Nasl

Welcome back to It Was What it Was, the football history podcast. In the final episode of our four-part special on the NASL, co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson delve into the decline and eventual collapse of the league. From financial instability, over-expansion, and missed opportunities, to the controversial business decisions and the rise of indoor soccer. This episode covers the myriad of factors that led to the NASL's downfall. Explore the final turbulent years, the impact on US Soccer, and the lessons learned from one of football's most intriguing leagues. 00:00 Introduction to the NASL and Its Peak 02:08 The Decline Begins: Post-Pele Era 05:36 Celebrity Owners and Financial Woes 09:01 The Cosmos' Dominance and League Format Issues 19:21 Franchise Movements and Player Strikes 29:03 The Beginning of the End: Financial Losses and Decline 36:13 Ownership Disputes and Relocations 37:53 Franchise Failures and Player Movements 43:34 NASL's Struggles and FIFA's Ultimatum 44:28 The Final Collapse of NASL 55:18 Failed Experiments and Indoor Soccer 01:01:49 The End of NASL and Its Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this third episode of our four-part special on the North American Soccer League (NASL), co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper dive deep into the transformation kicked off by the arrival of legendary soccer star Pele. We go on an epic journey of the NASL, from shambolic beginnings to becoming one of the most iconic and influential leagues in world football, even if just for a short while. We explore how the NASL went from drawing crowds, to attracting the highest-paid player in the world, and the ensuing excitement and challenges that followed. Featuring the key moments, star players, innovative marketing strategies, and the initial signs of financial instability, this episode captures the league at its highest just before its inevitable decline. Don't miss this fascinating look at the peaks of NASL's history and what ultimately led the league to stumble. Tune in next week for the final episode of this four-part series. 02:33 The Growth of Soccer in American Schools and Colleges 03:32 Financial Struggles and the Arrival of Pele 13:54 Innovative Rule Changes and Attendance Issues 18:11 The Role of Media and Celebrity Influence 23:55 The NASL's Expansion and Financial Commitments 31:20 The Pursuit of Soccer Superstars 33:01 Pele's Impact on American Soccer 34:56 The Rise of NASL Franchises 36:59 Challenges and Financial Struggles 39:11 Marketing Gimmicks and Celebrity Players 55:03 The Golden Year of 1977 01:04:36 Pele's Farewell and Future Uncertainties Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper continue onto part two of a four-part special on the North American Soccer League (NASL). They discuss the initial attempts to establish professional soccer leagues in America, including the rivalries between the NASL and the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). The episode covers the impact of foreign teams, the financial and logistical hurdles, and the ongoing struggle to gain popularity and acceptance in the U.S. market. With input from past experiences and key figures, they provide an in-depth look at why American soccer faced numerous setbacks and what was done to overcome them. Join us next week for part three! 01:09 The Early Years of Soccer in the USA 01:34 The Impact of the Wall Street Crash 06:46 Post-War Challenges 09:43 The Decline of American Soccer in the 1950s 21:46 The 1960s: A Decade of Missed Opportunities 27:15 The Birth of the NASL 33:25 Lack of American Players in Early Leagues 34:55 Rival Leagues: NPSL vs NASL 35:42 Initial Matches and Attendance Issues 40:11 Discipline Problems and Game Abandonments 48:10 Financial Struggles and Legal Battles 49:13 National Team Struggles and Attempts at Growth 50:31 Foreign Influence and Pre-season Tours 54:48 Financial Instability and League Contraction 58:20 NASL's Unconventional Season Format 01:00:32 Legacy and Future Prospects of NASL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The legendary Shep Messing joins us today to regale us with some incredible American soccer stories. The Red Bull New York announcer has had an incredible career and talks to us about being teammates with Pele, the madness of the NASL, and how posing nude in a women's magazine got him kicked off the New York Cosmos. Today's Sponsor: Vuori Clothing Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet at vuoriclothing.com/gully Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices