Angel City FC, the NWSL and the growth of women’s soccer in Los Angeles are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how a club became one of the most valuable women’s sports teams in the world before winning a major trophy.

Founded by Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman, with early investment from Alexis Ohanian, Angel City launched in 2022 with a star-studded ownership group including Mia Hamm, Serena Williams, Billie Jean King and Abby Wambach. Chris examines how the club built huge crowds at BMO Stadium, developed supporter culture through La Fortaleza, and tied sponsorship revenue directly to community programs.

The episode also covers the signing and comeback of Christen Press, Angel City’s first NWSL playoff appearance, the ownership takeover by Willow Bay and Bob Iger, and the club’s rapid rise to a reported $335 million valuation.

On the field, Chris looks at Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Maiara Niehues, Sarah Gorden, Ally Sentnor, Sydney Leroux and Claire Emslie, plus Angel City’s rivalry with San Diego Wave and the challenge of turning commercial success into sustained NWSL winning.

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

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

Athletic Club, LaLiga, Bilbao and the Basque Country are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring one of world football’s most distinctive identities and the player policy that has defined the club for more than a century.

Founded in 1898, Athletic Club has remained in Spain’s top flight since LaLiga began while winning 8 league championships and 25 Copa del Rey titles. Chris explores the club’s famous recruitment philosophy, which limits players to those born or developed in the Basque football region, and the crucial role of the Lezama academy in sustaining it.

The episode features club legends Pichichi, Telmo Zarra, José Ángel Iribar and Iker Muniain, along with modern stars Unai Simón, Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet and Aymeric Laporte.

Chris also covers San Mamés, the Basque derby with Real Sociedad, Athletic’s member-owned structure, the return of La Gabarra after the 2024 Copa del Rey triumph, and the arrival of Edin Terzić.

It’s the story of a club proving that identity can still be a competitive choice.

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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.

Kaizer Chiefs, the Soweto Derby and South African football history are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how one of Africa’s biggest football institutions grew from a split with Orlando Pirates into the famous Glamour Boys.

Founded in 1970 by Kaizer Motaung after his success with the Atlanta Chiefs in the NASL, Kaizer Chiefs quickly became a powerhouse in South Africa. Chris traces the club’s rise through legendary players including Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, Doctor Khumalo, Lucas Radebe, Marks Maponyane and Collins Mbesuma, along with domestic championships, cup success and the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup.

The episode explores the fierce Orlando Pirates rivalry, the cultural importance of the Soweto Derby, Chiefs’ connection to FNB Stadium, the 2001 Ellis Park tragedy and the remarkable story behind the Kaiser Chiefs rock band’s name.

Chris also examines the club’s recent trophy drought, 2025 Nedbank Cup success, return to continental competition and the current era featuring Fernando da Cruz, Brandon Petersen, Inácio Miguel, Flávio Silva and Mfundo Vilakazi.

It’s the story of Amakhosi: glamour, rivalry, history and one of African football’s most powerful supporter cultures.

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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.

FC Vaduz, Liechtenstein football and the Swiss Super League are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring one of the strangest and most fascinating structures anywhere in European football.

Founded in 1932, FC Vaduz represent Liechtenstein but compete every week in the Swiss football pyramid because their country has no domestic league. Their route into UEFA competition instead comes through the Liechtenstein Cup, a tournament Vaduz have won an extraordinary 52 times.

Chris explores the club’s historic 2022 UEFA Conference League run, including victories over Konyaspor and Rapid Vienna, and its home at the scenic Rheinpark Stadion beside the Rhine and Swiss border.

The episode also covers Liechtenstein legends Franz Burgmeier, Mario Frick and Nicolas Hasler, Vaduz’s 2025–26 Swiss Challenge League championship under Marc Schneider, and key players including Marcel Monsberger, Dominik Schwizer and Lutfi Dalipi.

From dominating its national cup to battling Switzerland’s biggest clubs, FC Vaduz occupies a unique place between two football systems — giving one of Europe’s smallest nations a genuine professional club and a recurring path onto the European stage.

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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.

Club Deportivo Palestino, Chile’s Liga de Primera and the Palestinian community in Santiago are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring one of world football’s most distinctive stories of migration, identity and belonging.

Founded by Palestinian immigrants in 1920, Palestino has won 2 Chilean league titles and 3 Copa Chile trophies while competing against giants including Colo-Colo, Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica. The episode traces the club’s rise through stars such as Elías Figueroa, Óscar Fabbiani and Roberto Coll, its historic 44-match unbeaten run and memorable Copa Libertadores campaigns.

Chris also explores Palestino’s powerful connection to the Palestinian diaspora, from its red, green, black and white shirts and map-inspired crest to the controversial 2014 jersey design that sparked an international dispute.

The story includes Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna, the Clásico de Colonias rivalry with Unión Española and Audax Italiano, modern players Bryan Carrasco, Enzo Roco and Nelson Da Silva, manager Guillermo Farré, and Rania Sansur’s historic connection between Palestino and the Palestine women’s national team.

It’s a remarkable story of Chilean football, Palestinian identity and a club representing a community across two continents.

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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.

Bohemian FC, the League of Ireland Premier Division and Dublin football culture are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, as Chris Horwedel explores the history, fan ownership and identity of one of Ireland’s most distinctive clubs.

Founded in 1890 and still 100% member-owned, Bohemians have won 11 League of Ireland titles and 7 FAI Cups while building a fierce rivalry with Shamrock Rovers. The episode traces Bohs from Phoenix Park to Dalymount Park, the historic Dublin ground that has hosted Republic of Ireland matches, Pelé and Santos, Bob Marley, Thin Lizzy and generations of Irish football history.

Chris also examines Bohemians’ community activism, collaborations with Fontaines D.C. and Kneecap, support for Palestine and refugees, and the long-awaited redevelopment of Dalymount Park.

On the pitch, the story includes club legends Jackie Jameson, Kevin Hunt and Glen Crowe, plus current names Dawson Devoy, Colm Whelan and Ross Tierney as Bohemians pursue another significant League of Ireland season.

It’s a story of Irish football, fan ownership, music, politics, community and why Bohemian FC matters far beyond the table.

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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.