In the first episode of our series THE PITCH, Simon Evans and Paul Woodhouse of The Soccer Business are joined by two guests with extensive experience of working in the area of brands and soccer: Shawn Francis, an executive creative director who has worked on soccer projects with the likes of Nike and EA Sports and Brian Quarles, Chief Creative Officer at rEvolution who has led a number of major soccer campaigns.

Discover what the soccer brand and culture is? What do brands look for in soccer properties? How clubs can become brands of a city? And so much more.

Alexi Lalas joins Simon Evans to discuss a range of issues surrounding American soccer as we approach one year out from the World Cup. MLS, USL, Pro/Rel, 'Pay to Play' and much, much more is examined in this in-depth interview.

Former MLS executive Michael Hitchcock is a serial soccer start-up expert having invested in and launched 20 clubs across the United States and beyond. He talks about community focus, marketing, ticketing and how to build a new club from the ground up.

Brief introduction to The Soccer Business Podcast from host Simon Evans.