Welcome to The Overlap's football history podcast, It Was What It Was.Each week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper will be talking about the key episodes in footbal...
Soccer: An American History - Part Three: Boom to Bust
Welcome back to It Was What It Was.It's the final installment of our three-part series exploring the rise and fall of the American Soccer League. Jonathan and Rob dive into internal conflicts within the ASL, the 1929 Wall Street crash, and how its devastating effects exposed the vulnerabilities of the fledgling league. But all is not lost - with another significant attempt to establish professional soccer in the U.S....If you’re enjoying the podcast, please subscribe and consider leaving a five-star review to help others find the show.00:00 Introduction to the Series and Bela Gutmann's Influence01:13 The Rise of the American Soccer League (ASL)01:51 Innovations and Controversies in American Soccer06:23 Financial Growth and International Tensions08:17 The Playoff System and League Complications10:53 The Struggles of Smaller Franchises15:06 The Breakaway and Formation of the Eastern Soccer League17:31 Chaos and Competition Between Leagues22:24 The Soccer War and Its Impact23:57 The Decline of the American Soccer League25:27 The Wall Street Crash and Its Consequences27:20 The Struggles of Key Figures and Teams29:36 The Final Collapse of the ASL34:25 Analysing the Failure of Soccer in the US38:08 Comparing US and European Sports Models45:36 The Future of Soccer in the US49:17 Conclusion and What's Next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Soccer: An American History - Part Two: Struggles, Expansion and International Influence
In today's It Was What It Was, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson continue to explore the fascinating story of soccer in the United States. Highlighting the pivotal role of immigrant communities in the sport's development, the episode also examines key figures like Bela Gutmann and the significant tours by foreign teams that attracted huge crowds.Join us for the conclusion of this three-part series on Tuesday. 00:00 Introduction to Bela Gutmann's New York Era00:51 The Pre-History of American Soccer01:36 Challenges in Establishing Soccer in the U.S.02:26 The First Professional Soccer League04:24 Financial Struggles and League Dynamics07:16 Formation and Early Years of the American Soccer League20:53 Innovations and Comparisons with Other Sports24:19 College Football's Dominance and Soccer's Struggles25:39 The Role of Universities in American Sports26:14 Challenges in Early American Soccer26:53 The Rise of the New York Giants27:44 Fall River Marksmen's Dominance28:25 Economic Struggles and Soccer's Impact29:29 The League's Early Successes and Challenges30:14 Expansion and New Teams31:13 Player Transfers and Immigration Issues33:19 The American Menace and Scottish Football34:49 International Influence and Jewish Tours41:07 The Impact of Jewish Players and Fans44:23 The Maccabees and Tactical Evolution47:49 The League's Growing Popularity and Issues50:32 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Soccer: An American History - Part One: Origins and Challenges
In this episode of It Was What It Was, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson dive into the early history of soccer in the United States.They look at efforts to establish professional leagues, the influence of immigrant communities, and the geographic and cultural factors that made it difficult for football to gain a foothold - compared to rival American sports.This episode is the first of a three-part series. Join us on Friday as the story continues! If you’re enjoying the podcast, please subscribe and consider leaving a five-star review to help others find the show.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to American Soccer01:08 Early History of Soccer in the USA02:00 Challenges and Attempts to Establish Soccer02:38 Soccer's Struggle for Popularity06:06 The Role of Universities in American Football17:16 Immigrant Influence on American Soccer17:43 Regional Hotbeds of Soccer24:18 Formation of Early Soccer Leagues27:43 The Rise of Fall River and Early American Football28:31 Economic Challenges and League Suspensions29:18 Comparing Football Cultures: UK vs. US33:11 Baseball's Influence on Early American Soccer38:53 The Birth of the US Football Association41:36 Challenges and Growth of Early US Soccer46:52 Bethlehem Steel and the Industrial Influence51:01 The Challenge Cup and Regional Rivalries52:09 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The 1985 League Cup Final: The Match that Changed My Life
Welcome back to It Was What It Was.Rob and Jonathan are joined by David Corner - the man whose life was changed forever by the 1985 League Cup Final between Sunderland and Norwich. That match is remembered for a costly mistake that led to Sunderland’s defeat - a moment that saw David singled out, subjected to intense criticism and even physical abuse from his own fans.David shares his story with Jonathan and Rob, reflecting on how that experience shaped his life, the challenges he faced in the aftermath, and how he found the strength to move forward.If you’re enjoying the series, please subscribe and consider leaving a five-star review to help others find the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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League Cup Classics: Liverpool, Newcastle and the Greatest Finals
Welcome back to It Was What It Was. With Liverpool and Newcastle set to battle for the first major trophy of the English domestic season on Sunday, we’re taking a journey through some of the greatest League Cup finals of all time. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper each share three of their favourite finals - games filled with drama, controversy, and unforgettable moments that have defined the competition. Have we missed any of your favourites? Get in touch with @ItWasPodOn Friday we have a special episode featuring David Corner, reflecting on Sunderland’s heartbreaking defeat in 1985.If you’re enjoying the series, please subscribe and consider leaving a five-star review to help others find the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast
Welcome to The Overlap's football history podcast, It Was What It Was.Each week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper will be talking about the key episodes in football history that have shaped the footballing world.The show will be discussing the best stories from football's past, giving insights to the personalities involved. the tales from behind the scenes and the impact they left.Join us at Football University!If you enjoy the podcast please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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