Beyond the 90 Podcast

We analyze how the USL structure impacts clubs and players.

Villarreal’s home match with Barcelona has been moved to the USA. We argue it’s terrible news for football

Frank Lampard’s Coventry are flying toward promotion.

Kartik Krishnaiyer asks us if Pep Guardiola is past it or is he innovating yet again? because thus far this season in Manchester City’s patterns of play have looked unrecognizable even from last year when they weren’t performing well, but we’re trying to play the way we expect them to play.

As we saw in both Semi-Final matches, we had the Hat Trick of Sam Surridge of Nashville SC taking down the Philadelphia Union after the Eastern Pennsylvania side got thrashed seven goals to nil in Vancouver by the Whitecaps in League play, and couldn’t survive a cross-country trip to Music City.

Then, a tough, hard-fought match that went into extra time as Austin FC edged out Minnesota United FC with an amazing rebound chance by C.J. Fodrey to put the Capital Club of Texas into their first U.S. Open Cup Final and officially the third Texan side to do so in MLS.

Ashlyn Puerta, a shining star in the USL Super League at only 18, is the focus of this interview. We delve into the journey of this Sporting Jax attacker, who already boasts three goals in four games this season. From her early days as a youth player, through the Albion system in San Diego, her transition to the boys' MLS Next team, her year at Florida State (including the ACC Championship victory over North Carolina), and now, the commencement of her professional career in Jacksonville – we explore it all. Kartik even got a question in on the FSU-UNC rivalry which if you know him, he drones on about as the epic women’s college soccer rivalry.

We sit down with Napa Valley 1839 co-founder and General Manager Arik Housley to discuss his club and the first season as well as the future of The League for Clubs.

The Beyond the 90’ podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other pod catchers as well as here on Substack.

On this edition of The Third Half:

We start with a state of the site update.

It was a weekend of blowouts for teams at the top of their respective conferences. Is Louisville in Charleston’s head? How far could New Mexico United slip down the table?

North Carolina FC rebound from their defeat to Louisville as the Tampa Bay Rowdies hold up the bottom of the Eastern Conference again.

Lexington SC and Hartford Athletic have completed their moves off the bottom of their respective conferences.

Can Daniel Flores help Phoenix Rising’s backline?

Colorado Springs Switchbacks go into Oakland and win a big six pointer against the Roots.

Sacramento Republic huff and puff but can’t make their dominance against Monterey Bay match on the scoreboard.

Orange County keep getting results in Pittsburgh against the Riverhounds.

Devin Rensing’s first match in charge of Las Vegas Lights sees them come from behind to get a point against San Antonio FC. However, is it too late for the Lights this season?

Detroit City fortunate Indy Eleven gifted them a win, in more ways than one.

Two debuts for Loudoun United can’t mask result in Rhode Island while injury to Andy Cabrera Jr overshadows draw against Miami FC.

As always, thank you for your support of Beyond the 90.

On the late week edition of The Third Half:

Las Vegas Lights have their new manager. I discuss why Devin Rensing maybe the right man at the right moment for the Lights.

Jearl Margaritha departs Phoenix Rising for pastures anew in Belgium. Does this hinder Phoenix’s playoff chances?

Rhode Island FC and Loudoun United were also busy in the market. Do their moves help them in their end of season push?

Monterey Bay picks up a player from Charleston who wants to play. I talk about the possibilities Johnny Klein has with Monterey Bay.

Rhode Island FC and Detroit City maybe struggling but one elbow gives Rhode Island all 3 points.

Hartford kept it simple, but it was effective against Miami FC.

In a midweek edition of USL After Dark, FC Tulsa have to come from behind again to beat Monterey Bay. I ask the question, is it time to start getting concerned about FC Tulsa’s defending?

As always, thank you for your support of The Third Half here at Beyond the 90.