American Futbol
American Futbol
The Men’s World Cup came back to the United States after more than three decades. So we take a deep dive at soccer culture in the U.S. and its underdog roots, told in short narrative episodes and deep dive interviews. Hosted by Fernanda Echavarri.Social links:
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BONUS: The Future of U.S. Soccer
We look into the question that so many Americans are left asking at the end of every Men’s World Cup: what will it take for the U.S. men’s team to compete with elite teams in the future? Plus, we examine the problems with the way youth development is run in the country, and what many call a flawed …
26:54
BONUS: The Art of Soccer Chants
What would soccer be without fans? And what would a match feel like without them chanting at the top of their lungs? Chants are a way to express joy, patriotism, and frustration. They can also be funny, vulgar, and harmful. We get into the history of soccer chants, the best ones of the 2026 World …
28:25
The Best (and Worst) of the 2026 World Cup
Farewell to the World Cup! We sit down with a soccer expert and superfan to discuss this Men’s World Cup’s significance. We get into the “firsts” in a global competition that’s been around for almost 100 years; the controversial moments and most joyful storylines; and Spain’s journey to the coveted…
26:06
One Fan’s Journey to the World Cup
What would you do to attend the World Cup? We follow one Panamanian woman’s journey through the joy and heartbreak of soccer fandom, and to the game’s biggest stage. "Whatever it takes, I'm gonna go,” Danetsy Len tells us. “What do I have savings for if not to do this once in a lifetime thing?" She…
27:08
Cristo Fernandez: Art Imitates Life
Growing up, Cristo Fernandez dreamed of becoming a professional futbol player. But getting there wouldn’t be so linear. Turns out acting would be key in making his soccer dreams come true. We talk to Cristo about his iconic character Dany Rojas in the series “Ted Lasso,” taking professional risks, …
22:34
Eternal Soccer Rivals: USA v. Mexico
It’s been described as the world’s best soccer rivalry: USA v. Mexico. We look into the hallmarks in an international rivalry that spans decades between two countries that share much more than a border. And we discuss why for the U.S. Men’s National team, every game against Mexico feels like an awa…
28:59
The Ball is Tainted: Iran, FIFA, and the World Cup
There’s long been a shared belief that despite the mistakes and wrongdoings of players, organizers, or world leaders, the game of soccer remains pure – untouched by our sins. In this episode we ask: how can that still be the case today? And we look into one of the countries that exemplifies the pol…
29:25
Andrés Cantor: The Man Behind "Goooool!"
Andrés Cantor has been a sports announcer for almost 40 years. He’s received eight Emmy Awards for his broadcasting and a place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame. You know his voice. His “Gooooooooool” has been featured everywhere from Late Night to the Simpsons. We get into the nitty gritty of c…
26:38
BONUS: Let the World Cup Begin
It’s here! This World Cup will be unlike many others – with more teams playing than ever before, challenging logistics, and volatile geopolitics – so we brought together two soccer experts to help give us the lay of the land for this tournament. We talk about impressions from the fans, FIFA’s prohi…
32:07
Haiti: The World Cup’s Underdog
Every sport has an underdog story. There are teams and players who go through such insurmountable odds that you can’t help but root for them. This World Cup, that team is Haiti. In this episode, we look at how a country and a soccer team written off by the world managed to shock everyone. And we …
24:12