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Open Wide for Some Soccer

Open Wide for Some Soccer

Written by: David McKenzie
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About this listen

 Relive the glory days of the North American Soccer League. David McKenzie alongside NASL legend Bob Iarusci discuss the legendary players and teams that made Soccer explode in America and Canada in the 1970's & 1980's. The NASL featured a number of the world's best players —Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, Giorgio Chinaglia, Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Eusebio, Gerd Müller, and George Best to name only a few. Join us as we discuss the ground breaking league that changed Soccer/Football as we know it. Football (American) World
Episodes
  • The Bob Iarusci Ultimate XI

    The Bob Iarusci Ultimate XI
    Apr 26 2022
    This week, Bob and David are doing something a little bit different during the episode. They’ll be talking about Bob Iarusci’s Ultimate XI — Bob’s pick of the best 11 players he played alongside. Bob explains his decisions around why he chose which players. The names on this team are simply unreal, talk about a list of exceptional talent...but who made the final cut? On this episode: ● The formation Bob chose when forming his team. ● Who Bob chose for his goalkeeper and why. ● How ball distribution changes over time have influenced goalkeepers today. ● How many seasons Bob played alongside his chosen goalkeeper. ● One of the strongest defenders Bob ever played with or against. ● The important, intangible skills and characteristics every team needs. ● Who Bob calls Canada’s finest talent of all time. ● The players David was sure Bob would pick. ● How Carlos Alberto acted like glue for the Cosmos team. ● The skill most great defenders have. ● How Carlos Alberto influenced who ended up on the field. ● What made Bobby Smith indispensable. ● The players Bob left out of his picks and why. ● Why it’s surreal for Bob to share and explain the people he played with. ● The player who broke curfew and ended up in exile. ● Why Wim Jansen didn’t make it on the team but deserve to be mentioned. ● The mentors Bob had in Toronto. ● One of the few players capable of slide tackling on artificial turf. ● The relationship Bob had with Eusébio and why he calls him a friend. ● Who showed up to Eusébio’s tribute game in Portugal. ● The player that always showed up with a big entourage. ● How misconceptions built up between opposing players. ● Bob’s pick for the manager of the team.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • David Brcic - From New York to Greenock

    David Brcic - From New York to Greenock
    Apr 18 2022
    On this episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by former New York Cosmos goalkeeper David Brcic. During the episode, David shares how he landed on goalkeeping at a young age and later ended up playing for the Cosmos. For David, playing with this team was a privilege, and he will reveal for us what he believes made this team truly special. On this episode: ● How David became involved in soccer at a young age. ● What made him realize he would be a good fit for goalkeeping. ● How and when David ended up playing with the New York Cosmos. ● Who he lived and trained with for three months. ● The two players David found to be the most comfortable with the ball. ● The way the role of goalkeeper has changed over the years. ● David’s experience playing for Greenock Morton. ● The players that became his friends at Greenock. ● Why David says the Cosmos team was special. ● How the Cosmos transitioned to indoor games. ● David’s relationships with some of the top-notch players on the Cosmos team. ● The player that sent David a special birthday gift. ● Why David says a recent documentary about the Cosmos is accurate. ● David’s experience playing with Giorgio Chinaglia. ● What Carlos Alberto did at a Minnesota game that surprised everyone. ● Who picked up David’s wife from the airport the first time she went to visit New York. ● Why David says the Cosmos weren’t themselves towards the end. ● The phenomenal teammates David remembers playing with. ● David’s experience playing indoor soccer with the New York Cosmos. ● Why the NASL deserves more respect than it’s usually given.
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    53 mins
  • Charlie Mitchell - From Paisley to Hawaii

    Charlie Mitchell - From Paisley to Hawaii
    Feb 15 2022
    On this episode of Open Wide for Some Soccer we’re joined by guest Charlie Mitchell, who played in the North American Soccer League for ten seasons. Charlie shares what led him to play with the Rochester Lancers, his greatest memories in playing with some of the best players in the NASL, and what he wishes he appreciated more looking back on his experiences. On this episode: ● How Charlie ended up playing for the Rochester Lancers. ● What was happening in the NASL at the time Charlie joined the Lancers. ● What made Rochester so soccer centric. ● What community’s soccer should be reinvigorated in and why. ● The dynamic when Giorgio Chinaglia joined the New York Cosmos. ● What it was like playing with some of the best players in the NASL. ● When the players went on strike and why. ● How Charlie felt finding out he was being traded to the Cosmos. ● How Pelé acted behind the scenes. ● What Charlie wished he appreciated more looking back. ● The player that easily took other players for a walk. ● The kick Pelé always wanted to make in America and how Charlie made it happen. ● Why Charlie says he was at the right place at the right time. ● The worst conditions Charlie has played under. ● How Charlie reacted when he got asked to go play in Hawaii. ● What happened when other players came to Hawaii for away games. ● Why Charlie enjoyed playing indoor soccer. ● The trajectory of Charlie’s career after Hawaii. ● The type of player that Peter Lorimer was.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
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