Open Wide for Some Soccer

This week, Bob and David are doing something a little bit different during the episode. They’ll be talking about Bob Iarusci’s Ultimate XI — Bob’s pick of the best 11 players he played alongside. Bob explains his decisions around why he chose which players. The names on this team are simply unreal, talk about a list of exceptional talent...but who made the final cut?

On this episode:

● The formation Bob chose when forming his team.

● Who Bob chose for his goalkeeper and why.

● How ball distribution changes over time have influenced goalkeepers today.

● How many seasons Bob played alongside his chosen goalkeeper.

● One of the strongest defenders Bob ever played with or against.

● The important, intangible skills and characteristics every team needs.

● Who Bob calls Canada’s finest talent of all time.

● The players David was sure Bob would pick.

● How Carlos Alberto acted like glue for the Cosmos team.

● The skill most great defenders have.

● How Carlos Alberto influenced who ended up on the field.

● What made Bobby Smith indispensable.

● The players Bob left out of his picks and why.

● Why it’s surreal for Bob to share and explain the people he played with.

● The player who broke curfew and ended up in exile.

● Why Wim Jansen didn’t make it on the team but deserve to be mentioned.

● The mentors Bob had in Toronto.

● One of the few players capable of slide tackling on artificial turf.

● The relationship Bob had with Eusébio and why he calls him a friend.

● Who showed up to Eusébio’s tribute game in Portugal.

● The player that always showed up with a big entourage.

● How misconceptions built up between opposing players.

● Bob’s pick for the manager of the team.

On this episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by former New York Cosmos goalkeeper David Brcic. During the episode, David shares how he landed on goalkeeping at a young age and later ended up playing for the Cosmos. For David, playing with this team was a privilege, and he will reveal for us what he believes made this team truly special.

On this episode:

● How David became involved in soccer at a young age.

● What made him realize he would be a good fit for goalkeeping.

● How and when David ended up playing with the New York Cosmos.

● Who he lived and trained with for three months.

● The two players David found to be the most comfortable with the ball.

● The way the role of goalkeeper has changed over the years.

● David’s experience playing for Greenock Morton.

● The players that became his friends at Greenock.

● Why David says the Cosmos team was special.

● How the Cosmos transitioned to indoor games.

● David’s relationships with some of the top-notch players on the Cosmos team.

● The player that sent David a special birthday gift.

● Why David says a recent documentary about the Cosmos is accurate.

● David’s experience playing with Giorgio Chinaglia.

● What Carlos Alberto did at a Minnesota game that surprised everyone.

● Who picked up David’s wife from the airport the first time she went to visit New York.

● Why David says the Cosmos weren’t themselves towards the end.

● The phenomenal teammates David remembers playing with.

● David’s experience playing indoor soccer with the New York Cosmos.

● Why the NASL deserves more respect than it’s usually given.

On this episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by guest Charlie Mitchell, who played in the North American Soccer League for ten seasons. Charlie shares what led him to play with the Rochester Lancers, his greatest memories in playing with some of the best players in the NASL, and what he wishes he appreciated more looking back on his experiences.

On this episode:

● How Charlie ended up playing for the Rochester Lancers.

● What was happening in the NASL at the time Charlie joined the Lancers.

● What made Rochester so soccer centric.

● What community’s soccer should be reinvigorated in and why.

● The dynamic when Giorgio Chinaglia joined the New York Cosmos.

● What it was like playing with some of the best players in the NASL.

● When the players went on strike and why.

● How Charlie felt finding out he was being traded to the Cosmos.

● How Pelé acted behind the scenes.

● What Charlie wished he appreciated more looking back.

● The player that easily took other players for a walk.

● The kick Pelé always wanted to make in America and how Charlie made it happen.

● Why Charlie says he was at the right place at the right time.

● The worst conditions Charlie has played under.

● How Charlie reacted when he got asked to go play in Hawaii.

● What happened when other players came to Hawaii for away games.

● Why Charlie enjoyed playing indoor soccer.

● The trajectory of Charlie’s career after Hawaii.

● The type of player that Peter Lorimer was.

On this episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by guest Rachel Viollet. Rachel wrote and directed Big-Time Soccer: The Remarkable Rise & Fall of the NASL, a documentary about that is being broadcasted virtually very soon. Rachel shares why she created this documentary, her perceptions of the NASL, her experience creating Big-Time Soccer, and why she says there may be a follow-up.

On this episode:

● The personal connection that inspired Rachel to create this documentary.

● The full-circle moment Rachel had before she started on this project.

● The great stories she has collected in creating her documentaries.

● When Big-Time Soccer is being virtually broadcasted and the event that will follow.

● Why Rachel says there might be a part two to this documentary.

● What stood out to Rachel the most during the interview process.

● Where Big-Time Soccer has already been screened.

● What Bob would love to see if there is a part two to Big-Time Soccer.

● How David became interested in the NASL.

● What happened when the NASL folded?

● Why Bob says more people should know about Dennis Viollet, Rachel’s dad.

● How NASL players have stayed involved in soccer even up to this day.

● The players that Rachel was able to interview and those she wished she could have.

● How soccer players in the NASL used to get involved in the community.

● How the marketing of soccer has changed over time.

● Bob’s idea for another great documentary or book subject.

● What made the NASL an especially expansive league.

● When to expect a wide release of Big-Time Soccer.

This time we’re joined by former Canadian national soccer team and NASL goalkeeper Tony Chursky. During the episode, Tony shares how he became interested in soccer, how he ended up playing with the Seattle Sounders, the most incredible moments of his soccer career, and the meaningful relationships he made along the way.

On this episode:

● Who mentioned Tony in a previous episode?

● How Bob and Tony first met and why they hit it off.

● Tony’s fondest memories of playing with Bob.

● What led Tony to become interested in playing soccer.

● How Tony ended up playing with the Seattle Sounders.

● Tony’s experience while trying out in Europe.

● What Tony calls his “second place prize” to playing in Europe.

● Tony’s highlights of playing with Bobby Moore.

● Why some players need more leeway than others to truly shine.

● Tony’s thoughts on the ‘77 Soccer Bowl Final.

● Why Tony calls coach Jimmy Gabriel the most impressive human he’s ever met.

● Why commentators were surprised to see the Seattle Sounders in the ‘77 soccer bowl.

● How Tony felt when he was transferred to the California Surf in 1979.

● Tony’s memories of John Kerr and his efforts to get the players association running.

● What happened to Tony after the strike he organized?

● Bob and Tony’s least favorite stadiums to play in and why.

● What was missing for Tony when he went to play in Chicago.

● The events that led Tony to decide to try indoor football.

● Why Tony experienced so many concussions while playing indoor soccer.

● Tony’s favorite memory of the NASL and what he believes the legacy of the NASL is.

In this episode, we are welcoming legendary player Mark Hateley. During his conversation with David and Bob, Mark discusses his new autobiography “Hitting the Mark: My Story,” the influence his father had over his soccer career, the memorable players Mark worked with and played against, and what helped him the most in his efforts to become the best player he could possibly be.

On this episode:

● Why Mark felt encouraged to write a book about his career.

● The difficulty Mark had in stepping out of his dad’s shadow.

● The type of player Mark wanted to be when he was younger.

● How his father taught him all he knew about soccer.

● Mark’s experience playing for Coventry City.

● How Franz Beckenbauer provided helpful information while playing against Mark.

● How he ended up on a loan with the Detroit Express.

● Mark and Bob’s thoughts on playing in the Pontiac Silverdome stadium.

● How Mark thought about and dealt with injuries at a young age.

● The injury that kept Mark out of the game for over two years.

● Bob and Mark’s thoughts on the offside rule.

● The memorable people Mark played against in the NASL.

● How Mark was introduced to George Best.

● Why Mark’s focus was always on being the best player he could be.

● Where the NASL stands in comparison to other leagues.

● Mark’s experience playing in Milan and the players he got to know there.

● The part of his career he wants to be remembered for.

Today on Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by Graham Tutt, who played for the Atlanta Chiefs in the North American Soccer League and is a member of the Georgia Soccer Hall of Fame. In this episode, Graham discusses his passion for running soccer camps, how he came to play for the Atlanta Chiefs, and his highlight moments of the NASL.

Graham's book 'Never Give Up' is available now, pick up a copy here: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/never-give

On this episode:

● What happened early on in Graham’s soccer career that caused a serious injury.

● How Graham ended up playing in South Africa.

● The similarities in experiences between Graham and Gordon Banks.

● The player that inspired Graham when he was a kid.

● What motivated Graham to run soccer camps for over 30 years?

● How Graham was initially introduced to soccer in America.

● The first team that went multi-racial and the consequences the team faced.

● Where Graham went when he first moved to America.

● Why Graham says women were drawn to soccer more in the 70s and 80s.

● Graham’s experience playing indoor soccer and why he enjoyed it.

● How Graham began playing for the Atlanta Chiefs.

● The time Graham made the headlines back home in England.

● Where Graham’s nickname “Buster” comes from.

● The reason Graham decided to write his book “Never Give Up.”

● Why Graham emphasizes forgiveness in today’s world, and how it relates to his injury.

● How Graham hopes his book will inspire other players.

● Graham’s greatest memories of soccer in North America.

In this episode we welcome Thomas Rongen. In 1979, Thomas intended to travel for leisure to the United States. Instead, he ended up playing with the Los Angeles Aztecs. From then on, he would play and then go on to coach amazing teams throughout America. Today, the discussion revolves around great players like Rinus Michels, Johann Cruyff, Gerd Müller, Elias Figueroa, and Teófilo Cubillas. Thomas also shares what it was like playing with his idol, his experience coaching in Samoa, and the documentary about it that followed.

On this episode:

● How Thomas ended up in America.

● The childhood hero Thomas got to play with.

● A little bit about Thomas’ experience playing with the Aztecs.

● Who Thomas says is the most influential player and coach of all time.

● Why after playing in Edmonton, their team never checked out again.

● What the other players got out of working with Johan Cruyff

● The greatest football friend Bob ever had.

● Other sometimes distant but legendary players.

● The new documentary about the NASL that’s coming out shortly.

● The rule change in the NASL that opened up the game.

● What happened in 2007 that looked like the reincarnation of the NASL.

● The increasing importance of branding in soccer.

● The event Bob has a warm spot in his heart for.

● What the documentary “Next Goal Wins” is about.

● How Thomas ended up coaching in Samoa.

● Thomas’ personal and professional highlights of coaching in Samoa.

● Who played Thomas in the documentary.

● What David appreciated about the documentary.

In this episode we’ve got John Battsek. He is the producer of the documentary film Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos. We get a behind the scenes look at what it was like to make the film, and we hear about how the perspective of different players often looked different from one another.

On this episode:

● How David first found out about Once in a Lifetime.

● What attracted John to the project of making a movie about the Cosmos.

● The influence of the Cosmos playing Chelsea in 1978.

● John’s preference to be in involved in many aspects of the film.

● Players that didn’t participate in the making of the documentary.

● Giorgio being portrayed as villainous in the film.

● The different views that different players have of the team’s history.

● Why the production of Once in a Lifetime was unique compared to other projects.

● Why the 1970s is the era of the NASL that people are most interested in.

● The NASL-style shootout and why John didn’t think it worked.

● Other soccer projects that John has been involved with.

● Jay Emmett’s sense of humor and his significant role in Cosmos history.

● The branding of the Cosmos and why it helps.

● Players that may have felt hurdled over in the team’s history.

● The effort to make indoor soccer popular in the US.

● New York’s blackout in 1977 and its effects on the Cosmos.

Today’s guest is Ian Plenderleith, the author of Rock 'n' Roll Soccer: The Short Life and Fast Times of the North American Soccer League. Ian gets into the link between the NASL and MLS, along with how the NASL’s influence is still felt today. We also hear about the different approach towards marketing that each league has utilized.

On this episode:

● What inspired Ian to write a book about the NASL after having written many other books.

● How Ian came up with the title for the book.

● Why the MLS is disrespectful to the history of the NASL.

● Indications that people are still interested in the league.

● The US’ involvement in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

● Decisions to market Pelé while perhaps forgetting some other deserving players.

● Other mistakes made when trying to promote the league.

● Celebrity appearances and their help in growing the game in the US.

● Gimmicks used to promote the NASL and why Ian was a fan of them.

● The corruption of FIFA and why they aren’t doing the game any good.

● Why Bob used to have to spray paint his shoes white before every game.

● Improvements that MLS has made in marketing the sport.

● A story about a player who decided to not play for the Cosmos.

● The merging together of playing styles throughout the world.

● Where the NASL has had its most influence on American soccer.

● The increased interest of international scouts towards North America.