Offside With Taylor Twellman

The MLS Cup Playoffs have always had upsets. But if this year feels extra chaotic, it’s not just you. 

So today, Taylor sits down with two of the managers behind some of this year’s post-season mayhem. First, Brian Schmetzer of the Seattle Sounders, who just knocked off the West’s #1 seed LAFC. Then, Sandro Schwarz of the New York Red Bulls, fresh off his team’s win over crosstown rivals, New York City and not far removed from their sweep of the reigning champions , Columbus. 

Plus, the Offside crew visited that first-ever playoff edition of the Hudson River Derby to hear from fans on the ground. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Five teams made it to the conference semifinals on shootouts, and in the MLS playoffs, there’s always the possibility of more. So ahead of this weekend’s matches, Offside takes a deeper look at this game within the game, what some consider the most cerebral part of soccer: the penalty kick. Taylor speaks with two-time MLS Cup winner and goalkeeping legend Nick Rimando, who has the most PK saves in league history, to learn about his secret to stopping penalties. Dániel Gazdag of the Philadelphia Union, who holds the record for most PK goals in an MLS season, shares what makes him so successful from the spot. And sports psychologist Dr. Mariah Bullock, herself a former footballer, explains the mental battle of a penalty kick. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Taylor responds to Offside listeners’ reactions to the wild upsets during Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, including Atlanta’s electric win over Messi and Miami. 

Now that the GOAT is out, what happens in the next round is anyone’s guess. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The second weekend of MLS Cup Playoffs couldn’t have been more exciting: defending champs Columbus getting knocked out, the Galaxy sending a message to the rest of the West, and Atlanta stunning Miami in stoppage time. 

The Athletic’s Felipe Cardenas was at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch Atlanta tie the series, and he joins Taylor to reminisce about the incredible night and speculate what might happen next—in Miami on Saturday and throughout the rest of the postseason. 

Plus, Taylor discusses the stellar goalkeeping that has defined these playoffs so far. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This time last year, the Galaxy were watching the playoffs from the sidelines. For the third time in four years, the most decorated team in MLS history hadn’t qualified. 

But head coach Greg Vanney vowed that this season would be different—and he was right. LA have been around the top of the standings all year, and they stormed into the playoffs with a 5-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. 

On today’s episode, Taylor sits down with Greg, a former Galaxy player who coached Toronto FC to MLS Cup glory in 2017, to talk about how he shifted the mindset of the team this season, how he built a successful roster, and the similarities between this Galaxy team and 2017’s Toronto side. 

Plus, Taylor defends his MLS MVP vote for Messi. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

D.C. United’s Christian Benteke grew up playing soccer in the streets of Belgium—where a nutmeg is worth more than a goal. 

As he got older, he refined a blend of skill and physicality that helped him net 23 regular-season goals this year, beating out Bouanga, Messi, and Suárez to capture the 2024 MLS Golden Boot. Although D.C. barely missed out on a playoff spot, they were in contention thanks to Benteke—who contributed to almost 60% of the club’s goals this season. 

On today’s episode, Taylor sits down with Benteke to talk about his soccer origins, the evolution of his game, and why learning new languages is so important on and off the pitch. 

Plus, Taylor breaks down the most dramatic Decision Day since 2014. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s only one regular-season matchday left in 2024. Time flies when you’re chasing Messi across the country—or is that just Taylor? 

To celebrate the end of the season, Taylor sits down with two friends of the show—his broadcast partner Jake Zivin and MLS Season Pass analyst Sacha Kljestan. The three of them try to get each other into hot water while playing a game of true or false, including a debate over whether Messi should win MLS MVP. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Benjamin Cremaschi grew up playing for local soccer clubs in the Miami area. Now playing for Inter Miami CF at age 19 with Lionel Messi, Benja says his life “doesn’t feel real.” 

On today’s episode, Taylor sits down with Cremaschi to talk about his surreal life, why he chose soccer over his father’s sport (rugby), and his recent talk with Tony Cherchi of MLS Season Pass for a #TodayAtApple event in Miami. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In soccer, 10 isn’t just a number—it’s a position. And arguably, it’s the game’s most storied position. The 10 is a team’s creative force, the playmaker, the one who draws the crowds with goals, assists, and a little bit of magic. Messi, Pelé, Zidane, Marta, Maradona—all 10s. 

Around the world, the 10 is dying out, replaced with tactical systems made to grind out results. But there’s at least one place where the 10 still thrives and thrills: Major League Soccer. 

On today’s episode, Taylor investigates how and why the 10 has had a sustained influence on MLS. First, we hear the story of Marco Etcheverry, one of the league’s first great 10s, who helped D.C. United become a dynasty in the early years of MLS. Then we hear from current standouts Evander, Hany Mukhtar, and Djordje Mihailovic about why they love being 10s in MLS. 

We also get analysis from The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter and Sacha Kljestan of MLS Season Pass, who made the argument that MLS is the league of the 10 in Offside’s 2024 season preview.

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How did the USMNT go from crisis mode after crashing out of the group stage at Copa América to landing one of the most respected managers in the game? 

On today’s episode, Taylor sits down with US Soccer CEO JT Batson to get the inside story on how he helped convince Mauricio Pochettino, who has coached notable European clubs like Chelsea, PSG, and Tottenham, to come to the States. Hint: It involves an assist from one of his friends, new USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, who recently led her team to Olympic gold. 

Plus, Taylor’s thoughts on the MLS teams to watch heading into the playoffs. 

Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email [email protected] with questions.

http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.