In this episode of OTB, hosts Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego sit down with U.S. soccer legend Jeff Agoos. A five-time MLS champion and veteran of 134 national team appearances, Agoos shares insights from his storied career, from playing in the World Cup to his experiences in Major League Soccer’s early days. Jeff shares stories from his extensive career in Major League Soccer, discussing his transition from a competitive player to a key executive role. Jeff also opens up about his personal experie...
Oct 01, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 268
In this episode of Over the Ball, hosts Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego welcome soccer broadcasting pioneer JP Delacamera. They discuss the recent performance of the US Men's National Team, the impact of youth in soccer, and the expectations surrounding new coach Pochettino. The conversation also touches on the current state of the English Premier League and highlights the incredible achievements of Paralympic blind football teams. JP shares his journey through the world of soccer broadcasting, ref...
Sep 21, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 267
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), ...
Sep 14, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 266
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 ...
Sep 07, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 265
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. Wit...
Aug 22, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 264
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 me...
Aug 09, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 263
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 glo...
Aug 01, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 262
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...
Jul 25, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 261
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 art...
Jul 19, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 260
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 ...
Jul 11, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 259
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 writ...
Jul 05, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 258
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 b...
Jun 30, 2024•6 min•Season 2Ep. 257
On this episode of OTB, Kevin and Dave discuss USMNT vs. Bolivia, the Alex Morgan controversy, the Euros, overly harsh English fans, temporary grass pitches, skyrocketing ticket prices, changes inside NCAA and D1, and the pros and cons of the NCAA transfer portals. OTB Executive Producer, Ken Park, joins the boys for the shows new “Getting to Know You” segment to discuss his experiences as a professional skateboarder, his first celebrity crush, and more.
Jun 29, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 256
Mike Woitalla, Executive Editor of Soccer America, joins Kevin and Dave to review the USMNT's recent performance. They analyze the team's lackluster game against Colombia and the friendly match against Brazil. The discussion also includes predictions on the significance of the 2024 Copa América for Coach Gregg Berhalter. With decades of soccer journalism experience, Mike brings deep insights into game highlights, player transfers, and referee decisions. Additionally, he's an active volunteer coa...
Jun 19, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 255
On this week’s episode of "Over the Ball," Kevin and Dave dive deep into the beautiful game, beat up on USMNT for their loss to Columbia, and speak with Shelley Smith, the esteemed head coach of South Carolina Women's soccer. With an impressive track record and a wealth of experience, Coach Smith has led her team to numerous victories and has been a pivotal figure in collegiate soccer. Kevin, Dave, and Coach Smith discuss the challenges of coaching in the South, building a program from scratch, ...
Jun 14, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 254
Join us for an engaging episode of the Over The Ball podcast featuring Phil West, a seasoned professional writer and editor, and author of two influential books on soccer, ‘The United States of Soccer,’ and ‘I Believe That We Will Win.’ Phil brings his extensive knowledge and passion for the sport to our discussion, covering a wide range of topics. In this episode, we delve into the development of Austin FC, the potential move of Kevin De Bruyne to MLS, and the impact of international players in...
Jun 05, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 253
Ted Westervelt, known as @soccerreform on social media, is a prominent advocate for promotion and relegation in U.S. soccer. Born in Elgin, Illinois, he attended Scattergood Friends School and Earlham College. Westervelt's passion for soccer has made him a leading voice in the #ProRelForUSA movement, which seeks to implement a promotion and relegation system in American soccer. The discussion explores the challenges and opportunities of promotion and relegation, focusing on the impact of closed ...
May 31, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 252
In this episode of the Over the Ball podcast, the Philadelphia Inquirer's beloved Chief Soccer Correspondent, Jonathan Tannenwald, joins Dave and John Bolster (who is sitting in for Kevin), stirring up some controversy about his feelings for his hometown team the Union, uncovers some insight about the Philadelphia Union's incredibly successful youth programs, Jim Curtin's future at the USMNT, 14-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan, and Emma Hayes. The OTB boys also dig into an incredibly eventful wee...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 251
In this episode of Over the Ball, soccer referee and podcast host David Gerson joins Dave and guest co-host John Bolster to delve into the challenges and changes in soccer refereeing. They tackle the rise in technicality and competitiveness in the game, while addressing the concerning lack of civility and excessive competitiveness among parents and coaches at all levels. Gerson sheds light on the inadequate training and support for referees, their encounters with abuse, high turnover rates, and ...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 250
Legendary Washington Post reporter Steven Goff joins the boys at OTB to discuss all things US soccer, including the performance of DC United, his favorite World Cup memories, and the upcoming Copa America tournament. Goff also shares his thoughts on the United States national team and their chances in the tournament. In this conversation, the hosts and guest discuss various topics related to soccer, including the performance of DC United, the lack of a developmental team, and the challenges of p...
May 09, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 249
Grant Wahl seems to touch everybody he came in contact with his undeniable passion, integrity, honesty, and simple ethic of trying to write the truth without agenda or bias. Friends and accomplished journalists Grayle Howlett and Alexander Wolf both spent years writing for Sports Illustrated, Wolff having spent 36 years there covering basketball, the Olympics, soccer’s World Cup, the World Series, every Grand Slam tennis event, and the Tour de France. Both men share their glowing admiration and ...
May 01, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 248
Impressive. Inspiring. Passionate. Words that capture the personality and drive of ex University of Nebraska soccer player turned uber philanthropist Monica Bosiljevac. Monica's journey from college soccer to an eye-opening trip in Botswana revealed the global demand for sports equipment among kids. With a passion for sports ignited early in her life, Monica excelled in soccer and softball, ultimately choosing to pursue soccer competitively. Transitioning to Division I soccer at the University o...
Apr 17, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 247
⚽ Tune in as Skip Gilbert, esteemed CEO of US Youth Soccer and ex-goalkeeper for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, tackles the latest in the world of youth soccer on OTB! Don't miss this insightful discussion featuring this week's top soccer news, scores, and highlights. As a former goalkeeper with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and a two-time NCAA Division 1 All-American, Skip brings a wealth of experience and passion to the beautiful game. Join hosts Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego as they delve into Skip’s remarkab...
Apr 13, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 246
🎙️Celebrated soccer writer John Bolster graces the airwaves on the Over the Ball Soccer Podcast to discuss USMNT’s chances at the CONCEAF tournament, his insights, predictions, and friendly banter about the upcoming Euros, USMNT’s chances at the Olympic, and of course the recent storm surrounding Korbin Albert’s controversial posts. 🌪️🇺🇸 John Bolster, a celebrated soccer journalist that writes for known for his insightful perspectives on soccer, has contributed significantly to the discourse...
Apr 05, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 245
From the NCAA to the MLS, from the Premier League to the World Cup, Jeff Carlisle brings his insider insights to the table, shedding light on the US Men’s National Team (USMNT), the intricacies of the MLS Referees contract, and the soaring popularity of soccer in the USA. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this episode promises to be a riveting exploration of the world’s game as the crew dissects the latest news, controversies, sensational plays, and standout moments of the USMN...
Mar 27, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 244
On this week’s episode of OTB, Kevin and Dave sit with a true legend in the world of sports betting, Johnny Avello from DraftKings. With over 30 years of experience, Johnny has been an influential figure in Las Vegas bookmaking. He spent 13 years as the executive director of the Wynn Las Vegas Sportsbook, where he became known for his on-point odds and his entertaining commentary, often predicting the eventual Oscar winners. Now, he’s bringing his expertise to DraftKings, overseeing retail sport...
Mar 20, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 243
🎙️Join Kevin and Dave on this week’s episode Over the Ball podcast as we dive into the captivating career and accomplishments of Bob Lenarduzzi—a living legend whose impact reverberates across stadiums, boardrooms, and hearts. Whether he was donning cleats or making strategic decisions, Lenarduzzi’s passion for the game has left an indelible mark on the field with Reading FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the Canadian national team, where he proudly wore the maple leaf at the 1984 Summer Olympic...
Mar 13, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 242
In the annals of American soccer history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as Rick Davis. A true legend of the sport, Davis left an indelible mark on the landscape of American soccer during his tenure with the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL). With a blend of skill, tenacity, and leadership, Davis emerged as a beacon of excellence, captivating fans and inspiring future generations of players. Get ready for an electrifying episode of the Over The Ball pod...
Mar 06, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 241
Juan Carlos Amorós, the 38-year-old head coach of NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL, is a rising star in soccer. With extensive global soccer experience, he has successfully led teams in Spain, England, and the U.S. Fresh from a thrilling NWSL Championship match win against OL Reign, Coach Amorós shares insights from his worldwide soccer ventures. He emphasizes building a club deeply rooted in community and fan connection and reveals his coaching philosophy that centers on treating players as individu...
Mar 01, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 240
Former U.S. men's national team captain, John Harkes, visits Over The Ball to delve into his Greenville experience and reminisce about the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. He reflects on the tragic death of Andreas Escobar and stresses the significance of honoring soccer history. Dave and Kevin explore Harkes' move from European play to MLS and the hurdles of being a soccer commentator. Harksie underlines the necessity of American voices in soccer commentary, recounting his Goal of the Year win in the ...
Feb 22, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 239
