1 hr 3 min

Pelé Comes to New York Founding Futbol

    • Soccer

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)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 hr 3 min