America the Beautiful Game

Feb 04 2024 1

America the Beautiful Game Podcast artwork

America the Beautiful Game is a podcast about soccer in the US and its relationship with Europe. Each week Dan Rutstein, a former sports journalist and diplomat and now head of International at Orange County Soccer Club, sits down with a new guest to discuss the sport and its growth in this country. We have current and former players, coaches, administrators and those from industries linked to soccer - betting, data, marketing and more. America the Beautiful game is a chance to see soccer in the US from a new angle. Please join us.

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Matchday 31 - Gareth Ainsworth, Wimbledon legend and manager

Feb 04 2024 31 mins

We talk to former flying winger Gareth Ainsworth about his playing and managerial career.He tells us about his literal baptism of fire at Wimbledon, what he learned there about culture and how he models himself on Diego Simeone.Gareth talks about his desire to manage in the US, the away dressing room at Accrington Stanley and why Ryan Reynolds made such a brave choice at Wrexham.We

Matchday 30 - Simon Leslie, owner of Eastbourne Borough FC

Nov 28 2023 31 mins

We talk to entrepreneur Simon Leslie who took the plunge and bought himself a non-league team.He talks about transforming the business into a media company, bringing in celebrities and overcoming fan resistance.Simon explains why he’s in it for the long haul, changing the badge and firing the manager and trying to bring some aspects of American sport to the National League South.

Matchday 29 - Ashley Horsley, Sacramento Republic

May 14 2023 44 mins

I talk to Sacramento Republic boss Ashley Horsley. We talk about the excitement of running a soccer team, what a non-sports job can teach you about sports and what an Open Cup run do for a team.We talk about women in sport, the public nature of the job and trying to conduct a business conversation during a match.Data in sport, cheering the front office team up after a loss and grow

Matchday 28 - Cody Cropper, goalkeeper Orange County SC

Apr 25 2023 46 mins

Today is Open Cup day and we speak to Cody Copper, former US Youth and MLS keeper now plying his trade for Orange County Soccer Club.He talks about the magic of the cup, returning to an MLS stadium and why the USL is such a growing league.He tells us about his time in England with Ipswich and Southampton, having bags of urine thrown at him in Guatemala and why America crowds are me

Matchday 27 - Devon Kerr, Broadcaster/Analyst

Mar 05 2023 61 mins

We talk to ex-player and now leading commentator and analyst Devon Kerr.Together we reminisce about Orange County's 2021 USL Championship victory, the growth of the US game and how much the young American player's experience abroad has changed.We talk about cherishing victories, emotionless commentary and deep research.Devon tells us about his time playing in Germany, tra

Matchday 26 - Mark Donaldson, ESPN commentator and Hearts fan

Jan 17 2023 57 mins

We talk to the hilarious and fascinating Mark Donaldson, long-time ESPN commentator.We talk to editing radio with a knife, the first team ever to beat the New York Cosmos and writing four sports books.He tells us about his love for Hearts, the importance of Succession to the club’s growth, covering American sports as a Scotsman and who will be the next USMNT coach.Fun, fascinatin

Matchday 25 - Kevin Baxter, LA Times soccer reporter

Sep 20 2022 43 mins

We talk to LA Times soccer writer Kevin Baxter.We talk the battle for LA supremacy, the rise and fall of LA Galaxy and his love of Manchester City - and his car.He tells us about his reluctant move away from baseball reporting, how his wife shamed into improving his soccer coverage and the use of statistics in covering sports.We talk World Cups, women’s football and America’s c

Matchday 24 - Adam Richman, Spurs superfan, Grimsby shareholder and former Man vs Food host

Aug 21 2022 48 mins

We talk to the effervescent Adam Richman, former host of Man vs Food and a true football lover.He tells us why he chose Spurs, why he bought shares in Grimsby and why he is the shirt sponsor of charity football side Broadley FC.We go deep into fandom, growth of the game in America and why he gets trolled for ten year old tweets about West Ham.Adam assesses America’s World Cup cha

Matchday 23 - Ivor Heller, Commercial Director AFC Wimbledon

Aug 14 2022 33 mins

We talk to legendary AFC Wimbledon Commercial Director Ivor Heller.He talks about the franchising of the club, his involvement from day one and why he fell in love with Wimbledon.He describes the chance sponsorship deal with Football Manager, the extraordinary relationship with American influencer John Green and the broad appeal of the club well beyond the usual League 1/2 reach.Iv

Matchday 22 - Ajay Nwosu, CEO Teqball USA

Jul 27 2022 31 mins

We talk to ex-player, entrepreneur and now Teqball CEO Ajay Nwosu.He explains what Teqball is, why David Beckham loves it and how the best women can beat international male players.He tells us how many MLS, Premier League and even NHL clubs use it and the work he is doing to get the sport into the 2028 Olympics.Ajay tells us about his short playing career, his move to the US and ra