Podcast
Founding Futbol
Hosted by Blue Wire · EN
Founding Futbol is a weekly podcast that explores soccer’s journey in America, analyzing how key moments in the sport’s history have contributed to its rising level of popularity. The show features research and expert guests as it breaks down 52 key events that have influenced growth of soccer in the United States.
Host Kent Malmros combines narrated research with long-form interviews in each episode. Founding Futbol will provide in-depth analysis on topics such as Title IX, Pelé’s time in New York, the USWNT’s dominance and Paul Caligiuri’s iconic 1989 goal.
127episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Extra Time: Brett Bebber's Professorial Perspective
Jan 25, 202500:57:16Tap to summarizeWhen NBC won the rights to broadcast the Premier League starting in 2013, it seemed like just another TV contract for a professional sports entity with a new broadcast partner. But there were unique attributes of that deal and the the way NBC approached the partnership gave Americans a better platform on which they could invest in and become attached teams in the Premier League. By earning exclusive rights to show all 380 games, it became possible for fans in the US to spend enough time with each team truly understand the nuances of their cultures and histories and find ways to identify with teams authentically.Brett Bebber has spent his professional life studying various elements of historical British culture. As an American that grew up playing soccer, he was always fascinated by the Premier League, but fell in love with it differently like so many when NBC's coverage began. He has a unique understanding of why based on his academic research. Bebber joined Founding Fubtol to talk about how the culture of leisure and the intersection of British and American histories truly accelerated with when the partnership between NBC and the PL began.Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.comSubscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Brett Bebber (Associate Professor of History, Old Dominion University) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Extra Time: Robbie Mustoe On NBC
Jan 23, 202500:42:55Tap to summarizeAfter a long and successful professional career in England, Robbie Mustoe came to the United States to coach college soccer. He found his way to Bentley University and then Boston College, on a trajectory to becoming a college head coach. Along the way, however, he decided to try his hand at television and landed a gig at ESPN covering the sport he played for so long in England.When NBC won the rights to the Premier League, the expressed an interest in adding Mustoe to the studio team being assembled to support the partnership. Mustoe was chosen, along with Robbie Earle and Rebecca Lowe. He and Earle have become known as "The Two Robbies" and, along with Lowe, continue to anchor the league's coverage over a decade later.Mustoe joined Founding Fubtol to talk about his journey to NBC and beyond.Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.comSubscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Robbie Mustoe (Studio Analyst, NBC Sports Premier League coverage) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Chapter Forty: The Premier League on NBC (with Jon Miller)
Jan 20, 202501:20:40Tap to summarizeThe Premier League is arguably the best professional soccer league in the world. With an infusion of capital over the last few decades, teams like Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and others have become household names around the globe. In the United States, before the 2000s, soccer fans following England's top flight had to get their fix either during summer exhibition tours or through appointment viewing on limited network availability. That began to change through the league's partnership with Fox, but then fandom in the US exploded after NBC won exclusive league broadcast rights beginning in 2013.Jon Miller was the NBC Sports executive responsible for making that deal happen. He joined Founding Futbol to breakdown what drew the network to the Premier League initially, how the deal got done, the birth of Ted Lasso and the importance of the studio team. In a far reaching conversation, Miller shares how streaming had an impact on the expansion of NBC's coverage and reflects on the importance of Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe.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. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Jon Miller (President, Acquisitions & Partnerships, NBC Sports) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Extra Time: Cari Roccaro Emerges
Jan 18, 202500:58:05Tap to summarizeCari Roccaro was a standout college player at Notre Dame before establishing herself as a rookie on the Houston Dash, the National Women's Soccer League's first expansion team. She then won two NWSL championships with the North Carolina Courage and was part of Angel City FC's first season before settling in most recently as a key player for the Chicago Red Stars. Roccaro has also had an impact off the field. Her efforts to ensure mental health support for NWSL players as part of the first collective bargaining agreement became a critical part of the resources provided for players. She joined Founding Futbol to share her story.Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.comSubscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Cari Roccaro (Midfielder, Chicago Red Stars) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Extra Time: The Impact of Yael Averbuch West
Jan 16, 202500:54:15Tap to summarizeYael Averbuch West has an unmatched impact on women's soccer in America. She had a outstanding career at North Carolina, winning national championships with Anson Dorrance and the Tar Heels. She then emerged on the professional women's soccer scene and earned time as part of the US Women's National Team.And while her playing career was outstanding, West's most notable contributions may have come off the field. She was a driving force behind the National Women's Soccer League Player's Association (NWSLPA) and has become the general manager of Gotham FC.West joined Founding Futbol to share the story of how these moments came to pass, and what impact she believes that had on soccer in America.Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.comSubscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Yael Averbuch West (Former NWSL Player, General Manager of Gotham FC) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Chapter Thirty-Nine (Part Two): The NWSL is Reborn (with Marla Messing)
Jan 13, 202501:21:49Tap to summarizeAfter years of growth, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) hit two consecutive bumps in the road. The first it shared with the rest of the professional sports world -- the COVID pandemic. But, then after the 2021 season, scandal rocked the league and left everyone concerned that it would potentially fold. However, Marla Messing came in as interim CEO and stabilized the league. Not only did it find a way to recover from the challenges, but hit a new period of growth -- ratifying the league's first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), adding key sponsors and expanding into multiple new cities over the coming years.The NWSL's rebirth, thanks in large part by the short tenure of Messing, launched the league into a new phase of growth that has elevated women's professional soccer to new heights. She joined the shows to talk about the critical window in the league's history, how she approached a job that came about so abruptly and had so many challenges, and so much more. 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. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Marla Messing (Former NWSL Interim-CEO) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Extra Time: Brittany Cameron Makes Her Way to New Jersey
Jan 9, 202500:49:17Tap to summarizeBrittany Cameron is known by youth soccer players hoping to take the field for Wake Forest one day. A staple on the Demon Deacons sideline, Cameron has made a trailblazing name for herself in the coaching ranks, also acting as the goalkeeper coach for the US Youth National Teams (U19 and U20). Before Cameron helped make Wake a perennial collegiate power -- including a trip to the NCAA Championship finals in 2024 -- she was a college and professional standout at a time when women's professional soccer was anything but an obvious career choice. She played in the WPS and then the NWSL, suiting up for Sky Blue FC in the league's first three seasons. She eventually followed professional soccer opportunities to play in Japan before fully dedicating herself to what has become a fruitful coaching career. Cameron joined Founding Futbol to share her story -- including how soccer opened doors for her and why she believes its important to represent underserved communities and help give them access to the beautiful game.Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.comSubscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Brittany Cameron (Former NWSL Player, Associate Women's Soccer Head Coach at Wake Forest University) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Extra Time: Ashley Phillips' Professional Journey
Jan 6, 202500:45:05Tap to summarizeWhen the NWSL was founded in 2012, four of the founding teams were former members of the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) -- including the Boston Breakers. One Breakers player that had been with the team between 2009-2011, and rejoined the team in 2013 initial to coach, was Ashley Phillips , who ultimately ended up playing as well.Phillips had starred at Clemson University, then graduated at the awkward time in the sport when the best American female players didn't have a top flight domestic professional league to play in. That realization helped Phillips, who already had an interest in coaching, realize the need for options. During her time with the Breakers when they played in the WPS, she began coaching to help pay the bills. Eventually, she walked away from the game and became the head coach of the women's soccer team at NortheasternShe joined Founding Futbol to share her story -- one that reflects how hard a generation of players had to fight to stay in the game when options were limited.Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.comSubscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Ashley Phillips (Former NWSL Player, Women's Soccer Head Coach at Northeastern University) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Extra Time: Leigh Ann Brown Wins Two NWSL Championships
Jan 2, 202500:56:17Tap to summarizeWhile the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has emerged as the best women's professional soccer league in the world, it took years to achieve that status, striving first for stability. Early successes, such as the fan support for the Portland Thorns and on-field performance of FC Kansas City, gave the nascent league showcase moments, players and teams.FC Kansas City rostered the likes of Becky Sauerbrunn and Lauren Holliday of US Women's National Team, and combined them with young talents like Erika Tymrak. Meanwhile, players like Leigh Ann Brown had significant professional experience in the then defunct WPS (Women's Professional Soccer), and made FC Kansas an even more formidable force. The team had the league's second-best record in year one, then won back-to-back championships in years two and three.Brown joined Founding Futbol to talk about her journey to the NWSL, how persistence landed her on the FC Kansas City roster, why she ultimately left the game after three successful season in the league, and so much more.Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.comSubscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Leigh Ann Brown (Former NWSL Player) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Chapter Thirty-Nine (Part One): The NWSL is Born (with Cat Whitehill)
Dec 30, 202401:16:11Tap to summarizeWhen the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) folded in 2003, many believed the prospect of a sustainable top-flight women's professional league in America was undermined. The resulting league fragmentation made it difficult for our top US Women's National Team players to compete at the appropriate levels after college between national team camps. When the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) was founded in 2009, there was once again hope. But, yet again, the league folded within three years. However, coming off the enthusiasm around the women's game in the 2011 World Cup and approaching what would become a gold medal run at the 2012 Olympics for the USWNT, US Soccer regrouped and tried again. The outcome was the establishment of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Leveraging lessons learned from the past, the league focused on creating a sustainable model first, then finding a way to grow from there. The first eight teams included instant success stories in Portland where the Thorns drew unexpected crowds and also won on the field. Cat Whitehill was the captain and later player-coach of the Boston Breakers -- a carryover club from the WPS -- in the team's first NWSL season. The long-time USWNT defensive stalwart joined Founding Futbol to talk about how her journey to both the USWNT and professional soccer, and how the NWSL finally created the league women's soccer needed.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. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.Host: Kent MalmrosGuest: Cat Whitehill (Former USWNT and NWSL Player) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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