20230309 Vamos Announcement

March 09, 2023

I type with a sense of true joy and wonder. Today is a sizable day at MiB. One on which we launch VAMOS Presented by Bud Light, our new podcast, hosted by the inimitable striker turned broadcaster, Herculez Gomez.

I first met Herculez when he returned to the US Men’s National Team in 2012. It was a chaotic moment filled with culture clash and controversy as Jurgen Klinsmann, then the manager, led in his idiosyncratic way while overseeing a year-long open casting call for any obscure Bundesliga player eligible for an American passport.

Most players dealt with the disorder by handling media duties in the tried and tested pro-footballer way: keeping their heads down, trying not to be noticed, and if forced to speak, only dropping empty soundbytes designed not to make noise.

And then there was Herc. A gent who had the ability to score crucial exclamation point bangers yes, but who really stood out post-game when greeting journalists in the Mixed Zone where he would talk with honesty and insight. When the US played well, he would explain why. When they underachieved – as they often did – he was the first to admit it and analyze where things had gone wrong. Regardless of how he performed in matches, Herc quickly became the star of so many of my post-match reports. A gent who was funny, warm, knowledgeable, and always left you thinking differently about what you had just witnessed.

Upon turning to broadcasting post-playing career, Herc has proceeded to become that by a multiple of ten. Independent-minded. Well informed. Analytical. In key moments, I have always sought out his voice. When we wanted to go deep on matters CONCACAF, Herc has long been my go-to-guest.

So, as we decided to build-out MiB’s talent roster, Herculez was one of the first people I reached out to. I wanted a voice that could guide us through the dominant storylines crackling around our region. These are dizzying days for those of us who love the game in North America. With a Copa America and World Cup hurtling towards these shores, Liga MX firmly established as the most-watched league in the United States, and MLS embarking on its Apple-era, the sound of the tectonic plates shifting beneath the corner of our football world now booms unmistakably. Vamos is our attempt to craft an accessible, intelligent, weekly source for everything you need to know about the biggest football stories on our continent, delivered by a gent who understands the drivers that will shape the American game of the future. I am so bloody pleased to launch this project.

Our goal with MiB in 2023-24 is to do good things with a ton of great people. Herc is all of that and more. We hope you enjoy this. Please spread the word as far as you can. Starting a new podcast is always a word of mouth process. And be in touch with any ideas, feedback or suggestions at [email protected]. You know I love to hear from you.

Vamos!

ROG

PS. This is such an exciting time here at Men in Blazers World Headquarters. Another Pod we cannot wait for you to hear is a Pod Special with recently retired NFL icon JJ Watt. The only person other than me with 200 career NFL sacks who also loves Premier League football. JJ is a gent who not just watches football, but really studies it. I cannot wait for everyone to hear this. Look for it on our Pod feed Saturday.

PSS. We were blown away by the response to our Peter Drury Pod Special last week. So much so that we just released a special YouTube of this interview with the Premier League Poet Laureate. GIVE IT A WATCH HERE. We are putting so much content on our YouTube channel these days. Subscribe. Subscribe. Subscribe. And spread the word.