The NWSL challenge cup is just a handful of games old, but just in the past week ther ehave been three separate season-ending injuries that could impact the players’ clubs and the U.S. women’s national team. Meg Linehan is here to tell us all about it. Also, tonight’s the last night of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying – we’ll give you a quick guide to that. Meg & Steph’s NWSL recap: https://theathletic.com/3214400/2022/03/28/jessica-mcdonald-and-ashley-sanchez-skill-shows-issues-with-broadcast-qual...
Mar 30, 2022•24 min
After 17 months and 17 games per team, South America’s World Cup Qualifying process comes to an end tonight. The region’s four automatic bids to the World Cup are already decided, but a spot in the intercontinental playoff is still up for grabs between Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Felipe Cardenas is here to break down each team. Plus, a rundown of what to watch in games around the world. Carl Anka’s story on Ghana-Nigeria: https://theathletic.com/3204512/2022/03/27/from-the-sandy-pitches-of-middle...
Mar 29, 2022•23 min
World Cup qualifying continues this weekend. We’ll give you a short rundown of the big games to watch, then send you to The Lead for their excellent story about Jesse Marsch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2022•30 min
The final window of the CONCACAF Octagonal gets underway tonight. WE covered Canada yesterday, Mexico the day before that. Today, Sam Stejskal joins the show to talk about what to expect from the United States in tonight’s game against Mexico, and in this window as a whole. CONCACAF scenarios flowchart: https://twitter.com/AnAbnos/status/1506801657178427404 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 24, 2022•15 min
The Canadian men’s national team is on the verge of qualifying for its second World Cup ever, and its first since 1986. Progressing to the tournament would mean a lot for Canadian soccer, and especially for this team’s elder statesman: Atiba Hutchinson. Joshua Kloke is on the ground in Costa Rica ahead of a big match that could seal the team’s ticket to Qatar, and he joins us on the show to talk about all that and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 23, 2022•12 min
There’s been a lot of angst surrounding the Mexican men’s national team ahead of the final CONCACAF window. But the truth is, they’re in a pretty decent position to qualify. Felipe Cardenas is here to tell us what to expect from the team in the last three games of qualifying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 22, 2022•20 min
There’s been an explosion in the amount of data available in soccer lately. But there’s one emerging measurement that is still being refined, but could become vitally important. John Muller is here to talk about it, and how it applies to recent research on goalkeepers. John’s story: https://theathletic.com/3181844/2022/03/15/passive-or-aggressive-spread-or-smother-using-body-poses-to-understand-goalkeeper-technique/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 21, 2022•10 min
On March 5th, a Liga MX game between Queretaro and Atlas erupted in violence. Fan group from both teams clashed in the stands and on the field as the teams, bystanders, and media ran to the exist. The images were harrowing, and they were broadcast around the world on social media. Yet still, there was a sense of mystery about what exactly happened, how it happened, and why. Not long afterward, Pablo Maurer and Felipe Cardenas traveled to Queretaro to get closer to answering some of those questio...
Mar 18, 2022•24 min
The National Women’s Soccer League has a regular season schedule, and that’s just some of the news you’ll need to keep track of today in the world of soccer. I’ll run down the big dates and tell you what to watch out for, including the US men’s national team roster announcement. USMNT roster projection: https://theathletic.com/3186604/2022/03/15/usmnt-projected-roster-replacing-weston-mckennie-and-the-lingering-questions-at-striker/ Key NWSL dates: https://theathletic.com/news/nwsl-2022-schedu...
Mar 17, 2022•14 min
The Champions League Round of 16 ends tonight, and it does so alongside a big matchup in the Premier League title race. John Muller is here to preview all of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 16, 2022•10 min
It’s all about international tournaments today, as the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 rumbles on, the CONCACAF Champions League follows suit, and the Copa Libertadores enters its final pre-group stage qualification phase. John Muller is here to break down the two big games in Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 15, 2022•11 min
The fallout continues from the sanctioning of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, a familiar name re-enters the coaching ranks, and a couple interesting games to watch to start the week. Felix Magath news: https://theathletic.com/news/felix-magath-appointed-hertha-berlin-head-coach-until-end-of-season/Mo0N62QYIrzS/ Chelsea academy: https://theathletic.com/3178598/2022/03/13/abramovich-sanctions-brexit-rules-scouting-lower-divisions-the-questions-swirling-around-chelseas-academy/ Learn more about you...
Mar 14, 2022•6 min
Alex and Brooks Peck take you through the weekend matches ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 11, 2022•20 min
The National Women’s Soccer League has a new commissioner. Jessica Berman has been hired to lead the NWSL after years at the National Lacrosse League and the National Hockey League. How will her experience translate to women’s soccer? Meg Linehan is here to lay it all out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 10, 2022•17 min
Today’s episode comes to us via The Lead, The Athletic’s daily podcast covering one story in the sports world at large each day: Roman Abramovich endeared himself to Chelsea fans almost immediately when he purchased the club back in 2003. He quickly spent more money than any Premier League club owner in history, and the results on the field followed: league titles, Champions League victories, and many more trophies. But now, in the wake of Russia's war against Ukraine, questions and concerns abo...
Mar 09, 2022•29 min
Over the weekend, mass violence erupted in the stands and spilled out on to the field in Queretaro’s Liga MX match against Atlas F.C. Felipe Cárdenas is here to fill us in on what we know about the tragedy….and what we don’t. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 08, 2022•15 min
Penalty kicks are one of if not the most impactful events in any given game. But what if they were different? John Muller and Pablo Maurer are here to advocate for an alternate form of penalty kick that they say is more fair, and more fun. Pablo Maurer on the history of the MLS shootout: https://theathletic.com/1800695/2020/05/07/the-rise-and-fall-of-mlss-35-yard-shootout-and-why-it-should-be-brought-back/ John Muller’s data case for 35-yard PKs: https://theathletic.com/3161748/2022/03/04/penalt...
Mar 07, 2022•23 min
It’s yet another big weekend in the Serie A title race, the Manchester Derby is back, and and there’s even more meaningful soccer on TV this weekend. Matt Pentz is here to help you decide what to watch hour-by-hour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 04, 2022•22 min
MLS is back, and Jeff Rueter is here with three games (actually seven games) worth keeping an eye on in Week 2. All that plus a few soccer-related updates on the situation in Ukraine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 03, 2022•22 min
U.S. Soccer has signed a new media rights deal with networks that haven’t featured much American soccer lately – TBS, TNT, and HBO Max. Paul Tenorio is here to break down the deal, what games are included, and why it’s important for U.S. Soccer. More info on the deal: https://theathletic.com/news/us-soccer-agrees-to-english-language-media-rights-deal-with-turner-sports-and-hbo-source/qqZYBuQLCEfI/?source=twitterhq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 02, 2022•17 min
Jesse Marsch is the new manager at Leeds United. John Muller is here to explain how the American’s tactical ideas could work in Leeds’ relegation fight.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 01, 2022•16 min
Chelsea’s owner is making a move and the calls for Russia’s ban from international competitions are growing stronger. Abramovich explainer: https://theathletic.com/3151831/2022/02/27/explained-why-roman-abramovich-has-handed-over-care-of-chelsea-and-what-it-really-means/ Bielsa fired at Leeds; Marsch to take over? https://theathletic.com/news/leeds-united-part-company-with-head-coach-marcelo-bielsa/TIdygXBQiXWY/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 28, 2022•8 min
The MLS season starts this weekend. Jeff Rueter and John Muller are here to talk about some big storylines ahead of opening day. There's also a quick recap of how the world of soccer has been impacted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine updates: https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/russia-ukraine-crisis-impact-on-football-live-new[…]hampions-league-final-roman-abramovich-and-more/3Rrv6fAKLm67/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 25, 2022•44 min
Guest-host Jeff Rueter dives into his story on MLS's rapid expansion and how that creates a variety of approaches towards roster-building. Jeff's story: https://theathletic.com/3142596/2022/02/22/how-mlss-rapid-expansion-creates-an-unprecedented-variety-of-approaches-towards-roster-building/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 24, 2022•16 min
Guest-host Matt Pentz is joined by CONCACAF expert Jon Arnold to discuss this year's ongoing Champions League drama, his favorite stories from other editions of the tournament and where he suggests you plan your next regional away day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 23, 2022•39 min
Guest-host Matt Pentz is joined by his colleague Jeff Rueter as they explain their perhaps bizarre attachment to the English second division, and break down the promotion race in a season that has been even wackier than normal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 22, 2022•45 min
Stylistically, Brighton and Hove Albion have more in common with Manchester City than you might think. John Muller dives into why that is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 21, 2022•14 min
There are a lot of games on this weekend, including a long-awaited U.S. TV appearance for Union St. Gilloise – sure to become your new favorite club. Brooks Peck is here to help break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 18, 2022•21 min
A new group of NWSL investors, New contracts and potential new signings in MLS, a new general manager for OL Reign, and a return to action tonight for the U.S. women’s national team. Guide to SheBelieves Cup: https://theathletic.com/3134565/2022/02/16/2022-shebelieves-cup-guide-uswnt-newcomers-and-opposition-match-times-how-to-watch/ Interview with Canada WNT coach Bev Priestman: https://theathletic.com/3130599/2022/02/15/bev-priestman-on-going-from-the-lowest-moment-of-her-career-to-winning-oly...
Feb 17, 2022•10 min
There’s another election for president of the U.S. Soccer Federation on the horizon. Steph Yang spoke with the incumbent candidate, Cindy Parlow Cone, about her campaign and what she hopes to accomplish in a full term at the helm. USSF election explainer: https://theathletic.com/3121237/ Interview with Cindy Parlow Cone: https://theathletic.com/3132152/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 16, 2022•18 min
