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- [00:00]
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Alison Stewart
This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Nearly every street corner, nearly every bar has shown the men's World cup since it started on June 11th. This weekend it will come to an end and all eyes will be on New Jersey and New York this Sunday when the World cup final takes place in East Rutherford. We already know one team who will be in the final. Spain beat France yesterday in Dallas to advance. And today at 3:00pm in Atlanta, Argentina faces England in what is expected to be a fierce competition. Luke Green is an all of IT producer and our resident soccer fan. He's here with me now to recap the World cup so far and to look ahead to Sunday's final. Hi, Luke.
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Luke Green
Hi, Alison. It's the most wonderful time of year. I'm excited to be here.
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Alison Stewart
As a soccer fan, how have you experienced the tournament so far?
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Luke Green
Well, it's interesting because I was a little worried about this tournament before it began just because I didn't necessarily feel that New York and the country was necessarily ready for the tournament just because, you know, the Knicks were happening. Everyone was really focused on it, and yet the World cup was around the corner and there was all the controversy about Penn Station being opened or closed and, you know, how are people going to get to the stadium? So I was a little nervous about that and then the politics as well. But it's just been so amazing. I mean, just the idea of the World cup, all the tension being here in America, cultures from around the world coming to different cities. There's been hilarious videos, as I'm sure you've seen.
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Alison Stewart
I loved it.
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Luke Green
Yeah, it's just filled me with joy. And I like to think, you know, as a soccer fan for a long time, I sort of tell myself that, you know, we do a lot of theater on this show and I sort of think of sports as like theater but where the audience and the actors don't know what's going to happen. Like, you're showing up to these games and anything can happen. And we've seen so many surprises and shocks and moments. And really also some of the the greatest players in the world are all playing at the highest level. So it's been a true joy. And I, I Promise. I've been working this over these past few weeks, but I've been watching a lot of soccer. It's true.
- [02:38]
Alison Stewart
Listeners, have you been enjoying the men's World cup this summer, or how have you engaged with the tournament? Who's been your favorite team or player to watch? Do you have a favorite game or moment so far? Call or text us now at 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC and how has it felt host the tournament, be one of the hosts? What impact has it had on our culture? Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. Okay. The first semifinal happened yesterday. Spain beat France 20 on best steel day of all days. What did you make of the game?
- [03:15]
Luke Green
It was very surprising because going into the game, the real consensus was that these are the two best teams. France and Spain consistently showed that they have the best players, they have the best teams, and this was sort of whoever wins this has, is probably gonna win the World Cup. We don't know that for sure, but going into the game, pretty much everyone. I mean, I even wrote in my prep yesterday as we were preparing for this, I said France was going to beat Spain, and I just had it as a filler, and that was really wrong. I mean, going into the tournament, I picked Spain to win because I thought they were the best team. But then the tournament began and France was just turning it on. You know, you look at their attacking players, they have three or four of the best players in the world. The coach is trying to figure out how to he can fit all these people in. And they were just, you know, I sort of call it like a, like a Rolls Royce team. Like the athleticism, the slickness, everything was going their way, and Spain was just going kind of slow. Pretty boring. Not much was happening. And yet yesterday it completely flipped.
- [04:11]
Alison Stewart
I saw all of these men holding their heads in their hands. Watching it.
- [04:16]
Luke Green
Yeah.
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Alison Stewart
Watching France just kind of.
- [04:18]
Luke Green
Yeah. No, I know. Honestly, it's. As a supporter of the US Team who blew it last week, France really blew it. Even in the first five minutes, you felt energy was totally off. And that can happen in sports, in, in other things as well. You just, you know, you think that you have it. Everything comes together and just on the day, the energy isn't there. Something is just isn't right. And really they were completely embarrassed. And on Bastille Day, no less, which I, I felt bad for. But it is exciting for Spain because they've only made one World cup final before. France has been in the last two World cup finals. So it is nice to have a little bit mix up, at least for what the final match will be on Sunday.
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Alison Stewart
Yeah. The other semifinals taking place in Atlanta in just a few hours, Argentina and England. This has some extra meaning to it. Why is that?
- [05:08]
Luke Green
Yes, well, without going too far into it, the Argentinians hate the English. There is no way about it. I mean, you can look it up yourselves. But there is the history of the Falklands war in the 1980s, which seriously still stings for a lot of Argentinians in the country. I mean, if you want to go way back, England actually invaded Argentina in the 1800s. We don't have to go too deep into that. And then on the sports side of things, you know, in 1986, the World cup was in Mexico, and Diego Maradona was an Argentinian player. They played England in a knockout round, which was just a few years after the Falklands War. So it was really fresh. And Maradona scored, which a lot of people, even if you're not soccer fans, probably will hear of, which is the hand of God, which is an infinite goal in soccer history, where Maradona actually scored a goal with his hand, which you're obviously not allowed to do. It was a handball, but it looked like he scored with his head and there was no video review. And he celebrated it and the goal counted. But obviously after the fact, it clearly it struck his hand. And Maradona sort of gave a famous interview where he. He said it was the hand of God that hit the ball in and that has. That has lived on in infamy. So those three moments means that this game today, I promise you, is going to be just like 10 out of 10 box office total spectacle. And the Atlanta Police department has already said that they've had to increase security for the game because there is just a lot of tension there. And if there's drinking involved, it could set off. But it's going to be, as I said, a total spectacle for the neutral TV viewer.
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Alison Stewart
It's also going to be a big game for Lionel Messi.
- [06:47]
Luke Green
Yes, huge game. I mean, he's in his late 30s, he's pro. This is probably his last tournament and it's. It could be a career defining moment. You know, he's actually. I was surprised to know he has never played England before in a Argentinian shirt. And it's just a big moment for all these players. I can't describe to you how big of A game. This is for Argentina specifically and playing England in a semi final to go to a tournament. You know, Messi already has a World cup final to his name. But if he can beat England and in a semi to go to another final, this would be the third of his career. It would just like immortalize him more than he already actually is. And I would just say to all the, you know, people out there who are thinking about whether or watching or not, this could be the last game we ever see Argentina Messi play in a World cup. And he's probably the best player of all time. You know, it's like seeing Jordan and LeBron combined is how I would describe it. Like it's that level of special. So you don't want to miss that opportunity.
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Alison Stewart
Luke, you're wearing a sweatshirt and it's 96 degrees because you're covering up. What?
- [07:48]
Luke Green
Well, I do. I'm being exposed. I promise. I'm not a homer here, but I do have an Argentinian jersey on. I'm not rooting for them specifically, but I did live there for six months for like a semester, study abroad. So I have seen the culture up close and I don't know, I had to pick a jersey. I don't have an England jersey. I wanted to wear one to get into the spirit wearing this jersey, it does not mean I'm necessarily endorsing them, but I certainly enjoy their culture, their fans, their players, and I have a bit of nostalgia for that time I spent there. So I will be watching with curious eyes today.
- [08:27]
Alison Stewart
Let's say that you tipped it by wearing a hoodie on 96 degrees.
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Luke Green
I know, I know. With a zipper all the way up. I didn't, I didn't want to let it, let it go, but there we go. I've been exposed.
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Alison Stewart
We've been talking about the World cup final. It's taking place in Jersey this Sunday. We're previewing the final and reviewing the tournament with all of it producer Luke Green. We're also hearing from you. Let's talk to David on Staten Island. Hey, David, thanks for calling all of it. You're on the air.
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David (Caller from Staten Island)
So just in contrast, I'm wearing my England jersey.
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Luke Green
Right on, brother.
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David (Caller from Staten Island)
My Bellingham. So I, I am a New Yorker. I was a little skeptical. I'm actually a huge American football fan. But I just got caught up in all the excitement, all the tourists, and I woke up last Sunday and decided I had to participate and got a last minute ticket to the Norway Brazil game, which was one of the best sporting events I've ever been in and to watch Holland play, to do the row. And then we were actually. I was wearing red because I was running from Norway. But sitting amongst all the Brazilian friends from Brazil and enjoying was one of the best, you know, sports experiences. I've had so many. I thank all the hosting to be done here because it really was made me connect and read that much more and understanding the formations and so much more about soccer that it's been a great experience.
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Luke Green
David, can I ask you as like a non soccer fan, as you said, like American football fan, why do you think this World cup or this, you know, spectacle, as you said, of being at Norway, Brazil, why did it strike you so much?
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David (Caller from Staten Island)
I'm actually a Jets fan, so I've been to MetLife many times.
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Luke Green
More excitement for this.
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David (Caller from Staten Island)
A little more excitement than the jets. But it. But it's. I think that just the enthusiasm and like everyone just painted and, you know, cheering and the. Just the high energy of everyone and the international feel of everything. And it was such a party. I mean, I was wondering, why is there no parking? And the parking lot was filled up with all the pop and circumstance around it. So it was just like an elevated sports experience. And then to talk soccer and to really learn a whole new game and the strategy and watching it game after game, because I became obsessed with it. You know, it's like learning a whole new interesting sport. Because before it was very boring to me. It's like, what's going on there? You know, you flip through the channels and here now I'm understanding the press and the defenses. And when you watch the same team play differently over the course of the tournament, you learn a lot more about the game itself and the strategy.
- [11:07]
Alison Stewart
Thanks so much for calling. This text is really great. It says, the World cup has shown us all what the US can be, should be, is and always was a place of welcoming, of unity, of being part of something bigger than ourselves, not just looking only to ourselves. I'm really proud of that. I'm really happy to have had this moment despite everything that's going on in the rest of our lives.
- [11:27]
Luke Green
I think that's true. I think that's a sentiment that pretty much everyone has been feeling and that sometimes you need someone else to come see your country in order for you to see your country. You know, I think we understandably have gotten really caught up in all that has been happening in our culture and in our country with the politics and everything in the division that's going on. But then when people come and you see all these videos of people enjoying, you know, Lawrence, Kansas and Chattanooga, Tennessee, and, you know, Japanese fans enjoying barbecue in Texas, you sort of realize that, okay, there is a lot that the US has to offer the world, and there's a lot here that is of value. And, you know, people in power on both sides might necessarily don't want you to feel that way. And I think that sentiment that, you know, the World cup has, as that texter said, shown us what the US can be, should be, and always is, is a sentiment that I have been feeling. I don't want it to end. You know, this last, this last three weeks has been such a joy. To sort of have the US on this, on this world stage like this in a fun way, has been, as I said, just very joyful.
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Alison Stewart
There have been controversies, though, especially about refereeing decisions.
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Luke Green
Yes, well, I think a lot of people, especially for the new soccer fans, are just really confused about how the refs are making decisions. You know, we have this thing called var, which is essentially just a video review system. And there's been a lot of questionable calls. You know, there was an example an Egypt vs Argentina where Egypt thought they deserved a foul and it wasn't given. Just recently, Norway versus England, there were two instances where one ball reportedly hit the camera wire, like the spider cam, which gave the, made the ball fall unnaturally into an England player for them to score. And then Norway was called for a push after they got a goal to equalize. That was then called off from video review. And I guess my, my sense is FIFA, the, the governing body of the World cup, seems to just be making it up as it goes along. There's just a lot of confusion over how a decision gets made, what the rules are, and I think the review system has made that honestly more confusing. So at the same time, you know, if your team loses, you're, you're, you're gonna shout conspiracy. You know, I, I, I've been known to do that as well. It happens. I, let's just hope that today and the final on Sunday goes with as little controversy as possible.
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Alison Stewart
Let's talk to Michael from Brooklyn. Hi, Michael, thanks for calling, all of it.
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Luke Green
You're on the air.
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Michael (Caller from Brooklyn)
Hey, thanks for taking my call. Yeah, I've been in New York for the past 14 years, but I'm from Argentina. We moved there when I was one year old. I lived there for over 20 years. And I agree with your guest. There's been a lot of controversy. I think it's a lot unnecessary controversy, especially against Argentina, I guess it's just how the, the cards were dealt. But I think to his point, it's a lot of new technology and there was a lot of new rules that were introduced very recently. And there's a lot of confusion. I think, to his point, first of all, like, your previous caller was saying that, like, a lot of people are learning, especially in the States, are learning the rules to this new sport, new to them, rather. But then also there's a lot of new rules that were implemented just for the World cup, which I think was a mistake for by FIFA. They should have, you know, introduced the rules maybe a year ago or so at the club level, internationally, where the players and the referee and the fans were, you know, gotten used to it. So I feel like they're like those goals against Argentina, I think they were applied correctly, in my opinion, my unbiased opinion. But then I think sometimes they weren't applied correctly, like against Norway when the ball hit the court. So I think it's. I'm a strong believer and proponent that human error is a part of soccer. And I feel like a lot of South American and Europeans feel that. But I think in applying technology, you're trying to eliminate human error, and then that's ultimately not possible.
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Alison Stewart
Michael, thank you so much for calling in. A lot of people are watching this on Fox, but. But Telemundo, Well, I think it's the place.
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Luke Green
Oh, my God. As you can imagine. So I have been watching most of the games on Telemundo, not just because I, you know, like those broadcasts more, but just because I have Peacock. I don't have Fox, but I do recommend watching the game today and the final on Telemundo because there's sort of a saying that, like, If a game is 00 on an English broadcaster, it's probably. It sounds like it's about 20 to 18 on Telemundo because it's just so exciting. The commentators are bringing the energy of, we know, the famous goal, you know, etiquette. And I believe we pulled a few examples of this. Allison, if you want to set it up for us.
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Alison Stewart
Yeah. This is Messi's goal against Egypt last week. Let's start with how it sounded on
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Luke Green
Fox on the way through.
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David (Caller from Staten Island)
And can they line something up here? Argentina. Oh, it's gone in. It's two. Two. And who else? Lonel Messi, the savior for Argentina.
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Alison Stewart
And here it was on Telemundo.
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Luke Green
Wait for it one more time,
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David (Caller from Staten Island)
Maybe.
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Luke Green
Again,
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Alison Stewart
That is just very.
- [17:10]
Luke Green
That is the voice I want to say of the the legend, Andres Cantor, who has been on Telemundo forever. He's an Argentinian American. You can hear his voice breaking there. He's got. I've been accused of a little bias because he's Argentinian American. He's rooting for his team. But I mean, come on, you don't want to hear that on the broadcast. It doesn't get better than that.
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Alison Stewart
You got about a minute left. What do you want to wrap with?
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Luke Green
I guess I just want to say that, you know, this is just a very special time to be in the U.S. you know, having a World cup in your home country does not happen to everyone. You know, I like to think about that. I remember my life through World Cups, like every four years. It's a marker of the progress that you've made, of the memories you've made. I can remember where I was in 2010 when Landon Donovan scored this goal against Algeria to send us to the group stage, 2014. And now here we are in, in 2026. So I guess my only thing that I want to say to people is just watch the final with people on Sunday. Don't watch it alone. Get out in the city, go to a bar, go to a park. It's going to be all around the corner. The fact that the World cup final is in New York, New Jersey, East Rutherford, if we're being accurate, but in our area, is just so special. Billions and billions of people will be watching this, will be watching New York and New Jersey and just live it up, people.
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Alison Stewart
That was all of it. Producer and soccer fan Luke Green. Thanks for being with us, Luke.
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Luke Green
Thanks, Alison. And y vamos Argentina. Now is your time to get into a new Dr. Horton home by taking advantage of its national red tag sales event going on right now through Sunday, August 2nd. Stop by any of its participating communities and find select red tag homes at incredible pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss the red tag sales event going on right now. Discover the Dr. Horton Difference at drhorton.com Dr. Horton, America's builder and equal housing opportunity builder.
- [19:02]
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