We bring you another Open Mic (Open Mike?) session this week! Susannah is joined by Dan LeBatard Show Host and Meadowlark Media Producer, Mike Ryan Ruiz. The duo discuss when they first met and worked together at Inter Miami’s inaugural match for ESPN. Sooz goes into Mike’s life journeys. His working career that lead him to Meadowlark and his soccer history with the USMNT, Chelsea F.C. and Inter Miami. Mike revisits his recent comments after Inter Miami’s visit to the White House and internalizing the weaving of Soccer and U.S. Politics in the current moment. His World Cup 2026 plans, Post-World Cup plans and a quick fire question session before we close out the show.

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com

Mike Ryan Ruiz: instagram.com/michaelryanruiz

Meadowlark Media: meadowlark-media.com

03:48 - Intro with Mike Ryan Ruiz

06:47 - Working together at ESPN for Inter Miami’s first match

08:31 - Diving into the journey of Mike’s career

15:08 - Mike’s Soccer Fandom

19:52 - Mike’s relationship with Inter Miami as a fan

27:23 - The future of Inter Miami, Post-Messi

29:52 - Sports and Politics in 2026 after Inter Miami’s White House Visit

37:57 - Watching the 2026 World Cup with Everything Going On

44:46 - Post-World Cup plans on following Soccer

48:09 - Quick Fire Questions Round

51:50 - Close

With NWSL’s kickoff on the horizon, Susannah is joined this week by Jordan Angeli, who is ready to party with Denver Summit’s inaugural game incoming. The pair talk recent events in the soccer world, including the infamous fight between Cruzeiro and Atlético Miniero that resulted in TWENTY-THREE red cards handed out. This is where we learn Jordan received two red cards in her career. The USWNT wins another SheBelieves Cup and the pair discuss who increased their stock with Emma Hayes as we get closer to 2027. NWSL kicks off this weekend and the pair assess which teams look primed for a title run, who may surprise and who may painfully disappoint. The debut of Denver Summit and Boston Legacy this year spurs a discussion on everyone’s favorite inaugural games across soccer they’ve experienced. Jordan talks about the weight and impact of Denver Summit’s debut on her life. We round out the show with our Reality TV recap, talking the latest on The Traitors and Love Is Blind. Shoutout to the Columbus Crew!

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com

00:37 - Intro

04:33 - Recent Events in Soccer

12:47 - USWNT wins SheBelieves Cup and The 99ers Film

26:40 - NWSL Kickoff Preview and Denver Summit Debut

40:35 - Mascots!

44:11 - Favorite Debuts

57:11 - Reality TV Round Up

01:05:19 - Close

Susannah is joined this week by Chicago Stars midfielder and newly settled Chicago resident, Brianna Pinto for this week’s episode of Kickback Committee. We have MAJOR TRANSFER NEWS for Kickback Soccer Media to announce. We go over some of our favorite recent storylines in soccer including Bodø/Glimt’s upset over Inter Milan in the UCL. Our favorite underdog stories in soccer's past. Orlando City’s collapse over Inter Miami. Brianna updates on her preseason training with the Chicago Stars, looking forward to their season opener vs. Angel City and her settling down in Chicago as the weather warms. Touchline Tailor returns as the duo review the 2026 NWSL Kits with their Top 3 and Bottom 3 selections. We round out the week with a Reality TV Recap, touching base on Love Is Blind and NWSL: The Final Third.

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com

02:56 - MAJOR KICKBACK SOCCER MEDIA TRANSFER NEWS

05:17 - Favorite Storylines in Soccer

21:43 - Catching up with Brianna in Stars Preseason and settling in Chicago

38:32 - Touchline Tailor

53:21 - Reality TV Check-In

Susannah is joined this week by newly minted Kickback Soccer Media member and TacticsFreeZone newsletter writer, Matt Doyle for this week’s show. With MLS’s 2026 opening weekend finally here, the duo discuss notable results from the past weekend including LAFC’s decisive victory over Inter Miami and RBNY playing the kids to defeat Orlando City. Josh Sargeant’s impending transfer to Toronto FC is confirmed during recording (Thanks, Tommy Scoops!). A new segment is debuted, Sip or Swipe, where the crew run down which soccer figures they would sit to have a couple of drinks with (and which ones they would not). Stay for Doyle’s A+ impression of Bruce Arena. Our newly introduced voicemail line attracted a number of callers over the weekend with various forms of joy, despair and reflection among fans after Match Day 1. Sooz and Doyle close out the show chatting about the end of the 2026 Winter Olympics including the exhibition gala and the US men’s hockey victory over Canada in the gold medal game.

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com

Subscribe to TacticsFreeZone: tacticsfreezone.ghost.io

01:17 - Doyle joins the Committee and talks about his first weekend as an Independent writer

09:21 - Biggest Storylines from MLS Opening Weekend

24:53 - Sip or Swipe?

39:24 - We listen to your Voicemails

55:08 - Olympics Recap

58:53 - Close

Welcome to our first episode of Open Mic! Susannah is joined today by her friend, former coworker and co-host of The Sports Gossip Show, Charlotte Wilder. Sooz and Charlotte recollect when they first met at SB Nation (Thanks Mitch Trubisky!). Charlotte goes into her sports origin story, career and lead-up to the formation of The Sports Gossip Show. The success of the show among Women and especially Men. The Beckham family drama and its connective tissue to powerful figures. Charlotte’s soccer fandom, World Cup 2026 and the arrival of Boston Legacy to the NWSL.

Charlotte Wilder: instagram.com/thewilderthings

The Sports Gossip Show: sportsgossipshow.com

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com

03:38 - When they first met

06:30 - Charlotte’s Sports origin story

11:26 - How she found up into Sports Media

16:13 - Creating of The Sports Gossip Show

22:23 - Men being fans and “Socially Acceptable Gossip”

25:58 - The Beckham Family Drama

34:23- World Cup 2026

39:12 - Impacts of the World Cup and Boston Legacy’s first season

43:37 - 5 Quick Fire Questions

Susannah is joined this week by Committee member and Chicago Stars midfielder Brianna Pinto, speaking from Stars preseason in Spain. Brianna opens up about her move to Chicago, what motivated her to join the club and gives insight on the day-to-day as a pro in NWSL Preseason training. Sooz being a Chicago local, she and Brianna talk recommendations about what to do in the city (Brianna has heard from Literally Everyone). The duo chat soccer jerseys including their best and worst of the recently revealed 2026 MLS kit lineup. The show closes with their favorite current soccer stories including some preseason tactics in the Coachella Valley Invitational and a gigantic teddy bear.

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

01:47 - Brianna goes into NWSL Preseason from her POV

17:59 - Sooz gives Brianna recommendations on what to see and do in Chicago

30:27 - Touchline Tailor: Brianna’s takes on Soccer Kits, Best and Worst 2026 MLS Kits

47:34 - Favorite Things We’re Following in Soccer

56:52 - Closer

We're entering a new era at Kickback Soccer Media. David Gass and Susannah Fuller sit down to talk about two incredible new shows, and to meet our HUGE winter window signing...Matt Doyle!

It's Kickback Soccer Media 2.0, and we can't wait to share this momentous soccer year for American soccer with you!

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

Subscribe to TacticsFreeZone: https://tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my-days-at-mls-and-my-plan-for-whats-next/

Susannah is joined by David Gass for today’s gathering of the Kickback Committee. Gass recaps his first successful attempt at a half-marathon. The crew chat Major Non-Soccer events from the past weekend including the Super Bowl (which is 99% about the Bad Bunny halftime show). The Winter Olympics are underway which means looking at it through a soccer lens. Torch bearers, venues, athletes, there’s still plenty of Soccer DNA across the games. CANKS ABROAD makes its return as we chat about various US and Canadian players abroad, including Weston McKennie and Jacen Russell-Rowe. The show caps off with an EMERGENCY KIT REVIEW BY SOOZIE SCOOPS as MLS opted to release their 2026 jerseys while we were recording.

Listen to our Shows, Subscribe our Newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

01:46 - Gass runs a half marathon

05:32 - Benito Bowl

15:09 - Winter Olympics

34:22 - Canks Abroad

48:47 - MLS KIT DROP EMERGENCY

53:00 - Closer

After taking an offseason break, The Kickback Committee is back for 2026! Susannah returns from her travels in France and is joined by Committee member and Surprise Bread Connoisseur Jordan Angeli. The duo recap noteworthy transfers and deals during the recent winter transfer window. With the offseason winding down, the crew reviews various wedding set-ups from newlywed players across the scene (They’re all winners). Sooz and Jordan mention their favorite things in Soccer right now, including the fans of Corinthians Femenino and the madness of Real Madrid vs. Benfica in the UCL. The show winds own with a Reality TV Round-Up, reacting to the news of Prue Leith leaving GBBO and Nigella Lawson taking her place. Jordan bring out a (delicious) surprise on-camera. The Traitors (US) has Sooz hooked as a new obsession.

Listen to our Shows, Subscribe our Newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

02:40 - Jordan joins the Show

06:25 - Winter Transfer Window Recap

23:46 - Wedding Offseason In Review

42:21 - Favorite Things We’re Following in Soccer

50:46 - Reality TV Round-up

58:17 - Close

Sooz and David are here to ring in the new year! The World Cup will be the biggest soccer event in the world in 2026 but the Committee aims to pull back and see the wider scope of soccer locally and abroad from the leap until the end of 2026, complete with specific dates. From pre-season at Coachella Valley on Feb. 7th, through the World Cup’s kickoff on June 11th, to the NWSL Championship and U-17 World Cup in November, the Committee reviews it all to kick off the new year in the sport.

Listen to First Touch ’26 Capsule Podcasts to prepare for the 2026 World Cup: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Subscribe to The Kickback Minutes here: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

03:44 - Coachella Valley Invitational

07:54 - Season Kickoffs

16:57 - CONCACAF Champions Cup

19:17 - FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs

22:36 - UEFA Champions League

25:20 - 2026 World Cup

34:02 - US League Breaks and Post-Season

38:32 - Ballon D’or

40:57 - U20 & U17 Men’s and Women’s World Cup

42:24 - Closer