Chapter III: "Can you work with pros?" ft. John Trask

In Chapter III: "Can you work with pros?" former assistant coach John Trask shares his stories of coaching the Fusion alongside Ray Hudson during both the 2000 & 2001 seasons.

John shares a few different unbelievable stories in this episode which include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The unique job interview John had for Ray Hudson in 2000
2. Playing the Michigan Bucks (a PDL team) in Saginaw, MI during the '00 US Open Cup
3. The range of emotions in the room when the Fusion were contracted, via conference call, at the end of the '01 season

It's a truly incredible episode, and we cannot thank John enough for sharing his stories with us.

Enjoy!

25 years ago, on March 15, 1998, the Miami Fusion kicked off their opening game in MLS' 3rd season, becoming one of the 2 expansion teams in this ever-growing professional league.

In 2001, despite putting together one of the best seasons in MLS history (at that point and arguably since), MLS made the decision to fold both the Fusion and their Florida neighbors, the MLS original franchise, Tampa Bay Mutiny.

While MLS soccer has returned to Miami in the form of David Beckham's Inter Miami, much has been discussed of "what could've been?" Had the Miami Fusion been allowed to stay and build. Indeed, what WOULD a Miami Fusion look like in 2023?

This podcast tells the story of the Miami Fusion through the voices of those who actually lived it. 25 interviews across 25 episodes charting the good, the bad, and the unbelievable.