Roger Bennett: I am Roger Bennett. I was born in Liverpool. As a kid, I read poems, watched soccer, and devoured all the American TV I could find. Starsky and Hutch, The A-Team. I studied The Love Boat as if it was a religious text. Growing up in England, I dreamed about America. When I wasn't reading Philip Larkin, a gent who surely deserves his own podcast, I worshiped Ferris Bueller and Michael Jordan. I had a poster of the Chicago Bears and Debbie Gibson on my bedroom wall. I always knew I'd get to America, I just didn't know when. In 1993, I moved to Chicago. To say I struggled at first would be a serious understatement. I tried to remember what my dad used to tell me and what he still tells me.
Roger's dad: You never know in life what's coming along. I have been saying that about Everton for years. You have to look forward--
Roger Bennett: My dad's talking about my local soccer team, Everton. He talks about them a lot because in Liverpool, two things reign supreme, music and soccer. My grandpa was an Evertonian. I am an Evertonian. It's a remarkable way to live life. You manage expectations. You don't expect-- I saw my first Everton game at age seven, and I've taken each of my children to their first game when they turned the same age. I love watching soccer. Take me into the team meeting. Writing about soccer, thinking about soccer.
Speaker 1: How did that pressure affect your heart?
Roger Bennett: It allows me to feel human emotions I'm actually numb to in real life. Is that a nervy time? You know, happiness, misery, hope, and hopelessness. Do you feel dominant? Describe that, Casey. I can only think of The Godfather where they put Fredo on the boat and go fishing. Soccer is how I understand everything. Now I'm teaming up with WNYC Studios to combine my two great passions, soccer and America.I love America more than Kid Rock loves America. For a story, I've been waiting to tell for 20 years. What did you think was possible as a kid-- It's the story of the 1998 World Cup and the American team that blew it. What would that felt like?
Speaker 2: Oh, the biggest kick in the gut.
Roger Bennett: American Fiasco, listen wherever you get your podcasts. I think a lot about Icarus.
Speaker 2: They were that close. They just were that close.
[00:02:33] [END OF AUDIO]
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