Episode 68: USL League One SVP Steven Short and Black Lives Matter

Preparing to Play

The coronavirus stopped the world, but things are reopening and soccer is preparing for play. USL League One is hoping to return to play on July 18, but there’s plenty of planning before the matches resume.

To sort it all out, the lads are joined by Steven Short, the Senior Vice President of USL League One. As Steven drinks a beer for Jason in Florida, Jason and Ira pepper him with questions. Steven is asked about the return to play, potential schedules, player safety, and the economic impact of the Covid-19 shutdowns on teams. The league continues expansion talks through the shutdown while negotiations between owners and the USL Players Association occur. The discussion unsurprisingly turns to Black Lives Matter.

Black Lives Matter

After Steven says goodbye, Jason educates Ira on #BlackLivesMatter and what all of us can do to help fight injustice and bias.

For a link to Jason’s recent musings outside of League One Fun, listen to his recent appearance on the Fair Weather Podcast and see his article on the USL Website on Three Ways to Get Involved.

On twitter Jason @homesweetsoccer, Ira is @irajersey and the how is @league1fun.

What is League One Fun

League One Fun is the Beautiful Game Network podcast that covers the entirety of USL League One. Jason and Ira discuss the third tier and lowest tier of professional soccer. The two conduct player, coach and front office interviews as well as review matches and league news. Independent franchises include Greenville Triumph, South Georgia Tormenta, Richmond Kickers, Chattanooga Red Wolves, Forward Madison and Union Omaha. The league also includes USL Championship second team FC Tucson. There are now five MLS2 sides. These include Fort Lauderdale CF (InterMiami), New England Revolution II, Toronto FC II, North Texas SC (FC Dallas), and Orlando City B.

Ira Jersey

twitter: @irajersey Soccer fanatic and nerd with many hobbies, Ira is a New York Red Bull supporter who loves lower division soccer. He is a youth coach with several USSF and United Soccer Coaches licenses; and also a competitive youth referee. He writes and podcasts on USL League One for BGN. Ira has worked in finance for more than two decades focusing on bond markets and is currently the Chief U.S. Interest Rate Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, Bloomberg LP's research arm.