America the Beautiful Game

In a rare crossover episode, we combine American the Beautiful Game and United States of Dramerica and talk about football while drinking whisky.

The guest is Danny Stone, head coach of Orange County Soccer Club.

He drinks a Glenlivet 15 and we talk about the impact of the World Cup in America, his coaching strengths and weaknesses and his love for the game here in the States.

We talk about his family's performance background, hi...

We talk to the hugely impressive Peter Moore about his transition from CEO of the mighty Liverpool to founding Santa Barbara Sky in the USL Championship.
He talks about the growth of opportunities in America, building a club from scratch and the importance of community whatever the size of the team.
Peter explains why he and his wife wanted to undertake this opportunity, what Santa Barbara has to offer and the power of the ...

We talk to Andrew Fox, Orange County Soccer Club defender and legendary trivia figure.
We talk about his unconventional journey to the USL, playing non-league in England, college scholarship in Texas, back to the English Football League before back to America.
We also talk about his red card for Grimsby Town against Crystal Palace - the first player in the UK to be sent off following a VAR review.
Fox tells us the detai...

We talk to former flying winger Gareth Ainsworth about his playing and managerial career.
He tells us about his literal baptism of fire at Wimbledon, what he learned there about culture and how he models himself on Diego Simeone.
Gareth talks about his desire to manage in the US, the away dressing room at Accrington Stanley and why Ryan Reynolds made such a brave choice at Wrexham.
We cover promotion and relegation, cau...

We talk to entrepreneur Simon Leslie who took the plunge and bought himself a non-league team.
He talks about transforming the business into a media company, bringing in celebrities and overcoming fan resistance.
Simon explains why he’s in it for the long haul, changing the badge and firing the manager and trying to bring some aspects of American sport to the National League South.
He tells us about his long term ambiti...

I talk to Sacramento Republic boss Ashley Horsley. We talk about the excitement of running a soccer team, what a non-sports job can teach you about sports and what an Open Cup run do for a team.
We talk about women in sport, the public nature of the job and trying to conduct a business conversation during a match.
Data in sport, cheering the front office team up after a loss and growing the team in a tough business environm...

Today is Open Cup day and we speak to Cody Copper, former US Youth and MLS keeper now plying his trade for Orange County Soccer Club.
He talks about the magic of the cup, returning to an MLS stadium and why the USL is such a growing league.
He tells us about his time in England with Ipswich and Southampton, having bags of urine thrown at him in Guatemala and why America crowds are meaner to goalkeepers.
We talk about MK...

We talk to ex-player and now leading commentator and analyst Devon Kerr.
Together we reminisce about Orange County's 2021 USL Championship victory, the growth of the US game and how much the young American player's experience abroad has changed.
We talk about cherishing victories, emotionless commentary and deep research.
Devon tells us about his time playing in Germany, training with great players and his mov...

We talk to LA Times soccer writer Kevin Baxter.
We talk the battle for LA supremacy, the rise and fall of LA Galaxy and his love of Manchester City - and his car.
He tells us about his reluctant move away from baseball reporting, how his wife shamed into improving his soccer coverage and the use of statistics in covering sports.
We talk World Cups, women’s football and America’s chances in 2026.
A romp through the w...

We talk to the effervescent Adam Richman, former host of Man vs Food and a true football lover.
He tells us why he chose Spurs, why he bought shares in Grimsby and why he is the shirt sponsor of charity football side Broadley FC.
We go deep into fandom, growth of the game in America and why he gets trolled for ten year old tweets about West Ham.
Adam assesses America’s World Cup chances, talks about football stars in co...

We talk to legendary AFC Wimbledon Commercial Director Ivor Heller.
He talks about the franchising of the club, his involvement from day one and why he fell in love with Wimbledon.
He describes the chance sponsorship deal with Football Manager, the extraordinary relationship with American influencer John Green and the broad appeal of the club well beyond the usual League 1/2 reach.
Ivor tells us about Wimbledon's p...

We talk to ex-player, entrepreneur and now Teqball CEO Ajay Nwosu.
He explains what Teqball is, why David Beckham loves it and how the best women can beat international male players.
He tells us how many MLS, Premier League and even NHL clubs use it and the work he is doing to get the sport into the 2028 Olympics.
Ajay tells us about his short playing career, his move to the US and rates his own Teqball ability.
A f...

We talk to British veteran broadcaster Adrian Healey.
He talks about his time calling games for the New England Revolution, ESPN and now Austin FC.
We talk about the birth of MLS, PKs vs penalties and the importance and joy of supporting League 2 clubs.
We also cover home vs neutral commentary, monitors vs live games and celebrity ownership.
Adrian talks about the US’ World Cup chances, the growth of the game and wo...

We talk to former pro footballer, technical director at Stoke City and now the USL’s Sporting Director.
We talk about the potential of the league’s young players, the record breaking transfer of teenage sensation Kobi Henry to France and a possible move of the USL to the European calendar.
Mark talks about winning a college national championship, the potential of the US winning the next World Cup and what Ted Lasso and the ...