Rise and Blaze Soccer Show: MLS, USMNT, and USWNT

Join the R&B Boys as we reminisce over the champions league and a spicy weekend of MLS action. Ever heard of Flo Sports? More like No-sports. The US U20 "baby yanks" march past France in the world cup thanks to a second half wonder showing by some wonder kids. Once again Big Bad Bill Hamid does not make a friendly call up against Jamaica. The R&B Boys toast one of MLS' finest, Zack Steffen, as we bid him ado.  Farewell big Steff, thanks for the memories. Don't forget to check out the USWNT 3x star winners as they embark on their next world cup on June 11th against Thailand! Could Luis Suarez be headed to the Beck's new home in Fort Lauderdale? We sure hope so. The boys nail down the metrics of taco economics as NYCFC may be on the cusp of getting their own soccer specific stadium in the Bronx. Jake lists his top 5 in MLS and Rise and Blaze celebrates the Rapids fine form with dranks all around.

In honor of drunken writers syndrome and the return of Portland Timbers to their beloved home field stadium, the Rise and Blaze boys have concocted something truly unique and probably a little bit disturbing. Its here, the beginning of our first Timber Joey fan fiction. All we ask is you return the book when you are done with it Taylor. The pod is blazing up as Aaron is back this week to give us his unique takes on MLS and the bundisliga as well as dropping by with his top 5 deadliest teams in MLS. This week we honor the Soccer For All campaign featured in MLS. The USWNT are days away from kick off at the World Cup in France, Will our eagles bring us home another Star? We dive into a brief look into the competition our team will face during group play. MLS is also not making up competitions on the fly as they announce the LEAGUES CUP, COMING THIS YEAR, which pits some of the blandest MLS teams against some of the best teams in Liga MX. I prefer Concacaf Champions Leauge, but this sounds cool too. Johnny Russel and Wondo tear up the league this week, but only one can claim glory for player of the week. Colorado are actually winning and doing things! Join the Rise and Blaze Soccer Show as we dive into MLS news, USA soccer happenings, and a hefty load of bad jokes. Prost.

The R&B Soccer Show had the pleasure of talking football with Mark Asher Goodman, aka the "Soccer Rabbi". Mark is a celebrated soccer journalist and writer for the Denver Post and pittsburgsoccernow.com. R&B's own Mark and Nick pick the brain of the Soccer Rabbi for his opinion of some of the scariest teams in MLS, expansion speculation, and the difference between some MLS 1.0 and MLS 3.0 sides, and much more. Rapids fans will get a kick out of this pod special, as there has never been a collection of more rapids fan-ship on the pod before.

And now his watch is ended... Chris Wondowlowski has vanquished the all time MLS scoring record formerly held by our own USA legend - Landon Donovan. Dax Mccarty and the Chicago Fire were in the wrong place at the wrong time as the moon perfectly aligned on Wondo, granting him power and a lust for goals. Two American footie legends, Demarcus Beasley and Chad Marshall, have announced their retirement from professional football. A sad day for all dynamo and sounders supporters indeed. Pour one out for the homies. The USA has announced it's 40 man roster and it brings us some familiar faces, youth, and no sign of Bill Hamid anywhere. Atlanta United's winning streak has now been crippled by their all Natural MLS rivals, the NEW YORK RED BULLS. LAFC still wear the crown of MLS, but how much longer will they sit upon the throne? Stay tuned to Rise and Blaze soccer show for a future pod special with the soccer Rabbi, Mark Asher Goodman!

A slight rain drizzles across the Seattle city skyline. It isn't rain but rather the tears of salty Sounders fans who want vengeance for two straight goal of the week debacles. Christian Roldan, commonly known as CR7, is serving up a healthy serving of BANGERS and mash after being denied his glory by the league. The R&B boys are back breaking down some of the happenings within MLS. Bruce Arena is back and has landed in New England. The future looks bright for the USA U-17's. The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is in the full swing of things, will we see any major upsets in the coming weeks? The reigning champions, our very own USWNT prep for the World Cup. Atlanta seem to be back to their MLS 3.0 winning ways, while Toronto are in free fall. Colorado is now officially the worst MLS team in league history. Zlatan and Sean Johnson take a trip down to Wrestle Mania. Soon SKC, will have to rely on their water boys for players on the pitch, hopefully the darkness they are in doesn't consume the entire team. Keep your chin up Johnny, we believe in you.

Anthony Hudson and Alan Koch are the first managers to be voted off the island or axed from the league by Timber Joey. How will each of these weakened teams respond to abysmal starts to the season? Deadline day is upon us, the most hectic transfer sagas continue in MLS as teams are making moves trying to fill roster spots. Big names are headed to MLS and some seasoned veterans are traded for fake Garber Bucks. Join the rise and blaze boys as they reminisce about which players they'd of liked to see in the MLS. The USWNT roster is finally released for this upcoming world cup in France. Head Referee, Ted Unkel, giveth and taketh in this weeks MLS action. LAFC may still be the team to beat but Eastern Conference teams are on the rise while the Colorado Rapids continue to blaze.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Joe McCane, my father, as he and some friends trekked out to the Benz to behold the majesty of Atlanta United. New five stripes scarf in hand, he walked the stadium grounds soaking up all the MLS passion that has graced the city of Atlanta. We discuss the atmosphere of the game day experience, the flavor of the pulled pork mac and cheese, and the taste of a game day IPA. The chemistry of the Martinez duo has yet to click and Joe shares how the fans and the stadium reacted to a cagey win against the leagues punching bag team, the Colorado Rapids.

Mark walks into a dark room. Chairs are oriented in a circle, there's donuts in one corner with cold coffee. Everyone is wearing burgundy and blue jerseys. It's Mark's turn to speak now. "Hi everyone, My name is Mark and I am a Colorado Rapids supporter, and My team has yet to win an MLS game this season." Panting, Mark wakes from his dream. 

Sorry Mark, this is no dream. The rapids are now the only win-less team in MLS to date. Maybe things will change for them when they take on ATL at the Benz! The league celebrates Earth day and some greener initiatives. The league hosts it's own animal kingdom brawl as LA Galaxy and Houston duked it out over three points. The league opens it's doors to more teams, we will be getting three more expansion teams announced making our grand total 30! Please god let one of them be Las Vegas Lights. LAFC trounce Seattle and claim the title of Best in the MLS. For the sake of every other team, It's okay to calm it down a bit Carlos. This weekend has promised huge games and the return of Seattle vs LAFC.

MLS script writers were surely on vacation when the MLS office Interns scheduled two matches of Mythological proportion back to back so early in the season. Two Titans of the Western Conference, LAFC and Seattle, will surely leave it all on the pitch as the west will be decided between these two bloodbath matches. Here at the Rise and Blaze Soccer Show we pride ourselves on bringing you the most excellent MLS comedic MLS news and bits. This is why the Rise and Blaze Soccer show is growing its Blaze and stoking our embers. Welcome Nick and Aaron to the R&B Family. 2 sounders fans and 2 rapids fans. "Perfectly Balanced as all things should be" - The Great Thanos. MLS is heating up more than ever with keeper blunders, dodgy fouls, and reckless balls. Toronto and Seattle have flashbacks of MLS cups of ol. Colorado Rapids have their best game of the season. Montreal impact are waiting on a big signing to land. LAFC welcome FC Cincinnati to the Banc of California Stadium. The god of Football does it again for the Galaxy. And Nick learns how to tie his shoes. Also, sorry to that dude in Children's Mercy Park, hopefully a Johnny Russel Hug made it a little better.

Move over Timber Joey, there is a new Killer (whale) Mascot in MLS. Soccer in the USA is about to take off as ESPN+ partners with the US Open cup. Torontoians? Torontoites? are finally allowed to Tailgate before games! Alex Morgan and the USWNT are flying high heading into the World Cup in France. SKC and MLS are surely doomed to crash out of the Champions League. In league play, LAFC continue to dominate the pitch and the standings. Marks' Burgundy depression is in free fall this season as Orlando City and NANI take the points in a stormy night in Orlando's Lion Den. Big Steffen protects the Columbus box and my dreams from nightmares. Nico Lodiero blesses the Sounders with some luck or skill? I still haven't decided between the two yet. The god of football, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, has proven he can play on turf. What can't this man do? FC Cincinnati and SKC will wish they could get a re-do as both teams walk away thinking they could've had three points in the bag.