In Episode 92 of the Because Football Podcast, Forrest Tucker joins us to unpack how American soccer can grow not just by emphasizing results, but by amplifying personal and community stories. A veteran reporter and host of the “Cleared off the Line Podcast”, Forrest possess a knack for crafting engaging stories and has seen what works and what doesn’t in the US soccer landscape.
From growing up unsure where soccer fit in his life to covering USL clubs like Charleston Battery, Forrest reflects on the rich culture that soccer cultivates, how club PR departments can better relate to journalists and content creators, and shares concrete steps for clubs to improve their storytelling campaigns. He also explains the nuances between shaping a TV news story and delivering an educational podcast for a spectrum of soccer fans.
This episode offers clarity for anyone interested in soccer media, growing the grassroots game, and why the sport’s potential will be measured by human connection and ability to create a sense of belonging. Forrest breaks down clear steps for shaping stories, improving relationships between clubs and media personnel, and ways that pro and amateur soccer clubs can take advantage of the amazing people in their organization.
Listen to the full conversation for an honest look at how better storytelling can strengthen American soccer at all levels.
Connect with Forrest here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/forrest-tucker-634940184/
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In Episode 91 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Frank Dell’Apa an American soccer reporter who has covered the game from the wild days of the NASL in the 1960s and 70s until the present day. There are few voices in the American game that can attest to the whirlwind transformation the game of soccer has seen on every level. As a child growing up in Colorado, he hardly ever saw a soccer ball in a store or on a field. Yet somehow, thanks to the 1966 World Cup final broadcast in black and white, he caught the bug and has been through the ups and downs of US soccer over the past 6 decades.
In this conversation, Frank revisits everything from training with the Las Vegas Quicksilvers of the NASL to interviewing George Best at the old LA Coliseum. He explains why Messi’s arrival in MLS is more complex than it appears, and what the 2026 World Cup will mean for diaspora communities, new fans, and the American soccer landscape.
Whether you’re looking for forgotten stories, historical context, or an experienced take on the upcoming World Cup, this episode covers three major topics in American soccer: the current status of the game, Messi’s impact on a changing MLS, and key stories related to the 2026 World Cup.
Listen to the full episode and step into a comprehensive picture of American soccer told by someone who has been there with every kick of the ball.
Connect with Frank Dell’Apa here:
http://twitter.com/frankdellapa
https://www.frankdellapa.com/
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In episode 90 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Hanna Howard, CEO of Rematch, a French-founded sports tech platform that is revolutionizing the way parents and coaches share sports highlights. In a time when sharing the latest goal or big play is a necessity, Rematch helps parents and clubs tell their story.
Throughout our conversation, Hanna shares how her background playing soccer, coaching Division 1 college basketball, and currently being a sports mom has equipped her for the role of growing Rematch in the US market. On a personal level, we discuss what it takes to build a new product in a new market, but also the approach that Rematch is executing to increase their impact in American sports, specifically soccer.
Hanna also discusses why Rematch has chosen “the bottom of the soccer pyramid” as its target market and how they are leveraging relationships with clubs to grow their market share - while equipping clubs with the analytical tools to educate players and the production capacity to enhance their social media content.
During our favorite “All-Time 5-a-Side” segment, Hanna pays homage to her roots at the University of Portland, a Division 1 women’s soccer powerhouse over the years, while filling the team with undisputed GOATs of the game.
Connect with Hanna Howard here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hhoward25/
https://www.instagram.com/rematch_us/
Connect with Because Football here:
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
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Want to start your own podcast? We can help.
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
In episode 89 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Jason Heaton, Chairman and Co-Founder of Kernow FA and Global Ambassador for CONIFA, for a conversation about the power of football to shape collective identity and spark joy.
As Global Business Director and General Secretary of CONIFA—the world’s second-biggest international football confederation— he helped bring opportunity and representation to millions worldwide by organizing the 2018 CONIFA World Cup in London, bringing together 16 international football teams from nations, de-facto nations, regions, minority peoples and sports isolated territories.
In this episode, we discuss the impact of Cornish football on global football history and culture, the exciting release of their new Meyba kit, and Kernow FA’s big plans for capitalizing on World Cup fever by hosting a match in Pachuca, Mexico, known as “the Cornwall of Mexico”.
Currently, Jason serves as President and co-founder of Kernow FA, Cornwall’s international football team. Now in their seventh year as CONIFA members, Kernow FA represents Cornish pride and inclusivity on the world stage—with men’s and women’s teams, and a ground-breaking inclusive team ranked number one globally,
On a personal level, we also chat about the opportunities that have presented themselves to Jason in the world of soccer, moments that seem less like conscious decisions and more like basic tenets of his reality. Purpose, passion, and footy-fueled wave of relationships sit at the heart of this conversation.
During our favorite “All-Time 5-a-Side” segment, we permit Jason two teams - a Cornish-only squad made up of local legends (including the all-time great nonleague goalscorer with 2000 goals) AND all-time greats like Maradona, Puskas, Gascoigne, and Roy Keane.
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https://www.instagram.com/kernowfa/
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For Episode 88of the Because Football Podcast, we're trying a solo format. Rather than interviewing an amazing guest from the world of soccer, our host Andrew Baggaley will be sharing updates on our ”Road Trip to the World Cup Series” that has taken us to 8 of the 16 host cities thus far.
He’ll also discuss what opportunities he sees for clubs and brands to take advantage of World Cup fever, some of the most poignant stories we’ve shared on the series, as well as insights gained into soccer media and event planning.
Connect with Because Football here:
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
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To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
In Episode 87 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Kevin Rye, Founder of Think Fan Engagement. Kevin tells us how his early experiences as a fan of AFC Wimbledon made him aware of the importance of the formal relationship between clubs and their fans. This goes beyond matchday experiences and performance on the field, but creating structures, regulations, and formalized relationships between clubs and their supporters clubs.
After a decade managing a network of over 200 football clubs & member organisations in England & Europe with Supporters Direct, Kevin founded Think Fan Engagement to work with clubs & other rights holders, brands and other organisations who seek to understand fans and the relationships they have with their clubs, while strongly advocating a culture of listening.
This is a critical conversation that address some of the most pressing issues in modern football.
Connect with Kevin and Think Fan Engagement here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleni-hitchcock/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkfanengagement/
Connect with Because Football here:
https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_
https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
Have you ever considered creating your own podcast? We can help!
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
Can promotion and relegation fundamentally change the landscape of soccer in the United States? Hardcore fans have been begging for it for decades and USL has answered the call, announcing the intention to adopt a more meritocratic, dramatic, and exciting soccer system in 2027.
In Episode 86 of the Because Football Podcast, we interview Brett Johnson, Chairman of Rhode Island FC and Centreville Bank Stadium and Director and Shareholder at Ipswich Town FC. This episode is a look inside the journey and perspective of a club owner who has matched a passion for the game with significant investment to drive it forward.
Mr. Johnson is the CEO of Benevolent Capital, a family office with investments in professional sports teams, real estate, private equity and venture capital that he founded in 2005. The current portfolio includes the English Football League Championship-Level club, Ipswich Town FC, the USL Championship clubs Phoenix Rising FC and Rhode Island FC, along with investments in TerraCycle, Athletic Brewing Corporation, Oura Ring, and Seekr Technologies.
In this episode, Brett talks about how playing pickup soccer as a kid in Central Park started his love for the game, fostered by a semester abroad in London becoming obsessed at Arsenal’s Highbury stadium, and ultimately to taking the step into club ownership with Phoenix Rising FC in 2016.
Beyond his personal journey, Brett speaks about what drove him to start a club in Rhode Island - a place he has a personal connection with as an alumnus of Brown University - and why he is so bullish on promotion and relegation coming to the USL.
We also discuss how USL clubs can better facilitate and profit from talent development, the importance of soccer stadium projects like the newly opened Centreville Bank Stadium to USL communities, and why he is so optimistic about the cultural and financial future of soccer in America.
Despite his vast experience in a variety of industries, he admits the limits of his of his soccer knowledge and his reliance on a team of experts at both Ipswich Town and RIFC to make football decisions. In both cases, he highlights the social impact of reviving (or in the case of RIFC, creating) the local soccer club.
Connect with Brett Johnson here:
linkedin.com/in/brett-m-johnson-70b148
Connect with Because Football here:
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In American Soccer, we’ve heard for decades that the game is finally catching on. Sometimes, it feels like groundhog day. But there is one indicator showing positive signs - the growth of soccer-specific stadiums, especially for clubs at the second and third tier of the professional pyramid.
In Episode 85 of the Because Football Podcast, we interview Justin Papadakis, Deputy CEO & Chief Real Estate Officer at USL. In his role, Justin travels across the country meeting with local governments, developers, and investors to create new clubs and stadiums in American communities. Over the past decade, he has seen how it has become increasingly easier to sell soccer to cities and investors alike, signalling a bright future for the financial longevity of pro soccer in the United States.
In this episode, Justin shares his perspective on the role of USL in the American soccer landscape, how the league’s club intentionally cultivate close community ties, and why stadiums can serve more than just soccer fans in the the local area. He also talks about the upside of implementing promotion and relegation in USL and how that systemic change will draw new fans.
As Chief Real Estate Officer at USL, he has seen how changing demographics and the cultural growth of soccer have made it easier to convince cities to start clubs and build stadiums. Governmental leaders and decision-makers are part of a generation that have grown up with the game. Their children play. They “get it” - and that is a crucial sign for the future of soccer in a country that has always kept the game at arms’ length.
We speak about building soccer-specific stadiums as community assets that spark economic development, underpin club valuations, and serve as multi-purpose hubs with entertainment, nightlife, and residential uses not just for soccer fans, but the wider population.
He also talks about how the game has positively impacted his family, his biggest challenges in the role, and tells us his “All-TIme Five-a-Side Team”.
It’s a fascinating insight into a leader who is making a considerable impact in the American soccer scene.
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-papadakis-9b466522/
https://www.instagram.com/justin.papadakis/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/usl/
https://www.instagram.com/usl_hq/
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In Episode 84 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Dan Rutstein, President of Business Operations at Orange County SC of the USL Championship. In 2023, he was formally appointed President of Orange County SC after serving as interim club president, during which time the club set new records in ticket sales, sponsorship, and merchandise, and expanded charitable programming.
In this episode, Dan shares his fascinating journey - from sports journalist to diplomat to football club president, from the UK to Bermuda to Germany to California. He talks about key business principles of successfully running a professional soccer club in the second tier of American soccer, with a foundational focus on building community.
You will learn about why OCSC is so important - serving as the sole professional sports team for a county of 3 million people - and the values that Dan and his team act out in order to move the club forward. We compare and contrast a game day experience in the US vs the UK, why the club views their sponsors as reciprocal partners benefitting the community together, and how soccer, in particular, is a valuable tool for diplomacy and relationship building across cultures.
He also shares stories of schoolboy days playing soccer with a tennis ball, ghostwriting a newspaper column for one of the Caribbean’s best ever goalscorers, and why he is looking forward to speaking at SoccerEx Miami.
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Connect with Dan and Orange County Soccer Club here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrutstein/
https://www.instagram.com/orangecountysoccer/
Connect with Because Football here:
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
Want to start your own podcast? We can help.
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
In Episode 83 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Catalina Dunn, Marketing Manager at Soccer in the Streets. At Soccer in the Streets, Catalina plays a vital role in spreading awareness of the organization's mission to use soccer as a catalyst for positive change in underserved communities in the Atlanta region.
Catalina shares what she has learned in her more than six years of experience across diverse industries—including sports, technology, local government, and entertainment— and how her current role combines her passion for community impact with her expertise in digital marketing.
Perhaps most importantly, our conversation touches on the necessity of quality, engaging storytelling in order to sustain the organization. Despite all the amazing work SITS does, if there was no one to tell the story, they simply would not be able to grow to the level of impact they currently have.
We talk about the incredible example Soccer in the Streets sets for non-profit social organizations using soccer as a vehicle for social change, including their Station Soccer project that places mini soccer fields at public transit stations around the city, increasing access to both programming and transportation.
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Soccer in the Streets LinkedIn
Soccer in the Streets Facebook
Soccer in the Streets Instagram
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In Episode 82 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Nicholas De-Long, Head of Academy for North Somerset Sports Foundation, a full-time 16-19 football education programme, in addition to his role as Head of Football for North Somerset Regional Talent Centre, which serves - 1100 boys and girls from ages 7-16. Nicholas has had an adventurous career, spending decades as a physical education instructor and coach in the UK Royal Air Force, to working on National Team staffs in Rwanda and India, to coaching in the academy at Southampton FC and Bristol Rovers.
He has led a life that would be at home on a cinema screen or in a lively novel, serving in Afghanistan with the British Armed Forces, to coaching India in front of 40,000 fans at the AFC Asian Cup. During our chat, Nicholas shares what he has learned along the way, his passion and enthusiasm shining with each sentence.
We talk about the keys to leadership, how to connect with teams in multi-cultural environments, and why his current role, steering aspiring footballers towards education, is so valuable to him. Nicholas also walks us through the realities of “trying to make it” as a young footballer in the UK, the ups and the downs which he has experienced as a player and coach.
This is one of the liveliest conversations we’ve had on the Because Football Podcast - and Nicholas names arguably our grittiest, fiercest ever All-Time 5-a-Side Team!
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-de-long-msc-5b671731/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-somerset-regional-talent-centre/
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Want to start your own podcast? We can help.
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
In Episode 81 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Jonathan Todd, Director of Social Impact for Philadelphia World Cup 2026, the organization leading local efforts in the host city. Throughout his career, Jonathan has directed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion departments in multiple industries, in addition to time spent in non-profit and city government.
In this episode, Jonathan shares the Philadelphia World Cup 2026’s vision for short-term and long-term impact in the local soccer community. He also talks about the way that the Club World Cup served as an introduction to the game for thousands of Philadelphians and set a tone for all that the World Cup can be.
From watch parties with local community organizations, to implementation of soccer fields and capacity building through coach development, the organization is engaged in a variety of roles to ensure that the World Cup will be felt by all Philadelphians.
We hope this conversation educates listeners on the role that Philadelphia World Cup 2026 plays in the FIFA World Cup timeline, as well showcases as the possibilities for impacting the next generation of ballers in North America!
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-todd-74094335/
https://www.instagram.com/fwc26philly/
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Is it possible to start a semi-professional soccer club part-time?
In Episode 80 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Joey Lipoff and Charles Salazar, co-founders of Sunflower State FC, a USL 2 and WPSL club serving the Kansas City area. After meeting and playing together at Rockhurst University, Joey and Charles saw a need in the soccer community for affordable, high level team to give local standouts a platform to test their talents.
So, with just a small budget but huge desire to change up the local soccer scene, Joey and Charles were part of a small team that brought Sunflower State FC to life. Since starting a few years ago, the club has placed dozens of players into professional contracts and/or trials in the US and internationally.
In this episode, they share the challenges (and rewards) of running a 4th tier soccer club in their spare time - before clocking into work in the morning, during lunch breaks, and after long days at the office. But they also share why it’s worth it, why they continue improving their technical staff, as well as the matchday experience for local fans. Joey and Charles also share how they strive to support similar initiatives in the local area, such as collaborating with Kansas City Astras of MASL 3 women’s indoor soccer.
It’s an insightful and inspiring conversation that proves to anyone in the American soccer community that, with the right mission and dedicated people, it’s possible to turn even a humble Sunday league team into a product with more structure, organization, and professional exposure.
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Connect with Sunflower State FC here:
Website: https://www.sunflowerstatefc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerStateFC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunflowerstatefc/?hl=en
X: https://x.com/SunflowerStFC
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In Episode 79 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Charlie Latshaw III, current Head Coach for Des Moines Menace of USL 2, and regularly one of the league’s top performing clubs.
The Menace made headlines in recent years with a US Open Cup run where they signed a handful of former pros like Sacha Kljestan (who had played for the club back in the PDL days), Bradley Wright-Phillips, and USMNT stalwart Benny Feilhaber.
We talk about how coaching has bettered him as a person, how the Menace have maintained success and relevance in their community for three decades, and what USL 2 clubs must do well on and off the pitch in the fourth tier of American soccer.
We appreciate Charlie’s openness in sharing his story, from his initial childhood memories playing 11v11 as a six year old in Chicago, to how he instills values of community, service, and dedication in his teams. And credit to him for putting together a sizzling All-Time 5-a-Side Team with some ballers that the streets won’t forget!
Connect with Charlie Latshaw III
Connect with Because Football here:
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Have you ever thought of having your own podcast? We can help! Contact us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
Competition makes soccer enthralling - but at its best, this game offers more than wins and losses.
In Episode 78 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Rachel Jolley, Program & Marketing Director for the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation. The foundation is the impact-driven arm of the Tampa Bay Sun, the Inaugural Champions of the Gainbridge Super League. A Tampa Bay area native, Rachel’s has balanced her desire for competition and impact over her career as a former Division 1 player, award-winning coach, and now program director.
In this episode, Rachel shares how her perspective on the game shifted once she became a coach. Disillusioned with some elements of the American soccer system like “pay to play” and overbearing parents, she shifted her focus from competition to opening access and serving kids that couldn’t afford to participate in that system.
In 2023, she founded Rise Up Soccer Club, a free-to-play program in Tampa for girls who might not have access to the game otherwise. That grassroots work led to her current role with the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation, where she leads community-driven soccer initiatives alongside Tampa Bay Sun Football Club, the area's first professional women's team.
Because Rachel has also worked as a freelance content creator and social media consultant, we talked about how crucial it is for grassroots community soccer programs to effectively shape and share their story in order to attract social, institutional, and financial support.
We hope this conversation will hope passionate people already working in the game, or will encourage you to get involved in your soccer community!
Connect with Rachel and the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheljolley/
https://www.tampabaysunfc.com/foundation/
https://www.instagram.com/tampabaysunfc
Connect with Because Football here:
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Want to start your own podcast? We can help.
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
Despite the booms and busts throughout history, American soccer has a lot to be proud of. From the bright lights of MLS and NWSL, to pre-professional teams in small town America, the game is alive and well.
In Episode 77 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Eleni Hitchcock, General Manager at Columbus United FC of USL 2 and VVP of Business Operations at Virtual Veep. Eleni tells us about her journey in the game, from getting wrapped up in the game day buzz as a child, to learning the ins and outs of club management during coffee dates with her father, Michael Hitchcock, a leader and builder in American soccer since early MLS days.
At the heart of Eleni’s passion and professional expertise lies a desire to share soccer with local communities, to give them an identity and a team to rally around.
Soccer business has always been family business and Eleni shares how she applies what she’s learned with Columbus United, a passionate soccer town on the Georgia-Alabama border. From meaningful partnerships with cool coffeeshops and hip breweries to youth soccer initiatives, affordable tickets and hardworking, authentic team staff, we discuss some of the foundations of successful soccer business that have worked in dozens of markets across the US.
Aside from the ins and outs of running a USL 2 club, she talks about Virtual Veep, a sports management services and consulting company that offers virtual assistance to lower division and minor league soccer teams across the country. Leveraging VP-level talent and experience across multiple organizations allows small town soccer teams to do what has often been so fundamentally difficult in American soccer - survive.
Leaders, fans, and coaches of community soccer clubs around the country will enjoy many takeaways from our discussion about the powerful simplicity that soccer can offer in the United States… and with the World Cup on our doorstep, that impact will only continue to grow!
Connect with Eleni, Columbus United, and Virtual Veep here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleni-hitchcock/
https://www.instagram.com/columbusunitedfootballclub/#
Connect with Because Football here:
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Have you ever considered creating your own podcast? We can help!
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
If you are an obsessive soccer fan, you know that the game isn’t just about what happens on the pitch - it’s about the journeys we take, the cultures we discover, and the wonderful people we meet because (of) football. It’s when we use footy as a vehicle for exploring the vast world around us that we can truly appreciate all this game means and offers.
In Episode 76 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Colin Martin, founder of The Footy Travelers and co-host of the Footy Travelers Podcast. Colin tells us about how his passion for both football and travel led him to create a platform that helps fans connect more deeply to the beautiful game.
From his earliest memories playing youth soccer for the Jetsons of Winslow Township, New Jersey, to his adventures attending multiple Men’s and Women’s World Cups, Colin shares how football becomes a lens for understanding culture, building friendships, and experiencing the world.
During the episode, we talk about how he had the idea to document these stories during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, why travel opens new doors for fandom, and how he somehow stumbled into a two week trial with a team in the Thailand Premier League.
We even chat about a surprising way that our paths (kind of) crossed long before this conversation.
This episode is a reminder that the true greatness of soccer is more than wins, losses - it’s an excuse for exploring the world that brings us closer to one another.
We also chat about an exciting upcoming trip to Mexico City that Because Football and The Footy Travelers are collaborating on - and you can be a part of it, too!
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Want help starting your own podcast? We can help.
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
Is there something missing in your local soccer community? Well - don’t pout about it - build it yourself!
In Episode 75 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Ira Jersey, the Founder and Men’s General Manager at Real Central NJ Soccer of USL 2 and WPSL.
In this episode, Ira tells us about how growing up on the muddy fields of Long Island shaped his love for the game. After decades as a player, coach, and Soccer Dad, he looked around his local area and didn’t see any club offering high quality playing opportunities for college players.
So, he and a few partners collaborated to create Real Central NJ to represent the Central Jersey area - an area that often is swallowed up into its neighboring metropolises - New York City and Philadelphia.
We chat about his role as a General Manager, what it takes to run a summer league (USL 2 and WPSL) team and a year-round program, and how to make it an inviting, entertaining venue for local soccer fans. From financial realities to sponsorship packages and stadium challenges, Ira exposes the behind the scenes of running a club at the community level in America.
A history buff, we talk about the rich soccer tradition of the Mercer County area and the players, coaches, and clubs that laid the foundation for what Real Central NJ has created today. He also shares his pragmatic opinion on the prospect of promotion and relegation coming to the US, and the club’s current plans to make the jump from USL 2 to USL League One (IF they can get the stadium part right!).
Of course, we pick Ira’s brain for his All-Time 5-a-Side team, influenced by his childhood love for the New York Cosmos and his love for a quality Number 6!
Outside of soccer, you also may see Ira on TV as Chief U.S. Interest Rate Strategist for Bloomberg Intelligence.
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American soccer has had its share of ups and downs - but there are many encouraging signs right now. A great example is an announcement by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to expand their existing stadium - growing from a capacity of 5,000 to 15,000, in anticipation of a transformative era for the club.
In Episode 74 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Ryan Shaffer, VP of Marketing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Pittsburgh Riveters SC, and Highmark Stadium, the home of soccer in the area. Prior to working in professional soccer, Ryan owned his own marketing agency for 10 years, and also teaches sports photography and videography at Point Park University.
A local Pittsburgh native, Ryan admits that he essentially forgot about the Riverhounds completely before joining the organization three years ago. But under his leadership since then, the club has made a resurgence - selling out 75% of matches and galvanizing the local community - connecting with soccer purists and newbies, alike.
In this episode, Ryan talks about some key tactics that have been successful in making the Riverhounds, and newly founded Riveters, more relevant in a passionate sports town. He also shares the marketing team’s plans for generating demand for a newly expanded stadium and how they hit the ground running with their new Riveters women’s team by inviting fans to be a central part of the process.
Connect with Ryan and Pittsburgh Riverhounds here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanrshaffer/
https://www.instagram.com/ryanrshaffer/
http://instagram.com/riverhoundssc
Connect with Because Football here:
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https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
Want help starting your own podcast?
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com
If you love the game of soccer - and want it to be a central part of your life - what’s stopping you?
In Episode 73 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Nick Manske, a Fan Service Representative for the Philadelphia Union of MLS. In addition to his role in the soccer industry, Nick is also the City Manager for Street FC Philadelphia, a pickup soccer community in a dozen cities around the United States.
In this episode, Nick tells us about how he initially hated soccer but grew to love it as a youngster playing on the concrete courts of Brooklyn. He shares how his love of street soccer led him to turning to the game as a new transplant to Philadelphia, and how both his role with the Union and as building the Street FC community gave him a sense of purpose and connection in a new city.
We chat about his role as a Fan Service Representative, engaging with about 600 Season Ticket Members and helping ensure they have a great game day experience down at Subaru Park. From common complaints to more nuanced requests, Nick tells us about how his role contributes to the club’s overall image and its crucial relationship with fans.
And when he’s not supporting MLS fans, he is facilitating the Street FC chapter in Philadelphia, a chapter he founded in 2021 at a barren basketball court with a few friends. Through hard work and fun times on the court, Nick’s influence has seen the Street FC community grow to hundreds of members, daily street soccer games at their dedicated court, and a team of five game captains, who host games and help build out our weekly schedule.
Of course, we pick Nick’s brain for his All-Time 5-a-Side team, influenced by his love for Manchester United, and ask him for a controversial answer - to the question of “Which is a better stadium - Subaru Park - or Sports Illustrated Stadium (home of Nick’s hometown New York Red Bulls!).
Connect with Nick and Street FC here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-manske-958658157/
https://www.instagram.com/nickmanske/
https://www.instagram.com/streetfc/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/stfcphila/?hl=en
Connect with Because Football here:
https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_
https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/
To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] gmail.com