Soccer 101 podcast

39:33

This week, we revisit a topic that we've only touched on briefly in the past: soccer pitches. We get into dimensions and the like, but (inspired by this article from The Athletic), we spend much more time discussing the history of soccer pitches and how their construction and maintenance has evolved over time. From livestock grazing to keep grass length down to moisture meters telling robots when it's time for a watering, we've come a long way! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! ⁠We're posting all our episodes here⁠ ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. ⁠Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow⁠ !…

Soccer 101

1
What is the professional soccer landscape in New Zealand? 40:25

9 days ago40:25

40:25

We're continuing our series profiling the domestic leagues of countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week we're heading to the land of marmite and rugby... to talk about soccer. It's New Zealand! What is the league structure? Which New Zealand clubs play outside the country? What does the future of the New Zealand National League hold? Those questions and many more answered on this week's show! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
Why doesn't MLS use the European Calendar? What are the benefits and drawbacks of adopting it? 47:09

16 days ago47:09

47:09

With the news this week that MLS will not be making a move to the European calendar after the 2026 World Cup, Graham and Taylor take a look at the situation, past, present and future. Why did the league adopt its current calendar in the first place? What would be the benefits of moving to a European calendar, and what are the potential drawbacks? How much snow is too much snow? All that and more! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
What is the Persian Gulf Pro League, and how has it helped develop the Iranian national team? 46:16

23 days ago46:16

46:16

We're continuing our series profiling the domestic leagues of countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week it's one that we knew... basically nothing about prior to researching: The Persian Gulf Pro League, the top domestic league in Iran. Why was the league originally formed in the early 2000s, what are its biggest clubs, what issues have kept the league from developing further, and how has the national team benefitted from its existence? All that, plus our attempt to understand historical geographic naming conventions. What more do you need?! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
What is fixture congestion and what can teams do to combat it? 31:02

4 weeks ago31:02

31:02

This week, we're taking a look at the scourge of the modern game: fixture congestion. Is it indeed a problem exclusive to the modern era? What can teams do to ease the workload? What can happen when a player is ‘red lining’? And the most important question: are we reaching breaking point? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
What is the J.League and how has it strengthened the Japan national team? 41:47

5 weeks ago41:47

41:47

With Japan officially qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, we wanted to take at domestic football in the country. In so doing, we attempt to answer questions like what is the J.League, how good is the league as a whole, how has it evolved over time, what role has it played in helping to strengthen the national team, and much much more! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
What is CONCACAF, and what is its scandalous history? 39:27

6 weeks ago39:27

39:27

This week, we're taking a look at everyone's favorite (or fourth favorite) confederation: Concacaf. How many countries does it oversee? What exactly does it oversee? Why is Jack Warner's time as head of the confederation so notorious? And what does the future hold in terms of expansion and mergers? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
Why isn't Ligue 1 better? What are the issues it's faced, and how has it positioned itself for future growth? 42:59

7 weeks ago42:59

42:59

This week, we're taking at the a league that boasts some high-profile clubs, a lot of youth talent, and some storied teams... and yet still isn't perceived as being particularly strong: Ligue 1. Why isn't the best league in France better than it is? What has been the league's standing historically? What contributes to the lack of growth and international success? Has PSG under Qatari ownership been detrimental to Ligue 1 as a whole? All that and much more! WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
How do teams, players and managers handle the language barrier? 36:03

8 weeks ago36:03

36:03

What do you do when your coach speaks one language, your center back another, and your striker a third? How do clubs handle language barriers between players and staff? Do teams just designate a couple languages that everyone needs to know? Does everyone just have to learn the GM's language? Are there a bunch of translators on the coaching staff? How do teams make this work? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
What are the best and worst rebrands in soccer history? 36:07

9 weeks ago36:07

36:07

Graham and Taylor are together again to discuss the best and worst rebrands in club soccer. Why would a club want to rebrand, what are the benefits and drawbacks, who did it right, and who... did the opposite of that. WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
Do Sporting Directors, GMs and Directors of Football all do the same thing? 22:23

10 weeks ago22:23

22:23

It's an episode that guests your hosts confused multiple times... terminology! What exactly is a Sporting Director and is it the same thing as a Director of Football? What is a General Manager? Is that the same thing as a Sporting Director? What do Technical Directors technically direct? Those questions, and more, hopefully answered. Hopefully. WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
What is a cult hero, and how does a player become one? 26:37

11 weeks ago26:37

26:37

No flavor aid required for this episode... we're talking cult players! What is a cult hero, how does a player become one, and who are some of our personal favorites. WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
What is The Big Six in the Premier League, and does it still exist? 27:49

12 weeks ago27:49

27:49

Graham "The Big ONE" Ruthven and Taylor are together again to break down The Big Six in the Premier League: which clubs are included, how has the grouping evolved over time, and is it still a thing in 2025? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
An abbreviated history of Neymar, and why he's such a polarizing figure 46:21

13 weeks ago46:21

46:21

What's the latest with Neymar, why has he been such a controversial figure in his career, and how will he be remembered by future generations? Plus, did he reach his full potential for club and country, and what comes next? WE HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We're posting all our episodes here ! Smash the like and subscribe etc.! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow !…

Soccer 101

1
How do Premier League clubs typically travel to matches? 22:57

14 weeks ago22:57