Episodes
Graham and Taylor head to South America to discuss one of the longest-running, most prestigious club competitions in world soccer: the Copa Libertadores. What is it, how does it work, who can play in it, and how do they qualify? Plus, which clubs have been the most successful historically, and how have Brazilian clubs come to dominate it more recently?
Published 04/04/24
It's a Ripped-from-the-headlines-of-the-life-of-Graham Special! What are match programmes and why are they still around? Do they exist in other sports and in other countries around the globe? How long have they been a thing? What are some of Graham's favorites, and will anything ever top the one with John McGinn on the cover? Answer: no.
Published 03/30/24
On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor don their respective armbands to discuss captains in soccer. What do they actually do? For how long has the role existed? What are the different types, and styles? Who are some of the most notable captains in soccer history? And, perhaps most importantly, who is the best Scotland captain to ever roam the pitch? Graham has thoughts!
Published 03/22/24
MONEY PLEASE! On this week's episode, we're discussing Parachute Payments! What they are, how they work, and why they exist. Plus, the benefits and drawbacks to their usage in England, the role they've played in further stratifying the English football pyramid.
Published 03/15/24
On today's episode, Graham is fresh from some injections and ready to join Taylor in discussing doping in soccer. What is it? How many different forms of doping are there? How do players get tested and what happens if they get caught? How prevalent has it been in the history of the sport? And how widespread might it be in the present day? All that and more in a somewhat depressing but mostly enlightening conversation!
Published 03/12/24
This week, Graham and Taylor avoid fisticuffs to instead talk out the history of hooligans (and hooliganism) in football! We answer a variety of questions on the topic, including...
1) What does the word "hooligan" mean, and from where does it originate?
2) When were the peak years for hooliganism in football?
3) What are the most famous examples of hooligan activity in history?
4) How are hooligans and hooligan groups portrayed in media?
5) How big of a problem does it remain today?
Published 02/29/24
A bonus episode this week! We're cross-posting an episode from our friends over at the Can I Kick It podcast. Host Elliot Bar sits down with Greggo from For the Culture to discuss the new joint Anti-Discrimination Policy by MLS, MLSPA, and Black Players for Change. They get into how the policy came to be, why it was necessary in the first place, how other leagues should take note, and much more!
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Can I Kick it is a podcast built on telling the stories of Black athletes, coaches, and...
Published 02/23/24
This week, Graham and Taylor discuss a topic that they somehow haven't yet discussed on the podcast... Designated Players!
What is a DP? Why does the concept exist in the first place? How has the reliance on DPs evolved over time? Who are the most notable Designated Players in MLS history? What does the future hold for the DP rule? Plus, Graham helpfully runs through the list of DC United's all-time DPs while Taylor silently weeps. Enjoy!
Published 02/22/24
On this week's episode, Taylor (who could be sacked at any moment) and Graham (waiting to take over as Interim Podcast Host) discuss Interim Managers. When should a club appoint one? Are there different types? Is it always a bad sign when one comes in? And who are the most successful examples in soccer history? Graham also manages to get in multiple shots at Manchester United, much to Taylor's chagrin. Enjoy!
Published 02/15/24
Graham and Taylor don their tin foil caps to discuss soccer's greatest conspiracy theories, and attempt to determine which ones are completely fictional (most of them) and which ones have some truth to them (some of them). Topics covered include...
1) Nike forced Ronaldo to play the 1998 World Cup final
2) A swimming pool scandal ended Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands career
3) Colombia’s secret service stung Bobby Moore at the 1970 World Cup
4) The 1958 World Cup was faked by the CIA
5) An...
Published 02/08/24
This week, Graham and Taylor make sure not to record on Saturday at 3pm, so they aren't in violation of any sort of blackout rules. Is that how it works?
Well, if you aren't certain either, this episode is for you! What is The 3pm blackout? What's the logic behind it? How is it enforced? Does it still serve a purpose? Those and many more questions answered on this week's episode!
Published 02/02/24
This week, Graham and Taylor delve into the history of the Asian Cup, and there's a lot of surprising history there for the delving. When did it first begin? Who are its most successful competitors? What are the factors holding it back from getting the billing it deserves?
Published 01/25/24
Graham and Taylor discuss everyone's favorite hype-train-generator: the wonderkid! Why is there such fascination with these players? What are the pitfalls of being one? Who are some of the most memorable wonderkids in soccer history, and which ones actually came good? That and much more… including the mention of the name Freddy Adu.
Published 01/19/24
With the 2024 (but actually 2023) iteration of the Africa Cup of Nations about to kick off, Graham and Taylor spend some time on the history of the tournament itself. When was the first AFCON? How has the tournament grown over the years? Why does it take place in the middle of the season? Which countries and players have had the greatest successes at the competition? We answer those and several more questions on this week's episode!
Published 01/12/24
On this episode, we get into the past, present and future of Gianni Infantino's current favorite child: The Club World Cup! What is it, how has it evolved over time, who are its most successful competitors, and what will future iterations of the tournament look like? Plus, does it actually need to change? Will it ever be a "marquee" tournament? How much of the tournament will Graham end up watching? Spoiler alert: the answer to that last one is "way too much."
Published 12/22/23
With the recent news that Everton would be docked 10 points for violating Financial Fair Play rules, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing points deductions. What are they, who hands them out, and why do they feel like the nuclear option? Plus, historical examples of their usage throughout English football history, and the rest of the world too!
Published 12/01/23
On this episode, Graham and Taylor toss themselves into the world of the throw-in. It's more interesting than it sounds, I promise! What is a throw-in? What is its history? Who are the great Champions of the Throw? How could throws evolve in the future? All that and more!
Published 11/24/23
Graham and Taylor discuss a moneymaker... the expansion of the record transfer fee over the years. Why did the transfer record grow so quickly? Which ones have worked out and which ones weren't exactly a bargain? Which ones are responsible for inflating the market? What is the history of the transfer fee, while we're on the subject? All that and more on today's episode!
Published 11/17/23
Graham and Taylor discuss your grandmother's favorite topic... scarves! How did they first become common in football, how have their usage and sales evolved over time, why half-and-half scarves are a sign you're a tourist, and much more! Plus, some of our personal favorites... or rather, some of Taylor's favorites and then Graham's single favorite.
Published 11/10/23
Graham and Taylor get into a topic that just sorta... keeps on going: the English league pyramid! How many different levels are involved and how many clubs does that cover? What is life like for the smallest clubs in the structure? Which clubs have risen through the ranks? All that and more on this week's episode!
Published 11/03/23
PRIZE TIME! We're answering all your questions about prize money in soccer, including how do teams get it, how does it differ between club and international levels, which leagues pay the most, and much much more!
Published 10/27/23
This week, Graham and Taylor tackle a concept that is ubiquitous in soccer (and sport in general) but simultaneously seen as a problem and potential source of a conflict of interest… gambling! How long has gambling been intertwined with soccer? What sorts of gambling sponsorship/advertising is in soccer? How big a problem is this for soccer in general? What measures have been taken to curb gambling’s influence in soccer? All that and much more!
Published 10/20/23
On this episode, Graham and Taylor dive deep into the branding statement/actual sports team known as Team GB. What is it, which countries are involved, how does it work when it comes to the Olympics, why is it controversial, and much much more!
Published 10/13/23
On this week's episode, we answer a question from the Discord, courtesy of Scouto: What are coefficients, what are they used to determine, how are they calculated, and why do they matter? We have answers, and Graham attempts to explain math while recording!
Published 10/06/23
On this episode, Taylor and Graham spend some time discussing a few terms that get commonly thrown around, but can be a little more challenging to understand if you're new to the game:
1) Ball recovery
2) Duel
3) Hospital pass
4) Mickey Mouse Cup
5) Reducer
6) Corridor of Uncertainty
Published 09/21/23