Shows
The Guardian's Women's Football WeeklyNWSL glory for Orlando and USA head to Wembley – Women’s Football WeeklyFaye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Megan Swanick, and Tom Garry to round up the NWSL season games and look forward to the big Wembley friendly2024-11-2645 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickCopa América fiascos with Kyle Bonn* The big picture: was Copa America a success? * Quick recap of the US performance— Bolivia, Panama, Uruguay, out* Gregg Berhalter* How the players performed. Weighing in on: ‘are these guys as good as we thought they were?’ discourse* The wisdom of Tim Ream. Issues of depth & comfort* The next coach: who should it be?* Copa America chaos. Kyle talks about being at the Uruguay vs Colombia semifinal in Charlotte, and the Argentina vs Colombia final in Miami* Some relevant reading… * Colombia Football Federation Presiden...2024-07-1957 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickCopa América chat with Jon Arnold of Getting CONCACAFedJon is writing daily about Copa América over on Getting CONCACAFed. We recorded this Wednesday morning, before Mexico lost 1-0 to Venezuela and Jamaica lost 3-1 to Ecuador. The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.* The public (and players) vs journalist rankings ✍️* Jesse Marsch’s trial by fire 🇨🇦* “… If we need to use our fists, we will use our fists…” 🇵🇪* Is Argentina really the favorite to win? 🇦🇷...2024-06-2735 min
The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick🎙️ Mariam Kourabi of She Scores BangersMariam covers Canadian women’s soccer and women’s football around the world, and joined me to chat about all things Canadian WoSo. Can the reigning gold medalists do it again this summer? What can we expect from their soon-to-launch league? A taste of the things we talked about: * How the 2012 Olympics catapulted the modern-era Canadian Women’s National Team* Repping Canada on the world stage in the absence of a domestic league & other challenges the team has faced* Project 8: Canada’s domestic league launching* 2023 World Cup autopsy report for Canada* E...2024-05-021h 03
The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick🎙️ Henry Bushnell of Yahoo SportsHenry Bushnell is a soccer and feature writer for Yahoo Sports, doing amazing work covering soccer in the US at all levels. Henry was exceptionally generous with his time as we discussed MLS, Messi, the US Open Cup, USMNT and USWNT for over an hour. This was recorded on Friday the 19th so some of the references may be slightly dated. I was on the road in the rust belt last week for some non-soccer related things, so do forgive me the slight delay in posting this. Intro* Getting into soccer, getting into...2024-05-011h 12
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickKevin Kinkead talks Philly Union & Cavan SullivanPhilly Union, through the years* Covering Philly Union from the ground floor in 2010* Proselytizing the sport * When people started paying attention* Jim Curtin’s impact (with the team since 2013, first as an assistant, Curtin’s now the second-longest tenured manager in Major League Soccer)* Assessing the Union’s early 2024 season * When the Union hit their ceiling * Can this team win a trophy?* Bringing Bedoya and Wagner back(18:00 ish) Cavan Sullivan’s Man City deal* Cavan Sullivan agrees to terms with Man...2024-04-0533 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickUSMNT & USWNT check-in with Laken Litman of Fox SportsThank you for reading The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick. This post is public so feel free to share it.This week started with a third consecutive Nations League trophy for the USMNT on Sunday night. A few days later, the US Women dropped their 23-player SheBelieves Cup roster—their last roster preceding the final set of games before Emma Hayes is officially in charge of this team. To talk about both teams and their big summers ahead, I’ve got Laken Litman from Fox Sports with me. Laken repo...2024-03-3045 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickTalking US Men's Olympic team with Brian SciarettaThe US Olympic squad beat Guinea 3-0 in Girona, Spain last week (goals from Harriel, Busio and Gomez), then drew Olympic hosts France 2-2 in Montbéliard on Monday (goals from Yow and Cowell). With just four months to go before the summer games, Brain Sciaretta re-joins the pod for a chat about the results, the evolving roster, and expectations in France:* the emergence of Griffin Yow (his goal against France)* striker options, overage striker options* thoughts on roster construction, importance of versatility in an 18 player roster* Some Olympic r...2024-03-2738 minThe Guardian's Women's Football WeeklyLooking ahead to the 2024 NWSL season – Women’s Football WeeklyFaye Carruthers, Suzanne Wrack, Mark Parsons, and Megan Swanick look ahead to the new National Women’s Soccer League season2024-02-271h 00
Shades of Blue: A Manchester City FC PodcastLIT Stream w/ Special Guests: Megan Swanick, May, and NicoEvery Thursday join SoB for the LIT Stream on FanFestLive, YouTube, or Twitter. Ever week they welcome 3 guests on individually to discuss a wide array of football topics. Rate the show 5 Stars! Leave a review to have it read on the next episode! Watching on Youtube? Leave a comment and click the thumbs up to like the video! Link to Episodes, Merch, FanFestLive shows, and Patreon Show Supporter subscription: https://linktr.ee/shadesofbluepodcast Guests social media accounts:May - https://twitter.com/TylerDeLucaNico...2024-02-161h 29
The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick(J. Tannenwald Part 2): London, Guardian Top 100, January CampThis is the second half of my chat with J. Tannenwald over lunch at Schlesinger’s Deli in Philadelphia this Tuesday afternoon. Part one is here. Some topics covered:* London* Americans in London* Architecture, skylines* The Guardian Top 100 male footballers: no USMNT* The Guardian Top 100 female footballers: Alyssa Thompson in at 95 (only 71-100 was live at the time of recording)* FIFA/FIFPRO report regarding online abuse during the Women’s World Cup* Kristie Mewis to West Ham* USMNT January Camp. Jack McGl...2024-01-1026 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickCorned beef connections & chatting about France with Jonathan Tannenwald2024’s inaugural Swan pod is with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Tannenwald. We chat about recent travels and soccer over corned beef sandwiches at Schlesinger’s Delicatessen in Philadelphia. Photos below. We recommend. This is part one of a longer conversation, with part two coming later this week. In this portion: * Jonathan accuses me of being a Europhile* Paris, London* Corned beef connections* Jonathan the Francophile* Origin story: 1998 World Cup* From 1998 to 2023, how has Paris changed, how Paris has stayed the same* Korbin Albert...2024-01-1022 minThe Guardian's Women's Football WeeklyBrighton stun City and Arsenal fight back at Leicester – Women’s Football WeeklyFaye Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Wrack, Emma Sanders and Chris Slegg to round up another chaotic weekend of WSL action – plus Megan Swanick takes us inside the dramatic NWSL season finale2023-11-1454 min
Hang Up and ListenThe Trial of Jim HarbaughJosh Levin, Joel Anderson, and Ben Mathis-Lilley weigh the evidence in the sign-stealing case against Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. They also discuss Texas A&M’s decision to fire its football coach Jimbo Fisher. Finally, Josh and Joel speak with writer Megan Swanick about the career and legacy of Megan Rapinoe. Harbaugh (4:04): Should the coach go down or is he getting railroaded? Fisher (26:49): How national championship dreams turned into a $76 million buyout. Rapinoe (44:01): She didn’t get a perfect ending, but she handled her ending perfectly. ...2023-11-141h 17
Upfront - A Women's Football PodcastNew disruptors, Rapinoe’s last bow, and the UWCL returns!Just when you thought the WSL was about to calm down, it throws up a weekend like that!Chloe and Rachel unpack Brighton’s shock defeat of Manchester City and *that* Arsenal second half against Bristol City, which gets us thinking about some of the tough halftime team talks Chloe received over the years!Plus, we call up US soccer writer Megan Swanick and and DAZN football reporter Alex Ibaceta to hear about events overseas in the US and Spain. What kind of Real Madrid side awaits Chelsea on Wednesday?We...2023-11-1346 minThe Guardian's Women's Football WeeklyBeth Mead is back as Arsenal leave it late – Women’s Football Weekly podcastFaye Carruthers, Suzanne Wrack, Emma Sanders and Rachel Brown Finnis analyse a busy weekend of WSL action – while Megan Swanick shines the spotlight on the NWSL2023-10-1756 minUpfront - A Women's Football PodcastLast minute drama in England and last day drama in the US!Chloe and Rachel discuss Beth Mead’s dramatic comeback, why the Foxes continue to outsmart every rabbit in the WSL, and look forward to Mark Skinner dipping his hand into another tombola to pick his Manchester United team in Paris tomorrow!Plus, US football journalist Megan Swanick joins us to talk you through a truly one-of-a-kind ‘Decision Day’ in the NWSL. Join us!Check out Upfront's new social channels! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.c...2023-10-1748 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickOCTOBER ROSTER DROP + USMNT chat with Kyle BonnThe gang is heading to Nashville for USMNT camp, with a trip to play Germany in Connecticut in between. We begin by picking Kyle’s brain on some big-picture USMNT topics. Then we delve into the 23 guys called in for this October roster.Intro… * Hartford, Connecticut foliage report* North Carolina foliage report* Naked lady climbing electrical wires in Winston-Salem* How Kyle got into soccer journalismThe big picture (5:35)* Is this the most talented USMNT roster of all time?* Only 2 MLS players in c...2023-10-0647 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickJonathan Tannenwald: World Cup reflectionsToday’s episode delivers the first part of my chat with Monsieur Tannenwald of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Jonathan reflects on what he describes as his favorite professional experience thus far: writing about the 2023 World Cup from first whistle to last kick. * JT’s favorite meal down under* Nearly causing a diplomatic incident in New Zealand over a cheesesteak* Australians love sports* US crowds “flat as a pancake”?* Australians rooting for the US to lose* Dissecting the USWNT’s earliest defeat in World Cup history* Was Vl...2023-10-0616 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickCanada has their sayIn case you missed it: I posted a paywalled podcast from #USMNT training earlier today, here. In it, you hear from Antonee Robinson, Ricardo Pepi, Chris Richards and Tim Weah directly, regarding the… uh, events of the week. Gregg, Mexico, Canada and more.What’s funny about reporting on the US team, and then walking across the scorched earth sidewalk separating the American training area from the Canadian training area is that the minute you’re in the Canadian area, you’re basically in a separate world. I abhor cliches...2023-06-1812 min
The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick[Alex Windley] Inter Miami acquires Lionel MessiAlex Windley joins the pod to discuss the biggest news this week…. or ever…. in Major League soccer. Lionel Messi is moving to Inter Miami! Friends, we are in for an interesting year.Alex is Miami born and raised, and covers Inter Miami for 90 min football, Bleacher Report and The Heron Outlet. You can follow Alex on twitter here to stay connected as she tracks Miami’s momentous changes, and Messi’s imminent arrival.The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider...2023-06-0942 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickRyan Tolmich (GOAL): USMNT & US U20s Deep DiveRyan Tolmich, American soccer correspondent for GOAL, is back on the pod!Ryan’s last visit featured a long, cathartic debrief attempting to make sense of the US performance at the World Cup in Qatar. 5 months later…. we reflect on everything that’s happened since. The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.0:00 - 6:32 The Soccer Tournament* The first ever TST event in Cary, North Carolina!* Expectation, preparation, reality* Wh...2023-06-0748 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickJon Tannenwald returns! USMNT, Philly Union, Yanks AbroadSwan-pod regular- The Philadelphia Inquirer’s own Jonathan Tannenwald- is back once more.We talk about the new USMNT roster, B.J. Callaghan, the upcoming Nations League games in Las Vegas, Americans overseas, and Philadelphia Union. The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Intro banter…* Jason Kelce (beloved Ohio-delphian) bangs Union drum and breaks the mallet * JT’s favorite Union drum-bangers of all time230: Nations League roster drop...2023-06-0247 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickBrian Sciaretta: team USA at the U20 World CupBrian Sciaretta writes about American soccer for American Soccer Now and Soccer America. You may also recognize him from the radio, or for his reliably sound takes on the youths of American soccerdom.With two games under their built (USA 1- Ecuador 0; USA 3 - Fiji 0) and one final group stage match…. happening imminently this Friday afternoon (vs Slovakia, 2 PM ET), Brian joins me to discuss the tournament and how it fits into the national team/American soccer landscape: * Why watch the U20 World Cup?* Playing to be recruited* What US players ar...2023-05-2632 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickMax Bretos: LAFC v Philly, MLS, & a bit of USMNTTomorrow evening, LAFC hosts Philly Union in leg 2 of Concacaf Champions League.Max Bretos— voice of LAFC & announcer for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV— joins for a quick check-in to discuss the big match and a few other prescient topics: * LAFC v Philly in the CCL semi-final* MLS v Liga MX in the final* Cherundolo— USMNT coach?* LAFC’s early club success* Covering MLS for Apple TV* Biggest shifts in league coverage with the Apple deal* What MLS era is this?* What...2023-05-0229 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickChampions League Check-in, with Jonathan TannenwaldPhilly played excellent in their Champions League re-match of last year’s MLS Cup Final this week, but came away with a 1-1 draw. Jon Tannenwald returns to break down the match and discuss Philly’s lingering CCL chances.The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.If you missed it, preview this pod with my pre-match musing on Philly’s accidental rival in LA. * Things on my mind lately; JT at the Penn Relays...2023-04-2833 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickWhat's wrong with LA Galaxy? With Alex KozelaLA Galaxy sit 2nd to last in the Western Conference of MLS. With 3 total points and zero wins so far, they have time to turn their season around, but what will it take?The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.I am joined by Alex Kozela of the Joie Galactique substack to discuss: * where the game has taken him, from Los Angeles, to Brazil, to Poland and Ukraine * Brazil...2023-04-2259 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickCharles Boehm: USMNT, Grenada, ConcacafA wind-ranging, somewhat philosophical conversation with one the most knowledgeable and enjoyable writers in the US soccer-world press box. Charles is a freelance writer contributing to MLSSoccer.com and USSoccerPlayers.com, and a former Peace Corps volunteer living in Grenada.Drawing on that knowledge- so perfectly aligned to the looming Nations League match that USMNT will play in Grenada- we discuss: * C. Boehm’s career and entry into soccer writing in the USA* The state of soccer writing in the USA* An attempt to define this USMNT generation* “They were...2023-03-231h 00
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickTalking USWNT & Philly Union with Jon Tannenwald (Philadelphia Inquirer)Jonathan Tannenwald has just returned to Philadelphia— fresh from a tour of Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, where he infiltrated Philly Union’s preseason and then trailed USWNT through the SheBelieves Cup.In his one free afternoon before the Philadelphia Union embark on their new season, I cornered him, and made him come on The Swan Dive. We discuss: Philly Union, USMNT* So, the Union are really good* New MLS playoff format, can we blame FC Cincinnati?* Jim Curtin’s scorched earth season* Jesse and Jim to USM...2023-02-251h 15
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickMaking sense of December with Ryan Tolmich (GOAL)This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit swandive.substack.comLots and lots and lots of good audio linked into this one, all collected firsthand from covering USMNT in Qatar. … On the ground insight from Gregg Berhalter, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Kellyn Acosta, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Tim Weah, DeAndre Yedlin and Brenden Aaronson all included. First half of the episode …2023-02-2248 min
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickLarry Henry Jr (SBI Soccer): Jesse Marsch, Leeds, USMNT AbroadThank you for reading The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick. This post is public so feel free to share it.I’ve been digging into my audio archives from life on the road, and linked a lot of exclusive clips in this episode. For clarity, I’ve listed them below with details on the timing and context: 0:00: Audio from Elland Road. LUFC v Manchester City. December 28, 2022. 4:19: MOT Audio from Elland Road. LUFC v Wolves. August 6, 2022.14:40: Brenden Aaronson. November 15, 2022, Doha. World Cup Round Table. (Prem...2023-02-151h 00
The Swan Dive with Meg SwanickTim Ream (USMNT): a conversation in QatarThis is an interview with Tim Ream, conducted via Zoom in Doha, Qatar, a few days ahead of the World Cup 2022. Lots of stuff packed into this episode, Tim was very generous with his time. Team dynamics, fame, life in England, perceptions of Americans in football, and lots more. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swandive.substack.com/subscribe2022-11-2032 min