Footy Talks

With TFC back at BMO, and turning out impressive performances since the restart, the Waking the Red crew look back at Pablo Piatti’s seamless integration into the side, and discuss the strong performances of utility players Richie Laryea and Nick Deleon.
19-year-old Jordan Perruzza signed a first-team contract - but where will he fit into an already swollen roster of attacking options?
The crew look back on the unstoppable rise of Alphonso Davies, and with special guest Adrian Carr discuss the importance of creating an infrastructure of clubs across the country that supports the growth of new Canadian talent.

MLS is back (in Canada). As games finally return to home markets and TFC gear up to face Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps over six fixtures, the Walking The Red Crew look ahead to all the action at BMO Field and beyond.

Special guest, Canada FC’s Aron Papernick gives his views on how Montreal Impact are shaping up (or not) under Thierry Henry, and why the Whitecaps could be a real dark horse after outperforming in Orlando - without key players that now re-join the starting line-up.

The gang discuss the return of Jozy Altidore and, after the Orlando heat seriously hampered TFC’s pressing style, whether Greg Vanney will continue to rotate his squad with veterans or youth.

And with Alphonso Davies helping Bayern Munich make history at Barcelona’s expense, the guys pay homage to a serious talent discuss the rise Canadian players on the global stage.

This week on the return episode of Waking the Red Weekly, James Grossi joins the show to talk about the MLS is Back Final, where Toronto FC goes from here, Jonathan David and plenty more. 

MLS Is Back. Or at least it was.
Because after a hugely disappointing loss to NYCFC in Monday’s elimination game, TFC have left the building, and the Waking The Red crew are sifting the crime scene for clues.
In another knockout episode, hosts Mitchell Tierney,  Michael Singh and Jeffrey P. Nesker are joined by The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke to review all the action from TFC’s final game, and to look back on what we can learn from three long weeks in Orlando.
With 17 year old Jayden Nelson handed a surprising debut, the crew asked whether the pressure of a round of 16 tie may have been too big of an ask for such a young player. And with a less than effective false nine compounded further by a lacklustre midfield, the crew questioned Greg Vanney’s lineup and tactics for the match. 
Joshua Kloke argued that a sustained high press will always cause TFC problems and that even now, Vanney may not know his best starting 11. The crew agreed that Liam Fraser needs more minutes but disagreed on whether or not he’ll get them, while Patrick Mullins is also highlighted as a player with much more to offer.

Micheal Leach of 680 News and OneSoccer joins the show to discuss Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution and the group stage in general. 

“Americans forget we’re Canadian”: MLS is Back...in crazy heat and at strange game times.
In another action packed show of Waking the Reds Weekly, hosts Mitchell Tierney, Jeffrey P. Nesker and Michael Singh break down all the talking points from TFC’s disappointing draw in Orlando and look ahead to Thursday's clash against Montreal Impact.
Guest Maria Papadakis gave her views on the DC game, arguing that adjustment time will be needed for every team in the competition, and highlighting TFC’s strong first half as a sign of things to come.
The crew discussed Ayo Akinola’s standout performance - cementing his status as a natural number 9 - and how TFC’s overall attacking plan seemed lacking on the day.
While tribute is paid to Thierry Henry’s powerful Black Lives Matter statement - taking the knee for a full 8 minutes and 46 seconds at the start of Montreal’s first game of the tournament.

MLS is close - sooooo close. But with one team already dropped out and others yet to travel, there’s still plenty of drama surrounding the imminent MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando.

In our inaugural episode of Waking the Red Weekly, hosts Jeffrey P. Nesker, Michael Singh and Mitchell Tierney talk TFC, MLS and beyond, in an action-packed show - now broadcasting live every Tuesday lunch time. 

Special guest Dr. Tej Sahota gives his opinion on Achara’s recent training ground injury, and discusses all the implications of games played out in Orlanda’s football ‘bubble.’

And OneSoccer analyst Oliver Platt talks us through the growth of the CPL, with high profile European arrivals and departures, raising the profile of Canadian soccer around the world. 

Every Tuesday during the MLS is Back tournament, Waking the Red will be hosting a live and interactive show with our friends at Footy Talks. Join Mitchell Tierney, Michael Singh and Jeffrey P. Nesker as they talk all things Toronto FC. 

On the return episode of Footy Talks with Mitchell Tierney, Kunle Dada-Luke joins the show to discuss joining Atletico Ottawa, the Canadian Premier League and more. James Grossi of MLSSoccer.com is also on to talk about the challenges facing a return of North American soccer. 

Jonathan Osorio is on the series finale to talk about one of the biggest games of his career, fighting for his spot on the team, teammate celebrations and more.