It Was What It Was
Soccer: An American History - Part Two: Struggles, Expansion and International Influence
Published: 21 March 2025 at 05:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
In today's It Was What It Was, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson continue to explore the fascinating story of soccer in the United States.
Highlighting the pivotal role of immigrant communities in the sport's development, the episode also examines key figures like Bela Gutmann and the significant tours by foreign teams that attracted huge crowds.
Join us for the conclusion of this three-part series on Tuesday.
00:00 Introduction to Bela Gutmann's New York Era
00:51 The Pre-History of American Soccer
01:36 Challenges in Establishing Soccer in the U.S.
02:26 The First Professional Soccer League
04:24 Financial Struggles and League Dynamics
07:16 Formation and Early Years of the American Soccer League
20:53 Innovations and Comparisons with Other Sports
24:19 College Football's Dominance and Soccer's Struggles
25:39 The Role of Universities in American Sports
26:14 Challenges in Early American Soccer
26:53 The Rise of the New York Giants
27:44 Fall River Marksmen's Dominance
28:25 Economic Struggles and Soccer's Impact
29:29 The League's Early Successes and Challenges
30:14 Expansion and New Teams
31:13 Player Transfers and Immigration Issues
33:19 The American Menace and Scottish Football
34:49 International Influence and Jewish Tours
41:07 The Impact of Jewish Players and Fans
44:23 The Maccabees and Tactical Evolution
47:49 The League's Growing Popularity and Issues
50:32 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook
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