Shows / Soccer 101
Soccer 101
All the soccer history and explainers you can handle
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Episodes
- Soccer 101
What is the Persian Gulf Pro League, and how has it helped develop the Iranian national team?
We're continuing our series profiling the domestic leagues of countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week it's one that we knew…
- Soccer 101
What is fixture congestion and what can teams do to combat it?
This week, we're taking a look at the scourge of the modern game: fixture congestion. Is it indeed a problem exclusive to the modern era? What can teams do to…
- Soccer 101
What is the J.League and how has it strengthened the Japan national team?
With Japan officially qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, we wanted to take at domestic football in the country. In so doing, we attempt to answer questions…
- Soccer 101
What is CONCACAF, and what is its scandalous history?
This week, we're taking a look at everyone's favorite (or fourth favorite) confederation: Concacaf. How many countries does it oversee? What exactly does it…
- Soccer 101
Why isn't Ligue 1 better? What are the issues it's faced, and how has it positioned itself for future growth?
This week, we're taking at the a league that boasts some high-profile clubs, a lot of youth talent, and some storied teams... and yet still isn't perceived as…
- Soccer 101
How do teams, players and managers handle the language barrier?
What do you do when your coach speaks one language, your center back another, and your striker a third? How do clubs handle language barriers between players…
- Soccer 101
What are the best and worst rebrands in soccer history?
Graham and Taylor are together again to discuss the best and worst rebrands in club soccer. Why would a club want to rebrand, what are the benefits and…
- Soccer 101
Do Sporting Directors, GMs and Directors of Football all do the same thing?
It's an episode that guests your hosts confused multiple times... terminology! What exactly is a Sporting Director and is it the same thing as a Director of…
- Soccer 101
What is a cult hero, and how does a player become one?
No flavor aid required for this episode... we're talking cult players! What is a cult hero, how does a player become one, and who are some of our personal…
- Soccer 101
What is The Big Six in the Premier League, and does it still exist?
Graham "The Big ONE" Ruthven and Taylor are together again to break down The Big Six in the Premier League: which clubs are included, how has the grouping…
- Soccer 101
An abbreviated history of Neymar, and why he's such a polarizing figure
What's the latest with Neymar, why has he been such a controversial figure in his career, and how will he be remembered by future generations? Plus, did he…
- Soccer 101
How do Premier League clubs typically travel to matches?
Inspired by Bournemouth's long-distance journey all the way to Newcastle, we take a look at the preferred methods of transport for Premier League clubs. What…
- Soccer 101
#196 What is PSR, why was it introduced and how is it enforced?
This week, it's the topic that has the person in charge of the second set of books nervous... Profit and Sustainability Rules! What are they, why is it so easy…
- Soccer 101
#195 How to get tickets for a Premier League match
On this week's episode, Taylor (with no ticketing buying experience) asks Graham (some ticket buying experience) a litany of questions about the best ways to…
- Soccer 101
#194 Everything you need to know about futsal
Why did the soccer balls of our youth look like someone shaved The Grinch? Oh, but regarding this week's show, we're talking futsal! What is it, how did it…
- Soccer 101
#193 Why do winter breaks exist, and how many leagues observe them?
Graham and Taylor aren't on a break... but are instead discussing breaks. What is a winter break in soccer? Which leagues currently take winter breaks? What do…
- Soccer 101
#192 All things scran!
This week... it's Scran Talk! What do we know about the history of people eating at soccer matches? How important is food to the matchday experience at a…
- Soccer 101
#191 What is the history of goalkeepers in soccer, and how has the position evolved over time?
What is the history of goalkeepers in soccer? What are goalkeepers traditionally expected to do? How has the goalkeeping position changed in modern soccer? How…
- Soccer 101
#190 What is Match of the Day, and why is it so revered?
On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing the granddaddy of TV analysis: Match of the Day. What is it, how long has it been around…
- Soccer 101
#189 What is a fairytale in soccer, and are they becoming increasingly less common in the modern game?
Graham and Taylor are here to discuss their favorite fairytales (Graham is a big Frozen guy), but then they also discuss the concept of a fairytale in soccer…
- Soccer 101
#188 What do soccer players eat, and how has their nutrition changed over time?
Graham and Taylor are avoiding ranch and fizzy drinks to stay in ideal shape to discuss the diets of professional footballers. Why is diet and nutrition so…
- Soccer 101
#187 Who is Mario Balotelli, and why does he attract so much attention?
With the recent news that Mario Balotelli will be returning to Italy after signing for Genoa, we take a look back at his career so far, and ponder what it is…
- Soccer 101
#186 Who is Gianni Infantino and what does he do?
This week, we try (and instantly fail) to give an objective look at Gianni Infantino, our current FIFA President. Where did he come from? How much power does…
- Soccer 101
#185 What is a dual national and who are some of the most notable players who have switched national teams?
Graham and Taylor answer questions like "what is a dual national in soccer" and "what are the requirements for switching" and "who are some of the most notable…
- Soccer 101
#184 What are some formerly great teams that experienced a dramatic decline, and what factors led to that fate?
Graham and Taylor take a look at some of the biggest and/or most successful clubs that today find themselves in less glorious environs. How did they get there?…
- Soccer 101
#183 What is an ACL injury?
On this week's episode, it's time for pain. What happens when you tear your ACL, and how has treatment evolvedP over time? Which players recovered well, which…
- Soccer 101
#182 What is a Number 10, and how many different types are there?
It's an episode we somehow haven't done before... Number 10s! It's the most fabled number in soccer, but what does it actually signify and how did it come to…
- Soccer 101
#181 An abbreviated history of US men's national team managers
Spoiler alert: I loved recording this episode! With Mauricio Pochettino now anointed as the Savior of the USMNT, Graham and Taylor take a look back at the…
- Soccer 101
#180 What is the UEFA Nations League, and why does it exist?
Graham and Taylor tackle the sexiest of all topics: The UEFA Nations League! What is it, why does it exist, how does its format work, and is it really that…
- Soccer 101
#179 What is the origin of the Liverpool-Man United rivalry, and how has it grown over time?
With the fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool looming, Graham and Taylor break down the history of England's biggest (and most successful?) rivalry…
- Soccer 101
#178 What are The Galacticos, how many iterations have there been, and are we in a new era right now?
On this week's episode, in honor of Real Madrid's absurd starting lineup this past weekend, we take a deeper look at the term that defines the club…
- Soccer 101
#177 What is fantasy soccer and how does it work?
Graham explains the ins-and-outs of becoming a fantasy champion, while simultaneously being uncomfortable about how much time he spends on fantasy! But we also…
- Soccer 101
#176 What is the Scottish Premiership, why isn't it called the SPL, and what does its future hold?
Graham and Taylor (mostly Graham) go deep on the Scottish top flight! How long has it been around? Why does it have so many different names? How many of those…
- Soccer 101
#175 Who is new USWNT manager Emma Hayes, and why is her appointment so significant?
We're back! After a summer of watching entirely too much soccer, we... are ready to watch some more soccer. With the Olympic campaign now underway, Graham and…
- Soccer 101
#174 What are the European Championships, and how important are they on the global stage?
With the kickoff of Euro 2024 less than 24 hours away, Graham takes time away from his pre-tournament packing to discuss the European Championships as a whole…
- Soccer 101
#173 The best and worst of crests and kit colors in soccer
Special thanks to Michael Nunzi from the TSS Discord for requesting today’s topic! How important are a good crest and solid color scheme (metaphorically solid)…
- Soccer 101
#172 What is Wembley Stadium, and why is it called "The Home of Football?"
With the Champions League Final set to take place at Wembley this weekend, Graham and Taylor dive deep into the history and lore of the host stadium. How did…
- Soccer 101
#171 Why is the English Championship playoff final known as The Richest Game in Football?
With the Championship playoff final looming, Graham and Taylor discuss the history of the competition and how the format first came to be. Then it's on to the…
- Soccer 101
#170 What is the history of trophies in soccer? And what are some of the best and worst pieces of silverware?
With the end of the season upon us and trophies soon to be hoisted aloft on pitches across the planet, Graham and Taylor take a look at the history of…
- Soccer 101
#169 What is the Europa League and why doesn't it get more coverage?
On this episode. Graham and Taylor take a longer look at the Champions' League's less-heralded sibling, the Europa League. What is the history of the…
- Soccer 101
#168 What is Football Manager, and why is it so addictive?
Graham and Taylor continue to talk video games on this week's episode! This time, it's Football Manager! What is it? Why is it so popular? How into the weeds…
- Soccer 101
#167 The FIFA video game series and its lasting legacy
Graham and Taylor are here to discuss a topic 21 years in the making: the FIFA video game series. How long has it been around? How have the games evolved over…
- Soccer 101
#166 What is the Copa Libertadores and why are Brazilian clubs suddenly so dominant in it?
Graham and Taylor head to South America to discuss one of the longest-running, most prestigious club competitions in world soccer: the Copa Libertadores. What…
- Soccer 101
#165 What are match programmes and why do they exist?
It's a Ripped-from-the-headlines-of-the-life-of-Graham Special! What are match programmes and why are they still around? Do they exist in other sports and in…
- Soccer 101
#164 What does a captain actually do?
On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor don their respective armbands to discuss captains in soccer. What do they actually do? For how long has the role…
- Soccer 101
#163 What are parachute payments, why do they exist, and what are their positives and negatives?
MONEY PLEASE! On this week's episode, we're discussing Parachute Payments! What they are, how they work, and why they exist. Plus, the benefits and drawbacks…
- Soccer 101
#162 What is doping and how prevalent is it in soccer?
On today's episode, Graham is fresh from some injections and ready to join Taylor in discussing doping in soccer. What is it? How many different forms of…
- Soccer 101
#161 Hooligans and Football: where does the term come from, when did hooliganism first come to prominence, and how prevalent does it remain today?
This week, Graham and Taylor avoid fisticuffs to instead talk out the history of hooligans (and hooliganism) in football! We answer a variety of questions on…
- Soccer 101
Bonus episode! The Can I Kick It podcast discusses the new joint Anti-Discrimination Policy by MLS, MLSPA, and Black Players for Change
A bonus episode this week! We're cross-posting an episode from our friends over at the Can I Kick It podcast. Host Elliot Bar sits down with Greggo from For…
- Soccer 101
#160 Everything you need to know about The Designated Player Rule in Major League Soccer
This week, Graham and Taylor discuss a topic that they somehow haven't yet discussed on the podcast... Designated Players! What is a DP? Why does the concept…
- Soccer 101
#159 What is an interim manager, and who are the most successful examples in soccer history?
On this week's episode, Taylor (who could be sacked at any moment) and Graham (waiting to take over as Interim Podcast Host) discuss Interim Managers. When…
- Soccer 101
#158 What are soccer's biggest conspiracy theories?
Graham and Taylor don their tin foil caps to discuss soccer's greatest conspiracy theories, and attempt to determine which ones are completely fictional (most…
- Soccer 101
#157 What is the 3pm blackout and why does it exist?
This week, Graham and Taylor make sure not to record on Saturday at 3pm, so they aren't in violation of any sort of blackout rules. Is that how it works? Well…
- Soccer 101
#156 What is the Asian Cup, and who are its most legendary competitors?
This week, Graham and Taylor delve into the history of the Asian Cup, and there's a lot of surprising history there for the delving. When did it first begin?…
- Soccer 101
#155 What is a ‘wonderkid’ in soccer?
Graham and Taylor discuss everyone's favorite hype-train-generator: the wonderkid! Why is there such fascination with these players? What are the pitfalls of…
- Soccer 101
#154 What is the Africa Cup of Nations, who are its most successful competitors, and why does it take place mid-season?
With the 2024 (but actually 2023) iteration of the Africa Cup of Nations about to kick off, Graham and Taylor spend some time on the history of the tournament…
- Soccer 101
#153 What is the Club World Cup, and how will it change in the near future?
On this episode, we get into the past, present and future of Gianni Infantino's current favorite child: The Club World Cup! What is it, how has it evolved over…
- Soccer 101
#152 What is a points deduction, who hands them out, and how common are they historically?
With the recent news that Everton would be docked 10 points for violating Financial Fair Play rules, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing points…
- Soccer 101
#151 Why do throw-ins exist and how have their rules changed over time?
On this episode, Graham and Taylor toss themselves into the world of the throw-in. It's more interesting than it sounds, I promise! What is a throw-in? What is…
- Soccer 101
#150 The growth of the record transfer fee in soccer
Graham and Taylor discuss a moneymaker... the expansion of the record transfer fee over the years. Why did the transfer record grow so quickly? Which ones have…