(PODCAST) – This week, the boys of Last Word SC take on the huge schedule of 15 US Open Cup matches, what USL’s sweep of NASL clubs in the tournament means for the game in the U.S., how Fox’s coverage of the F.A. Cup can help grow the profile of the third oldest soccer tournament in the world! Then they turn their watchful eye back to MLS, previewing the coming weekend.
In the second segment, Matt Pollard has a chat with San Antonio Scorpions’ director of communications and digital media Matt Barbour!
Then Russ, Matt, and Alec get real about the ramifications of the FIFA arrests will potentially have on the domestic game, CONCACAF, and they take a long hard look at what the allegations against Aaron Davidson and Traffic Sports could have on the NASL. Finally, the boys take a look at the impact this kind of media coverage could have on the casual fans in North America.
All this and more on Last Word SC Radio!
LWSC Radio: San Antonio Scoprions’ Matt Barbour, FIFAgate, and the U.S. Open Cup
Roger Cleaves is a Business Major at Sacramento State and a six year Navy Vet, but more importantly an avid soccer fan and coach. Growing up in Northern California he began playing and watching soccer at a young age. While visiting family in Washington State he attended a Seattle Sounders game and fell in love with the team. Always learning about the intricacies of the sport, he considers himself a student of the game and looks to share his knowledge to the masses every Thursday night.
Matt Pollard is a Chemical Engineering Grad Student and Staff Writer for the MLS department at Last Word on Sports. When he’s not playing with fire, he’s going for a run, trying a microbrewery, or watching sports. His first sports love was the LA Kings, though MLS didn’t exist at the time. Once called the Shakespeare of the department, he describes himself as a typical tuba playing Ginger Ninja, Environmental Crusader, Sports Hipster, and Miami Hurricane. Like the Galaxy, he too was handcrafted in LA
Alec Rivera is a Major League Soccer Editor at Last Word on Sports; a longtime fan of both the sport and the league, he has been delighted to cover D.C. United as a writer for the past several months. He grew up playing soccer from the age of three and, for the longest time, refused to even acknowledge any other sport except in passing. Nowadays, he is not so discriminatory to the lesser sports. Except hockey. Because ice makes him cold. #VamosUnited #GoNats #GoRavens #GoWizards #DCrising
Russ “Big Mick” McKenzie is the head of the MLS department at Last Word on Sports, and has spent a tremendous amount of time on the radio in the past, with WSIA 88.9 NY, WZBT 91.1 PA, and has own independent podcast, The Psychedelic Toaster Show. There are 5 things he loves – his wife, his dog, technology, beer, and good sport. He spends most of his free time thinking about tactical changes on his beloved New York Red Bulls. He also enjoys herding cats and arguing with trees.
