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This year marks the 40th anniversary of the 1985 NCAA Men's College Cup final between UCLA and American University that took EIGHT overtime periods to decide the winner.  It is usually referenced as the longest soccer match in college history.  However, that 1985 final was NOT the longest match in college soccer history but rather the longest match in *NCAA* history.

The longest match in college soccer history happened nine years earlier during a  semi-final match of the 1976 NAIA men's soccer tournament at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  That match went nearly an hour longer and required FOURTEEN overtime periods before the match winner was scored.

Tonight, as the 2025 college soccer tournaments are about to wrap up, John and Dylan recap both of these historic events - and the San Diego ties to the 1985 UCLA match.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with any of the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Do you want more stories about San Diego, California, and/or general soccer history?

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

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JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

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The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is approximately 200 days away.  Forty-two teams have qualified.  Six additional berths will be determined in March 2026.  The draw will take place on December 5, 2025 in Washington D.C.

Tonight John and Dylan attempt to look beyond the Trump/Infantino headlines and dig deeper into the sporting stories that are taking shape for this edition of the World Cup in order to remind us why we all love this beautiful game.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with any of the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with any of the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What are your thoughts about the upcoming 2026 MWC?

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

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After years of internal discussion, the MLS Board of Governors has voted to more closely align their calendar with many of the major European leagues.  While much of the discussion this past week has been laser focused on the pros and cons of this move for MLS proper, this change will undoubtably create a seismic shift in the entire US soccer ecosystem.

Tonight, John and Dylan look beyond MLS to see what the knock-on effects might be for the rest of American soccer and try to predict how each of the other professional and pre-professional leagues could be impacted by this calendar shift.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with any of the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What are your thoughts on the MLS calendar shift?  How do you think this change will impact the US soccer ecosystem?

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any feedback, questions, or comments you have about this episode or our series.

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

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The last few years have seem dramatic growth in women's professional sports. The NWSL and the USL Super League are growing and adding more teams.  The lower leagues of women's soccer (USLW, WSPL, UWS, UPSL) are all adding teams.  Will the women's game chart a new path forward and become the model for professional soccer in the U.S.? Or, is it more likely that the women's game is destined for decades of the same soccer wars that have plagued the men's game for the last 100 years?

Tonight, John and Dylan get out our crystal balls and do our best to answer these questions and more as we try to predict where the women's game might be in the next 5, 10, 15 years?

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with any of the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What are your thoughts on the future of WoSo in the US?

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

Send a text

Last week, John presented his Vision 2050 for the USL: four independent regional pyramids—East, Midwest, South, West—linked by a national, Champions League style tournament featuring the top first division teams across each of the independent pyramids . . . and why an independent pyramid approach could better satisfy our soccer needs over a more traditional single national pyramid.

Tonight, in PART 8 of our Pro-Rel Series, we'll dive deeper into Vision 2050 and review:
1. The structure of a regional pyramid: tiers, divisions, pro-rel, trophies/cups, and entry into national tournaments.
2. How USL could begin to transition to this new system.
3. How the independent regional pyramid model can scale and adapt for growth.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with any of the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What are your thoughts on how USL is handling the move to D1 and pro/rel?

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

SOCCERNOSTALGIA TALK PODCAST:
Website 

USL:
USL Names English Premier League Executive Tony Scholes President of New Division One Men's League 

MATADOR NETWORK:
This Map Shows How Many European Countries Can Fit Into the Continental US

THECUP.US:
Graphic: USASA Regions Map

MAPHUB:
US Men's Soccer by zackleishner (interactive map of all the adult men's teams in the U.S. - amateur through professional)

MORNING KICKAROUND VIDEO:
YouTube Channel: Morning Kickaround
Video: The HUGE Questions Facing USL Ahead of Promotion and Relegation

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

Send a text

Morning Kickaround (https://www.youtube.com/@MorningKickaround) asked and we delivered!

On Oct. 1, the crew at Morning Kickaround published this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l14J079nyQ&t=2s.  In it, they pose several "critical questions that USL must answer to successfully implement Pro/Rel in American soccer."  John and Dylan (well, John mostly) decided we would take up the challenge of answering those questions.

In the U.S., we have a large landmass, diverse geography, diverse climate, large pockets of open space, and uneven population distribution.  Therefore, our bigger country needs a smarter promotion-relegation ecosystem.  So, it's time to think outside the box.

Tonight, in PART 7 of our Pro-Rel Series, John presents his Vision 2050: four independent USL regional pyramids—East, Midwest, South, West—linked by a national, Champions League style tournament featuring the top first division teams across each of the pyramids . . . and why an independent pyramid approach could better satisfy our soccer needs over a more traditional single national pyramid.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with any of the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

Next week we will continue the conversation and dig deeper into the plan and review:
1. The structure of a regional pyramid: tiers, divisions, pro-rel, trophies/cups, and entry into national tournaments.
2. How partnerships with other leagues could help round out this new soccer ecosystem - from amateur to professional - tied together by promotion and relegation.
4. How USL could begin to transition to this new system.
5. How the independent regional pyramid model can scale and adapt for growth.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Pro-Rel and/or any conversation about fundamentally changing the soccer ecosystem in the U.S. is always a polarizing endeavor.  Now that you've heard John's plan, it's time for you to give us your thoughts.

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

THE ATHLETIC:
NWSL's lack of gender eligibility policy leaves players vulnerable - just not in the way you think. Meg Linehan 

SIXONEFIVESOCCER:
2025 End-of-Season Survey (survey for MLS fans) 

MORNING KICKAROUND VIDEO:
YouTube Channel: Morning Kickaround
Video: The HUGE Questions Facing USL Ahead of Promotion and Relegation

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

Send a text

Last week, the NextGen College Soccer Committee in partnership with US Soccer dropped its new white paper: Ensuring College Soccer Thrives in the Modern Era of College Athletics and the Changing U.S. Soccer Landscape.  In it, the committee proposes some radical recommendations for the college calendar and the competitive structure of college soccer in the U.S.

Tonight, John and Dylan will give an overview of the recommendations, debate some of the pros and cons of the recommendations, and give their thoughts on what the future might hold for college soccer in the U.S.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

NEXTGEN COLLEGE SOCCER COMMITTEE WHITE PAPER:
Ensuring College Soccer Thrives in the Modern Era of College Athletics and the Changing U.S. Soccer Landscape 

MORNING KICKAROUND VIDEO:
YouTube Channel: Morning Kickaround
Video: The HUGE Questions Facing USL Ahead of Promotion and Relegation

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

Send a text

Last weekend, was the premier of the brand new D2 Australian Championship (men only). Tonight (as we record our live stream) the USMNT take on AUS in a friendly.  This weekend marks the start of the A-League Men season.  At the end of the month the A-League Women will kick off their season.

In many ways, Australia and the U.S are similar.  They each have closed leagues sitting atop the pyramid on both the men's and women's sides.  They each have another type of football (AFL in AUS and the NFL in the U.S.) that dominate the sporting news and headlines.  And each is trying to improve its standing in world football.  However, in the last couple of decades, Australia has been working to bring Australian football more in line with the rest of the world.

Tonight, in PART 6 of our Pro-Rel Series, John and Dylan dive into the Australian soccer league system to review the progress that has been made in developing a unified soccer pyramid tied together with pro-rel.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

EPISODE HOSTS:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

Send a text

At the close of the 2012-2013 winter season, soccer was picking up in San Diego. Games were well attended and three locals teams dominated the adult scene: San Diego Soccer Football Club, the Nomads, and the team from Foster (the Fosters).  The San Diego champions (SDSFC) even took on the LA Champions, LA Rangers (comprised of several former Glasgow Rangers players) in a battle for the champion of Southern California.  Unsurprisingly, San Diego's team ended up on the losing side of that match (LAR 6-1 SDFSC).

Even with the loss to the LA Rangers, per newspaper accounts from the San Diego Sun, there's seems to be excitement around soccer in San Diego as teams and local civic leaders look toward the 2013-2014 winter season - specifically how to better complete against our neighbors up north. There's talk of forming a new soccer league and local businesses are willing to commission a trophy to award to the winners.  However, what these leaders do not yet know is that San Diego is about to embark on some significant economic and civic challenges for the rest of this decade - primarily the opening of the Panama-California Exposition (and renaming of City Park) along with the US military preparation and involvement in WWI.

Will the nascent San Diego soccer scene be strong enough to survive these challenges?

Tonight, in PART 3 of our San Diego Soccer History series, John and Dylan will investigate those questions and more as they share what they've learned from their most recent research into our local soccer history.

. . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with the latest cup, lower league, pro/rel, soccer history, and San Diego specific news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

BBC
'Now I'm part of the crowd' - the tech helping visually impaired football fans

EPISODE HOST INFORMATION:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol

Send a text

A 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup match night in San Diego isn’t a fantasy—it’s a math problem.

Tonight, John and Dylan break down exactly how teams qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and why the SDFC matches over the next couple of weeks will define whether or not continental football comes to town.

 . . . and, as always, we'll kick off the show with the latest cup, lower league, pro-rel, San Diego, and soccer history news.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Use the SEND US A TEXT link at the top of the description to send us any questions, comments, or feedback you have about the show.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

THE BLIZZARD
The Blizzard Football Quarterly: Greatest Goals - Round 2 

JOHN'S FAVORITE FOOTBALL SEQUENCE . . . EVER!
YouTube Channel: Super 6
Video: "Her's Hogg... DEENEY!" | Best end to a football match EVER!

USL
United Soccer League, Riverside Pro Soccer Announce Intent to Bring Professional Soccer to Riverside

EPISODE HOST INFORMATION:
Host: John Cross ([email protected]).  John is the founder of Big Pine Digital (a digital media company that specializes in preserving family history) and Soccer Shorts (a YouTube Channel that specializes in short form documentaries about local, grassroots, soccer culture.

Co-Host: Dylan Wilson

HELP US GROW!
1. Tell a friend
2. Rate & Review
3. Subscribe
4. Leave a comment

JOIN US LIVE!
We usually record our shows live on Tuesdays at 6PM Pacific time. Come join us in the chat.
YouTube: @LocalGrassrootsStories

SOCCER SHORTS:
Follow on socials:
BlueSky: @SoccerShorts.BigPineDigital.com

Check out the Soccer Shorts YouTube channel
YouTube: @BPDSoccerShorts

PARTNERS:
SanDiego.futbol
Website: https://www.sandiego.futbol/
BlueSky: @SanDiego.Futbol
YouTube: @SanDiego.Futbol