New WNYC Studios Podcast Looks At 1998 World Cup 'American Fiasco'

Monday

WNYC STUDIOS is debuting a 12-part podcast series looking at the disastrous WORLD CUP performance of the 1998 U.S. Men's National Team.  "AMERICAN FIASCO," posting beginning JUNE 4th with six episodes and then on JUNE 11th with the remaining six, is hosted by "MEN IN BLAZERS" co-host ROGER BENNETT and chronicles how the success of the 1994 tournament on U.S. soil was followed by an American national team wracked by dissension and overestimation of their chances.  Included will be interviews with members of that squad, including ALEXI LALAS, ERIC WYNALDA, and coach STEVE SAMPSON, and special bonus episodes with DAN "BIG CAT" KATZ of BARSTOOL SPORTS' "PARDON MY TAKE" and STEPHEN DUBNER of "FREAKONOMICS RADIO."

BENNETT said, “I’ve been waiting 20 years to dive into this epic, untold story. It combines my two greatest passions: soccer and AMERICA.  AMERICAN FIASCO is set in a time, not so long ago, when American soccer was truly lost in the wilderness. Then came a WORLD CUP played on American soil, which nurtured a team of telegenic, cocksure American players, which in turn begat the rather American conviction that the U.S. could, in four years’ time, become a Dark Horse threat at the next WORLD CUP.

“I’m going to spoil the ending for you right now. The U.S. did not win the WORLD CUP in 1998. But how they didn’t win the WORLD CUP will be one of the most absorbing stories you’ll hear in a podcast this year -- whether you love soccer or not -- because it transcends sports to reveal who we are as human beings, propelled by ambition, love, vanity,  friendship, and, above all, self-interest. Ultimately what attracted me to this story is the same thing that attracted me to move to this country: The American Dream. A dream, which as this podcast makes clear, sadly does not extend to WORLD CUP Football.”
 
“In the lead up to the 2018 WORLD CUP, we’re revisiting the story of one of the most heartbreaking, self-inflicted defeats in sports history,” said WNYC STUDIOS VP of On-Demand Content EMILY BOTEIN. “We’re thrilled to partner with ROGER BENNETT, whose absorbing interviews and storytelling unveil the story you didn’t know. AMERICAN FIASCO is a fascinating case study for sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and podcast lovers alike.”

Two trailers are available now in advance of MONDAY's debut.

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