For the Love of the Game

Tony grew up playing every sport he could. He was captain of his high school's basketball team, an all-state baseball player and one of the top ten high school soccer players in New Jersey. He attended The University of Virginia on a soccer and baseball scholarship, where he trained with coach Bruce Arena for two years before joining the U.S. Men's National Team. He played in the World Cup the following year, 1990, and aga...

Kristine Lilly is one of the most accomplished athletes in soccer history. Her decades-long career began at the University of North Carolina, where she helped lead the team to four straight national championships. With 354 caps, she’s the most-capped player in U.S. Women's National Team history. In this episode, Ralph, Ray and Kristine talk about how she developed the skills that built her notable career and what she share...

Join Ralph, Ray and Rick Jacobs, a 23-time state championship-winning coach, as Rick delves into the importance of creating a winning culture in youth soccer. With a 94% winning percentage and a 131-game unbeaten streak, Rick shares his insights on cultivating trust, building relationships with his players, and fostering a sense of tradition and belonging among his teams. Tune in to learn more about the role of culture in ...

Alexi Lalas has been a symbol and standout in U.S. soccer for over 20 years. After an extraordinary performance in the 1994 World Cup, he became the general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, the New York Red Bulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and he was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006. Today, he’s a soccer analyst for Fox Sports. In this episode, hear him share some untold stories from his time in the...

The group stage is over, and Ralph and Ray are ready to reflect on the results of the 2022 World Cup so far. In this episode, hear their thoughts on the U.S. Men's National Team's performance, Ralph's experience in Qatar and their predictions for the rest of the Cup.

This is the second episode of Ralph and Ray's Cup Commentary. They'll be back together again to reflect on the outcomes after the final game on December 18. Ne...

In 1991, April Heinrichs captained the U.S. Women's National Team that brought home the World Cup. The first ever woman inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1998, she later went on to coach that team to Olympic medals and third place in the World Cup in 2003. In this episode, learn how she became a legendary player and transitioned her soccer skills from playing to coaching. Plus, hear her advice to players ex...

Chris Armas has played and coached in the biggest leagues of professional soccer, but his love for the game began as a child in Brentwood, N.Y.—Ralph and Ray's hometown. In this episode, the Brentwood boys get together to talk about Chris's career and the transition from pro-player to coach.

Chris was named an NCAA Division II First Team All-American his senior year of college. At the pro level, he was named an USISL All-St...

For the Love of the Game is back—just in time for the 2022 World Cup! The games kick off on Sunday, November 20 in Qatar, and, in this episode, Ralph and Ray are talking about their predictions, expectations and excitement for this year's games.

This is the first episode of Ralph and Ray's Cup Commentary. They'll be back together again midway through the games for a quick check-in, and they'll reflect on the outcomes after ...

Bill Manning has played on soccer teams at every level, and it prepared him to lead teams at the highest level. In this episode, learn what it takes to lead a major soccer team from a president two: Toronto FC (MLS) and Toronto Argonauts (MLSE).

Bill began playing soccer as a child in New York at the Massapequa Soccer Club and the Long Island Junior Soccer League Select Team. He then went on the play here in Connecticut at ...

You've probably heard JP Dellacamera make some memorable soccer calls. With over 30 years in the announcer's booth, the Hall of Fame broadcaster has seen the game, and some of its most influential players, evolve. In this episode, hear about the calls, culture and clubs that have changed the game.

In JP Dellacamera's 30 years as an analyst, he’s called 15 world cup games, including the 1999 Women’s World Cup when the U.S. d...

From playing to coaching to promoting the game, Amanda Vandervort has done it all. In this episode, learn about how her time in college and major league soccer has prepared her for her latest position as president of the USL Super League.

In college, Amanda was a captain on the University of Wyoming women’s team. Out of college, she became head coach of NYU women’s soccer. Then, she pivoted to the business of the game. She’...

In 2009, Taylor Twellman became the youngest player in Major League Soccer to score 100 goals. A year after the achievement, he retired from the game after concussion side effects. In this episode, hear about Taylor's record-breaking career and his new goal of educating the youth about injury and keeping athletes safe with ThinkTaylor.

Taylor Twellman played for the New England Revolution from 2002 to 2009, when he scored m...

Nelson Rodríguez has an intricate knowledge of the game of soccer, and he has been a pillar on the game for nearly 20 years. Currently, he is Chief of Staff in the Office of the Commissioner for Major League Soccer. Previous, he's boasted titles as President and General Manager Chicago Fire FC. He's also held roles within the US Soccer office as EVP of Competition, as well as being an executive of the NY/NJ Metrostars.

Fol...

When Becky Burleigh began coaching college soccer at 21 years old, some of her players were older than she was. At 26, she became the first ever head coach for the Florida Gators' women's soccer program, where she coached for 26 seasons before retiring—and coming out of retirement to serve as interim head coach for NWSL's Florida Pride. In this episode, hear how she found her footwork in coaching and how her style changed ...

Alexi Lalas has been a symbol and standout in U.S. soccer for over 20 years. After an extraordinary performance in the 1994 World Cup, he became the general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, the New York Red Bulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and he was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006. Today, he’s a soccer analyst for Fox Sports. In this episode, hear him share some untold stories from his time in the...

Cobi Jones is the all-time leader in caps for the U.S. men's national team and LA Galaxy legend, scoring the first goal ever for the team. But, before all that, he played for Coach Ralph.

Now, he's an LA Galaxy analyst on Time Warner Cable SportsNet, and can be seen on Fox Sports, BeIN Sports, and the Pac-12 Network. He’s a co-owner of the Angel City Football Club, on the board of directors for the U.S. Soccer Foundation a...

While it's important to act as a team on the field, only you can control your performance as a player, and Carli Lloyd knows that. In this episode, hear how she motivated herself to become one of the strongest players on the field during her 17-year professional career.

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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.

Photo of Carl...