Amy, Laurent, and Alan discuss the 2018 Men’s World Cup soccer tournament as it approaches its denouement in Russia. Laurent is famously a partisan of the French national team, and he relates the political resonance of his team, both in France and across the globe. Amy confesses her new-found appreciation of both the games on the field and the insights of intellectuals about the sport. Alan raises the inspiring, and yet perhaps troubling, specter of a triumphant Croatia. Futbol as a window through which we view the political imaginary.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Alan summarizes his and Meleiza’s reflections on the England v Croatia semi-final; and wonders what lessons the futbol universe might impart from having such a tiny nation reach the World Cup final. Also, under consideration, the relationship of the 90s Balkans war on the players. Both finalists are certainly filled with players from families who faced tremendous adversity in recent decades; either as immigrants to a less-than-welcoming France, or as refugees from the largest war in Europe since WWII.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Mark Torres, Director of the Pacifica Radio Archives, is a huge futbol fan – and he traveled to London, Mexico City, and Iceland during this year’s tournament. He’s back in LA, and he shares his thoughts on today’s semifinal between France and Belgium, the entire 2018 World Cup and its political subtexts. Mark is a die hard Liverpool fan, so does he root for Lovren or Henderson tomorrow?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

On today’s semifinal preview podcast we turn to the story on the field, break down the potentially winning elements of each of the four remaining teams – France’s fountain of youth, the tactical genius of Belgium’s maverick manager Roberto Martinez, England’s powerhouse teamwork, and the dynamic duo of Croatia’s Modric and Rakitic. Plus, we reject right-wing jingoist fan culture, rooting instead for the triumph of diversity and solidarity.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

We’re down to the Final Four of the World Cup – all European – and three out of the four are colonizer nations clustered around the English Channel. Among all the reasons radical fans have to despair, there remain many reasons for radicals to cheer. We discuss the multiple dimensions through which people across the world make meaning out of the world’s greatest spectacle. Also, an update on Brazil, and why this year the Left hasn’t lamented their team’s early exit from the tournament.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

And then there were four. On today’s podcast, we discuss the drama of the last two quarterfinal matches: England triumphant against a lackluster Sweden, and a suspenseful Russia-Croatia thriller that literally came down to the last kick. Also, we pick apart the complex politics of the remaining four teams (Belgium, France, England, and Croatia), searching for the subversive elements to root for in the all-European final rounds.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Belgium eliminates Brazil & France knocks out Uruguay. Alan and Meleiza talk about the ways that the Brazilian right-wing, which is busy undermining democracy in that country, would likely have taken advantage of a Brazilian World Cup victory, which is why many Brazilian radicals and progressive were reluctant (or refusing) to embrace this year’s team. The show ends with an impassioned plea for American progressives to become active in the fight to save Brazilian democracy; in particular, because the Brazilian right-wing is set to eliminate laws that restrict extracting resources from the Amazonian rain forest, the reversal of which will have a devastating on the earth’s environment.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

How does this World Cup feel to a passionate fan of the US Men’s National Team? Pablo Miralles, who made the documentary Gringos at the Gate about the US/Mexico futbol rivalry, says its not so bad to miss out for two reasons: #1 because in the Age of Trump, he was dreading the jingoism of fair weather fans/fools; and #2 Pablo sees much better days ahead with a promising new generation of players coming of age. We also hear Pablo’s thoughts on the tournament so far and tomorrow’s quarterfinals.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

On today’s Fourth of July podcast, Alan and Meleiza reflect on how colonialism, language and hegemony intersect with the world’s most popular sport, as England continues its quest to ‘bring the World Cup home.’ Plus, we preview this weekend’s quarterfinal match-ups, and tender our predictions.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Mexico has a leftist government, England wins on penalties, what next? Why not global revolution (w futbol)? Meleiza explains how the radical Twitterverse experiences the World Cup; hint: it’s like having the world’s best authors, activists, professors, and comics sitting around your living room watching the game! Not a bad way to spend 32 days.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed