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Artwork for Soccer 101

Soccer 101

TSS
Soccer
Premier League
World Cup
FIFA
Manchester United
Champions League
Major League Soccer
2026 World Cup
Brazil
Manchester City
MLS
Gianni Infantino
Chelsea
Real Madrid
PSG
Asian Cup
Liverpool
Number 10
Jose Mourinho
Neymar

All the soccer history and explainers you can handle

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes264Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerSports

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Artwork for Soccer 101

Latest Episodes

This week, we dive into the dominance of the Premier League: when did it take the top spot in terms of global popularity and league strength? What factors allowed it to become the dominant league in the world? Can any other leagues challenge them, an... more

Paul Pogba went from teenage wonderkid to World Cup winner to a doping ban that nearly ended everything. And now, out at Monaco but battling fresh injury setbacks, his career is at another crossroads. We trace the full ride: his breakout at Juventus,... more

Graham and Taylor are together again on the 101 feed to discuss the return of Ted Lasso! How did the show go from NBC ad to beloved series? What role has it played in helping grow the game in the US? What are our personal opinions on the show, the st... more

The Premier League of Bosnia was born in 2000 out of the wreckage of a brutal civil war, and served as a deliberate attempt to unite three separate ethnic football cultures under one roof. It hasn't always worked cleanly, but out of that turbulence c... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Graham Rotwell
Guest discussing South African football history and context
Kaiser Chiefs (fan/enthusiast context)
Episode: Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns: soccer in South Africa
Graham Ruthven
Football journalist and guest on the episode
Episode: From the Ottoman Empire to Osimhen: football in Turkiye
Ian Macintosh
Host of the Daily Football Briefing
Episode: An abbreviated history of Neymar, and why he's such a polarizing figure
Graham Rutherford
Friend of the host and soccer enthusiast
Episode: #174 What are the European Championships, and how important are they on the global stage?
Graham Ruffin
Liverpool's throw-in consultant
Liverpool FC
Episode: #151 Why do throw-ins exist and how have their rules changed over time?

Hosts

Taylor Rockwell
Host of Soccer 101; long-running lead discussion contributor
Graham Ruffin
Co-host; frequently discusses historical and structural topics in soccer

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • So good

    This is hands down the best podcast if you want to understand the game of soccer and not just the weekly reviews. Taylor and Graham are fantastic and my only complaint is I blew through the whole back catalogue in like 6 weeks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thangus_farm
    United States4 months ago
  • Definitely evergreen

    Listening to episode #189 in 2026 and Graham says "City is probably gonna win the league again" good to know things stay great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A aon
    United States4 months ago
  • Nauseating

    Your dumping in Wrexham and that project was so gross. TSS and its sister shows have jumped the shark.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Big Time Podcast Fan
    United States6 months ago
  • I love soccer

    It is a great pod I’m a little boy who plays soccer and I listen to this every day I can

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gdhdhhsbzbavayahq
    United States10 months ago
  • Love the episodes on domestic leagues!

    The episodes on domestic leagues have been fascinating and has really given me a sense of the soccer culture in which these countries!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C Burnheart
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Strong sentiment that the hosts' dynamic makes complex topics engaging and educational.
Ads before episodes are a common complaint among some listeners.
Listeners praise the show for clear, accessible soccer history and deep explanations from hosts.
The format is praised for being beginner-friendly while still offering depth for seasoned fans.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#90
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#57
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#33
China/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#102
Indonesia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#137
China/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#216
Singapore/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From the Ottoman Empire to Osimhen: football in Turkiye
Q: What is the top flight in Turkey called?
It is referred to by Turkish names that echo the language and national branding, and the discussion notes how political figures have used language-nationalism to promote identity; the answer also emphasizes the league's three-city dominance rather than a simple single champion, highlighting the deep-rooted football culture in Istanbul.
How has punditry shaped our understanding of soccer, and what is its role in the modern game?
Q: Do you think you have to be an ex-professional to be a successful pundit?
No, you don't have to be an ex-professional, but having that background can provide valuable insight. However, it's crucial for ex-pros to utilize their experience instead of merely describing what viewers already see.
How has punditry shaped our understanding of soccer, and what is its role in the modern game?
Q: How would you define what a pundit is?
A pundit is an expert in a particular field who frequently gives their opinions to the public, often seen in soccer broadcasts providing analysis and insight.
Why doesn't MLS use the European Calendar? What are the benefits and drawbacks of adopting it?
Q: What challenges does the European Calendar present from an MLS perspective?
Challenges include player contract issues, the need for better weather infrastructure, and the risk of losing revenue from summer crowds in warmer markets.
Why doesn't MLS use the European Calendar? What are the benefits and drawbacks of adopting it?
Q: What are the benefits of moving to a European style calendar?
The potential benefits include not infringing on major international windows, aligning with the global transfer market, and attracting better players.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Soccer 101

What is Soccer 101 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A history- and explainer-forward soccer show that covers a wide range of topics from domestic leagues and national teams to the intersections of culture, politics, and technology with the sport. Episodes consistently break down eras, leagues, and key figures while weaving in broader context such as governance, ownership, and global development pipelines. A standout is the mix of deep historical storytelling with current dynamics, plus occasional forays into innovative topics like AI in soccer and world Cup branding. Listeners tend to come away with accessible yet thorough understanding, making it useful for both newcomers and long-time fans who want richer background on why the game looks and functions the way it does.

Where can I find podcast stats for Soccer 101?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Soccer 101. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Soccer 101 and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Soccer 101 get?

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What are the audience demographics for Soccer 101?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Soccer 101, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Soccer 101 have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Soccer 101 has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Soccer 101 are there?

Soccer 101 launched 7 years ago and published 264 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Soccer 101?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Soccer 101?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Soccer 101 from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Soccer 101?

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What guests have appeared on Soccer 101?

Recent guests on Soccer 101 include:

1. Graham Rotwell
2. Graham Ruthven
3. Ian Macintosh
4. Graham Rutherford
5. Graham Ruffin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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