Soccer: An American History - Part Two: Struggles, Expansion and International Influence

In today's It Was What It Was, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson continue to explore the fascinating story of soccer in the United States. Highlighting the pivotal role of immigrant communities in the sport's development, the episode also examines key figures like Bela Gutmann and the significant tours by foreign teams that attracted huge crowds.Join us for the conclusion of this three-part series on Tuesday. 00:00 Introduction to Bela Gutmann's New York Era00:51 The Pre-History of American Soccer01:36 Challenges in Establishing Soccer in the U.S.02:26 The First Professional Soccer League04:24 Financial Struggles and League Dynamics07:16 Formation and Early Years of the American Soccer League20:53 Innovations and Comparisons with Other Sports24:19 College Football's Dominance and Soccer's Struggles25:39 The Role of Universities in American Sports26:14 Challenges in Early American Soccer26:53 The Rise of the New York Giants27:44 Fall River Marksmen's Dominance28:25 Economic Struggles and Soccer's Impact29:29 The League's Early Successes and Challenges30:14 Expansion and New Teams31:13 Player Transfers and Immigration Issues33:19 The American Menace and Scottish Football34:49 International Influence and Jewish Tours41:07 The Impact of Jewish Players and Fans44:23 The Maccabees and Tactical Evolution47:49 The League's Growing Popularity and Issues50:32 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.