Inside LAFC

On Friday, LAFC will recognize Juneteenth as a holiday throughout the Club. For those unfamiliar with Juneteenth, it refers to June 19, 1865, the day of the official end to slavery in the United States. It is a day that is recognized as a holiday in some form or another by 47 of our 50 states. But even on its 155th anniversary, Juneteenth is not a nationally recognized holiday. LAFC has taken up an initiative to change that. LAFC VP of Creative & Branded Content Marcus McDougald joins Max and Vince to speak about the petition to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Growing up, Marcus split his time between California and North Carolina. He shares with Max and Vince what it was like growing up Black in both areas of the country and how racism isn't contained in any one area of the US. Max and Vince learn more about Juneteenth's history and Marcus tells us what the day being recognized means to the Black community. Before Marcus joins the podcast, Max and Vince talk a little bit about new LAFC signing Andy Najar and what he brings to the Club. They also have a conversation about what they've liked about the returning leagues in Europe and how MLS might improve on those leagues with the MLS is Back Tournament. If you're interested in learning more about Juneteenth and signing the petition, please visit www.change.org/LAFCJuneteenth.

How do you build a great team? Where do the ideas come from and how is trust built between coach and players? These are two questions every coach in every professional sport has to ask when starting a new job. Bob Bradley welcomed Red Bull Salzburg head coach Jesse Marsch to the show and the two discussed their thoughts on building a team from the ground up in Part 1. Jesse recently became the first American coach to win a major trophy in Europe when his RB Salzburg team lifted the Austrian Cup. Having played for Bob then working as an assistant during the 2010 World Cup, Jesse has a wealth of experience both working under Bradley and working with his own teams, having had success with the New York Red Bulls before moving to Europe. Bob and Jesse talk about some of the shared stories they have that inform the way they approach a team and its mentality and also share some of the ways they differ in their personalities.

Last week, Max and Vince made the decision to not record a podcast. It was a decision made with the Club to allow the important voices in that moment more space for the messages that really matter. This week, Max and Vince return with an important conversation with guest Will Kuntz. You know Will as the LAFC VP & Asst. GM. For Max and Vince, he's been a friend and colleague and someone they can always trust to speak openly and honestly. Will agreed to join the guys to share his experience as a Black man in sports. Will played NCAA basketball before moving on to work with the New York Yankees, followed by the MLS league offices, and now at his current position with LAFC. In our conversation, Will shares the issues he's experienced and seen in his many roles. Will speaks about inclusion and representation and why it matters on the pitch but also in the front office. It's a real conversation, asking real questions about what we can do better and that includes LAFC. It's a conversation we hope people will continue to have as we look forward and carry the momentum in this pivotal time. Afterward, Will shares a few thoughts on the MLS is Back Tournament and what he's keeping an eye on as the league returns to play. In the second segment, Max and Vince share their thoughts on the tournament and the draw with LAFC set for a group with rivals Portland and the Galaxy. As always, we hope you'll subscribe, rate, and review if you haven't already.

A lot of news in world football coming out this week. Max and Vince start the podcast by taking you through all the latest. It looks like La Liga, NWSL, Serie A, and the Premier League all have return dates confirmed. The guys give their thoughts on football returning around Europe and they share the latest news out of MLS. Teams are now cleared for small group training. What does that mean? Max and Vince explain the details. Then it's on to our special guest. Max and Vince welcome Bradley Wright-Phillips to the show. BWP joined LAFC in preseason but has already made a big impression. The guys get BWP's thoughts on the return to training. Has it been weird? Yes. Is BWP more excited than ever? Yes! The guys also chat about the Premier League coming back, what playing without fans is like, and do Liverpool deserve an asterisk with their presumptive title? It's all here and more in the latest episode. Subscribe today to get access to all the Inside LAFC podcasts including Shootin' The Shot and Between Two Coaches.

Another first for Shootin' The Shot, Larry and Harv have their first World Cup winner on the podcast. U.S. Soccer legend and LAFC owner Mia Hamm joins the show. Mia is a two-time winner of the World Cup, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and four-time NCAA champion. She joins the show to talk about her early years moving around the globe and learning about football, the excitement and nerves of taking a penalty in a World Cup final shootout, how she got involved with LAFC, and she plays a round of 'Start, Bench, Cut' by choosing her favorite trophies.

Were you up early Saturday morning to welcome the return of football and the Bundesliga? Max and Vince were and they're here to talk about it. We've got a great guest this week to break down all the action in Germany. FOX Sports Bundesliga studio host and analyst, former player, and current member of the NYCFC broadcast team Ian Joy joins the show to cover the weekend from start to finish. We ask Ian what he thinks of Germany returning this weekend, how the players are staying focused, and who stood out to him from this weekend's action. Is there a title race still on tap in Germany? Ian will tell us all about it and we'll talk about the Americans that were in action in the Bundesliga. We've also got all the LAFC news for you including Governor Gavin Newsom's recent proclamation regarding the return of professional sports in California.

You might not know Jon Weinbach by name but you've definitely seen his work. Jon's a producer, writer, host, director. His most recent project? Oh, just "The Last Dance." But you also probably saw his work as the driving force behind the docu-series from LAFC's inaugural season "We Are LAFC." Jon is an LAFC season ticket member and takes us behind the scenes of what it was like to make a documentary of your favorite team. The guys also get into Jon's start in the entertainment industry. And, of course, the guys go deep with John on what it was like to work with Michael Jordan on "The Last Dance," how the documentary came together, and why there were cameras with the 1998 Chicago Bulls team in the first place. Plus, as a bonus, the sad Galaxy man story. Be sure to listen, rate, and subscribe!

A rivalry you could only imagine... literally. In just six meetings, the derby between LAFC and the Galaxy has captured attention around the world. Two years on from the first time these two teams met in Carson, the rivalry has quickly shot up the MLS rankings as the most unpredictable, electric, and passionate matchup in the league's 25-year history. Saturday was set to be the first meeting of these two clubs in 2020. Our first chance to see Carlos Vela versus Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez. A return to the pitch the Galaxy were ousted 5-3 in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, instead of being shoulder to shoulder in the stands or glued to our TVs at noon on May 16, we'll be missing the rivalry. But thanks to LAFC Radio Voice Dave Denholm and his producer Mario Ruiz, the first-ever faux derby in world football history is on tap in its place. Faux Trafico comes to you straight from the mind of Denholm in a full 90-minute broadcast complete with all the sounds of the 3252 and Banc of California Stadium. The unprecedented match call takes you from player walkouts, through halftime, and all the way to the final whistle. So, sit back and enjoy the greatest rivalry in North America wherever you are and however you may be listening.

It's an episode packed with special guests. This week, Max and Vince welcome Gab Marcotti to the show in the first segment followed by LAFC Radio Voice Dave Denholm and producer Mario Ruiz to talk about an unprecedented event in world football. First up, it's author, journalist, and TV personality Gab Marcotti. Gab joins us from ESPNFC and Il Corriere dello Sport to talk about the return of football in Europe. Are we close to coming back? Gab tells us what's going on in London, why Germany is a special case, and he helps us settle a debate about Argentine footballers and the best players that maybe weren't in the best shape. Following Gab, the guys turn their attention to a first of its kind event hosted by LAFC this Saturday. It's a masterpiece from LAFC's radio voice Dave Denholm and ESPNLA 710 producer Mario Ruiz, it's the "Faux Trafico" - a derby between LAFC and the Galaxy called all from the mind of Dave and put together beautifully by Mario. This Faux Clasico is a full 90 minutes and will air (YouTube, Twitch, LAFC.com) when LAFC would have faced the Galaxy at the Banc on May 16. Dave and Mario take us behind the scenes of the match and how they made it seem like it was happening live with prematch lineups, a halftime break, chants from the 3252, and more. You'll want to check this out either before you listen to the match because you'll be blown away at the unbelievable attention to detail.

We hate to break it to Jordan and Larry but this week, they're battling out for the second-best looking member of the podcast. That's because the start of television, the big screen, and Broadway Jaime Camil joined the guys. Jaime is fresh off the debut of his #1 rated new comedy 'Broke' on CBS. Jaime is a regular at Banc of California Stadium and bleeds Black & Gold. Since his first time watching LAFC, he's been hooked, saying he hasn't missed a home match since. Jordan and Larry talk about Jaime's love of LAFC, how it started, and why the passion for the Black & Gold runs so hot. They talk about Jaime being the first Latino star of a half-hour comedy on CBS since the legendary Desi Arnaz and what Jaime likes best voice acting, Broadway, or TV/movie acting. The guys also talk about Jordan's big cameo on 'Broke' and if he might have a future in action after soccer. Then it's back to the Banc to talk about Jaime's favorite moments watching the Black & Gold.