The Cooligans

Latest Episodes:

Pro/Rel In Liga MX, More Fallout From The Madrid Derby, Federico Higuaín OUT in Columbus Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Cooligans Christian and Alexis dive into Pro/Rel possibly coming to Liga MX... Can it please come to America next?

From there we look at all of the continuing fallout from a chaotic Madrid derby.

To round out the show, we discuss Federico Higuaín's firing from Columbus Crew II after sexist comments made to a referee.

All that and more on this episode of The Cooligans

00:00 Show Rundown

10:36 Liga MX Pro/Rel

30:20 Madrid Derby Fallout

51:15 Federico Higuaín OUT of Columbus Crew II

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Chaos In Madrid, Cavan Does It Again, Messi vs. Garber Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The Cooligans, everything is going wrong at Real Madrid. Missed red cards, Mourinho is bringing screenshots to the press conference ... and Mbappe has a new shoe deal?

From there we break down Cavan Sullivan breaking yet another record and pose the question, how has MLS development changed to the point where it was the best move for Sullivan to stay in Philly, rather than jumping to Europe sooner.

To round out the show we break down the on field beef between Leo Messi and Don Garber.

All this and more on today's episode of The Cooligans.

00:00 Show Rundown

06:40 What is going on at Real Madrid?

32:20 USMNT and MLS Development

52:17 Messi vs. Garber

01:04:29 Bonus stories!

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Poch Takes Shots at Pulisic, Messi Has A New Coach, Barbara Banda Gets A Bag Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Cooligans, Christian and Alexis break down Poch's 'Vacation' quote and give their top 5 players who deserve their first USMNT call up.

From there we dive into Leo Messi and his new coach at Inter Miami and pose the question... Should Messi be able to hand pick his own coach?

To round out the show we check out the latest headlines from around the NWSL, including Barbra Banda getting a MASSIVE payday.

All that and more on this episode of the Cooligans

00:00 Show Rundown

01:10 Jozy broke Alexis' phone??

13:07 Poch calls out Pulisic?

36:24 Messi has a new coach

51:30 NWSL Update

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Cavan Sullivan May Be The Chosen One, Americans In Europe, VAR In England Is A Nightmare Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The Cooligans, Alexis and Christian break down Cavan Sullivan, who is starting to become a superstar right before our eyes.

From there we take a trip around Europe to see how the Americans are fairing across the pond.

To round out the show we look at the multiple VAR controversies over the weekend in the Premier League.

00:00 Show Rundown

01:42 Cavan Sullivan bags a brace vs. San Diego

28:10 Americans in Europe

44:00 VAR Controversies.

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Arsenal Top Napoli, Can Harry Kane Win a Ballon D'or, Rápido Reactions Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Cooligans, Alexis Guerreros and Christian Polanco break down Wednesday's UCL results and pose the question... Why don't attacking players want to sign for Arsenal?

From there we dive into the Ballon D'or nominations which include Harry Kane and lack a plethora of NWSL players

To round out the show, we hit all the Rápido Reactions from Antoine Griezmann dying in the heat, to MLS breaking the bank on players.

All that and more on this episode of The Cooligans.

00:00 It's our 1000th episode

03:50 Wednesday's UCL reaction

22:30 Ballon D'or nominations

44:25 Rápido Reactions

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

How Shirts Reveal Hidden Stories of Money, Power & Politics in Soccer with Joey D'Urso Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Alexis & Christian are joined by journalist and author Joey D’Urso (“More Than a Shirt”) to reveal how global politics and big money collide on the front of your favorite football shirts. From the wild story behind Arsenal’s JVC era to clubs with sponsors tied to oil states, crypto, local businesses and everything in between, the conversation uncovers just how much history (and drama) is stitched into every kit.

(2:35) Joey's book "More Than a Shirt"

(8:08) Lessons learned from writing the book

(11:02) Reconciling club fandom with club business

(18:58) Women's soccer shirt sponsors

(26:11) Evolution of shirt sponsors

(34:58) Standout stories from "More Than a Shirt"

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Balogun’s Failed Everton Move, MLS Teams Return to US Open Cup & Champions League Draw Reaction Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Christian & Alexis dig into the chaos of the European transfer window and try to make sense of why Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton collapsed at the last minute. They also explore Premier League spending and how other European teams can attempt to compete financially.

Up next, the pair react to the news that MLS teams are back in the U.S. Open Cup and what that might indicate for the future of soccer in the United States. Could promotion/relegation finally come to the beautiful game in America?

Finally, Christian & Alexis break down the UEFA Champions League draw, share the teams they are most excited to watch and predict this year's UCL winner.

(11:35) Folarin Balogun transfer to Everton collapses

(29:22) MLS teams to return to US Open Cup

(52:45) UCL draw reactions

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Messi Announces International Retirement + US Soccer Steps In With Youth Development + Infantino vs UEFA Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The Cooligans Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros break down Leo Messi announcing he is retiring from international duty. Is it for real this time?
From there we dive into US Soccer taking a more active role in youth development. Is this a first step on the way to real change or just a gesture?

To round out the show we discect the latest in the ongoing battle between UEFA and Gianni Infantino.

All that and more on this episode of The Cooligans.

00:00 We're Back!

06:30 Messi announces international retirement

27:45 US Soccer steps in

49:05 UEFA vs Infantino

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

MLS All-Star Live: MLS Beats Liga MX Again, FIFA's Private Equity Drama & Atlanta United's Jersey Shock Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Live from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros broadcast immediately following the MLS All-Star Game. The hosts react to Major League Soccer securing back-to-back victories over the Liga MX All-Stars and discuss the electric fan atmosphere inside the venue. Between unexpected live broadcast interruptions from stadium staff and behind-the-scenes window adjustments, the guys break down the game's highlights, performance stats, and overall fanfare.

David Gass from SoccerWise joins the suite to deliver postgame analysis and debate how to revamp the All-Star showcase. Together, they pitch wild concept changes—including 5v5 ladder tournaments, manager goalkeepers, referee bribery mechanics, and an off-season All-Star event built around Lionel Messi in Miami. The crew also reflects on the "high school reunion" feel of All-Star week and why reconnecting with friends across the sport remains the real highlight.

Later in the stream, Pelé Soccer marketing director Mickey Voll stops by to discuss the business of soccer. Mickey reacts to Gianni Infantino's controversial proposal to sell FIFA World Cup commercial rights to private investors led by Josh Kushner, and drops a mind-blowing retail stat about Atlanta United outselling Real Madrid and Manchester United in North American jersey sales. To close out the show, the hosts weigh in on MLS's upcoming calendar transition and recount Alexis's viral rain-delay shower cap moment while presenting Thomas Müller with his skills trophy.

Timestamps:

(00:00) — Live from Charlotte: Stadium Window Chaos & MLS Beats Liga MX Again

(05:52) — David Gass Joins: Fixing the All-Star Format & 5v5 Tournament Ideas

(15:27) — Will Lionel Messi Ever Play in an MLS All-Star Game?

(19:26) — Mickey Voll Joins: Pelé Soccer & Gianni Infantino's FIFA Private Equity Plan

(27:00) — Mind-Blowing Retail Stats: When Atlanta United Beat Real Madrid in Jersey Sales

(32:00) — MLS Schedule Overhaul, Promotion/Relegation & Alexis's Viral Rain Cap

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

MLS Stars Arrive: Casemiro & Griezmann Debuts, Riley Tiernan Interview & USMNT Hopamine Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros return to process the full-force return of Major League Soccer following the World Cup break. Christian kicks off the show with a hilarious and relatable personal story about taking his 3.5-year-old son to his first competitive soccer class 1v1s. The hosts then dive into the latest blockbusters across MLS, analyzing Casemiro’s 1-0 debut for Inter Miami as a physical midfield anchor, Antoine Griezmann’s immediate scoring spark for Orlando City, and Christian’s in-person breakdown of Robert Lewandowski’s debut for the Chicago Fire against NYCFC.

Next, Angel City FC forward Riley Tiernan joins the podcast for a fun, wide-ranging interview. The NWSL sophomore shares her journey from an unsigned trialist to team top scorer, explaining how getting passed over initially fueled her "dog" mentality on the pitch. Riley also details her commitment to Rutgers in 8th grade, breaks down her viral Flying Dutchman order at In-N-Out, discusses her U.S. U-23 national team call-up, and reacts to a viral post-match meme.

To close out the episode, Christian and Alexis inject a heavy dose of "hopamine" as they turn their focus toward rebuilding the USMNT for 2030. The hosts highlight six rising American youth prospects who could transform the national team's core—including Philadelphia Union's Cavan Sullivan and 6'6" center back Neil Pierre, dual-national defender Noahkai Banks, Orlando's Justin Ellis, RSL playmaker Zavier Gozo, and Chelsea goalkeeper Gaga Slonina.

Timestamps:

(00:00) — Toddler Soccer Battles: Christian's Son Faces 1v1 Drama

(09:16) — Casemiro's Inter Miami Debut: Replacing Sergio Busquets

(18:46) — Antoine Griezmann Hits the Ground Running in Orlando

(22:24) — Watching Robert Lewandowski Live: Chicago Fire vs. NYCFC

(27:00) — Riley Tiernan Interview: NWSL Rise, In-N-Out Secret Menu & Jersey Pride

(52:27) — USMNT Hopamine: 6 Young Prospects for the 2030 World Cup

Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv