Over The Ball with Kevin Flynn and Dave Gallego

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam discuss the prospect of Jesse Marsch getting the Dortmund job, US Soccer players of the year, CONCACAF Champions League and more before being joined by NYU goalkeeper coach Greg Kenney to hear about the time he faced off against Maradona, how the position has evolved in the modern game and why the US struggles to produce top 'keepers the way it once did.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam discuss the Columbus Crew's resounding MLS Cup victory and run through other top stories from around the globe before welcoming stats wizard Paul Carr—Director of Content for TruMedia Sports and host of the Expected Value sports analytics podcast—to break down the numbers from this crazy season as well as help explain the constant evolution of soccer analytics as teams continue looking for any statistical edge.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam discuss the USMNT friendly win over El Salvador, the suspended PSG–Basaksehir Champions League match and MLS Cup final before welcoming David Wright to the pod to talk about his new role as Chief Commercial Officer for the U.S. Soccer Federation and the bright future he sees for the sport in this country.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam run through some of the top stories from around the globe and then welcome Dominic Kinnear—former USMNT player and back-to-back MLS Cup winner as head coach of the Houston Dynamo—to discuss what coaching in MLS this season has been like, the experiences that have shaped his personal philosophy on coaching and of course his short-lived stand-up comedy career.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk about the passing of Diego Maradona and the impact he had on the game plus their own personal thoughts and memories, then welcome Grant Wahl to discuss his Maradona obituary in Sports Illustrated as well as his new podcast series American Prodigy: Freddy Adu, which came out earlier this month.

This week on Over the Ball Kevin and Sam discuss the USMNT's 6–2 friendly win over Panama in Austria, whether or not the Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso is perpetuating stereotypes about American soccer coaches, and who should be considered the best US men's player of all time.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam break down the USMNT's 0–0 friendly draw in Wales and then welcome Adrian Healey—longtime MLS and soccer commentator for ESPN and the future voice and Executive Director of Broadcast and Content for Austin FC—to discuss how he got into broadcasting and his upcoming move to Texas, as well as his own approach to calling games and finding that sweet middle ground between American and British announcers.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam break down the top stories across the world of soccer and look ahead to two USMNT November friendlies before being joined once again by ESPN Lead MLS Commentator Jon Champion to hear his thoughts on the MLS Playoffs, how his first season in America has gone and just how he stays on top of so much soccer action from around the globe.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam run through the top stories from around the world of soccer, then speak to longtime St. John's University head men's coach David Masur about what it's like to coach during the pandemic and not have any games (yet), and how he expects the rest of the college soccer season will play out.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam run through the top stories from across the globe and then are joined once again by Grant Wahl to discuss the influx of American players—but lack of American voices—in Champions League, the prospect of a European Super League, the potential impact of Virgil van Dijk's injury and why Ted Lasso is absolutely worth watching.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam run through the biggest news stories from around the globe, then welcome back LAFC Lead Broadcaster Max Bretos to discuss the ups and downs of this MLS season, what it's been like calling games amidst the pandemic, the USMNT and the difference between commentating from the studio versus on-site.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam discuss the top stories from world soccer including upsets and surprise performances in the EPL, a coaching change in MLS, Covid chaos in Italy and what to look forward to coming out of the international break.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam welcome back Ian Barker, Director of Coaching Education for United Soccer Coaches, to discuss returning to playing and training during the pandemic, what's in store for next year's Coaches Convention, his thoughts on Landon Donovan pulling his USL club San Diego Loyal from the field in protest and how new handball rules leave plenty to be desired.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam are joined once again by Soccer America executive editor Mike Woitalla to discuss the early-season performances of USMNT members overseas and the future of the national team in general, USWNT players leaving for Europe, Frank De Boer's hiring by the Netherlands and what it was like to attend a "ghost game" in San Jose.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam welcome back Grant Wahl, writer and host of the Fútbol with Grant Wahl podcast, to discuss the current state of USMNT players abroad, the MLS season to date, USWNT players leaving for Europe, chaos at Barcelona and Gareth Bale's legacy at Real Madrid.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam welcome back longtime USMNT mainstay and FOX Soccer analyst Alexi Lalas to discuss Weston McKennie's move to Juventus and his own experience playing in Italy with Padova, plus he shares his insight on the current state of the USMNT and a few thoughts on the MLS season so far.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam welcome back former longtime award-winning ESPN anchor and Outside the Lines host Bob Ley to discuss the evolving intersection between politics and sports both in our current moment and moving forward. Plus, we also get his thoughts on the state of the media in this country today and what the reality of sports broadcasting may look like in the near future.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam are thrilled to be joined by Jon Champion, a true soccer commentating legend who has covered the game for more than 35 years at the highest level internationally and here in the US. Jon shares his thoughts on this week's MLS boycott, what covering the league for ESPN has been like and how he views the future of soccer broadcasting in America, and tells us the story of how his illustrious cricket career landed him his first job in the business.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam are joined by former USMNT mainstay and current MLS Senior Vice President of Competition, Operations and Medical Jeff Agoos to discuss the success of the MLS is Back tournament and the transition into the regular season, the main differences between the USMNT in the early 2000's compared to today's squad and what the future holds for Berhalter and co.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam break down the top stories from MLS, NCAA Soccer, FA Cup and Champions League and are then joined by Eric Vaughter and Greg Deutsch to discuss their new podcast "3 Old Goalies," and get their takes on all the goalkeeping issues of the day.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam run through headlines from around the soccer world as the European leagues wrap up, then welcome back Grant Wahl of the Fútbol with Grant Wahl podcast to discuss his most recent endeavor: a six-part podcast series on the career of Freddy Adu, a separate project he created in partnership with Blue Wire.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam break down soccer news from around the globe then talk to Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla about MLS is Back, Christian Pulisic's play at Chelsea, the current state of the USMNT and what NCAA soccer might look like this year.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam are happy to welcome back soccer law expert Steven Bank—Vice Dean and Professor at UCLA Law—to help make sense of the recent ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport concerning Man City and Financial Fair Play rules, and how the precedent could shape the game's landscape going forward.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam discuss the MLS is Back tourney getting underway plus news from around the globe before welcoming NCAA soccer legend Billy Gazonas to talk about his new book That Little Son of B**ch: A Soccer Journey from Tears and Humiliation to National Champions and Hermann Trophy Winner.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam get caught up with Clemson men's head coach Mike Noonan to discuss the challenges facing his program in the midst of a pandemic and what NCAA soccer may look like if and when it returns to the field in 2020.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam welcome back Grant Wahl—host of the Fútbol with Grant Wahl podcast and NYT best-selling author—to discuss Liverpool's EPL title and soccer's restart across Europe, plus his thoughts on how the game is broadcast domestically and what he makes of the MLS and Champions League summer tourneys.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to beIN Sports USA commentator and analyst Eric Krakauer about the art of soccer broadcasting and his own personal journey, what it's like to call games during the pandemic, who he likes for the La Liga title and what the future holds for many of the smaller leagues he also covers.

This week on OTB we talk to former USMNT standout and 2012 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Desmond Armstrong about his reaction to the death of George Floyd and facing racism and discrimination both within soccer and society at large. He also discusses his role as head coach at the HBCU Fisk University and what meaningful change will look like in the game.

This week on OTB, Kevin, Grayle and Sam discuss the soccer world's reaction to the death of George Floyd and protests across the US, then speak to Ian Barker, Director of Coaching Education for United Soccer Coaches about his role amidst the pandemic and how things may look different whenever players can get back on the field.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to long-time Soccer America writer Paul Gardner about his three part series on college soccer in this country, beginning with his introduction to the game in the 60's all the way up to the present day. We also discuss Bundesliga action from the past week and finish with a jersey quiz to round it out.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam speak with Alison Foley, former Boston College women's head coach and founder of Foley Athletic Advising, about her experience in the world of soccer and her new book The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider's Guide, co-authored by Mia Wenjen.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam speak to sports law expert Prof. Steven Bank of UCLA about the judge's recent ruling against the USWNT's equal pay claim, and where things stand and could possibly end up moving forward in the case.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert about the challenges of running the organization at a time like this and what positives he believes can emerge to the overall soccer landscape in this country.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to Dan Woog, head coach of Staples High School in Westport, CT, about his two-part series in Soccer America on the coronavirus' impact on high school soccer and how coaches and players are adapting to this new landscape.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam welcome University of Maryland head men's coach Sasho Cirovski back to the show to discuss what lies ahead for college soccer in light of the coronavirus outbreak and where things stand on the proposal for a Division I soccer season split between the fall and spring.

Last Wednesday marked the start of Soccer America's 50th year of publication. On OTB this week we celebrate what has long been the sport's paper of record in this country by talking to Executive Editor Mike Woitalla and Editor in Chief Paul Kennedy about SA's history and evolution, plus get their takes on the most pressing issues of the day.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to Middlebury College head men's soccer coach Alex Elias about the difficulties his program faces both in recruiting and keeping up with current players while in lockdown, and hear his thoughts on the prospect of a split NCAA soccer season.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam are joined by Reed Fox, NYC Adult Program Manager and Homeless World Cup Director for Street Soccer USA, to discuss the difficulties his organization faces during a time like this and what happens when soccer disappears from people's lives.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to longtime ESPN host Bob Ley about his own experiences covering soccer in this country and the evolution of the game from a broadcasting standpoint, along with where sports fit into our cultural landscape in a moment of crisis.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam welcome back head SI soccer writer Grant Wahl to discuss the current state of leagues, cups, tournaments around the world and what, if any, changes this will all lead to moving forward, plus break down the continuing saga of disharmony that is US Soccer right now.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam discuss the impact of the coronavirus on soccer and sport worldwide, this week's Champions League action and the resignation of U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to former USMNT great and current soccer analyst for FOX Sports Alexi Lalas to get his thoughts on the opening of MLS' 25th season, the current state of the USMNT and what it should mean for a player to represent their country.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam talk to Soccer America executive editor Mike Woitalla about MLS's upcoming 25th season, Gio Reyna and the current state of the USMNT, and US Soccer's new Grassroots "learning through play" courses, which will also be offered in Spanish.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam are joined by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl to discuss Man City's Champions League ban, Jurgen Klinsmann's short stint at Hertha Berlin, how MLS compares to Liga MX and what Jermaine Jones has been up to since retirement.

This week on OTB Kevin, Grayle and Sam are joined by Professor Steven Bank of UCLA, an expert in sports law and soccer in particular, who helps make sense of the new MLS CBA as well as the current state of labor relations between U.S. Soccer and the men's and women's national teams.