A Very Conscious Uncoupling with Andrés Martinez

About this episode

Andrés Martinez joins Sarah Spain to discuss the evolution of soccer in the U.S. and its cultural implications.

Andrés Martinez, the author of the new book “The Great Game: A Tale of Two Footballs And America’s Quest to Conquer Global Sport,” joins Sarah to discuss what it took for the U.S. to finally speak the language of soccer, FIFA finally reaching stateside audiences in the most ironic way, the surprising root of the term “soccer mom,” and how women’s soccer is a U.S. export despite the sport itself being an import. Plus, a last-minute battle to choose-your-own-adventure, cleared for the Storm, and what’s that I see? Way more airtime.

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Spain

Guest: Andrés Martinez

Topics covered

• soccer
• women's soccer
• U.S. sports culture
• FIFA
• soccer terminology
• sports exports

Keywords

• soccer
• FIFA
• Andrés Martinez
• women's soccer
• soccer mom
• sports culture
• U.S. exports

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FIFA

Books & works: The Great Game: A Tale of Two Footballs And America’s Quest to Conquer Global Sport

More episodes of Good Game with Sarah Spain

• Controlling the Narrative: Tribeca X with Phil Cook, Keia Clarke, and Rachel Epstein · June 12, 2026 · 40 min
• ‘You Stole a Tassel From Gloria Steinem?’ with Big Citrus · June 11, 2026 · 45 min
• Strobe Goggles and Socks with Alex Sarama · June 10, 2026 · 40 min
• Swinging Free with Sis Bates and Megan Grant · June 9, 2026 · 37 min
• Born With The Hunger with Kelly Amonte Hiller · June 8, 2026 · 45 min
• Pink Pig Skate Guards with Big Citrus · June 5, 2026 · 49 min