The People's Game

Mark 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…

On 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…

We’re down to the Final Four of the World Cup – all European – and three out of the four are colonizer nations clustered around the English Channel. Among all the reasons radical fans have to despair, there remain many reasons for radicals to cheer. We discuss the multiple dimensions through which people across the…

And then there were four. On today’s podcast, we discuss the drama of the last two quarterfinal matches: England triumphant against a lackluster Sweden, and a suspenseful Russia-Croatia thriller that literally came down to the last kick. Also, we pick apart the complex politics of the remaining four teams (Belgium, France, England, and Croatia), searching…

Belgium eliminates Brazil & France knocks out Uruguay. Alan and Meleiza talk about the ways that the Brazilian right-wing, which is busy undermining democracy in that country, would likely have taken advantage of a Brazilian World Cup victory, which is why many Brazilian radicals and progressive were reluctant (or refusing) to embrace this year’s team.…

How does this World Cup feel to a passionate fan of the US Men’s National Team? Pablo Miralles, who made the documentary Gringos at the Gate about the US/Mexico futbol rivalry, says its not so bad to miss out for two reasons: #1 because in the Age of Trump, he was dreading the jingoism of fair…

On today’s Fourth of July podcast, Alan and Meleiza reflect on how colonialism, language and hegemony intersect with the world’s most popular sport, as England continues its quest to ‘bring the World Cup home.’ Plus, we preview this weekend’s quarterfinal match-ups, and tender our predictions. http://archive.kpfk.org/mp3/2kpfk_180704_165500peoplegame.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Mexico has a leftist government, England wins on penalties, what next? Why not global revolution (w futbol)? Meleiza explains how the radical Twitterverse experiences the World Cup; hint: it’s like having the world’s best authors, activists, professors, and comics sitting around your living room watching the game! Not a bad way to spend 32 days.…

We speak to Fernando Romero in Mexico City about one of the most eventful 24 hours in recent Mexican history, in which AMLO and the left celebrated a the glorious victory on Sunday night, but El Tri fell to Brazil on Monday morning. Fernando was at the Zocalo for both monumental events. Also, Alan explains…

We review the reducto ad absurdum demise of Tiki-Taka, as Spain sleepwalk out of 2018 World Cup; though we wonder if some secret potions play a part the rise of the Russians. Also, we celebrate one brilliant result for Mexico (AMLO!) and hope for another tomorrow. Then KPFK’s DJ Nnamdi and Miguel Parades share their reflections…