For the Love of the Game: Recent Episodes
Ralph Perez and Ray Reid
Legendary college soccer coaches Ralph Perez and Ray Reid have a combined 81 years of coaching college athletes, nearly 900 career wins, five national championships, and approximately 17,546 names in their contacts lists—and they're still in the game. On this podcast, they grab some of those names and talk what’s going on in the soccer world today.
Chris Armas has played and coached in the biggest leagues of professional soccer, but his love for the game began as a child in Brentwood, N.Y.—Ralph and Ray's hometown. In this episode, the Brentwood boys get together to talk about Chris's career and the transition from pro-player to coach.
For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Chris Armas by Major League Soccer.
For the Love of the Game is back—just in time for the 2022 World Cup! The games kick off on Sunday, November 20 in Qatar, and, in this episode, Ralph and Ray are talking about their predictions, expectations and excitement for this year's games.
This is the first episode of Ralph and Ray's Cup Commentary. They'll be back together again midway through the games for a quick check-in, and they'll reflect on the outcomes after the final game on December 18. Next week, they'll be talking with another great guest!
For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Bill Manning has played on soccer teams at every level, and it prepared him to lead teams at the highest level. In this episode, learn what it takes to lead a major soccer team from a president two: Toronto FC (MLS) and Toronto Argonauts (MLSE).
Bill began playing soccer as a child in New York at the Massapequa Soccer Club and the Long Island Junior Soccer League Select Team. He then went on the play here in Connecticut at the University of Bridgeport, where he was inducted to the school's Hall of Fame in 2006 and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. Professionally, he played with the Brooklyn Italians and helped them win the 1991 U.S. Open Cup title and with the Puerto Rico national team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament. He then began his career in sports management, leading him to being the current president of Toronto FC in the MLS and the Toronto Argonauts of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
This is the final episode of For the Love of the Game season one! But don't worry, the game's not over yet. We'll be back with season two shortly!
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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Bill Manning by Major League Soccer.
You've probably heard JP Dellacamera make some memorable soccer calls. With over 30 years in the announcer's booth, the Hall of Fame broadcaster has seen the game, and some of its most influential players, evolve. In this episode, hear about the calls, culture and clubs that have changed the game.
In JP Dellacamera's 30 years as an analyst, he’s called 15 world cup games, including the 1999 Women’s World Cup when the U.S. defeated China in a penalty kick shoot-out. Now, in addition working with Fox Sports, he’s the President of Communications and Media with the Major Arena Soccer League.
Photo of JP Dellacamera Copyright 2018, Kenneth Martin
From playing to coaching to promoting the game, Amanda Vandervort has done it all. In this episode, learn about how her time in college and major league soccer has prepared her for her latest position as president of the USL Super League.
In college, Amanda was a captain on the University of Wyoming women’s team. Out of college, she became head coach of NYU women’s soccer. Then, she pivoted to the business of the game. She’s been the President of United Soccer Coaches, the Vice President of Fan Engagement at MLS and Chief Women’s Football Officer at FIFPRO. Recently, she was named the president of the USL Super League.
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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Amanda Vandervort from ESPN.
Ralph and Ray love the game and their guests, but, in this episode, the two of them talk 1 v 1 about the personal histories in soccer and friendship that brought them to where they are today.
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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
In 2009, Taylor Twellman became the youngest player in Major League Soccer to score 100 goals. A year after the achievement, he retired from the game after concussion side effects. In this episode, hear about Taylor's record-breaking career and his new goal of educating the youth about injury and keeping athletes safe with ThinkTaylor.
Taylor Twellman played for the New England Revolution from 2002 to 2009, when he scored more goals in MLS than any other player, and he is still the Rev's all-time leading goal scorer. Taylor was also a five-time MLS all-star and was league MVP in 2005. He scored 30 caps for the USMNT. Since retiring, he has been a color commentator for ESPN and ABC.
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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Taylor Twellman from MLSSoccer.com.
Nelson Rodríguez has an intricate knowledge of the game of soccer, and he has been a pillar on the game for nearly 20 years. Currently, he is Chief of Staff in the Office of the Commissioner for Major League Soccer. Previous, he's boasted titles as President and General Manager Chicago Fire FC. He's also held roles within the US Soccer office as EVP of Competition, as well as being an executive of the NY/NJ Metrostars.
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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Nelson Rodríguez from MLSSoccer.com.
When Becky Burleigh began coaching college soccer at 21 years old, some of her players were older than she was. At 26, she became the first ever head coach for the Florida Gators' women's soccer program, where she coached for 26 seasons before retiring—and coming out of retirement to serve as interim head coach for NWSL's Florida Pride. In this episode, hear how she found her footwork in coaching and how her style changed over the course of her career.
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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Becky Burleigh by Richard C Ersted DbaKeemco/UAA
Alexi Lalas has been a symbol and standout in U.S. soccer for over 20 years. After an extraordinary performance in the 1994 World Cup, he became the general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, the New York Red Bulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and he was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006. Today, he’s a soccer analyst for Fox Sports. In this episode, hear him share some untold stories from his time in the spotlight.
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For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Alexi by J.Brett Whitesell | Credit: internationalsportsimages.com | Copyright: ISI
Cobi Jones is the all-time leader in caps for the U.S. men's national team and LA Galaxy legend, scoring the first goal ever for the team. But, before all that, he played for Coach Ralph.
Now, he's an LA Galaxy analyst on Time Warner Cable SportsNet, and can be seen on Fox Sports, BeIN Sports, and the Pac-12 Network. He’s a co-owner of the Angel City Football Club, on the board of directors for the U.S. Soccer Foundation and a member of Game Changers United, a USSF council on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
Follow Ralph and Ray on Twitter and Instagram!
For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Cobi Jones by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images.
While it's important to act as a team on the field, only you can control your performance as a player, and Carli Lloyd knows that. In this episode, hear how she motivated herself to become one of the strongest players on the field during her 17-year professional career.
Follow Ralph and Ray on Twitter and Instagram!
For the Love of the Game is hosted by Ralph Perez and Ray Reid and is a production of Earfluence.
Photo of Carli Lloyd from NBC Sports.
Legendary college soccer coaches Ralph Perez and Ray Reid have a combined 81 years of coaching college athletes, nearly 900 career wins, five national championships, and approximately 17,546 names in their contacts lists—and they're still in the game. On this podcast, they grab some of those names and talk what’s going on in the soccer world today.
For the Love of the Game is edited and produced by Earfluence.