Sam's Army - TopPodcast.com

Champs Pre-Crowned. Everton/Palace Glow-Ups. In Defense of Amorim. (MW #27) Feb 25, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool put a bow on their pre-championship season by outclassing City in Manchester, West Ham force Arsenal to wave goodbye to the title race, Newcastle out-gun Forest, Everton and especially Palace continue their surges up the table, listener feedback on recent anti-Amorim (and Ange) takes plus a preview of big midweek slate (eg, Liverpool v Newcastle and Forest v Arsenal) and our favorites to win FA Cup

HALFTIME: What If your teammate refuses to let the designated penalty-taker take a penalty, how would YOU deal with the situation?

ROUND THE WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS Minute is so back

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets (#OverTrain is cooking) and GOAWs

Marmoush's Arrival. Liverpool/City Preview. USL vs MLS. (Matchweek #26) Feb 18, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: Omar Marmoush silenced critics in a big way vs Newcastle. Slightly healthier Spurs withstand midfield-less United in Banter FC daerby. Fulham outclasses Forest. Plus a look ahead at a big week for City and Liverpool culminating in battle of defending champs vs champs-elect.

HALFTIME: What If you were anointed FIFA rule-maker for a day... what would you do to cut back on diving?

ROUND THE WORLD: USL takes aim at MLS with plan to launch a first division in 2027 with promotion and relegation along with this week's must-watch Champions League playoffs

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Big 6 Killing FA Cup, Breath of Fresh VAR-less Air & Battle for Banter FC Preview (MW#25b) Feb 11, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: why Spurs' latest loss vindicates Big Ange and other FA Cup thots (including Liverpool/Big 6 quietly killing the tournament and upside of Lester getting absolutely hosed by linesman against United) plus weekend preview featuring City/Newcastle, Fulham/Forect and the battle to be Banter FC: Tottenham vs United

HALFTIME: What If the Premier League follows through on implementing a salary cap - net positive or negative?

ROUND THE WORLD: games worth watching among this week's Champions League playoffs and other must-watch tilts around Europe

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Arsenal Masterclass. Forest Grows Back. Major MLS Moves. (MW#25) Feb 04, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arteta gets one over on Pep as Arsenal HUUMBLE City 5-1. Liverpool might be even better than we gave them credit for. Ange is... evolving? Amorim silences United's already quiet attack. Power Rankings. League Cup semifinals (leg 2) preview/predictions.

HALFTIME: What If Jhon Duran did not receive the controversial red card against Newcastle... how would it changed his career trajectory now and several years down the road?

ROUND THE WORLD: Champions League chaos plus One Minute Man's thots on a wild offseason full of big moves into, within and out of MLS

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Belief In Bournemouth. Teflon Ange. Conspiracy Against Arsenal. (MW#24) Jan 28, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: Bournemouth put a hurting on Nottingham Forest. Why Ange is safe despite Tottenham plumbing new depths. Conspiracy theorists sound off on Michael Oliver's (mis)treatment of Arsenal. Weekend preview f/t Liverpool hosting Bournemouth and City visiting Arsenal.

HALFTIME: What If your life depended on someone from the Premier League going undercover as a spy - who ya got?

ROUND THE WORLD: Champions League permutations ahead of Wednesday's final matchday with do-or-die games for the likes of Manchester City and PSG

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Spurs relegation scrap. Amad Diallo. Cherries poppin'. UCL preview. (MW#23) Jan 20, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: Tottenham enter the relegation battle. Bournemouth join Forest as coolest stories going. Darwin saves Liverpool. Arsenal collapse. Divorced Pep (plus billions of petro-bucks) may be a problem. Weekend preview f/t City vs Chelsea, Bournemouth hosting Forest and Ange's must-win.

HALFTIME: what if you were asked to invite the most famous person in your phone to a Sunday league match... and Compliement Corner: Ange Postecoglou

ROUND THE WORLD: must-watch Champions League games from matchday 7 of 8

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Mighty Tamworth. NLD & Forest/Liverpool Previews. Neymar's Bag. (MW #21) Jan 13, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: FA Cup recap f/t United withstanding Arsenal, Tamworth giving Tottenham the business and Brentford falling to Plymouth. Double dose of preview with full midweek and weekend slates highlighted by North London Daerby, Liverpool visiting Nottingham Forest and Newcastle hosting Bournemouth.

HALFTIME: in honor of Elon Musk's alleged interest in buying Liverpool, what if you could choose any person in the world to buy your club -- who you picking... plus Mikel Arteta's turn in the Compliment Corner

ROUND THE WORLD: flurry of MLS moves plus instant reaction to a Saudi Arabian edition of El Clasico

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

USMNT January Camp Standouts & Key Questions with SoccerwiseHQ's Tom Bogert Jan 09, 2025

Pochettino dropped the MLS-heavy roster for USMNT's January camp so we sat down with Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport and SoccerwiseHQ to discuss who could make WC26, what the key question marks are (ie, CB depth chart) and one big huge massive WTF?!

Ange's anger. Trent the Enigma. Messi's LOL medal. (Matchweek 20/21) Jan 07, 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE: United's impressive road draw at Anfield, Ange's mid- and post-game theatrics, Chelsea's sudden fall from grace, City's false dawn and Nottingham Forest quintessential victory

HALFTIME: What If the deal sending Villa's Jhon Duran to West Ham had gone through and Trent Alexander-Arnold gets the Compliment Corner treatment

ROUND THE WORLD: USMNT news, notes and roster drop

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Chelsea Bandwagon Exodus & Icardashian Cheating Scandal - MW #19/20 Dec 31, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: did Ipswich's win expose Chelsea, United's relegation chances and how hot is Ruben Amorim's seat, plus why Aston Villa may face the most important game of the weekend

HALFTIME: what if you were Gio Reyna agent for this transfer window and Compliment Corner for Josh Zirkzee

ROUND THE WORLD: is Netflix acquiring rights to the Women's World Cup a good thing and will NISA be missed?

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Fulham (Good), Amorim (Bad) & Jhon Duran (Ugly) - Boxing Day Reaction Dec 27, 2024

Boxing Day instant reaction featuring Fulham, Forest and Bournemouth making moves; Tottenham, United and City struggling mightily; plus a heated debate about Jhon Duran's controversial red card against Newcastle

LA Galaxy's Johnny Nelson on Playing with Pulisic/Tommy, Banishment at STL City & Winning MLS Cup Dec 20, 2024

Sam and Tyler chat with Johnny Nelson about playing with Pulisic, Adams (et al) and sleeping next to Tommy McGunner with USYNT, getting drafted by FC Dallas, being banished at St Louis City as a result of acrimonious contract negotiations, and bouncing right back to win MLS Cup with LA Galaxy

Manchester DERPy, Is Pep on Hot Seat, Forest's Flowers & Down Year for Premier League? (Matchweek #16/17) Dec 16, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: takeaways from worst Manchester daerby in recent history, why it may get worse for Pep before it gets better, Forest earns more flowers and thoughts on this weekend's spate of managerial sackings

HALFTIME: What If you played KickIt (soccer tennis) vs Messi and Jordi Alba... who from MLS are you picking at your partner?

ROUND THE WORLD: Gianni Infantino just pissed on our leg and told us it is raining with the shocking (but not surprising) official unveiling of World Cup 2030 and 2034 hosts

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Chelsea's Title Hopes, Spurs' Fragility & United/Forest Are Who We Thought (Matchweek 15/16) Dec 11, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea burnish their title-contending credentials while injuries prove just how precarious Tottenham's deck of cards really is, Forest's win at United crystallizes all kinds of suspicions, why the tears of Man City fans taste so delicious and weekend preview f/t latest installment of the Manchester Daerby

HALFTIME: What If the USMNT have a game-winning penalty at WC26 but Pulisic isn't available... who takes it?

ROUND THE WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS Cup Minute plus abbreviated Champions League preview

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

INTERVIEW: Gregg Berhalter on Lighting Chicago's Fire & USMNT Experience Dec 06, 2024

Chicago Fire's newly minted head coach (and chief soccer officer) Gregg Berhalter sits down to discuss his vision for turning the Chicago Fire around, how MLS has changed since his Columbus Crew days, how his USMNT experience has reshaped his coaching philosophy, the inside scoop on behind the back passes and whether blood is thicker than wins (hint: nope... sorry Sebastian)

Pep's Legacy On The Line, Liverpool's Flowers & Villa vs Newcastle Race To The Bottom (Matchweek 13/14) Dec 03, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool vying for "crown" as Europe best after handing City yet another loss, which raises big questions about Pep Guardiola that won't go away (perhaps the opposite) after he responded to "you're getting sacked in the morning" jeers by holding up six fingers; what is Ruben Amorin doing right at United [24:30]; Aston Villa and Newcastle are neck-and-neck in the race to be the league's biggest disappointment; Mikey and Tyler say mean things about Tottenham; Forest wins must-win game and preview of the week to come featuring Arsenal/United and Spurs/Chelsea

HALFTIME [41:30]: if we could choose one Premier League club to manage (inclusive of financial restrictions, toxic fanbase, etc) who would it be, and which of us would be most successful?

ROUND THE WORLD [48:00]: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS *Playoff* minute

STOPPAGE TIME [52:00]: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Spurs Mollywhop City, Salah's Worrying Comments + Liverpool vs City Preview (Matchweek 12/13) Nov 26, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: Big Ange pulls a fast one Pep - AGAIN, Mo Salah raises eyebrows by admitting he is "more out than in" after not receiving a new contract offer from Liverpool, Odegaard cements his importance to Arsenal and preview of next weekend f/t Liverpool vs City

HALFTIME: What If you could only play for your club or country

ROUND THE WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS Playoff Minute and this week's must-watch Champions League games

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Poch's USMNT Spank Jamaica & Arsenal Upset Alert vs Nottingham Forest? (Int'l Break / MW #12) Nov 19, 2024

USMNT: Thoughts on Poch's decisions and who impressed most as USMNT put the finishing touches on a fun, solid but far from flawless performance against an undermanned Jamaica

HALFTIME: What If FIFA decided to implement a change to VAR that would see coaches get a limited number of challenges rather than the current "constant eye in the sky" system - would it be a net positive or negative?

PREMIER LEAGUE: matches resume on Saturday f/ City welcoming in their personal bogey team in Tottenham while Arsenal are on upset alert against a plucky Nottingham Forest

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Week 11/Int'l Break: City Crashing Out, David Coote Said *WHAT* & USMNT vs Jamaica Preview Nov 12, 2024

HOT TOPIC: new era of Sam's Army is upon us and anyone wanting to help take us to the next level hop on board... next stop: the moon

PREMIER LEAGUE: Nottingham Forest fail big test vs Newcastle, City drops a 4th consecutive game, Chelsea hold Arsenal and Tottenham remind everyone they are still Tottenham

HALFTIME: rest & recooperation-related Weekly What If and Compliment Corner f/t Big Ange

ROUND THE WORLD: wild and wacky MLS Hit-It-N-Quit-It *PLAYOFF* minute and thots on Jim Curtin out in Philly and Bruce Arena in in San Jose

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 10/11: Title Contenders Stumble & Are Nottingham Forest The Real Deal? Nov 05, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal and City stumbles cement the existence of a title race this season, are Nottingham Forest for real this season and weekend preview f/t Chelsea vs Arsenal and Liverpool vs Villa

HOT TOPIC: ins/outs of CF Montreal's potential move to Detroit

HALFTIME: What If...you had to run the NYC Marathon vs an athlete (non-GK) from your club and Complement Corner f/t Arsenal

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS Hit-It-N-Quit(-Not-Spit)-It PLAYOFF Minute and this week's must-watch Champions League matches

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 9/10: Ten Hag's Legacy, Mount Rushmore of Soccer Content Machines + Ballon d'Rama Oct 30, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: who came away from Arsenal/Liverpool draw more disappointed, what is Erik Ten Hag's legacy at United and where does club go from here, one of the most ridiculously compelling Saturday slates in recent memory, Power Rankings and weekend preview f/t Newcastle vs Arsenal and United at West Ham

HOT TOPIC: Mikey with an all-time spinzone of Real Madrid's petulant boycott of the Ballon d'Or ceremony and theory (or objectively accurate explanation) on why the outcry was so over the top

HALFTIME: What If you were given the responsibility of making a Mount Rushmore of all-time soccer player and/or coach content machines plus a bastardized Compliment Corner of Real Madrid

ROUND THE WORLD: Extra special Hit-It-N-Quit-It *MLS Playoff* Minute

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 8/9: Bournemouth Shocker, Wolves/City VAR, Arsenal vs LFC Preview + MLS Decision Day Oct 23, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE - Bournemouth's (red card-aided) upset highlights Arsenal's disciplinary problems, thoughts on VAR "controversy" in Wolves vs City, Chelsea's trip to Anfield and what to expect from Gunners/Liverpool and the drunken hobo fight (West Ham vs United) this weekend

HALFTIME - What If: best 3v3 team made up entirely of professional golfers (in their athletic prime) plus Bruno Fernandes gets lauded in Compliment Corner

ROUND THE WORLD - extra special Decision Day version of the MLS Hit-It-N-Quit-It Minute

STOPPAGE TIME - Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Int'l Break/Matchweek 8: Poch's USMNT Debut, Terrorist Tommy Tuchel & Saving Southampton Oct 17, 2024

USMNT: discussion points from Panama win and Mexico loss, who impressed and disappointed, with focus on Tim Ream and CBs, Brenden Aaronson plus Josh Sargent and striker situation

HOT TOPICS: thots on Tommy the Toolbag Terrorist as England's next manager

HALFTIME: What If - what is the world single player that Southampton could add that would save them from relegation and Gregg Berhalter faces the Compliment Corner

PREMIER LEAGUE: preview of weekend ahead f/t Liverpool hosting Chelsea and a painfully hilarious prediction for United vs Brentford

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 7/Int'l Break: Spurs Collapse, McGregor vs Saka & Preview of Poch's USMNT Oct 07, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: breakdown of Spurs epic collapse against Brighton, is Gary O'Neill the problem at Wolves and ETH's scoreless "masterclass" at Villa

HALFTIME: Weekly What If - Conor McGregor had accidentally (or not) taken out Bukayo Saka while play fighting after this weekend's game... plus *NEW SEGMENT ALERT* Compliment Corner

ROUND THE WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS Minute plus some big picture thoughts on what to expect from the USMNT's Maurizio Pochettino era and smaller picture expectations for this international break (f/t who we suspect will be in the starting XI vs Panama on Saturday)

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 6/7: Pep's Poopy Pants, Arteta's Integrity Gap & Ten Hag's Spursy Nightmare Sep 30, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: City being held to a draw by Newcastle while Arsenal pulls out a last second win has Sam feeling a little queasy, Tottenham's (WEAK) red card-aided mollywhopping of United and Everton finally stumbles upon the key to winning

HALFTIME: what if... Sir Radcliffe handed you the keys to United, what changes would you make top to bottom to pull the club out of the doldrums?

ROUND THE WORLD: what games to watch in Champions League, Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS minute and this week's USMNT winners and losers

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 5/6: Arsenal's Discipline Problems & City's Rodri Problem Sep 23, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: Tweedles have some thots on Michael Oliver's performance in this weekend's shockingly fun Arsenal/City game plus what losing Rodri means for the title race, along with Everton's commitment to badness and what game gets Mitch's official stamp of must-watch approval this weekend

HALFTIME: if you were Tommy McGunner's agent and he had to go play overseas TOMORROW, what club would you (realistically) be calling to get him a tryout?

ROUND THE WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS Minute and four USMNT stars of the week

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 4/5: Arsenal's Elite Bus-Parking, Pep vs Arteta & *NEW* Champions League Sep 16, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal's defense controlled the North London Daerby, Forest cracks the ArneBall code, the ceaseless sadness that is Everton and preview of the upcoming table-topper as Arsenal visit City... plus FPL updates and shoutouts

HALFTIME: What If someone from the UK asked for advice on what MLS team they should support... who would you recommend, and why?

ROUND THE WORLD: pluses/minuses of the new and "improved" Champions League format and what games to watch this week, along with the Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS minute

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

MW#4 Preview: North London Dærby, ETH's Job Security + Alex Morgan's Farewell Sep 12, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: who needs to win the North London Dærby more, is Ten Hag coaching for his job against Southampton this weekend and whether City is on upset alert vs Brentford

HALFTIME: "fixing" the annoying international window(s) format

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

USMNT vs NZ: Winners/Losers from Wasted Window + Ode to Pochettino Sep 11, 2024

We discuss the Canada disaster and the New Zealand clownshow, argue about who boosted and hurt their stock this window (f/t a sad farewell to a long-time soldier), and reminisce about the Mikey Varas era. But most importantly we focus on where USMNT goes from here now that Mauricio Pochettino has officially signed on the dotted line.

Matchweek 3: Everton's Collapse, Rice's Red, Casemiro's Daymare & USMNT's Poch-less Roster Sep 02, 2024

HOT TOPIC: someone not named Mauricio Pochettino dropped USMNT's roster for Canada/NZ friendlies, the surprises/snubs and best XI of which we discuss along with the situation surrounding or continues coach-lessness

PREMIER LEAGUE [18:30]: Everton collapse in epic fashion, Declan Rice's game- and potentially season-changing red card in Arsenal vs Brighton, Mo Salah leads another Liverpool sh*t-kicking of United and whether Erling Haaland will be the greatest striker in Premier League history when all is said and done

HALFTIME [49:20]: "Weekly What If" you were a holding mid who has played for the world's biggest clubs and won the most prestigious trophies but you are on the wrong side of 30yo and just got WORKED for the first 45 minutes against your hated arch-rival... would it be more embarrassing to get yanked at halftime or for the coach to let you go back out there just to potentially get worked some more?

ROUND THE WORLD [50:00]: hit-it-n-quit-it MLS minute

STOPPAGE TIME [54:00]: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 2: Madueke Cooks Wolves, NWSL Nixes Draft & Barça's Olmo Bailout Aug 27, 2024

HOT TOPIC: La Liga bails Barcelona out of a serious predicament and allows them to register Dani Olmo... but something doesn't smell quite right

PREMIER LEAGUE [7:45]: Noni Madueke cooks Wolverhampton on Friday and Wolves on Saturday, Arsenal exorcises some Villa demons, United exorcises zero Brighton demons and Mikey ruins Tottenham's game vs Newcastle (no matter the result)

HALFTIME [41:30]: NWSL announces bold changes with new CBA with free agency for all and no-trade clauses... What If: MLS followed suit and eliminated the draft?

ROUND THE WORLD [49:00]: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute, a brewing crisis involving US Open Cup and Concacaf Champions League and USMNT chatter f/t Aaronson, Pulisic, McKennie and Gio Reyna

STOPPAGE TIME [1:00:30]: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Matchweek 1: Knee-Jerk Premier League Reactions, Pochettino to USMNT & MLS Dominating Leagues Cup Aug 20, 2024

HOT TOPIC: reasons to get excited about Mauricio Pochettino as the next USMNT manager/savior

PREMIER LEAGUE: knee-jerk reactions to the first weekend of games f/t Brighton still Brighton-ing, United avoid nightmare scenario, Tyler saying some nice things about Bruno Fernandes (srsly), Tottenham is so back and preview of next week's massive "London" Daerby between Arsenal and Aston Villa

HALFTIME: Weekly What If... the Premier League followed through on disclosing what club each referee supports? Net positive or negative? (And same question for commentators)

ROUND THE WORLD: USMNT chatter including who our starting 9 is at the moment plus wild stabs at what becomes of Weston McKennie and Matt Turner this window

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets (Over Train is officially back) and GOAWs

Matchweek 0: EPL 2024-25 Season Preview + Chat w/ Tim Parker on StL-to-Revs Trade Aug 15, 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: We got the whole gang back together (again!) to lay out our predictions for how the 2024-25 season plays out, including who is winning this time around, who finishes top 4, what to expect from wild cards like Chelsea and Palace, which traditional midtable teams could make a splash, if any newly promoted clubs survive, Player of the Year and first manager sacked

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

INTERVIEW: BFF of the program Timothy Parker gets some things off his chest about this month's shock trade from St Louis to New England, including details about how contract negotiations played out with the front office, what he will miss most about The Lou, expectations for this season with the Revs (and beyond?) and who wins a cage match between him and Henry Kessler

Ep 2.272: Mailbag f/t EPL Transfer Talk, McKennie to MLS & Galaxy Out-Sexying LAFC Aug 08, 2024

HOT TOPICS: Mbappe's long-term plan to exact revenge on PSG

PREMIER LEAGUE: best/worst transfer moves; who is this season's Villa; Spurs or United will finish higher; Chelsea's top 4 hopes and if Everton is relegation fodder

ROUND THE WORLD: where does Weston McKennie go after being told he's not in Juve plans; what needs to change as US fed to get top manager; implications of Jim Beam/Tim Ream's move to Charlotte; did Galaxy just out-sexy LAFC and thoughts on Emma Hays' performance as USWNT manager thus far

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.271: Canadian Cheating, Argentina/France Soccer War + Pep's Last Season Jul 29, 2024

HOT TOPICS: Canada got caught red-handed and admits cheating has been a systemic problem FOR YEARS - but is it even a big deal(?), Argentina and France declare all out soccer war on one another and MLS hollering at NWSL

PREMIER LEAGUE: early thots on where things stand heading into 2024-25 f/t what it would mean for City if this is Pep's last season, Ange's bold defense-free strategy and whose got a higher season between Chelsea vs West Ham

ROUND THE WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It Minute and Olympics soccer updates for USMNT and USWNT

STOPPAGE TIME: GOAWs

Ep 2.270: Conmebol's Copa Calamity, USMNT's Next Coach & Euros Wrap Jul 15, 2024

COPA AMERICA: Who to blame for catastrophic crowd control at Copa final and what the fallout is likely to be, credit to Argentina for doing what they do

USMNT: Gregg Berhalter's legacy and who should replace him as manager for all-important World Cup 2026

EUROS: Extra big ups to Spain for defeating the terrorist(ballers) and being worthy champs, plus breakout stars and what to make of guys like Xherdan Shaqiri who always bring it for NTs but not for club

STOPPAGE TIME: GOAWs

Ep 2.269: USMNT vs Uruguay & Copa America (#NOTMAD) Post-Mortem Jul 02, 2024

The lads are down bad after USMNT succumbed lifelessly to Uruguay (0-1) to crash out of Copa America 2024, but we did our best to offer honest opinions about the state of the team, the USMNT program and Gregg Berhalter's future.

Ep 2.268: USMNT (1-2) Panama Instant Reaction + Uruguay Preview Jun 28, 2024

Immediate reaction to our 10-man loss to Panama, featuring thots on Tim Weah's red card, Gregg Berhalter mentality and subs, Ivan Barton's reffing and predictions for Monday's must-win game against Uruguay.

Ep 2.267: Italy/Croatia, Spain Frauds(?) + USMNT vs Bolivia [Recap] & Panama [Preview] Jun 24, 2024

HOUSEKEEPING: we are launching an officially search for the first-ever Sam's Army intern

EURO 2024: Instant reaction to Italy's last gasp equalizer (and Croatian heartbreak), we debate whether Spain are frauds, Tommy makes an impassioned defense of Romelu Lukaku and an unexpected [and controversial] Ivan Toney's Best Bet

COPA AMERICA: thots on USMNT's 2-0 win over Bolivia, what (if any) changes are needed in the midfield and up top for Thursday's game vs Panama, and who else has impressed at the tournament

STOPPAGE TIME: GOAWs

Ep 2.266: Euro 2024, Copa America & USMNT vs Bolivia Preview Jun 19, 2024

EURO 2024: best game so far, top 3 (tentative) power rankings, Roberto Martinez vs Gareth Southgate, updates predictions plus most interesting game from Round 2 of the group stage

COPA AMERICA: predicted winners of all four groups, thoughts on Jamaica's dark horse potential and preview of Sunday's USMNT vs Bolivia game

STOPPAGE TIME: GOAWs

Ep 2.265: Sam's Army 3.0, USMNT vs Brazil & Euro 2024 Preview Jun 13, 2024

HOUSEKEEPING: explanation for recent pause and plans for bigger, better, faster, stronger Sam's Army

USMNT: postmortem of Colombia (1-5) loss and Brazil (1-1) "win" plus a look ahead at what our expectations should be for Copa America

EURO 2024: preview of the six groups and predictions for teams we see as champion, darkhorse and flaming out

Ep 2.264: City's (Destructive?) Dominance, Ange vs Spurs Fans & USMNT Roster Drop w/ DC United's Alex Bono May 21, 2024

HEADLINES: Wolves submit proposal for Premier League to scrap VAR; FIFA forms working committee to explore playing domestic games abroad and Barcelona doing Barcelona things

PREMIER LEAGUE: whether City's dominance is bad for the league; what trolls and dumdums don't grasp about the "Ange vs Spurs fans" narrative; is Jurgen Klopp a Premier League "legend" and shoutouts for FPL winners

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS top 3 power rankings; what is different about DC United this season and how the team game-planned for Messi; and an outsider's perspective on Toronto FC vs NYCFC fisticuffs

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.263: Marsch to Canada, Toronto/NYCFC Fisticuffs & Spurs vs City Permutations May 14, 2024

HEADLINES: players rebel against FIFA's Club World Cup; Bayern's managerial search starting to get downright silly and Canada hires Jesse Marsch as new NT coach

WHAT IF: you could pick two teams from any time in history to play one another... who you picking -- and who wins?

PREMIER LEAGUE: games went mostly as expected last weekend so all eyes turn to Tottenham vs City on Tuesday, where Spurs have the chance to do the funniest thing in the history of Spursiness... so, depending on how things go down, we walk through the various permutations of what happens next

ROUND THE WORLD: the punch heard (but not seen) around MLS and Championship playoff updates

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets, Maupay's Standout Shithouser and GOAWs

Ep 2.262: Everton Ownership Woes, Liverpool Stomp Spurs & UCL Previews May 07, 2024

HEADLINES: 777 Partners' bid for Everton may fall apart before it even becomes official; playing Premier League matches in the US; PGMOL follows MLS's lead on VAR communication and Sweden tells VAR to take a hike

WHAT IF: you could win promotion from the Championship either by winning the league or going through the playoff and winning the richest game in world soccer... which you choosing?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Spurs run out of gas, United's wild gambit to stop stinking, Chelsea getting things together and who is more on upset alert this weekend between City (at Fulham) or Arsenal (at United)

ROUND THE WORLD: preview of the Champions League semifinals 2nd leg and Championship playoff

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets, Neal Maupay's Shithouse of the Week and GOAWs

Ep 2.261: EPL Spending Cap, Klopp vs Salah & Spurs No-Win Run-In + Chicago Fire/USMNT's Kellyn Acosta chat Apr 30, 2024

HEADLINES: risks and benefits of the spending cap that the Premier League will vote on this summer; FIFA on verge of a 2025 Club World Cup broadcast deal with Apple TV; MLS may put down roots in Indy Eleven's backyard and La Liga's USA plans

WHAT IF: Salah vs Klopp cage match... who ya got?

PREMIER LEAGUE: North London Daerby talking points and what Spurs fans will be rooting for in all-important game against City; Liverpool's no good very bad week plus reaction to Arne Slot news; and weekend preview f/t two massive relegation-related games

ROUND THE WORLD: Champions League semifinals leg 1 preview plus Columbus Crew's big week in Concacaf Champions Cup

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.260: FA Cup Replays/Madness, Deduction Dærby Drama + North London Dærby Preview Apr 23, 2024

HEADLINES: FA and Premier League agree to scrap FA Cup replays -- much to the chagrin of the EFL which was not even consulted; England looks unlikely to get extra (automatic) Champions League spot after no good very bad week in continental cups and Vitesse's "blast from the past" naughtiness

WHAT IF: the Big 7 decided to leave the Premier League to join a Super Duper League... would a new "Big 4/5/6/7" emerge (if so, who) or would it usher in a period of parity?

PREMIER LEAGUE: postmortems of FA Cup semis f/t Chelsea's missed opportunity vs City and the United vs Coventry City craziness; we break down the controversies from the Deduction Dærby (Everton vs Nottingham Forest) and preview this weekend's North London Dærby

ROUND THE WORLD: Champions League recap and some flowers for Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Bologna

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.259: Bayer's Unreal Season (Best Ever?), Arsenal/Liverpool Recriminations & UCL Preview Apr 16, 2024

HEADLINES: MLS unveils yet another ultra-conservative update to roster rules and EFL has a "heartwarming" welcome home gift waiting for Sheffield Utd

WHAT IF: you had to vote for the Premier League's POY right now... who's getting your vote?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Mitch and Tyler struggle vociferously to accept the new (but not entirely unexpected) reality after Arsenal and Liverpool both stumble at home putting Pep's Petrostars in the driver's seat; plus Nuno grows a brain and plays Gio Reyna and do we have a (Cole Palmer-driven) FA Cupset brewing?

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute; we wax semi-poetic about one of the best week's of Champions League knockouts in recent memory and look ahead to this week's return legs

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.258: EPL Luxury Tax, MLS vs USL, United/Liverpool & UCL Previews Apr 09, 2024

HEADLINES: why a Premier League (fresh off deducting two more points from not-Man City) "Luxury Tax" is problematic, more incredible Turkish Super Lig drama and Luis Rubiales is back in the news for more (alleged) bad deeds committed as president of Spain's soccer federation

WHAT IF: you were named all-powerful USL commissioners tomorrow... what changes would you implement to better compete with MLS?

PREMIER LEAGUE: big talking points from United holding Liverpool to a 2-2 draw, coming around on Luton Town and the Tweedles' anxiety levels of about Arsenal facing Villa on Sunday

ROUND THE WORLD: Tommy's take on the Korbin Albert situation and positives from USWNT beating Japan plus preview of this week's Champions League quarterfinals (1st legs)

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.257: Fenerbahce, Korbin Albert, City/Arsenal Recriminations & Ode to Klopp Apr 02, 2024

HEADLINES: Fenerbahce voting this week on whether to withdraw from Turkish Super Lig in response to postgame attack by Trabzonspor fans plus Korbin Albert finds herself at the center of USWNT drama after some ill-advised social media-ing

POP QUIZ: MLS undefeateds

PREMIER LEAGUE: blame is assigned for the City vs Arsenal shmershmortion and start missing Klopp before he is even gone; plus wildly different vibes after close saves by Tottenham and United; Power Rankings plus weekend preview f/t Liverpool visiting Old Trafford

ROUND THE WORLD: brief observations from MLS, US Open Cup and NWSL plus who is to blame for Bayern Munich's looming capitulation for Bayer Leverkusen

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.256: Wenger's Offside Rule, City/Arsenal Preview + USMNT 2-0 Mexico Breakdown Mar 26, 2024

HEADLINES: IFAB approves further testing of major change to offside rule championed by Arsene Wenger; FIFA quietly loosens restrictions on multi-club ownership groups participating in European competitions and Biden administration backs Relevant Sports' in bid to host official La Liga matches in the US

WHAT IF: an MLS Best XI competed in the Premier League... where would they finish?

ROUND THE WORLD: reaction to USMNT's rollercoaster week featuring dogcrap "win" over Jamaica's B-team followed by domination of LLL Triste's A-team (for what that's worth at the moment); MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute

PREMIER LEAGUE: preview of Sunday's big huge massive City vs Arsenal game

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.255: Pep's Legacy, United/Liverpool Postmortem + USMNT vs Jamaica Preview Mar 19, 2024

HEADLINES: Nottingham Forest handed 4-point deduction; what to expect from MLS's midseason roster changes and NWSL valuations are skyrocketing

WHAT IF: Man City is found guilty of all/many of the more serious rule violations... how would it affect Pep's legacy (if at all)?

PREMIER LEAGUE: incredible weekend of FA Cup games featuring United's epic comeback against Liverpool (causing Tyler to say some things I did not see coming) and Coventry City stunning Wolves; plus the real reason that Fulham drank Tottenham's milkshake

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute; LigaMX makes a statement in Concacaf Champions Cup and USMNT vs Jamaica preview including thoughts on Gregg's roster and a debate on our starting striker is

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.254: Liverpool vs City Controversies; USWNT Takeaways & FA Cup Preview Mar 12, 2024

HEADLINES: Cameroonian age fraud and Lester's painful reward if/when they return to the Premier League

POP QUIZ: League Cup winners

PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool vs City postmortem, Gio Reyna panic button, Power Rankings and preview of some quality FA Cup quarterfinals

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute, takeaways from USWNT's successful Gold Cup campaign; USMNT weekend stars and preview of this week's Champions League games

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.253: Prison FC's Dumbest Acquisition, Ref Robs Real Madrid + Liverpool/City Preview Mar 05, 2024

HEADLINES: USSF announced that eight (of 29) MLS clubs will participate in US Open Cup; FIFA pulls U-turn on blue cards; Paul Pogba's legacy in light of 4-year PED suspension and Quincy Promes makes history as Prison FC's dumbest ever acquisition

WHAT IF: Premier League clubs settled things in the streets and back alleys as hooligans rather than on the field... who are the title favorites?

PREMIER LEAGUE: rare three-team title race taking shape as City and Liverpool finagle wins while Arsenal puts a hurting on Sheffield Utd; how badly did Nottingham Forest get jobbed and weekend preview featuring the big one on Sunday as City visit Anfield

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute; fallout from referee decision to blow final whistle just as Real Madrid was scoring a game-winner versus Valencia; Champions League preview plus thots on where the USWNT stands after shock loss to Mexico followed by solid win over Colombia

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.252: Bundesliga Protests, MLS Hot Takes, Gio Reyna & Manchester Dærby Preview Feb 27, 2024

HEADLINES: German fans force Bundesliga owners to backtrack on plans for private equity deal; Everton's unprecedented 5-point weekend and Neymar gets roped into the sad Dani Alves situation

WHAT IF: in honor of Patrick Kane returning to Chicago and beating the Blackhawks with the Detroit Red Wings, what current player on your favorite team would it hurt the most to see play for your archenemy (a la Sol Campbell moving from Tottenham to Arsenal)?

PREMIER LEAGUE: takeaways from (and butthurtedness about) Carabao Cup final; Sam's unfortunate Arsenal epiphany; whether it is too soon to call Gio Reyna's move to Forest a bust and preview of Sunday's Manchester Dærby

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS Hit-It-N-Quit-It Minute is BACK plus some 2024 season predictions and hot takes

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.251: MLS Killing US Open Cup; Terrorist Tuchel's Troubles & Carabao Cup Final Preview Feb 20, 2024

HEADLINES: making sense of MLS and US Soccer's high-profile pissing match over US Open Cup plus the best and worst of MLS's 2024 jerseys

WHAT IF: Matt Turner picks up a blue card in the 80th minute up 2-1 against Brazil in the WC26 final at MetLife... which USMNT field player are you putting in net?

PREMIER LEAGUE: thots on Chelsea holding City; what happens when you play AngeBall without AngeBall players; confusion about United continues and Carabao Cup final preview

ROUND THE WORLD: USMNT striker depth chart; singing Pulisic's praises and LOLing at the downfall of Pulisic hater-in-chief Terrorist Tommy Tuchel

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.250: Blue Cards, Duncan McGuire, Anfield vs Emirates & PL Power Rankings Feb 13, 2024

HEADLINES: pros/cons of FIFA's plan to test blue cards giving players a 10-minute timeout; Duncan McGuire's star-crossed move from Orlando City to Blackburn; China stays butthurt over Messi and US Soccer's decision to grant USL (Women's) Super League D1 status

WHAT IF: USMNT played in AFCON or Asian Cup... Which would we do better in? What would be the bar for success?

PREMIER LEAGUE: West Ham gets COOKED and other weekend observations; definitive midseason Power Rankings and games to watch this weekend f/t City hosting Chelsea

ROUND THE WORLD: Ivory Coast and Qatar earn their flowers and preview of this week's Champions League first leg R16 knockouts

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.249: WC26 Details, Miami's World Tour, Gio Reyna & Arsenal-Liverpool Takeaways Feb 06, 2024

HEADLINES: FIFA unveils the where's and when's of World Cup 2026; Inter Miami's preseason tour is off to a hot start (not) and Bay FC making some early splashes ahead of first NWSL season

POP QUIZ: Euro 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE: thoughts on Arsenal's convincing win over Liverpool and a rebuke of Jamie Carragher and his fun police; flowers for Wolves and Luton Town; will Chelsea stick with Pochettino and coming around on Gio Reyna to Nottingham Forest

ROUND THE WORLD: AFCON and Asian Cup updates

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.248: Klopp & Xavi Long Goodbyes, FA Cup Craziness + Arsenal/Liverpool Preview Jan 30, 2024

HEADLINES: the good, bad and ugly of Jurgen Klopp's extended farewell; why Xavi's decision to leave is a harbinger of more problems for Barcelona; Belgium sets a horrible precedent for (mis)use of VAR; and where oh where will Victor Osimhen be playing next season?

WHAT IF: you were in charge of making the next Bond movie... which Premier League manager would you pick as the Bond Villain? (Bonus : who would be the worst Bond villain?)

PREMIER LEAGUE: an unusual amount of craziness on and off the field in last week's FA Cup (where Cinderella lives on!) plus a look ahead to the not one but TWO full slates of league action coming up over the next week, culminating with Arsenal hosting Liverpool on Sunday

ROUND THE WORLD: some of the wildest narratives and storylines emerging from AFCON and Asian Cup

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.247: United CEO, Serie A Racism, Liverpool or Arsenal & USMNT Winners/Losers Jan 23, 2024

HEADLINES: Sir Radcliffe makes an interesting (perhaps even shrewd) first move with United; Saudi imports having second thoughts; combatting racism in Serie A (and elsewhere); even more bad news for Everton plus why Mitch might go back to ref school

WHAT IF: quick housekeeping announcement

PREMIER LEAGUE: waxing poetic about Sheffield Utd vs West Ham; is Arsenal or Liverpool better placed to disrupt City's dominance and a look at this week's FA Cup matchups

ROUND THE WORLD: winners and losers from USMNT's January Camp (and highly forgettable Slovenia game)

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.246: Financial Fair Malarkey, Gio Reyna's Next Stop & #OverTrain COOKING Jan 17, 2024

HEADLINES: Premier League is back knocking on Everton (and Nottingham Forest's) door about alleged Financial Fair Play allegations while simultaneously refusing to disclose a timeline for a decision on Man City's 115 charges; Newcastle owner gets hit with some HEAVY accusations; Messi beats out Haaland (and Mbappe) for FIFA POY; trash bag behavior by Reading's owner and level-headed discussion about Miles Robinson's decision to sign with FC Cincinnati over PSV

WHAT IF: the rumors are true and Gio Reyna leaves Dortmund this month... what is his ideal landing spot?

PREMIER LEAGUE: abbreviated weekly review focusing on United/Tottenham draw and City squeaks past a surprisingly game Newcastle plus an even more abbreviated weekend preview

ROUND THE WORLD: Saudi-Spanish Super Cup beatdown highlights the directions that Real Madrid and Barcelona seem to be headed plus earlier thots on AFCON and Asian Cup

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.245: USMNT Transfer Talk, Ange The Werner Whisperer & Arsenal's Panic Level Jan 09, 2024

HEADLINES: thots on January transfer moves including a glut of USMNT-related moves and Timo to Tottenham, along with an under-the-radar but potentially serious concern for Serie A fans

WHAT IF: you had the opportunity to produce a Netflix documentary like the one in the works on Dear Leader Jozay... what player or coach you picking?

PREMIER LEAGUE: what to make of Arsenal's inability to score plus a preview of a weekend slate that is low on quantity but high on quality

ROUND THE WORLD: what clubs will be affected most by Afcon/Asia Cup and reaction to USMNT roster for January camp

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.244: Super League 2.0, Turkish Super Cup Drama & Premier League's Hot vs Not Jan 02, 2024

HEADLINES: Fuck Soccer Get Money European Super League is back but is anyone actually buying it; is it fair for United fans to get a little excited now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has finally bought in; pluses and minuses of MLS following Japan's J-League by realigning the schedule with Europe

WHAT IF: Pulisic leads the USMNT to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2026 and 2030 cementing his name in soccer lore... should the USSF retire his #10 jersey?

PREMIER LEAGUE: making sense of a busy holiday period including what to makes of the recent risers (eg West Ham and Wolves) and fallers (eg, Arsenal and Newcastle), plus some FA Cup games to watch this weekend

ROUND THE WORLD: fallout from the last minute cancellation of Turkish Super Cup due to 11th hour demands by Saudi hosts plus some transfer chatter involving Johnny Cardoso to Betis, Hugo Lloris to LAFC (!?) and Antonee Robinson to Liverpool

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets where the Over Train is cooking with thermonuclear gas again and GOAWs

Ep 2.243: MLS Own Goals, FIFA Club World Cup & Liverpool/Arsenal Preview Dec 19, 2023

HEADLINES: MLS (disappointing) roster rule changes and (frustrating) decision to drop US Open Cup; USMNT/WNT players of the year; debating how big FIFA's Club World Cup could become; Boehly leaves his mark on Premier League and do we care about this winter's Messi vs Ronny matchup?

WHAT IF: college football implements some form of promotion and relegation... would that sneakily be the best/surest way for it to happen for soccer in the US?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Tyler is #notmad about United holding Liverpool to 0-0; Everton deserve some flowers; Mikey wakes up with a new most-hated team (apart from Spurs) and we get some shocking predictions for this weekend's massive Arsenal vs Liverpool game

ROUND THE WORLD: Champions League R16 matchups; Girona: La Liga contender or pretender and America's latest strategy for keeping up with the European (women's soccer) Joneses

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.242: Bundesliga Selling Out, Aston Villa's Title Hopes & The War on Refs Dec 12, 2023

HEADLINES: US and Mexico confirm joint bid for 2027 Women's World Cup and Bundesliga votes in favor of exploring sale of future broadcast revenues to private equity to better compete with Premier League

WHAT IF: Ted Lasso was flipped on it's head and you had to pick a Premier League coach to come to the US and coach an American sport (eg NFL, NBA or MLB)?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Aston Villa burnishes title contender qualifications by beating City and Arsenal in a matter of days; should Pochettino and/or Ten Hag be on the hot seat; if Newcastle should be hitting the panic button and wtf has gotten into Everton?

ROUND THE WORLD: giving Columbus Crew their deserved flowers and how much (if any) grief does MLS deserve for punishing LAFC supporter's group shenanigans and what to watch in Champions League this week

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.241: Women's UCL, Copa America Draw, City/Spurs Postmortem & MLS Cup Preview Dec 05, 2023

HEADLINES: UEFA announces changes to women's Champions League, best- and worst-case groups for USMNT from Copa America 2024 draw (on December 7) and high/lowlights from this week's UEFA 2024 group draw

WHAT IF: you could change one rule/thing about soccer?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Spurs walked away winners from 3-3 draw at City, Tyler waxes poetic about Liverpool after beating... Fullham, abbreviated Power Rankings and what to watch from full slates this midweek and weekend (f/t Chelsea vs United and big week for Aston Villa)

ROUND THE WORLD: Preview of Columbus vs LAFC in MLS Cup, what to watch in this week's final Champions League group stage games and shoutouts for Brazil's Serie A title race finale and MASL is back

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.240: Expanding VAR, City vs Liverpool + MLS Playoffs f/t STL City's Tim Parker Nov 28, 2023

HEADLINES: FIFA discusses expanding use of VAR, Premier League votes *against* temporary ban on loan deals between "affiliated" clubs and MLS looks to add 4th DP slot

WHAT IF: the Premier League did away with designated home and away sections... net plus or minus?

PREMIER LEAGUE: takeaways from City/Liverpool draw and Spurs "encouraging" loss to Villa, plus Power Rankings and previewing United's chance to shush the haters at Newcastle

ROUND THE WORLD: Tim's opinion on MLS's playoff format plus reactions to VAR-heavy controversies in Cincinnati/Philly and Houston/SKC games, plus a quick look at this week's marquee Champions League matchups

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets (OverTrain cooking with thermonuclear gas again!) and GOAWs

Ep 2.239: USMNT vs T&T, Dest's Dismissal + EPL Preview f/t City vs Liverpool Nov 21, 2023

USMNT: we get balls deep in the "successful" home-and-home with T&T, put the results in context and try to make sense of Sergiño Dest's meltdown (including what an appropriate punishment looks like)

HEADLINES: Everton's 10-point deduction and what it means for City and Chelsea; IFAB contemplates instituting rugby-like rules, insurance company (of all people) issue report that may actually make an impact on schedule congestion and CONMEBOL reveals two Copa America 2024 host cities

WHAT IF: Torsten Frings did not criminally use his hands to block Greggory Berhalter's potential game-winning volley in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal... would his USMNT coaching experience be any different?

PREMIER LEAGUE: time to hit the ground running with preview of City vs Liverpool and Newcastle vs City plus a painfully honest prediction about Tottenham vs Aston Villa

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS playoffs in full swing (feel the momentum!) and U17 World Cup update

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.238: NWSL/USL Media Deals, Cole Palmer's Glow-Up + USMNT vs T&T Preview Nov 14, 2023

HEADLINES: NWSL and USL sign splashy 4-year media deals, Premier League overdue yet reactionary ban on loan deals between "associated" clubs and Luiz Diaz's dad

WHAT IF: How bad and for how long would Man City need to be to get Pep fired?

PREMIER LEAGUE: what we learned about Chelsea from the thrilling 4-4 draw with City (aka the Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling revenge game), the wheels start falling off Tottenham and perhaps Newcastle, and perhaps United's woes have been slightly exaggerated

ROUND THE WORLD: thoughts (not very nice ones) on MLS's new playoff format, NWSL and USL silverware, USYNT updates and preview of this week's USMNT home and home versus T&T

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets (where the Over Train is cooking with thermonuclear gas) and GOAWs

Ep 2.237: WC34 "Shocker" + VAR vs Soccer's Soul (Spurs/Chelsea & Arsenal/Newcastle) Nov 07, 2023

HEADLINES: Gianni Infantino reveals poorly kept secret that Saudi Arabia will host World Cup 2034, does Luis Suarez make Inter Miami better / favorites for MLS Cup 2024 and reaction to Timbers hiring Phil Neville

WHAT IF: MLS players called a strike -- is now the perfect time to finally get one over on owners?

PREMIER LEAGUE: instant reaction to Chelsea beating 9-man Spurs and Arsenal falling to Newcastle, including a serious discussion about whether VAR is ruining the sport we love; also some love for Luiz Diaz (and Darwin - sorta) and weekend preview featuring Chelsea at home vs City

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS playoffs (oh no STL!) and Champions League preview

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.236: 2024 Ballon d'Or, Current vs Past USMNTs + MLS Playoffs Deep Dive Oct 31, 2023

Tyler and I are joined by Keegan Rosenberry of Colorado Rapids and DC United's Alex Bono to discuss...

HEADLINES: Messi wins Ballon d'Or but who is the favorite to win in 2024; Sandro Tonali's suspension and chatter inside MLS locker rooms about gambling; sad situation involving Luis Diaz's parents plus Timothy Weah injury news

WHAT IF: you had to pick one USMNT squad from anytime in history to face the Monstars in a soccer version of Space Jam... who you picking? (Also: we debate -- aka Sam is harassed about -- the cultural resonance of Space Jam)

PREMIER LEAGUE: takeaways from City spanking United; some love for Wolves and Everton; we critique Bono's Power Rankings and Sam makes shocking admission about this weekend's Tottenham vs Chelsea game

ROUND THE WORLD: Keegan and Bono offered their two cents on the new MLS playoff format plus thoughts on some of the most intriguing matchups, plus a brief reaction to USWNT's games versus Colombia

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.235: San Diego FC, World Crap Cup, MLS Playoffs Primer + Manchester Daerby Preview Oct 24, 2023

HEADLINES: San Diego FC's uninspired unveiling, troubling Tyler Adams news, re-remembering Michael Bradley and Caleb Williams-inspired discussion about players taking ownership stakes in their club (prediction: it is coming)

WHAT IF: FIFA held a World Crap Cup for the 32 lowest ranked nations in the world - would you watch?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea's optimism-tinged collapse, LiVARpool's revenge may be Everton's breaking point, Tottenham's good vibrations tour continues, least acrimonious Power Rankings ever plus weekend preview featuring Manchester Daerby and Ten Hag's ass-(potentially)-in-the-jackpot week

ROUND THE WORLD: preliminary MLS Playoff (featuring unexpected guest on YouTube version) and Champions League primers

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets (can the Five-A-Side Overs Train stay cooking with gas???) and GOAWs

Ep 2.234: Italian Betting Scandal, USMNT/Germany Postmortem + Premier League Preview Oct 17, 2023

HEADLINES: Betting scandal rocks Italian soccer, Qatari Sheikh Jassim pulls bid for Manchester United, Inter Miami going worldwide and tragedy in Brussels

WHAT IF: Gregg Berhalter and Julain Nagelsmann traded places... what would the final score of USMNT vs Germany have been?

USMNT [16:20]: Seattle Sounders, MNT and Sneaky Fox FC legend Brad Evans joins to discuss takeaways from 1-3 loss to Germany, what Gregg got right and wrong, who needs to step their game up and what we would like to see in Tuesday's game vs Ghana

PREMIER LEAGUE [1:06:40]: Power Rankings plus weekend preview featuring City/Brighton, Arsenal/Chelsea and Merseyside Daerby (ripip)

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's (and maybe Sandro Tonali's) Best Bets -- Overs Train is COOKING -- and GOAWs

Ep 2.233: World Cup 2030, Fixing MLS Playoffs & Arsenal Open Up PL Title Race Oct 10, 2023

HEADLINES: FIFA pulls a FIFA with news dump on World Cup 2030 and 2034 hosts, strange MLS managerial moves, MLS players start an important conversation and things may soon get even stranger in Saudi Arabia

WHAT IF: MLS adopted the Next Pro playoff format where higher seeds choose their opponent -- love it or hate it?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal shut down big bad City, how many teams are in the title race; honorary American Jack Harrison doing things, Liverpool fans walk away from Brighton draw feeling ____________ and West Ham earn some flowers

ROUND THE WORLD: USMNT best XI for friendly vs Germany on Saturday and what is the bar for success?

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.232: Spurs/Liverpool Vent Sesh + UCL & City/Arsenal Previews Oct 03, 2023

HEADLINES: bad boys Barça are so back, United plan to "reintegrate" Antony despite outstanding assault allegations, Inter Miami double season ticket prices and Scunthorpe Utd in danger of being Bury 2.0

WHAT IF: your precocious 13yo son/daughter was good enough to earn a pro contract... would you want them out there playing against grown-ass men/women??

PREMIER LEAGUE: Tyler and Sam butt heads on Tottenham/Liverpool controversies, we try to make sense of Villa stomping Brighton and City losing for their first league game in forever to... Wolves(?!), plus we look ahead to the weekend featuring Arsenal hosting City and Liverpool visiting Brighton

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS Hit-It-N-Quit-It Minute and Champions League preview + picks

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets (Overs Train stays COOKING) and GOAWs

Ep 2.231: North London Postmortem, Spurs/Liverpool Preview + Orlando City's Spite-Fueled Success Sep 26, 2023

HEADLINES: Gregg and Gio bury the hatchet, is Julian Nagelsmann's Germany among the favorites for Euro24 and a battle of soccer's good guys as Stan Kroenke and Gianni Infantino square up

WHAT IF: if Norway had qualified for WC23, how far would they have needed to go in the tournament and how many goals would Haaland have needed to score in order to win the Balon d'Or over Messi?

PREMIER LEAGUE: what we learned about Spurs and Arsenal in the latest North London Daerby; where Chelsea fit among the pantheon of clubs that neutrals love to see struggle; is Newcastle's decimation of Sheffield Utd a symptom of a larger trend and a look at games coming up this weekend featuring a unanimous(!) prediction about Liverpool at Spurs on Saturday

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS Hit-It-N-Quit-It Minute is so back including an unexpectedly detailed discussion of what is driving Orlando City's silent-but-deadly late season push, a massssssive hot take about Houston vs Miami in this week's US Open Cup final and observations from Champions League's matchday 1

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.230: Ten Hag, Richarlison, NLD & UCL Previews + Orange Cty's Milan Iloski on move to Denmark Sep 19, 2023

HEADLINES: the Richie Williams era lasts about 5 minutes as Revolution players call shenanigans on Bruce Arena's long-time assistant whose complaints forced the legendary coach out; US Soccer heading to Atlanta; anonymous English manager admits to gambling more than $1M but avoids suspension and finally some good news for Everton

WHAT IF: Man City versus Argentina NT - who ya got?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Sam pops a chub over Spurs; how much of United's woes can be blamed on Erik Ten Hag; Power Rankings and weekend preview featuring North London Daerby (time to find out of Tottenham are really all about) and United/Chelsea trainwrecks

ROUND THE WORLD: time to get your mind right for the Champions League group stage

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

******

INTERVIEW: Orange County striker Milan Iloski talks about winning last year's USL-Championship golden boot; comes clean on the best prank ex-roommate Tommy McGunner ever pulled on him and discusses his pending transfer to Denmark's Nordsjaelland

Ep 2.229: Balon d'Or, Bruce Arena, USMNT & Premier League Primer Sep 12, 2023

HEADLINES: breakdown of Balon d'Or "short" list, response to response to every word that comes out of Gregg Berhalter's mouth, Spanish federation clownshow reaches inevitable conclusion, extremely strange Bruce Arena situation and Hansi Flick breaks an incredible streak

WHAT IF: you were Liverpool's sporting director and a Saudi club offered you $215 MILLION for 31yo Mo Salah... you selling or nah?

USMNT: recap of lackluster Uzbekistan win and thoughts on Tuesday's game vs Oman

PREMIER LEAGUE: weekend preview featuring Manchester United (out of the frying pan into the fire), Chelsea's must-win, chances Tottenham remembers they are Tottenham this week and an upset alert so ridiculous it just might happen

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.228: Gregg & Gio, Anthony Taylor, Spurs Top 4 (??) + USMNT Preview Sep 05, 2023

HEADLINES: tryong to make sense of Gregg Berhalter not yet contacting Gio Reyna and breaking news on Antony being dropped by Brazil

WHAT IF: the LAFC fan had actually domed Messi with that drink... how would that have played out?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal/United postmortem, Chelsea stays crumbling, Spurs are sexy but are they good(?) and Power Rankings

ROUND THE WORLD: USMNT roster thots plus preview of Uzbekistan and Oman games, reaction to Carlos Vela's comments on Messi and Alex Bono's MLS power rankings

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.227: Spanish Scumbag, USMNT updates + Spurs & Liverpool Loving Life Aug 28, 2023

HEADLINES: Luis Rubiales making a strong push for soccer's scumbag of the year with his handling of Spain's WC celebrations and aftermath and an ode to San Diego Loyal

WHAT IF: Messi tried to recruit you to make a one-time switch to represent Argentina -- would you?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool and Tottenham are high on life right now, Arsenal's title hopes in tatters, Brighton bad vs West Ham good and Everton... oh poor sweet Everton.

ROUND THE WORLD: historically rapid USMNT update session

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.226: Paquetá's Punishment, Adams to Bournemouth + Are Spurs Good or United Bad? Aug 22, 2023

HEADLINES: Lucas Paquetá's recent rollercoaster seeing links to a BIG money move with Man City go silent when he is implicated in an(other) illegal gambling scheme; United's handling of the Mason Greenwood situation; and thoughts on recent overtures between North and South America involving a mooted Inter-Americana Cup and Inter Miami's invite to Copa Libertadores

WHAT IF: in light of KDB's injury (and Kane's departure), who is the player a Premier League club could least afford to do without at the moment?

PREMIER LEAGUE: thots on West Ham/Chelsea, Spurs/United and City/Newcastle (et al) plus reaction to Tyler Adams heading to Bournemouth and what games we are most intrigued by heading into this weekend

ROUND THE WORLD: Leagues Cup may actually have been scripted; Open Cup preview and Women's World Cup recap

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.225: MLS DP Action, Neymar's Legacy & Chelsea Yoinking Liverpool's Things Aug 15, 2023

HEADLINES: would whispered changes to MLS's salary cap and roster rules go far enough and what Neymar's massive money move to Saudi Arabia means for his legacy

WWI: pop quiz on 2023-24 UCL odds

PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea and Liverpool battling on and off the field, reaction to Kane's official departure to Bayern Munich, Mikey pulls a 180 on a club after 90 minutes of soccer and the inaugural Power Rankings

ROUND THE WORLD: are complaints about Leagues Cup valid and what changes would be useful and Women's World Cup update

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.224: Premier League Preview/Predictions, USWNT Bounced + FC Tulsa's Phillip Goodrum Aug 08, 2023

HEADLINES: Messi exceeding lofty expectations so far; PSG may be crumbling at the seems; USL's pro/rel dreams may be dying on the vine and weird Bruce Arena situation

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: lack of goals end of USWNT's quest to be b2b2bwcw so we play the blame game and discuss if this flame out is a harbinger of future disappointments

WHAT IF: Jill Ellis had been the coach of USWNT, would things have turned out any differently?

PREMIER LEAGUE: way way way too premature season preview f/t best and worst summer transfer windows plus predictions for champs, top 4, bottom 3, who is poised to over/underperform and first manager sacked

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

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INTERVIEW [1:21:15]: Phillip Goodrum discusses one of the strangest draft stories in history, his breakout season with Memphis 901 last year, falling out with the FO after they rejected offers from MLS and Europe in the offseason, getting traded to FC Tulsa (and teaming up with Tommy McGunner), what he would be doing if not getting paid to kick a ball and his respect for Memphis fans for booing him mercilessly on his first game back as an opponent

Ep 2.223: Spurs' Naughty Owner, Saudi Tipping Point & USWNT permutations + Inter Miami GK Drake Callender Aug 01, 2023

HEADLINES: Tottenham owner Joe Lewis is charged with insider trading and the Saudi league has gone too far (for someone) by buying Lucas Zelarayan from Columbus

WHAT IF: MBS announces the Saudi league will host an all-star game in your hometown -- you buying a ticket?

WORLD CUP: USWNT eeks out a 1-1 draw vs Netherlands without getting out of second gear setting up a lot of permutations depending on what happens against Portugal (very) early on Tuesday morning; plus which others teams have impressed thus far

ROUND THE WORLD: plenty of praise and one notable criticism about Leagues Cup

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

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INTERVIEW [52:00]: Drake Callender discusses focusing on establishing himself as Inter Miami's GK1 (and hoping for additional USMNT call-ups) while simultaneously dealing with Messi Mania... plus what life has been like the last few weeks, connecting with Sergio Busquets over basketball and what the team's ambitions are this season under Tata Martino

Ep 2.222: USWNT, Mbappe, Messi (f/t Katie Stengel & Jeff Attinella) + *MLS All-Star* Tim Parker Jul 25, 2023

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: what USWNT got right/wrong vs Vietnam, is Alex Morgan in the team's best XI and predictions for the Netherlands game; plus what other countries have and have not impressed thus far

WEEKLY WHAT IF: you had the power to change/pick the format of the MLS All-Star Game, what would you choose?

HEADLINES: Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal makes a $1-billion offer so outlandish that PSG and Kylian Mbappe may not be able to refuse

ROUND THE WORLD: Leagues Cup observations, Messi or Zlatan better debut goal and the DC United/Taxi Fountas situation

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

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INTERVIEW [1:22:00]: St Louis City's Tim Parker discusses what went on behind the scenes of MLS All-Star Game week, including how he learned he made the team, what Wayne Rooney's practices were like, whether Joe Biden sniffed his hair during his White House visit, which Arsenal players impressed him the most, and what the chatter in the locker room was like after Kai Havertz's truly remarkable skills challenge performance.

Ep 2.221: Gold Cup, USL Pro/Rel, Women's World Cup Preview + USMNT/Whitecaps' Julian Gressel Jul 18, 2023

USMNT: we say goodbye and good riddance to the Gold Cup, give flowers to several players who boosted their stock in the tournament (and note several who did not) and assign BJ Callaghan a letter grade for his HC tenure

WWI: what if, hypothetically, the USL voted to implement a three-tier system of promotion and relegation... what impact would that have on USL, MLS and soccer in the US?

HEADLINES: Conmebol inviting Concacaf clubs into Copa Libertadores, Messi's messy unveiling and the lose-lose situation involving Benjamin Mendy

ROUND THE WORLD: Women's World Cup preview + preliminary predictions

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

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INTERVIEW [1:00:20]: Julian discusses the rollercoaster of being there for the birth of his second daughter then immediately leaving to join up with USMNT; his sense of Berhalter's "involvement" in the Gold Cup camp; who among the players emerged as the leaders of the group; chatter inside camp about the extreme toxicity that is pervasive throughout US soccer twitter and what Alex Zendejas was like behind the scenes; BJ Callaghan's farewell remarks to the team and whether Harry Kane is going to Bayern Munich

Ep 2.220: USMNT Beats Canada, Semi vs Panama Preview & Pulisic to Milan Jul 11, 2023

USMNT: reaction to eeking out shootout win over Canada, featuring whose stock is up and down plus a controversial letter grade for BJ Callaghan's performance; best XI for Panama on Wednesday and whether we would rather (potentially) face Mexico or Jamaica in the final

WHAT IF: you could snap your fingers and relegate any club in the world right now... who's going down?

HEADLINES: breakdown of big moves for lotta big American names, including Pulisic to Milan (how will he fit in a team led by Rafeal Leao?), Weah to Juve, Pepi to PSV and Aaronson to Union Berlin; Juventus reportedly settles FFP case with UEFA and the NBA yoinks soccer's template for an "in-season" tournament

ROUND THE WORLD: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute; USWNT's uninspiring sendoff vs Wales; FPL update and of course the latest news from Keeping Up With The Icardashians

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.219: USMNT Group Stage Wrap-Up, Wenger's Offside Rule & Pulisic to Lyon or Milan? Jul 04, 2023

USMNT: Gold Cup group stage round-up including who did and did not impress, thuoghts on Jesus Ferreira contrived "controversy" and a slightly bonkers (but very rational) suggestion for starting XI in quarterfinal

WHAT IF: possible plan to add some much-needed spice to World Cup 3rd place games

HEADLINES: FIFA plans to trial a totally new approach to offside championed by Arsene Wenger (whole body of attacking player must be ahead of defender) in several lower tier leagues around Europe; would Lyon or AC Milan be a better landing spot for Christian Pulisic; and LLL Triste fan violence hits a new low this week

ROUND THE WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS Minute

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.218: USMNT vs Jamaica Postmortem + American Soccer Fan Culture Jun 27, 2023

USMNT: Gold Cup context; BJ Callaghan's XI vs Jamaica and whose stock rose/fell in 1-1 draw; expectations for St Kitts/Nevis and T&T games; someone (not naming names) gets remarkably butthurt about the state of US soccer "fan culture" plus if the haters have some legitimate gripes about newly scheduled friendlies vs Uzbekistan and Oman

WHAT IF: How much money would it take to sign a contract to do what you do now in Saudi Arabia?

HEADLINES: big news about 2025 FIFA Club World Cup; quiet importance of June 28 meeting of UEFA's ExCo and Peter Drury replaces Martin Tyler

ROUND THE WORLD: USWNT roster drops for WC23 and whether Sergi Busquets will be a bust at Miami

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.217: Berhalter is Back & USMNT is Good (f/t Brad Evans) Jun 20, 2023

HEADLINES: we dive right into the only news that *really* matters this week as we discuss the fully digested news that Gregg Berhalter is officially back in charge (or will be eventually!?), including our biggest questions/concerns and what is means for Gio Reyna; along with the USMNT's dismantling of LLL Triste and dispatching of Canada

WHAT IF: would you prefer to win TST7v7 or a Supporter's Shield?

ROUND THE WORLD: Nicaragua goes full Concacaf and gets DQed from Gold Cup; Spain is back but Croatia (and Modric) deserve flowers; Chelsea and Saudi Arabia conspiracy theory and Bournemouth ruthlessness

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.216: [[EMERGENCY POD]] Berhalter Is (reportedly) Back & USMNT spank Mexico Jun 16, 2023

Sam and Tyler sit down at halftime of USA spanking the bejesus out of Mexico to discuss strong reports that Gregg Berhalter is about to be (re)named head coach of USMNT. We are trying to process it in real-time so bear with us. (Bonus: instant reaction to Pulisic's second GOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.)

Ep 2.215: Messi to MLS, EPL Awards & USA vs Mexico Preview + Tacoma Stars/Sneaky Fox FC's Nick Perera Jun 13, 2023

HEADLINES: what Messi's move means for Inter Miami, MLS and soccer in the US; the importance of Lou City selling Josh Wynder to Benfica; 49ers (+ #samfam!!!) buying Leeds; Premier League saying "no thanks" on automated offside and Mbappe's decision to opt out on last year of PSG contract

WHAT IF: soccer stock market is back... buying or short selling shares in one club based on where they finished this season versus where we see them finishing next season

PREMIER LEAGUE: we hand out silverware to player, GK, coach and team of the season

REST OF WORLD: Champions League wrap-up, good/bad/ugly from US Open Cup quarterfinals and preview of Thursday's USMNT vs Mexico game (featuring preferred starting XI)

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

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INTERVIEW [1:13:45]: Nick Perera -- a key to Sneaky Fox FC's recent success at TST 7v7 -- on his unorthodox path from Europe to an NCAA championship; why it took so long to embrace his destiny as an arena and beach soccer star; what life is really like in the MASL; his experiences as both a player-manager for Tacoma Stars and GM of NWSL's OL Reign; his brief flirtation with being Captain Morgan (true story); thoughts on "Big Kick Nick" nickname and whether arena leaguers will continue to dominate the TST $1 million tourney for years to come...

Ep 2.214: Inside Look at TST, Anthony Hudson Cashes In + UCL Final Preview/Predictions Jun 06, 2023

HEADLINES: Mitch and Sam offer slightly different first-hand perspectives on the TST 7v7 $1 milly tournament; reaction to Anthony Hudson bouncing to "Persian Gulf" well before USMNT contract is up; butthurt Roma fans go after ref Antony Taylor in airport, Spartak Moscow's Quincy Promes charged with trying to import 1300 kilos of cocaine into the Netherlands, thoughts on Messi and Benzema's transfer plans and Manchester United fan arrested for offensive jersey

WHAT IF: would you -- extremely hypothetically and in no way based on reality -- prefer being the best player on the worst team or the worst player on the best (or at least third best) team in a small-sided $1 million tournament?

PREMIER LEAGUE: FA Cup final recap

REST OF WORLD: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute, Mexico experiences exceedingly rare good week as LAFC poos the bed vs Leon in Concacaf Champions League and nuetros amigas beat US women in Concacaf U20 championship, US men's U20 team similarly drops stinker in quarterfinal against Uruguay, US Open Cup preview, crazy finishes in Belgium and France

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and everyone's favorite segment GOAWs

Ep 2.213: Ivan Toney's Bad Bets, PL Relegation Roundup & Deutschland Drama May 30, 2023

HEADLINES: details of the case against Ivan Toney are not pretty plus time to get your mind for Sneaky Fox FC's domination of TST 7v7 $1M tournament

WHAT IF: the Premier League instituted a salary cap?

PREMIER LEAGUE: rundown of one of the tamest Decision Days in recent history with the only games of interest involving the relegation battle won by Everton; which of the three relegated clubs -- Southampton, Leeds or Lester -- are we most nervous about not bouncing back anytime soon; FA Cup final preview featuring someone actually giving United a chance; plus FPL final standings

REST OF WORLD: bananas final day in both the Bundesliga and Bundesliga.2 plus a special shoutout to American hero Ethan Horvath and a U20 World Cup status update

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.212: Balogun, City Come Out Swinging, USL vs NWSL + Did Arsenal or United Have a Better Season? May 23, 2023

HEADLINES: Folarin Balogun is coming home; Ivan Toney's best bets cost dearly; clubs in hot water all over the place including Man City, Portugal and Juventus; USL decides to go head-to-head with NWSL; senseless tragedy in El Salvador; WC26 logo and BIG announcement from TST7v7 tournament

WHAT IF: how would things change if the penalty spot was moved back two yards?

PREMIER LEAGUE: we crown the champs and give Forest their flowers; discuss if United's season is more successful than Arsenal (Tommy gets upset); Tyler charts a course for Liverpool to finish top 4 and we make final predictions on Everton vs Lester vs Leeds relegation battle

REST OF WORLD: MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute is BACK, whether Inter have a snowball's chance in hell in Champions League final; Championship playoff final check up; WSL title race plus some stern words for La Liga and Valencia after yet another embarrassing bout of racism

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.211: Brazil Match-Fixing, Milan Ultras, City's Place in Pantheon & Overs Train Stays COOKIN May 16, 2023

HEADLINES: massive match-fixing scandal is erupting in Brazil; AC Milan bow to their ultra overlords and thots on Pochettino to Chelsea

WHAT IF: how long would it take world class soccer players to beat a D1 football team at football (and what players would play where)?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal's dream dies a long, slow, sudden death; where would City fit in the all-time pantheon if they win the treble; Brighton's De Zerbi earning deserved plaudits; Power Predictions and games to watch this week

REST OF WORLD: USMNT U20 World Cup roster (who is missing and why); Champions League preview + predictions and Championship playoff checkup

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.210: New USL Prez, TST Groups, This Arsenal vs That Liverpool + Champions League Preview May 09, 2023

HEADLINES: What does PSG's decision to suspend Messi for two weeks mean for his plans next season; Barcelona's director of football leaving for... Aston Villa(?); MLS to San Diego; Don Garber takes poop on US Open Cup; USL picks guy fresh off being suspended by MLS to be league's new president - and why it may make sense; and winners/losers from the TST 7v7 group stage draw

WHAT IF: along the lines of Spurs players offering fans a refund after getting stomped by Newcastle, what if this type of thing -- getting a refund if your team gets spanked or getting charged extra if your team blows the doors off an opponent -- became codified in the fan experience?

PREMIER LEAGUE: an implausible-but-not-impossible path for Arsenal to win the league; how would this Arsenal team stack up against that recent Liverpool squad; where will Harry Kane be playing next season; Power Picks (predictions for top 4 and bottom 3) plus what games to watch this week/end

REST OF WORLD: bonkers final day in the Championship plus we pick a team to root for in the playoffs; Champions League preview + predictions and finally Blood Monday in MLS as managerial heads have begun rolling

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.209: UCL to USA, McKennie's PR Headache, LFC/Spurs (lol) + chat w/ Columbus Crew's Christian Ramirez May 02, 2023

HEADLINES: UEFA proposes hosting Champions League finals in the US, Weston McKennie catching strays from his friend and Tottenham players try to put a well-intentioned bandaid on fans' gaping emotional wound

WHAT IF: you had to go back and choose another team to root for...

PREMIER LEAGUE: City take Arsenal behind the woodshed; Tottenham find new ways to disappoint by erasing a massive lead but conceding a buzzer beater vs Liverpool; final table predictions and preview of the week to come

REST OF WORLD: Bundesliga title race gets nuts and Championship check-up featuring Burnley, Luton Town and Sunderland

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

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INTERVIEW: Christian Ramirez discusses making the jump from NASL to MLS with Minnesota Utd, playing with Vela/Rossi in LA, how a random Instagram DM led him to Scotland, the good/bad/ugly sides of passionate Aberdeen fans, what led him back to MLS and which Crew teammates are most obsessed with social media

Ep 2.208: Matt Crocker to USSF, Tottenham vs Wrexham & City/Arsenal Preview Apr 25, 2023

HEADLINES: US Soccer reportedly naming Southampton's Matt Crocker as sporting director and making surprise bid to host Women's World Cup in 2027; plus Barcelona and Real Madrid's wild twitter beef

WHAT IF [24:30]: Tottenham or Wrexham to win Premier League first

PREMIER LEAGUE [28:00]: Arsenal ruin St Tot's Day; Tottenham ruin Arsenal ruining St Tot's Day; FA Cup bringing Manchester together again; Top 4 & Bottom 3 final predictions; and preview + picks for Man City vs Arsenal

REST OF WORLD [1:03:00]: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS Minute; US Open Cup shoutouts; Champions League updates

STOPPAGE TIME [1:13:00]: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

Ep 2.207: Glazer U-Turn, London Soccer Sadness + Dorking Wanderers' Fairytale Story Apr 18, 2023

HEADLINES: Glazers may pull a(nother) fast one on United fans; Leroy Sane headbutts Sadio Mane's fist; Achraf Hakimi's "interesting" divorce machinations and the official launch of SNEAKY FOX FC

WHAT IF: which Premier League manager would you want to be your dad?

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal's title hopes after coughing up another 2-0 lead; why Tottenham's fanbase has never been more toxic; reaction to Boehly unloading on Chelsea; Leeds' do-or-die week and flowers for Unai's Villa

REST OF WORLD: Hit-It-N-Quit-It MLS minute; Champions League preview f/t major upset alert and thoughts on Wednesday's USMNT vs Mexico game

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets (hint: Sam's global over train keeps cooking) and GOAWs

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INTERVIEW: Marc White (founder/owner/chairman/manager) and Kyle Shestack (new American investor) discuss Dorking Wanderers' fairytale story skyrocketing up the English pyramid from pub league to 5th tier Nation League in 23 years; the wild story of how Kyle (and his dad) got involved; the time Marc wooed a church-load of Karens; competing against while also rooting for the Wrexham phenomenon; and how many years until Dorking reaches the Premier League

Ep 2.206: Jesse Marsch Bails, Liverpool vs Arsenal Deep Dive & Shambolic Refereeing Apr 11, 2023

HEADLINES: close but no cigar for Jesse Marsch on yet another Premier League coaching gig, racism rears its ugly head again (and again) plus a rumored sex scandal so salacious that the internet would collapse in on itself if -- however far-fetched-- proven credible

WHAT IF: most ruthless celebratory taunting strategies

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal's wild and woolly trip to Anfield (Xhaka, Salah pen, VVD, Ramsdale, Arteta subs and of course linesman's elbow); Brighton gets jobbed at Tottenham; Super Frank's non-super second debut at Chelsea; flowers for Unai's Villa; Power Rankings and what to watch this week

REST OF WORLD: Champions League preview; USMNT abroad updates plus roster thoughts for Mexico game; terrible news out of USWNT camp and winner of NCAA bracket pool

STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

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