The MLS Podcast

The boys discuss the quick firing of Bob Bradley as Swansea City manager and wonder if there’s a return to the MLS for the newly unemployed coach. Then they delve into a review of the 2016 MLS Season starting in the Eastern Conference. Going from worst to first, the boys rapidly discuss how each season went for teams in the East from lowlights to highlights to a look toward the future. They ask: What were the good takeaways from Chicago Fire and their disappointing season? How much of an impact did Kei Kamara make leaving the Crew and going to New England? What did the late run of good from for D.C. United mean for their future? Was the benching of Didier Drogba by Mauro Biello the storyline of the season? Despite falling of the playoffs, was it a great year for the Red Bulls? All that and much more. 

The MLS offseason begins and there have already been a number of big moves including the splash loan of Honduran international Alberth Elis to the Houston Dynamo, Hungarian striker Nemanja Nikolic going to the Chicago Fire, Jermaine Jones as a future LA Galaxy player and lots more. In the second-half, the boys discuss the forthcoming January USMNT camp and their friendly against Serbia while contemplating what it all means…if anything.

Seattle Sounders are the 2016 MLS Cup Champions after defeating Toronto FC at BMO Field. The boys go in-depth to review the final game to assess how the players did. How did Seattle neutralize Giovinco? Was Michael Bradley the best or simply OK? Why was Jordan Morris a ghost but Roman Torres a beast? All that and some ruminations on what the MLS Cup Final means compared to the Supporters Shield. Plus, Expansion Draft talk and other rumors.

It’s down to two teams and one game.  Will Brian Schmetzer’s Sounders be able to take on the star-studded Toronto FC or will the likes of Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco be too much for Seattle? The boys preview the 2016 MLS Cup Final between Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders and give their predictions. Then in the second-half, a look to the future. Matt and Saxon delve into the off-season moves made so far by newcomers Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC and ask if its a sign of things to come for the teams. 

It’s been a wild week for American soccer and MLS playoffs. The boys delve into all of the news including the firing of Jurgen Klinsmann as head coach of USMNT, the hiring of Bruce Arena, and leg one of the MLS semifinal playoffs. Can Montreal Impact recover from conceding two goals to Toronto FC? Can the Seattle Sounders score in Colorado or will the Rapids fend off Seattle’s attack? All that plus retirement news and a review of the 2016 MLS Awards.    

As the playoff picture shrinks, the boys discuss all the action from the final leg of the MLS Cup quarterfinals including the Red Bulls crashing out again, lackluster LA Galaxy, Gashi’s Golazo, and Sounder’s Schmetzers. Plus Giovinco’s Italian Team snub, USMNT game versus Mexico and MVP candidates. 

The boys discuss all the action from 2016 Audi MLS Cup including the knockout of DC United after their scorching finish to the season, the disappointing end to the Philadelphia Union and Benny Feilhaber’s freakout against Seattle. Plus, Brian Schmetzer’s Seattle Sounders demolish treble hopefuls FC Dallas, Toronto FC get a win at home versus the Red Bulls, Montreal Impact’s two Drogba-less victories, NYCFC’s difficult loss and all the strange tactical switches of the past week. 

Decision Day came and the playoffs are decided. The boys delve into all the games from the last week of the MLS season including the head-scratching decisions by Montreal Impact’s Mauro Biello, Patrick Vieira’s smart tinkering, and the triumphant Seattle Sounders. Plus, Matt and Saxon wonder if the New York Red Bulls are the team to beat in the MLS Cup Playoffs and wonder what happened to the Portland Timbers.

The boy discuss the infighting between Didier Drogba and the Montreal Impact. Then they dive into playoff scenarios. Can Portland sneak into the playoffs after their win against Colorado Rapids? Will FC Dallas win the Supporters Shield after losing Mauro Diaz? Plus, DC United continue to roll, Philly fizzles, and Red Bulls roll. Matt and Saxon also give a post-mortem of the 2016 New England Revolution and whether changes are in store for the team. All that and so much more.

Matt and Saxon discuss the USMNT friendlies and who they thought impressed and who didn’t. Then they shift their attention to the numerous MLS Cup playoff scenarios for this week’s slate of games. Can Seattle defeat Dallas and clinch a playoff spot? Is Sporting Kansas City done for? Can Portland return to form against Colorado? Can DC continue their hot run of form versus a strong NYCFC side? All this and more including Concacaf Champions, Jurgen Klinsmann’s diss on DeAndre Yedlin, and whether Michael Bradley will make a triumphant return to….Italy.

Heading into the international break, the MLS playoff picture gets clearer, but more questions arise. Can Portland catch Seattle, or is it Sporting KC that they are now chasing? Can the Galaxy correct their pre-playoff stumble? Is DC United this year’s playoff sleeper and is Montreal really better without Drogba? Also, the boys discuss FC Dallas finding themselves in the Supporters Shield driver’s seat, the New England Revs good run of form, Red Bulls roll on while Philadelphia continues to flounder. All this MLS action from the past week and so much more.

The fight for the final MLS playoff spots heat up. Can Seattle overtake Portland? Will Montreal’s poor form lead them below the red line? Are DC United the sleepers of the season? The boys discuss all this and more including the impressive form of Jordan Morris, the genius of Patrick Vieira and the sensitivity of Kei Kamara.

FC Dallas checks off a box in their pursuit of the almighty treble with a win in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. The boys discuss whether FC Dallas realistically has a fighting chance for the elusive accomplishment. Plus, the return of Carlos Ruiz, Jozy Altidore’s stellar form, and previews of the upcoming matches including the major Eastern Conference clash between New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC. 

Landon Donovan returns! The boys discuss Donovan’s decision to come out of retirement to join MLS and help the Galaxy’s playoff run. They also do a quick rundown of the midweek games and ask whether Chicago Fire actually have a chance to make the playoffs. In the second half, Matt and Saxon give a review of the world cup qualifying games played by the USMNT along with their impressions of Christian Pulisic and other standout performances. Also, would Cam Newton make a stellar number 9? 

With the 2016 Major League Soccer regular season in the final stretch, the boys discuss what managers are currently on the hot seat. Will Jay Heaps be run out by the Revs before the season is over? Do the disappointing Vancouver Whitecaps spell doom for Carl Robinson? Will the Chicago Fire give Veljko Paunovic another season to prove himself? Also, Rivalry Week recap, Nigel De Jong gone to Galatasaray, and the return of Sacha Kljestan to the USMNT, and much more!

With news that two new teams will be joining Major League Soccer next year, the boys discuss expansion and whether MLS is strong enough to continue expanding and if the expansion draft hurts teams trying to rebuild. Also, Chicago’s surprise victory on the road against Montreal, Sounders rising, Jozy and the dominance of Toronto, New England Revs continue their slide and the impressive home form of NYCFC. Also, Matt and Saxon touch on some other news items including USMNT international DeAndre Yedlin moving to Newcastle.

The boys discuss the sudden late season push by teams like DC United and Seattle Sounders to claim a playoff spot. Plus, highlights for the Red Bulls and Bradley Wright-Phillips, Galaxy-Rapids fight to a draw, and Orlando continues its defensive woes. Plus, Matt and Saxon pick their games of the week to watch!

The boys return to discuss American international Alejandro Bedoya and his signing with the Philadelphia Union. Bedoya was criticize by many upon returning but the midfielder lashed back! Plus, other highlights, lowlights and things of note from the past week in Major League Soccer including Marlon Hairston’s great game for the Rapids, Giovinco’s hat-trick, Clint Dempsey’s hat-trick, red card madness in Portland, and the woes of MLS refereeing. 

The boys discuss the first half of the 2016 Major League Soccer season and all its biggest surprises and disappointments. Then they look at the second-half and wonder if Jason Kreis can take Orlando on a run? Will Toronto stay health and put it all together? Is there a better team than the Montreal Impact? Plus, the weekly run-down of games from this past week in the MLS including the New York derby, hat-trick madness from Drogba and Giovinco, and the surprising news that Sigi Schmid is out in Seattle. 

The MLS All-Star roster was announced and so naturally, there are all-star snubs. The boys discuss who was left off the roster and who was a surprising addition. Matt and Saxon also discuss the history of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and all the problems that surround it. Plus, all the highlights, lowlights and transfer rumors from the past week including Portland Timbers impressive victory against the Seattle Sounders, the domination of FC Dallas and how the Rapids continue to roll.