Ep 49 | Footy Travel as a Journalist - Part 1 w/ The Athletic and SB Nation's Kudzi Musarurwa

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Welcome to Part 1 of our behind the scenes look at what it was like to 'footy travel' as a professional journalist covering Women's World Cup 2023 (aka, the biggest women's football tournament ever) this past July and August. In this episode, Colin & Mike chat with Kudzi Musarurwa, a footy journalist originally from Zimbabwe, currently plying her trade in Canada with outlets such as The Athletic and SB Nation. We discuss travel tips (duh!) for Victoria Falls, her take on how data has changed both men's & women's soccer, and what it's been like in press conferences with everyone's favorite, meme-able president. Oh. No, not that president. The other one.

Episode Outline

0:00:05 | Episode and series intro

0:07:12 | Welcome to Kudzi

0:10:42 | Outlining The Athletic WWC '23 video project on footy journos

0:13:19 | In Zimbabwe, football is king

0:16:52 | Kudzi gets her start in journalism - unconventionally

0:21: 31 | Analyzing women's footy just like the men's

0:26:37 | Have data and analysis changed football forever?

0:34:53 | Most meorable fan moments from WWC '23

0:39:22 | The role of FIFA, Infantino, and national federations in soccer's progress

0:46:05 | Why Kudzi would invest in women's soccer RIGHT NOW

0:52:35 | Kudzi's professional travel tips

0:56:51 | Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

1:03:28 | 'Rapid Fire' aka 'Dry Season' questions begin

1:10:01 | Kudzi's dream project (almost comes true)

1:11:35 | The 'good hang' testimonial

Foot(y)notes:

• This is our favorite video from the Athletic project we worked on with Kudzi, highlighting her time with the American Outlaws (and the Footy Travelers).

• And here's one highlighting her overall travel experience in New Zealand.

• You can follow Kudzi on the platform formerly known as Twitter.

• Here's an article from Kudzi on Infantino's questionable pre-tournament comments.

• And the piece she was most proud of from Women's World Cup 2023 (an examination of Sweden's tactics).

• This article describes the issues facing the Zambia Women's National Team that we talk about, although it was written in August. Sadly, we haven't been able to find any solid follow up on the situation :-/

• Last but not least, the article Kudzi wrote for The Athletic about the 54 American-born players who played in the World Cup, but not for the U.S.

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