Women’s World Cup Final Podcast: A Sublime, Defiant Triumph
July 7, 2019
In this final podcast, Alan and Meleiza celebrate the incredible victory of the U.S. Women’s National Team as they triumphed over the Netherlands to win their historic second-consecutive world title, and a coveted fourth star for the USWNT jersey. This game, and this team, reflected everything we love about the People’s Game: a beautiful run…
England/USA Semifinal: Best Battle since 1776!
July 3, 2019In this podcast, Alan and Meleiza discuss the thrilling Women’s World Cup semifinal showdown between England’s Lionesses and the USWNT. From Megan Rapinoe’s notable absence, to Alex Morgan’s tea-drinking goal celebration, to Ellen White’s spectacular equalizer and Alyssa Naeher saving the day, this match had all the dramatic moments one can see in a top-flight…
Day 33 Podcast: Truly The World’s Champions
July 17, 2018Another World Cup cycle has drawn to a close, with the triumph of France and the African Diaspora. Alan & Mel reflect on these thirty-two extraordinary days, the excellence on the field, and its fields of meaning in a turbulent world with Laurent Dubois, author of “The Language of the Game,” who speaks to us…
Day 32 Podcast: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Mbappé!
July 16, 2018Les Bleus! 2018 World Cup Champions! The French add a second star to their jersey with a scintillating 4-2 victory over a brilliant and resilient Croatia. Meleiza and Alan explain why, over the course of the last 32 days, France proved themselves deserving champions, truly the best team in the tournament – loaded with young,…
Day 31 Podcast: France v Croatia: Previews, Predictions, Appreciation
July 15, 2018Alan & Fernando preview tomorrow’s final and tender their predictions. They marvel at the skill & stamina of Croatia; and emphasize France’s oft-overlooked defensive strengths. They discuss the possible political significance & symbolism of the showdown in this fraught time of crisis; and they also celebrate what has been a gloriously entertaining month of futbol!…
Day 30 Podcast: France & Croatia: The Roots of Their Brilliance
July 14, 2018Elliot Ross, the man behind the popular Twitter handle Football is a Country @Futbolsacountry, joins The People’s Game’s Alan Minsky and Pacifica Radio’s Suzi Weissman to preview Sunday’s World Cup final between Croatia and France. We discuss the back stories of both teams, explain their on-field brilliance, and ask what, if anything, might be the political resonance of a victory by…
Day 29 Podcast: Global Futbol & the Political Imaginary
July 13, 2018Amy, Laurent, and Alan discuss the 2018 Men’s World Cup soccer tournament as it approaches its denouement in Russia. Laurent is famously a partisan of the French national team, and he relates the political resonance of his team, both in France and across the globe. Amy confesses her new-found appreciation of both the games on…
Day 28 Podcast: An Appreciation of Croatia’s Grit, Determination, Talent, and Trauma
July 13, 2018Alan summarizes his and Meleiza’s reflections on the England v Croatia semi-final; and wonders what lessons the futbol universe might impart from having such a tiny nation reach the World Cup final. Also, under consideration, the relationship of the 90s Balkans war on the players. Both finalists are certainly filled with players from families who…
Day 27 Podcast: Vive La France! Vive La Revolution!
July 10, 2018Mark Torres, Director of the Pacifica Radio Archives, is a huge futbol fan – and he traveled to London, Mexico City, and Iceland during this year’s tournament. He’s back in LA, and he shares his thoughts on today’s semifinal between France and Belgium, the entire 2018 World Cup and its political subtexts. Mark is a…
DAY 26 PODCAST: High Stakes, Beautiful Game
July 10, 2018On today’s semifinal preview podcast we turn to the story on the field, break down the potentially winning elements of each of the four remaining teams – France’s fountain of youth, the tactical genius of Belgium’s maverick manager Roberto Martinez, England’s powerhouse teamwork, and the dynamic duo of Croatia’s Modric and Rakitic. Plus, we reject…