THE PODCAST
Episode Guide
Welcome to Soccer Is Stupid, a multi-part podcast about the world’s most popular sport, the people who love it, and the people (mostly Americans) who just can’t give it a chance.
Co-host Robert Repino is a sports fan who has occasionally given the sport of soccer a chance over the years. But, like most Americans, he has often found the rules nonsensical, the games boring, and the overall sports culture confounding.
With the World Cup returning to the United States in 2026, Robert is going to hash out his complaints with his good friend, fellow Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and longtime soccer journalist Charlie Boehm. Together, they explore the usual issues that skeptics tend to have about soccer, from the seemingly unsportsmanlike tactic of faking injuries, to the corruption of FIFA, to bad referees, to the overuse of penalty kicks. While Robert plays the role of perpetually puzzled critic, Charlie (and some of his expert friends) will add some context, set him straight, push back a little, or maybe even agree once in a while.
If you’re new to soccer, this could be a valuable introduction to some of the issues that may have confused you, or frustrated you. If you’re not so new…well, maybe this gives you some ammunition the next time a football fan tells you that soccer sucks. “Why can’t they use their hands?” That kind of thing.
Featured Episode
Episode 1: Fake Injuries Make Robert a Dull Boy
In our inaugural episode of Soccer Is Stupid, we tackle what might be the biggest complaint about soccer from people looking at it from the outside: players faking injuries. Whether it’s to drain the clock or get their opponents tossed from the game, fake injuries seem to be uniquely pernicious in soccer. But, as annoying as it can be, the practice has a complicated history, and the efforts to curb fake injuries have raised serious questions about the future of the sport.
Episode 4: Has the Women’s Game Figured It Out?
Robert and Charlie consult an expert on women’s soccer, where some of the most puzzling tactics, from ref-baiting to flopping, may be less of a problem. But if that’s true, why?
Introduction
Hello and welcome to our podcast: Soccer Is Not Stupid. Robert Repino and Charlie Boehm introduce themselves, and give a preview of what’s next.
Episode 5: The Fiefdom of FIFA
Robert and Charlie rant about FIFA’s price-gouging, commercialization, and corruption at the 2026 World Cup. They offer no solutions.