Offside With Taylor Twellman

Last year’s El Tráfico at the Rose Bowl was the United States’ most attended sports game of 2023, and the derby is one of the most exciting and bitterly contested rivalries in MLS. But it’s also one of the league’s newest. So how did El Tráfico reach these heights? 

To tell the full story, we have to go back to a graffiti duel between fans waged on the streets of Los Angeles, before the LA Galaxy and LAFC ever played a game. We hear from Geoff Gouveia, whose mural for LAFC was defaced by Galaxy fans in 2017, and Ms. Yellow, a muralist who’s worked with the Galaxy. 

But no story about El Tráfico would be complete without an account of that blockbuster first meeting, featuring superstars Carlos Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Because on March 31, 2018, all that buildup between the fans paid off. Two players on the pitch that day, the Galaxy’s Daniel Steres (now with Houston) and LAFC’s Benny Feilhaber (now head coach of Sporting Kansas City II), break down one of the most exciting games in MLS history.

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

Check out Geoff’s art here: https://www.instagram.com/geoffgouveia/

and Ms. Yellow’s here: https://www.instagram.com/msyellowart/

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Angel City FC, the LA-based National Women’s Soccer League club, was recently named the most valuable franchise in the league. 

ACFC joined the NWSL as an expansion team in 2022 and shares BMO Stadium with LAFC. From the beginning, the club made headlines with a star-studded ownership group, which includes Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, Serena Williams, and Billie Jean King.

On today’s episode, Taylor speaks with Kara Nortman, venture capitalist and co-founder of ACFC, and Julie Uhrman, co-founder and president of the club, to talk about the story behind the team, the growth of women’s sports, and what drew them to sports in the first place. 

Plus, the Columbus Crew’s emotional farewell to Aidan Morris. 

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.

When Tim Bezbatchenko realized he wasn’t going to be a Major League Soccer player, he knew he still wanted to be around the sport—so after attending law school (while playing on a USL team), he got a job at MLS headquarters. 

That led to successful stints as president and general manager of Toronto FC, which hoisted an MLS Cup during his tenure, and his hometown club, Columbus Crew, which won two league championships under his leadership. 

Now he’s taking all that knowledge to a new role as president of Black Knight Football, an organization that oversees AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League as well as clubs in Scotland, France, and New Zealand. 

Plus, Taylor shares his thoughts on MLS players’ presence in the Euros and Copa América. 

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.

Haji Wright’s introduction to international soccer when he scored the lone goal for the United States against Holland in the 2022 World Cup’s Round of 16.

Since then, the 26-year-old winger, who has played all over Europe, signed with Coventry City of the English Championship, where he just had his best season yet with 19 goals—seven of them match winners. 

Haji joins Taylor to talk about his early days playing soccer, his friendships with fellow USMNT players, and the goal that got family members to stop pressuring him to switch to basketball. 

Plus, Taylor breaks down the significance of San Diego FC’s newest signing, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. 

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.

Real Salt Lake is off to their best-ever franchise start, leading the West and just three points off from leading the Supporters’ Shield race — four years after finishing near the bottom of the league. 

One of the key figures behind this turnaround is head coach Pablo Mastroeni. 

On this week’s episode, Taylor sits down with Pablo to talk about his coaching philosophy, why he thinks stats can take a manager only so far, and why he thinks this RSL team can go all the way. Plus, the two reminisce about their time together on the US Men’s National Team in the 2000s. 

Vote for your MLS All-Stars here: https://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2024/vote/fan-vote

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 Crew aim to be the fourth MLS side to win the Concacaf Champions Cup when they travel to face storied Liga MX club Pachuca this weekend. 

There’s more than continental bragging rights on the line: The winner gets an automatic bid to the next year’s FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the U.S. So far, Seattle are the only MLS team to qualify, through their own Concacaf win in ’22. 

For this week’s episode, Taylor breaks down what to expect with Sammy Sadovnik, Spanish-language play-by-play voice for MLS Season Pass—who’s covered Liga MX for decades—and Stu Holden, FOX Soccer’s lead analyst, who played in the tournament with the Houston Dynamo.

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.

Filip Forsberg is an NHL All-Star from Sweden, the Nashville Predators’ all-time leading goal scorer, and—since last spring—a minority owner of Nashville SC. 

Taylor sits down with Filip to talk about his soccer roots, why he loves Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović, and how he got to experience Nashville SC’s incredible Leagues Cup run last year, which collided with Messi Mania and Inter Miami CF in the final. 

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.

Rivalries live and die by the fans. And in Texas, the three teams—FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, and Austin FC— compete for the Copa Tejas trophy. 

Soccer culture in Texas is big, dense, and diverse—just like the state. So this week’s episode is all about the fans whose happiness depends on winning Copa Tejas. 

There’s Paul Fletes, lead trumpet for the supporter band La Murga de Austin, Collin Coovert of Dallas’ El Matador, and Jesus Martinez, co-leader of Houston’s El Batallón, the first barra brava in MLS. They each make the case for why their supporters’ group is the best in Texas and share what it’s like to sit in the stands with the diehards during a Copa Tejas match. 

Plus, Taylor breaks down Cincy’s big win.

Thanks to Rigo Rodriguez of La Murga de Austin for providing additional audio.

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.

It’s Rivalry Week. Across Major League Soccer, bitter rivals, old and new, are gearing up for matches that fans have had circled on their calendars since the 2024 schedule came out.

Rivalries are a big deal for players too. FC Cincinnati center back Nick Hagglund tells Taylor that when the schedule comes out, the first ones he looks for are the Hell Is Real matchups with the Crew. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Nick talks about the pride and pressure he feels representing his hometown against Columbus, how this derby compares to previous rivalries he’s played in, and what this upcoming clash means to FCC’s season. 

Plus, Taylor shares some of his favorite memories of New England’s rivalry matches from his time in the league. 

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.

On the pitch, Giorgos Giakoumakis comes across as a cocky striker. A bruiser who will do anything to score. An absolute villain. But there’s more to the big man than that. 

In a special episode of Offside, Giorgos opens up about his life story, including growing up in Crete, his early struggles in the Greek leagues, his scoring titles in Europe, and finally finding a home at Atlanta United. 

Also, Atlanta players Brad Guzan and Brooks Lennon tell Taylor why Giorgos makes such a great teammate, and technical director Carlos Bocanegra recalls how he convinced Giorgos to make the switch to MLS. 

Plus, Paul John Dykes, host of the podcast A Celtic State of Mind, shares how GG became a fan favorite at Celtic FC in Glasgow and why they miss him to this day. 

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.