It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

The Overlap Presents An All-New Football History Podcast

Author: The Overlap

Welcome to The Overlap's football history podcast, It Was What It Was.Each week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper will be talking about the key episodes in football history that have shaped the footballing world.The show will be discussing the best stories from football's past, giving insights to the personalities involved. the tales from behind the scenes and the impact they left.Join us at Football University!If you enjoy the podcast please hit subscribe to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Language: en

Genres: History, Soccer, Sports

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The American Dream: Pelé, Cosmos + Rise & Fall of NASL | Part Four
Episode 138
Monday, 19 January, 2026

Welcome back to It Was What it Was, the football history podcast. In the final episode of our four-part special on the NASL, co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson delve into the decline and eventual collapse of the league. From financial instability, over-expansion, and missed opportunities, to the controversial business decisions and the rise of indoor soccer. This episode covers the myriad of factors that led to the NASL's downfall. Explore the final turbulent years, the impact on US Soccer, and the lessons learned from one of football's most intriguing leagues.00:00 Introduction to the NASL and Its Peak02:08 The Decline Begins: Post-Pele Era05:36 Celebrity Owners and Financial Woes09:01 The Cosmos' Dominance and League Format Issues19:21 Franchise Movements and Player Strikes29:03 The Beginning of the End: Financial Losses and Decline36:13 Ownership Disputes and Relocations37:53 Franchise Failures and Player Movements43:34 NASL's Struggles and FIFA's Ultimatum44:28 The Final Collapse of NASL55:18 Failed Experiments and Indoor Soccer01:01:49 The End of NASL and Its Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.