Founding Futbol is about moments that helped grow soccer in America. But there is one event we’ve decided to cover that breaks that mold – the 1980 Olympic Boycott. The US Men’s National Team was unable to compete in Moscow in 1980, setting the program and this country’s pursuit of international success back years, possibly decades. In many ways, it also contributed to the continuing decline of the North American Soccer League (NASL), and the combination of factors led to possibly the darkest period in modern American soccer history.

While the immediate outcomes were unquestionable negative, it forced executives to reconsider the path our country would take to making soccer a prominent and sustainable sport. This chapter connects the dots of how an event that didn’t happen triggered a series of decisions that put us back on track to embracing the world’s game in a uniquely American way.

Our guest on this episode is former USMNT player Ty Keough. The son of legendary USMNT player Harry Keough, Ty also coached collegiately at Washington University for eleven years and covered four World Cups as a broadcaster, working for ESPN, ABC and TNT.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Ty Keough (Former USMNT player)

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