Hat Trick Tragedies
Nick and Bates talk the action since the international break, with some goal-filled games, the curious path of RSL, a brilliant hat trick (that didn't win the game) and more.
Sep 18, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 145
That’s So MLS
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.
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Episodes
Two Brothers Lighter
It was Rivalry Week and the first meeting of MLS All-stars vs LigaMx All-stars, so we have a lot to cover here and that's before we get to the battle of the headless (or coachless) teams in the West as the Whitecaps took on RSL, both of whom had lost their coaches for very different reasons. We also squeeze in some World Cup Qualifing action and butcher some last names because it was late. Be safe out there!
Sep 03, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 144
All That Glitters is Gold (and Gauld)
After a bit of an unplanned hiatus we are back! And though it makes no difference to you, we were in person! We talk about the Whitecaps triumphant return to BC Place, reflect back on the Canada Women's National Team Olympic gold, and have a look around the league at some of the big results and transfers.
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 143
In Heinze Sight
This week we talk about the unceremonious sacking of Atlanta United's head coach Gabriel Heinze after her violated player safety protocols (among other things). We also talk about Chicago Fire's rough day, the Cincinnati-Montreal goal blowout, and catch up on some Olympic and Gold Cup action.
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 142
Armas, We Hardly Knew Ya
This week we take a look at TFC's shocking loss to DC, their immediate dismissal of Chris Armas, and their huge result against Eastern Conference leaders New England. We also look at the big upsets of the week and spend some time talking about a much rejuvenated Chicago Fire and what's next for the Whitecaps, who are their own worst enemy.
Jul 09, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 141
Setting the Table
We're back after the break and are catching you (and ourselves) back up with MLS action. There's been a flurry of results, some interesting news, and a whole host of goals. We look at where the table sits and then do a deep dive on everyone's favourite "oh yeah, they play in this league" team: the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Jul 04, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 140
Don't Touch the Ref!
In a slightly abbreviated version of the show this week we talk about wild scenes in NYCFC vs TFC, some more Chicharito magic, Cincinnati putting in a shift (and still coming up short), and Nani pushing a ref.
May 22, 2021•48 min•Ep. 139
It's Wondo's World, We're Just Living In It
A busy week of games including mid-week action had some big results that changed the fortunes of some struggling clubs, like San Jose, who just continue to look much, much better. We talk about the unnecessary Columbus SC rebrand, the struggles of some of the top clubs and even a little bit of NWSL's Challenge Cup.
May 14, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 138
Curtin's Call
Week 3 felt like a bit of a weird one but we saw some great results from Dallas and San Jose while a couple of teams really left us scratching our heads. It was all going so well for Galaxy and it remains well for the Sounders, and some CCL action seemed to throw off MLS play. Also Jim Curtin had some words for his Atlanta counterpart.
May 07, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 137
Hats Off To Chicharito
Week 2 brought many results that flipped last week's results, save for the LA Galaxy, who stormed past everyone through Javier Hernandez's hat trick. We talk about how fortunes favoured a lively San Jose side, TFC's ongoing ok-ness, and some splendid golazos.
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 136
2021 Season Kick Off
It was an eventful weekend of games in the kick off of the 2021 MLS season and we've got all the results, the drama, the opening of accounts, the messed up subs, the missing subs, and absurd goals. We talk about how fortune favoured the brave in Montreal-Toronto, how dangerous a Galaxy side that can defend will be, and also got our first glimpse of a very serviceable Austin side. Who lost.
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 135
MLS 2021 Predictions
It's hard to believe that MLS is already here, despite a historically long break. We preview the teams going into the season and talk about how so many things could change during this season, as we saw last season. We also go through all the CCL action, including some dominance by MLS clubs. And, as ever, we have some NWSL news as well.
Apr 16, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 134
11 Is Not Enough
The MLS season is still a couple of weeks away but wow has there all of a sudden been a lot of soccer. We talk the She Believes tournament, Olympic qualifiers, World Cup qualifying, and of course, MLS as well. We go a little in depth into our favourite maligned team and ask "have the Whitecaps really changed?"
Apr 04, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 133
Vanney's Got a Plan (with Younes Bouida, Soccer New Brunswick)
The off season continues to churn and we've got a lot of story lines. We talk about Henry to Bournemouth (which is now confirmed to NOT be happening), Miami and Cincinnati making moves, and Greg Vanney's master plan to make LA, and Chicharito, good again. We also get to fill in a bit more of the Canadian youth development story with a chat with Younes Bouida, who heads up Soccer New Brunswick. After taping, we heard about the awful Jordan Morris injury, we wish him well as he begins another long...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 132
Club de Foot and Club Development (w/ Mike Ayyash)
There has been a lot of player movement and club news since we last talked- so we run down all the big transfer news, new coaches, old coaches, rebrands and more. Then we bring in our guest, Mike Ayyash, head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps Atlantic Canada Development Centre to talk about how youth development has worked in the past and how it might work in the future.
Jan 31, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 131
2020 Season Wrap Up
We finally get to put the lid on 2020, so we run through some completely arbitrary awards and recap some of our favourite moments of the season. We also discuss the tensions around a new CBA and what a Vanney move to LA Galaxy will mean- a move that has since been confirmed!
Jan 10, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 130
The 2020 MLS Cup Final
And just like that, it was over. The Seattle Sounders were neatly dealt with by Caleb Porter's Columbus Crew in a final no one predicted. We break down the game and what we liked about both teams and where things went wrong for Seattle. And of course because there's no rest for anyone, we dive right back into Champion's League action, including a ridiculous red card, even by MLS standards.
Dec 23, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 129
That Last 15 Minutes Will Really Get Ya
Well no one will accuse the conference finals of being boring. We've got a full run down of both games and some probably not surprising final predictions (which we recorded before it was announced that Crew will be without two starting players) We go in depth into the two games and also turn to the CCL where Forge... struggled.
Dec 12, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 128
Roll On, The Conference Finals
This week we do an in depth breakdown of all of the games including Orlando's unhinged performance, New England's patient and efficient attack, Columbus' sheer will, Nashville's missed opportunity but great run, Seattle's unlikely hero, Dallas' noble effort, Sporting KC's tired legs, and Minnesota's playoff dreams realized.
Dec 06, 2020•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 127
Shootout at the SKC Corral
In a wild first round of playoffs, we go through the insane moments you might have missed because of all of the other insane moments. We talk about the Iceman Tim Melia, the unrelenting Sounders, and early exits for a few clubs we thought would show some more fight, as well as our predictions for the next round.
Nov 28, 2020•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 126
Playoff Preview and Predictions
As North America spirals into Covid chaos, we pick the teams we think will make it through, if anyone makes it through. Only 20% a bummer. Stay safe
Nov 20, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 125
Decision Day AKA The Snows of Hurtado island
As the playoffs loom, we go over all the Decision Day results and talk about who is in and who is out and why. We offer some helpful advice to the teams that didn't quite make it and dissect the season's first snow game.
Nov 17, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 124
I Got Them PPG Blues
This week we look at the important races to playoff spots ahead of Decision Day, with some in depth looks at the dark horse teams, as well some teams we're still quite surprised by, and of course, whether or not the MLS Playoffs will even happen amidst soaring Covid 19 numbers. We also turn some attention to the Colorado Rapids who have quietly emerged as a force to be reckoned with.
Nov 08, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 123
To Shield or Not to Shield
This week we dive into the debacle of whether the 2020 Supporter's Shield will be awarded, look at how the playoffs are shaping up, and look at a few familiar names getting on the scoresheet.
Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 122
Speaking of Things That Are Weird and Bad
This week we look at the two dominant teams emerging in MLS (bet you can't guess who), talk about the sea change at DC, and a really unfortunate incident in USL involving San Diego Loyal and Phoenix Rising.
Oct 11, 2020•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 121
Rudy CAN Fail
In another busy stretch of games we take a closer look at Montreal's discipline issues, some wild Whitecaps results, the struggles of LAFC, and Seattle's annoyingly good form.
Oct 02, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 120
From No Footy to Too Many Games
Since the conclusion of the MLS is Back tournament, the schedule has been very busy so we take you through every single MLS club, some of their recent results, and offer our thoughts about where they are and where they're going. And if that's not enough, we also catch you up on Canadian Premier League. Put the coffee on and put your feet up, there's lots to talk about!
Sep 17, 2020•2 hr 12 min•Ep. 119
Timbers Are Champs
Despite a Cinderella run, Orlando City SC lost out in the final to Portland Timbers and we have a full break down of what went so right for Portland and what went wrong for Orlando. Then we dive into the first glut of MLS games, which are happening now at breakneck speeds, as well as the re-launch of the Canadian Premier League.
Aug 23, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 118
And Then There Were Two
Just like that, MLS is Back is almost done! We run down all the knockout games, and look at a preview of the final between Portland Timbers and Orlando City. We also talk about the return of Canadian Premier League and the rest of an MLS season.
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 117
Dashed Dreams
Among a slew of MLS action this week, we turn some of our attention to NWSL where a somewhat unlikely champion was crowned. We break down all the knockout stage games and the major story lines from Chill Socce... I mean MLS Is Back. We talk about Hasal's nervy debut with the Whitecaps, the sleepy Sounders, and a few surprises that truly we could not have predicted.
Aug 01, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 116
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