Soccer 2 the MAX

Ghana made it through their qualifying campaign thanks to an away goal from Thomas Partey and now find themselves in Group H with Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea.

This is Know Your Teams where history, the route to the tournament (in this case the 2022 FIFA World Cup), coaching, players, and opponents are detailed and discussed in how it could all make a difference in how far they could go. So be sure to subscribe as this weekly team preview series continues.

You can watch this in video format here: https://youtu.be/XKSLZgftaEI

Also, since Ghana has so many rumored players that may wind up making a decision to play for the team prior to the World Cup, this is discussed as well before making a final decision on a best-case scenario for the tournament too, which is the main reason why this is episode goes over the hour mark.

* This was recorded on the same day Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi had confirmed they would play for Ghana. At that time the other players mentioned at the end of the video including Tariq Lamptey had not been confirmed yet. I will be giving updates to any teams that are covered in this series in later podcasts. *

On the fifth time of asking a Major League Soccer club has finally won the CONCACAF Champions League. Seattle Sounders FC came in as favorites and came through some adversity with injuries early on, but in the end, their depth and quality shone through with a 3-0 win on the night and 5-2 on aggregate, the gold standard of MLS become the first US side to win the CCL. Erik and Sean discuss how big the moment really is, the players that made it happen, and what it means to be going to the FIFA Club World Cup as well.

Also, the UEFA Champions League has an England vs Spain final as Liverpool dispatched Villarreal 5-2 on aggregate after a nervy first half that saw the Yellow Submarine make a comeback. However, this pales in comparison to the comeback the Spanish champions Real Madrid pulled off against Manchester City. After a quiet game, they exploded at the last minutes to force Extra Time and win it, in the end, to compete for their potentially 14th Champions League crown.

Russia receives further bans from UEFA removing the Women's team from this summer's Women's EURO 2022, relegating the Russian Men's side to the third tier of the Nations League, and even banning them from UEFA Youth competitions too.

You can also watch the show on video here:  https://youtu.be/e6_iK4IK_nQ

The Islamic Republic of Iran qualified not only at the top of their group in the 2022 Asian Football Confederation World Cup Qualifying but also as the overall best team in said qualifying, and they are the top-ranked Asian side as well.

Drawn in Group B with England, USA, and TBA team of either Scotland, Wales, or Ukraine, Team Melli looks to make it to the Round of 16 for the first time ever.

This is Know Your Teams, a weekly series on each team competing at the FIFA World Cup 2022. Sean and Erik go through each team's World Cup history, the road to the FIFA World Cup 2022, discuss the coach, some of the major and perhaps lesser-known players, formations, style of play, and of course also have a best-case scenario for each team as well.

You can watch the show on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/dxtMrwLqwdg

Two Major League Soccer clubs have decided to make coaching changes with the San Jose Earthquakes sacking Matias Almeyda and D.C. United is due to sack Hernan Losada. Sean and Erik some of the story behind both firings, how Erik, as a DC United supporter feels about the move, and which team would be a better option for coaches looking at either job?

The CONCACAF W Draw is done and joining the United States Women's National Team are rivals Mexico, the 2019 World Cup debutants Jamaica, and Haiti. Should there be any concern with the USWNT drawing the tougher teams out of the two groups? Is there a chance that anyone but Mexico going through this? Also, Group B sees Canada facing Costa Rica, Panama, and Trinidad & Tobago. Some Way Too Early Predictions are on the way.

Finally, head scouts take their leave for Manchester United as Erik Ten Haag is all but appointed as the new United manager. After the whooping the squad received at the hands of Liverpool 4-0 there's a lot of talk about a sweeping revolution. Who are the players soon to be out, who should be sold, and could we really see 10 new players in one transfer window?

Apologies for the background noise when Erik speaks in the first 5 to 8 minutes of the show, as Sean started recording as a family get-together was ending.

The link to watch the episode on YouTube is here: https://youtu.be/8fSIR6ppIHE

And while you're here, join us on Discord! https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

There is just so much to talk about on this midweek edition of the Pod, as the CONCACAF Champions League Final is set with two longtime stalwarts of the respective leagues, Pumas U.N.A.M. vs. Seattle Sounders FC.

However, the UEFA Champions League is what has grabbed the biggest headlines with some superb games, a major upset, and even some actual fighting too.

The United States Women's National Team finish possibly their last window of victorious friendly matches with an 18-1 (9-1 and 9-0) over Uzbekistan. Can the young team take that forward into the upcoming CONCACAF W tournament in July?

Speaking of, the field is now complete and all of the squads now know who will compete in Mexico to determine who winds up representing CONCACAF in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Who could deliver a surprise? Is there a chance for any upsets? Or will it remain as you expected?

There's also the verbal agreement with Manchester United and Erik Ten Haag, Gio Reyna is injured again and is out for the rest of the club season, New England's freefall in MLS, and the announcement of a FIFA streaming service too.

You can also watch the episode on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/lXR66ajmV94

And while you're here, join us on Discord! https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

The group stage is set and there are some tasty matchups everywhere, as Sean and Erik go through each one.

Discussing the way too early chances for teams, way too early predictions, and way too early analysis of the squads.
Obviously, there's a major focus from us on the three and potentially four CONCACAF teams, the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Where they landed, their chances of getting out of groups, and if there are any surprise runs that could happen.

Get ready as this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to looking at the World Cup from us, as eventually, we will have closer looks at each team historically, how they play, and players to highlight before the final squads are named.

The United States Men's National Team only had to avoid defeat by six goals or more and they would return to the World Cup. Mission accomplished with only a 2-0 loss to a younger and more fiery Los Ticos side on the night. And while the game is ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things, Sean and Erik still a have few things to ponder in regards to what occurred.


Should the USMNT's away form during qualifying be of any concern? How big a deal is it that the USMNT does not have a solidified striker as of yet and there are only two FIFA windows from here to when the 2022 FIFA World Cup begins on November 21 in Qatar. Should there be worry about the Goalkeeper position after two not so confident performances from Zack Steffen?


Plus, one final look around CONCACAF as Mexico takes care of business against El Salvador in Azteca to actually finish in second place ahead of the USMNT. Canada loses in their final game as well and top the octagonal in the first place. Is it a done deal for Costa Rica against New Zealand? Not to mention, a look ahead to the World Cup Draw on Friday, the pots the teams are in, and the rest of the landscape around the globe for World Cup Qualifying too.

Remember you can also watch Soccer 2 the MAX in video format here: 

https://youtu.be/3oXvoBPav-Y

Sean and Erik will be back sometime between Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2022 FIFA World Cup Draw, where the CONCACAF teams landed, and make some WAY TOO EARLY predictions on who gets out of the groups too. 

While you're here, check us out on Discord! https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

The United States Men's National Team replicated their feat from 2017 in getting a blowout victory against Panama in the final home game of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. Thus, eliminating said team in the process and putting the USMNT a mere 90 minutes and some decent play away from punching their ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Christian Pulisic got the Hat Trick, and the FC Dallas duo of Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola nabbed the other two goals in the process. How much should we take from the win? Should there be worries about the sloppy play? Or is this all about the positives of less possession but more chances? Of course, there has to be some discussion on the individual performances too.

Plus, thoughts on who should start on Wednesday and we go around CONCACAF as Canada officially qualifies to their first World Cup since 1986 after a 4-0 thrashing of Jamaica. Mexico grinds out another one in a 1-0 win against Honduras, and Costa Rica guarantees themselves at least an intercontinental playoff spot with a 2-1 win over El Salvador.

Sean and Erik discussing the USMNT's 3-0 victory over Honduras on a four-degree evening in St. Paul Minnesota.

Set Pieces make their return as a prevalent story, Christian Pulisic doesn't start, is Kelyn Acosta now someone you have to think of as a specialist for the team, is Weston McKennie now the USA's best player?




Plus, one final trip around CONCACAF as the stage is set for the final round in late March. Canada is extremely close to qualification. while the USA, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica all fight for the remaining three spots.

On a chilly day in Hamilton Ontario playing on concrete, the Canadian Men's National Team gets a huge win over the United States Men's National Team. An early goal set the stage for a tough afternoon for the USMNT as they had to deal with a team that was happy to sit back and soak up pressure.

The USA had a lot of possession but don't do much with it. Is this down to the players or coach Gregg Berhalter in being married to his system? Did he wait too long to bring on substitutions? Or was it all wrong from the start instead. Do the USA have any shot at grabbing the top spot? Or is this all about Canada from here on out?

Sean and Erik also go around CONCACAF and discuss Costa Rica's hard-fought draw with Mexico at the Azteca. Panama taking it to Jamaica and VAR finally making its presence felt in these qualifiers. Also, can't forget to mention a HUGE win for La Selecta as El Salvador firmly end Honduras hopes and now give themselves a chance with 9 points to possibly make a leap up the standings. All of this and of course thoughts on what lies ahead for crucial games on Wednesday night as CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying comes down to the wire.