Welcome to National Soccer Radio!

Soccer is a word that evokes so many different reactions from a variety of people. For some, it is the name of the game they grew up playing, by choice or parental force, and grew to love even after their playing days; to others, it is the “colonial” name for the world’s game, a point that “true football” fans will be willing to share with you at a moment’s notice; and for the more neanderthal among us, it is a sport that frightens and bewilders, as it introduces their brains to complex concepts like the “tie”, “offside”, and “national teams.” While soccer is a term that was derived from the earliest abbreviations for the game (“association football” was apparently too much of a mouthful), somehow, it has come to be used to describe the version of football played in the U.S.

So why is this website and the associated podcast called “National Soccer Radio”? Well, to answer the soccer part of the question, the word “soccer” is the name by which many of us have always known the game with two goals, a field, and 22 field players chasing a round ball for 90 minutes. Sure, it’s called football in many parts of the world, but this podcast aims to be focused on the wold’s game in America (and as it were, Canada and other CONCACAF countries). And while there are many podcasts devoted to EPL, Bundesliga, La Liga, etc…there aren’t as many solely devoted to the US game. Many in America are hardcore soccer fans, but lack that true outlet that focuses on the game in America. NSR is committed to covering US Soccer and Major League Soccer, and will also cover various other soccer avenues in the country, (NCAA, minor league soccer divisions), and events like the U.S. Open Cup, Gold Cup, and of course, the World Cup. We aim to talk about all things soccer in the country where it’s known as soccer. And, yes, we’ll keep an eye on what’s going on around the world; but our focus will remain primarily on soccer in America.

And what about the “National” and “Radio” parts of the name? Well, the eventual goal of NSR is to be a network of sydicated radio shows and game play-by-play dedicated to soccer. Sounds like a big plan? Maybe it is. But we believe soccer is the game for America in the 21st century, and we aim to be the place you go for news, information, and most importantly, entertaining commentary on the Beautiful Game. In the short term, we’ll be getting a podcast out once per week (expanding to a daily podcast), and eventually, we’d like it to turn that into a daily, nationally-syndicated radio program for U.S. soccer fans. Again, with all due respect to the programs that already exist, we feel there needs to be an avenue for die-hard fans of MLS to discuss trade rumors in January, without having to wait through the first two hours of EPL talk. That’s why we’re here. This is our sport, and aim to bring it to you in full color.

That’s also why we have J.D. Smith, aka “Smitty,” as our first host. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Smitty has worked in radio for years, most recently covering the Ohio State Buckeyes for 88.7 WUFM. But he’s also a die-hard soccer fan who was up for all of those 2:30AM matches during World Cup 2002, and in the stands for some of the inaugural MLS matches, and agrees with us that there is a need for a soccer-specific radio show about MLS and US Soccer. He’ll bring his wit, sarcasm, and passion for the game to the NSR podcasts. And he’ll want to hear from you. We think…

You can email us at nationalsoccerradio@gmail.com.

We’ll also be looking for ways we can bring the game to you: whether it’s Twitter, live blogging the games, or putting up fan video predictions on our site for all to see, we aim to be the place where fans will have a voice to sound off when no one else we’ll listen, as well as connect you with other people who are as passionate as you about soccer. Stay uned for more on that as the 2010 MLS season kicks off.

Again, thanks for checking us out, and enjoy National Soccer Radio.

- The creative team behind National Soccer Radio