Open Mic | The Man Who Watched American Soccer Grow Up

Open Mic | The Man Who Watched American Soccer Grow Up

Author: Kickback Soccer Media September 18, 2026 Duration: 1:00:37

Paul Kennedy has been covering American soccer for 55 years, from the days when finding a game on TV was nearly impossible to the 2026 World Cup. He joins Open Mic to share the stories from his career, the people and games that stuck with him, and his perspective on American soccer today.

0:00 Intro

0:46 How Paul Kennedy Became a Soccer Writer

9:22 Finding the Game Through College Soccer

13:24 From Law School to Soccer America

16:13 Covering Soccer in the 80s

21:08 Career Highlights, Favorite People & Games

27:17 The Great “What If?”

33:05 Unsung Heroes of Soccer in the U.S.

36:17 The USMNT Before the 1990 World Cup

39:54 Has Soccer Made It in America?

44:39 The Future of American Soccer

51:48 55 Years of Soccer America & Paul’s Favorite Story

For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:

https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq


North American soccer is a sprawling, fast-moving world of its own, and Soccerwise is here to make sense of it all. This isn't just another highlight reel. Host David Gass, alongside insider Tommy "Scoops" Bogert and seasoned NWSL broadcaster Jordan Angeli, brings you into the conversation multiple times a week. They dissect the crucial matches from MLS and the NWSL, track the progress of the US National Teams, and dig into the emerging stories that define the sport on this side of the Atlantic. The analysis is informed and immediate, cutting through the noise to explain not just what happened, but why it matters. A key part of the Soccerwise dynamic is the direct line to listeners, with the team regularly weaving audience questions into their discussions, making each episode feel like a dialogue among fans who know their stuff. Tune in to this Kickback Soccer Media podcast for a comprehensive, engaging, and surprisingly detailed take on the entire ecosystem of North American soccer, from the biggest transfers to the tactical shifts you might have missed. It’s the kind of deep dive that feels like sitting in on a planning session with people who live and breathe the game, offering clarity and context whether you’re a longtime supporter or just finding your footing in the league.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Soccerwise | U.S. Soccer, MLS, NWSL
Podcast Episodes
NWSL Soccerwise | NWSL is Chaos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:09
The NWSL is getting weird and crazy, and Jordan Angeli and David Gass are back together to try and make sense of this unpredictable league. Houston is searching for a new direction, Orlando makes a major commitment to Ba…
MLS Soccerwise | Cavan Sullivan & the Wild Wild West [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:01
Cavan Sullivan is making his case for the USMNT after another jaw-dropping performance, St. Louis is the hottest team in MLS and the Western Conference race is getting interesting. David Gass, Matt Doyle and special gues…
Open Mic | Mary Harvey on Building the Women’s Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:45
Mary Harvey has seen the women’s game from almost every angle in her career, as a USWNT goalkeeper to FIFA leader and WPS executive. Today, she leads the Center for Sport and Human Rights, and she joins Open Mic to talk…
MLS Soccerwise | Who Can Make the MLS Playoffs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:34
David Gass is back and is joined by Matt Doyle to break down MLS’ summer transfer window, the record spending, and the league’s place in the global market. Then they dive into the playoff race, from Nashville vs. Vancouv…
US Soccerwise | What’s Next for the USMNT and USWNT? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:39
What comes next for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams? David Gass and Brian Dunseth look at Mauricio Pochettino’s second cycle with the USMNT, the players that are pushing to get into the team and what it could l…
NWSL Soccerwise | Vlatko Andonovski Out in KC, Playoff Race Heats Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:32
Jordan Angeli and Jill Loyden are back to breakdown a wild, long weekend in the NWSL. They dive into Vlatko Andonovski’s departure from Kansas City and Jameese Joseph’s move to Utah to Ashley Sanchez’s historic run and D…
MLS Soccerwise | Transfer Deadline Day Live Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:25
The clock is ticking down on the 2026 MLS Transfer Window and the "Ice Cream Shop" is open. Tom Bogert hosts while also taking 15 phone calls, with Matt Doyle and Brian Dunseth alongside to break it all down as the scoop…
U.S. Soccerwise | US Soccer’s Next Generation & Youth Reset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:32
US Soccer is making major changes to the youth soccer landscape, while a new generation of young players is getting ready for its own opportunity on the international stage. David Gass is joined by The Athletic’s Henry B…