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 Era

00:51 The Pre-History of American Soccer

01:36 Challenges in Establishing Soccer in the U.S.

02:26 The First Professional Soccer League

04:24 Financial Struggles and League Dynamics

07:16 Formation and Early Years of the American Soccer League

20:53 Innovations and Comparisons with Other Sports

24:19 College Football's Dominance and Soccer's Struggles

25:39 The Role of Universities in American Sports

26:14 Challenges in Early American Soccer

26:53 The Rise of the New York Giants

27:44 Fall River Marksmen's Dominance

28:25 Economic Struggles and Soccer's Impact

29:29 The League's Early Successes and Challenges

30:14 Expansion and New Teams

31:13 Player Transfers and Immigration Issues

33:19 The American Menace and Scottish Football

34:49 International Influence and Jewish Tours

41:07 The Impact of Jewish Players and Fans

44:23 The Maccabees and Tactical Evolution

47:49 The League's Growing Popularity and Issues

50:32 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

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