Sam's Army

Sam, Mikey and Tommy discuss MLS's new CBA, corona wreaking havoc on Champions/Europa League and social media reaching new depths of toxicity. Weekend review [9:30] ft City's beatdown of Liverpool and United/Everton shootout. William Saliba reactions [22:30]. One of the more civil Power Rankings [28:30] in modern history. Weekend preview [35:00] ft Lester/Liverpool, City/Tottenham and Arsenal/Leeds LOCK of the week, plus a run-through the Championship and rest of Europe. Next up Sam chats with Tim Parker and Caden Clark [51:40]. We start by discussing how/when Parker learned about his trade to Houston, expectations for life in Texas and thoughts on Whataburger. Next up we grill Caden on goals for 2021, chatter about Germany, his favorite Taylor Swift song and a detailed breakdown on time spent on PS5, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter and IG. Also, Caden bears his soul to Tim about a grievance that has been bothering him for months.

Sam and Tommy McCabe (recently of FC Cincinnati and an avowed Gooner) run through the winners and losers of the transfer window. One of us cries about Tottenham and Dear Leader Dinosaur [16:30] and the other whines about Arsenal and David Luiz being David Luiz, then we both offer words of praise for West Ham. A shocking edition of Power Rankings [35:20]. Weekend preview [39:50] featuring Liverpool's last best hope of keeping title chances alive versus City plus a handful of other highly watchable games (United/Everton, Villa/Arsenal and Wolves/Lester). Also, good friend of the pod Matt Turner stops by [54:35] to discuss USMNT camp and inside chatter about going overseas after Jordan Morris left for Swansea. We go inside his brain for the penalty stop vs T&T. Matt reveals how contract negotiations with Bruce Arena went down, what it's like to be nouveau riche, if he plans to upgrade the 2014 Ford Focus, and how many European clubs are kicking his tires. Finally, we discuss his return to twitter, thoughts on the people obsessed with the Turner vs Steffen debate, and where he sees himself when the anthem plays in the first group stage game in June 2022.

Headlines ft Larry's response to Chelsea swapping Tuchel for Lampard, espn chasing La Liga, WC26 host city update and who wins Lukaku vs Zlatan. Midweek recap [8:25] ft Liverpool's teabagging of Tottenham, United wetting itself at home against mighty Sheffield Utd, Mikey's thoughts on Arsenal's Odegaard [21:30] plus some well-deserved love for West Ham (and Tomas Soucek). Larry's secret NYC spot [30:20]. Power Rankings [32:00]. Weekend preview (+prediction) [39:00] for Arsenal vs United, West Ham vs Liverpool and the rest of a solid slate in the Premier League and rest of Europe.

Headlines ft praise for FIFA (huh?) and concussion subs coming to Premier League. Midweek roundup ft Lester looking legit, Frank's future and whether Liverpool should slam the panic button. Power Rankings. Definitive breakdown of which teams are in the title race and relegation battle. Brief weekend preview ft FA Cup plus some good games in Germany and Italy. Also, Sam sits down with Chris Mueller of Orlando City to discuss his time in Madison, experience with USMNT, how many times he's been to Disney World, whether purple works with his aesthetic and if he wins a foot race with Daryl Dike.

MLS manager moves, Jordan Morris whispers and Man City (allegedly) caught being naughty (again). Weekend roundup [[7:55]] where blame for Liverpool vs Man Utd yawnfest is assigned and a big winner is crowned. Shockingly congenial Power Rankings [[26:00]]. Midweek preview [[31:25]] ft Lester/Chelsea and City/Villa -- including a BIG upset alert. Next, Sam chats with Chorley FC's assistant manager Andy Preece [[54:40]] about the magical™ FA Cup run the club is on, the ultra-secret game plan for beating Wolves in Friday's 4th round matchup and the story behind celebrating each win by singing an emotional Adele song. We also discuss his time with Crystal Palace in the Premier League and arrive at a friendly but firm difference of opinion on who wins a World Cup sooner between England and the USA.

Not sure why/when/where episode went off the rails but it definitely did. Larry opines on Harden to the Nets. Mikey explains latest sadboy IG caption and why he got thrown in twitter jail with all the seditionists. We give Schalke's Matthew Hoppe all the love [[6:00]] and brush over Benzema looking at 5 years in jail over sex tape extortion. Weekly roundup [[12:30]] touches on magic of the FA Cup and Spurs pooping the bed (again), plus a brief Copa Libertadores tangent. Highly acrimonious Power Rankings [[30:00]]. Weekend preview f/t the first mortal lock of 2021 for Liverpool vs United [[49:00]]. Mikey closes out by making some ridiculous assertions about Arsenal's talent level and gets bullied mercilessly... before learning live on air that his twitter account was magically restored. Next up Sam chats with Porto B's Johan Gomez and FC Dallas' Tanner Tessmann [[1:17:00]] about how their rivalry-turned friendship in the FCD youth system and starting a podcast (Chum Chat). Johan discusses how he decided to jump to Portugal [[1:33:00]] and life on the Iberian peninsula, including how often people try to sell him "sheesh". Tanner reveals whether he has regrets about turning down Dabo Swinney's offer to play for a National Championship at Clemson [[1:41:00]], trialing with Bayern Munich and how USMNT U23 camp is going. Finally we get the scoop on teammate Brian Reynolds' ongoing Juve/Roma/Brugge transfer saga [[1:48:00]], and Johan/Tanner each try to guess their own transfer value.

Aaron, Mikey and Sam hit the highlights of Gregg's latest USMNT roster for January camp. Weekend recap [[6:30]] featuring a postmortem of City's mauling of Chelsea, whether United fans are right to be popping chubbies and who's back of the week: Arsenal [[36:00]]. Sam's unpopular opinion [[44:30]] about the Make-Belieague Cup. Power Rankings [[48:00]]. What to watch this weekend [[52:00]] in FA Cup and perhaps more important elsewhere in Europe (and South America). Next [[56:45]], Sam chats with Bri Visalli and Katie Naughton of the NWSL's Challenge Cup champs Houston Dash about a wild 2020 season; Katie's thoughts on Notre Dame class rings and their annual traditional of wasting a spot in the college football playoffs; playing in Australia and how many things tried to kill her Down Under [[1:13:00]]; their favorite stolen memento from weeklong Challenge Cup celly bender; who parties the hardest on the Dash; thoughts on so many big names heading overseas and impact on NWSL [[1:36:00]]; and what teams to watch out for in 2021 season.

Larry Nance Jr admits how much the Cavs are loving the Sam's Army Bump. Keegan Rosenberry of the Colorado Rapids offers a player's perspective on the MLS's plan to demand more salary cuts from the union. Is Messi or Ronaldo coming to MLS first? Leeds, Karen Carney and the tempest in a twitter teapot. [[13:45]] Sam names the Premier League's Best XI so far this season, and explains why Larry and Keegan's criticisms are incorrect. [[23:55]] Midweek recap featuring Chelsea/Villa battling to a draw, United's (deflected) blast from the past and Big Sam eating all the humble pies. [[35:52]] Power Rankings. [[41:42]] Weekend preview plus predictions highlighted by Chelsea/City (fingers crossed), United/Villa and several upset alerts.

Aaron and Sam discuss Mauricio Pochettino's imminent return with (reportedly) PSG as well as the impact of FIFA's decision to cancel the U17/U20 World Cups next summer. Boxing Day roundup [[7:18]] featuring Arsenal dominating Chelsea, Jozay sucking the life out of (Small) Sam and Big Sam sucking the life out of Liverpool. Power Rankings [[32:58]]. Midweek preview plus predictions [[41:27]] highlighted by Everton vs City and Chelsea vs Villa.

Sam sits down with MLS legend and current LAFC assistant coach Ante Razov to get a blow by blow (literally) look back at Saturday's buckwild Concacaf Champions League semifinal vs Club América featuring goals, flops, red cards and fights -- on and off the field, including a dust-up between Ante and Miguel Herrera... and Ante gives us an inside look at the game plan for Tuesday's CCL final against Tigres. Next, [[25:40]] Larry and Sam run through the Premier League weekend touching on who ruined Spurs/Lester (Serge Aurier had company!), United's legitimacy, Leeds' lunacy and Liverpool laying the wood, a quick Power Rankings [[45:53]] and finally a brief midweek preview of Make-Belieague Cup games.