SoccerCast Chicago

BIG SHOW

First things first, let's get the bad news out of the way: the Chicago Fire are out of the MLSisBack Tournament after a 2-0 loss to Vancouver...things were bad on the field, things aren't good off the field, it's not great! (0:00-4:30)

Alright as for the good stuff, Red Stars defender Bianca St. Georges joins the show to talk about the NWSL Challenge Cup so far, her path from Canada to West Virginia to Chicago, being in the presence of Christine Sinclair, and what it would mean to help the Red Stars lift their first NWSL trophy. (5:00 - 21:30)

Then, play-by-play commentator Jenn Hildreth, who will be calling Sunday's final, talks about watching the tournament as both a fan and broadcaster, breaks down the matchup between Houston and Chicago, and discusses her path to being a play-by-play broadcaster and the significance of having an all-female broadcast crew this Sunday on CBS. (21:00 - 45:00)

You can follow Bianca on Instagram @biancastgeorges

You can follow Jenn on Twitter @jennhildreth

You can follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

You can follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell

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Music by HookSounds

Happy NWSL Challenge Cup Semifinal Day!

Alyssa Mautz becomes the first Red Stars player on SoccerCast Chicago!

We discuss her recovery from a second ACL injury in two years, the differences/difficulties of going through a similar injury a second time, what motivates her to persevere, and how she hopes her journey can both encourage and inspire others.

As for soccer, we talk about the psychological boost of having Alyssa Naeher in a penalty shootout, the unmatched confidence of Julie Ertz, the challenges as a forward of re-constructing an attack with new players,  the positive attitude and contributions of the Red Stars' young players, the incredible community she and her teammates have built over the last seven years and, of course, the game against Sky Blue (including a very confident prediction).

Patrick McCraney, managing editor of Hot Time in Old Town, joins the podcast to discuss the Fire's defeat to San Jose, what we're looking for in their final group game and if it would be best simply to avoid LAFC, as well as the Red Stars' penalty-kick victory over OL Reign, why Alyssa Naeher is the best, the influence of US Soccer on national team playing time, and whether we're going to see more NWSL after the Challenge Cup ends

The Chicago Fire have their first win of 2020! Alex is joined by Jeremy Mikula, soccer reporter for the Chicago Tribune, to break down the match from tactics to goals to rocket that is Mauricio Pineda's rise.

Then, the Red Stars beat Utah 2-1 to get out of the NWSL Challenge Cup basement and give themselves a North Carolina-free side of the knockout bracket, so how are we feeling at the conclusion of the preliminary round?

Follow Jeremy on Twitter @ jeremymikula

Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell

Follow the show on Twitter @soccer_cast

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Music by HookSounds

The NWSL Challenge Cup is now poised for the final games of the preliminary round. How did we get here and what do the Red Stars need to avoid playing North Carolina in the first round? Plus a few thoughts on the Red Stars 1-0 to the Courage and how they should approach Sunday's game vs Utah.

MLSisBack got started last night with a tremendously impactful demonstration from Black Players For Change, followed by a sloppy 2-1 win for Orlando City, followed this morning by more moving gestures, this time from the Philadelphia Union who went on to beat NYCFC 1-0.

Also, what the heck is going on with the Fire and who are they playing (I didn't know at time of recording) as Nashville and Dallas have both been withdrawn due to a high number of positive COVID tests.

Finally, Meredith Cash from Insider joins the show to talk about her reporting on the anthem protests and possibility of fans being brought into the NWSL bubble as well as her thoughts on Rory Dames' strategy so far, Shea Groom's vertical, and what to expect from the knockout stage.

Follow Meredith on Twitter @mercash22

Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell

Follow the show on Twitter @soccer_cast

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Music by HookSounds

On a special weekend bonus episode of sorts, play-by-play commentator Mike Watts joins the show to talk about how he and color analyst Lori Lindsey have adjusted to the unique circumstances of the NWSL Challenge Cup. We also talk about the soccer we've seen so far (up to Thursday when this was recorded), Mike's journey as a broadcaster, how he ended up focusing on soccer, and why he totally understands if you want to mute him sometimes.

Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWattsOnAir

Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_s_campbell

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Music by HookSounds

We are almost a week into the NWSL Challenge Cup and somehow I haven't talked about it in a podcast yet!

Recapping the Red Stars first two games: what's been good, what's been bad, what could we see next?

Also briefly discussing the other 7 teams in the tournament and North Carolina's slow progression to eventually conquering the world.

I also start by briefly discussing how Casey Short and Julie Ertz found themselves at the center of the conversation about kneeling during the anthem, and how such a moving image shouldn't have been necessary in the first place.

Sorry for subjecting you to 20+ minutes of my voice but I promise there are a bunch of cool guests coming soon to the show!

Music by HookSounds

With focusing the show recently on the Bundesliga, I knew I wanted to have Jake back on the show to talk about his love for Cologne, how that developed in the first place, and give him the opportunity to pitch listeners on joining him. And we get to that, as well as talk about Cologne's Monday night defeat at home to RB Leipzig. 

But first, if there was going to be a show at all this week, it couldn't just be about soccer given how trivial sports in general feel at this moment.

Jake gives his thoughts on the demonstrations of solidarity and support we've seen in pro soccer this weekend, particularly in the Bundesliga, and how the protests of the murder of George Floyd have seen a lack of leadership from the American soccer leadership when compared to elsewhere. 

THIS IS NOT A DRILL THERE IS GOING TO BE SOCCER IN AMERICA THIS YEAR

On Wednesday morning the NWSL, in partnership with the NWSL Players Association, announced the Challenge Cup, which will take place in Utah starting at the end of June. To discuss and break down the news, Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times returns to the show fresh off a conference call with NWSL officials and fellow journalists. 

Then, as on the previous episode Alex breaks down the Bundesliga with a former co-host, this time Nick Hennion of VSIN. They talk about what the heck happened to the title race, betting on the Bundesliga, and of course gush over Alphonso Davies some more.

Follow the show on Twitter @Soccer_Cast

Follow Alex Campbell on Twitter @alex_s_campbell

Follow Annie Costabile on Twitter @AnnieCostabile

Follow Nick Hennion on Twitter @nickhennion

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Music by HookSounds

It actually happened, there was soccer on TV this weekend! Thank you Bundesliga.

Drake Hills re-joins the show to talk about how he's coping with the quarantine and the roots of his love for Bayern Munich.

We discuss the weekend that was as Alex ranks his Top 4 and Bottom 3 teams from Matchday 26 and Drake offers his thoughts on the threat of Dortmund and other contenders to Bayern, the plight of Werder Bremen, the majesty of Kai Havertz and more!

Follow the show on Twitter: @Soccer_Cast

Follow Alex on Twitter: @alex_s_campbell

Follow Drake on Twitter: @LiveLifeDrake