Sam's Army

Headlines: McGunner gushes about Ronaldo's return to United and intrigue of the Champions League group stage draw. Premier League [14:50]: Liverpool vs Chelsea postmortem ft Anthony Taylor's alleged hatred of the Blues, if this is rock bottom for Arsenal, Richarlison's hilarious selfishness and Power Rankings [32:15]. Sam pulls the FPL rip cord. Around the world [44:00] focusing on Bayern sucking RBL dry. Bar for success for USMNT [52:35] in the three WCQ games this international break. Best Bets [1:03:20] and GOAWs. Jonathan Bond [1:11:15] then discusses his unusual path to becoming Galaxy's GK1, whether La-La Land is all it's cracked up to be, Lletget vs Chicharito arm-wrestling, new episode of PR 101 and his advice -- as someone who made the one-time switch from Wales to England's NT -- to Julian Araujo on how to decide between repping the US or Mexico.

Headlines: Covid-19 coming at Pulisic and WCQ. Premier League [[7:00]]: Arsenal/Chelsea postmortem, Power Rankings [[23:15]] and weekend preview [[29:25]] f/t Arsenal vs City and Liverpool vs Chelsea. Fantasy funboy corner [[37:10]]. Around the World [[42:10]] f/t Dimitri Payet vs entire Nice fanbase. Best Bets (can Larry stay hot??) [[47:45]] and GOAWs (s/o Carol Blymire). Julian Gressel [[57:00]] on DC United's injury woes; how his role has evolved since leaving Falcons FC; his good cop/bad cop routine with Paul Arriola; discussions with Kevin Paredes about moving to Europe; and everything we need to know -- albeit from a lifelong Bayern fan -- about what to watch in the 2021/22 Bundesliga season. (Sidenote: for a German perspective on MLS check out Julian and Chicago's Fabian Hebers on Zee Soccer Podcast.)

Thoughts opening weekend of the Premier League f/t United's statement of intent, Arsenal blowing chunks and Spurs/City fallout (including Grealish hot takes). Power Rankings [30:40]. Weekend preview [36:30] f/t Arsenal vs Chelsea. Global soccer roundup [44:40] f/t Barcelona bouncing back and 18yo American Joe Scally's massive debut for Gladbach. Best Bets [52:35] and GOAWs [57:00]. Fantasy Funboy Corner [1:04:10] where all my n00b FPL questions are answered and s/o to the top 5 of the Sam's Army league. Next up Alessandro Canale [1:15:30] -- aka The Most Interesting Man in Soccer -- discusses life as a child actor, entrepreneur, free-styler, skateboarder, pro indoor soccer player and of course member of the US Men's Beach Soccer National Team, which is in Russia preparing to play in the 2021 Beach Soccer World Cup starting on August 19. Everything you need to know about the tournament and beach soccer in general is right here.

Larry & the Tweedles together again. We touch quickly on what Messi's ugly PSG move means for Barcelona before turning to the 2021/22 Premier League Preview f/t hot takes galore [10:30]. Transfer moves we like and dislike [13:30]. Clubs that will over- and under-perform [19:40]. Who wins the league [30:45]. Larry or Virgil Van Dijk wins a headball and why Mikey may get #TheDanglies tatted on his butt [36:10]. What "other" club(s) has the best shot to slip in the top 4 [39:25]. Who's getting relegated [43:00]. Predictions [51:45]: St.Tot's Day - yes or no, Player of the Year, Golden Boot and 1st manager canned. FPL Corner [1:11:30] with a bunch of useful advice and tips. MLS and LigaMX [1:20:30] going head to head all week. Best Bets [1:23:15] and GOAWs.

Tweedles and Larry (he back!) join Sam to talk through questions from listeners. Topics include USMNT's Gold Cup success and who is now in mix for WCQ spots; USWNT's Olympics disappointment and who is to blame; and a Premier League pre-preview f/t thoughts on Kane, Grealish and Lukaku. MLS power rankings and (obvi) GOAWs. Next up Charlotte FC president Nick Kelly [[1:12:55]] hops on to discuss getting the MLS club ready to play in 2022, how the pandemic has hurt/helped, which clubs he is modelling CFC's launch on (and what lessons he's learn from others' failures), how he survived the twitter mob out for blood on his first day on the job, $1 beer nights and we finally bond in our shared distaste for a certain team in Atlanta

Sam and the Tweedles (Mikey/Mitch) are joined by Euros pick'em pool champ Jack Blanchard to discuss all the big transfer news, including who makes bigger impact between Raphael Varane vs Jadon Sancho [[5:10]] plus Chris Mueller [[15:15]] to... Hibs?! Also: thoughts on USMNT's 1-0 win over Jamaica [[18:10]] plus predictions for Qatar (and maybe Mexico), if USWNT can beat Netherlands in Olympics quarterfinal [[29:45]], MLS power rankings [[38:55] plus Best Bets [[46:00]] and GOAWs. Next up New Mexico United's Amando Moreno [[54:50]] hops on to discuss his experience playing for El Salvador in the Gold Cup, why the team was so dang good, and the keys to beating Qatar and Mexico from someone who just played BOTH teams in the last week.

Headlines: FIFA "trailing" massive rule changes, Americans heading to Europe in record numbers and wild news about a Premier League star (allegedly) arrested for texting underage kids. Gold Cup: thoughts on USMNT [[16:20]] so far, including whose stock has gone up and down, plus which opponents could be a problem. USWNT Olympics preview [[34:45]] and why the games must go on despite Covid for the sake of humanity. MLS's wild weekend [[39:30]] with top 3 power ranking. Best Bets f/t Mitchy Mush and Tommy McMush [[46:00]] and GOAWs. Also, DC United's Paul Arriola [[54:25]] hops on from Texas where the USMNT is preparing for this weekend's Gold Cup quarterfinal to discuss if/when he will be back on the field, how camp is going, who has impressed him the most, what the locker room vibe and Berhalter's postgame speech were like after sneaking by Canada, and some thoughts on his time at Swansea and whether he is going to have to fight Steve Birnbaum and hang onto the DCU captain's armband.

We say goodbye to Euro 2020, sing Italy's praises (or at least Bonucci/Chiellini), discuss Southgate's biggest blunder, call BS on 'player of the tournament' and debate the Best XI. Is Italy now the favorite for WC22? Copa chatter featuring whether Messi just won the Ballon d'Or -- Sam's answer may surprise you! USMNT's performance against Haiti, f/t whose stock rose and fell, and what (and who) to watch for vs Martinique and Canada. Praise for MLS's "Hell is Real" rivalry and update on NWSL's logjam at the top of the table, plus Best Bets and of course GOAWs. Next, recurring guest Kelyn Rowe [[53:00]] stops by to discuss his move from the Revs to Sounders, and compares living, dining and dating in Boston vs Seattle. He opens up on the journey of self-awareness he has been on thanks to Covid, spills the beans on the practical joke he plans to pull on Brian Schmetzer this offseason (none y'all better ruin it) and identifies the MVP for the Sounders' record-setting 13-game unbeaten streak to start the season. We avoid talking about the time Tim Parker allegedly bullied him last week and focus on the goal he scored, and finally we get an answer to the age-old question of how much of an advantage a blue checkmark is when it comes to DM slides.

The Soccer OG (Max Bretos) and two Tweedles (Tommy/Mitch) join Sam to discuss talking points from the Euros semi-finals and what to expect from England vs Italy in Sunday's final. We take a look at the Copa America / FOX's wet dream final and argue about whether Messi can take down big bad Brazil and finally tick the last box on his resume, plus what is worth watching at the Gold Cup starting this weekend. Finally, Best Bets and GOAWs.

Quick hitter f/t Euro quarterfinals recap plus semifinals preview (with predictions). Copa America rundown including FOX’s wet dream scenario. Best bets and GOAWs. In and out!