Off the Woodwork

Atlanta United finally beat the Red Bulls, a team they'd never beaten in MLS play, and Adrian Gill's story (Barcelona academy, two knee surgeries, a debut that included 41 of 43 passes) is why. Jason Longshore breaks down Tata Martino's halftime adjustment, Almiron's record-tying assist, and Muyumba's 100th-appearance equalizer, then previews Wednesday's trip to Minnesota. Plus the Breel Embolo saga takes another turn: L'Equipe says Ipswich is the frontrunner, Ipswich's own beat reporter says otherwise, and Rennes just benched him to force a resolution. From there it's a trip to Fayetteville for the U-17 Women's National Team's World Cup dress rehearsal and a wider look at how the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center is reshaping U.S. Soccer's youth pipeline, before closing with the 3-4-3: Andrew Jardines' first pro contract, Atlanta United 2's sweep of Chicago, Georgia soccer's shot at an NCAA attendance record at Sanford Stadium, and a Premier League preview.

Abe Gordon and Jon Nelson, of Soccer Down Here, recap Atlanta United comback victory over the Red Bulls for just their 4th win against the club all-time. Can this be a turning point in the season for United?!

Mike Conti and Jason Longshore are joined by newly named AMB Sports & Entertainment President of Soccer, Mauricio Culebro, to talk about his role with the organization!

Jon Nelson hosts the best of SDH AM from the Soccer Down Here Network, with three guests who each bring a different corner of the soccer world into focus. Danny Higginbotham joins to react to the reported €18 million move that could bring Breel Embolo to Atlanta United, then breaks down what Saturday's Nashville SC matchup with Inter Miami at GEODIS Park will hinge on, from Lionel Messi's emotional return following his father's health scare to the absence of one of Miami's most consistent defenders. Diego Pessolano, Spanish language play by play voice for Apple TV and Fútbol de Primera, talks about calling more than twenty World Cup matches this summer, his lifelong devotion to Argentina and Boca Juniors, and why the Leagues Cup format rewards teams that can win under pressure. And Ali Howorth walks through the Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinals, where Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world and playing in their first ever WAFCON, have already qualified for next year's Women's World Cup behind sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, a story that traces back to a single academy coach in Malawi who paid for their flights to Europe out of his own pocket.

Atlanta United is finally back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend, and Jason Longshore breaks down what Júnior Alonso and Luke Brennan said at training, where Paulo Díaz and new signing Mauricio Amaro fit into the picture, and what it means for Saturday's game against the New York Red Bulls. Then it's a trip across the Atlantic for the Jeff Bezos led consortium eyeing a stake in Liverpool, Rodri's looming move from Manchester City to Barcelona, Real Madrid's record breaking Yan Diomande signing, the Enzo Fernández rumors swirling around Manchester City, and a tale of two Premier League clubs in Tottenham's big spending and Newcastle's total roster overhaul. It all closes with the 3-4-3: Atlanta United 2's tough night in Chattanooga, Mercer soccer's deepest roster in years, the 30th anniversary Soccer in Sanford event at Georgia, Olivia Moultrie's ACL tear, Alexis Sánchez to CF Montréal, Mexico's win over the USA in the Concacaf U-20 final, and the WAFCON semifinal picture.

Jon Nelson brings you the best of SDH AM from the week of August 7, 2026. Three conversations worth your time heading into the weekend.

First, Kacey White joins to break down Houston Dynamo's win over Sporting Kansas City, walking through Guilherme's opening goal, a costly turnover from Calvin Harris that turned into Houston's second, and what a second half red card meant for Sporting Kansas City down the stretch. She also previews her stacked Leagues Cup week across Dallas and Austin, touches on the NWSL's growing transfer market, and reacts to new fan rules at Como under Cesc Fàbregas.

Then, Guardian senior soccer editor Alex Abnos joins for a look inside the sourcing and verification behind his and Pablo Mauer's investigation into the youth academy at Austin FC, currently under review by police and the FBI. Abnos walks through the difference between off the record, on background, and on the record reporting, and what it takes to get a story like this over the line responsibly.

To close, Santiago López of El Farolito checks in after the club won back to back NPSL national titles, this time beating Bristol Rhythm FC in the final, while also making a run to the semifinals of the Amateur Cup with a rotated roster. López talks the logistics and toll of fielding two teams at once, what he learned about himself as a coach, and what it means to carry on the legacy his father started with El Farolito in San Francisco's Mission District.

Soccer Down Here covers the beautiful game from a Southern perspective. Find the Morning Espresso newsletter, SDH AM, podcasts, features, and more at soccerdownhere.net and on social media at @soccerdownhere.

Major League Soccer has a new commissioner. Jason breaks down Larry Berg's path from LAFC ownership to the top of the league, what it means for the looming roster rule overhaul, and where Don Garber's twenty seven year run fits into it all. Then, Mauricio Pochettino is back for a second cycle with the U.S. men's national team, signed through the 2030 World Cup, and Jason lays out exactly what the expectations should be this time around. What's on Tap brings the four fall fixtures against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada, and the 3-4-3 closes the show with Atlanta United's brutal collapse in Philadelphia, Georgia soccer's historic night coming to Sanford Stadium, and a lot of reasons to smile about where the game is in this country right now.

Abe Gordon and Madison Crews share their thoughts on a disapointing finish after Atlanta United drops 3-2 against the Philadelphia Union despite leading 2-0 with less than five minutes left in the match.

Jon Nelson breaks down a loaded week on the SDH Week in Review, some of the best interviews from SDH AM. Listen live at 9:05 Monday-Friday on the Soccer Down Here YouTube or Twitch channels.

Philadelphia Union play-by-play voice Dave Leno joins for Oppo Research ahead of Saturday's clash with Atlanta United, unpacking Kai Wagner's return, Ryan Richter's interim impact, and the Milan Iloski scoring surge. Then Apple TV's Steve Cangialosi previews FC Cincinnati hosting San Jose, diving into Dado Valenzuela's suspension, Bruce Arena's roster philosophy, and whether the Quakes can keep pace atop the Western Conference. Plus, NPSL Golden Gloves winner Noe Delmotte of Bristol Rhythm AFC previews his club's national championship match against El Farolito.

Atlanta United split a brutal week, a road comeback in Charlotte and a lopsided loss in Foxborough, and Jason breaks down why this team lives and dies with striker play, plus the latest on Darwin Núñez and Breel Embolo as designated player targets. Then, a Mauricio Pochettino contract update and the real story behind the Breel Embolo red card controversy, which traces back to Atlanta's own Miguel Almirón in the World Cup opener. Plus MLS's proposed salary cap overhaul, Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Mancini taking over as national team coaches, and the 3-4-3 to close it out.