John's back! We're less than 100 days out from kick off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and on today's episode, John and Daniel start things off by breaking down their hierarchy of loyalties with the teams in this year's World Cup. Then, John leads the way on a deep dive of the USMNT. Could this finally be their year? And Daniel tells a story about how he ended up with some sweet purple sneakers with a questionable team's name on them.

Got a question? Email us at awayendpod@gmail.com.

John's back! We're less than 100 days out from kick off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and on today's episode, John and Daniel start things off by breaking down their hierarchy of loyalties with the teams in this year's World Cup. Then, John leads the way on a deep dive of the USMNT. Could this finally be their year? And Daniel tells a story about how he ended up with some sweet purple sneakers with a questionable team's name on them.
Got a question? Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:awayendpod@gmail.com">awayendpod@gmail.com</a>.

Two novelists, Daniel Alarcón and John Green, friends since they were teenagers, tackle questions big and small around the World Cup and international football more generally. The only soccer podcast that regularly name checks Toni Morrison, The Away End is about much more than sport: it's about politics, literature and culture, with an eye toward those moments and spaces where our collective love of soccer reveals something unexpected about who we are.

Two novelists, Daniel Alarc&oacute;n and John Green, friends since they were teenagers, tackle questions big and small around the World Cup and international football more generally. The only soccer podcast that regularly name checks Toni Morrison, The Away End is about much more than sport: it's about politics, literature and culture, with an eye toward those moments and spaces where our collective love of soccer reveals something unexpected about who we are.

The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green

 Episode 7: John and Daniel's Hierarchy of Loyalties, a USMNT Deep Dive, and the Allure of Purple Sneakers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e5eb213b-9e53-48ea-a762-b40200f25f64/transcript

On the 30th and final episode of Season 1 of The Away End, Daniel tells a story of his first international call-up, and how he got the name “Cabeza de Brócoli”. Then John ends the season with the obligatory AFC Wimbledon story about Barry Fuller and how, when things seem bleak and even futile, seeing things to their utter end with ferocious effort creates the most memorable result, no matter the outcome. And for the last time of this 2026 World Cup, your letters bring us home as they always have! 

On the 30th and final episode of Season 1 of The Away End, Daniel tells a story of his first international call-up, and how he got the name&nbsp;&ldquo;Cabeza de Br&oacute;coli&rdquo;. Then John ends the season with the&nbsp;obligatory AFC Wimbledon story about Barry Fuller and how, when things seem bleak and even futile, seeing things to their utter end with ferocious effort creates the most memorable result, no matter the outcome. And for the last time of this 2026 World Cup, your letters bring us home as they always have!&nbsp;

Episode 30: A Story of Belonging, the Legend of Barry Fuller, and Our Collective World Cup Journey

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7e00e709-544f-4bea-bc8a-b4940106540b/transcript

On Episode 29 of The Away End, Daniel and John celebrate Spain for their World Cup victory and try to make sense of a miserable game that no one will ever willingly rewatch. They also discuss what they obviously got wrong about the third-place game between England and France -- a game of no consequence that also happened to be the most entertaining match of the tournament. They reveal the winners of The Away End’s Bracket Challenge, and your questions bring us home! 

If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com. 

On Episode 29 of The Away End, Daniel and John celebrate Spain for their World Cup victory and try to make sense of a miserable game that no one will ever willingly rewatch. They also discuss what they obviously got wrong about the third-place game between England and France -- a game of no consequence that also happened to be the most entertaining match of the tournament. They reveal the winners of The Away End&rsquo;s Bracket Challenge, and your questions bring us home!&nbsp;
If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at <a href="mailto:awayendpod@gmail.com" data-outlook-id="7509ddfe-a304-4013-a5a7-0d9e1bd88f4d">awayendpod@gmail.com</a>.&nbsp;

Episode 29: La Furia Roja, the Game that Didn’t Matter and Surprising Innovations in Football

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7ac67b22-7dee-46df-b3b4-b48d013e88c8/transcript

On Episode 28 of The Away End, Daniel and John talk about the semifinal matches, starting with the incredible England vs. Argentina match where Messi, once again did some beautiful things to deliver Argentina to another World Cup final, as Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez were able to get the ball directly through the windows of England’s parked bus. And in a stark contrast, Spain was able to keep the ball away from France as France’s superstar front line was unable to show up. They talk about the players they will miss and preview the Spain vs. Argentina final as we get close to the moment that we’ve all been waiting for! Finally, your letters bring us home!

If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com. 

On Episode 28 of The Away End, Daniel and John talk about the semifinal matches, starting with the incredible England vs. Argentina match where Messi, once again did some beautiful things to deliver Argentina to another World Cup final, as Enzo Fern&aacute;ndez and Lautaro Mart&iacute;nez were able to get the ball directly through the windows of England&rsquo;s parked bus. And in a stark contrast, Spain was able to keep the ball away from France as France&rsquo;s superstar front line was unable to show up. They talk about the players they will miss and preview the Spain vs. Argentina final as we get close to the moment that we&rsquo;ve all been waiting for! Finally, your letters bring us home!
If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at <a href="mailto:awayendpod@gmail.com" data-outlook-id="7509ddfe-a304-4013-a5a7-0d9e1bd88f4d">awayendpod@gmail.com</a>.&nbsp;

Episode 28: Goals That End Dreams, Cape Verde and Whoever Wins the World Cup, Plus the Friends We Made Along the Way

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/07aaed75-479e-4e00-889a-b48900f81de0/transcript

Episode 7: John and Daniel's Hierarchy of Loyalties, a USMNT Deep Dive, and the Allure of Purple Sneakers

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