Soccer 2 the MAX

Soccer 2 the MAX returns to discuss the first of three games in this window of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers which begins with the United States Men's National Team getting a win by the slimmest of margins over El Salvador in Columbus, Ohio.

Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins ponder if the team perhaps plays more freely without Christian Pulisic starting. What about Jesus Ferriera starting instead of Ricardo Pepi? Has Antonee Robinson solidified his spot as the most vital defender? What matters more? Consistency in victory? Or not doing more against the quality of opposition?

They also go around CONCACAF and look at what happened in the other games, including the huge win for Costa Rica over Panama and what this means for their game against Mexico. Is the USMNT vs Canada game the biggest match left? Will Panama deliver the final blow to Jamaica's World Cup chances?

The NWSL Expansion Draft and the 2022 NWSL College Draft delivered some big trades and major surprises, along with controversy as well. I guess you could say there was a little bit of everything. Rachael Kriger joins Sean and Erik to discuss the big happenings, the trades, some of the players drafted, and also the controversy that ensued afterward involving the Portland Thorns as well. Not to mention, the news of NWSL now taking on United States Women's National Team salaries and the NWSL schedule framework too.

Major League Soccer also ushered in a new team in Charlotte FC and they had an Expansion Draft as well, although trades made it to where they actually wound up only picking three players ultimately. But on the bright side, a largely MLS-based squad helped the United States Men's National Team get to 17 wins on the year with a 1-0 over Bosnia Herzegovina. Although the game wasn't much to talk about, Jordan Morris certainly had some nice moments at least.

Also, USMNT players could be on the move in the January Transfer Window with Barcelona looking to move Serginio Dest, but actually want Christian Pulisic? Would it be a good fit for him in Barcelona? What about Ricardo Pepi at Atletico Madrid? And could Weston McKennie join Tottenham too?

Portland ultimately was not able to take advantage of their home-field advantage and lost in penalties to a feisty New York City FC side with captain Sean Johnson making two huge saves and led by MLS 2021 Golden Boot winner Valentin Taty Castellanos on the scoring end, the boys from the Bronx claim Major League Soccer's ultimate prize. NYCFC MLS Cup Champions is how the year ends, but of course what's next for MLS and NYCFC?


Sean and Erik discuss the game, the standout performances, and if there are any leads for a new stadium for NYCFC. They also go through the highlights of Don Garber's "State of MLS" address which includes the upcoming MLS TV rights deal, MLS Next PRO, Las Vegas being team # 30, Don's thoughts on the Biennial World Cup idea, and more.


Plus the NWSL keeps making big moves and now Alex Morgan literally joins the San Diego Wave, Jesse Marsch is out at RB Leipzig, Chris Armas is in as Manchester United assistant, and the final USMNT squad of 2021 prepares for a friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina this week.


Of course, our Manchester United Moment is an interesting one as Ralf Rangnick's first week is eventful with two wins and a draw that doesn't really matter. Are there any positives to take from what's happened so far? Should there be a lot of concern with Brentford and Brighton coming up? And is it Bruno or Ronaldo? Who's the actual problem in the team?

On the other side of the pond, Manchester United has their man for the interim job as Ralf Rangnick joins the Red Devils to finish the season. Is the father of the gegenpress the right man to see things out? Should Ronaldo be concerned due to this drastic change in style? And will this actually galvanize the players to be more cohesive and actually play like a team? Plus, thoughts on the most recent game against Arsenal and Michael Carrick saying goodbye to the club.


Despite losing their star man Taty Castellanos to a late second yellow card, NYCFC soldiered on and put their foot down in penalties to make their first-ever Eastern Conference finals appearance and oust the record-breaking supporters shield winners New England Revolution in the process. Now the MLS Cup Semifinals are set with Portland and Real Salt Lake set to square off on one side and the Philadelphia Union matchup against NYCFC on the other.


Plus, the Intercontinental and European playoffs for crucial spots in the 2022 World Cup have been drawn. How are excited are CONCACAF at what's transpired? And should Portugal and Italy feel wronged? Or are their results more to blame?

Some good and very bad for the NWSL since the end of the season with a terrible revelation that now-former Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames emotionally and verbally abused players. Will this finally lead to changes in the way teams pick their head coaches? There were at least some big trades already and the United States Women's National Team won and drew in their series against Australia too.

It has finally happened, Manchester United ripped off the band-aid and deliver the message, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Out! After their 4-1 loss to Watford. However, this goes beyond just one result, it has been a long time coming. Sean and Erik go through the game, the talk from the players, Ole himself, and this idea of two interim managers and who in the world would want to come to take the job from Michael Carrick, and of course who winds up the next full manager for the club.

The Washington Spirit fulfilled their tagline as the "Team of Destiny" as Trinity Rodman willed the team to victory with two important setups that turned into the two goals that gave The Spirit a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars. The Spirit now become the 5th team to win the NWSL Championship and now attention turns to the off-season where an expansion draft looms as well.

All of this, plus NBC retaining the rights to the English Premier League for another six years after they paid 2.7 Billion to stave off approaches from CBS, ESPN, and even Warner Media. FIFA has made a big change to the Intercontinental Playoffs and more.

A super eventful 8th round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers give us a new leader at the top of the table to finish out 2021 as Canada bests Mexico 2-1 on a frigid night in Edmonton to get 16 points. The game had drama from the 1st minute until the 95th minute and so much happening in-between too.


Elsewhere, the United States Men's National team only manage a draw at The Office in Kingston Jamaica as once again some Michail Antonio magic helps the Reggae Boyz pick up another point, as the USA suffers yet another lackluster showing away from home. Considering the US have more away games left than home games, is there a way to solve this problem?


Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins go through the talking points and performances from both of the big games on the night. Plus, a customary trip around CONCACAF sees things get even tighter at the top and another squad creates a small window of distance from the other squads at the bottom. There's plenty to talk about as it is past the halfway point in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.

On a rainy, at times even chilly night in Cincinnati, the United States Men's National Team faced their eternal rival in Mexico and came out the clear winners. Goals from substitute Christian Pulisic and Weston McKinnie are what appear on the stat sheet, but there's a lot to take from this game in the way the team played, in who stood out, and perhaps who has really cemented their spots in the squad.


But what about Mexico? Is Tata Martino to blame for the loss? Or is it more about the players? And should there be some worry considering who they play in their next game?


There's also the traditional trip around CONCACAF for Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins as they discuss the 1-0 victory for Canada over a younger Costa Rica. Panama going to San Pedro Sula and stealing the game away from Honduras. Plus, Alex Roldan rescues a point at home against Jamaica too.

There is a lot to get to in this episode that is, unfortunately, a day later than expected, but nonetheless, the playoffs are happening for the NWSL and MLS has reached Decision Day where now everything is set for their playoffs too.


Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins go through the ups and downs of some of the teams including Erik's own Orlando City making it in and D.C. United narrowly missing out. Although Sean's FC Dallas has long been eliminated, he still finds some interesting things to discuss, along with the two big games in NWSL as well.


Of course, the US Men's National Team Squad has been named for the two games coming up against Mexico and Jamaica. Are there are any surprises? Any big misses? And any players that are question marks?


Plus, the US Men's U-20 Squad gets a new coach and starts playing pretty soon in the Revelations Cup, FOX owns major National team soccer almost with their big grab of everything UEFA, the Manchester United Moment, and more!

Timestamps:

(1:20) MLS Decision Day 2021

(23:15) NWSL Playoffs 2021

(28:35) USMNT WCQ November Squad

(48:40) US Men's U-20 New Coach and Squad for Revelations Cup

(54:00) FOX Gets Rights to Everything UEFA from 2022 to EURO 2028

(1:03:30) Manchester United Moment: Two Games, Same Ole United

New England Revolution break the single-season points record after officially winning Supporter's Shield last week. Will it actually mean anything? History kinda shows it may not. Plus the playoff field narrows with one week left.


Juventus and Napoli are perhaps involved in another scandal. This time it is overestimating transfer fees for players to cook the books.


The Manchester United Moment sees Ole get a small form of redemption thanks to a strike partnership that is the combined age of 70 and an awful Tottenham side too.


Carli Lloyd officially played her last game for the United States Women's National Team, Ronald Koeman's sacking possibly making way for an old Barcelona legend, and more.

Ricardo Pepi looks to possibly have a move to VFL Wolfsburg possibly done soon, but with interest from Ajax, Genoa, and other clubs there's plenty of opportunities for him to go learn and ply his trade. However, with the 2022 World Cup looming playing time is also of the utmost importance. So Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins discuss who could be the best fit for the USA's star striker, if making a move soon is the best decision, or if perhaps staying in MLS for another year may be a better option.

They get into the latest with what's been happening in the NWSL, Europe and South America looking at blocking the proposed Biennial World Cup, and if Arsene Wenger's one-month international break is a good idea or not.


Plus, Supporters Club, the Manchester United Moment, Hernan Dario Gomez becoming the new coach of Honduras, and more!