Episode 123: What’s John Pranjic’s problem with American soccer?

John Pranjic, the host of the 3four3 podcast, joins for a conversation about the need for promotion/relegation, his problem with most American soccer media, and the best USMNT XI right now. I made detailed shownotes for those who want to skip around.0:30 intro1:20 Pranjic injury news2:45 why he says “you don’t know” to people on Twitter7:35 is the problem ultimately the lack of promotion/relegation in U.S. soccer?10:40 does Pranjic really think only “yes-people” get to have power at USSF?14:00 why pro/rel is so important20:20 Belz: we just fell into a closed system; Pranjic: no, we didn’t just fall into this23:30 what’s the way to get to pro/rel?27:40 is it selling out to talk about sweetening the pot to encourage MLS owners to embrace pro/rel?31:40 how to you reconcile a deeply flawed system with some of the exciting players that are being developed?36:00 Pranjic’s problem with the American soccer media40:30 Belz: media criticism should be specific42:45 Belz: do you only respect journalists who are advocating for pro/rel?44:40 the distinction between punditry and reporting48:00 Belz compares the Jermaine Jones interview to Day of the Locust51:00 extended discussion of soccer media58:00 Belz forces Pranjic to come up with a USMNT XI for Marchhttps://twitter.com/ThatCroatianGuyhttp://blog.3four3.com/ Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedCheck out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/storeAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.