It’s a new year, and the SSFC Podcast is back to kick off January with Episode 69! We get into the transfer window, the USMNT’s preliminary training camp in Phoenix, and the announcement of SheBelieves Cup for the USWNT. The January transfer window is open and it has already been busy for Americans. We’ve seen Daryl Dike move to West Bromwich Albion and James Sands go to Rangers FC on loan. But, the biggest transfer so far has been Ricardo Pepi moving to FC Augsberg for a MLS record transfer fee...
Jan 06, 2022•17 min
2021 was a wild year for the United States National Teams, and we recap all the highs and lows on Episode 68! The USMNT won the Nations League and the Gold Cup, and are sitting in qualifying position in World Cup qualifying. We break down their historic year, which included beating Mexico 3 times along with the two major trophies. The USWNT had an up-and-down year, despite matching the USMNT in wins. They won SheBelieves Cup, but had to settle for bronze at the Olympics. We analyze their year, w...
Dec 29, 2021•42 min
The United States Women’s National Team had a productive trip Down Under, and we lead Episode 67 with a recap of their matches against Australia. There were a few players who seized the opportunity they were given, like Ashley Hatch, Midge Purce, Casey Murphy, and Andi Sullivan. And, Vlatko Andonovski will have some choices to make going forward about which direction he wishes to steer the USWNT as it gears up for World Cup qualifying and Olympic qualifying next summer. After the break, we move ...
Dec 03, 2021•30 min
The United States Men’s National Team has completed another international window of World Cup qualifying, and we recap it on Episode 66 of the SSFC Podcast. First, the USMNT had another magic night in Ohio with a Dos A Cero win over Mexico. We discuss some of the banter and address some of the people who still continued to hate on Gregg Berhalter even after a historic victory, his 3rd over Mexico in 6 months. After the break, we get into the draw down at The Office to Jamaica. While it was a hot...
Nov 19, 2021•29 min
The United States Men’s National Team are about to embark on a big week of World Cup qualifying, and we preview the upcoming matches against Mexico and Jamaica on Episode 65 of the SSFC Podcast. The USMNT enter this window in 2nd place in the Octagon, with their biggest home match looming on Friday against Mexico in Cincinnati. They then travel to take on Jamaica in Kingston next Tuesday. We begin by previewing the latest edition in the USA-Mexico rivalry. We review the USMNT roster and discuss ...
Nov 10, 2021•20 min
With a nice break between international windows, this week was a great week to dip into the mailbag. So, we answer some of your USMNT questions on Episode 64! With all of the questions centered around the U.S. Men’s National Team, we focus on that as we prepare for a huge World Cup qualifying window, at home against Mexico and away to Jamaica. Some of the questions target some of the questions we have at the striker position, whether we have a clogged midfield, and who the best centerback pairin...
Oct 28, 2021•22 min
The SSFC Podcast is back after the lengthy trip during the World Cup qualifying window with Episode 63! First up, the United States Men’s National Team are still in 2nd place in the Octagonal standings after 2 home wins and a road loss during the October international window. We quickly recap the three matches - wins against Jamaica and Costa Rica and a loss against Panama - and highlight two things that the USMNT went through that could be important the rest of the way. After the break, we brie...
Oct 20, 2021•15 min
The USMNT roster is here for World Cup qualifying, and it’s time to react to it on Episode 62. The roster was released this morning, and we go through it to highlight who Gregg Berhalter called in and who was not included. There were several players who were included on this roster that did not make it in the September window: Paul Arriola, Tim Weah, Gyasi Zardes, Luca de la Torre, Matthew Hoppe, Shaq Moore, Yunus Musah, Chris Richards, and Gianluca Busio. While Gio Reyna and Christian Pulisic w...
Sep 29, 2021•16 min
Now that the international break is over, it was a good time to discuss the World Cup qualifying matches that have occurred for the United States Men’s National Team. On the previous episode, we did a deep dive into the 3 matches, complete with an interview with Eric Schmitz of the World of Concacaf Podcast. On Episode 61, we dip into the mailbag to answer some of your questions about the three matches and what’s to come for the USMNT. We have questions about the tactics of Gregg Berhalter, from...
Sep 12, 2021•24 min
The first three matches of World Cup qualifying are in the books for the United States Men’s National Team, and we recap it all on Episode 60 of the SSFC Podcast! The USMNT are currently in 2nd place in the Octagonal standings after a draw at El Salvador, a home draw against Canada, and a comeback win on the road at Honduras. I was in the building for all 3 matches, and we break down all the ups and downs from the window. First, I give my take on what it was like to be in the stands for all 3 ma...
Sep 10, 2021•57 min
The Octagon is here! On Episode 59, we dive into the start of World Cup qualifying for the United States Men’s National Team, and we’re excited about the week to come! First, we analyze the roster and where there could be some rotation for the USMNT. We have a legit goalkeeper competition, and the question will be who gets the start on Thursday against El Salvador, Sunday against Canada, and next Wednesday against Honduras. We also have a couple of guys on this roster that were not on the Nation...
Sep 01, 2021•19 min
Concacaf has launched a couple new women’s competitions, and we take a look at how they are set up on Episode 58. The USWNT will embark on World Cup qualifying next summer, as they compete in the Concacaf W Championship. That tournament will also serve as qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics and will also give one team an automatic spot in the other new tournament, the W Gold Cup. The USWNT’s path to the 2023 World Cup hasn’t changed much, but with the expanded World Cup field, it has become ...
Aug 19, 2021•16 min
We’re back with Episode 57, and this is a funny one. We are joined this week by Alexis Guerreros and Christian Polanco. These two comedians form the dynamic duo The Cooligans, and they have created their own lane that mixes soccer news with stand up comedy. They have a TV show that airs Thursday nights on Fubo Sports Network, they have a podcast, and have been able to mix the funny with the soccer in a way that no one else on this side of the pond dares try. But, on top of it, they’re fans of th...
Aug 12, 2021•42 min
The SSFC Podcast is back after a month of travel for the Gold Cup, and Episode 56 recaps the month of July and early August for both the USMNT and the USWNT! First, we discuss the Gold Cup for the USMNT, who worked hard to win their second trophy over rivals Mexico this summer. We go through the entire road to the Gold Cup championship and we discuss some of the players who could factor into World Cup qualifying when it begins next month. After the break, we get into the Olympics for the USWNT, ...
Aug 09, 2021•39 min
The United States Women’s National Team have an Olympic roster, and we break it all down on Episode 55 of the SSFC Podcast. The USWNT have 18 players and 4 alternates headed to Tokyo, and we go through the roster to discuss who made the team and who was on the outside looking in. We also get into a couple of questions surrounding this roster, most notably on a player that was left off the team as well as whether a couple of players who made the roster will be 100% by the time the tournament begi...
Jun 29, 2021•17 min
Today is Juneteenth, and with it being a day of celebration and commemoration, it’s also a day of education for those who don’t know the significance of the holiday to Black people and to American history. So, on Episode 54, we channel the education on Black American soccer history with a crosspost episode! We’re honored to use our platform to re-air the first episode of the Can I Kick It FC Podcast, which debuted a year ago today. Co-hosts Elliot Barr (who appeared on Episode 42 during Black Hi...
Jun 19, 2021•49 min
It’s been a wild window, but we are back with Episode 53 of the SSFC Podcast! We recap the USMNT window that just finished, which was capped by a win over Mexico to win the Concacaf Nations League. The USMNT lost on the road to Switzerland 2-1, but they came back to win 1-0 against Honduras, 3-2 after extra time against Mexico, and 4-0 in a friendly against Costa Rica. We focus mainly on the Nations League matches and just everything that we saw during those two matches. It was as Concacaf-y of ...
Jun 11, 2021•21 min
The USMNT has a 27-player roster for their upcoming friendly against Switzerland on May 30th. Gregg Berhalter just released the roster this morning and we do a quick reaction to some of the names on this list. Of course, some names are off this list, like Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen (Champions League final), and Aaron Long and Jordan Morris (injury). Despite injuries, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie made the roster. We’ll see who else will form the final 23 when it is submitted on May 24t...
May 20, 2021•9 min
The 2021 Gold Cup schedule has finally arrived...took Concacaf long enough! We go through it on Episode 51 of the SSFC Podcast. First, we talk about how Concacaf completely bungled the announcement of this Gold Cup schedule, including releasing the list of venues without dates or who would be playing there. Less than 2 months before the start of the tournament, we finally learn where teams will be playing, which is making fans scramble to make summer plans. The USMNT has a home base for the grou...
May 14, 2021•17 min
The UEFA Champions League Final is set, and Chelsea FC and Manchester City will take the field in Istanbul to see who will be crowned European champions. However, two Pennsylvanians from the USMNT, Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen, will compete to see which of them will become only the 2nd USMNT player to win a Champions League. On Episode 50, we discuss the matchup and also quickly look at some of the USMNT and USWNT players that have competed in the Champions League Final and took home winne...
May 07, 2021•12 min
Jesse Marsch is off to RB Leipzig, as he was announced yesterday as their next coach, replacing Julian Nagelsmann. On Episode 49, we do a quick reaction to Marsch’s move from Salzburg to Leipzig and how his path through the Red Bull system has put him in the position he seeked when he left the New York Red Bulls: a head coaching job with a big time club in Europe. We also dip into the pathway for American coaches to run clubs in Europe. Currently, there are a few, but while the focus has been on...
Apr 29, 2021•11 min
The European Super League shook the pillars of the soccer world, so it's only right that we begin with that discussion on Episode 48! The Super League has come and gone, but it's still a good time to break down what it was really all about: money. On both sides. There were no good guys in this dispute, and it's only going to maintain until the adults enter the room and try to figure out what makes the most sense for everyone. We gotta keep the same energy on trying to link it to MLS or any other...
Apr 22, 2021•24 min
On Episode 47 of the SSFC Podcast, we’re discussing one thing: failure to qualify. The USMNT U-23s didn’t qualify for the Olympics for the 3rd consecutive time and 4th time in 5 opportunities, and it’s a setback and a failure for the MNT program. We’re quickly breaking down all of it, from the players on the field to the coaching decisions, to the fact that our best players weren’t available to play. We had a team that was strong enough to qualify and we didn’t do it. Why does that keep happenin...
Mar 29, 2021•23 min
On Episode 46 of the SSFC Podcast, we recap the USMNT’s victory over Jamaica and preview the big doubleheader on Sunday with the USMNT’s match against Northern Ireland and the United States U-23s attempting to book their trip to Tokyo in Olympic qualifying against Honduras. The USMNT had several standout performers yesterday from Sergiño Dest to Brenden Aaronson. We discuss some of those performances quickly and what it means for the team going forward. After the break, we move to the U-23s, who...
Mar 26, 2021•13 min
It’s a short episode this week on the SSFC Podcast, but Episode 45 focuses on the USMNT roster that was released this week ahead of friendlies against Jamaica and Northern Ireland. We dissect the roster and discuss some of the changes that will come in the middle of the window due to Covid restrictions in the United Kingdom. We also go through some of the players who weren’t called in for various reasons. Covid really did a number on this roster and how Gregg Berhalter had to navigate it. After ...
Mar 19, 2021•12 min
On Episode 44 of the SSFC Podcast, we go through the U-23 Olympic qualifying roster that was released by Jason Kreis yesterday. With 20 guys remaining in Guadalajara to take on Concacaf and qualify for the Tokyo Games, we take a look at who those players are and what combinations they could have on the field. Starting with a general breakdown of the roster, you see there are plenty of players with USMNT experience as well as experience at Youth World Cups. The roster has representation from 11 M...
Mar 12, 2021•15 min
Get your weekend started with Episode 43 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! On this episode, we go through the U-23 training roster for Olympic qualifying. There were a few players who were removed, and some who were left off the roster. We explain why they are absent from the roster. The USMNT have a couple of matches coming up. We discuss the one that was just announced against Jamaica as well as the test they will have against Northern Ireland as well. Finally, the Sacramento Republic’s e...
Mar 05, 2021•15 min
As we close out Black History Month, we have a special episode of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast dedicated to one supporter who is using his platform to tell the stories that need telling. Elliot Barr is the co-host of the Can I Kick It Podcast, which covers Black soccer history, moments, and players. Since Juneteenth 2020, he and his co-host Chenier Durand II have brought stories and interviews about some of the great Black players in soccer history that aren’t getting the shine they deserv...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 3 min
We have a few things to dissect on Episode 41 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! First, we give our thoughts on the 3rd jersey that leaked yesterday for the USWNT and the USMNT. We assume some things, but one thing’s for sure: it’s a zany jersey and I like it! Next up, the WNT win SheBelieves Cup again. We discuss some of the players that stood out above the rest, like Crystal Dunn, Christen Press, Rose Lavelle, Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s going to have a d...
Feb 26, 2021•16 min
SheBelieves Cup begins this evening, so we have a quick Episode 40 for you to view while you prepare for the matches! The United States Women’s National Team begin with a match this evening against Canada, then follow with matches Sunday against Brazil and next Wednesday against Argentina. In preparations for the tournament, the USWNT media availabilities gave some nice insight into the team’s approach to these matches, both individually and collectively. We briefly discuss some of those nuggets...
Feb 18, 2021•11 min
