SURPRISE!

Just when I thought I had wrapped the Miami Fusion project up, I discovered something new!

I'm thrilled to be able to bring you the story of the FIRST head coach of the Miami Fusion, Carlos "Cacho" Cordoba, in this bonus episode of the podcast!

Additionally, I'm turning this content into a book about MLS' first Miami franchise! More to come, but for now, enjoy the Cacho's perspective coaching the Miami Fusion and the story of how one specific individual told him, "you're not my coach!"

Enjoy!

Coming soon, Season 3 of Humans United FC

Once Upon a Time in South Florida

This is the story of the Miami Fusion!

There have been multiple men to wear #9 in FC Dallas/Dallas Burn history but NONE of them are as iconic as Jason Kreis.

Through 9 seasons in Dallas Jason accumulated a grand total of 91 goals across 247 appearances. Jason finished his MLS career as the all-time goal scoring leader in MLS at the time with 108 total goals. 

Despite starting his Dallas career as a central midfielder back in 1996, Dallas' then-head coach Dave Dir, moved Jason further upfield as a Striker in 1999 which caused Jason to LIGHT UP the scoreboard!

In 1999, Jason Kreis became the first American-born MVP in MLS' history. For a league which wanted to create their own 'homegrown players' it was a huge accomplishment. For a guy who has a tireless work ethic, it was a just reward for everything he meant to the team.

Jason would eventually leave Dallas prior to the start of the 2005 MLS season and would start his venture with Real Salt Lake where, much like he did in Dallas, he would score the first goal in their franchise history.

In this episode, the final podcast of season 2, it's an appreciation of all Jason brought to the Dallas Burn and especially everything he meant to the 1999 team. It really was surreal.

Enjoy!

*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC

In 2012, Hayworth’s founder discovered that seventy percent of all the world’s soccer balls (three million balls per month) were made in one city in northern Pakistan, in a place called Sialkot. He knew he had to go there, he had to see it with his own eyes.

There, he explored the phases of ball making, the factories, the layers of production. He went to the homes of stitchers, and he listened to and watched the people who made the balls. He absorbed all he could of the industry’s complexity, the beauty of the craftsmanship and the massive teamwork involved in the making of a ball.

But he also saw something much darker – an industry rife with grueling labor conditions and exploitative low wage practices. He was as unsettled as he was inspired, and he knew that this would become one of the great endeavors of his life – to build a beautiful soccer ball, and to build it in a beautiful way.

In this episode of the podcast, Hayworth's founder, Justin Lea shares his perspective of the beautiful game! He shares how he first got involved with soccer and what ultimately brought him to think about a better way to design our soccer balls.

It's been our pleasure to have Hayworth Athletic as the sponsor for our show this whole season and we felt it made sense to bring Justin in to share the story of Hayworth, enjoy!

*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC

Matty Slinger, Phil Barton and Steven Simpson want to recapture their childhood memories of playing cuppy.

But it’s not as simple as that.

They also want to create a safe space for people to talk about anything that is troubling them.

And now, Moray Mental Health Football Club has now been launched.

The three men want to make a difference in the community after losing friends to mental ill health.

In this episode of the podcast, good friend Matty Slinger stops by the show to share how a simple idea of creating kick-abouts for folks to find community has grown into a full-fledged club that is helping to tackle the mental health stigma!

Here at Humans United FC we highlight stories of the beautiful game that need to be elevated and we couldn't be more proud of the work going on over at Moray Mental Health FC.

Enjoy!

*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC

1985.

Yes, we need to go back in time!

Back, to a time when the USWNT didn't exist. Back to a time when the entire soccer landscape was radically different. Back in time, to appreciate where we were, so we can rocket back to the present time!

Kim Wyant has participated in a lot of 'firsts' in her career:
- First US Women's National Team Goalkeeper
- First US Women's National Team 
- First women to lead an NCAA D1 Men's College Soccer program

And she has handled it all in stride. As she puts it on the episode 'I was in the right place at the right time.'

However, as we all know there is a bit of hard work to go along with that luck and Kim has it in spades!

In this episode of the podcast, Kim Wyant shares her perspective of growing up playing soccer, representing the USWNT, and now coaching the NYU men, enjoy!

*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC

"Fa'afafine is such a part of our culture we don't feel the need to explain it. It's a coming of age story as opposed to a 'coming out' story others in the rainbow community have."

These are the words of Jaiyah Saelua as she details what it means to be fa'afafine and the first ever transgender athlete to play in a World Cup Qualifying match back in 2011 for American Samoa. 

Though, Thomas Rongen received all the headlines when he lead that American Samoa team to their 2-1 WCQ victory over Tonga, there was another story developing at the same time. Though it was covered in the 2014 documentary 'Next Goal Wins', it's featured much more prominently in the 2023 film based on the documentary of the same name and it's brought Jaiyah back into the discussion.

In this episode of the podcast, Jaiyah shares her perspective of that 2011 win, her fa'afafine identity, and how we can continue to unite people through football.

Enjoy!

*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC

31-0

Australia set a world record for the largest victory in an international soccer match when they defeated American Samoa on April 11, 2001 as part of the 2002 World Cup Qualifying campaign.

10 years later, Thomas Rongen was asked to coach the American Samoa national team and do 2 things for them:

1. Move them up from the bottom of the FIFA World Rankings
2. Have them win a World Cup Qualifying match

What followed was truly part of soccer history!

Thomas Rongen, played professionally in the old North American Soccer League (NASL), coached in Major League Soccer, and was a coach of the U-20 Men's National Team back in 2011, but when he had some 'down time' he could never have predicted the assignment he'd be given.

Listen in, as Thomas Rongen shares his perspective on being part of soccer history!

*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC

Mike Geddes has always loved the beautiful game but it wasn't until he started covering the game as a journalist that he discovered his true purpose.

Mike's passion for making the world a better place led him down the path towards what would ultimately become Oakland Roots SC, a United Soccer League (USL) Championship club (US's 2nd professional soccer tier). 

Oakland are much more than simply a soccer club. Oakland are trying to overturn systems of inequity, build community, and show how soccer can change the world. According to Mike, Oakland are a "purpose-driven club".

In this first episode of the current season Mike stopped by to share his connection to soccer and what a new fan might want to know about the Oakland Roots and their social ambitions.

Enjoy!

*Humans United FC is proudly brought to you by Hayworth Athletic*

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC

Humans United FC is a multimedia storytelling brand committed to sharing the human experience through the lens of sport. We’re a multi-talented collective of people elevating stories of the beautiful game which often go overlooked. From the bright lights of Miami, Florida to the quiet streets of Saginaw, Michigan folks are playing soccer. Whether you’re using a makeshift or a handstitched ball, footballers come from all walks of life.

Come join host Joe Shaw as we explore some of the most interesting stories the world hasn’t heard YET. Through audio, video, photos, or articles you’ll become familiar with names like Kim Wyant and the 85ers, Jaiyah Saelua and the American Samoa World Cup Qualifying victory, names you might have overlooked but whose impact carries through today.

We invite you to unite under the banner of football, futbol, soccer, whatever you call it. Come share your stories and learn about other’s. We're all unique and the power of sport amplifies and elevates our differences, forming life-long connections.

#HumansUnitedFC