Episode 344: It's a Soccer Podcast (with Sam Hale)

This one's for the old heads. We have good friend and erstwhile producer Sam(uel) Hale on to chat about the beautiful game. Sam, as executive producer and host for FC Dallas Radio, talks about his up-close World Cup experience in Dallas, what it's like talking soccer on TV, and why you should never look down when you're in a green-screen room. Mike also talks about his World Cup experience going to two games at the Linc, the good vibes even in Philadelphia, and why soccer doesn't assault its fans with constant sensory stimuli the way baseball does. As the only one of us with a team still in the competition, Mike also gives us some thoughts on the Argentina squad.Inevitably, we talk a bit of politics, mostly how FIFA and Donald Trump cannot ruin the beautiful game, try as they might. We also have a VAR chat, and conclude that it's probably worse than baseball replay and ABS.Finally, because Sam has been checked out of MLB for awhile, we play a few rounds of "where does this former Ranger currrently play?"If you're here for fantasy baseball advice and discussion, this probably isn't for you. But if you're here for three friends shooting the shit, we got you covered.Flags Fly Forever is a Baseball Prospectus podcast. For more fantasy baseball information, visit baseballprospectus.com and click on "Fantasy."You can find Flags Fly Forever on Bluesky (@flagsflyforever.bsky.social). The hosts of Flags Fly Forever are Mike Gianella(@mikegianella.bsky.social) and Jon Hegglund(@jonhegglund.bsky.social). The producer of Flags Fly Forever is Jon Hegglund. Special thanks to the awesome and generous Petite League for permission to use their track "Mets" for the intro and break music. Find their sweet lo-fi indie-pop sounds at petiteleague.com.