Atlético Nacional, the Copa Libertadores, Medellín football, and the 2016 Chapecoense tragedy are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how Colombia’s most decorated club showed that greatness can mean more than winning trophies.

Founded in 1947, Atlético Nacional grew from a regional project into the Rey de Copas, winning 18 Colombian league titles and two Copa Libertadores championships. Chris traces the club’s rise through figures including Francisco Maturana, René Higuita, Andrés Escobar, Leonel Álvarez, Miguel Ángel Borja and Reinaldo Rueda, while also confronting the violence and cartel influence surrounding Colombian football in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The episode explores Nacional’s home at Estadio Atanasio Girardot, the Clásico Paisa rivalry with Independiente Medellín, and the historic 1989 and 2016 Libertadores triumphs.

At the heart of the story is November 2016, when Chapecoense’s plane crashed en route to the Copa Sudamericana final. Atlético Nacional asked CONMEBOL to award the trophy to Chapecoense, while more than 40,000 supporters filled the stadium in white to mourn the victims.

It’s a story of success, tragedy, solidarity and one of football’s most powerful acts of sportsmanship.

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Deportivo Saprissa, Costa Rican football, Liga Promerica and the Clásico Nacional with Alajuelense are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how the Purple Monster became the most decorated club in Costa Rica.

Founded in 1935 as a youth project by Roberto Fernández with support from Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, Saprissa built its identity around player development long before becoming a national powerhouse. Chris traces the club’s remarkable 1959 round-the-world tour, its famous home at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa — La Cueva, and the historic run of six consecutive league titles from 1972 through 1977.

The episode explores legends including Evaristo Coronado, Christian Bolaños, Álvaro Saborío and Rónald Gómez, alongside Saprissa’s deep connection to the Costa Rica national team.

Chris also revisits the club’s three CONCACAF Champions Cup titles, the unforgettable 2005 victory over Pumas UNAM, and Saprissa’s third-place finish at the FIFA Club World Championship.

With 40 national championships, a renowned academy, and one of Central America’s fiercest atmospheres, Saprissa’s story is about development, ambition and generations of Costa Rican players inheriting an extraordinary standard.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brunei DPMM FC, the Malaysia Super League, Singapore football and Brunei’s cross-border football story are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring a club that has needed three countries to find the right competition.

Founded in 1994 and closely connected to Brunei’s royal family, DPMM quickly outgrew the domestic game. Chris traces the club’s moves from the Brunei Premier League into Malaysia and then Singapore, where administrative chaos, FIFA sanctions and even a global pandemic repeatedly disrupted their place in the football pyramid.

The episode explores DPMM’s 2009 Singapore League Cup win, the bizarre season in which their league results were erased, and championship teams led by figures including Steve Kean, Wardun Yussof, Azwan Ali Rahman, Rafael Ramazotti, Adrian Pennock and Andrei Varankou.

Chris also examines DPMM’s rivalry with Tampines Rovers and Albirex Niigata Singapore, life at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, and the unusual financial and travel arrangements required for their current return to Malaysia.

It’s a story about geography, identity, and a Bruneian club determined to find meaningful competition beyond its own borders.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Club Atlético Atlanta, Argentina’s Primera Nacional, Villa Crespo, and Buenos Aires football culture are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how a historic neighborhood institution survived bankruptcy and rebuilt itself through its members.

Founded in 1904, Atlanta became deeply connected to Villa Crespo and its large Jewish immigrant community, developing an identity that extends far beyond football. Chris explores the club’s famous Clásico de Villa Crespo rivalry with Chacarita Juniors, its home at Estadio Don León Kolbowski, and the antisemitism Atlanta supporters have faced because of that cultural connection.

The episode also traces Atlanta’s greatest sporting era, including the 1960 Copa Suecia, and figures such as Luis Artime, Hugo Gatti, Carlos Timoteo Griguol, Osvaldo Zubeldía and José Luis Brown.

At the heart of the story is Atlanta’s 1991 bankruptcy, the supporter campaign that kept the football team alive, and the eventual recovery of the club’s community facilities.

Today, former Atlanta player Cristian Pellerano leads another promotion push as Los Bohemios chase a return to Argentina’s top flight after more than four decades away.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glasgow City FC, the Scottish Women’s Premier League, Rangers, Celtic and the rise of women’s football in Scotland are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how an independent women’s club became Scotland’s most successful.

Founded in 1998 by Laura Montgomery and Carol Anne Stewart, Glasgow City built an elite program without the financial backing of a major men’s club. Chris traces the extraordinary run of 14 consecutive league titles, 16 championships overall, domestic trebles and historic UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal appearances.

The episode explores club legends including Leanne Ross, Suzanne Lappin, Jo Love, Hayley Lauder and Lee Gibson, plus Glasgow City’s role in developing stars such as Erin Cuthbert, Lisa Evans, Jane Ross and Denise O’Sullivan.

Chris also examines the rivalry with Hibernian, the growing challenge from Rangers and Celtic, the emotional legacy of Kat Lindner, life at Petershill Park, and Lauren Davidson’s dramatic 2023 title-winning goal at Ibrox.

It’s the story of how Glasgow City helped build Scottish women’s football — and how an independent club continues competing against institutions with vastly greater resources.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melbourne Knights FC, Australian soccer, Croatian identity and the National Soccer League are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how Melbourne Croatia became a national champion despite being forced to change its name.

Founded by Croatian immigrants in 1953, Melbourne Knights became one of Australia’s strongest clubs, winning back-to-back NSL championships in 1995 and 1996 and developing generations of internationals. Chris traces the rise of stars including Mark Viduka, Josip Biškic, Andrew Marth, Joe Šimunić, Danny Tiatto and Ljubo Miličević, along with the club’s fierce rivalry with South Melbourne.

The episode examines Football Australia’s controversial 1993 policy removing ethnic names, the transformation from Melbourne Croatia to Melbourne Knights, and supporters’ determination to preserve the club’s Croatian colors, symbols and culture.

Chris also explores Somers Street, the collapse of the NSL, exclusion from the A-League, Melbourne’s 2023 Australia Cup semifinal run and the current push under Michael Calandrella to return to NPL Victoria.

It’s a story of migration, football identity, national success and a community that refused to let assimilation erase its history.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, the CAF Women’s Champions League and South African women’s football are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how Banyana Ba Style became Africa’s defining women’s club dynasty.

Founded in 2009 under Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe, the team has won eight South African championships and captured the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021 and 2023. Chris traces the rise built under longtime coach Jerry Tshabalala, including the inaugural continental title, extraordinary domestic scoring records and the development of an elite football environment at the club’s Chloorkop training complex.

The episode features key figures including Andile Dlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Boitumelo Rabale, Refilwe Tholakele, Noxolo Cesane and Nthabiseng Majiya, while examining Sundowns’ growing rivalry with Morocco’s AS FAR.

Chris also explores the competitive advantages created by Sundowns’ resources, the rapid professionalization of African women’s football, their influence on Banyana Banyana, and the challenge of maintaining dominance as clubs across Africa raise their standards.

It’s the story of how Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies helped make excellence in African women’s club football feel normal.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Kolkata Derby, Indian football history and the 1911 IFA Shield are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how one of Asia’s oldest clubs became a symbol of sporting and national identity.

Founded in 1889, Mohun Bagan built its legend in 1911 when the largely barefoot Immortal Eleven defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment to win the IFA Shield under British rule. Chris traces that historic victory through stars including Shibdas Bhaduri, Abhilash Ghosh, Gostha Pal, Sailen Manna and Chuni Goswami.

The episode also explores the fierce Kolkata Derby with East Bengal, the club’s roots around the Maidan, major matches at Salt Lake Stadium, and legendary figures including José Ramírez Barreto.

Chris examines Mohun Bagan’s transition into the Indian Super League, the controversial ATK Mohun Bagan era, supporter protests, RPSG investment and the modern Mohun Bagan Super Giant identity.

Current names including Vishal Kaith, Subhasish Bose, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco and Sahal Abdul Samad connect more than 135 years of history to the present.

It’s a story of football, colonialism, rivalry, identity and why Mohun Bagan remain one of Indian sport’s defining institutions.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Detroit City FC, the USL Championship, Keyworth Stadium and supporter-driven soccer culture in Detroit are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how a grassroots amateur team became one of the most distinctive professional clubs in American soccer.

Founded in 2012, Detroit City FC grew through the passion of the Northern Guard Supporters, community investment and a remarkable campaign that raised more than $740,000 to renovate historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck. Chris traces DCFC’s rise from the NPSL to NISA and eventually the USL Championship, including league titles, playoff runs and a memorable U.S. Open Cup victory over Columbus Crew.

The episode also explores Detroit City’s inclusive supporter culture, community ownership stake, Rust Belt identity and plans for a new 15,000-seat stadium in Southwest Detroit.

Current figures including Danny Dichio, Darren Smith, Maxi Rodríguez, Devon Amoo-Mensah and Kobe Hernández-Foster carry the club into its next era.

It’s the story of how supporters, investors and a city built a football club from the ground up — before professional soccer ever arrived.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Independiente del Valle, Ecuador’s LigaPro, the Copa Libertadores and one of South America’s best football academies are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how a small club from Sangolquí became a continental power.

Founded in 1958 and transformed after Michel Deller and his partners took control in 2007, Independiente built its rise around elite youth development rather than traditional size or spending. Chris traces the academy that produced Moisés Caicedo, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié, Kendry Páez, Gonzalo Plata and Angelo Preciado.

The episode also explores Independiente’s remarkable 2016 Copa Libertadores run past River Plate and Boca Juniors, Copa Sudamericana titles in 2019 and 2022, the 2023 Recopa Sudamericana victory over Flamengo and the club’s modern home at Estadio Banco Guayaquil inside the Valley of Dreams training complex.

Current figures including Junior Sornoza, Richard Schunke, Emerson Pata, Matías Perelló and Joaquín Papa continue a model built on scouting, education, coaching and reinvestment.

It’s the story of how Independiente del Valle turned an academy into one of South American football’s smartest competitive advantages.

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If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris.

The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered

The Underdog Football Show

Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.