Just found this podcast / YouTube channel today - Between Two Beers. No idea who the guys are but they appear to have access to some of NZ's greatest sporting stars. The 50th episode of Between Two Beers is magic as it features All Whites, DC United, Blackburn, and Tottenham legend, Ryan Nelsen.
As we all know I'm a huge All Whites fan and of course, Ryan led the boys for a good ten years. His portrait by illustrator Elliot Quince sits beside me every day in the office.
Ryan is a top bloke. Not only was he damn good at football. Turns out he's also fun, clever, and good at everything. His story is magic, from leaving NZ to go to university in the USA, the MLS with DC United, through to the premiership years, and then the MLS again in Toronto and on to a successful business career after.
Interesting to note that Ryan could have played cricket for the Blackcaps. He was captain of the NZ Under 18 team featuring Vettori, Oram, the Marshalls, etc., and chose to go to university in America instead as he was worried that his dodgy knee would give up any day and force him to lead a civilian life rather than a sporting career. Incredible really.
Watch the interview below - it's completely worth it, if only for the memories of fat Sam, Tugay, Samba, Mark Hughes, etc. In his recollection is the amateurish preparation and support for the World Cup in 2010. I am so proud of the team that competed at that tournament (the only unbeaten squad), but it feels like it may have been an opportunity missed now. The players were so good at the time - just imagine how well they could have done with world-class support.
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