League One Fun – Episode 80 – Black Players Alliance & Week 9 Recap

Black Players Alliance Rep. Ivan Magalhaes

Jason and Ira are joined by Ivan Magalhaes the Richmond Kickers representative to the Black Players Alliance of the USL. They discuss the planning of the national and local activities that the Black Players Alliance is planning, and how the organization is expanding to rally to end racial injustice using the players platform.

Jason and Ira then grill Ivan on the difference of playing for the Kickers this year versus last year. The changes in style, mentality, and what it’s like to travel during Covid. The Kickers flew to FC Tucson recently and the discussion about how the players had to be masked up for the trip.

Where Team’s Stand and Weekly 9 Recap

Having missed a week, Ira and Jason review the standings after week 9. Teams are at least half way through their seasons and the race for the second playoff spot is tight. Three teams definitely in the hunt, but three more have an outside shot.

Previewing Week 10

Week 10 is full of more League One Fun, with Saturday’s Chattanooga match vs. Greenville being one of the most important. Jason thinks this may be the one match where every other team is cheering for Greenville to triumph.

What is League One Fun

Ira is @irajersey, Jason is @homesweetsoccer, and the show is @league1fun. Last week’s show can be found here. The Black Players Alliance of the USL can be found here.

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 Phoenix Rising’s 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.