Interviews

WHYY News: American Soccer Nation and author Mark Franek appear at FIFA’s Fan Festival at Lemon Hill, Philadelphia

June 12, 2026

WHYY’s Studio 2 broadcasts live from FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill, capturing Philadelphia’s World Cup excitement and the growing place of soccer in American culture

Matt Cole Sports: Author Mark Franek shares his book American Soccer Nation  with a waning soccer curmudgeon

June 12, 2026

Author Mark Franek convinces host Matt Cole that soccer is on a roll—and a quest—to become the second most popular sport in North America

That’s So MLS: American Soccer Nation  and Canada Share Similar Goals

June 10, 2026

Mark shares insights on modern youth development in the U.S. and Canada, shifting global perceptions, the evolution of MLS-haters to MLS-likers (and lovers), and the future of soccer in North America

SPORTONOMICS: American Soccer Nation   (Full-Field Press Across the Nation)

June 8, 2026

Mark Franek, author of American Soccer Nation, sits down with Tyler and Jake, hosts of Sportonomics, to trace the remarkable and often overlooked 150-year history of soccer in the United States

Philadelphia Union Insider: Mark Talks with Host Sage Hurley

May 28, 2026

The Golden Age of American soccer and predictions for the 2026 World Cup

SASH: Q&A with American Soccer Nation Author Mark Franek

May 17, 2026

Mark answers eleven questions about his book with Ed Farnsworth, American soccer historian, and current communications director at the Society for American Soccer History (SASH)

GP Soccer Podcast: Youth Development & Total Immersion

April 24, 2026

The Yanks’ remarkable 150-year history, and the Total Immersion philosophy for youth players

Museum of Sports Show: The Soccer Tent Expands

April 24, 2026

Mark Franek appeared on the Museum of Sports Show with host Doug Shimell and Lou Scheinfeld