The Soccer Business Podcast

USL President Paul McDonough talks about the league's ambitious plans for a new top-tier league and to introduce promotion and relegation for the first time in the US club soccer system.Paul reveals interest from foreign investments and discusses the challenges and choices facing the league as it seeks to expand.

Breaking news on The Soccer Business Podcast - Cleveland is launching a new professional women's and men's teams and Gina Prodan Kelly CMO of Cleveland Soccer Group outlines all the plans on the show.In yet more news - the women's team will play in a brand new new division two women's league - WPSL Pro. Gina explains the journey to finally bring Cleveland the pro soccer teams that the city has been craving.

Former Liverpool and EA Sports CEO Peter Moore is the founder/owner of Santa Barbara Sky in California, which will join the USL Championship next season. Peter reflects on his journey in the game and explains his plans for creating the new club  and the philosophy behind it. Dive into the lessons he learnt from his time working with the Fenway Sports Group at Anfield, his involvement in the Wrexham story and the hugely successful FIFA game.

In the first episode of our series THE PITCH, Simon Evans and Paul Woodhouse of The Soccer Business are joined by two guests with extensive experience of working in the area of brands and soccer: Shawn Francis, an executive creative director who has worked on soccer projects with the likes of Nike and EA Sports and Brian Quarles, Chief Creative Officer at rEvolution who has led a number of major soccer campaigns. Discover what the soccer brand and culture is? What do brands look for in soccer

Alexi Lalas joins Simon Evans to discuss a range of issues surrounding American soccer as we approach one year out from the World Cup. MLS, USL, Pro/Rel, 'Pay to Play' and much, much more is examined in this in-depth interview.

Former MLS executive Michael Hitchcock is a serial soccer start-up expert having invested in and launched 20 clubs across the United States and beyond. He talks about community focus, marketing, ticketing and how to build a new club from the ground up.00:00 The Journey Begins: Michael Hitchcock's Soccer Career 03:02 Building the Game: Early Days in MLS 06:06 Investing in the Future: Lower Division Soccer 09:02 Community Connection: The Heart of Soccer Clubs 11:50 Creating Opportunities: The Role

Brief introduction to The Soccer Business Podcast from host Simon Evans.