Soccer is a Kick in the Grass Podcasts

Our special guest was the producer of the upcoming documentary "The NASL Project", Rachel Viollet, the daughter of former NASL coach and Manchester United and Stoke City star Dennis Viollet. Rachel talked about how the project started, the content of the film and some favorite memories of the NASL and the importance of the Rochester Lancers in NASL history. For more information on the project, click here or search for "NASL Documentary" on Facebook.

Michael Lewis has a double sized US Soccer report with memories of the 40th anniversary of the NASL players strike and commentary of the NYCFC 3-3 draw with Minnesota and the Red Bulls 2-2 draw with Sporting KC.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers MASL2 and NPSL coach Doug Miller, who reflected on the indoor season, gave us the latest on Glacier Ridge Sports Park and talked about the upcoming outdoor season, including the Lancers combine on Saturday the 13^th.

Dick Howard talked about Chelsea’s 2-0 win over West Ham, Everton’s 1-0 result against Arsenal, the FA Cup semi-finals, Bayern’s big 5-0 win against Dortmund and Barca’s beating Atletico Madrid 2-0 and also previewed the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and the start of the new Canadian Premier League on April 27.

Michael Lewis reviewed the USWNT’s wins over Australia and Belgium and Monterrey easily winning 5-0 over Sporting KC in the CONCACAF Champions League, previewed the start of the NWSL season and gave his thoughts on Inter Milan suing MLS and Inter Miami over the “Inter” name and Chicago potentially rebranding as Chicago City FC.

Our special guests were Rochester Lancers owner “Soccer” Sam Fantauzzo and 3^rd place match winning goal scorer Jeremy Ortiz, who talked about the MASL2 Final 4, this past Rochester Lancers indoor season and what is coming up for next year’s team.

Dick Howard talked about Toronto FC’s big 4-0 win over NYCFC, the big Bundesliga match this Saturday between Bayern/Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the battle for 1^st and for 3^rd-6^th in the EPL, the other important matches in Europe this weekend and the US Men’s National Team facing Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Michael Lewis previewed the US women facing Australia on Thursday with 13 former WNY Flash players across both teams, the North Carolina Courage hosting the International Women’s Champions Cup in August and the losses for both New York City MLS teams this past weekend.

We also paid tribute to the nephew of host Joe Sirianni, Michael Sirianni, a long time Rochester soccer player and coach, who passed way last week at age 60.

Our special guests were Rochester Lancers keeper and leading scorer Boomer Steigelman, who talked about the team's 4-3 OT win over host and defending MASL2 Champions Chicago last Thursday, the strategy used to get the victory and the team's preparation for the MASL2 semi-final match against Juarez and what the team needs to do to slow down the Crows 10 goals/match offense.

Dick Howard talked about the weekend's Euro 2020 qualifiers, including CR7's injury and England exploding for 10 goals in 2 matches, the debutantes in the 2019 African Cup of Nations, the full 16 team lineup for the 2019 Gold Cup and the Juventus Women (with former WNY Flash player Ashley Nick) drawing 39K for a league match over the weekend.

Michael Lewis discussed the US Men beating Ecuador 1-0 on Thursday and the match on Tuesday against Chile, the NY Red Bulls losing at home to Orlando and the upcoming MLS matches this weekend.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers captain Gary Boughton, who talked about the preparations for the MASL2 Eastern Division playoff match on Thursday against defending champions and host Chicago, the current health of the team, Doug Miller playing on Thursday and what the Lancers need to do to win.

Dick Howard talked about Toronto FC beating New England Sunday in their home opener, the VAR controversy in the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, the latest European results and the upcoming national team matches this week.

Michael Lewis previewed the US Men facing Ecuador on Thursday, the MLS teams crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions League, the NY Red Bulls winning 401 over San Jose and FC Cincinnati selling out their home opener and winning 3-0 over Portland.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers keeper "The American Dream" Mark Sotile, who talked about the team winning against Detroit on Friday to make the MASL2 playoffs, being in goal for the Lancers win on Saturday against Muskegon and next Thursday's Eastern final at defending champions Chicago.

Michael Lewis gave his thoughts on the US Women's National Team filing a gender equality lawsuit against US Soccer, the inspirational halftime talk by McCall Zerboni in the US/Brazil match last Tuesday and the passing of NASL Toronto Metros and Seattle Sounders GM Jack Daley.

Dick Howard talked about Real Madrid re-signing Zinedine Zidane as their manager, Real crashing out of the UEFA Champions League with PSG, Roma and Dortmund, the 2nd leg UCL Round of 16 matches this week and Toronto FC opening their home schedule Sunday night against New England.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers owner "Soccer" Sam Fantauzzo, who talked about the big match at home on Friday against Detroit where the winner will make the playoffs, the potential East Conference final against Chicago on March 24 and the MASL2 Final 4 in Ontario, CA.

Dick Howard talked about Toronto FC winning their 1st MLS match of 2019 at Philadelphia and the signing of Spaniard Álex Pozuelo as a new DP, Man City moving to 1st in the EPL, the thrilling top of the table Serie A match with Juventus beating host Napoli 2-1, Barcelona sweeping Real Madrid at home and the 2nd leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matches this week.

Michael Lewis gave his thoughts on the US Women struggling with 2 draws in the She Believes Cup and Tuesday's last match against Brazil and the 1st leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals featuring 4 MLS teams.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers striker Michael Cunningham, who spoke on the past weekend's matches, a 17-4 win over Muskegon and a tough 7-5 loss to the defending MASL2 champions Chicago this weekend, and the critical home match against Detroit on March 8, which could decide a playoff spot.

Dick Howard talked about Toronto FC losing their CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 match to CAI of Panama and the return leg on Tuesday at BMO Field, the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st leg matches, the Carabao Cup final won on PK's nu Man City over Chelsea after a 0-0 draw, the big derby matches in England, Italy and Spain this week, including 2 meetings between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Michael Lewis previewed the She Believes Cup featuring the women's National Teams of the US, Japan, England and Brazil, the US Men's U-20 draw for the World Cup in Poland, the CONCACAF Champions League second leg matches for NY Red Bulls and Atlanta and the start of the MLS season this weekend.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers coach and the man of the match in the team's 3-2 win over Detroit, Doug Miller, who spoke on his lacing up the boots vs the Waza Flo, the new players on the Lancers and the upcoming matches against Muskegon and Chicago this weekend.

Dick Howard and Michael Lewis remembered the late England World Cup winning keeper, Gordon Banks, who passed away last week. Dick recalled how Gordon was a outstanding keeper and also a humble man who influenced many players after him. Michael talked about him playing in the NASL for Ft. Lauderdale against the Lancers at Holleder Stadium in 1977 and 1978. Dick and Michael also previewed the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 matches this week and Dick added his UEFA Champions league predictions and whether Zinedine Zidane will be the next coach of Chelsea.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers captain Jake Schindler, who talked about this weekend's road matches, the 6-5 loss to Cincinnati and the 3-2 win over Detroit where coach Doug Miller suited up and scored the first goal, and the upcoming road matches against Muskegon and Chicago next weekend.

Dick Howard reviewed the weekend's important matches in Europe, discussed the transfer of Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey to Juventus and previewed the Round of 16 matches in the UEFA Champions League this week and the 5th round FA Cup ties coming this weekend.

Michael Lewis remembered US Soccer Hall of Famer and Indoor Soccer Hall of Famer Fernando Clavijo, who passed away on February 8 from multiple myeloma at the age of 63. Visit www.frontrowsoccer.com for articles written by Michael about Fernando.

Our special guest was Rochester Lancers coach Doug Miller, who talked about how this weekend's sold out home matches against Chicago and Cincinnati, the debuts of 2 outdoor Lancers indoors, the MASL2 playoff situation for the Lancers and the signing of Landon Donovan to the MASL.

Dick Howard talked about Cardiff player Emiliano Sala losing his life in a plane crash, the FA Cup results and the violence before the Millwall/Everton Cup tie, the latest transfer rumors, including Sebastian Giovinco possibly going to Saudi Arabia and Pat Onstad being named Columbus Crew Technical Director.

Michael Lewis reviewed the US Women beating Spain 1-0, the US Men winning 3-0 over Panama, Tim Howard retiring at the end of this season and Tyler Adams' debut for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Our special guest was the leading scorer of the Rochester Lancers, Boomer Steigelman, who talked about how he came to be on the team, playing arena soccer vs futsal, his coaching with the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and the 2 upcoming matches for the Lancers next weekend at home.

Dick Howard talked about Jozy Altidore potentially leaving Toronto FC, the results in the Asian Cup, the latest matches in the EPL, the current transfer market rumors and the FA Cup this weekend.

Michael Lewis reviewed the US Women losing to France 3-1 and this Tuesday's friendly against Spain, the US Men facing Panama on Sunday and Austin being named the 27th MLS franchise.