Marcelo Balboa Interview; Grant's Take on Soccer Responding to Racism

06/01/20 • 75 min

In our latest episode, Grant interviews Hall of Famer Marcelo Balboa about his experience in the past and the present as a central figure in the American soccer experience. In the interview (which starts at 24:42), Balboa discusses his history playing in three World Cups, being part of the start of MLS and his role these days as a broadcaster and coach in the Colorado Rapids Developmental Academy.

Before that, Grant delivers an essay on racism in soccer and speaks to Taylor Rockwell of the Total Soccer Show about the soccer weekend.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe

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Before that, Grant delivers an essay on racism in soccer and speaks to Taylor Rockwell of the Total Soccer Show about the soccer weekend.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Previous Episode

Derek Rae Interview; Grant's Take on Fake Crowd Noise

Grant speaks to one of soccer's most soothing and informed voices, Derek Rae, who broadcasts world feed Bundesliga games, Premier League games for NBC Sports, World Cups for Fox Sports, video games for EA Sports and the NFL and Premier League for Prime Video. In their interview (which starts at 2:45) they discuss Bayern Munich's likely title-sealing 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund and focus on Rae's love for the soccer culture of Germany, dating from his early days of listening to German radio from his native Aberdeen, Scotland. Rae has called soccer games all over Germany, and he explains why he recently decided to share detailed video breakdowns about German culture and soccer on his Twitter feed.

Grant opens the episode of this podcast, a co-production with our friends at the Total Soccer Show, with his take on the simulated crowd noise on the Fox Sports Bundesliga broadcasts from empty stadiums.

You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and wherever you get your podcasts.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe

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Next Episode

BONUS EPISODE: Roberto Martínez Interview

In a special bonus episode, Grant interviews Roberto Martínez, who recently extended his contract as the head coach and technical director for the No. 1 team in the FIFA world rankings, Belgium, through World Cup 2022. Martínez, who used to manage Everton, Wigan and Swansea City and has worked for ESPN during several major tournaments, has a chapter on him in Grant's book Masters of Modern Soccer.

In their interview, Martínez shares why he wanted to continue with Belgium for another two years; his memories of eliminating Brazil and winning third place at World Cup 2018; what it's like to work with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard; how he's dealing with the year's delay of Euro 2020; which club team he has enjoyed watching the most this season; and whether he would be interested in the USMNT job for World Cup 2026 in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Martínez is known as one of the true gentlemen of the game, and he shows that again in this interview.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4

Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe