That’s So MLS - podcast cover

That’s So MLS

That’sSoMLSthatssomls.podbean.com
That’s So MLS is the Major League Soccer podcast for the long-suffering fan of the world’s most chaotic league. Hosted by journalist Andrew Bates and ex-casual defender Nick Thornton, TSMLS looks at club soccer from a Canadian perspective, with coverage of games and news from around North America.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Total Soccer Summer

With Club World Cup, Gold Cup, and regular MLS action, we have reached peak soccer summer! We look at some of the major news around MLS, check in on the not-so-perfect-anymore Whitecaps, as well as the still not very good Toronto and Montreal. We also glance at the other competitions, including where things went wrong for both the US and Canada men's teams. https://linktr.ee/thatssomls

Jul 09, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 205

Wading into the Marsch

After a disappointing CONCACAF Champions Cup final where the Whitecaps collapsed, we look at how their fortunes were briefly worse. We also look around MLS where the top teams are beginning to put some daylight between them and the rest of the pack. We also grudgingly talk FIFA Club World Cup, the *actual* World Cup, and what it all means among travel bans and ICE raids . That's So MLS Linktree...

Jun 12, 20251 hr 21 minEp. 204

The Age of Brian White

For the past few weeks we have been witnessing something we never dreamt possible: The Vancouver Whitecaps are the best team in MLS and just defeated Inter Miami in Concacaf action TWICE. It truly is the golden age and we have a lot to say about it. We also talk about changes at LAFC, some inter-league transfers, and some other teams who are also very good right now. That's So MLS Linktree *Register to Donate Blood *Support for Lapu Lapu Victims and Families...

May 03, 20251 hr 15 minEp. 203

Flipped Table

MLS is four weeks old and things couldn't be further away from how we thought they might look. The best team in MLS is... the Vancouver Whitecaps. We're not upset. We do also look around the league at who has blasted out of the gates and who is still warming up. We also look around Concacaf and ahead to some national team action (recorded before Canada and the US crashed out). That's So MLS Linktree

Mar 22, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 202

Episode 200

After a short off season, we are back! We've got lots to talk about as teams build their rosters, a new team joins MLS, and some familiar faces are back in the league too. We also have a rundown of 2024's Most That's So MLS moments. That's So MLS Linktree 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Rights Forever!

Feb 21, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 201

Another star in the Galaxy

We have an MLS Cup champion, and it's the Los Angeles Galaxy. Nick and Bates talk about their MLS Cup final win over the New York Red Bulls, where the league's buzz sits after its second year on Apple and the announcement that the Vancouver Whitecaps are for sale. Thanks for listening and happy holidays!

Dec 22, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 200

MLS Cup 2024 Semi-Finals and Conference Finals

With the Conference Finals wrapped, we take a look back at all the results, the surprises, the glory, and the agony. And that's just the coaching updates from the teams out of the playoffs! That's So MLS Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/thatssomls

Dec 05, 20241 hr 18 minEp. 199

Spit Takes and Curtin Calls

Round One of MLS Cup Playoffs was jarring! We've got all the action for you, including some big calls made by teams already out, a 40 year old superstar, and a Red Bulls team that has us asking if we need to guzzle an energy drink and embrace the dark side. Thats's So MLS Link Tree for all things That's So MLS!

Nov 14, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 198

Steres-ing Down the Barrel: MLS Playoff Preview 2024

Decision Day has been decided and one *very* Wild Card game is already in the books so we take a look around at those who made it, those who didn't, and make some playoff predictions for this year's MLS Cup. Visit the That's So MLS Linktree for all your That's So MLS needs.

Oct 23, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 197

Clinched and Unclinched

We're back and talking through US Open Cup, Campeones Cup, and the thicket of MLS playoffs, who has clinched, who is out, and who maybe still stands a chance. (We recorded before Wednesday's matchday but for once we actually proved slightly prophetic).

Oct 03, 20241 hr 10 minEp. 196

Just Add More Games

With Leagues Cup finally behind us, we turn our attention back to MLS with talk on the big moves, big upsets, Benteke's dominance, and we of course tip our hats to USWNT star Alex Morgan who played her last professional game. That's So MLS Linktree

Sep 12, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 195

There's No Place Like Drone

After a very busy July, we have a full breakdown of Canada's breakdown at the Olympic and then (at the 44 min mark) we transition to MLS and League's Cup action. Also, we now have a Link Tree to find all That's So MLS things in one place: https://linktr.ee/thatssomls

Aug 04, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 194

Doing With 9 What Most Need 11 For

We're taking a look around MLS focusing on the 3 Canadian clubs and their various (mis)fortunes and opportunities, as well as news from Copa America, some MLS coach and player movement, as well as Columbus' unfortunate Champions Cup final, The Union's struggles, and Inter Miami's ability to win no matter what.

Jun 21, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 193

Caps Coupon Catastrophe

There's been some more gameweeks and we've got all the action for Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, as well as a look around the league at notable results. We talk Jesse Marsch's new gig, as well as whether people in Vancouver paid $1000+ to see Julian Gressel.

May 25, 20241 hr 9 minEp. 192

Own Goals Are Still Goals

We are back and we have some real zingers to talk about. Colorado won a game without actually scoring a goal themselves (sorry Harris), Seattle had two players sent off, and many teams took on an unofficial crossbar and goalpost challenge. We talk about the recent rule changes and East vs West matchups.

Apr 25, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 191

Unable to Darken the Door of Gillette

After the opening few game weeks, we are back with a look around the league at who is already excelling and who is struggling. We make some wildly too early predictions, talk about the new PRO Referee deal, and the legacy of Whitecaps retiree, Russell Teibert.

Mar 30, 202449 minEp. 190

Inter Mia... MLS is Back!

The 2024 MLS season is officially underway! We have all the highlights from the first and only league game so far, talk Messi market saturation, Canada Soccer's never ending lawsuit debacle, incoming and outgoing MLS players, as well as some Champion's Cup results.

Feb 23, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 189

Whitecaps Home and Garden Show

As MLS season both begins and wraps up, we have all the big name signings and transfers for you, plus new coaches, old friends, and some bizarre Champions League scheduling. Follow us on Instagram

Jan 25, 20241 hr 9 minEp. 188

MLS Cup 2023 Playoffs Final

As Columbus Crew hoist MLS cup once again, we break down the match that had its controversies but certainly only ever really seemed like there was one team in it. We also already look at some big post season coaching and player moves and talk about what the most 'That's So MLS-y' moments of the year were.

Dec 20, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 187

MLS Cup 2023 Conference Semi’s + Finals

And just like that, we're down to the final two. LAFC will face a high flying Columbus but before then we break down how everyone did, including some retroactive book throwing the Disciplinary Committee. But even before all of that, we bid (international) farewell to the legend, Christine Sinclair.

Dec 07, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 186

MLS Cup 2023: Bring on the Semi’s!

And then there were eight! We catch you up on all the teams vying to make their case in the conference semi-finals, as well as the goings on of the teams who finally crashed out. We update the coaching and player carousel, including some familiar faces in Portland and Colorado...

Nov 23, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 185

MLS Cup 2023: Wild Cards and Round 1

With the wild cards already done and dusted and round 1 of best of 3 also in the bag, we go through the results and who we think has the best shot of making it through. We also look at roster updates across the league for the teams NOT in the playoffs, including the Suarez rumours and my prediction that Chicharito has played his last LA Galaxy game (recorded before they made it official).

Nov 04, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 184

Who’s Not Out But Also Not Yet In?

With Decisions Day looming, we thought we would take a look at the teams who are right on the edge. Some of these clubs have their futures in their hands, some a little less so. We also talk about two more MLS coaching vacancies and Michael Bradley's retirement. If you have a suggestion for a That's So MLS moment of the year, send it to us on Instagram @ThatsSoMLS

Oct 21, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 183

Don’t Wreck Yourself

Another busy few weeks of MLS action sees two more coaches exit, a player get fired for starting a fight in an indoor soccer league, and the Whitecaps winning a whack of road games! What's not to love?!

Sep 20, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 182

When The Grass is Greener at TFC

It's been a busy August, so we have a lot to catch up on: Inter Miami's annoying dominance of Leagues Cup, Spain's historic World Cup win, a deluge of MLS transfers, and a familiar face in John Herdman taking up the mantle of a dismantling the dysfunctional Toronto FC.

Aug 31, 202357 minEp. 181

Garber’s Big Friendlies

It's silly season again as the inaugural League's Cup kicks off between MLS and Liga Mx sides and as Messi polishes off his first (non-league) goals. We also look to the Women's World Cup, which Canada just crashed out of :( (we recorded before the Australia game).

Jul 31, 20231 hr 31 minEp. 180

Cuz You Both Might Get Sent Off

We're back with another glut of games in MLS action, so we take a look around the league, talk what it will take to get into the playoffs this year, Cincinnati's continued dominance of the East, the 3 red card game, and we also check in on Women's World Cup and the Gold Cup that wasn't for USMNT and CMNT. This week's episode is brought to you by excited touchline celebrations that see yellow.

Jul 15, 202356 minEp. 179

A Slice of Apple for Messi

We of course talk through that announcement plus run down the Canadian Championship final, the Leagues Cup, and the most recent results of the Canadian MLS clubs.

Jun 22, 20231 hr 10 minEp. 178

A Fines Week for Some Rivalries

It was a *spicy* one last week and we are here with all the news on the yellow cards, the second yellows, the thirds, some reds, and TWENTY-ONE fines issued. We also have news, including another MLS team and our first two coach firings of the season.

May 18, 20231 hr 3 minEp. 177

Benteke Doing Benteke Things

We've got you covered for all the transfers, news, results (and non-results) from MLS from the last two weeks plus some Champions League and CanPL news.

May 06, 202356 minEp. 176
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android