Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond - National Soccer Hall of Famer Hugo Perez

In this episode of "Offside in the Bay", Claudine and Alex welcome National Soccer Hall of Famer Hugo Perez, a retired US men's national team player who played in the 1994 World Cup. Perez, originally from El Salvador, shares his journey and the honor of representing the U.S. on the global stage, including playing against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup at Stanford Stadium in front of 90,000 people. They discuss the growth of soccer in the U.S. since the MLS began in 1995, noting that while it has progressed significantly, it still lags behind other countries in terms of being a daily passion, competing with popular American sports like football and basketball. The conversation shifts to the current Gold Cup tournament, serving as a test case for the upcoming World Cup, and the performance of the U.S. men's national team, which is missing some key players. They touch on the potential for growth in U.S. soccer, especially with the upcoming World Cup being hosted in North America, highlighting the importance of the team's performance to rally national support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices