Just our luck – the US pulls off a miracle, and we’re going to be on vacation this week. So no new Four At The Back this time around (sorry), but on the second Four At The Back Extra, we bring you our entire interview with former star goalkeeper and current star analyst Shep Messing.

Even if you heard the original show, you will want to listen to this one. Did you know the Cosmos went on strike in 1976? Did you know Shep’s book could one day be a movie? Did you ever hear the story about match-fixing in the NASL? It’s all here. Give it a listen.

Thanks to all of you who have found our little show since we started it three months ago. Our audience is small, but apparently none too bright (kidding, we love you). We’ll be back next week. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to subscribe on iTunes and/or give us a rating or a review. We appreciate it. Keep those cards and letters coming.

Shep Messing is our guest on the latest episode of Four At The Back (sorry it took an extra day to get it online – but, hey, you’re not paying for it, so simmer down). We also discuss the US National Team’s upcoming busy summer and ask what can be done about the US Open Cup?

Shep shares his insight on this year’s New York Red Bulls team, the sad history of MLS’ New Jersey/New York franchise and the glory days of the Cosmos in Episode 9.

We have well over 100 subscribers on iTunes now, and if you haven’t subscribed, please do so. Also, send us your feedback -either on the show itself or a topic we’ve covered or a suggestion or just a rant.

I meant to get to this yesterday and meant to plan accordingly so that yesterday there’d be a better post about this, but real life got in the way. Sorry.

Anyway, Monday (Dec. 22) was the 30th anniversary of the first game in the history of the original Major Indoor Soccer League. It wasn’t the first indoor soccer game ever (from what I understand, the Russians played something like it during those tough Siberian winters, and Chicago’s National Soccer League played – and televised, even – indoor games decades before), but it was the start of an era. (more…)