On this episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by guest Tom Scholes, author of the book Stateside Soccer. Tom discusses what inspired his book, how perceptions of players vary across time and leagues, and what team you can’t not talk about when discussing the North American Soccer League.

On this episode:

● How Tom became interested in the NASL.

● Why you can’t talk about the league without discussing the Cosmos.

● What player Tom says was too ahead of his time.

● How certain players are perceived differently than others.

● Preconceived notions of the league that didn’t stand up for Tom.

● The player who was named Detroit’s sexiest man.

● How the NASL worked as a development league.

● The type of players more teams are looking for now.

● Tell-tale signs that you’ve left a legacy.

● Why the MLS distances itself from the NASL.

● Why Tom believes that the MLS needs to embrace history.

● How leagues can leverage history to promote content.

● What Beckham was doing when he joined the North American Soccer League.

● Why any sports team shouldn’t be able to buy whoever they want.

● The teams that deserve recognition in the NASL outside of the Cosmos.

● What jumped out to Tom during the research of his book.

● What stands out to Tom about the NASL more than anything.

● What would have changed the fate of the NASL.

● The way people on the outside view the North American Soccer League.

● What Tom decided not to cover in his book and why.

Today we’re joined by Andy Dolich, Senior Vice President and former General Manager of the Washington Diplomats. He talks about his most memorable moments in the North American Soccer League, the greatest players in history, and what it takes to create a successful team.

On this episode:

● A bit about Andy’s career and the previous sports he worked in.

● How Andy ended up working in soccer.

● An overview of the new book Andy wrote called “Loss of Logo.”

● What Andy and Bob call one of the most exciting times in soccer.

● The slogan that Johan Cruyff used a lot.

● What Andy learned in post-game conversations with Cruyff.

● Why Andy wanted Johan Cruyff to come to Washington.

● Bob’s thoughts on the documentary about the New York Cosmos.

● What happened after the Cosmos lost the semi-finals in 1978.

● Why Andy calls the Cosmos the “Cirque du Soleil” of soccer at that time.

● A funny memory Andy has of Charlie Bluhdorn, chairman of Gulf & Western.

● Why Andy tried to put a group together to buy the Diplomats.

● What Johan Cruyff went on to do after the Washington Diplomats.

● The thing Cruyff shared that he learned from his time with the Diplomats in his book.

● What Andy’s son is doing to make him proud.

● How much soccer has grown over the decades.

● When Washington decided to try another franchise, and why it didn’t work.

● How Bob felt going from New York to Washington.

● What Andy calls a “hole in his soul.”

● What Andy did after the Washington Diplomats.

This time we’re joined by soccer legend Jocky Scott who played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Seattle Sounders, and Scotland. During this episode, the group focuses their discussion on Jocky’s time with the Seattle Sounders including his biggest highlights of that time, what it was like for him to move to and play in America, and his experience playing in the 1977 Soccer Bowl Final.

On this episode:

● How Jocky ended up playing for the Seattle Sounders.

● His experience with the United States before he started playing there.

● How Jocky’s family managed this overseas move.

● Why playing in Hawaii wasn’t always the easiest thing to do.

● What Jocky thought of the Seattle turf.

● Why Bobby Moore was one of the humblest players Jocky ever knew and worked with.

● What Jocky believes drove the Seattle Sounders towards the 1977 finals.

● Jockey’s experience with the American media.

● Alcohol addiction among great players during this time.

● How mental health concerns among players were treated differently then versus now.

● When the Sounders had played the Cosmos before the 1977 final.

● The mentality with which the Seattle Sounders approached that game.

● Where Jocky says the playing atmosphere was brilliant.

● Why Jocky ended up leaving America.

● Jocky’s best memories of playing in America.

● Who Jocky felt was the best player in the world at that time.

● Highlights of the exhibition game between the Sounders and Cosmos.

● The parts of playing that have helped Jocky in his management career.

In this episode we’re joined by former North American Soccer League (NASL) player Bob Larusci, former captain of the New York Cosmos, Werner Roth and former Cosmos player with a legendary left foot Steve Hunt. Today these players share their experience joining and playing for the New York Cosmos in the 1970s.

Steve has recently released his new book 'I'm with the Cosmos' released by publisher Pitch Publishing, available now: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/im-cosmos

On this episode:

What building the foundation of the pro league in America looked like.

How the New York Cosmos became the dream team of the 1970s.

How Steve felt when he was traded to New York.

Why Bob says he was starstruck joining the New York Cosmos.

Highlights of the team during the time they played together.

A memory Steve has of Johan Neeskens.

How great grass playing fields were few and far between.

How Werner says he managed being team captain.

How they navigated varying personalities and conflicts on the team.

Steve’s book and what it’s about.

Why they had to have the quickest post-game shower ever.

What stuck out for Steve the most while he played in North America.

Playing on a baseball pitch for the final in 1982.

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

Why Steve says joining the New York Cosmos was a chance to reinvent himself.

The transitions Werner witnessed throughout his time on the team.

The most difficult players that they played against.

Their experience playing a game in Hawaii.

What led Johan to guest with the New York Cosmos a few times but never sign on.

How they felt about Cosmos Owner Steve Ross.

Welcome to the first episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer. On this episode we’re joined by former North American Soccer League (NASL) player Bob Larusci. Bob had an incredible career and was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2000. Bob discusses the history of soccer in Canada, how and why he got involved in soccer, and some of the most memorable moments of his early career.

On this episode:

● How Bob first got started with soccer.

● How and when the National Soccer League was started.

● What was happening in soccer when Bob was with Toronto Italia.

● Why Bob chose to get involved in soccer.

● Why he never would have dreamed of being a professional soccer player.

● The role that the Croatian community had in supporting the NASL.

● The incredible players Bob worked alongside throughout his career.

● Why Bob says he knew playing with Metros-Croatia was going to be amazing.

● Where the epicenter of soccer was during Bob’s career.

● How you keep great, strong players on the team.

● How some cross-team player rivalries played out in real time.

● Why Bob says Eusébio was a special player.

● Bob’s experience of the finals in 1976 and why he says he wasn’t nervous.

● How they celebrated after winning the game.

● How Bob felt when he got traded to the New York Cosmos.

● What happened when it came time to sign his contract.

● How the Metros-Croatia team is still being recognized today.

● The two memories Bob has of Eusébio that stick out the most.

● The characteristics of players that are worth investing in.