In addition to our many and varied travels, we continue to maintain a distinct sports-writing angle to our work, from Simon's 20-year background with News International in the UK, on the sports desks of The Sun, News of the World and Times newspapers. In the intervening years, he has covered 16 Super Bowls and contributed to the likes of NFL.com, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Detroit Free Press, the Guardian, NBA Europe and Major League Scocer (as their beat writer for Orlando City SC from 2015-17).

That MLS connection led directly to our work on Defying Expectations in 2017 and for the Orlando Derby radio show on 96.9 The Game in 2018, where Simon was dubbed 'the Soccer Sherpa.' He also had a stint as color commentator for Orlando City on 96.9 in 2019 alongside Bruce Silverman. He continues to pen occasional articles for The Guardian and for 96.9's In The Zone program (like this recent blog), and is always open to sports features with his own unique take if you contact him at venesstravelmedia@yahoo.com. Defying Expectations has its own Facebook page here:

You can read (and hear) more about Defying Expectations on the following links:
Our interview with Matthew Peddie on NPR Radio, WMFE, in Orlando.
The MLS.com story of the book by Major League Soccer writer Steve Brisendine
Phil Rawlins discusses the book on the American Forces Radio Network.
A review of the book by The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books!
A Q&A with Rawlins, and discussion of the book, on the USL website.
A summary of the book on Twitter from top soccer writer Franco Panizo.
Be sure to visit our special Bookstore page after reading about Our Books -