SoccerSam Fantauzzo: “Honestly relieved. I’m not sure I could control myself on live radio with all this craziness in the world.”

For the first time in a quarter of a century, SoccerSam Fantauzzo will not broadcast a radio soccer show on a Saturday.

Most recently, the Rochester Lancers owner hosted Kick This! Fantauzzo, however, decided to take a step back from the show because of the lack of soccer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show has been replaced by The Bob Matthews Shows.

In a Facebook post Saturday, Fantauzzo shared his feelings about not going on the radio. Kick This! usually hit the airwaves at 11 a.m. ET.

“First Saturday in 25 years with no Radio Show,” he wrote on Facebook. “Honestly relieved. I’m not sure I could control myself on live radio with all this craziness in the world.”

SoccerSam then thanked the Rochester soccer community, family, friends and the radio station.

“Thanks for listening & to my family & friends that tried calling me on Saturday’s from 11-12,” he wrote. “I was on the radio 🙂 Special thanks to iHeart radio & everyone that helped on the show. To all you players, coaches & staff from our National Teams, MLS, NWSL, Rhinos, WNY Flash, Soccer Legends, Indoor Friends, Special guests & my Lancers Family, Thank You, it was fun!

“FEEL THE KICK FOR LIFE!”

It was not immediately known what project or soccer project Fantauzzo had planned.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.