All I can say is this: Grant, you are an inspiration to me. You have followed your passion and a journey based on a palpable passion without a guaranteed predictable outcome. As a nascent soccer fan, I consume the content of what you write with eager anticipation each week. But, I think it's less about the content (although I can't get enough of it and have grown to love soccer). It's more about your love for the game, which is contagious and inspiring. Please, please keep doing what you are doing. It transcends soccer, and provides a model of how all of us should live our lives.
Congrats Grant. I've been reading you since your days covering college basketball in the late 90s, and I'm happy to continue reading and supporting you on your site. I really enjoy the "My 3 Thoughts" columns, since it's great to get your more topical analysis in addition to the long-form pieces. I would love to read more short pieces that are reactions to the soccer news of the week.
Why I subscribed in the first place? Because you've been writing about soccer before it was popular stateside and I've enjoyed your work from the get go. And because you always have given the women's game the respect it deserves. My college and grad school friends in the mid '90s and into the 00's constantly told me I better "get used to it because it never was going to change" when I resorted to screaming at the TV every time an announcer of a men's game talked about a player holding the all time US record when at least half a dozen women had more caps or goals than the men's player; or when an announcer of a women's game specified that a player held the women's record when she actually held the all time record regardless of gender. Back in the day you were one of the few who actually used accurate terminology. I'm sure you received some guff for it at times, but these days the proper terminology is used far more frequently and I give you tons of credit for that change taking place. It makes a huge difference!
What I've enjoyed? Pretty much any content you generate. But the in depth magazine style stories are definitely a highlight along with the Landon, Witty, and Wahl post game analyses. I also really appreciate the conversations and feedback in the comments - so much more positive than most web-based comment sections. Dan Leydon's art work is a really nice touch on the big pieces and adds to my enjoyment.
What I'd love to see more of? Women's soccer coverage, including of the NWSL and Euro leagues; more interviews with some of the early USA players and the challenges and hardships they overcame - both men and women (if folks haven't listened to Throwback, they must go find it, can't rave about it enough and I'll consume that type of content 24/7/365), more post-game analysis of big US games (e.g., Landon, Witty, and Wahl and would love to see an equivalent for big women's games including analysis by/with a former player).
In conclusion: ultimately I know you'll continue generating fantastic content. Can't say thank you enough for all you've done for soccer in the USA.
Absolutely! An every now and then “where are they now” pod interview, or history lesson. The most-recent Bri Scurry and Heather interviews were some of the most entertaining ever!
Totally agree - loved the Bri Scurry & Heather O'Reilly interviews and would definitely enjoy a "where are they now?" pod interview/history lesson periodically!
If you don’t have the paid subscription, get it NOW! Well worth the price. Fantastic on-site coverage of all the US MNT games and great on-site stories. The Landon, Wahl, and Witty pods are also super.
Your coverage is terrific. My focus is narrow ( USWNT and USMNT) . I am interested in all the players in each team, and what they are doing …even when on European teams. I will recommend you to others any time
Just adding my voice to the chorus- Grant does great work. Just about every week there is an article that more than justifies the monthly subscription.
I just switched from a monthly subscription to an annual one, the first time I've ever done that on a Substack site. Why? A) Because I can do math. B) Because I'm totally sold on the value of this subscription, and there's no way I would think about cancelling it. The amount of quality content you generate is astounding--I'm constantly forwarding your stuff to my soccer-loving friends and urging them to read and subscribe. I also really appreciate your attention to and focus on the women's game--it's not just lip service or "by the way" coverage, as witnessed by your attending/covering the recent women's Euros semis and final games in person. Finally, you engage with your readers in a very enjoyable way. I'm sorry we missed each other on your visit to Seattle for the CONCACAF Champions League final, but I still hope we'll meet someday. In the meantime, thanks for all the incredible stories!
Been a fan since your days you were doing basketball and soccer. Do you remember when you asked your readers about bald/not bald? Keep up the excellence. Wish you had more on screen time
I continue to be a huge fan of your writing - you've got great insights and can't think of other soccer journalists I'd rather read. Wishing you continued success!
BTW - Get down to Austin for an Austin FC match! Worth checking out for lots of reasons.
Congrats. I love everything I read by you, I always learn a lot. But this one really impacted me. I am in a situation that has certain parallels to what you spoke about, taking the deep breath and FINALLY putting a little of my work out under my own name to see if people care enough now that it isn't under a brand's name. It's exciting, but especially exciting to see that someone who I think of as 'having made it where I hope to make it' had extremely similar feelings. Congrats again and keep up the quality work.
“…only $4.17 per month, around the price of a hamburger…”
I want to know where you’re getting a hamburger for $4.17 in NYC! And if you are, is horse meat or shoe leather?
I have a buddy who’s gone to a game at every MLB stadium and NHL arena. How about a series of articles on the atmosphere at MLS & NWSL stadiums? Or “life in the trenches” of a USL team? I don’t get out much, but I’m guessing the Northern Guard at Detroit City games is pretty unique.
3 Thoughts is the major reason I subscribed but it is the on site reporting and long form writing that I like the most. I will always support a fellow Kansan on their rise to the top of their game. Please continue the fine work we expect from you.
I’ve loved your work since the mid-90s, when you write for The Daily Princetonian.
For me, what moves the needle is your USMNT and USWNT coverage. Your pre- and postgame articles are “must read,” as are your articles about the pro careers of American players and coaches (especially the two Tigers).
While I love watching European soccer, I don’t read much about the games. Maybe it’s because I’m not passionate about a team, or there are so many games, or I’m busy. Who knows.
All I can say is this: Grant, you are an inspiration to me. You have followed your passion and a journey based on a palpable passion without a guaranteed predictable outcome. As a nascent soccer fan, I consume the content of what you write with eager anticipation each week. But, I think it's less about the content (although I can't get enough of it and have grown to love soccer). It's more about your love for the game, which is contagious and inspiring. Please, please keep doing what you are doing. It transcends soccer, and provides a model of how all of us should live our lives.
Congrats Grant. I've been reading you since your days covering college basketball in the late 90s, and I'm happy to continue reading and supporting you on your site. I really enjoy the "My 3 Thoughts" columns, since it's great to get your more topical analysis in addition to the long-form pieces. I would love to read more short pieces that are reactions to the soccer news of the week.
Why I subscribed in the first place? Because you've been writing about soccer before it was popular stateside and I've enjoyed your work from the get go. And because you always have given the women's game the respect it deserves. My college and grad school friends in the mid '90s and into the 00's constantly told me I better "get used to it because it never was going to change" when I resorted to screaming at the TV every time an announcer of a men's game talked about a player holding the all time US record when at least half a dozen women had more caps or goals than the men's player; or when an announcer of a women's game specified that a player held the women's record when she actually held the all time record regardless of gender. Back in the day you were one of the few who actually used accurate terminology. I'm sure you received some guff for it at times, but these days the proper terminology is used far more frequently and I give you tons of credit for that change taking place. It makes a huge difference!
What I've enjoyed? Pretty much any content you generate. But the in depth magazine style stories are definitely a highlight along with the Landon, Witty, and Wahl post game analyses. I also really appreciate the conversations and feedback in the comments - so much more positive than most web-based comment sections. Dan Leydon's art work is a really nice touch on the big pieces and adds to my enjoyment.
What I'd love to see more of? Women's soccer coverage, including of the NWSL and Euro leagues; more interviews with some of the early USA players and the challenges and hardships they overcame - both men and women (if folks haven't listened to Throwback, they must go find it, can't rave about it enough and I'll consume that type of content 24/7/365), more post-game analysis of big US games (e.g., Landon, Witty, and Wahl and would love to see an equivalent for big women's games including analysis by/with a former player).
In conclusion: ultimately I know you'll continue generating fantastic content. Can't say thank you enough for all you've done for soccer in the USA.
Absolutely! An every now and then “where are they now” pod interview, or history lesson. The most-recent Bri Scurry and Heather interviews were some of the most entertaining ever!
Totally agree - loved the Bri Scurry & Heather O'Reilly interviews and would definitely enjoy a "where are they now?" pod interview/history lesson periodically!
If you don’t have the paid subscription, get it NOW! Well worth the price. Fantastic on-site coverage of all the US MNT games and great on-site stories. The Landon, Wahl, and Witty pods are also super.
Your coverage is terrific. My focus is narrow ( USWNT and USMNT) . I am interested in all the players in each team, and what they are doing …even when on European teams. I will recommend you to others any time
Just adding my voice to the chorus- Grant does great work. Just about every week there is an article that more than justifies the monthly subscription.
I just switched from a monthly subscription to an annual one, the first time I've ever done that on a Substack site. Why? A) Because I can do math. B) Because I'm totally sold on the value of this subscription, and there's no way I would think about cancelling it. The amount of quality content you generate is astounding--I'm constantly forwarding your stuff to my soccer-loving friends and urging them to read and subscribe. I also really appreciate your attention to and focus on the women's game--it's not just lip service or "by the way" coverage, as witnessed by your attending/covering the recent women's Euros semis and final games in person. Finally, you engage with your readers in a very enjoyable way. I'm sorry we missed each other on your visit to Seattle for the CONCACAF Champions League final, but I still hope we'll meet someday. In the meantime, thanks for all the incredible stories!
Worth every penny and then some.
Been a fan since your days you were doing basketball and soccer. Do you remember when you asked your readers about bald/not bald? Keep up the excellence. Wish you had more on screen time
I continue to be a huge fan of your writing - you've got great insights and can't think of other soccer journalists I'd rather read. Wishing you continued success!
BTW - Get down to Austin for an Austin FC match! Worth checking out for lots of reasons.
Congratulations and well done!
Grant, you honestly ROCK! Thanks for all of your great work for the world of football, and for including us in this journey!
Congrats. I love everything I read by you, I always learn a lot. But this one really impacted me. I am in a situation that has certain parallels to what you spoke about, taking the deep breath and FINALLY putting a little of my work out under my own name to see if people care enough now that it isn't under a brand's name. It's exciting, but especially exciting to see that someone who I think of as 'having made it where I hope to make it' had extremely similar feelings. Congrats again and keep up the quality work.
“…only $4.17 per month, around the price of a hamburger…”
I want to know where you’re getting a hamburger for $4.17 in NYC! And if you are, is horse meat or shoe leather?
I have a buddy who’s gone to a game at every MLB stadium and NHL arena. How about a series of articles on the atmosphere at MLS & NWSL stadiums? Or “life in the trenches” of a USL team? I don’t get out much, but I’m guessing the Northern Guard at Detroit City games is pretty unique.
3 Thoughts is the major reason I subscribed but it is the on site reporting and long form writing that I like the most. I will always support a fellow Kansan on their rise to the top of their game. Please continue the fine work we expect from you.
I’ve loved your work since the mid-90s, when you write for The Daily Princetonian.
For me, what moves the needle is your USMNT and USWNT coverage. Your pre- and postgame articles are “must read,” as are your articles about the pro careers of American players and coaches (especially the two Tigers).
While I love watching European soccer, I don’t read much about the games. Maybe it’s because I’m not passionate about a team, or there are so many games, or I’m busy. Who knows.
Anyway, keep up the outstanding work!