soccerPod

A podcast about the beautiful game - as told by the legends who made it so.

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

Toto Schillaci died last year after a long fight with cancer. When I asked him what kind of cancer he was battling, he laughed and with a smile in his broken English loudly replied – ‘Yerrikay! (his pronunciation of Eric) I no longer have a rectum - I know that much!’ The translator did his thing for the small group that wanted to listen in, and all laughted – just Toto being Toto was definitely the vibe.

He was one of those people so charismatic that you could get away with that kind of thing. Every question seemed an opportunity. A grin would come across his face as the translator would come to his end – he could not wait to relive a moment, to find humor or irony in an old story, or the warmth he felt in recalling an old friend or teammate.

On he went, just holding court, for me and 5 of his chain smoking friends that deemed to stay on and listen in. About his youth in Sicily in the 70s where the mafia was all around you, about his long shot of making Serie A with his dream club of Juventus, then the even longer shot at making the Azurri national team and then that longest, out of the world, shot – of leading the 1990 World Cup in goals and captivating an entire nation with his play, his goals, and that irresistible smile. He would end 1990 2nd in Ballon D’Or (World Player of the Year) voting: a ridiculous journey.

We did our sit at his tennis club, though it was only pickleball that I could see – such are the times everywhere I guess. But I will never forget it – Give the man a listen – I am sure that like me, he will win you over.

Ep 27 – Toto Schillaci

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

@EricWynalda Sorry for your loss

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

Steve Sampson on the pod this week - we rap on the birth of the US National Team, 45 years of coaching at every level - and what it was like to manage the largest scandal in US World Cup history - a great listen, hope you give us a go - https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

@LAGalaxy @cobijones Cobi Jones - one of my coolest sits ever -
@SoccerPod1

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

Cobi Jones on the pod this week. He is one of those very few: ‘there’s a statue of you outside the stadium’ guys.

A very cool chat with a very cool guy – give us a listen.

EP 24 – Cobi Jones
@cobijones

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

@HullCity @DWindass10 @CremelloCM Did a great podcast with him @SoccerPod1

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

Gary Mabbutt on the pod this week! 16 years and nearly 500 games played for this Tottenham legend, he started against the Liverpool sides of the late 70s and ended with the Man U sides of the 90s – with a remarkable career in between.

Give a listen at: https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

Get your soccerPod merch now! Its really incredible... https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

This and other gems from Deano - give us a listen at https://t.co/feVCqrAJ0M @DWindass10

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

EP 22 - The great Hull legend Dean Windass on the pod this week.

We talk about being a hard man of British football in a different era, addiction, recovery, mental health and the logistics of getting 3 red cards in one match.

@DWindass10

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

@ramostab

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

1990 - World Cup-the first for the US in 40 years
1994 - US hosts World Cup-advanced to knockout
1996 - MLS inauguration
Its a small list of players who were instrumental in all 3 - Tab Ramos is one of them
Give us a listen at: https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ
@ramostab

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

When a football match has its own Wikipedia page, its a good sign. John tells us about the 1985 Luton Riot - its a good story - Give us a listen at soccerPod - link in bio.

#lutonfc #millwallfc #hooligan #ftroupe #prem #premierleague #hooliganism #migs #margaretthatcher

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

‘The game is so different now. You will never see a team like ours win a trophy again’
-John Fashanu

Give us a listen...

https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

EP: 20! The great John Fashanu on the pod this week - We chat about winning the most improbable FA Cup in history, playing for an openly racist club, and having Margaret Thatcher enact legislation due to his team and their antics - give us a listen at - https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

For 16 years, the Olympic Stadium in Rome would chant – The Mayor! The Mayor! The Mayor of Rome! Bruno Conti is the Mayor of Rome! Like most things, it sounds better in Italian.

Had a lovely sit with the great Bruno Conti - give us a listen: https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

'The greatest tale told in the history of football'
-The great Peter Drury, referring to the 2015 Leicester City trophy winning season.

Wes Morgan, captain of that side tells the remarkable story, and more, on the soccerPod this week. Give us a listen at https://t.co/rT7Phsg7R6

@Wes5L1nk

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

Gabby Agbonlahor on the pod this week – being Aston Villas all time leading scorer is not a small thing – but he’d rather you remember him for something else - https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ

[soccerPod @SoccerPod1]

He was the best American soccer player when America could care less about soccer.

Give us a listen at: https://t.co/0nNfxskNSQ – as we dive into the career of this true American soccer legend.

EP: 16 – the great John Harkes

@johnharkes6