Sam's Army

SOCCER IS BACK and so is Sam's Army as we start out by running through the biggest and best games in EPL, highlighted by Spurs/Chelsea [3:10], Watford/Liverpool and Bournemouth/Arsenal. Next up is a quick Lap Around the World, focusing on Barcelona visiting Atletico Madrid [43:03}, plus the best of the rest in Germany and Italy, along with what to watch for in MLS conference finals and the Copa Libertadores Superclasico. Last but maybe least we touch on the USMNT/Italy game while reinforcing some notable positives that came out of the wreckage that was 2017 and 2018 for soccer in the US.

Before turning to the USMNT's overseas friendly, we first shine a light on soccer here at home, and specifically Sam's hometown of Madison (Wis.) where the latest addition to the USL was just unveiled. We sit down with Peter Wilt (aka the "Johnny Appleseed of Grassroots Soccer") and discuss his experiences with getting fledgling clubs -- including Indy Eleven and what is now Minnesota United -- up and running, and how that process has changed over the past few decades. We also discuss our difference of opinion about whether Sam will eventually lace 'em up and starts up top for Forward Madison, and Peter's thoughts on when/how Promotion/Relegation happens. Finally, it is on to our beloved USMNT (23:22) . Last week's spanking by England painted a bleak picture but it is always darkest before the dawn. Sam and Mikey pull some more positives from the wreckage of that game and (frankly) the last 12 months before highlighting what to watch for in this week's game against Italy, including preferred starting XIs and a sure-fire, can't-miss, never-wrong prediction. Last but not least we run through what turned out to be a pretty damn entertaining week of Nations League games in Europe (42:37), and debate whether Memphis Depay is in fact the next Messi.

We start out with the debut of our first "Football Guys Talking Futbol" segment with Jaguars' kicker Josh Lambo [6:01] wherein we discuss his metamorphosis from damn good soccer player to even better placekicker, that time he and Sam almost played against one another in high school, his initiation into the 'real' football fraternity, whether there is a handshake to get into the clandestine club of NFL guys who love soccer, and much, much more. Then a recap of the weekend that was in EPL [25:03], starting with the big'un in Manchester between City and United followed by a thriller between Cardiff/Brighton, what we learned about Chelsea and Alvaro Morata on Sunday [48:10] and finally how to judge Moussa Sissoko's recent performances [57:01]. That is followed by a quick 'Lap Around the World' touching on the importantest results in Spain [1:09:09], Germany and France, as well as Gonzalo Higuain's emotional break from reality [1:19:20], the Copa Libertadores Superclasico madness and MLS playoffs. Finally, we finish up with a preview of this week's USMNT game -- featuring preferred starting XIs -- in what is certain to be an extremely crucial and not at all watered down match-up at Wembley against England on Thursday [1:30:24].

Champions League results and a HUGE weekend of games to preview but we start with an interview with NYCFC/USMNT defender Ben Sweat [2:10] who discusses his journey from Columbus to Tampa (USL) before being given his chance by Patrick Vieira, the emotional experience of getting the call last month to play for the US against Colombia and Peru, his secret hatred for strikers and how NYCFC will overturn a 0-1 deficit at Atlanta in Sunday's second leg. Next is a brief recap of all the results from an insane midweek matchday in Champions League [29:18], featuring Red Star/Liverpool, Napoli/PSG, Spurs/PSV, Inter/Barça and Juventus/United. We then run through all the games to look forward to this weekend in the EPL [49:30], most notably the Manchester Dærby, followed by a quick Lap Around the World [1:17:00] touching on HUGE matchups in Germany, France and the Copa Libertadores, as well as the MLS playoffs.   

EPL and Champions League coming in hot but first we start with an interview with RBNY/Jamaican defender Kemar Lawrence [XXX] who discusses the challenges coming up through the island's youth development system (hint: it ain't pay-to-play), whether he considered bob-sledding instead, which EPL team is rooted for, his emotional game-winner vs Mexico in 2017 Gold Cup, who he sees as Jamaica's biggest rival, and how Red Bulls will overturn the 0-1 deficit on Columbus in the second leg. Next is a brief recap of all the results from last weekend in EPL, with a focus on lessons from Arsenal/Liverpool [30:00], as well as Bournemouth/United and Wolves/Tottenham, plus a brand spanking new Top 4 / Bottom 3 Power Rankings [1:06:14]. After a quick Lap Around the World touching on La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and MLS playoffs [1:08:30], we finish up with a preview (+ predictions) for all the Champions League action coming up on Tuesday [1:14:55] and Wednesday [1:31:36], featuring some incredible match-ups such as Napoli/PSG, Atletico/Dortmund, Barcelona/Inter and Juventus/United).

Sam's Army Episode 20!

On today's show Barstool Sam is joined by Mikey Podcasts ( mikeyfowler18 ) to talk about the Chelsea vs United thriller and the rest of the EPL's Weekend in Review (1:17) before taking a Lap Around The World with a Messi injury update (49:50) and giving you a Champions League Matchweek 3 Preview (1:06:39) before today's matches.

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