On Friday, August 7, 2026, Dr. Joe Machnik, author of From the Sandlots to the World Cup: Inside Seven Decades Of American Soccer, joined us for a SASH Session.

The National Soccer Hall of Famer and SASH member discussed his long and storied career as a player, coach, referee, administrator, and broadcaster, including observations about working as a rules analyst for Fox's coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

–0–

Podcast produced by Brian Quarstad.

Music created by LiteSaturation and found at Pixabay.

View the video of the session at httpshttps://youtu.be/RDV0Ba-At9g

Visit the SASH website at https://www.ussoccerhistory.org/

Join SASH at https://www.ussoccerhistory.org/store/sash-membership-one-year/

Donate to SASH at https://gofund.me/89e657f93

Twitter: https://x.com/USSoccerHistory

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ussoccerhistory.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/103886903

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforAmericanSoccerHistory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ussoccerhistory/

On Friday, July 17, 2026, Mark C Franek, author of American Soccer Nation: The Remarkable 150-Year History of Yanks on a Roll, from Mob Football to the Modern Game joined us for a discussion about teaching soccer history.

Franek teaches English at YSC Academy, the independent, college-preparatory school founded by Philadelphia Union minority owner Richie Graham in 2013. The school is embedded within the club’s’s academy system and combines rigorous academics with professional-level soccer training. Part of the academic program includes a yearlong course Franek teaches on the history of American soccer.

Franek’s presentation focused on his work as a teacher, the components of his course on American soccer history, and the classroom experiences that led him to writing American Soccer Nation.

American Soccer Nation recounts the history of elite men’s soccer in the United States while also offering a roadmap for how the US can go from good to great on the international stage—based on firsthand accounts from professional athletes and experts in the sport.

–0–

Podcast produced by Brian Quarstad.

Music created by LiteSaturation and found at Pixabay.

View the video of the session at httpshttps://youtu.be/RDV0Ba-At9g

Visit the SASH website at https://www.ussoccerhistory.org/

Join SASH at https://www.ussoccerhistory.org/store/sash-membership-one-year/

Donate to SASH at https://gofund.me/89e657f93

Twitter: https://x.com/USSoccerHistory

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ussoccerhistory.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/103886903

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforAmericanSoccerHistory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ussoccerhistory/

On Friday, June, 5 2026, Michael Lewis presented a Book Talk on his new book, “Around the World Cup in 40 years: An American Sportswriter’s Perspective.”

Lewis talked about the history of the World Cup, some memorable games he has covered, and how the tournament has changed over the past four decades.

A member of the SASH Board of Directors, Lewis is the recipient of the United Soccer Coaches 2025 Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award. The award announcement described,

“Michael Lewis has devoted more than 50 years of his life to chronicling the sport of soccer at all levels. The native of Brooklyn, N.Y., began his career at the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle in 1974. As a beat writer he covered the Rochester Lancers of the NASL as well local and regional soccer at all levels in western New York. During his time there, he witnessed Pele’s first NASL goal in 1975 and his final pro match at the 1977 Soccer Bowl.

“Lewis served as the New York Daily News soccer columnist for 22 years. He also was editor and publisher of Soccer Week (1987-93), editor of Soccer Magazine (1993-2000), was the cofounder and editor of BigApple Soccer.com and is currently the editor of FrontRowSoccer.com.

“A well-known contributor to many publications, Lewis has had by-lines in Soccer America, The Guardian, The Athletic.com. ESPN, CBS, World Soccer, FourFourTwo, Forbes and the Washington Post. He has published nine books on soccer and has covered 13 World Cups and seven Olympic Games. In addition, he has covered all but one of the 29 previous MLS Cups.”

–0–

Podcast produced by Brian Quarstad.

Music created by LiteSaturation and found at Pixabay.

View the video of the session at httpshttps://youtu.be/RDV0Ba-At9g

Visit the SASH website at https://www.ussoccerhistory.org/

Join SASH at https://www.ussoccerhistory.org/store/sash-membership-one-year/

Donate to SASH at https://gofund.me/89e657f93

Twitter: https://x.com/USSoccerHistory

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ussoccerhistory.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/103886903

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforAmericanSoccerHistory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ussoccerhistory/