Soccer 2 the MAX

The full squad is here for a big show heading into a very interesting International break. But first, there's a discussion on the madness that was Transfer Deadline day. Although the major one many were hoping for did not come to fruition as Kylian Mbappe stays at PSG.

However, there are still several surprises to get into, including Cristiano Ronaldo coming back to Manchester United, Antoine Griezmann heading back to Atletico Madrid, and more.
There are also some interesting tidbits on the newly minted CONCACAF W Championship and CONCACAF W Gold Cup as well.

Plus of course, What We Watched, The Supporters Club, Headlines, and more.

We will be back twice before the next regular show. Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins will have a review and reactions to the first USMNT World Cup Qualifying game against El Salvador on early Friday morning. Plus, the full crew again including Rachael McKriger on Sunday night for the second USMNT WCQ game against Canada too.

Rachael's article for The Equalizer: https://equalizersoccer.com/2021/08/26/explaining-the-new-concacaf-tournaments-qualification-format-for-world-cup-olympics/

When the concept came about to do a show centered around the UEFA Champions League Draw who knew a bunch of other news would come out the same day. So basically there's the second episode in one week for everyone.


First up, Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins discuss the 2021 UEFA Champions League Draw. So many storylines to choose from with Manchester City versus PSG, Liverpool versus AC Milan, Real Madrid versus Inter Milan, Manchester United versus Villarreal. But beyond just matchups, who could surprise? Is there a team to look forward to? And of course what headlines will be pulled from this as well.


Also, the United States Men's National Team has named their 26 player squad. Are there any glaring omissions? How do we feel about the squad in general? Sean also has some thoughts on Ricardo Pepi deciding to pick the USA over Mexico. Plus, a little more on the now, fully European Covid-19 Red List with Serie A and LaLiga joining the English Premier League in not allowing players to travel for National Team duty.


Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe are talking up all of the retail space for what's left in the transfer window after Harry Kane decided to stay at Tottenham. Are we going to see both of the players in new team kits before the close of the window on September 1? How does Cristiano potentially fit into a Manchester City side? Interesting thoughts ahead.


Also, Erik's thoughts on the MLS All-Star game on What We Watched, and Predictions for who gets out of each UEFA Champions League group at the end of the show as well.

Several non Soccer playing-related stories dominate the discussion on this week's Soccer 2 the MAX, as the two-man crew of Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins tackle quite a few big topics.

The big drama in Nice with their game against Marseille and why the wrong decision was made by Ligue 1 officials. Why more should be done to protect players and why manager Jorge Sampaoli deserves some blame too.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp both are not big fans of the new English Premier League rules about letting "the game flow" leading to some questionable decisions in games. Is the league better for these changes following more of the precedent set by EURO 2020, or are the managers right in this instance?

Along with that, the Premier League announced they've come to a decision to not allow its players to travel to countries that are on the UK government's red list which highly affects countries in South America, Asia, and Africa who won't have some of their best players for three World Cup Qualifying games. Who's right? FIFA or the ECA?

Finally, some actual on-the-pitch stuff with the MLS All-Star game happening. Who wins? And what about all the players that aren't going to be there for both sides? Does this severely lessen the viability of this encounter? Should MLS versus Liga MX be the way forward for this event?

Plus, why are the United States not good at Beach Soccer What We Watched This Week and the Supporters Club too.

Soccer 2 the MAX is back! And all three of your hosts are here, as Sean Garmer once again rejoins Erik Watkins and Rachael Kriger in talking about the beautiful game they love so much.

This time there's a much different format to what's been in the past on the show. Each episode features standard segments like Headlines, What We Watched, and the Supporters Club. However, each host also brings their own topic as well which is sure to drive some banter and conversation.

Sean wonders if the possible UEFA salary cap is actually going to work or if the big clubs will just overpay to get whoever they want. Should there be a hard cap instead? Rachael discusses why the National Women's Soccer League needs a team in Canada. While Erik is still happy about Brentford's big win.

Plus, thoughts on a possible move for Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, the mess with FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi, if Harry Kane goes to Manchester City, thoughts on fans being back in the stands and more.

Timestamps:

(2:00): Our Headlines: NWSL Needs VAR, Kylian Mbappe going to Real Madrid? Could Cristiano Ronaldo come to PSG? And discussing fans being back as the European league seasons begin.

(23:50): What We Watched This Week: Manchester United Vs. Leeds United, Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers, and some Leagues Cup action.

(39:00): NWSL Need a team in Canada

(47:45): UEFA Proposing a Salary Cap with a Luxury Tax

(56:30) Brentford's Premier League Debut Win

(1:00:00) The Supporters Club: How We Feel About the Teams we Support this week

Soccer 2 the MAX makes its long-awaited return! Erik and Rachael wrap up the MLS Cup that was (featuring a mini-rant about Rachael's Sounders and what's to come for 2021) and the two USMNT friendlies to wrap up the year. The pair also discusses who got snubbed for the US Male Player of the Year award, and Rachael wraps up with a special shoutout to Megan Rapinoe for her statement after inclusion in the FIFPro Women's World11.

Welcome to another edition of Soccer 2 the Max! Rachael and Erik are back, and we have a women's soccer themed show for you. The NWSL Challenge Cup is kicking off on June 27, this very month! It's the first professional league coming back to action in the United States. What does this mean for the league? Also, Erik and Rachael break down the competition, the teams and who they're most excited to see on a different team.

We're back for another episode of Soccer 2 The Max! Erik and Rachael team up to chat about the Americans featuring in the Bundesliga, which returned to action this weekend. It was a bit of a "meh" weekend for most players, including the likes of John Brooks, Timmy Chandler and some injury-riddled players.

Also, the duo chat about a potential plan to bring the NWSL and MLS back to action. Both disagree with shuffling teams to specific locations for a month, or two months.

We're baaaaack! Erik Watkins and Rachael Kriger are back at Soccer 2 The Max, chatting about, well, soccer! Even though we're in quarantine — Erik's in Florida, Rachael is up north in Pennsylvania — we've got a lot to talk about. First, the duo dives into the newest and latest U.S. women's national team legal craziness.

Then, Erik and Rachael talk about the USL, MLS and NWSL opening up individual and team training. What does it look like for clubs who can't yet hit the practice field due to being in hot-bed areas? Finally, the show ends with a chat about the Bundesliga aiming to start back up by the end of May, and if it's really a good idea with COVID-19.

Welcome back to Soccer 2 The Max!

On this episode, Rachael and Erik break down the big news of Jill Ellis steppind down as head coach of the US Women's National Team, and talk about everything from the timing to what's next for the team and US Soccer in general. Who's up next? How will the transition be? Will the first name be monosyllabic?

Also, the duo cover all the different updates with the USWNT lawsuit, including the now infamous letter from US Soccer President Carlos Codeiro and how the men's team is stepping in as backup.

The pair also give their players of interest for the MLS All-Star game, as well as the general approach for the event, along with their thoughts on the general approach to the festivities in Orlando as a whole.

Finally, NWSL attendance talk, some news and notes, and a little Don rant to end the show as a "celebratory" moment for Commissioner Garber's 20th anniversary as head of MLS.

On this episode, Rachael and Erik celebrate and review the US Women's National Team for their World Cup victory in France, and discuss what this means for the women's game now and going forward. The pair also talk about the NWSL, what their new sponsorship and TV deals could mean for this season, and where the league can go from here; as well as how things will change with the return of the international players. On the men's side, the duo talk about what went right and wrong for the US in the Gold Cup, what to expect in tournaments to come from the US and Mexico, and now CONCACAF needs to step up with the infamous Mexico chant. Finally, one good Don rant to wrap up the show, as Erik gives a little advice to the MLS commissioner about how expansion should be handled.