Soccer 101

We're back! After a summer of watching entirely too much soccer, we... are ready to watch some more soccer. With the Olympic campaign now underway, Graham and Taylor discuss new USWNT coach Emma Hayes, including her coaching history, her greatest achievements, and her preferred approach to tactics and game management. Plus, who will benefit the most with her in charge, and what the team will look like in France!

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With the kickoff of Euro 2024 less than 24 hours away, Graham takes time away from his pre-tournament packing to discuss the European Championships as a whole. What is the competition's history? How has the format changed over time? Which teams, players and managers have had the greatest success all-time? How does the tournament compare to other major competitions? All that and more on this week's episode!

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Special thanks to Michael Nunzi from the TSS Discord for requesting today’s topic! How important are a good crest and solid color scheme (metaphorically solid) in soccer? What makes for a good crest? What are some of the best and worst examples? What makes for an iconic kit color scheme combo, and who did it best… and who… did not.

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With the Champions League Final set to take place at Wembley this weekend, Graham and Taylor dive deep into the history and lore of the host stadium. How did it come to have the prominence it enjoys, what are some of the most memorable matches in Wembley history, what are its best and worst features, and how does it compare to some other new-ish stadiums?

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With the Championship playoff final looming, Graham and Taylor discuss the history of the competition and how the format first came to be. Then it's on to the money on offer, how clubs tend to utilize their winnings, the most notable matches in playoff history, and how this weekend's final is likely to play out.

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With the end of the season upon us and trophies soon to be hoisted aloft on pitches across the planet, Graham and Taylor take a look at the history of silverware in football. When were trophies first handed out, and why? What are the different types and what makes a good one? What are some of the best (and worst) examples in soccer history? All that and much more!

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On this episode. Graham and Taylor take a longer look at the Champions' League's less-heralded sibling, the Europa League. What is the history of the tournament? How is it different from its big sibling? What changes are in store for the competition's format starting next season? And why don't we spend much time discussing it over on The Total Soccer Show? Plus, is the official anthem a banger, or just a banger to Graham?

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Graham and Taylor continue to talk video games on this week's episode! This time, it's Football Manager! What is it? Why is it so popular? How into the weeds can you wade? What has been its real-world impact? We're getting into it!

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Graham and Taylor are here to discuss a topic 21 years in the making: the FIFA video game series. How long has it been around? How have the games evolved over time? What are the different options to play and why you don't just have to fear mean teens on the Internet! Plus, the role the games have played in developing the game here in the US, and the future of the series with FIFA (the governing body) going their own way.

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Graham and Taylor head to South America to discuss one of the longest-running, most prestigious club competitions in world soccer: the Copa Libertadores. What is it, how does it work, who can play in it, and how do they qualify? Plus, which clubs have been the most successful historically, and how have Brazilian clubs come to dominate it more recently?

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