Mint City Soccer Show

Friday night is winner take all as Charlotte FC hosts New York City FC in game 3 of the first round of the MLS playoffs. Matt and Corey are here to talk through the disappointing first match of the series and the nailbiter in New York City that got us here. Who stood out? Who struggled? And what does the Crown need to do to advance to the next round?

Also, we answer your questions and ask for your help picking a new theme song for the show. (It's a long story ... which we tell you right at the beginning.)

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss the upcoming match and ask us questions for the show? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more, including special Secret Show episodes we release just to supporters.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

At times this season it didn't seem possible, but Charlotte FC clinched a top four spot and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 2-0 win over the Supporters' Shield-winning Philadelphia Union.

Matt and Corey discuss the match, from the beautiful first half goals to the ugly second half red card that will leave the Crown without Zaha in the first playoff game.

They also discuss fan concerns with the playoff scheduling, look back on our favorite parts of the regular season and answer your questions!

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

DC United received two red cards in the first thirty minutes of the match, which means Charlotte FC played 11 vs. 9 for 60 minutes against the worst team in the East. And the Crown only managed to score one goal to get the win.

David and Corey are here to talk about the overall performance, focusing especially on a few midfielders who had a shot to show they deserved a spot on this team. They also talk a bit about the playoff seeding outlook for Charlotte as we get closer to decision day. And we finally answer a few of the fun questions listeners have sent us that Corey has been hanging on to for way too long.

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

In a special live show, the whole gang is back together to talk about Charlotte FC's streak-ending loss to New York City FC last weekend. How does it affect the Crown's playoff chances? Was it a blip or were there signs of deeper problems? When should Biel return to the starting lineup? What does Charlotte need to do to bounce back against CF Montreal this weekend?

We talk about all of that, plus answer listener questions and, because it was a live show, we went off the rails a few times talking about David's Sunday beer league, Drake and ... the weather?

---We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

Charlotte FC tied the MLS record with nine straight wins and clinched a playoff spot with one of the most perfect nights of soccer, beating Inter Miami 3-0.

Matt Swift and Corey Inscoe revel in Kahlina's save of Messi's penalty, Toklomati's hat trick, and the impressive play of basically the entire team in front of a sold out lower bowl.

We also look at Charlotte FC's realistic chances for No. 1 in the East (and the Supporters' Shield??) and answer your questions, including one about the wave (yeah, we're going there again).

(Episode title inspired by Eric Hill on Discord.)

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

Eight. Games. In a row. Charlotte FC is on a hot streak and the whole gang is back together (mostly) to dig into the 2-1 road win over New England Revolution.

Matt, David and (eventually) Corey discuss:

• The historic win and historic goal.
• The impact of Nathan Byrne's return to the team.
• The midfield, and who should or should not be playing in it.
• The positive contributions Zaha has made throughout the season.
• Vargas, who has been on fire.
• And, yeah, we talk about the twerking fine, especially in light of what Inter Miami did at the Leagues Cup final.

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

David Gusler is joined by the legendary Fat Bird (Donny Embleton) and Mr. Reliable Matt Chantry to break down Charlotte FC's 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls and the teams seven – 7! – game win streak.

• Undefeated Vibes: We discuss what's driving the team's incredible unbeaten run and what it means for the season.
• Kerwin Vargas: The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Kerwin Vargas is on fire and, allegedly, all of Portugal is watching! We get into his recent form and what it would take for him to make the big move overseas.
• The Toffolo Rollercoaster: Harry Toffolo's debut was a wild ride of brilliant plays and a heartbreaking hamstring injury. We discuss the immediate impact he had on the attack and how his injury affects the team's game plan.
• Idan Toklomati: A Future Legend? We break down his physicality, his impressive consistency, and why he could be the next record-breaking transfer for the club.
• And we answered your questions.

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

Charlotte FC won its sixth MLS match in a row 1-0 over Real Salt Lake Saturday and are in the heat of a tight race for playoff seeding. Meanwhile, the team has been busy in the transfer market, saying hello to some new (surprising) players and goodbye to some (not-so-surprising) players.

Matt, David and Corey are back together this week to talk through the match, the latest transfer news and what might come in this final week of the window and answer your many great questions.

Oh, and we talk about Zaha being Zaha.

Because we mentioned it, you can find our interview with George Marks here.

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

Charlotte FC got a surprise 1-0 win over Cincinnati Sunday night – the perfect start to this last stretch of the season.

David is joined this week by Donny (aka Fat Bird) to discuss:

• Charlotte's unbeaten run in MLS play, showcasing resilience after a League Cup exit.
• Kahlina's crucial performance to keep Charlotte in the match with FCC.
• The red card, refs and fans.
• The potential signing of Drake Callender and what that means for the future of Charlotte's goalkeeping situation.

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow

What is there to say about the first two Leagues Cup matches? A lot, apparently.

David, Matt and Corey are back together this week to discuss Charlotte FC's 4-1 loss to Juarez and the penalty shootout loss to Chivas. There were some positives (yay Nathan Byrne!) but also a lot of negatives (😢 Pep).

We break it all down this week, while also answering your listener questions around the summer transfer window. Finally, we discuss the meaning of time in a soccer match. Stay to the end to see what we mean.

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We've started doing occasional special episodes as well! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and to our exclusive Discord channel, which we pull listener questions from.

Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/MintCitySoccerShow