With the countdown to the biggest World Cup on American soil since 1994 officially underway, we are looking back at where the American soccer media landscape started, where it is now, and where it’s going next.

This week, Jason sits down for a special interview with long-time friend and foundational voice in American soccer media, Shawn Francis. Known to many generations of fans as the creator behind The Offside Rules and the original MLS Insider, Shawn has tracked the growth of the game from its early blogging days to the modern landscape. Today, Shawn is working with Copa90 as they make a massive push back into the American market.

Jason and Shawn dive deep into the "soccer wars," how the internet and social media fractured modern sports media, and why the upcoming North American World Cup will force fan experiences to become beautifully local. Plus, Shawn shares some incredible, vintage World Cup viewing memories from the streets of New York. Whether you're an old-school fan from the pre-Twitter blog days or new to the American soccer pyramid, you won't want to miss this insidery conversation.

00:00 - Welcome to a special episode of The Best Soccer Show

01:10 - Introducing Shawn Francis: From The Offside Rules to Copa90

02:12 - Support the show on Patreon & getting access to the Bestie Slack

03:24 - Welcoming Shawn: Remembering the American soccer world before Twitter

04:35 - Have we "won"? Looking at the commercial boom of the game today

05:45 - The fracturing of modern sports media and how social media changed MLS

07:35 - Rocket fuel or watershed moment? Expectations for the upcoming World Cup

09:34 - Personal nostalgia: What the 1994 World Cup meant to a generation of fans

10:10 - The local knock-on effect of ticket pricing and massive tournament travel

10:43 - From French restaurants to Harlem auto garages: Unforgettable World Cup watch stories

Watch Copa90: Check out their incredible football culture content on the Copa90 YouTube Channel.

Join the Community: Support the podcast, unlock exclusive bonus content, and get immediate access to our private Slack channel by becoming a Bestie at The Best Soccer Show Patreon.

Read the Newsletter: Subscribe to Jason’s deep dives and tactical analysis over at the Jason Davis Soccer Eagle on Ghost.

Bluesky: @davisjason.bsky.social

Instagram: @soccer.eagle.jd

If you enjoyed this trip down memory lane and our look toward the future of the game, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your reviews directly help us grow the community, reach new listeners, and keep bringing you these exclusive conversations!

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