Nancy Armour is a sports columnist for USA Today who frequently covers the intersection of sports, culture, politics and how they influence each other. Her evolution in that role parallels the evolution of Alex Morgan on the national and international soccer scene. She has extensively covered the USWNT star over the years and, upon Morgan's announced retirement, wrote about the impact she had on the game.

Armour joined Founding Futbol to talk about the California-natives rise to stardom. The impact she had on the field and the bigger impact she had off it.

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 [email protected]

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Nancy Armour (Sports Columnist, USA Today)

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Tom Sermanni is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of world women's soccer. Currently in his third (though, interim) stint as the head coach of the Australian Women's National Team, Sermanni also coached the US Women's National Team from 2013-2014 and then the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In both settings, Alex Morgan was the team's star. When Sermanni entered the USWNT picture in 2013, Morgan was at the top of her game having starred at the 2012 Olympics the Americans won, and receiving numerous awards and accolades. In Orlando, Morgan was one of the faces of the NWSL and the star used to market the expansion Pride. It's fair to say, Sermanni had a chance to know Morgan at two unique points in her career.

He joined Founding Futbol to share his memories of coaching Morgan both on the USWNT and when she was the face of the NWSL during her time on the Pride. Sermanni also shares his journey to Australia to build the women's national team, how he connected with American coaches during that tenure and how it ultimately landed him coaching jobs in the US.

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 [email protected]

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Tom Sermanni (Australia Women's National Team Interim Coach, Former USWNT Coach, Former Orlando Pride Coach)

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In March of 2010, a standout soccer star at the University of California, Berkeley -- better known as Cal -- stepped onto the field to play for the US Women's National Team for the first time. Alex Morgan was known within the soccer world, but lesser recognized by the broader sporting public. Over the next two years, with standout performances in the 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympics, that would change. Morgan's knack for scoring big goals and her willingness to flash a big smile, thrust her into the pop culture spotlight where she would stay for years to come. When she announced her retirement in 2024, Morgan's legacy was well established. Her influence on the game, outsized.

Steph Yang has covered Alex Morgan both as a player for the USWNT and her NWSL clubs. She joined Founding Futbol to discuss Morgan's impact on the field and off. Yang talked about Morgan's propensity for big moments, her

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. Email us at [email protected].

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Steph Yang (Staff Writer, Women's Soccer at The Athletic)

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At the same time players like Clint Dempsey were building the game overseas -- scoring legendary goals for the likes of Fulham in the Europa League -- a group of players were making their mark on the game domestically. One such player was Jimmy Conrad. The California native made his way to UCLA, where he wasn't guaranteed a spot on the team, bet on himself and became a standout. Then when Major League Soccer passed on drafting him, he bet on himself again. Ultimately, Conrad worked his way into MLS stardom and the US Men's National Team.

Jimmy Conrad joined Founding Futbol to talk about his journey and how he thinks the game has evolved. He talks about life after playing, including coaching, and so much more.

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 [email protected]

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jimmy Conrad (Former USMNT and MLS Player)

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Clint Dempsey is one of the most successful men's players in international soccer history. He starred for the USMNT, delivering big goals in multiple World Cups, and captained teams to tournament victories. But his biggest impact on American soccer may be the success he had playing in England for Fulham. From his arrival in January 2007, Dempsey became a big part of Fulham's plans. He helped the Cottagers avoid relegation with a May 5th goal over Liverpool, and it was the first of many big goals he'd score for the club.

But none was bigger than his 2010 goal against Juventus in the Europa League. Having improbably worked their way back from a three goals deficit in the tie with the Italian giants, Dempsey entered the game as a late substitute and delivered an audacious goal that would go down in both the Fulham and American soccer history books.

Doug Allison recruited Dempsey to play at Furman and helped him develop into the player that would win the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2004, and ultimately earn a starring role at Fulham. Allison joined the show to talk about what makes Dempsey a special player and human, how playing in Europe was always a key goal, and how his career has impacted soccer in America.

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. Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Doug Allison (Men's Soccer Coach, Furman University)

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One of the unique attributes of the 2009 US Men's National Team that beat Spain in the Confederations Cup was the dynamic makeup of the roster. From established stars like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, to young emerging talent like Jozy Altidore, as well as young talents like Jonathan Bornstein. But once player's story became well known because of its unlikelihood. Jay DeMerit was a starting center back for that team after working his way into England's top flight as part of Watford. However, he only played for Watford because Major League Soccer passed on him, he took a chance on himself and moved to England with few resources and a big dream.

DeMerit joined Founding Futbol to talk about the 2009 Confederations Cup win over Spain, his path to the Premier League with Watford and how that helped him land a spot on the USMNT. DeMerit also shares his current endeavor -- RISExSHINE -- and why he is passionate about helping harness the reality of a device-driven world to help our youth become well rounded individuals through development multiple forms of intelligence.

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 [email protected]

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jay DeMerit (Former USMNT, EPL and MLS Player)

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The US Men's National Team went to the Confederations Cup in 2009 hoping to continue its ascendancy in the global game, in advance of the 2010 World Cup. With teams like Brazil, Italy an Spain in the field, the Americans would have a chance to prove they belonged. However, the tournament got off to a bad start for the US, with two decisive losses. They scraped through to the knockout round by the skin of their teeth, setting up a showdown with Spain, the world's stop ranked team and widely considered the best international soccer team ever assembled.

Coach Bob Bradley gave the players a gameplan that would put them in a position to stop Spain's 35-match unbeaten streak. With strong execution and a little luck, the Americans did the impossible and walked away with a win that changed the perception of the program.

Jonathan Bornstein was a long-time Major League Soccer star, and member of that 2009 USMNT. The win over Spain was one of his 38 caps, and the current assistant coach of the Florida State women's soccer team joined the show to share his memories about that game, the Confederations Cup and more.

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. Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Jonathan Bornstein (Former MLS and USMNT Player)

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Before the the Boys Development Academy came into being in 2007, it needed a model. Something the represented new concept of training and youth development for America's growing soccer population. When US Soccer established the Bradenton residency of its U17 Men's National Team, John Ellinger was the man to run it.

Ellinger built a curriculum of development for forty of the countries top soccer talents -- a group that included the likes of Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley -- helping shape the future of the senior men's team. That program, and its success, also shaped "what good looked like" for a new approach to developing youth soccer talent in America. John Hackworth, considered the architect of the DA, credits Ellinger as the real "father" of the DA.

He joined Founding Futbol for a wide-ranging conversation about the Bradenton residency, the DA, and the current state of youth soccer.

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 [email protected]

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: John Ellinger (Former MLS Player)

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Youth soccer in America has gone through multiple progressions. US Youth Soccer created pathways for players to make their way to the national team. The evolution club soccer in the late 90s and early 2000s changed the competitive dynamic even more. But there was still more needed for the US to take a critical step competing globally. The U17 Bradenton residency was the first step in this progress. Then, that led to the Boys Development Academy.

John Hackworth was the primary architect behind the Boys DA. He joined the show to talk about how it got off the ground, why it was important, and what makes him wish it was still around.

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. Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: John Hackworth (St. Louis City SC Interim Head Coach, Former U17 National Team Coach)

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Joe Cannon was one of the best goalkeepers in MLS history. He was a key factor in San Jose Earthquakes 2001 MLS Cup win. And he was 2002 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Cannon later won the same award for the Colorado Rapids in 2004, and over the next two seasons helped his team to the Western Conference final.

For 2007 he was surprisingly traded to the LA Galaxy, and would soon play with David Beckham. Cannon joined the show to talk about his one season with the Galaxy -- Beckham's first. He shared stories about how the team handled the arrival of a global superstar, how the roster shifting created challenges and more.

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 [email protected]

Subscribe to Founding Futbol on your platform of choice.

Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Joe Cannon (Former MLS Player)

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