Soccer 101
Episodes
A tale of two clubs... 81% of the time: domestic football in Uruguay
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're talking about THE dark horse candidate at every World Cup since 2010... it's Uruguay. The four-time world champion has one of the old...
What are the best World Cup balls, mascots and anthems?
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In an effort to not only be depressing when discussing the World Cup, Graham and Taylor take a look at the lighter side of the tournament, and weigh i...
Kings, ultras, and unrest: Egyptian football explained
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Graham and Taylor spend some time trying to scratch the surface of the complicated history of soccer in Egypt: how did the sport rise to pr...
An abbreviated history of World Cup disruptions: teams withdrawing, changing hosts and more!
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, inspired by the latest chaos surrounding the 2026 World Cup, we take a look at the history of upheaval at the tournament: when...
Youth development, colonialism, match fixing, and golden eras: a history of professional football in Belgium
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it's the country for whom De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku and Courtois have all played... just not in terms of the domestic league: Belgium! We t...
Wrexham: America's Team, Capitalism's Posterchild, or both?
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's show, we spend probably way too much time discussing the Rise of Wrexham (TM). Just kidding. They've probably already got that trademar...
American managers in Europe: why haven't there been many and why aren't there more?
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of Pellegrino Matarazzo's strong start to life with Real Sociedad, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing American managers in Europe's...
Small nation, big results: How Croatia became football’s ultimate overachiever
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How does a country of under four million people keep churning out World Cup semifinalists and all-time great midfielders? In this episode, we break do...
Why is the World Cup expanding? The positives and negatives of FIFA's shift for 2026
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the World Cup looming in the distance, Graham and Taylor discuss the decision to expand the tournament from 32 teams to 48. Who led the campaign?...
Balance and dominance: a brief history of Jordanian football
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor continue to preview the 2026 World Cup by taking a look at the domestic leagues of the participating nations, and this week it's Jor...
Does the Premier League have an English manager problem?
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
English managers were once the default in the Premier League; now, they’re a rarity. In this episode, we trace the sharp decline of English coaches ...
From coffee houses to energy drinks: a brief history of Austrian league football
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor continue to preview the 2026 World Cup by taking a look at the domestic leagues of the participating nations, and this week it's Aus...
How has punditry shaped our understanding of soccer, and what is its role in the modern game?
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Graham and Taylor are diving into the world of soccer punditry: what they do, why they do it, the early pioneers, the importance of ex-play...
Northern lights and summer soccer: all about the Norwegian top flight
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We continue to look at domestic soccer in the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week it's our friends in the north: Norwa...
Why do American and European stadiums look so different?
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do American sports teams constantly build shiny new stadiums while many European clubs play in the same grounds that their supporters grandparents...
How did Qatar arrive on the soccer landscape, and how has the Stars League been impacted by Saudi Arabia?
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we’re unpacking the Qatari Stars League — what it is, how it works, and how it’s evolved. We run through the league’s bi...
The biggest and best rivalries of the Premier League Era
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're talking mind games, vegetables and voyeurism: it's the best rivalries of the Premier League era. From entire teams to managers to ind...
Ivory Coast’s Soccer Factory: Where the Next Drogba Might Be Playing Right Now
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We dive into Ligue 1 LONACI, the top flight of Ivorian football. How did it start, who dominates it today, and how does it stack up against the c...
Is Tottenham a big club, and when exactly did "Spursy" become a thing?
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We come in peace, Spurs supporters! I promise you! No cheap shots or annoying jokes... or at least that's the goal.Instead, this week, we're looking a...
Soccer in Colombia: A 2026 World Cup primer
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're continuing our look into domestic soccer in the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week... it's Colombia! The countr...
What are some of the best training facilities in soccer today?
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Recording live from the TSS Podcast Training Facility, Graham and Taylor emerge from their state-of-the-art sleep pods to discuss all things training ...
Soccer in Morocco: a 2026 World Cup primer
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're continuing our look into domestic soccer in the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. It's time to talk Morocco. The ...
A brief history of The Special One: the life and times of Jose Mourinho
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the news that Jose Mourinho has returned to Portugal to once-again coach Benfica, we take a lengthy look back at The Special One's career. How di...
Has it become more common to sack a manager?
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it's time to get fired! We're talking managerial sackings. Who makes the decision? Why might a club part ways with a manager? How do they l...
Everything you need to know about the Primera Division, Argentina's top league
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the league of Boca and River... and so, so much more! That includes a confusing league structure, a collection of incredibly talented clubs with ...
All about free kicks, including ideal distances for shooting and greatest takers of all-time
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're tackling all-things freekick! When did they first become a part of the game? How have they evolved over time? What is the difference ...
Shots Time! Are a bicycle kick and an overhead kick the same thing? What makes a volley a half volley, and more!
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why are there so many words for a shot? What is an overhead kick and is it different than a bicycle kick? Can a tatty-toe-bash be aesthetically pleasi...
All about the K League: decentralization, domestic development, Champions League successes, and much more!
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the Republic of Korea qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, it's time to take a deeper look at domestic soccer in the country. How does Asia's oldes...
Are La Liga matches coming to the USA?
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're recording this one in mid-August 2025, with the prospect of European league games happening in the United States once again back in the news! Wh...
What is a transfer request, how does it work, and what happens when a club doesn't want to sell?
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of the transfer window (and one protracted saga in particular), Graham and Taylor look at the process of demanding a transfer. How is a trans...
All about Uzbekistan! How strong is their top flight and has its quality improved in recent years?
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Uzbekistan having qualified for their first-ever World Cup, Graham and Taylor take a lengthy look at the Uzbekistan Super League, the nation's to...
What makes for a good match day atmosphere, and which clubs do it best?
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We take a look at the 12th man of soccer (and try to avoid getting sued by Seattle while we do). What makes for a good atmosphere? When can it feel ar...
Everything you need to know about the Women's European Championships
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the 2025 European Championship kicking off today, we spend some time reviewing the history and evolution of the premier competition for national ...
How strong is Brazil's top flight, what are its biggest teams, and how has the league helped shape the national team?
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We continue to profile the domestic leagues of the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and now that Brazil will officially be in Nor...
What is an assistant manager and what do they do?
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Who is that guy sitting next to the manager and why is he showing him stuff on an iPad?" We have answers!What is an assistant manager, and what do th...
What is sportswashing and why does it have such deep roots in soccer?
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we delve into the exciting and not at all depressing world of... sportswashing! What is it, how long of a history does it have in soccer, h...
How strong is the Canadian Premier League, and how has it helped strengthen soccer in Canada?
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We continue to profile the domestic leagues of the countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and this week it's an automatic entrant: Cana...
Did a horse lead to the downfall of Manchester United?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we've got a doozy of a tale for you: it involves a racehorse, a cantankerous Knight of the Realm, and a couple of billionaires with a point...
Is nepotism a thing in professional soccer?
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Short answer: kinda, but not really.Longer answer:... you'll have to listen to the episode, but we discuss some of the most famous father-son duos in ...
How have soccer pitches improved over the years?
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
What is the professional soccer landscape in New Zealand?
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Why doesn't MLS use the European Calendar? What are the benefits and drawbacks of adopting it?
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 sit...
What is the Persian Gulf Pro League, and how has it helped develop the Iranian national team?
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 kne...
What is fixture congestion and what can teams do to combat it?
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 tea...
What is the J.League and how has it strengthened the Japan national team?
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ques...
What is CONCACAF, and what is its scandalous history?
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're taking a look at everyone's favorite (or fourth favorite) confederation: Concacaf. How many countries does it oversee? What exactly d...
Why isn't Ligue 1 better? What are the issues it's faced, and how has it positioned itself for future growth?
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 perc...
How do teams, players and managers handle the language barrier?
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
What are the best and worst rebrands in soccer history?
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
Do Sporting Directors, GMs and Directors of Football all do the same thing?
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Direc...
What is a cult hero, and how does a player become one?
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pers...
What is The Big Six in the Premier League, and does it still exist?
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 grou...
An abbreviated history of Neymar, and why he's such a polarizing figure
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, d...
How do Premier League clubs typically travel to matches?
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by Bournemouth's long-distance journey all the way to Newcastle, we take a look at the preferred methods of transport for Premier League club...
#196 What is PSR, why was it introduced and how is it enforced?
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it's the topic that has the person in charge of the second set of books nervous... Profit and Sustainability Rules! What are they, why is i...
#195 How to get tickets for a Premier League match
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, Taylor (with no ticketing buying experience) asks Graham (some ticket buying experience) a litany of questions about the best ...
#194 Everything you need to know about futsal
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why did the soccer balls of our youth look like someone shaved The Grinch?Oh, but regarding this week's show, we're talking futsal! What is it, how di...
#193 Why do winter breaks exist, and how many leagues observe them?
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor aren't on a break... but are instead discussing breaks. What is a winter break in soccer? Which leagues currently take winter breaks...
#192 All things scran!
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week... it's Scran Talk! What do we know about the history of people eating at soccer matches? How important is food to the matchday experience a...
#191 What is the history of goalkeepers in soccer, and how has the position evolved over time?
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the history of goalkeepers in soccer? What are goalkeepers traditionally expected to do? How has the goalkeeping position changed in modern so...
#190 What is Match of the Day, and why is it so revered?
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing the granddaddy of TV analysis: Match of the Day. What is it, how long has it been...
#189 What is a fairytale in soccer, and are they becoming increasingly less common in the modern game?
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor are here to discuss their favorite fairytales (Graham is a big Frozen guy), but then they also discuss the concept of a fairytale in...
#188 What do soccer players eat, and how has their nutrition changed over time?
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor are avoiding ranch and fizzy drinks to stay in ideal shape to discuss the diets of professional footballers. Why is diet and nutriti...
#187 Who is Mario Balotelli, and why does he attract so much attention?
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the recent news that Mario Balotelli will be returning to Italy after signing for Genoa, we take a look back at his career so far, and ponder wha...
#186 Who is Gianni Infantino and what does he do?
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we try (and instantly fail) to give an objective look at Gianni Infantino, our current FIFA President. Where did he come from? How much pow...
#185 What is a dual national and who are some of the most notable players who have switched national teams?
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor answer questions like "what is a dual national in soccer" and "what are the requirements for switching" and "who are some of the mos...
#184 What are some formerly great teams that experienced a dramatic decline, and what factors led to that fate?
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor take a look at some of the biggest and/or most successful clubs that today find themselves in less glorious environs. How did they g...
#183 What is an ACL injury?
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, it's time for pain. What happens when you tear your ACL, and how has treatment evolvedP over time? Which players recovered wel...
#182 What is a Number 10, and how many different types are there?
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's an episode we somehow haven't done before... Number 10s! It's the most fabled number in soccer, but what does it actually signify and how did it ...
#181 An abbreviated history of US men's national team managers
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spoiler alert: I loved recording this episode!With Mauricio Pochettino now anointed as the Savior of the USMNT, Graham and Taylor take a look back at ...
#180 What is the UEFA Nations League, and why does it exist?
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor tackle the sexiest of all topics: The UEFA Nations League! What is it, why does it exist, how does its format work, and is it really...
#179 What is the origin of the Liverpool-Man United rivalry, and how has it grown over time?
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool looming, Graham and Taylor break down the history of England's biggest (and most successful?)...
#178 What are The Galacticos, how many iterations have there been, and are we in a new era right now?
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, in honor of Real Madrid's absurd starting lineup this past weekend, we take a deeper look at the term that defines the club: G...
#177 What is fantasy soccer and how does it work?
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham explains the ins-and-outs of becoming a fantasy champion, while simultaneously being uncomfortable about how much time he spends on fantasy! Bu...
#176 What is the Scottish Premiership, why isn't it called the SPL, and what does its future hold?
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor (mostly Graham) go deep on the Scottish top flight! How long has it been around? Why does it have so many different names? How many ...
#175 Who is new USWNT manager Emma Hayes, and why is her appointment so significant?
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're back! After a summer of watching entirely too much soccer, we... are ready to watch some more soccer. With the Olympic campaign now underway, Gr...
#174 What are the European Championships, and how important are they on the global stage?
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the kickoff of Euro 2024 less than 24 hours away, Graham takes time away from his pre-tournament packing to discuss the European Championships as...
#173 The best and worst of crests and kit colors in soccer
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Special thanks to Michael Nunzi from the TSS Discord for requesting today’s topic! How important are a good crest and solid color scheme (metaphoric...
#172 What is Wembley Stadium, and why is it called "The Home of Football?"
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the Champions League Final set to take place at Wembley this weekend, Graham and Taylor dive deep into the history and lore of the host stadium. ...
#171 Why is the English Championship playoff final known as The Richest Game in Football?
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the Championship playoff final looming, Graham and Taylor discuss the history of the competition and how the format first came to be. Then it's o...
#170 What is the history of trophies in soccer? And what are some of the best and worst pieces of silverware?
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the end of the season upon us and trophies soon to be hoisted aloft on pitches across the planet, Graham and Taylor take a look at the history of...
#169 What is the Europa League and why doesn't it get more coverage?
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode. Graham and Taylor take a longer look at the Champions' League's less-heralded sibling, the Europa League. What is the history of the ...
#168 What is Football Manager, and why is it so addictive?
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor continue to talk video games on this week's episode! This time, it's Football Manager! What is it? Why is it so popular? How into th...
#167 The FIFA video game series and its lasting legacy
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor are here to discuss a topic 21 years in the making: the FIFA video game series. How long has it been around? How have the games evol...
#166 What is the Copa Libertadores and why are Brazilian clubs suddenly so dominant in it?
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor head to South America to discuss one of the longest-running, most prestigious club competitions in world soccer: the Copa Libertador...
#165 What are match programmes and why do they exist?
30 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#164 What does a captain actually do?
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#163 What are parachute payments, why do they exist, and what are their positives and negatives?
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 dr...
#162 What is doping and how prevalent is it in soccer?
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#161 Hooligans and Football: where does the term come from, when did hooliganism first come to prominence, and how prevalent does it remain today?
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Graham and Taylor avoid fisticuffs to instead talk out the history of hooligans (and hooliganism) in football! We answer a variety of quest...
Bonus episode! The Can I Kick It podcast discusses the new joint Anti-Discrimination Policy by MLS, MLSPA, and Black Players for Change
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 fr...
#160 Everything you need to know about The Designated Player Rule in Major League Soccer
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 c...
#159 What is an interim manager, and who are the most successful examples in soccer history?
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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....
#158 What are soccer's biggest conspiracy theories?
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor don their tin foil caps to discuss soccer's greatest conspiracy theories, and attempt to determine which ones are completely fiction...
#157 What is the 3pm blackout and why does it exist?
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 wor...
#156 What is the Asian Cup, and who are its most legendary competitors?
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#155 What is a ‘wonderkid’ in soccer?
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Graham and Taylor discuss everyone's favorite hype-train-generator: the wonderkid! Why is there such fascination with these players? What are the pitf...
#154 What is the Africa Cup of Nations, who are its most successful competitors, and why does it take place mid-season?
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 to...
#153 What is the Club World Cup, and how will it change in the near future?
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 evo...
#152 What is a points deduction, who hands them out, and how common are they historically?
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With the recent news that Everton would be docked 10 points for violating Financial Fair Play rules, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing poin...