The Athletic Soccer Show  - podcast cover

The Athletic Soccer Show

The Athletictheathletic.com
The Athletic’s team of soccer writers cover the beautiful game with daily short-form and in-depth episodes focusing on the USMNT, MLS, European football, the Mexico national football team and the Canada men’s soccer team.

Episodes

Erling Haaland’s fit at Manchester City

The deal is done. Erling Haaland will be a Manchester City player at the start of next season. Over on The Athletic Football Podcast, hosts Flo Lloyd-Hughes and Dan Bardell were joined by a trio of experts to look at how Haaland will fit with his new club, from every angle. Those experts: Man City reporter Sam Lee, German football reporter Kit Holden, and analytics writer Mark Carey. We’ll have a clip of their conversation today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 11, 202221 min

The impact of Miles Robinson’s injury

Miles Robinson’s chances of making the United States’ World Cup roster are essentially over. The Atlanta United center back suffered a torn Achilles over the weekend – an injury that will have a huge impact for his national team, his club team, and Robinson’s career as a whole. The Athletic reporters Paul Tenorio and Felipe Cárdenas are here today to discuss those impacts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 202222 min

How to score off a rebound

Rebounds are one of the most chaotic situations in soccer, but they lead to their fair share of goals. John Muller is here to break down how some players manage to be so good at burying them. How to score from a rebound: https://theathletic.com/3230645/2022/04/06/how-to-score-from-a-rebound/ The Athletic Soccer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo56QQ41e5Mc3ndX45mjauQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 09, 202219 min

NWSL Challenge Cup madness

The NWSL regular season is just beginning, but the Challenge Cup is coming to an end. The Washington Spirit and North Carolina Courage meet in the final there on Saturday. Meg Linehan is here to talk about that matchup, the Spirit’s absolutely insane victory over OL Reign in the semifinal, and where the Challenge Cup fits in the NWSL ecosystem. The Athletic Soccer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo56QQ41e5Mc3ndX45mjauQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

May 06, 202223 min

The goal that saved Coventry United

There are tons of great goals scored every week all around the globe. Today’s show focuses on one of them, which saved a women’s club on the brink in the English second division. The Athletic Women’s Football podcast has a great interview with key figures from Coventry United, the club that was saved by a last-minute rocket of a free kick. The goal that saves Coventry United: https://twitter.com/FAWomensChamp/status/1520781280060841985 The Athletic Women’s Football Podcast: https://theathletic.c...

May 05, 202224 min

Sounders vs. Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions League final

After a 2-2 draw in the opening leg in Mexico, the Seattle Sounders return home to face Pumas in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final tonight. A win would be historic for the Sounders and MLS as a whole, but the matchup with Pumas does present some potential issues. Sam Stejskal is in Seattle, and joins us today to preview the matchup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 04, 202214 min

Checking in on the Copa Libertadores

The Copa Libertadores is halfway through its group stage, and some interesting themes and storylines are beginning to emerge. Felipe Cárdenas joins the show today to fill us in on Brazil’s dominance in the competition, what’s wrong with Boca Juniors, and the continued racist incidents at games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 03, 202219 min

What to watch for in the Champions League semis

Last week’s Man City-Real Madrid Champions League game was one for the ages. Is there any way this week’s second leg could match up? What’s behind the criticism of Villarreal’s approach against Liverpool in the other semifinal? John Muller is here to break down this week’s second legs. How Real Madrid stayed alive: ​​https://theathletic.com/3275224/2022/04/27/how-real-madrid-created-the-chaos-that-kept-their-champions-league-semi-final-with-manchester-city-alive/ How Villarreal slowed things dow...

May 02, 202215 min

Weekend Preview: European title races, battles against relegation

Races for spots in European competitions, battles against relegation, and a couple of title races in Europe. A new season beginning, a new stadium opening, and storylines developing in North America. It’s a big weekend of soccer, and we’ll try to sort through the madness. The Athletic Soccer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo56QQ41e5Mc3ndX45mjauQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 29, 202221 min

April 28: Clutch goals

If you thought the fun was over after two exciting men’s Champions League semifinals, the CONCACAF Champions League final first leg, and all the other great action we’ve seen this week, you are sorely mistaken. There are a ton of good games on this afternoon, and chances are you’ll have a decision to make unless you have 20 screens lying around. Plus, a fun clip on the value of “clutch” goals…if that’s what you want to call them…from The Athletic Football Tactics podcast. Can we measure the valu...

Apr 28, 202217 min

April 27: The CONCACAF Champions League Final begins

The Seattle Sounders can become the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League, and the final hurdle to do so starts tonight. Seattle visits Mexico City to play Pumas tonight in the first leg of the CCL final, and Sam Stejskal is here to tell you what to expect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 27, 202215 min

April 26: Bayern Munich’s unsuccessful, title-winning season

Bayern Munich won its 10th consecutive Bundesliga title over the weekend, but this season is still being considered a disappointment by the club and many of its supporters. A lot of that is because they’re not playing today or tomorrow in the Champions League semifinals. Kit Holden has a story about it, and he speaks on the show today about Bayern’s predicament…if you can call it that. Kit’s story: https://theathletic.com/3267248/2022/04/23/bayern-munich-bundesliga-title-10th-anything-but-succes...

Apr 26, 202213 min

April 25: How Erling Haaland would fit at Man City

The Athletic and other outlets report that a deal to bring star striker Erling Haaland to Manchester City is nearly done. But how would he fit in Pep Guardiola’s system? John Muller is here to break down why the move makes sense…and a few reasons why it might not. The Athletic Soccer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo56QQ41e5Mc3ndX45mjauQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 202221 min

April 22: Why D.C. United fired Hernán Losada

The Hernán Losada era in Washington D.C. lasted a mere 15 months. D.C. United fired the Argentine head coach this week, after just one full season in charge and just a handful of games into 2022. Pablo Maurer, Sam Stejskal and Paul Tenorio wrote a piece for The Athletic this week detailing why Losada was let go. Pablo joins me on the show today. Pablo, Sam and Paul on why D.C. fired Losada: https://theathletic.com/3263913/2022/04/21/dc-united-hernan-losada-fired/ The Athletic Soccer on YouTube: ...

Apr 22, 202219 min

April 21: The USWNT’s World Cup and Olympic qualifying path

The CONCACAF W championship draw is set. That means the women’s national teams from the U.S., Canada and all around North and central America know who they’ll be facing in a tournament that determines who heads to the Olympics in 2024 and next year’s World Cup. Meg Linehan is here to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 21, 202214 min

April 20: Arsenal’s fight for the top 4

Arsenal is in a fight with Tottenham, Manchester United, and West Ham United for the last of the top four spots in the English Premier League. That, of course, would mean qualification to the Champions League, and all the prestige and money that comes with it. Arsenal plays Chelsea today in a hugely important game in that race for fourth. The guys over at The Athletic Football Podcast had James McNicholas on to talk about what this next stretch of games means for Arsenal, in the short and long t...

Apr 20, 202220 min

April 19: Matias Almeyda out in San Jose; Atlanta injury issues

Matias Almeyda is no longer the coach of the San Jose Earthquakes, and Atlanta United’s three locker room leaders are out injured for a significant amount of time. Felipe Cardenas is here to talk about what’s next for both teams in the middle of forced transitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 19, 202222 min

April 15: Rest in peace, Freddy Rincón

A legend of Colombian football has passed away. Freddy Rincon, who captured the country’s hearts as part of three beloved World Cup squads in the ‘90s, died this week after being involved in a car accident. Felipe Cárdenas is here to discuss Rincón’s legacy, and what made him the player he was. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 202218 min

April 13: Man United hires ten Haag; What to expect from Sounders-NYCFC Leg 2

At long last, Manchester United has agreed to terms with its next managerial hire, according to David Ornstein at The Athletic. He reports that Ajax manager Erik ten Haag has agreed to take charge at Old Trafford. Carl Anka and Laurie Whitwell analyze what that all means. Also, Sam Stejskal joins me to preview what the second leg of the NYCFC-Seattle Sounders CCL semifinal could look like. The Athletic on Erik ten Haag and Manchester United: https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/manchester-united-e...

Apr 13, 202220 min

Christian Eriksen Is Back -- And Shining (via The Lead)

10 Months after collapsing on the field at the Euros, Christian Eriksen is back on the field -- and looking better than ever. The Athletic's Jay Harris, who covers Eriksen and his club team, Brentford, joined The Lead to explain how the Danish star has picked up where he left off, why he chose tiny Brentford of all places to make his return, and why, after such a traumatic experience, he’s playing the game at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 11, 202227 min

April 8-10: Liverpool-Man City highlights a weekend of games

The weekend preview is back – Brooks Peck joins the show to pick one game to watch in each hour of a jam-packed and much-important weekend in the men’s club game along with a few interesting women’s internationals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 08, 202215 min

April 7: Barcelona under Xavi

Barcelona enters the Europa League quarterfinals today in some of the best form they’ve been in since Lionel Messi’s departure. Xavi’s tactical approach is part of the reason for that, as it the continued presence of Sergio Busquets. Our friends at The Athletic Football tactics podcast break it down today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 07, 202221 min

April 6th: An all-MLS CCL semifinal

An MLS team has never won the CONCACAF Champions League, but this year, we’re guaranteed to get at least one MLS team in the final. The Seattle Sounders and NYCFC meet in the first leg of the CCL semifinal tonight, and Jeff Rueter is here to preview the matchup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 06, 202219 min

April 5: How to modernize the Champions League (via The Athletic Football Podcast)

PSG president and chairman of the European Clubs Association Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants the Champions League to grow and be modernized in line with the Super Bowl. On The Athletic Football Podcast, Adam Crafton speaks about his interview with Al-Khelafi, and we’lll share that discussion here. Adam’s interview: https://theathletic.com/3225527/2022/04/04/the-super-bowl-should-not-feel-bigger-than-the-champions-league-psgs-nasser-al-khelaifi-on-how-he-wants-to-grow-the-game/ Why the Qatar World Cup i...

Apr 05, 202222 min

April 4: Club soccer returns after the international break

After a big week in the international game ending with Friday’s World Cup draw, we’re totally back to the club scene this week. Today’s show is a quick update on what to watch and a few news items to get your week started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 04, 20227 min

Early thoughts on the World Cup draw

The World Cup draw is set, and there’s a lot to talk about. The U.S. will face Iran, England and one of Scotland, Wales or Ukraine in the group stage of the World Cup. Costa Rica would face Spain, Germany and Japan if they win their playoff against New Zealand. The Athletic’s U.S. men’s national team reporter Paul Tenorio joined The Athletic’s live broadcast from Costa Rica right after the draw. Here’s what he had to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 01, 202215 min

April 1: It’s Word Cup draw day

The storylines that will come to define this year’s men’s World Cup start today. It’s World Cup draw day! Get ready. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 01, 20225 min

March 31: The USMNT is back in the World Cup

Four and a half years after their failure in Trinidad and Tobago, the United States is back in the World Cup. Mexico will join them there, while Costa Rica will go to the intercontinental playoff against New Zealand. Today’s show will feature a segment from Allocation Disorder, the podcast from Paul Tenorio and Sam Stejskal, who are on the ground in Costa Rica and have followed the United States throughout qualifying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 31, 202229 min