Over The Ball with Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego

In the latest episode of *Over the Ball*, the hosts dive deep into the US Men's National Team's disappointing performance against Canada, calling out their lackluster play, sloppy defense, and seeming apathy on the field. They also explore the brewing battle for the goalkeeper spot between Patrick Schulte and Ethan Horvath, while expressing cautious optimism for improvement under new coach Pochettino. 

Joining the conversation is Keith Tozer, commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), who shares insights into the league’s rapid growth, the push for soccer-specific stadiums, and the exciting potential for promotion and relegation. Tozer also highlights the importance of youth development through academy programs and teases the upcoming player combine, offering a pathway for emerging talent. In a lively exchange, Tozer reflects on his own career, his experiences with Tommy Mulroy, and his time in the international soccer scene, capping it off with fun anecdotes about playing at Madison Square Garden and visiting Studio 54. This engaging episode wraps up with Tozer promoting an exciting upcoming MASL event.

This week on the Over the Ball soccer podcast, hosts Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego are joined by special guest and veteran soccer media guru John Bolster for an episode you won’t want to miss! Tune in as they dive into the excitement surrounding the start of the Premier League, share their thoughts on the new Hope Solo documentary, and take an in-depth look at everything USMNT, MLS, and the world of soccer. With sharp analysis, insider insights, and plenty of humor, this episode is a must-listen for soccer fans everywhere!

On today's episode of Over the Ball, we're thrilled to welcome Professors Rick Burton and Dr. Norm O'Reilly, two of the foremost authorities in sports business and marketing. These accomplished scholars bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the show, having authored several influential books on the sports industry. Their latest collaboration, *The Rise of Major League Soccer*, is set to become a definitive guide on the meteoric growth and impact of MLS in the global soccer landscape. With past works like *Sports Business Unplugged* and *20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes*, Burton and O'Reilly have consistently offered deep insights into the sports world, making today's discussion a must-listen for anyone passionate about soccer and sports business.

In this episode the boys also discuss the recent hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as the coach of the US National Team and touch on topics such as the performance of American goalkeepers, the start of the English Premier League season, the retirement of Anson Dorrance, and the careers of Dax McCarty and Hope Solo. They also express their frustration with the term 'golden generation' being used to describe the current US Men's National Team.

Carli brings her unparalleled experience, insights, and passion for the game, offering a deep dive into the recent performances of the USWNT and USMNT at the Paris Olympics, her experiences in soccer, and the impact of new USWNT coach Emma Hayes. Kevin and Dave explore Carli’s incredible career, her tireless dedication to her game and draw inspiration from the challenges she overcame to become one of the greatest US soccer players of all time.  The boys also the potential candidates for the US men's national team coach position and the success of the USL. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a true legend on Over the Ball!

This week’s episode of the "Over The Ball" soccer podcast, featuring Michael Langdon, offers an engaging deep dive into the world of football, hosted by an accomplished writer and multi-award-winning video producer.  Michael joins the boys at OTB to discuss his book,  'The Most Amazing Soccer Stories of All Time', and share some intriguing stories from the world of soccer. Langdon talks about his inspiration for writing the book and how he compiled 90 of the best soccer stories from around the globe. He also discusses the cultural differences in soccer terminology between England and the United States, as well as the harsh treatment of players by the English press and fans. Langdon shares some fascinating stories from the book, including Franz Beckenbauer playing with a broken collarbone and the Argentinian team drugging their opponents in a World Cup game. They discussed a story about about a player who received a red card while unconscious on the field and how a soccer game exacerbated tensions between Salvador and Honduras, leading to a three-day war. 

The boys at OTB also get into the USMNT and USWNT performances at the Olympics in France and have some fun with Getting to Know Michael. It’s a fun one, so enjoy this week’s episode of OTB.

While Kevin’s lost at sea, Dave talks to author Elizabeth Rusch about her new book, 'A Greater Goal: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women's Soccer and Beyond' to explore the fight for equality in women's soccer, the challenges faced by the women's national soccer team, and the need for a coach for the men's team. Elizabeth shares the inspiration behind the book, which was her sister's experience fighting for a girls' varsity soccer team in high school and the lack of opportunities for women in professional soccer. She highlights the unequal pay and treatment of the USWNT compared to the USMNT, the challenges they faced in their fight for equal pay, and the role the equal pay deal has had on the ongoing struggle for gender equality in sports. 

Dave also digs into the ongoing USMNT search for a head coach, rumors about Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from Man City, Caleb Wiley’s signing, transfer rumors, Mexico’s coaching changes, and the MLS All-Star Game.

Brianna Mac Kay, a sportswriter from the Columbus Dispatch, discusses the excitement surrounding the upcoming MLS All-Star game and the strong support for the Columbus Crew in the city. She also talks about the Save the Crew movement and the team's success under coach Wilfried Nancy. Brianna shares her experience covering the team and interacting with the fan base. She also reveals her love for romance novels and her go-to author. The rapid-fire questions reveal her preference for grass over artificial turf, her endorsement of Target, and her recent binge-watching of the TV series 'How to Get Away with Murder.'

In this episode of Over the Ball, Dave discusses the potential candidates for the new coach of the US men's national team. He mentions several names, including Gareth Southgate, Rafa Benitez, and Luis de la Fuente. Dave also talks about the recent Copa America and Euro tournaments, highlighting the success of Argentina and Spain. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the growth of women's soccer and the recent purchase of a stake in the NWSL team Angel City.

In this electrifying episode of Over the Ball, hosts Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego team up with Kyle Foley, the dynamic beat writer for the Orlando Sentinel, to dive deep into the world of soccer. The trio explores the phenomenal rise of the Orlando Pride women's team, breaks down the US Men's National Team's latest performances, and examines the transformative influence of superstars like Kaká and Messi on Orlando's soccer scene. The conversation heats up with lively debates on the Copa America and Euros, speculation on potential candidates for the US Men's National Team coach, and a shared disdain for the nail-biting tension of penalty shootouts. They also highlight the booming success of soccer on television and don't hold back in slamming Kid Rock's misguided comments about the sport. This episode is a must-listen for soccer fans craving insightful analysis and spirited discussion.

The Miami Herald’s lead sports writer, Herald’s Michelle Kaufman, joins OTB to discuss her experience covering soccer for 25 years, shares her insights on Lionel Messi's move to Miami, what’s next following USMNT’s losses at Copa America tournament, and the future of coach Greg Berhalter.

Michelle Kaufman has covered 14 Olympics, six World Cups, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA Playoffs, Super Bowls and has been the soccer writer and University of Miami basketball beat writer for 25 years. She was born in Frederick, Md., and grew up in Miami. She is also the host of the Inside Inter Miami podcast.

Five years ago, Gregg Berhalter was tasked with rebuilding the U.S. men’s national team after their painful failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. His mission: to elevate a new generation of talent and restore pride to American soccer. Fast forward to the present, and the USMNT finds itself in a precarious situation at the Copa America. A surprise 2-1 loss to Panama has raised serious questions about Berhalter’s leadership, player development, and tactical choices. With their hopes hanging by a thread, is Berhalter’s job on the line? Dave Gallego dissects the match, analyzes the team’s stagnation, and explores whether the coach’s tenure is in jeopardy.