Topic: Soccer

President Trump suggested that World Cup matches could be moved out of cities like Chicago if they are deemed unsafe due to high crime rates. Governor J.B. Pritzker defended the city's safety, citing a 25% decrease in crime attributed to FBI cooperation. The final list of host cities for the tournament includes Vancouver, Seattle, and Dallas, but notably excludes Chicago.

The program opens with a shout-out to the University of Wisconsin River Falls women's ice hockey team for their back-to-back national championships. A debate ensues regarding the athletic merits of field hockey versus ice hockey and the physical fitness of soccer players. The term "WAGs," referring to the wives and girlfriends of high-profile athletes, is introduced as a cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom.

The show reiterated its commitment to the "value for value" funding model, contrasting its integrity with corporate-backed podcasts. The hosts also addressed listener feedback regarding a previous segment on soccer violence in Amsterdam, noting that while they welcome corrections, they remain skeptical of the sport's popularity in the United States.

Violence broke out in Amsterdam following a soccer match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, leading to international condemnation of anti-Semitic attacks. Reports indicate that Israeli fans were "hunted down" after they had reportedly torn down Palestinian flags and shouted provocative slogans. The city's mayor and the Dutch King expressed deep shame over the failure to protect the Jewish community.

Sir Mike from South Australia donated 237 "dollary-doos" (Australian dollars) for his 35th birthday. The hosts calculate the exchange rate to ensure he meets the executive producer threshold. The segment concludes with a donation from Sir Bates, Knight of the 19th Hole, who defends golf and soccer against John Dvorak's frequent disparagement of the sports.

The Netherlands lost to the United Kingdom 1-2 in the Euro 2024 semifinals, with the winning goal scored in the 90th minute. The upcoming final will feature the United Kingdom against Spain. A brief explanation of the soccer offsides rule is provided, focusing on player positioning relative to the final line of defense.

British soccer fans are noted for chanting "You can shove the coronation up your arse" during recent matches. The hosts mention that tech commentator Scott Galloway found the display "disgusting," while they find the public's rejection of the royal event amusing.

On GB News, Mark Steyn interviews former England soccer captain Matt Le Tissier regarding the rise in sudden collapses among young, healthy athletes. Le Tissier calls for an investigation into these incidents, which he claims are being normalized by the media. The hosts link the discussion to broader concerns about vaccine side effects.

The owner of Port Vale football club told the BBC that professional players are increasingly nervous about taking the COVID-19 vaccine after seeing reports of athletes suffering heart attacks or sudden death. Despite high vaccination rates in the league, the owner noted a growing fear among players. The BBC interviewer quickly pivoted the conversation to suggest players should simply "get the jab" for the money.

Israel has begun clinical trials for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose at Sheba Medical Center, with staff volunteers being the first to receive the jab. In the UK, public concern is rising over high-profile collapses of professional soccer players, though medical experts currently attribute these events to coincidence.

The hosts correct a previous report regarding hospitalizations in New South Wales and pivot to current data from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. They report that a majority of intensive care patients in these regions are vaccinated, despite official narratives. Additionally, they discuss reports from German newspapers regarding an unusually high number of professional soccer players and other athletes collapsing on the field recently.

Italy defeated England in the Euro 2020 soccer finals, extending their unbeaten streak to 34 games. Following the match, black English players who missed penalty kicks were subjected to a wave of racial abuse on social media. The hosts suggest the event was used by "elites" to highlight domestic racism in the UK as a "stomp in the head" to the post-Brexit nation.

The Euro 2020 soccer final between Italy and England is viewed through a geopolitical lens, contrasting England's post-Brexit status with Italy's history of political fragmentation. While some favor an England victory to boost national morale after 66 years, others suggest an Italian win would be a symbolic "stomp" on the UK for leaving the European Union.

Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona died at age 60 following a heart attack. While the global community mourns the iconic captain who led Argentina to a 1986 World Cup victory, the hosts contrast his massive international celebrity with the relative indifference of the American public. The discussion highlights Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and his "goal of the century" against England as defining moments of his career.

Sir Brian, a black football fan in the UK, explains his decision to cancel his sports package due to the "Black National Anthem" and BLM messaging in the NFL. The hosts discuss the "vacuum" being created by the politicization of major sports like baseball and soccer. They brainstorm alternative, less-politicized sports for fans, including Jai Alai, fencing, and roller derby.

Television ratings for the NBA have reportedly dropped by 30-35% as fans react negatively to the integration of political lectures into sports entertainment. While NASCAR has maintained its audience, other major leagues are struggling with the loss of "escapism" that sports traditionally provide. There is speculation that this void could allow international sports like soccer to gain a larger foothold in the American market.

A misunderstanding regarding a newsletter draft leads to a discussion about the movie Stalag 17 and the hosts' lack of interest in sports. They criticize ESPN for focusing exclusively on British soccer scores while ignoring leagues in Brazil, Mexico, and Africa, suggesting the coverage is biased toward a specific demographic.

The hosts open the program from Austin, Texas, and Northern Silicon Valley, debating the entertainment value of soccer versus American football. They discuss the location of the University of Texas campus and the construction of a new soccer stadium in Austin on land previously designated for affordable housing.

A 2010 clip from the Hoover Institution features Daniel Hannan discussing his book *The New Road to Serfdom*. Hannan argues that the Obama administration pursued a policy of "Europeanization" regarding healthcare, climate targets, and labor regulations. He claims these policies lead to structural unemployment and a loss of American dynamism, jokingly adding soccer to the list of unwanted European imports.

Video footage has resurfaced showing Paul Pelosi Jr., son of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in Kiev, Ukraine, discussing a "Corporate Governance Initiative" and soccer youth programs. Critics point out that he previously served as an executive for Viscoil, a gas and oil company, drawing parallels to Hunter Biden's involvement in the Ukrainian energy sector. The segment suggests this information will be used by conservative media to counter the impeachment narrative.