Manchester City recovers from the two losses before the international break to surge forward. But a 6-0 loss at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea reminds us how far the Citizens actually are from the very top.

In response to USL’s D1 announcement we’ve heard anti-competitive defeatism from some quarters. That is not what America is about.

Kartik and Johnathan break down the USL announcement and speculate about which current USL Championship clubs could make the move to the new D1 league. They also discuss some of the theories as to the timing of the news that Kartik put in this piece

Kartik Krishnaiyer quickly outlines some thoughts on USL’s announcement today as well as the timing and motivation of the announcement. USL is pursuing a Division One men’s pro league to launch in 2027.

Much more on this subject is coming in the next few days at BT90.

Kartik and James are back after Kartik’s trip abroad (which was timed to end before the USL Super League kicked back off but that pesky Hurricane Milton changed the schedule).

James reviews the Tampa Bay Sun’s 2-2 comeback draw versus Fort Lauderdale United in the rescheduled derby clash. Then Kartik and James discuss the Tampa Bay Rowdies roster construction for 2025 as well Miami FC’s big signings and some FC Naples news as well.

George Pasley has written the most comprehensive manifesto to date about what American soccer can and should be. We talk to him today about his new book.

Manchester City storm out of the gates in August 2007 including a derby win over Manchester United. But then reality bites back with two successive losses away from Eastlands, to Arsenal and Blackburn. Despite the setbacks, City hit the first international break sitting 5th.

Kartik Krishnaiyer gives his commentary on the antitrust suit and what he feels is a horrible missed opportunity to improve the game in the United States and unleash the power of free market economics and a true meritocracy in the domestic game.

Manchester City fans embraced the takeover by the controversial former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who hired Eriksson as Manager. Then Manchester City proceeded to spend lavishly by the club’s recent standards over the summer, landing among others the brilliant Brazilian Elano and Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov.

The Manchester City that Sven-Göran Eriksson inherited in 2007 had not made a major cup final in 26 years and had not won a trophy in 31 years. Yet between 1968 and 1977, Manchester City won five major trophies and finished a single point behind the champions in the league (then the English First Division) twice. But by 1983 the club was slipping into a purgatory that would not end until Sven’s appointment. We discuss the entire 1967 to 2007 period in this podcast.