It’s a special interview on Episode 39, as we welcome Danita Johnson, D.C. United’s new President of Business Operations, to the show! Danita is the first black president and only the 3rd woman president in MLS history. We speak with Danita on her rise through the ranks in the basketball world (NBA, WNBA, G League), the challenges of switching to the soccer world, and being the first black person to be in the space of running a MLS team. We touch on what she hopes to achieve in her new role, and...
Feb 11, 2021•20 min
We recap quite a bit on Episode 38 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! First, we recap the United States Men’s National Team’s 7-0 destruction of Trinidad and Tobago. Which players had standout performances and what does it mean for the USMNT and U-23s? After that, we recap a busy final day to the European winter transfer window, touching on a few key moves. Most notably, Daryl Dike’s loan to Barnsley FC would not have happened if he didn’t play in the USMNT friendly the night before! After t...
Feb 05, 2021•17 min
We have a bit to discuss on Episode 37 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! First, the United States Women’s National Team made easy work of Colombia last weekend, and we saw Crystal Dunn and Margaret Purce Midge Purce finally get free! We also preview the USMNT’s match against Trinidad and Tobago this weekend and review the roster that head coach Gregg Berhalter has to choose from in the final days of January Camp. After the break, we discuss the 2026 World Cup and the cities that are finalis...
Jan 28, 2021•16 min
We have a new episode ready for your Friday afternoon consumption before the United States Women’s National Team takes the field! On this episode, we recap the WNT’s victory over Colombia on Monday night and we discuss which players could feature tonight in round 2. We also discuss the Olympics and what it could mean that there are now reports that the Summer Games are in danger of being canceled. It could really alter the schedule of the WNT this year as well as head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s p...
Jan 22, 2021•24 min
We have quite a bit to recap on Episode 35 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! This week, Olympic qualifying dates have been announced! We discuss the tournament down in Mexico and what the United States U-23s have to do in order to make it to Tokyo for this summer’s Olympics. There were also a few transfers worth noting, from Mark McKenzie moving to Genk to Bryan Reynolds’ rumored move to Juventus (and Benevento). There’s also some transfers on the women’s side, with Catarina Macario signing...
Jan 15, 2021•22 min
It’s a new year, and that means our national teams are back in action! On Episode 34 of the SSFC Podcast, the United States has January Camp for the WNT, the MNT, and the U-23s. We start with a look at the roster for the USWNT, who play Colombia twice in January. We have some veterans back on the field in Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, and Mallory Pugh. Some of the newcomers are back as well, like Sophia Smith, Catarina Macario, and Jaelin Howell. The competition heats up as the team prepares for S...
Jan 07, 2021•19 min
The last episode of 2020 for the Stars and Stripes FC Podcast is here! On Episode 33, we address the rumors of who the United States Women’s National Team could play at SheBelieves Cup: Brazil, Japan, and Norway. We discuss why each team could be a nice challenge for the 2-time defending world champions as they seek to win the gold medal at the Olympics. After the break, we get to the USMNT, who have some friendlies coming up during a busy 2021. Which teams could serve as formidable opponents fo...
Dec 30, 2020•20 min
The UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League are the focus of a quick Episode 32 of the SSFC Podcast. The knockout stage in both competitions is set, and we highlight who the United States internationals will be facing. The good thing is...none of them play each other save for one matchup in the Europa League! It’s amazing that so many of our players are still in this competition with a chance to get that winner’s medal and lift the trophy in May. After the break, we quickly shout out Tyler ...
Dec 17, 2020•10 min
Episode 31 is ready to get your weekend started! The United States Men’s National Team destroy El Salvador, so we begin with a recap of the match and the noteworthy performances. We talk about the young guys who made their debut, like Chris Mueller, Mark McKenzie, and Brenden Aaronson, and the return of Paul Arriola. World Cup qualifying has a new schedule for the USMNT, so we break down the windows and who the team could face when everything begins (as of now) next September. When are the match...
Dec 11, 2020•25 min
On Episode 30 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast, the United States National Teams take focus! First, the USWNT beat the Netherlands, and we recap the goals, the herstory that was made by Sophia Smith and Jaelin Howell, and the beautiful story that was the return of Kristie Mewis to the national team while scoring a goal in the process! It was terrific to see the ladies close out 2020 the way they entered it...by being the most dominant team in the world. After the break, the USMNT is back in...
Dec 04, 2020•13 min
On a short Episode 29 of the SSFC Podcast, we have some United States Men’s National Team matches to recap! We quickly recap the draw against Wales and the big win against Panama, and we highlight some of the standout performances and all the goals. The WNT are next up, playing their first match since the pandemic shut down sports around them back in March. They line up against the Netherlands on Black Friday in a rematch of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final. We go through the roster and see who’...
Nov 19, 2020•13 min
We dive one more time into the player pool on Episode 28 of the SSFC Podcast. This week, we put the forwards in focus to see who should be in, who is on the fringe, and who is likely on the outside looking in. The players discussed this week: Wingers Ulysses Llanez Jordan Morris Jonathan Amon Corey Baird Brooks Lennon Emannuel Sabbi Konrad de la Fuente Jonathan Lewis Yunus Musah Sebastian Saucedo Handwalla Bwana Center Forwards Josh Sargent Jozy Altidore TIm Weah Aron Johannsson Jeremy Ebobisse ...
Nov 11, 2020•27 min
The United States Men's National Team has a roster, and Episode 27 is about breaking it all down! We go through the roster, including Josh Sargent's removal due to Werder Bremen not being able to get a quarantine exemption for him. Sebastian Lletget will be the lone MLS player on the roster as he comes in to replace Sargent. The USMNT roster for matches against Wales and Panama: GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge), Chituru Odunze (Leicester City), Zack Steffen (Manchester City) DEFENDER...
Nov 06, 2020•17 min
On Episode 26 of the SSFC Podcast, we continue our focus on the United States Men’s National Team player pool, with the midfielders getting the deep examination. We lead off the show, however, with a tribute to Total Soccer Show co-host Daryl Grove, who passed away last week after a long fight with cancer. It’s a sad time for American soccer fans, but we look back on why Daryl was so special to us. We split up the midfielders into 4 groups: defensive midfielders, box to box, wingers, and attacki...
Oct 30, 2020•41 min
On the 25th episode of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast, we discuss the defenders in the United States Men's National Team player pool. Which players should be regular call-ups on the national team? Which are in the mix or on the fringe? Which guys are better off on the youth teams and which players are ones whose time has passed? We break down the player pool into three groups: U-24 Chris Richards (20, Bayern Munich) Sergiño Dest (19, Barcelona) Reggie Cannon (22, Boavista FC) Antonee Robinso...
Oct 22, 2020•47 min
On this 24th episode, we begin our deep dive of the United States Men’s National Team, and we begin with a focus on the goalkeepers. Which goalkeepers are at the top of the depth chart? Which ones are fighting to be in the mix or should be in the mix? Which ones are on the outside looking in. Here is the list of goalkeepers that are discussed: Zack Steffen (25 years old, Manchester City) Sean Johnson (31, New York City FC) Bill Hamid (30, D.C. United) JT Marcinkowski (23, San Jose Earthquakes) M...
Oct 14, 2020•46 min
The USWNT are set to reconvene! On Episode 23, we look into the WNT’s training camp that’s set to begin on the 18th and we take a look at the MNT players who are in biggest need of a move that didn’t secure one during the European transfer window. We first look at the USWNT. Coach Andonovski has set up a training camp from October 18-28 in Colorado, and he has called in 27 players. There aren’t any matches associated with this camp, so it’s a chance to evaluate some young talent and some NWSL ve...
Oct 09, 2020•18 min
What is this timeline! One of the biggest transfers in USMNT history became official today, so we discuss Sergiño Dest’s historic move to Barcelona. How big it is for him, could he move into the starting right back role, and what this all means for American soccer. The Champions League draw was also today, and we break down who each of the Americans playing in the competition will line up against. There’s a huge set of matches looming that would be interesting to all American soccer fans. After ...
Oct 01, 2020•19 min
Episode 21 is here for your enjoyment! We kick off the episode by discussing U.S. Soccer's announcement that the USMNT will not play matches during the October international window. We talk over what the USMNT's options may be going forward. It blends into the discussion of the calendar, with Concacaf deciding to move the Nations League playoff to June 2021 and delay the start of World Cup qualifying. How will the schedule get made up and what adjustments might need to be made for the USMNT to c...
Sep 24, 2020•14 min
On Episode 20, we discuss some transfer rumors and moves, the idea of the United States mimicking Brazil in offering state championships, and Americans scoring goals in Major League Soccer. First, Donald dives into the possibility that Sergiño Dest could be on the move to either Barcelona or Bayern Munich. Either way, it would be a huge boost for American soccer. DeAndre Yedlin could be on the move to MLS, and we discuss if that's a good idea for him or if he has what it takes to remain in Europ...
Sep 18, 2020•20 min
It's been over a month, but we're back with Episode 19 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast. We begin this episode with a personal update on the reason for the hiatus and a tribute to the life of a very special woman. We then get into the soccer to catch up on some of the big news that happened over the last month. First, we discuss Weston McKennie's big loan to Juventus and what it means for him and the USMNT. After the break, we discuss Manchester City and Manchester United bringing in some W...
Sep 09, 2020•17 min
Concacaf used this Monday to drop big news, announcing the format for World Cup qualifying. The USMNT now knows its road to Qatar! We discuss the format, the windows that will be used for qualifying matches, how it will all take shape, and when the USMNT will begin play. After the break, Concacaf also announces the dates for the Nations League finals, the 2021 Gold Cup, and the 2022-23 Nations League. We break down those dates and put together the basic schedule for the USMNT. Bottom line, the m...
Jul 27, 2020•23 min
Episode 17 of the SSFC Podcast is here for your enjoyment! On this episode, we begin with a recap of the NWSL Challenge Cup quarterfinals and touch briefly on the Washington Spirit being forced to limit the minutes of Rose Lavelle. Then, we shift to MLS expansion and how the coronavirus pandemic has shifted the timeline of when teams enter the league. Finally, we touch on the 2022 World Cup. The schedule has been released, and fans will need to invest in their favorite coffee to stay awake for m...
Jul 21, 2020•19 min
Episode 16 focuses on each of the domestic soccer leagues that are back in session here in the United States. First, we dive into the MLS is Back tournament and focus on the soccer after the COVID-19 testing was the theme of the first few days. We look at some of the wild matches that have occurred so far, and some of the good and abysmal performances. After the break, we switch to the NWSL Challenge Cup, which has completed its preliminary stage and has reseeded for the quarterfinals. We look a...
Jul 17, 2020•20 min
After a break for the July 4th weekend, we are back with Episode 15! On this episode, we begin with a look at the MLS is Back Tournament that is scheduled to begin Wednesday evening, and we discuss why this tournament really shouldn't be played. We also talk about the NWSL Challenge Cup and the excellent soccer we've seen there, while the players have remained safe! After the break, we discuss Christian Pulisic's world class play so far during the Premier League restart and how he's becoming a w...
Jul 08, 2020•20 min
An action packed Episode 14 awaits! First, a special interview with Justin Morrow (Toronto FC, USMNT) and Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers, USMNT) on the formation of the Black Players Coalition of MLS. Justin and Jeremy provide some insight into how the Coalition came together, what they're fighting for, and how you can help. After the break, we welcome back Stephanie Yang to the podcast to discuss the abrupt withdrawal of the Orlando Pride from the NWSL Challenge Cup due to several members of...
Jun 23, 2020•45 min
Episode 13 is packed full of analysis as soccer returns. Donald reviews the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup and the excitement he has for the matches. He reviews the MLS Is Back tournament (and its terrible name) and why MLS needs to be sure that it can keep players and staff safe as it begins the tournament in a few weeks. After the break, we discuss the Bundesliga and Fox's blunder to not offer any pregame or postgame coverage, and we end with a call to MLS, NWSL, USL and NISA to step up and not g...
Jun 19, 2020•46 min
The soccer news of the day is put on the back burner for a week. On an emotional and raw episode, Donald takes you through his experiences on being black in America after the events of the past couple weeks. The focus then shifts to racism in soccer and the fact that teams, players, and the community at large needs to do more to truly get racism out of the game and combat it when it rears its ugly head. Please take the time and listen and really hear the pain and the words and ask yourself, what...
Jun 09, 2020•18 min
The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, NWSL, and MLS are all coming back soon! We lead off this episode by discussing the leagues coming back and how great it is for all of us to have soccer returning to our televisions. We also get into the Bundesliga's insertion of artificial crowd noise and whether it's really enhancing the broadcast of those matches. After the break, we jump right into the hot jerseys that were dropped in the past couple weeks. Which team had the best jerseys? We discuss that...
May 29, 2020•21 min
The Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga are back, and we're here to recap it all! On this episode, we discuss how all the Americans did this past weekend, the first match for Americans playing in Germany in over 2 months. We break down each match in both leagues and take a look at the table to see which players could be playing in Europe next season, who's in danger of getting relegated, and who in the 2. Bundesliga has a chance of moving up to the top flight. We close with thoughts on the rumors surro...
May 19, 2020•21 min
