Morning Kickaround

Friday's Morning Kickaround!

In Long Balls, Jason and Robert ponder Kevin De Bruyne and Thomas Mueller landing in MLS, break down FIFA's shady Club World Cup ticket offer, and discuss the news that the 2031 World Cup is (probably) coming to America.

Then Elliot "Yogi" Barr joins the show to break down the top 5 moments from the second round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Flag drama. Red cards. Burritos.

Finally, Jason and Robert ask a Big Question: Which will be bigger for American soccer, a European calendar for MLS or pro/rel in USL?

Support the show by rating, reviewing, and sharing the show. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel to see the video version of MK.

Throw us a little monetary support at https://ko-fi.com/morningkickaround.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inter Miami has put a stop to any fantasies Robet Kerr and Jason Davis may have had about Messi's bodyguard duking it out with Logan Paul out on the pitch. The club has banned hom from the field and will handle security themselves. Also, the Concacaf Champions Cup gave us a pair of scoreless draws last night. Can anyone find the back of the net in tonight's quarterfinals?

The U.S. Open Cup is also back this week with a unique American intra-city rivallry match as Chattanooga FC and the Chattanooga Red Wolves meet each other for the very first time.

Finally, the guys look at how different MLS is now compared to 2009, when now former Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes first started.

Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Kerr and Jason Davis look back on the MLS weekend that was, including an emphatic win for San Diego FC over LAFC. Atlanta United also won a barn burner against New York City while Leo Messi scored for Inter Miami in a top of the table showdown with Philly. Oakland Roots got into a bit of social media banter with the Las Vegas Lights before their match at the Colisium.

Also, in an incredible coincidence, Peter Vermes reportedly got the axe while the guys are digging into which MLS coaches are on the hot seat.

Finally, Robert and Jason pick their riger squads for the U.S. Open Cup.

Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A week after Jason Davis ailed on MLS for playing through the international break, him and Robert Kerr get ready for a more normal weekend of Major League Soccer with their fab four of games to watch.

Also, Logan Paul and Leo Messi'a body guard apparently have beef over energy drinks and Messi's man has challenged Paul to a trial by combat over it. Johnny Cardoso could be moving to the Premier League with Tottenham. Finally, the U.S. Open Cup has themselves a shiny new streaming deal and Rob and Jason react to some listener comments on the USL, Pro/Rel, and more.

Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juventus are going through some changes and Robert Kerr and Jason Davis are here to break down what that means for American stars Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie. Also, four teams punched their tickets to the 2026 World Cup over the international window, but will their players and fans be able to make the trip with relative ease?

Trininty Rodman makes her return to the U.S. Women's National Team for their April friendlies against Brazil. The guys discuss the evolution of the squad, which still seems to be in a transitional period under Emma Hayes.

Dan Vaughn from Protagonist also joins the show as our first Soccer Disruptor segment to talk about the altering landscape of American soccer and how the USL's promotion and relegation ideas fit into it, among other topics.

Finally, Gio Reyna is the subject of some transfer rumors, which means Jason puts on his detective hat to get to the bottom of the story.

Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Men's National Team had a disappointing showing at the Nations League Finals, to say the least. Robert Kerr and Jason Davis have a cathartic session as they go over what happened this weekend and what the team had to say about their defeats to Panama and Canada.

There was also some MLS this weekend, for some reason. That gives Jason another chance to complain about how MLS treats teams with international quality players.

Finally, a lot is happening in American soccer over the next couple of years. Will promotion/relegation in the USL or a strong showing for the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup have a bigger impact on the game in this country?

⁠⁠Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Men's National Team lost to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. Robert Kerr and Jason Davis break down why it happened and what it means for the squad going forward. They also read through the headlines and rant away on the state of the team and how Mauricio Pochetino has handled the early parts of his tenure as head coach.

The USL also takes center stage again as reaction has flooded in regarding their Promotion/Relegation announcement this week. The guys react to a video from a USL player expressing some potential concerns with the system.

In other USL News, Oakland Roots are expecting more than 20,000 fans for their home opener this weekend, potentially making them more interesting than MLS playing through an international break without any of its best players.

⁠⁠Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Massive news dropped this week in American soccer this week: The USL owners voted by supermajority to implement promotion and relegation by 2028. Combined with the USL's intent to launch a first division league by that same year, Tuesday's news is some of the biggest in American soccer history.

Jason and Robert welcome Simon Evans of the AFP and The Soccer Business Newsletter to the show to break down the decision, then give their thoughts on what this means for the future of the game in the United States.

Plus, MK covers USMNT news and the results of the first round of the US Open Cup with Josh Hakala of TheCup.us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The USMNT has a big week ahead of them with the Nations League semis and (hopefully) final. Robert Kerr and Jason Davis go through the roster and rank who is in the best form. Also, MLS has played a month of their season. The guys go through the storylines from the first four weeks of play.

Also! In honor of St. Patrick's Day, they remember some famous Patricks throughout the world of soccer and look back at a banger of a game in the USL Championship between El Paso Locomotive and Phoenix Rising in West Texas.

⁠⁠Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NWSL Opening Weeked is here so Robert Kerr and Jason Davis welcome Claire Watkins from Just Women's Sports to talk about the nation's premier women's soccer league. Will Orlando repeat as champion? Who can challenge them for supremacy? We ask those questions and more.

Before that, MLS turned things around in the Concacaf Champions Cup thatnks to the Vancouver Whitecaps pullin off an upset. Lionel Messi gave Jamaican fans what they came for, and the guys pick a Fab 4 of MLS games for this upcoming weekend.

Finally, Concacaf has a new mascot with a rather detailed backstory and a name that will give Robert phonetic nightmares.

⁠⁠Like and Subscribe to Morning Kickaround on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And check out MK Live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30am.

You can now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support the show on Ko-Fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices