since those early days. He talks about the impact of the Premier League, how clubs like Palace are now universally recognize…
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Matchday 18 - Sanjit Atwal, data-led sports marketing expert and co-founder of Halfspace
34:11
34:11
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34:11Statistics, data and innovation in sport. We talk to Sanjit Atwal, the co-founder of award-winning agency Halfspace. We discuss data-led marketing in sport, how far behind the industry is compared to e-commerce and how he is trying to change that. Sanjit defines a 'sports fan', the importance of authentic sponsorships and the growth opportunities f…
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Matchday 17 - Rob Kiernan, Orange County, Rangers, Watford
34:58
34:58
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34:58We talk to Orange County Soccer Club defender Rob Kiernan. The former Rangers, Watford and Wigan player talks about making the transition to the US, his memories of playing at Ibrox and helping the next generation of young US players. Rob talks about the quality of the youth system in the UK, what he learned as a youth at Watford and doing the extr…
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Matchday 16 - Richard Chaplow, Orange County SC interim head coach
48:28
48:28
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48:28We talk to former Burnley, West Brom, Ipswich and Southampton midfielder Richard Chaplow. Now interim head coach at Orange County SC of the USL, the former England U-21 international talks about taking the reins in California, transitioning from team captain to coaching and why he moved to the US. He talks about the fine system in British dressing …
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Matchday 15 - Paul Hardyman, coach, FA Cup finalist
46:40
46:40
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46:40We talk to Paul Hardyman, on secondment with Orange County SC from Rangers. He compares youth development in the US and in the UK, talks about the key lessons for young players and why he's taken on the challenge of working in the USL. Paul's talks about being told he wouldn't make it by his career advisor at school and then going on and playing fo…
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Matchday 14 - Richard Hyde, British diplomat
37:28
37:28
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37:28We talk to Richard Hyde, the British Consul General based in Texas. A keen Liverpool fan, he talks about England's defeat to Italy, the racism that followed the game but then the outpouring of support that followed. We talk about poorly-behaved England fans, how much better things are nowadays and the risks of social media giving a voice to those w…
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Matchday 13 - Thomas Enevoldsen, Danish international
34:30
34:30
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34:30We talk to former Danish World Cup player Thomas Enevoldsen about his team-mate Christian Eriksen, what it was like to watch him collapse and see his countrymen play so soon afterwards. He tells about Champions League football, playing in a World Cup and playing without fans. Thomas talks about US football, why he loves Orange County and his regret…
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Matchday 12 - John Green, author, Liverpool fan, AFC Wimbledon owner
50:05
50:05
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50:05We talk to author and passionate football fan John Green. He explains why he detests greed in football, why MLS needs relegation and his disappointment in Liverpool’s participation in the European Super League. John describes the sense of community at AFC Wimbledon, how it’s the only crowd he feels comfortable in and how he tells the story (regular…
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Matchday 11- David Mayer, author, podcaster, coach
54:01
54:01
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54:01We talk to David Mayer, author and podcaster, about his playing career with Blackburn and Wigan and then two different Division One colleges, the injuries that ended his career and why he become inspired to give back to the game. We examine the difference between coaching systems in the UK and the US, the extraordinary facilities at colleges in the…
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Matchday 10 - Jacqui Oatley MBE, groundbreaking broadcaster
43:20
43:20
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43:20We speak to Jacqui Oatley, the first female Match of the Day commentator and a leading advocate for women's football and women in broadcasting. We reminisce about sharing a press box at Bradford Park Avenue in 2003, discuss her journey from non-league to World Cups and Champions League and why it's so important to be authentic - even if that means …
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We talk to Neil Smythe, Media/Operations Director at the football disruptors Hashtag United. He gives remarkable insight of how Hashtag United came about and then rose to having one of the largest social media followings in European football. We talk why the club has appeal in America, the stardom of their players, both the benefits and the scrutin…
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Matchday 8 - Julian Stone, writer, producer and soccer tech
52:33
52:33
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52:33We talk to writer, producer and soccer tech Julian Stone. We talk about soccer in television and film, why Ted Lasso is so good and why overhead kicks aren't always the best things to film. Julian talks about working with some of the game's biggest stars in commercials, the importance of narrative and story to a soccer team and the wide variety of …
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Matchday 7 - Sophie Nicolaou, broadcaster, podcaster and Arsenal fan
46:44
46:44
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46:44We talk to fellow Brit and long-term broadcaster Sophie Nicolaou. The Beckham effect, the change in profile of women's football and watching soccer the American way, are all covered in this lively discussion by two soccer-loving ex-pats. Sophie talks about her love of Arsenal, how MLS has grown and we discuss whether the women's club game would gro…
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Matchday 6 - Oliver Wyss, President of Soccer at Orange County Soccer Club
50:31
50:31
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50:31In a special crossover episode we combine United States of Dramerica and America the Beautiful Game. We talk to whisky lover and soccer expert Oliver Wyss. The former Swiss international youth player, coach, agent and soccer tech is now the President of Soccer at Orange County Soccer Club in the United Soccer League. We talk about the controversial…
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Matchday 5 - Warren Barton, Fox Sports and former Wimbledon and Newcastle player
37:32
37:32
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37:32We talk to ex-player and broadcaster Warren Barton. He talks about the importance of sport during the pandemic, how much the US game has improved in recent years on and off the field but how the college system needs to improve to better prepare young players. We talk about how playing for Wimbledon would have been good preparation for stadiums with…
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Matchday 4 - Jason Trost, founder of Smarkets
32:49
32:49
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32:49We talk to founder and CEO of sports betting company Smarkets Jason Trost. He talks about the betting landscape in the UK, why companies are being put under pressure by regulators, and the failure of the industry to offer fair prices. And he gives his views on the US betting scene, what's legal, what's coming and where soccer sits in all of that. J…
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Matchday 3 - Ryan Bailey, digital content creator (and AFC Wimbledon fan)
56:09
56:09
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56:09We talk to Ryan Bailey, digital content creator and AFC Wimbledon fan. In a podcast of comparisons, we talk about the evolution of the fan experience in the US, how much American fans love FIFA and the authenticity of fans of new clubs. We explore the strength of the US national sides, when the men's team will challenge for the World Cup and whethe…
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Matchday 2 - Thomas Gronnemark, Throw-In coach
37:21
37:21
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37:21We talk to the extraordinary Thomas Gronnemark. He's coached throw-ins for Ajax, FC Midtjylland, RB Leipzig, Atlanta United and, perhaps most famously, Liverpool. The former track and field and bobsled athlete talks about his obsession with throw-ins, 'trying to change the world of soccer' with better technique and what it was like working with Jur…
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Matchday 1 - Gary Gibson, Head of Soccer Academies and International Relations Rangers FC
34:22
34:22
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34:22In our first episode we talk to Gary Gibson of Rangers FC. He explains why the Scottish champions have invested so heavily in their international programs, the importance of outreach and what can be learned from working with clubs abroad. He talks about the US, how it is the next great frontier for a new generation of players and explains his club'…
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Dan Rutstein explains what the new podcast is all about.By [email protected]
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