The World Cup is here.

I wanted to talk about Mexico, South Korea, the U.S., ticket prices, youth soccer, and all the other stuff that's been bouncing around in my head this week.

And, I did...but I kept coming back to something else.

My daughter drew Argentina, Türkiye, and South Africa out of a hat a few days ago. Since then she's been asking questions nonstop and watching every match she can.

And honestly, I think that's pretty awesome.

Play free. LFG!

We back! Talk a little bit about my schedule...and where this is going moving forward. GREAT guests coming. All good stuff.

How about this, Mauricio Pochettino recently challenged the US Men's National Team with a simple message: Play Free.

It's a phrase that stuck with me for obvious reasons. He's welcome ;-).

This week, I dive into the conversations surrounding the USMNT roster, expectations heading into a World Cup on home soil, and what success should actually look like for American soccer. I also touch on the US Women's National Team loss but want to acknowledge, here, their impressive response against Brazil after I recorded this... playing physical, competing, and earning a big result against one of the world's best.

We also look back at a massive week across the game. Congratulations to Arsenal supporters everywhere especially my friend James Dooley, who would never forgive me if I didn't mention him (as I omitted that in the recording). We talk Champions League, the end of the Premier League season (thank God Spurs stay up), and the excitement building around soccer in the United States.

We also continue to celebrate the adult game: VE's Over 30 and Over 50 teams captured Northeast Regional Championships. The US Over 40 National Team represented the country proudly on the world stage. And across the country, thousands of players, coaches, volunteers, and families continue to prove that soccer isn't just about the professional game. It's about community.

Because long after the scholarships, contracts, and trophies are gone, people are still showing up.

Play Free, everyone.

This episode is a little different.

Freddy heads home to the Philadelphia area to "play" with VE in an Over 50 regional semifinal against Christos SC, but what unfolds becomes way bigger than the game itself.

From legendary Philly soccer stories and reconnecting with old teammates, to beers in the Ratskeller and conversations about aging, identity, and community, this episode dives into why soccer stays with us forever.

Inspired by recent conversations with Jimmy Connor, Dave Jones, Barry McCarthy, and Mark Franek’s idea that soccer is “the great connector,” Freddy reflects on club culture, the soul of the game, and why places like VE remain the heartbeat of American soccer.

Featuring candid conversations with players around the club, including VE Director of Coaching Rob Oldfield, and an old friend and teammate: Jeremy Philo (plus a few others) this episode is about friendship, belonging, old stories, brutal heat, missed chances, penalty kicks, and the people who keep showing up because they simply love the game. Link to all things VE: https://veclub.org/catering/

Also, want to shout out Paul Zgalich. He funded and sponsored the uniforms. Paid the ref fees and picked up the tab at the Ratskeller. Scored the goal of his life as well. Please check out his company: https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/paul-zgalich-156843

Additionally, yuge thanks to the Friends of Freddy:

Philly Soft Pretzel Factory Langhorne
https://phillypretzelfactory.com/location/langhorne/

Hill & Sea Co.
https://hillandsea.com/

American Soccer Nation by Mark Franek
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/American-Soccer-Nation/Mark-C-Franek/9781668034837

Save Sight Now
https://savesightnoweurope.org/

Brendan Sullivan and XtraTime215 Camp
https://xtratime215.com/

Reduce Everyday
https://reduceeveryday.com/

Play Free FC.
Real conversations with the people who shape the game.

A group of former high-level American players, all over 40, are heading to Thailand to represent the United States at the Over 40 World Cup… and somehow, almost nobody knows this exists.

In this episode, Freddy sits down with U.S. Over 40 Men’s National Team head coach David Jones to talk about building the program from scratch, competing against countries with professional over-40 systems, the brutal World Cup draw featuring England and Iran, and the passion driving this entire movement forward.

This conversation goes way beyond soccer.

It’s about culture, sacrifice, brotherhood, and proving the game never really leaves you. Check out their site here: https://www.usmsnt.com/

Big thanks to our supporters:

Philly Soft Pretzel Factory

Hill & Sea Co.

American Soccer Nation

Save Sight Now

XtraTime 215

Reduce

And here we are… part 3 and the final chapter of this conversation with Mark C. Franek, author of American Soccer Nation. Mark’s new book, American Soccer Nation, published by Simon & Schuster with forwards from Tim Howard and Cavan Sullivan, dives deep into the overlooked story of how soccer truly took root in the United States.

What started as “let’s do a podcast episode” quickly turned into a full series because there was just too much to leave on the cutting room floor.

Across these conversations, we talked about the roots of soccer in America, the immigrant communities that carried the game forward, the early clubs and rivalries, and how this sport has always been part of the fabric of this country… even when people tried to say otherwise.

In this final episode, we bring it all together and talk about where the game goes from here. The past. The present. And why understanding the history of soccer in America matters as the sport continues to explode heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Huge thanks to Mark for the time, the stories, and the incredible work behind American Soccer Nation, available now through Simon & Schuster.

And as Mark says… we’re all connected. Especially through this game.

Buy American Soccer Nation here: ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/047Thljx⁠⁠

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Support the folks that support us!!!

Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: ⁠⁠https://hillandseaco.com/⁠⁠

And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel.

Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone.

This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share:

⁠⁠https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio⁠

Welcome back to part 2 of our conversation with Mark Franek, author of American Soccer Nation.

If you caught part 1, you already know… this conversation could have gone on for hours. And, if you listened in full to the first release, then you can skip right on to part 3 (we cut the original episode 1 in half for a better experience...hey...I'm learning).

In this episode, we keep digging into the real roots of soccer in America. Long before MLS. Long before the NASL. This game was already woven into immigrant communities, factory towns, college campuses, and cities all across the country. Different versions. Different rules. But always here.

Mark’s new book, American Soccer Nation, published by Simon & Schuster with forwards from Tim Howard and Cavan Sullivan, dives deep into the overlooked story of how soccer truly took root in the United States.

Former Duke player. Lifelong student of the game. Teacher turned lawyer turned educator again at YSC Academy… Mark brings a perspective that’s thoughtful, detailed, and honestly fascinating if you love the history and culture of this sport.

If you love soccer and love learning how we got here… then you will dig this!

Part 3 coming soon.

Buy American Soccer Nation here: ⁠https://a.co/d/047Thljx⁠

-------------------------------------

Support the folks that support us!!!

Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: ⁠https://hillandseaco.com/⁠And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel.

Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone.

This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share:

⁠https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

One of my favorite conversations I’ve had… easily.

This is Part 1 with Mark C. Franek, a Philadelphia Union Academy (YSC) educator, teacher, and historian, and we barely scratched the surface. This will be at least a 2 part series… maybe 3.

Mark just launched his book, American Soccer Nation which was published by Simon and Schuster with forwards written by Cavan Sullivan and Tim Howard. Its a deep dive into the real story of soccer in America. Not the “it just showed up” version. It’s been here for over 150 years. College campuses. Immigrant communities. Different rules, different versions… but always there.

Played at Duke. Lifelong student of the game. Teacher to lawyer… then back to the classroom, now helping shape the next generation at YSC while documenting the history of how this game took root in the U.S.

If you love history. And you love soccer. Sit back and enjoy.

Part 2 coming soon!

Buy American Soccer Nation here: https://a.co/d/047Thljx

-------------------------------------

Support the folks that support us!!!

Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: https://hillandseaco.com/
And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel.

Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone.

This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share:

https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Imagine chasing a dream at 50 + years old…in a sport… and still competing at the highest level.

I sat down with Jimmy Connor… Vineland guy, longtime teammate, and someone who never let go of the game.

At 50, he’s representing the United States on the Senior Men’s National Team… heading to Thailand to compete on the world stage.

It’s not about recognition. It’s about the love of the game.

We talk about the journey… how he found this opportunity… what it takes to get your body and mind back… and what keeps that fire burning when most people have moved on.

Because the truth is…some people never stop playing. They just keep finding new ways to compete.

Regardless of whether you ever played. It applies to anyone continuing to chase something they love...

Let’s go. ⚽️🔥

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Support Jimmy here: https://gofund.me/4c525a04b

Hill & Sea: https://hillandseaco.com/

American Soccer Nation: https://a.co/d/09kFCkXT

Andrew Craig banger at Dallas Cup:

https://www.tiktok.com/@philaunion/video/7624208669659483406

This one’s real.

Most of our convos live here in the U.S… how we develop players, how the system works.

But a big part of Play Free FC is getting outside of that.

So today, we head to Dublin.

I’m joined by Barry McCarthy from Templeogue United… a club built on more than soccer. This is about culture, community, and how people show up for each other.

We get into:

• What a true community club actually feels like
• Inclusion at every level
• Balancing elite development with everyday players
• Ireland’s pathway (and where it’s challenged)
• What we in the U.S. might be missing

If you care about the game beyond the scoreboard… this one hits.

Shoutouts:
Philly Soft Pretzel Factory (Langhorne, PA)

Hill & Sea Co.: "PlayFC20 for 20% off!!!

https://hillandseaco.com/

American Soccer Nation by Mark Franek: https://www.amazon.com/American-Soccer-Nation-Remarkable-150-Year-ebook/dp/B0FNDKTYDW

I’m joined by the Big 12's (a Power 4 Conference) Kansas University women’s head coach Nate Lie… former teammate of mine at Miami of Ohio, great human and someone who’s built his way up the hard way.

But this episode really pulls back the curtain on what college soccer looks like right now.

The game has changed:

• Roster limits, Transfer portal, Recruiting 
• NIL & Scholarships

It is program building at a completely different level and Nate is right in the middle of it.

We get into:

• What it actually takes to build a program today
• How recruiting has completely shifted
• What players and parents still don’t understand
• And what “learning how to win” really means in this new era

If you’re trying to understand where the game is going… especially from a top college coaches perspective…this is it.

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As always, stop by Philly Soft Pretzel Factory in Langhorne. Tell 'em I sent you.

Please visit https://hillandseaco.com/ for some fresh gear!

Pre-Purchase: American Soccer Nation by Mark Franek. Find it here on amazon: https://a.co/d/0fqo1dVi