Brian Landry Takes Personal Pledge to Put People Back at the Center of Soccer Stories

• Missouri journalist and podcast host Brian Landry commits to seven concrete actions designed to elevate human stories over statistics and headlines in sports reporting.

Why People Matter More Than Scores

Missouri, USA, Aug 10, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Brian Landry has spent his career asking a simple question: who are the people behind the game? As a journalist, reporter, and podcast host covering soccer across the United States, Landry believes the sport’s real story lives in the decisions, preparation, and journeys of the people who make those moments possible. Now he is formalizing that belief into a public pledge.

“I’ve always believed the most interesting part of soccer is the people behind it,” Landry said. “The players, coaches, and leaders all have stories that help explain why the sport continues to grow.”

The pledge comes at a time when sports coverage increasingly prioritizes quick takes, social media reactions, and surface-level analysis. Landry’s work has taken a different path. Through his podcast “The American Pyramid” and his Substack newsletter “The Pyramid Papers,” he has built an audience drawn to deeper conversations about youth development, coaching strategies, and the systems shaping soccer in the United States.

“The score only tells part of the story,” Landry explained. “I’m interested in the decisions, the preparation, and the people who make those moments possible.”

The Growth of Thoughtful Coverage

Landry has covered professional leagues, collegiate athletics, youth development programs, and international competitions. He attended the 2014 Brazil and 2022 Qatar World Cups as credentialed media. His work has appeared in MLSsoccer.com, Howler Magazine, American Soccer Analysis, and The Athletic.

His podcast has grown from 2,000 to 55,000 downloads per episode. That growth reflects a growing appetite for reporting that goes beyond match results and explores the broader ecosystem of the sport.

“Every player has a different journey,” Landry said. “Understanding those pathways helps explain where the game is heading and what opportunities exist for future generations.”

Seven Concrete Commitments

Landry’s pledge translates his reporting philosophy into seven specific personal commitments:

1. Interview at least one youth coach, parent, or grassroots volunteer every month to understand how the sport is experienced outside professional structures.

2. Devote one full podcast episode per quarter to player development pathways, profiling how individuals navigate the system from youth soccer through collegiate and professional opportunities.

3. Publish one long-form story every six weeks that centers on a single person’s decision-making process rather than game outcomes or league standings.

4. Refuse to publish reactive hot takes within 24 hours of major match results, instead waiting to gather context and speak directly with people involved.

5. Reach out to at least two sources outside his usual network each month to expand the range of voices and perspectives included in his reporting.

6. Share behind-the-scenes details of his reporting process in his newsletter at least twice per month, showing readers how stories are built and why certain questions matter.

7. Attend at least one youth or amateur soccer match in person each month to stay connected to the grassroots level of the sport and hear directly from families and volunteers.

A Toolkit for Better Sports Conversations

Landry also created a toolkit for anyone who wants to engage with sports in a more thoughtful way. These ten actions require no paid services or subscriptions:

1. Before sharing an opinion about a game on social media, ask yourself whether you have spoken to anyone directly involved in the story.

2. Follow at least three journalists, coaches, or players who cover or participate in parts of the sport you know little about.

3. Watch one full youth or amateur match in your community each month and introduce yourself to at least one coach or parent.

4. When reading a sports article, note whether the writer includes quotes from people involved or relies solely on statistics and game footage.

5. Ask one open-ended question to a coach, player, or sports organizer in your life about how they prepare for their role.

6. Keep a simple journal noting one interesting decision or moment you observed in a game, and write down why it stood out to you.

7. Listen to one long-form sports podcast or read one long-form article each week that goes beyond game recaps.

8. Share one piece of thoughtful sports reporting on your social media each week and explain why the story mattered to you.

9. Reach out to a local sports reporter or podcaster and thank them for a specific story that taught you something new.

10. Attend a public meeting, town hall, or community event related to youth sports in your area to understand the systems and decisions shaping local programs.

Track Your Progress in 30 Days

Landry encourages anyone taking up these actions to track their progress over 30 days using a simple format:

Week 1: Choose three actions from the toolkit. Write down which ones you selected and why they matter to you.

Week 2: Complete each of your three actions at least once. Note what you learned or how it changed your perspective.

Week 3: Add one more action from the toolkit. Reflect on whether your conversations about sports have shifted in tone or substance.

Week 4: Review your month. Identify one habit you want to continue and one person whose story you want to learn more about going forward.

About Brian Landry

Brian Landry is a journalist, reporter, and podcast host based in St. Louis, Missouri. He covers soccer through in-depth reporting, interviews, and commentary, with work appearing in MLSsoccer.com, Howler Magazine, American Soccer Analysis, and The Athletic. Landry hosts “The American Pyramid” podcast, launched in March 2017, and writes “The Pyramid Papers” Substack newsletter. He attended the 2014 Brazil and 2022 Qatar World Cups as credentialed media and holds season tickets to St. Louis CITY SC.