Founding Futbol Blue Wire

Anson Dorrance had a chance to share his story with Founding Futbol. But what is it like to play for him? The legendary coach has recruited and coached some of the best players in American soccer history.
Amber Brooks played four years at North Carolina, winning NCAA Championships in 2009 and 2012. She was a two-year captain on Tar Heels teams that included Crystal Dunn and Kealia (Ohai) Watt, before moving on to play professionally in Europe and the NWSL. She joined us to share her experience playing for Dorrance and being part of the North Carolina program. Brooks talked about why her relationship with Anson transcended that of a typical coach and what it's like to be back training with the UNC team now as she settles on her next career move.
Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Extra Time is an additional weekly episode that shares reactions and reflections from the chapters, and brings additional guests into the fold. 
Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundinguftbol.com
Host: Kent Malmros
Guest: Amber Brooks
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In 1979, Anson Dorrance, already the men’s soccer coach at the University of North Carolina, was hired to coach the women’s team as well. It was transitioning from a club team to varsity team through the opportunities afforded women’s collegiate athletics by Title IX. Despite having the men’s job, Dorrance was tapped to take on a second team and within two years, the landscape of women’s college soccer would be forever changed. 
During his tenure at UNC, Dorrance has built one of the best dynasties in sports history. He also is known globally as the coach of the US Women’s National Team that won the first Women’s World Cup in 1991. His contributions to the game are immeasurable. 
Our guest on this episode is Anson Dorrance, himself. 
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
Host: Kent Malmros
Guest: Anson Dorrance (UNC Coach)
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After the North American Soccer League folded in 1984, many of the league’s top American players moved to the Major Indoor Soccer League. Some, in fact, moved with their franchises, who also found a new home as part of the indoor game. One such club was the San Diego Sockers. Their star defender, Kevin Crow, had achieved All-Star status in the NASL and then became five-time Defender of the Year in the MISL.
Crow joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey through four leagues with one franchise. He sheds light on how he managed the challenges of a down era in US Soccer, talks about the differences between the indoor and outdoor game, and recounts how focused on his transition away from the game, while he was still playing. 
Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Extra Time is an additional weekly episode that shares reactions and reflections from the chapters, and brings additional guests into the fold. 
Visit our website for more information: ⁠FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundinguftbol.com
Host: Kent Malmros
Guest: Kevin Crow
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When ESPN began broadcasting in 1979, no one knew if a 24-hour sports cable station would work. The concept was new. The format was new. And there was no data to suggest the American public would watch. 
But ESPN not only worked, it changed the sports culture globally by giving airtime to sports that previously went unbroadcast and by creating a highlight culture. Soccer benefited from these factors – as ESPN broadcast the Major Indoor Soccer League, bringing fans to the game in new and interesting ways. It also gave sports fans distilled key moments from various soccer matches exposing more people to the beautiful game.  
JP Dellacamera has broadcast 17 World Cups, making him the voice of soccer for many Americans. He joined the show to discuss the start of his career at ESPN and how the game has evolved with the cable sports networks over the decades.
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
Host: Kent Malmros
Guest: JP Dellacamera (Broadcaster)
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Journalist Lawrie Mifflin joined us to talk about her experience covering Pelé and the New York Cosmos. Mifflin was the first woman sports reporter at the New York Daily News, which is where she earned the Cosmos beat. During our interview, she recounts how that came to pass. She covered the team for four years, and shares some of her memories of Pelé and her reflections on his time in New York.
Mifflin later moved on to become a sports reporter for her first eight years at The New York Times. She stayed with the Times in various roles for 30 years, total. When Pelé passed away in 2022, Lawrie was asked to write his obituary.
She is currently managing editor of The Hechinger Report.
Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Extra Time is an additional weekly episode that shares reactions and reflections from the chapters, and brings additional guests into the fold.
Host: Kent Malmros
Guests: Lawrie Mifflin
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Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.
Before there was Beckham or Messi coming to America to play for Major League Soccer Franchises, there was Pelé and his stint with the New York Cosmos. From 1975-1977 the world’s most recognized footballer spent the twilight of his career helping this country fall in love with the beautiful game. 
His time playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL) provided a blueprint for what success could look like for the sport in this country. It boosted the NASL to previously unseen heights. Unfortunately, Pelé’s (second) retirement also showed the continued vulnerability of America’s top flight professional league. This episode explores the many layers of his time in New York and it’s long-term impact on the game in the US.
Our guest on this episode is Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis; he has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. He also was the soccer columnist for the New York Daily News for 22 years. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island, New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists and United Soccer Coaches (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America), is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written nine books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. He is also a member of four Halls of Fame, including the Eastern New York Soccer Hall and Long Island Soccer Football League Soccer Hall.
Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com
Host: Kent Malmros
Guest: Micahel Lewis (Writer)
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