Welcome to the GP Soccer Podcast! (S14 E2)

                        Welcome to the GP Soccer Podcast!  (S14 E2)

Proud member of the Sports History Network and endorsed by the National                                                  Soccer Coaches Association of Canada.     

Host Giovanni Pacini welcomes his worldwide audience to yet another exciting show and don't forget this season will feature World Cup "bonus content" throughout the season and beyond!

This week's "Conversation with the Coach" is with Paul Ostberg, the North American Soccer Consultant for the film documentary- "Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story. "Coaches Corner" features the popular Erik Eisenhut of United Goalkeeping Alliance where he discusses the importance of goalkeeper communication. "News and Analysis" will feature Giovanni Pacini with news about the upcoming World Cup, and Ralph Ferrigno is a little under the weather this week, but you can still enjoy an episode from the European Soccer Report archives.  The "American Soccer Revolution" features audio from Harrison Szep where he exposes the dark side of the pay to play system. 

The GP Soccer Podcast features new shows every Wednesday and can be found anywhere you listen to your podcasts. Listeners are encouraged to "Like" and "Subscribe" the GP Soccer Podcast and share the show amongst those within their social media network! Those interested in advertising on the show can contact host Giovanni Pacini at gp4soccer@yahoo.com. And be sure to check out the show website at www.gpsoccerpodcast.com. 

                    GP Soccer Podcast enjoys continued support from-
United Goalkeeping Alliance - Music Meets Sports - National Soccer Coaches Association of Canada - The Sports History Network - Feedspot.com - GP Voice Over Services

Enjoy the show!

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 1:21

Well, hey there everyone. Giovanni Piccini here, your host of the GP Soccer Podcast. Great to be with you once again here season 14. We're now into it. Last week was our very first episode of season 14, and obviously this is number two, all right, if you do your math correctly. Um I got a lot of really nice feedback from uh from a lot of listeners. Um it's always nice to get that kind of feedback, uh particularly having done this for for these these many seasons. Um there there are there are lots of choices for you, uh the the listening audience out there to tune into for your listening pleasure. Um and I'm just grateful to all of you who tune into the GP Soccer Podcast each and every week. Um you know, I say it all the time, and I mean this sincerely, and I think any quality podcaster will say the same thing, no matter what the subject matter of which they they talk about. Um there are lots of great shows out there, a lot of great podcasts uh done by some very terrific people, very knowledgeable folks uh in in the world of soccer. And I I encourage all of you to to get out there and and check out the soccer landscape. Uh, 'cause there's a lot of good stuff out there. And I and I have no problem as I as I've done it to all of you in the past, I have no problem, you know, talking about or citing some a really quality podcast or take a segment from a terrific podcast, and I make sure I give everybody due props, as they say, due credits. Um and uh 'cause there's a lot of great stuff out there, and I'm just very thankful once again uh to be one of those who uh a great many people tune into um each and every week and have done so now uh going on fourteen seasons. Um and for those of you who might be new to this whole you know, checking out podcasting stuff, that's it's not just uh you know, clicking the uh play button and listening to uh the the show itself, but there's a show script that uh again, if you're a quality pro podcaster, and I'd like to think that I'm a quality podcaster, there is a show script and it details uh all the things that will be uh talked about or addressed on on a particular show. And uh like a lot of podcasters, uh myself included, uh above there is a little icon or or a little sentence sentence that says send a text. Send a text. So if you've got something to you'd like to share with me uh here on the GP Soccer podcast, there is your mechanism, there is your opportunity just to kind of hit that send a text and uh share with me your thoughts. A lot of you have have done that already, and again, uh really, really appreciate it. So moving forward, uh terrific show today. I like to think that oh, they're all terrific, but a terrific show. Uh our conversation with the coach segment today is conversation with the oh, I guess, uh documentarian. Um and the show, uh the the segment today uh with conversation with the coach or uh documentarian is with Paul Osberg, or Ozzy, as we affectionately know him, and uh he is the North American soccer consultant for the film Transforming the Beautiful Game, the Clyde Best Story. You've heard me talk about uh this effort and this uh documentary on a number of occasions over the last couple of years. Uh last season we had the uh the filmmaker himself, Dan Egan, on the show talking about uh this story about Clyde Best. Um we also had Addy Coker on, who was a former teammate at West Ham United uh on last season as well. And if you haven't checked those out, please go back and do so. You'll enjoy both those conversations. And uh I guess the the third the third person involved here again is Paul Osberg, and we're gonna chat about his role um uh being involved with the uh with the documentary of uh Clyde Best. Uh, our our history, a little little little story behind the story, uh Ozzie and I go back a number of years, a great number of years. Now, if you're from the Boston area, um you you are very familiar with Babson College, and Babson College is noted for being just a wonderful institution of higher learning, but it has equally has a wonderful history of being uh a terrific soccer program over there. A great friend of ours, uh, that being Paul, myself, and even Danny Egan, as the great John Anderson, who still serves as the head soccer coach over there. And uh that's where Ozzy and I first met. Uh we discovered that we were both soccer junkies along with Danny Egan, but uh we were also uh ski junkies as well. And it is we are at ease talking about soccer as we are talking about skiing. Uh, but today it will be all about soccer and his role uh with that documentary. In Coach's Corner, we have the terrific Eric Eisenhunt from the United Goalkeeping Alliance, and he's gonna be talking about goalkeeping communications. You're gonna want to listen to that. Soccer news and analysis. So, with yours truly, Giovanni Pacini, will be a very, very World Cup-centric news uh and updates. The European Soccer Report with Ralph Rigno here again this week. And uh as a side note here, as we all know, Ralph does a terrific job here on the GP Soccer Podcast. But I want you to all make to make sure that you check out that uh check out Coach Ralph's soccer newsletter. Uh not only does he do a terrific job here on this show, but he also puts out an absolutely wonderful newsletter. Make sure you check that out from Coach Ralph Frigno. In the American Soccer Revolution, it's from a terrific, one of my favorite, one of my favorite YouTube pages uh from Harrison Zepp, S-Z-E-P. And I'm going to play for you uh a segment, the Pay to Play System in America Exposed. And I really love his podcast, I really love his presentations because he's very straightforward, does a wonderful job in detailing uh the things uh necessary to learn about this obscene uh system that we have here in the United States, known as pay-to-play. So I'm gonna share that with you uh uh in the last block today, in the American Soccer Revolution. Checking boxes, checking boxes, checking boxes. I noticed you last week, it being a World Cup year, that I'm gonna add a little bit of a twist to the show and just add some fun stuff. Uh that being some fun trivia. I think last week we talked about uh Jules Remette and the Jules Ramette trophy, what that was all about. I tossed a couple of new ones at you here this week. A couple of who who were these people or I guess animals you'll see in the second part here. Um Dr. Ottorino Barazzi. Not too Italian, I'm not now how did uh Dr. Ottorino Barazzi protect the Jules Romette Cup? Well, here's how the story goes. During the Second World War, the Italian vice president of FIFA, Dr. Ottorino Barazzi, hid the Jules Remette Cup in a shoebox under his bed and thus saved it from the from falling into the hands of occupying troops. Now, he's a hero in my book, uh, for for for doing that, uh, for for protecting the the uh the Jules Remette trophy uh in a shoebox of all places. Now, who was pickles? Well, in 1966, the Jules Remette Cup disappeared while on display at London's Westminster Central Hall, just a few months before the World Cup was due to take place in England. It was later found by a dog named, well, you guessed it, Pickles, owned by Thames River Barge worker named David Corbett. It was wrapped in newspaper under a garden hedge in South London. Pickles and Corbett received£3,000 of reward, and England went on to win the World Cup. Now, some World Cup fun firsts. The first goal in the World Cup was scored by Lucien Laurent of France against Mexico, July 13th, 1930. The first penalty goal, Manreo Roquetas Rosas from Mexico against Argentina on July 19th, 1930. The first hat trick, Gugliel Mostabile from Argentina against Mexico on July 19, 1930. The first player, here's a dubious one, the first player sent off Mario de las Casas from Peru against Romania, July 14, 1930, and last but not least, the first own goal was scored by, scored in big quotes there, Ernst Lorstescher from Switzerland against West Germany on June the 9th, 1938. So a little uh a little uh World Cup trivia that we'll be sharing with you each and every episode as we approach uh uh the World Cup tournament itself. So wrapping up here, this first block of the GP Soccer Podcast, I want to sh I want to uh end this block with an audio preview uh for the Clyde Best documentary, uh Transforming the Beautiful Game, the Clyde Best Story. And it's it it's it creates a nice setup for the conversation with Paul Osberg that we're coming up on in his role uh on that documentary. So there you have it. Uh we'll have a we'll end up this block with uh a little bit of audio preview. We'll break for a couple commercials, and when we'll return, you'll enjoy my conversation with Paul Osberg uh in his role with the on the documentary Transforming the Beautiful Game, the Clyde Best Story. Giovanni Pacini here, host of the GP Soccer Podcast. A couple of commercials, you know how this all works. Don't you dare. Go.

SPEAKER_10 10:22

Anyway, hey, come closer. Closer, listen in. I have a story you need to hear. You know, these days, with all the noise on social media, it's easy to miss the legends you've never heard of. And unless you're a diehard football or soccer fan, the name Clyde Bess might not ring a bell. But did you know the great paleo once told him, I'm the king, and now you're the prince. Clyde Bess went from this tiny island of Bermuda and splashed onto the world stage by becoming the first black football superstar in the modern TV era in the United Kingdom. The son of a shipwrecked sailor from Barbados, Clyde was one of eight children. In the 1960s, racial tensions were rising in the United Kingdom, United States, right here in Bermuda. Now, I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, at that time, one of the most racially divided cities in America. And when I heard the story about a 17-year-old Bermudian on a one-way ticket to London wore the starting position of a top team in the first division of English football. And not only was he the only black player on the field, but quite often the only black guy in the stadium, I wanted to know more. I needed to know more. Clyde Brass went from this small island of Bermuda to the biggest stadiums in the United Kingdom. Scoring goals was his calling card for navigating the racially complicated landscape of the world. So, yes, dreams do come true. And this story will prove that and more. So come closer. Listen up. This is the client best story. The most impactful sportsman you'd ever knew.

SPEAKER_11 12:50

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SPEAKER_04 13:38

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SPEAKER_09 14:56

Hi, this is Elisabeth J from WSA, and you're working with the soccer podcast.

SPEAKER_04 15:38

And welcome to the GP Soccer Podcast, conversation with the, oh, you know how this works by now. It's typically conversation with the coach, but depending upon my guest, uh that that'll change. So today it's conversation with the consultant. I'll leave you with a little bit of a teaser there. Uh our guest today on the GP Soccer Podcast, conversation with the consultant is Paul Osberg, or Ozzy, uh, for those of us who know him for as long as we have, uh Paul Osberg, who is the North American Soccer Consultant for the film Transforming the Beautiful Game, The Clyde Best Story. Now, if you're a regular listener to the GP Soccer Podcast, you know that I spent a lot of time chatting about this film because it's a wonderful, wonderful project. We had the uh filmmaker himself, Dan Egan, on uh last season. And then at the end of last season, we had the wonderful Addy Coker as a as a uh guest uh talking about uh this film. And today we'll uh add it and make it a trifector and uh having Ozzy here as the North American Soccer Consultant talking about his role in uh this wonderful film, Transforming the Beautiful Game, the Clyde Best Story. Well, Paul, Ozzy, I'll affectionally call you Ozzie. Welcome to the GP Soccer Podcast conversation with the consultant.

SPEAKER_06 16:57

Giovanni, it's great being with you. Longtime friend. We do be with you this afternoon. We do go back a couple of years, don't we? We do, we do. We spend a lot of time on the field.

SPEAKER_04 17:07

There we go. Well, for the sake of my listening audience, uh, Paul and I have a little bit of a little bit of a background. We go back a number of years, and if you're a New Englander, uh these places are going to resonate. Over at Babson College, uh, which is over the years have had an absolutely phenomenal uh soccer program there. Uh Paul and I used to work these summer soccer camps uh uh with the legendary coach John Anderson, who's still there, who's still there, and that's where uh Paul and I, and and and Dan Egan for that matter, we all met there, and uh we we came to the realization that we're all rabid uh soccer fans. And in the case of Dan and I, rabid ski fans.

SPEAKER_05 17:43

Uh and me included.

SPEAKER_04 17:44

And and Ozzy included. And uh, well, it went it went on from there. So it's uh absolutely terrific to have you on today. So for the folks who may be hearing this uh conversation, this interview for the first time, Transforming the Beautiful Game, the Clyde Vest story. It's it's a it's a feature-length sports and social history documentary that basically chronicles the life, the career, and the amazing lasting cultural impact of Clyde Best, who's who's arguably widely recognized as the first black football superstar of the modern television era in England. And as I noted, uh Dan Egan, it's uh who is the filmmaker, is is directs this film. And uh he basically, you know, the the film talks about Best's personal journey as both a uh a landmark sporting story and a lens through which to examine race, resilience, and uh, and unfinished equity in professional football. So it's more than just a soccer story. So, Paul, uh before we get into your role uh in this documentary, let's go back in time a little bit and share with my audience your story. Your story as a as a young guy growing up here in the New England area. Where did you where did you grow up and where you played? I kind of hinted already about your going to BAF and that type of thing, but but fill in the blanks there, but uh uh your history as a as a as a soccer uh player growing up uh here in the New England area.

SPEAKER_06 19:06

Yeah, so my journey started in Northampton, Massachusetts. Uh actually in a small town next to it called Florence is where I began. And luckily my older brother, Robert, um, was cut from football because he wasn't uh, I guess, big enough at the time. And in 1974, 75, the first soccer team started on the local field. And so my journey began as a six-year-old playing with uh the eight and nine-year-olds. And uh from there I attended a soccer camp called Eaglebrook, Eaglebrook Soccer Camp at the famous Eagle Brook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts, where I met uh Peter Gooding. And Coach Gooding, who has been at Amherst College, has been in my life from the first time I really started kicking the soccer ball. Uh from there I went to Northampton High School. I became an all-state player. I attended Loomis Chafee for a postgraduate year, uh, and uh I was an all-New England player there, which uh I think got me into Babson College 1985 under the direction of Bill Rogers, the famous soccer coach uh from Babson College. But unfortunately, uh two weeks before our preseason, he resigned and we had an intern soccer coach my freshman year. So basically our team was run by the seniors, uh, and then sophomore year, as you mentioned, John Anderson took over the job and has been there ever since. Um after uh playing at Babson, where I was an I made the All New England team my junior senior year, and my junior year I was an all-American. Um I then went to play a whole bunch of different leagues, Laza leagues, uh throughout my early 20s. Unfortunately, it was no place to really play unless you went to England, and players from America really didn't do that back then. Different times. Uh but uh then the MLS had their tryout, and I believe it was 1995, I want to say. Um I I uh David Durr from Dallas was running the tryout, and it was in Shrewsbury, and I had a really good tryout, but unfortunately, I didn't make the combine um to be picked as one of the players, but I was chosen to co play with the Connecticut Wolves by Cliff Analfo at the time, coach Lepsick Lefchic Rona, um, and then Steve Stoko took over, but I played four years uh with the Connecticut Wolves. Um, and uh, which was a highlight of my career, but it also started my coaching career, and uh from that I then started attending all the NCAA coaching courses. I got my advanced national license, and I also attended the U.S. Soccer Coaches uh licensing, where I've attained my A license and now I've audited my A a few times, so and which brought me to uh I'm still playing, I still play in Over the Hill Soccer League out of uh the Massachusetts uh uh surrounding areas, and I've also been doing some broadcasting. I met Dan Egan about five years ago, which got me into the movie Transforming the Beautiful Game. So that's that's basically uh my my story.

SPEAKER_04 22:58

So I'm always curious. So you went on to play at a very good level, and you're right. During that era was it was a uh kind of a tough time to play at the professional level, and you're right. If you if there were an opportunity here in the United States going to Europe or an American player at that at that during that era, is is it was very, very difficult. Um did you did you have aspirations of of being involved in the game at a full-time basis, or did this just kind of like organically kind of fall into place on its own? You gotta advance and you play some play some soccer. Did you have that aha moment? Like, I I want to do soccer for a for the uh on a full-time basis, it's gonna be my life, or or not? I'm gonna play soccer until I can't, and then I'm gonna go off and you know, do something you know out there in the quote unquote real world.

SPEAKER_06 23:41

My first attraction, believe it or not, was the Hartford Hellions.

SPEAKER_05 23:46

Oh, there we go.

SPEAKER_06 23:47

Indoor Professional Soccer League. I loved indoor soccer, and that was my first passion. I was good at it, I was quick, I loved the boards, I loved the speed, I loved the ball not going out of bounds, I loved a lot of goals. It just worked, but unfortunately, there were no places to play at the time. Actually, wanted to try to get a team into Springfield, Massachusetts, but nothing ever came to fruition. Um I always kept playing Geo. I just I wanted to play the game, and I knew I was getting better and better as time went on. And actually, it was a former national team player, a guy by the name of Tom Nozzle. Um, if you look him up, he had a few caps with our national team. He was in the area at the time, and he was the one, he was the one who basically said, you can still do this, you can still play. And so I tried out, I was 28 when I tried out with MLS, but I got to play in the USL League, and I knew I was told at the time, but I got to play with um I could a number of former collegiate standouts and MLS players. Tony Miola, uh oh, I could go on and on and on, you know, from the names that I get to play against. I mean, the guys that just played on my team in Connecticut with Johnny Mesner, Kurt Analfo, who played on our national team and was a famous coach, and he still coached the MLS, was with us all the time. So I was blessed to be around good people, soccer people, and uh the sport worked for me. You know, I loved basketball, but I was a point guard. I wanted to shoot, but they said all you had you can do is dribble up. I wanted to play uh baseball. I wanted to pitch, but they said nope, you're a center fielder. Well, you know, and on and on with the other sports. Soccer was the only sport where I felt like I could save a goal on one end, run anywhere I wanted to go on the field, and go down the other end and score a goal. And uh I was pretty good at it. So it worked for me.

SPEAKER_04 26:01

And you went on to coaching. Talk to my audience about your your coaching career.

SPEAKER_06 26:05

Yeah, the the coaching started, uh, I'd have to say again at Eagle Brook Soccer Camp when I was about 13, 14 years old working with uh the five and six-year-olds. I've I've had an affiliation, uh, I mean, um I've had a joy uh just working with kids, watching them, helping them achieve being able to do simple things with a soccer ball, but uh nothing better than having the kids say, hey coach, hey Ozzie, look, look what I can do. And um I've been doing it ever since. Um I've I've coached 30 years in high school. I I coached at Northampton High School, I coached at Smith Academy, uh, the smallest public high school in Massachusetts, had one of the best teams I ever had. Unfortunately, we got beat in the Western Mass Finals. Um I then went on and coached here in New Hampshire at Memorial High School. Uh, a number of good teams there. I got a number of great players uh who went on to be successful college kids and better yet, successful individuals. Um and then ODP, of course. Uh, but I will say this one thing that really rounded me out as a coach was for years I coached everybody else's kid until I had my own. And when I became a fan from sitting on the other side, I think it completed me as a coach, believe it or not. I got to see it from eyes uh that I never really had before. And I have a new appreciation for coaching, and I know I'm gonna get back into it, and when I do, I'm gonna be much more of a successful coach than I have been. I've won a lot of games, I've lost a lot of games. In the end, it's all about you know making sure the kids are are safe, they get an education, they have a little fun. I mean, again, it's it's called the game of soccer, right?

SPEAKER_04 28:06

So yeah, you make a good point there, Paul. It's it's fascinating, interesting to, you know, in in one sense, in one literal position, you're on the sideline as the coach, and your perspective changes dramatically when you're now up in the stands with a different set of eyes looking at the game. And um and you hit it right on the head. You know, it it it made you, it's gonna make you a better coach when you go back to the sidelines because of those two different perspectives you have on the field. One is a coach, and the second one is a fan slash parent or parent slash fan.

SPEAKER_06 28:42

And I've refereed. I mean, there you go.

SPEAKER_04 28:44

There's your third set of eyes. There you go.

SPEAKER_06 28:46

You know, so I've I've done them all. I've been on the sideline. Uh the last game I refereed, I got to do West Ham's Academy team and Bermuda's U-20 national team in Bermuda. I was in the middle. And uh I was asked, you know, could you do some more games? And again, I I love it. I got to referee uh the revolution down at Babson years ago, night in the 90s. I got to I got to be in the middle between the revolution and the I would believe it to be the Boston um John Current team, the Boston Bolt specialist.

SPEAKER_04 29:17

Boston Bulls, yeah. I think they're the Bulls. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 29:20

You know, so I I've I've I've had it, I've and now, Giovanni, I've got to be a broadcaster, which I've I'm finding out it's becoming my favorite. There's no pressure. I have nobody in the game. I get to announce and say whatever I'd like to say, and uh there's no repercussions, and I love that.

SPEAKER_04 29:40

There you go. Well, let's let's circle that. Let's tie you in to the to the film here. So let's make the connection between this film, Transforming the Beautiful Game, the Clyde Best Story, and Paul Osberg. So what how did the connection come to being? Uh and and tell the story of you know how um you you got connected with this with this film.

SPEAKER_06 30:00

Yeah, uh I I was lucky enough to be meet um the legend Dan Egan at Babson College. My freshman year, Dan was a a junior. He then became uh our senior captain when I was a sophomore. He then became an assistant coach my junior year, um, and he's been a model of inspiration my whole life, ever since. If you know Dan, Dan's been on a path that is unlike your typical nine to five person. And I I love that about Dan. Um, so I I I stayed in touch with Dan uh after graduating. Um I moved up to New Hampshire uh when I got married to my beautiful wife, Amy. Uh we were in southern New Hampshire, and Dan had been up in Plymouth at the time, and I'd always curious to know what he's doing. And at the time, Dan was producing the TV shows, the ski shows that you saw in New England. I can't really remember the names. Was it Ski New England or Yeah, he had a couple.

SPEAKER_04 31:13

I know Ski New England comes to mind. There was one other that doesn't come to mind, but yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_06 31:17

Right. So so he was doing those shows along with the Warren Miller films, which I had always been a fan, even before I met Dan. I knew about Warren Miller films being an avid, avid skier myself. So one day we were in Nashuan, uh, New Hampshire, and uh coming out of uh a lunch cafe, I saw Dan, and he and I'd always ask him, hey Dan, I would love to be part of you know the TV show or something. And he approached me and said, Hey, I've got a project coming, and this was 19, I mean 2017, I think it was, when I first met him, 2017, 2018, right around there where we started. Uh, he told me about the project. Um, I was absolutely totally enthusiastic about doing this. It was right up something that I'd be very passionate about. But to have the opportunity to be around all these soccer legends who are who I've grown up to admire and got to meet along the way of my coaching courses and playing courses, but now I get to meet legends that that were previous all this stuff, and meaning late 60s, early 70s soccer, NASL, things when I was a nine, eight, nine, ten-year-old, not really knowing at the time. So I met Dan, and he he said to me that I was his second person that he connected once he took over the job. And I've been with him uh since that day. Uh, we have done numerous trips from to Bermuda to Tampa where Clyde has played, which we'll get into. Um, and now we're we're venturing to uh London to to show the premiere uh at the end of March of this year, 2026.

SPEAKER_05 33:21

Right.

SPEAKER_06 33:21

So I have been in doing a lot of the research and in that research I've got to know Clyde, his family, his story, you know, extremely thorough thorough um and meeting, like I was saying, Gio, meeting these legends who I'd only seen or heard about, and now I get to interview them and hang out with them and talk and chat and be in a situation that is I never imagined that I'd be in a situation, let's put it that way. Dan is Dan has just opened my eyes to a world of of I guess you know the the fantasies I had as a child of could I actually do it, could I be around these people and now you know it's it's coming to to happen.

SPEAKER_04 34:14

There you go. So as I noted kind of in our opening, this isn't just a soccer story. I mean, you could do a whole documentary on on the soccer life of Clyde Best, but there's more to this man um than just soccer. This the film, as you very well know firsthand, it emphasizes Clyde's his mental resilience in the face of persistent racial abuse. How did you approach portraying uh that strength, that resilience without diminishing like the trauma of those experiences, that that being uh you know, facing uh racial abuse and racism and bigotry?

SPEAKER_06 34:50

Clyde's not normal. That's all I can say, Gio, because he holds no animosity. Um he he he just has passes passes no judgment on anybody. He is such a warm-hearted individual. He told me he let he let the the comments and the situations roll off his back like a waterfall. He just didn't think the people just didn't blame him. He never put any blame or holds any hatred. Whereas I, you know, the normal person would react in a way that he just didn't do it. And as you'll find out, as he said, he was there, he was there for everybody else after him. And I believe that the man is such a warm-hearted, kind, humble individual. To him for him to be, and again, you've got to understand, he was 17, 18 years old at the time, but he f but he stood as a a 38-year-old man. You know, he had wisdom of a 78-year-old man, he had the strength of a thousand men. And uh for him to to play seven years, you know, in that league under that environment, it's sh it's incredible. It's incredible.

SPEAKER_04 36:23

Now, he has an interesting journey, literally journey. Kalai's journey it begins obviously in Bermuda, but then it kind of unfolds across England and even in the United States. Yeah. How does the film use that geography and his migration to kind of uh frame his identity and his legacy? In other words, you know, his experiences in Bermuda, and then in England, United States, you know, in different phases of his life, how did those how did that journey, that literal journey, um, you know, frame his identity and make him the person that he ultimately ultimately became?

SPEAKER_06 36:57

I'd have to I'd have to give credit to his parents, his family, his surrounding communities that gave him the strength. Because he did, he went to England at a nasty time. He came to Tampa Bay just after the racism, I mean the the race riots we had we were having in our country, late 60s, early 70s. I mean, he also went over to Africa and he stood there for apartheid. So he was an ambassador, you know, he he did a lot of traveling and he wanted people to see a free black man playing the sport that he loved. And and he knew, uh and speaking with him, he knew what he was doing. He knew what he was getting into. But I'd have to credit the fact is that he was on the national scene as a 14-year-old kid. I mean, playing in the Pan Am games in 1967, 15 years old scoring a goal against Mexico, uh, you know, against uh teams in the Pan Am Games, where that's just not normal for a boy his age. You know, and then and then again, being the first man of color to be on the modern TV. I mean, he was the only black man in the stadium, never mind on the teams or around. So, yeah, I I couldn't imagine the scenes and the situations that he was in.

SPEAKER_04 38:27

Talk, Paul, about Easter Sunday, 1972. There's a match that featured, and I'm gonna kind of set you up for this one, featuring the first all black starting trio in England's top division.

SPEAKER_05 38:42

Yeah. I uh the world was the world ready for it then?

SPEAKER_06 38:49

No, no, you know, that's and and you know, and and you see what's happening today. One of the one of the things that I think I don't think people understood as well, Gio, back then you played for your country and you played professionally in the country you grew up in. Meaning a lot of times Italians didn't go to Germany, Germans didn't go to France, the French didn't go play in in Brazil. You the you know, you played for your your country, and Clyde was one of the first players to step outside of his comfort zone, being Bermuda. And I know Bermuda being part of the British Islands, it was still a big step to go immerse yourself in the culture where you're not wanted. And uh luckily he had the Clive, you know, the Charles, Clive and John Charles family to rely on. Because I don't think without them he would have survived. I really don't, you know.

SPEAKER_04 39:48

Yeah, and in that moment, as I as I noted in 72, was that that time when I mentioned the the trio was it was uh Clyde Bess, Clive Charles, and Addy Coker.

SPEAKER_06 39:58

Yeah, and Addy being the youngster of them all, he was at the time, he was about 15, 16 when he started, and I believe Clive and Clyde were 19 and 18 and 19, you know, starting first division alongside Jeff Hurst and Bobby Moore and Legends. That's the other thing about it. West Ham had, I mean, England had just won the World Cup, West Ham having a big part of that. And now Clyde is playing alongside these alongside these legends. And now he's got Audi and Clive playing. Um, yeah, it's incredible. It's incredible what they did.

SPEAKER_04 40:40

Definitely historic. Um, beyond this go ahead. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_06 40:45

Yeah, sorry. So and then and then going to Tampa.

SPEAKER_04 40:48

Yep, there we go. That was you must be reading my notes here. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_06 40:50

Yeah, I was just gonna say those guys, you know, going to Tampa and starting a whole new, a whole new soccer league, basically.

SPEAKER_04 40:57

So Yeah, that was back on the old North American Soccer League, the NASL, and uh he Clyde played for clubs like the Tampa Bay Rowdies. And um they actually they helped win the 1975 Soccer Bowl. Um he's with the Portland Timbers, if my memory serves me correct, as well. So his impact in the game here in the United States was significant here too.

SPEAKER_06 41:17

Yes, incredible. Incredible. I mean he won the first they they were they won the first, I want to say, the NASL Cup you know when they were down in Tampa. So Clyde's impact, I mean, he wasn't just coming over as a player. He was coming over to the America as a star. And that's what people don't understand. He was a star in the English Premier League. He tried to play, I believe, over in Feynord as well for a season, then came over to Tampa, and then Portland picked him up, and he got reunited with Clive Charles there in Tampa in Portland. And you know what Clive has done for U.S. soccer. I could go on what Clive Charles has done for U.S. as we know.

SPEAKER_04 41:58

I don't think people, you know, talk enough about that moment. I don't want to beat the dead horse here about that particular match in 72, but I don't think people talk about it enough, recognize enough. Maybe they don't even know, Paul, how significant, not just one, not just two, but three, all you know, uh uh black athletes playing uh in in England's top division. It I don't think they talk about it enough.

SPEAKER_06 42:22

Um Yeah, it's it's again, it's a it's a situation that's you know, I don't it's not a major topic of conversation in England. You know?

SPEAKER_04 42:36

Well we hope that this certainly with this documentary, that's people will now recognize how magnificent.

SPEAKER_06 42:43

It's of every nationality uh playing in the English Premier League.

SPEAKER_04 42:47

So how does how does the obviously when you do you're making a film like this, any film like this, you know, you do the deep dive in terms of research, you do the deep dive in terms of uh finding old footage, you know, old black and white films from going way back when of uh of games being played. Um with that said, how did the archives, the footage of those arc that the archival footage shape the storytelling? And and when you're doing the deep dive, was there were there any discoveries during that research process that that changed the direction of the film? Did you stumble upon something that said, oh my goodness, I I didn't know that we have to add this to the film? Or uh how did that process go?

SPEAKER_06 43:27

So a lot of the footage was was very difficult to find. You know, I obviously things were not videotaped, they are the way they are today. Uh we actually went to the Mexican government to get some of the old footage of Clyde playing in the the Pan Am games 1967. Um But we we came across photos. Uh certainly we we captured uh one situation where we have Clyde scoring a very memorable goal, and we showed him the video. During the movie, which was you know brought a tear to his eye. He could remember it if it was yesterday. Um a lot of the stuff that we covered, you know, it it was it pertinent to the movie, and that's what we always had to keep saying. Is it is it taking us away from we always wanted to s maintain and stay on that path of what are we trying to, what's our message? And and I think we did a good job at at because we geo the the amount of interviews that we could have done, the amount of material that we could have also thrown in, uh we had you know five, six, seven hours of of film footage that we had to cut down to an hour, you know, an hour and forty-five minutes. So yeah, there are stuff that we did leave out that you know hopefully it won't um cause a problem. But uh yeah, it's just incredible what we've we've uncovered. And the biggest thing that that we've uncovered is what Clyde meant to everybody after him. And that is one of the things that I was really shocked at how many people say, yet Clyde was the first person I saw on the television, was the first player I saw of color, was the first player ever to look like us and not be a white, you know, male in the stands on the field and everything else. And that alone is is is just given such credentials to the movie.

SPEAKER_04 45:35

I'm quite certain that um you know Clyde's experiences both on and off the field have impacted a lot of people. I know that to be true. How many uh contemporary footballers, soccer players, and even commentators appear in this documentary? And how did their how did their reflections help, I guess, bridge the past and present experience uh of race in football?

SPEAKER_06 45:56

Well, we knew we had something when we started receiving phone calls from players saying, can I be part of this? And that that really was the the turning point of hey Dan, this this means a lot to a lot of people. And and and I think that's and a lot of them basically just wanted to say thank you. That was the other thing. They wanted to thank Clyde. You know, I I I want to share my story, I want to share my experience, and and they're all such heartfelt, wonderful stories to tell, you know, and and everybody's got a journey and everybody's got a story, and that's the thing about it. You know, and and and Clyde's needs to be told. I mean, he did something that nobody else did, and nobody really at the time did. Like, meaning nobody ever traveled out out of the country to play professionally. You know, and you I guess you'd have to credit the Cosmos as being the first team really to bring in, you know, the flair that that team of nationalities was incredible.

SPEAKER_04 47:01

Yeah, that that team, in and of itself, you you can make an argument, it was the most significant uh soccer entity, for the lack of better words, um, in U.S. soccer history. There is there has never been a team, and maybe you might make an argument now with with Inter Miami, uh, with Messi in the squad of places they have, but there was not a team, at least until that point, let's put let's put it that way. There wasn't a team to that point that had so many superstars, and not just washed up superstars. They had players who could who could still get out there and play at the highest levels. Um and as any impact as one player could make, that particular team at that particular time, the New York Cosmos, had an enormous impact on the sport of soccer. In fact, there was a point where you know e even the non-soccer people were saying, Oh, soccer has arrived, soccer is here, and you saw the New York Cosmos and you saw the North American Soccer League, you know, come to the forefront of people's attention. Um, unfortunately, they only had to have it flounder a very short few years uh after. But um, yeah, I think you're spot on with uh, you know, talking about the uh the New York Cosmos at that particular era. They were indeed uh uh amazing. Um, you know, I'm I'm flashbacks of some of the players on Palay, we all know. Um they were just just just just extraordinary. Um I'm curious, your perspective, having now, you know, being so heavily emotionally involved with this film. He Clyde is he's arguably portrayed as a I guess like a torchbearer between eras. Yeah. With that said, in what ways do you do you see his influence reflected in today's game, both on and off the field?

SPEAKER_06 48:46

Well, uh the barriers that he crossed, the awareness I think that he created amongst the people. Um and and uh the fact is that to make fans in an opposing town's field is pretty much unheard of. And Clyde told me personally when he scored certain goals at certain areas that he would have the away teams chairman for him. And that to me is the ultimate ability to change people's perspectives. And and that's what I think uh, you know, I just you know, the beginning of the English Premier League, we had an incident in Liverpool just this this opening season earlier last August where a f a player was was racially uh targeted. And I and I immediately called and text Dan saying, wow, 50, 60 years later, you'd hope things would change, but it's still got a long way to go. It's still got a long way to go. And and I'm and I'm hoping that people just understand it's about being an earthian. It's not about being where you are at Earth. It's about being just a person on Earth and that we should all just get along and we can all share the soccer ball. And that's what Clyde was the the ball has no color, as they say. It has no feelings, it has no emotions, there's no hatred in the ball. And it's a wonderful object to share. Uh, and especially you see how popular soccer or football is around the world.

SPEAKER_04 50:37

So well said, well said. Let's get a little nerdy regarding filmmaking. Um, this film is narrated by um the actor Tony Head, and he gives a very measured delivery. Yes. Uh, which kind of reinforces this documentary's uh, for the lack of better terms, a very a reflective tone. Um how do you think overall, you can use Tony as an example here, since he did the narration here. Um how did you think about voice and pacing and even heck, silence as storytelling tools in the film?

SPEAKER_06 51:13

Yeah, you know, we were glad and really lucky to have Tony narrate the movie. And one of the things Tony gives is a personal perspective because he lived it. He grew up in Boston at the time, and one of the the uh uh incidences in the movie we speak about is when Addy Coker was playing for the New England, I believe the team at the time, him and a friend uh traveled to the wrong beach at the time in South Boston and incurred a situation that I don't want to dwell in on, but Tony could understand exactly where Adi was coming from because he was going through it himself. So having having Tony's perspective gave us another um, I guess, voice in the in the uh pursuit of the mission of this movie, in you know, trying to to show in combat racism in both England and and our country and and for that matter throughout the world.

SPEAKER_04 52:23

Yeah, yeah. I think it was with the Boston Beniman at the time, and you're right. Um ventured over to the South Boston during that time um was was not a good place to be if you were a person of color. Um yeah, that's uh yeah, that's not like I said, not the best place in the world to be. Um were there any moments, Paul, in Clyde Best interviews that you found particularly difficult or even powerful that matter to include? And how did you decide what to leave in in terms of those conversations?

SPEAKER_06 52:55

So I was lucky enough to be able to go through all the interviews. Um, some of the interviews were extremely powerful. Auddy Coker's, I believe, was one of the most powerful that I'll let the movie tell his story. But the amount of emotion, emotion that people showed for both Clyde and Clive Charles, was incredible. Um so many interviews constantly spoke of the kindness and the generosity and the friendship and the willingness to share, uh the willingness to give that these individuals, both Clyde and Clive, for that matter, because Clive has a lot to do with this movie as well, as you'll see. Clive Charles being the University of Portland coach and him being part of the U.S. soccer, had an incredible effect on so many players, both as players on the field and being men off the field, and women for that matter as well.

SPEAKER_04 54:04

I'm curious when this rolls out, and I know it's already kind of I had one roll out in London. We'll get into that in a second. If if younger players of fans are to take away just one lesson from this wonderful documentary, what what do you hope that lesson is for the younger generation who will see this film?

SPEAKER_06 54:22

Wow, just just one. I hope that there's a whole bunch of themes I think we've captured in here, but uh for me, it's about it's about kindness, it's about acceptance, it's about overcoming, it's about um you know believing in yourself, believing in your dreams, and then pursuing them. One of the statements that we had at Babson that I still live by was desire, determination, dedication. And those three words have resonated in my life, and that's what I think this movie's all about. There's the desire, there's the determination, and there's the dedication. And it's it's it's a movie that's going to inspire, it's a movie that is going to move you emotional. I mean, we we attack and we challenge and we present ideas that need to be overcome and need to be um shh, you know, I it needs to be told, and that's what it is, and I and hopefully after we tell this story that we can move move farther into uh forgiveness, into uh kindness, into becoming all about individuals and not about, you know, who, what, where, when, why, just about us.

SPEAKER_04 55:52

So yeah, I think you're spot on there, Paul. It it's my hope, and I'm I'm quite sure that I can speak for you as well, that it's your hope as well, that this film, once it's rolled out, it's it's not just rolled out and just resonates in the soccer community, because it's about a soccer player, I I grant you, but that it's rolled out and it is watched and listened to and absorbed by hu uh all humans, every person out there uh, you know, who's interested in a in a good story and in a compelling story and a story that you know uh that teaches some wonderful lessons, particularly in this day and age, because in as much, not to pontificate here, but inasmuch as we have made progress, heck, over the course of my own lifetime, we still face challenges. We still face the same challenges that that Clyde Best faced when he was a young kid coming to England to play soccer and to step on the field as you know one of the first, if not the first, black soccer player in to play in in England's highest highest level. Um we we hope that the message transcends the whole soccer community. Um what about the the the um the schedule? I know I correct me if I'm wrong, it's already rolled out once in London. What is the schedule going forward in terms of uh uh folks being able to head out and see this uh wonderful documentary?

SPEAKER_06 57:05

So we will be premiering the movie in London at the uh at the end of March, uh the 24th to the 29th. We will be at Sadler Wells Theater. We're then going to be in Bermuda uh the end of April, uh, and then Tampa, the beginning of May, Portland, the middle of May, and then we're gonna be traveling throughout the country showing this movie to everybody we can.

SPEAKER_04 57:37

And what's the ultimate goal? You you you're you make a Dockery film, and and what's the what's the ultimate goal? Are we talking, you know, you do the rounds as you as you just uh you just mentioned, and is it then in terms of the process? Is it Netflix? Is it Apple TV, is it Amazon Prime?

SPEAKER_06 57:53

We would love this this movie to be a teaching vehicle. And however we can get that out the the best way we can is you know that that's how we really want to get it out. That I think everybody needs to see this movie. Because it's a it's a feel-good movie, it's a great story, and it needs to be told. That's that's why we're doing this. I mean, the uh sorry, Gio, but the ultimate thing obviously would be we would love to get picked up by Netflix. We're trying to hopefully have one of the big boys. We had some offers for the rights before we made the movie, but now that we have the movie made, um, you know, we're gonna get it out there. So, you know, we're confronting a we're confronting some tough, tough things, you know, some tough situations. So I'm sure there's gonna be some backlash, but um, but I'm I'm I'm more confident in the appraisal, the admiration that's gonna come. And and again, Clyde deserves this more than anything. Yeah, he's done a wonderful job, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 58:59

At the end of the day, it is a business. It is in as much as this is a wonderful film and there's some amazing stories uh to be told. Uh to get it out there, you've uh I hate to say it, but you've got to do business. You've got to do business.

SPEAKER_05 59:13

So Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 59:14

Well, our guest today on the GP Soccer Podcast conversation with the consultant has been the North American soccer consultant for the film Transforming the Beautiful Game, the Clyde Vest Story, Paul Ozzie Osberg. Paul, uh, I know you're a busy guy. I want to thank you for taking the time for being on the GP Soccer Podcast.

SPEAKER_06 59:32

Yeah, it's been a great, great time on my end. Thank you for doing this, Giovanni. We appreciate everything you we in the soccer world love the fact that you're you're doing this because more and more and more people need to know about this wonderful sport that you and I both love and play and coach and video and still watch, right? We still watch games to even today.

SPEAKER_04 59:58

So until the day we can't. We'll still be watching. We'll be playing. Won't be playing, but we'll still be watching, certainly. So Giovanni Pacini here, GP Sarka Podcast Conversation with the coach. We're gonna break for a commercial message or two. You know how that all works. We're gonna re-engage on the other side. So don't you dare go anywhere. Because if you do, you know what happens? I will track you down. Did you know there's a place where unforgettable sports stories come to life through music? Well, there is. Music Meets Sports was created by music producer Ronald Tigolliver, an experienced music producer and a lifelong sports fanatic. He created Music Meets Sports to fuse the raw energy of athletics with the emotional depth of music. They create custom soundtracks that not only celebrate sports fandom, but also brings the personal stories of legendary athletes to life. Through deep research and creative storytelling, Music Meets Sports transforms the careers, challenges, and triumphs of iconic sports figures into powerful music experiences. Every beat, lyric, and melody is designed to reflect the heart, the hustle, and humanity behind the jersey. Now, whether you're a diehard fan or a casual sports lover, or simply someone moved by great stories, music meets sports hopes that our music connects with you and brings you even closer to the games and the heroes you love. Be sure to check out MusicMeets Sports at musicmeetsports.org. Music meets sports, where passion meets performance, and music brings the games. So why?

SPEAKER_07 1:01:39

Hey there, I'm Bobby Clark. I'm uh a former Scottish uh international soccer player and coach in all over the world. And uh I'm just so happy to be here with uh the GP uh soccer podcast, and uh yeah, uh it's just great talking with Giovanni Fascini.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:00

And welcome to the GP Soccer Podcast, Coach's Corner, where you'll find great tips and advice on how to teach the great game of soccer.

SPEAKER_11 1:02:10

Hello, this is Eric Eisenhoot of the United Goalkeeping Alliance. I'm here today to present the GP Soccer Podcast Coach's Corner for Goalkeepers. Today's topic, goalkeeper communications. First, let's talk about a non-negotiable regarding goalkeeping communications. All goalkeepers need to be comfortable communicating, organizing, and holding their teammates accountable. Again, this is a non-negotiable for the position. The first thing you want to say when speaking to a specific teammate is who, or the name of the teammate you are speaking to. In this example, we're gonna use John as our teammate today. What you are saying is important. You want to speak in three to four word commands. Keep it simple, yet keep it specific. Example, John, mark number three, go aside. How you say it to your teammate is also very important. You may need to use tone when showing urgency of the situation. The louder you are, the more urgent the command to your teammate. You also want to make sure your emotions are in control, and you want to stay consistent when using a loud tone to show urgency when speaking to your teammates. You want to speak very proactively and not reactively when communicating to your teammates. Simply put, if you see it, say it. Where the ball is on the field will have an impact as to how and what you say to your teammates. When the ball is in the attacking third, you'll probably be speaking less frequently to your teammates. However, you will want to speak to your teammates about being proactive with how the opposition can get out of their end. Compared to when the ball's in your defensive third, the frequency and the tone you use will be a lot more frequent and the tone will be a lot higher as the ball is in a very important part of the field. To summarize, the first thing you must say is the name of the teammate you're speaking to. You must speak in simple, specific commands. You want to use tone to show urgency, yet stay in control of your emotions. The earlier you can speak to your teammates, the better, and you obviously want to speak more frequently and with a higher tone when the ball is in your defensive third. By following these communication tips, you'll have team success and trustworthy relationships with your teammates through these goalkeeping communications. Once again, this is Eric Eisenhutt of the United Goalkeeping Alliance. If you'd like to learn more about the United Goalkeeping Alliance, please email info at United GKAlliance.com or DM at United GK Alliance. Thank you for listening to this Coach's Corner for GKs on the GP Soccer Podcast.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:17

This is Soccer News and Analysis with Giovanni Piccini.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:29

News from the FIFO World Cup. Foxboro officials are warning that seven scheduled World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium, renamed Boston Stadium for the tournament, may not proceed unless organizers meet the town's security funding demands. The Select Board has refused to issue the required entertainment license by citing concerns that Boston 2026 host committee has not provided adequate guarantees for police, fire, and emergency services. Town leaders say that they require roughly 7.7 to$8 million in upfront security payments before granting approval. Organizers insist that they will cover all necessary costs, but Oxboro's police and fire chiefs argue that the proposed June 1st procurement deadline is too late to secure equipment and staffing. The impasse has created uncertainty less than 100 days before kickoff, raising the possibility that FIFA may need contingency plans if the dispute is not resolved. The US Mess national team has selected Kansas City as its official base camp for the 2026 World Cup, studying the city's central location, training facility upgrades, and strong local support. Sporting Kansas City's complex will host closed-door training sessions while the team will stay in a secure downtown hotel. Local officials expected a surge in tourism and are preparing for expanded transit routes and fan zone infrastructure. The decision also aligns with Kansas City's broader investment in soccer culture, including youth development partnerships and stadium renovations. Estadio Azteca, already a historic venue, is undergoing final modernization ahead of hosting the tournament's opening match. Renovations include improved accessibility, upgraded seating, and enhanced broadcast infrastructure. Mexican officials anticipate some of the largest crowds in World Cup history, with demand for tickets far exceeding supply. The city is also rolling on expanded metro service and multilingual volunteers and volunteer teams to support international visitors. Vancouver organizers have announced a massive waterfront fan village designed around renewable energy and zero waste principles. The site will feature solar powered screens, composting stations, and local food vendors. City planners expect the village to become a model for environmentally conscious mega event hosting. Tourism officials project more than 500,000 visitors during the tournament with economic benefits extending into British Columbia's British Columbia's interior communities. Dallas Forth Worth Airport is preparing for what may be the busiest month in its history. With multiple knockout stage matches scheduled in Arlington, airport officials are coordinated with airlines to add temporary international routes and expand customs staffing. A new, quote, World Cup Express security lane will be introduced to streamline passenger flow. Local hotels near report near full uh occupancy by prompting short-term rental hosts to raise prices significantly. Toronto's long-planned transit upgrades have been fast-tracked to accommodate World Cup crowds. The city is adding temporary shuttle lines connected with major hotels to BMO field and expanding late-night service hours. Officials say the improvements will remain after the tournament, providing a lasting boost to the local mobility. Businesses along the waterfront anticipate record foot traffic, with many planning extended hours and multilingual staff training. Atlanta organizers have begun trial runs of an advanced climate control system designed to maintain comfortable temperatures during summer matches. The technology uses a combine of targeted airflow zones and energy efficient chillers. Engineers say the system will reduce energy consumption by up to 30% compared to the traditional stadium cooling. FIFA inspectors appraise the innovation, noting that it could influence future stadium standards worldwide. Seattle's World Cup Host Committee has partnered with Coast uh Coast Salish Tribes to create a month-long cultural showcase featuring art installations, traditional performances, and educational exhibits. The initiative aims to highlight indigenous contributions to the region and promote cultural exchange among visiting fans. Organizers hope that the program will set a precedent for integrating local heritage into global sporting events. Miami Beach officials have announced at a midnight curfew for designated fan zone areas to manage crowd safety and reduce the strain on emergency services. The decision follows consultations with local businesses, many of whom support the measure to prevent overcrowding. Police will use drone surveillance and mobile command units to monitor activity. Despite the curfew, tourism leaders expect Miami to be one of the tournament's most vibrant destinations. Houston medical authorities are finalizing heat response plans for outdoor fan events, anticipating high summer temperatures. Cooling tents, nisting stations, and rapid response hydration teams will be deployed across the city. Hospitals have coordinated with FIFA to establish dedicated treatment pathways for heat-related illnesses. Public health officials are also launching a multilingual awareness campaign encouraging visitors to stay hydrated and recognize early signs of heat exhaustion. And that's news from the World Cup. This is Giovanni Piccini. Next up, the Year Report with the great Ralph Forrigno.

SPEAKER_03 1:11:20

This is the GP Soccer Podcast, English Premier League, and European Soccer Report with your host, Ralph Ferrigno.

SPEAKER_04 1:11:40

Our good friend and reporter of the European Soccer Report, Ralph Ferigno, is a little under the weather this week. So I took a deep dive into the Ralph Rigno archives and pulled out this segment for all of you to enjoy.

SPEAKER_01 1:11:59

It would also be fair to say that it's the most prominent with the biggest clubs in the world, and sad to say, clubs that have the most money. That is the modern game. During this past week, we had the final round of World Cup qualifiers being played. And four pathway routes notwithstanding, and I'll come back to them in time. Now Europe is looking forward to the World Cup draw December 5th in Washington, DC. Let's see who made the cut for World Cup 2026. Overall, the majority of the groups followed the seeding, which began with Group A, where favourites Germany edged Slovakia, despite losing to them in the very opening game of the campaign. Group B was arguably, however, the most open of all the European groups. In the end, Switzerland topped the table, with Kosovo surprising and finishing second. Slovenia and Sweden, who were perhaps expected to do better, made up the numbers at the bottom end. The Swedes in particular, despite fielding two of the most expensive strikers in the world, in Alexander Isak and Viktor Jokeras, could only muster two points from two draws, and they finished dead last. They will still have some hope as their performances in the Nations League means that they can still qualify via a pathway. An Englishman Graham Potter has been brought in to see if he can turn around the fortunes of the Swedes. Group C gave us a massive surprise when third seeded Scotland edged out top seeds Denmark. It was all sorted out in the final game at Handon Park, which showed the Scots triumph 4-2 behind three worldies, a sensational Scott McTominay bicycle kick, a Keenan Tierney Thunderbolt, and a Kenny McLean shot from the halfway line over the stranded Danish goalkeeper. It was the first time Scotland had qualified for the World Cup final since 1998. The following two groups, DE, saw the favourites respectively, France and Spain qualify as expected, each recording five wins and a draw in competition. Each now is expected to be among the favourites for the title next summer. Another favorite team is Portugal, but they had to work a little harder in Group F to secure its place. Ireland came along very, very strong at the tail end of competition. First defeating the Portuguese 2-0 in Dublin before a winner-takes-all matchup in Budapest against Hungary. Whoever won that game was going to earn a playoff spot behind Portugal. And in it, the Irish came from behind to win 3-2 in dramatic last-minute circumstances. All five goals were scored by former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott, two against Portugal and three against Hungary. Parrot now plays in the Arivadizier with AZ Altmar and is expected on the back of these performances to be soon heading back to the British Isles. Now speaking of Netherlands, they too had a good campaign. They edged Poland in Group G, boasting an unbeaten record of six wins and two draws. Robert Lewandowski and Poland, though, can still qualify via a pathway. Group H was one of the most competitive of all the European groups, and Austria held off strong challenges from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Romania. Before Norway in Group I surprisingly topped the Italians. They did so in fine style, boasting a perfect record of eight wins in eight games. Striker Erling Haaland was in the absolute form of his life, netting 16 of his country's 32 goals in the competition. The final match, Norway emphatically beat Italy 4-1 on Italy's home soil. And now, four-time world champion Italy faces the prospect of failing to qualify for the third consecutive World Cup finals. In Group J, Belgium kept out a strong challenge from a revitalised Welsh squad under Craig Bellamy. It was between Wales and North Macedonia for the playoff spot, and in the final game, Wales walloped the Macedonians 7-1 in Cardiff. Fulham's Harry Wilson was the hero of the day with a hat-trick. England, meantime, is being touted as a potential World Cup winner next summer. With highly regarded German coach Thomas Tuchel taking the reins, he led his side to average nearly four goals a game in the competition without conceding. England, like France and Spain, has a wealth of attacking options to choose from, and I think they will be in the running for the title next summer as well. Taking up the rear, Group L saw Croatia convincingly win the group. There was almost the great romance of a tiny country, the Faroe Islands, making the playoffs. However, unfortunately for them, the Czech Republic did enough just about to keep them out. Overall, that accounts for 12 European qualifiers. And next year, we will see four more European countries added to the mix. Sixteen sides will now play off in the new year through four different pathways to make the World Cup in North America. The draw was conducted last Thursday. UEFA had four pots, each with four countries, and it sets a stage for four different pathways of semi-final and final rounds. The winners of each will make the World Cup. Path A has Italy as the top seed, and they will be facing Northern Ireland. In the other semifinal, Wales will lock horns with Bosnia and Herzegovina. If Wales were to win, they would have the advantage of a home tie. And this puts a lot of pressure on Italy, and as I said earlier, they have failed to qualify for the two previous World Cups. It's going to be an intense battle, I think, in this group. Path B is on paper perhaps the most competitive, and it features Ukraine against Sweden and Poland against Albania. The big question is going to be whether Graham Potter Sweden can finally play up to their potential. Or alternatively, will Robert Lewandowski enjoy one last hurrah on a world stage? Again, some intense battles look to be forthcoming. Path C will feature the top C Turkey taking on Romania. Slovakia and Kosovo will contest the other semi-final. And last but not least, Path D has the Danes playing North Macedonia, while the Czechs take on Ireland in Prague. Who is going to come out triumphant in these four pathways? It appears everything is up in the air. But I think one thing is for sure as the eyes of Europe will be firmly locked on Washington, D.C. next month, as the draw for the 2026 World Cup will be made, as the European teams prepare an assault on the planet's best teams in North America next summer.

SPEAKER_04 1:19:51

Hey, this is Giovanni Pacini. You all know me as a soccer coach and a clinician, but did you know that I'm a professional voiceover artist as well? I own and operate GP voiceover services, and my voice has been heard on radio, television, and over a variety of media platforms. Anywhere a voice is needed to tell your story, promote your organization, or bring words to life, GP VoiceOver Services is your choice. I have a background in radio, have appeared in professional video productions, as well as having hosted cable television programs. I will work with you before your production to understand your preferences and plan just the right approach for your project. I also offer private consulting and training for those interested in exploring the voiceover profession. To learn more about GP voiceover services, visit my website at GPvoiceoverservices.com or email me at GP4 Voiceover, and that's the number for, at gmail.com. Hey there, Giovanni Piccini here, host of the GP Soccer Podcast, and I want to reach out to all of my great listeners who own pets and even those who don't. Listen, your local animal rescue organization is on a mission to provide loving homes for pets in need, and they need your help. Whether through adoption, fostering, or financial contributions, every bit of support counts. Join me in making a positive impact. Visit your local shelter today and help give these wonderful animals the second chance they so deserve. Together, we can create a community where every animal is cared for and loved. And welcome back to the GP Soccer Podcast. Giovanni Pacini here, your capable, very capable uh host here. Um this is the American Soccer Revolution, and always uh I wrap up the show in the final block here with this segment called the American Soccer Revolution. And it's a it's a part of the show where I take a close look at all things soccer, um things that need to be talked about, things that need to be discussed, things that need to be uh uh changed, blown up, if you will, uh all with the goal of making the game that much better. And as I noted at the opening of the show, that I uh I I enjoy looking going out over the uh across the social media network and find some terrific podcasters, folks on YouTube that are putting out some terrific content, and I share with all of you. And this is one of those uh opportunities where I get to share some some terrific content from Harrison Zepp, S-Z-E-P, as we spell his last name. Uh he's spot on with some some wonderful, wonderful content, and I want to share uh some audio with you today. Sit back and check this out.

SPEAKER_08 1:22:52

In most countries, soccer is free in America. Your parents need to pay at least$10,000 a year just for you to play. I've watched families choose between paying club fees or making rent, between a child's dream and putting food on the table. Players with money advance, and the players without it get left behind. This isn't a future problem. It is limiting your opportunities right now. This video exposes the pay-to-play system that is blocking your path, and it shows how we can build a meritocracy where skill, not wealth, determines your success. US soccer isn't designed to find talent, it is built to find parents with deep pockets. Everywhere else in the world, clubs invest in players. They scout kids in the streets, they train them for free, and then if that kid makes it pro, the clubs then get paid. In America, it's flipped. Here, the players invest in the clubs. Parents are the customers, not the kids. And what they're buying isn't development, it's access. You're not paying for better training. You're paying just to sit at the table. Three, five, ten thousand dollars a year just to make it on the roster. This is a cash flow business disguised as player development. But there are some bright spots. Clubs like FC Delco in Pennsylvania have created scholarship programs where they cover 70% of the costs for talented players coming from low-income communities, which means clubs can prioritize talent over money. And these exact scholarship programs prevent talented players from going under the radar. Supporters of Pay to Play argue that these fees are essential to cover the costs for things like facilities, coaching, and equipment that would else be funded through transfers and sponsorships for international clubs. They say that without parent investment, these clubs just wouldn't survive. The product isn't soccer. The product isn't even development. The product is not kids' dreams. The product is your parents' wallets. Now, soccer in America isn't just expensive, it is a stacked ladder of invoices at every single level of development. More money for flights and hotels just to be seen at showcases. Private trainers, recruiting services, and highlight reels. Every step is another paywall. And parents know it's expensive and they feel it every single month. But the thing is, they're terrified. They're scared that if they don't pay, their kid is gonna fall behind. And the truth is, they will. And clubs weaponize that fear. They sell elite paths and exposure opportunities, which in other terms means another invoice. Meanwhile, South Bronx United is breaking this model by providing free year-round training and academic support to over 1,000 youth players in one of America's poorest districts, with graduates now playing college soccer nationwide. I come across so many talented players who don't get the exposure they need simply because they don't play club soccer. And that's why you'll see players who are not as good as you get opportunities that you can simply because their parents couldn't afford to pay for doors to be opened for their son. Some club directors argue that these high fees ensure quality coaching and better competition, claiming that the investment produces more college-ready players. And although that is the case for some clubs, it isn't the case for all. They point their college placement statistics as proof that their system works to those who could afford it. This system isn't designed to develop players, it's designed to extract maximum value from anxious parents who are willing to do whatever it takes for their kids' dream to be realized. And the biggest lie of all, the scholarship dream. Families will tell themselves that they're investing now so they can get the return on investment later. Or families will spend$50,000 on club fees hoping for a$100,000 scholarship across the four years their son or daughter is in college. But with men's college soccer, it works a little bit differently. Because unless you're at a tier one school like Pitt, Wake Forest, Clemson, or Indiana University, most scholarship packages are partial, whether you're playing Division 1, Division Two, Division III, NAIA, or Junior College. The return never matches what families put in. The scholarship chase is not a promise, it is a slot machine and the house or Always wins. I've met with families who have remortgaged their house, sold their second car, or took on a second or third job just to make sure that their kid was in the shop window when it came to getting opportunities at the college level. But the thing is about college soccer is it is changing so fast. Roster spots are now being filled with internationals rather than Americans. Coaches prefer a sophomore transfer over an incoming freshman any day of the week. Defenders of the current model point to limited scholarship funding as a reality beyond their control. They argue that without their development plans, fewer players would receive scholarship money and that the system represents Americans' values of competition and investment. Only one in 34 club players in the US play college soccer at any level. That is 33 players whose parents have invested heavily into their son or daughter development without no return on investment. So who actually wins in this system? The clubs win, the tournament organizers win, the apparel companies win, the national federations and leagues win. The only ones who lose are the kids. The very people that the system is supposed to serve. And as long as that is true, the US will continue to shut out its best talent, burning the kids it does let in and underperforming on the world stage. But change is happening. MLS Academies like FC Dallas and Philadelphia Union now offer fully funded development paths with clear pipelines to professional contracts, producing players like Ricardo Pepe and Brendan Aronson, who went from local neighborhoods to multi-million dollar transfers to European clubs. Community initiatives like Tudela FC in Los Angeles are creating professional quality training environments for inner city players at minimal cost, proving the model can work across America. Those with vested interests in the current system argue that drastic changes could collapse the youth soccer infrastructure overnight, limiting opportunities for thousands of kids across the country. We need a landscape where talent trumps income with accessible clubs and local school programs and development pathways that are funded by professional clubs and federations. It is about creating a system that can actually compete with the best in the world by tapping into all of America's talent, not just the wealthy parts. If you are a player with dreams of becoming a professional, don't let this broken system define your journey. This path might be unfair, but your response to that unfairness will define you. I just interviewed a pro player for FC Dallas who revealed why 99% of players never make it pro. His insights were absolutely game-changing. The video will be in the comments section below. The truly committed ones, the ones who want this the most, will watch it. The rest won't bother. So ask yourself, which player are you?

SPEAKER_04 1:31:16

And that is from uh the YouTube page from Paige from Harrison Zepp. Make sure I'm saying his name correctly, S-Z-E-P. Um big fan of um of his uh his uh YouTube uh shows and he tells it like it is. You know, one of the things that that jumps right out at me from that piece of audio was uh his interpretation of the club's weaponizing fear. Uh the fear from parents who think that if they don't get involved in this uh pay-to-play system that somehow their children will be shortchanged, and obviously nothing can be further than the truth. Um the only thing I will add, and I and I say this quite often, both formally and informally, is that the parents have the power. Parents have the power. You can change the this landscape, this obscene landscape, pay-to-play, this obscene landscape uh here in the soccer community in the United States of America that that sees you know families forking out two, three, four, five, ten thousand dollars for their kids to participate in soccer by not paying it, refusing to pay it. You can change the landscape. And it starts with one set of parents or one parent, and then that blossoms to two, five, ten thousands, hundreds of thousands of people, and before you know it, we can remove ourselves from this obscene pay-to-play system that we have and move toward a system that that allows kids to play this game of soccer. And there is a way to do it, by the way. And if you're a regular listener to my show, you know what I'm about to say. I've interviewed folks on this program that um run wonderful soccer programs that are free of charge. Yet you heard me right, free of charge. They're out there, and we need more of them like them. And there are enough people out there, enough parents out there, that if you wanted to start an entity um that that made uh a soccer playing experience free for your kids, there are ways of doing it, but most more specifically through sponsorship. So there you have it. Um that's our show for today. I hope you like uh what you hear what you heard. Uh please tell everyone because you know remember, those those likes, those little like buttons, they matter. Uh you can follow the GP Soccer Podcast all over social media. New episodes are available every Wednesday morning. What a great way to start your Wednesday morning. Don't forget to check out my website at GPSoccerpodcast.com. And if you are interested in advertising on this wonderful show, well then email me at GP4Soccer, and that's the number four at yahoo.com. This is your host, Giovanni Pacini, Rancing and Raving as always, and I will catch you later.