The Architect of American Soccer: Alan Rothenberg on 1994, MLS, and the Stakes of 2026

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Finance of Football welcomes Alan Rothenberg, one of the most influential figures in U.S. soccer history.Joined by Michael LoRé, Rothenberg reflects on the unlikely moments that launched American soccer onto the global stage — from the breakout success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics to leading the 1994 World Cup, founding Major League Soccer, and helping shape the women’s game.Despite entering the sport as an outsider, Rothenberg explains how professional management, big-event thinking, and long-term vision helped transform soccer from a fringe pastime into a permanent fixture in the American sports landscape.Looking ahead to 2026, he outlines what real success looks like this time: stronger TV ratings, deeper investment in MLS and NWSL, rising team valuations, and a World Cup that creates lasting momentum rather than a temporary spike in interest.From expansion debates to the challenge of turning “World Cup curious” fans into lifelong supporters, this episode explores how past decisions built the game — and what must happen next for 2026 to truly move it forward.For more, follow Asli and Michael on InstagramAsli - @brefootcontessaMichael - @michale.loreAnd follow the show…On Instagram - @financeoffootballpodOn Facebook - /financeoffootball---The Finance of Football, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is…Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRéEditing and Sound Design by Ryan HammondMixing and Mastering by Julian KwasneskiExecutive Produced by Ryan Hammond,  Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky---Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports, a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.