Shows / Soccer 101
Soccer 101
All the soccer history and explainers you can handle
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Episodes
- Soccer 101
Harry Kane's long and winding journey to the Ballon d'Or
With Harry Kane landing the Ballon d'Or this week, we take a look back at his lengthy career. From the Arsenal academy to a series of loan moves to his…
- Soccer 101
How did PSG make the leap from good club to legendary team?
With PSG once again the odds-on favorites to win the Champions League (for the third straight time), we take a look back at how the club got to their present…
- Soccer 101
How Abramovich's purchase of Chelsea changed soccer forever
This week, we take a look back at the footballing landscape in Britain before and after Roman Abramovich acquired Chelsea. What was the ownership model…
- Soccer 101
How did Jurgen Klopp turn Liverpool into a superpower again?
On the 11th anniversary of Jurgen Klopp's appointment as Liverpool manager, Graham and Taylor take a look back at the situation he inherited, the work he put…
- Soccer 101
A history of American wonderkids
In honor of the many many youngsters getting minutes for the USMNT this international window, we take a look back at the history of wonderkids/wunderkinds in…
- Soccer 101
Messi and Argentina's Twenty-Year Story
With Messi's final Argentina farewell looming, Graham and Taylor take a look back at his time with the national team: from a red card on his debut to somehow…
- Soccer 101
Why isn't the national team of India better at football?
On this week's episode, we're diving into football in India: it's the world's most populous country, but why can't it qualify for a World Cup? We get into the…
- Soccer 101
How has Como built such a successful club?
With young talent, a manager full of potential, wealth that would make Scrooge McDuck look like a pauper, and an idyllic location, Como has become one of the…
- Soccer 101
How did the Premier League become the dominant league in the world?
This week, we dive into the dominance of the Premier League: when did it take the top spot in terms of global popularity and league strength? What factors…
- Soccer 101
What happened to Paul Pogba?
Paul Pogba went from teenage wonderkid to World Cup winner to a doping ban that nearly ended everything. And now, out at Monaco but battling fresh injury…
- Soccer 101
Ted Lasso returns! What are the origins of the show, how did it become so beloved, and what comes next?
Graham and Taylor are together again on the 101 feed to discuss the return of Ted Lasso! How did the show go from NBC ad to beloved series? What role has it…
- Soccer 101
Three Flags, One Badge: The Story of Bosnian Football
The Premier League of Bosnia was born in 2000 out of the wreckage of a brutal civil war, and served as a deliberate attempt to unite three separate ethnic…
- Soccer 101
The 21st-century talent pipeline: domestic football in Ecuador
This week, we head back to South America to do a little World Cup previewing... and this week, it's Ecuador! How have they risen to such prominence so quickly?…
- Soccer 101
Bohemia, Communism and Petr Cech: Football in Czechia
We spend some time in the country that has been several other countries in its footballing history: Czechia. From uncommon German roots to the impact of The…
- Soccer 101
Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns: soccer in South Africa
This week, we're spending some time in a nation with a complicated soccer history that mirrors its own complicated history: South Africa! From apartheid…
- Soccer 101
Artificial Intelligence and Soccer: problems solved vs problems created
This week, we spend some time on a topic that seems absurd but is actually already widespread: Artificial Intelligence in modern soccer. What are its present…
- Soccer 101
From the Ottoman Empire to Osimhen: football in Turkiye
Disclaimer - This is Taylor. I edited this episode. I talk A LOT. Even by my standards. But it's the first time I've gotten to talk about Turkiye in detail in…
- Soccer 101
Xhaka, Shaqiri and 128 years of footballing history: soccer in Switzerland
We're traveling to a land that tends to fly under-the-radar when it comes to the hype machine, but has been quietly influential in world soccer since the…
- Soccer 101
A tale of two clubs... 81% of the time: domestic football in Uruguay
This week, we're talking about THE dark horse candidate at every World Cup since 2010... it's Uruguay. The four-time world champion has one of the oldest…
- Soccer 101
What are the best World Cup balls, mascots and anthems?
In an effort to not only be depressing when discussing the World Cup, Graham and Taylor take a look at the lighter side of the tournament, and weigh in on the…
- Soccer 101
Kings, ultras, and unrest: Egyptian football explained
This week, Graham and Taylor spend some time trying to scratch the surface of the complicated history of soccer in Egypt: how did the sport rise to prominence…
- Soccer 101
An abbreviated history of World Cup disruptions: teams withdrawing, changing hosts and more!
On this week's episode, inspired by the latest chaos surrounding the 2026 World Cup, we take a look at the history of upheaval at the tournament: when have…
- Soccer 101
Youth development, colonialism, match fixing, and golden eras: a history of professional football in Belgium
This week, it's the country for whom De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku and Courtois have all played... just not in terms of the domestic league: Belgium! We trace the…
- Soccer 101
Wrexham: America's Team, Capitalism's Posterchild, or both?
On this week's show, we spend probably way too much time discussing the Rise of Wrexham (TM). Just kidding. They've probably already got that trademarked. How…
- Soccer 101
American managers in Europe: why haven't there been many and why aren't there more?
In honor of Pellegrino Matarazzo's strong start to life with Real Sociedad, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing American managers in Europe's top five…
- Soccer 101
Small nation, big results: How Croatia became football’s ultimate overachiever
How does a country of under four million people keep churning out World Cup semifinalists and all-time great midfielders? In this episode, we break down the…
- Soccer 101
Why is the World Cup expanding? The positives and negatives of FIFA's shift for 2026
With the World Cup looming in the distance, Graham and Taylor discuss the decision to expand the tournament from 32 teams to 48. Who led the campaign? Is it…
- Soccer 101
Balance and dominance: a brief history of Jordanian football
Graham and Taylor continue to preview the 2026 World Cup by taking a look at the domestic leagues of the participating nations, and this week it's Jordan's…
- Soccer 101
Does the Premier League have an English manager problem?
English managers were once the default in the Premier League; now, they’re a rarity. In this episode, we trace the sharp decline of English coaches across the…
- Soccer 101
From coffee houses to energy drinks: a brief history of Austrian league football
Graham and Taylor continue to preview the 2026 World Cup by taking a look at the domestic leagues of the participating nations, and this week it's Austria's…
- Soccer 101
How has punditry shaped our understanding of soccer, and what is its role in the modern game?
This week, Graham and Taylor are diving into the world of soccer punditry: what they do, why they do it, the early pioneers, the importance of ex-players in…
- Soccer 101
Northern lights and summer soccer: all about the Norwegian top flight
We continue to look at domestic soccer in the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week it's our friends in the north: Norway. How…
- Soccer 101
Why do American and European stadiums look so different?
Why do American sports teams constantly build shiny new stadiums while many European clubs play in the same grounds that their supporters grandparents'…
- Soccer 101
How did Qatar arrive on the soccer landscape, and how has the Stars League been impacted by Saudi Arabia?
On this episode, we’re unpacking the Qatari Stars League — what it is, how it works, and how it’s evolved. We run through the league’s biggest clubs and…
- Soccer 101
The biggest and best rivalries of the Premier League Era
This week, we're talking mind games, vegetables and voyeurism: it's the best rivalries of the Premier League era. From entire teams to managers to individual…
- Soccer 101
Ivory Coast’s Soccer Factory: Where the Next Drogba Might Be Playing Right Now
We dive into Ligue 1 LONACI, the top flight of Ivorian football. How did it start, who dominates it today, and how does it stack up against the continent’s…
- Soccer 101
Is Tottenham a big club, and when exactly did "Spursy" become a thing?
We come in peace, Spurs supporters! I promise you! No cheap shots or annoying jokes... or at least that's the goal. Instead, this week, we're looking at the…
- Soccer 101
Soccer in Colombia: A 2026 World Cup primer
We're continuing our look into domestic soccer in the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week... it's Colombia! The country of…
- Soccer 101
What are some of the best training facilities in soccer today?
Recording live from the TSS Podcast Training Facility, Graham and Taylor emerge from their state-of-the-art sleep pods to discuss all things training ground!…
- Soccer 101
Soccer in Morocco: a 2026 World Cup primer
This week, we're continuing our look into domestic soccer in the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. It's time to talk Morocco. The national…
- Soccer 101
A brief history of The Special One: the life and times of Jose Mourinho
With the news that Jose Mourinho has returned to Portugal to once-again coach Benfica, we take a lengthy look back at The Special One's career. How did he…
- Soccer 101
Has it become more common to sack a manager?
This week, it's time to get fired! We're talking managerial sackings. Who makes the decision? Why might a club part ways with a manager? How do they let him or…
- Soccer 101
Everything you need to know about the Primera Division, Argentina's top league
It's the league of Boca and River... and so, so much more! That includes a confusing league structure, a collection of incredibly talented clubs with…
- Soccer 101
All about free kicks, including ideal distances for shooting and greatest takers of all-time
This week, we're tackling all-things freekick! When did they first become a part of the game? How have they evolved over time? What is the difference between…
- Soccer 101
Shots Time! Are a bicycle kick and an overhead kick the same thing? What makes a volley a half volley, and more!
Why are there so many words for a shot? What is an overhead kick and is it different than a bicycle kick? Can a tatty-toe-bash be aesthetically pleasing? Those…
- Soccer 101
All about the K League: decentralization, domestic development, Champions League successes, and much more!
With the Republic of Korea qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, it's time to take a deeper look at domestic soccer in the country. How does Asia's oldest…
- Soccer 101
Are La Liga matches coming to the USA?
We're recording this one in mid-August 2025, with the prospect of European league games happening in the United States once again back in the news! What's been…
- Soccer 101
What is a transfer request, how does it work, and what happens when a club doesn't want to sell?
In honor of the transfer window (and one protracted saga in particular), Graham and Taylor look at the process of demanding a transfer. How is a transfer…
- Soccer 101
All about Uzbekistan! How strong is their top flight and has its quality improved in recent years?
With Uzbekistan having qualified for their first-ever World Cup, Graham and Taylor take a lengthy look at the Uzbekistan Super League, the nation's top flight…
- Soccer 101
What makes for a good match day atmosphere, and which clubs do it best?
We take a look at the 12th man of soccer (and try to avoid getting sued by Seattle while we do). What makes for a good atmosphere? When can it feel artificial?…
- Soccer 101
Everything you need to know about the Women's European Championships
With the 2025 European Championship kicking off today, we spend some time reviewing the history and evolution of the premier competition for national teams in…
- Soccer 101
How strong is Brazil's top flight, what are its biggest teams, and how has the league helped shape the national team?
We continue to profile the domestic leagues of the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and now that Brazil will officially be in North…
- Soccer 101
What is an assistant manager and what do they do?
"Who is that guy sitting next to the manager and why is he showing him stuff on an iPad?" We have answers! What is an assistant manager, and what do they do?…
- Soccer 101
What is sportswashing and why does it have such deep roots in soccer?
This week, we delve into the exciting and not at all depressing world of... sportswashing! What is it, how long of a history does it have in soccer, how has it…
- Soccer 101
How strong is the Canadian Premier League, and how has it helped strengthen soccer in Canada?
We continue to profile the domestic leagues of the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week it's an automatic entrant: Canada! What…
- Soccer 101
Did a horse lead to the downfall of Manchester United?
This week, we've got a doozy of a tale for you: it involves a racehorse, a cantankerous Knight of the Realm, and a couple of billionaires with a point to…
- Soccer 101
Is nepotism a thing in professional soccer?
Short answer: kinda, but not really. Longer answer:... you'll have to listen to the episode, but we discuss some of the most famous father-son duos in soccer…
- Soccer 101
How have soccer pitches improved over the years?
This week, we revisit a topic that we've only touched on briefly in the past: soccer pitches. We get into dimensions and the like, but (inspired by this…
- Soccer 101
What is the professional soccer landscape in New Zealand?
We're continuing our series profiling the domestic leagues of countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week we're heading to the land of…
- Soccer 101
Why doesn't MLS use the European Calendar? What are the benefits and drawbacks of adopting it?
With the news this week that MLS will not be making a move to the European calendar after the 2026 World Cup, Graham and Taylor take a look at the situation…