Advertise on podcast: America the Beautiful Game

In a rare crossover episode, we combine American the Beautiful Game and United States of Dramerica and talk about football while drinking whisky. The guest is Danny Stone, head coach of Orange County Soccer Club. He drinks a Glenlivet 15 and we talk about the impact of the World Cup in America, his coaching strengths and weaknesses and his love for the game here in the States. We talk about his family's performance background, his skills as an orator and being hit by a golf ball struck by a whisky company CEO. We cover coaching ambitions, the pay to play model for young players and why he wants to share a bourbon with Frank Sinatra in Vegas.

We talk to the hugely impressive Peter Moore about his transition from CEO of the mighty Liverpool to founding Santa Barbara Sky in the USL Championship. He talks about the growth of opportunities in America, building a club from scratch and the importance of community whatever the size of the team. Peter explains why he and his wife wanted to undertake this opportunity, what Santa Barbara has to offer and the power of the badge. He describes his 4 C's of leadership, the balance between international growth at Liverpool and keeping the fans happy and whether Oprah will be coming to watch Sky games. A fascinating discussion about the passion of sport.

We talk to Andrew Fox, Orange County Soccer Club defender and legendary trivia figure. We talk about his unconventional journey to the USL, playing non-league in England, college scholarship in Texas, back to the English Football League before back to America. We also talk about his red card for Grimsby Town against Crystal Palace - the first player in the UK to be sent off following a VAR review. Fox tells us the detail of this extraordinary career footnote, why he loves football in the US and we talk promotion/relegation and fan banter.

We talk to soccer ticketing consultant Jim McCarthy. We talk about why top football teams aren’t better at ticketing, the Messi and Caitlin Clark impacts in American sport and how Championship teams in England have their models wrong. We discuss stadium seating areas, why ticketing is important and how he has turned bagel knowledge to Goldstar tickets to football.

We talk to former flying winger Gareth Ainsworth about his playing and managerial career. He tells us about his literal baptism of fire at Wimbledon, what he learned there about culture and how he models himself on Diego Simeone. Gareth talks about his desire to manage in the US, the away dressing room at Accrington Stanley and why Ryan Reynolds made such a brave choice at Wrexham. We cover promotion and relegation, causing havoc against Newcastle and his love of music - and performances with The Cold Blooded Hearts. A fun chat with a real character of the game.

We talk to entrepreneur Simon Leslie who took the plunge and bought himself a non-league team. He talks about transforming the business into a media company, bringing in celebrities and overcoming fan resistance. Simon explains why he’s in it for the long haul, changing the badge and firing the manager and trying to bring some aspects of American sport to the National League South. He tells us about his long term ambitions, how everyone told him not to buy the club and beating Manchester United to a  new shirt sponsor. Fascinating insight into sports ownership by an extraordinary entrepreneur.

I talk to Sacramento Republic boss Ashley Horsley. We talk about the excitement of running a soccer team, what a non-sports job can teach you about sports and what an Open Cup run do for a team. We talk about women in sport, the public nature of the job and trying to conduct a business conversation during a match. Data in sport, cheering the front office team up after a loss and growing the team in a tough business environment are all covered in our wide-ranging conversation.

Today is Open Cup day and we speak to Cody Copper, former US Youth and MLS keeper now plying his trade for Orange County Soccer Club. He talks about the magic of the cup, returning to an MLS stadium and why the USL is such a growing league. He tells us about his time in England with Ipswich and Southampton, having bags of urine thrown at him in Guatemala and why America crowds are meaner to goalkeepers. We talk about MK Dons and how much he knew about their franchise story, conceding 13 goals in two games for Mew England and which goals haunt him. A fascinating insight into the mind of a goalkeeper with transatlantic experience.

We talk to ex-player and now leading commentator and analyst Devon Kerr. Together we reminisce about Orange County's 2021 USL Championship victory, the growth of the US game and how much the young American player's experience abroad has changed. We talk about cherishing victories, emotionless commentary and deep research. Devon tells us about his time playing in Germany, training with great players and his move to the commentary box. We talk passion for the game, the growth of the USL and a long discussion about promotion and relegation. A great discussion with a genuine soccer enthusiast.

We talk to the hilarious and fascinating Mark Donaldson, long-time ESPN commentator. We talk to editing radio with a knife, the first team ever to beat the New York Cosmos and writing four sports books. He tells us about his love for Hearts, the importance of Succession to the club’s growth, covering American sports as a Scotsman and who will be the next USMNT coach. Fun, fascinating and nostalgic in equal measure.

We talk to LA Times soccer writer Kevin Baxter. We talk the battle for LA supremacy, the rise and fall of LA Galaxy and his love of Manchester City - and his car. He tells us about his reluctant move away from baseball reporting, how his wife shamed into improving his soccer coverage and the use of statistics in covering sports. We talk World Cups, women’s football and America’s chances in 2026. A romp through the world of soccer and sports journalism with one of the best in the business.

We talk to the effervescent Adam Richman, former host of Man vs Food and a true football lover. He tells us why he chose Spurs, why he bought shares in Grimsby and why he is the shirt sponsor of charity football side Broadley FC. We go deep into fandom, growth of the game in America and why he gets trolled for ten year old tweets about West Ham. Adam assesses America’s World Cup chances, talks about football stars in commercials and we have a brief discussion about food at football stadia. A fun chat with a real football guy.

We talk to legendary AFC Wimbledon Commercial Director Ivor Heller. He talks about the franchising of the club, his involvement from day one and why he fell in love with Wimbledon. He describes the chance sponsorship deal with Football Manager, the extraordinary relationship with American influencer John Green and the broad appeal of the club well beyond the usual League 1/2 reach. Ivor tells us about Wimbledon's plans for the future, the mascot on a stag do/bachelor party and the old legends who still attend games. A discussion about righteous indignation, the support of the broader football community and one man's love for his club.

We talk to ex-player, entrepreneur and now Teqball CEO Ajay Nwosu. He explains what Teqball is, why David Beckham loves it and how the best women can beat international male players. He tells us how many MLS, Premier League and even NHL clubs use it and the work he is doing to get the sport into the 2028 Olympics. Ajay tells us about his short playing career, his move to the US and rates his own Teqball ability. A fascinating insight into a global phenomenon.

We talk to British veteran broadcaster Adrian Healey. He talks about his time calling games for the New England Revolution, ESPN and now Austin FC. We talk about the birth of MLS, PKs vs penalties and the importance and joy of supporting League 2 clubs. We also cover home vs neutral commentary, monitors vs live games and celebrity ownership. Adrian talks about the US’ World Cup chances, the growth of the game and working with a newly-formed club.