Sons of a Pitch: An American Soccer Podcast

Welcome back, soccer fans!

We hope you've enjoyed the latest action from Major League Soccer and are ready as teams make their playoff push. In this episode we recap the scores around the league and get into to detail for the following topics:

Toronto FC and Jozy Altidore

TFC wins another Canadian Championship, this time defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 7-4 on aggregate. The Boys in Red qualify for next year's CONCACAF Champions League and add to their trophy case. Jozy Altidore had a hat-trick in the 2nd leg and was the center of some transfer speculation to Ligue 1 in France or Serie A in Italy. The hosts give their take on TFC, the transfer rumors, and whether Jozy should stay in MLS.

Rivalry Week

It's Rivalry Week in the MLS (sponsored by Heineken)! This week's slate of games has Red Bulls New York vs. NYCFC, LA Galaxy vs. LAFC, Toronto vs. Montreal ... Philly vs. New England? SKC vs. Minnesota?

The hosts explore whether the marketing machine has stretched itself a little too far, and they discuss whether rivalry games are good for the league.

In or Out

Is your team making the playoffs? The top three teams in each conference seem like locks, so the hosts discuss who ends up with the final three spots. Listen as they give their vote of confidence to surging DC United and Seattle Sounders. Nick and Mike aren't so confident when it comes to struggling LA Galaxy or unimpressive New England Revolution.

Josef Martinez

You may have heard that the Atlanta United striker tied the single-season goal scoring record (27), and still has nine games left this season. We think he can hit the 34 goal mark and become an all-time great in the MLS.

Greetings once again, MLS fans!

Welcome back to the show. This week we dive right in to recapping all the Week 24 action around the MLS. Columbus and Sporting KC get back to winning, Vancouver surprises Portland, and the stars were out for DC United: Luciano Acosta nets a hat-trick and Wayne Rooney makes the play of the week.

The hosts dive into the state of DC United soccer, noting outstanding performances so far by Wayne Rooney, the rising Luciano Acosta, and the impending goalkeeper switch now that Bill Hamid is back in the capital on loan from FC Midtjylland. Current goalkeeper Ousted, who interestingly is from Denmark, needs to improve his form or he'll be ousted from his position.

As the show wraps up, the hosts discuss the Supports' Shield race, and not surprising to everyone is that Atlanta United is the current favorite. However, the hosts discuss what happened to their original pick, SKC, whether a club from the Western Conference can claim the shield.

Thanks for listening! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, email us at [email protected] or follow us on twitter @SOPSoccer.

Welcome back to SOP Soccer!

This week, we recap the scores around the league, noting the upset by San Jose (at FC Dallas), Toronto FC drawing Atlanta United (at Atlanta!), and Sporting KC picking up 3 crucial points in a physical game with the Houston Dynamo.

We recap the MLS All-Star game vs. Juventus and discuss whether the games against big-name, international clubs still has its appeal. Is it all about the money or all about the game?

Finally, the hosts discuss the latest transfer moves and rumors:

-Christian Ramirez to LAFC. The expansion team adds more firepower, and why the trade is good for Minnesota United (despite the fans losing a favorite). Is LAFC going for it now?

-Bill Hamid back to DC United? Speculation is that he wants to better compete for the USMNT job. Does he have a chance to supplant Bono or Steffen?

-Wil Trapp to Blackburn Rovers? Pay us, says Columbus Crew! Coach Gregg Berhalter sends a message that they value their players much higher than their suitors. Should they?

The Sons of a Pitch continue to provide soccer talk for the casual fan and die-hard supporter, this week recapping Week 22 of Major League Soccer. The discussion starts by previewing the Canadian Championship Final between Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps. TFC is the favorite, but Mike discusses how certain factors favor Vancouver. Who do you think will lift the trophy? Comment below!

MLS All-Star Game 2018

This year the best eleven for the MLS take on Serie A powerhouse Juventus and try to snap the home side's losing streak in this exhibition match. Tune-in and learn a little more about the Italian club, what to expect from the game, and how we expect Sebastian Giovinco to have a great game against his former club. SOP Host Mike puts on his coaching hat and gives you his Starting XI. Who would you start? Leave your comments below!

Surprise Signings in Cincinnati

2019 MLS expansion side FC Cincinnati announced the signing of Portland Timbers forward Fenandi Adi as the club's first Designated Player. They also signed Fatai Alashe from San Jose, two moves praised by SOP Host Nick. Listen how he thinks this is a great move on the field and in the board room. Has FCC put the MLS on notice? Leave a comment below!

Western Conference Playoffs

The hosts may have put the kiss of death on Sporting KC when they picked them as the favorite to win the Supporters' Shield. SKC sits one point above the red-line for the playoffs after losing to conference leader FC Dallas. Has the torch been passed? Can SKC still dominate the playoffs? Nick isn't so sure, but Mike remains confident. Who is your current favorite to win the West? Leave a comment below!

 

Enjoy the All-Start Game, and thanks for listening!

Hello soccer fans! Thanks for stopping by and giving us a listen. In this episode, you'll get a recap of the scores around Major League Soccer along with the latest news from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (USOC) and the Canadian Championship. We also analyze Minnesota United FC's possible play-off push, discuss Alphonso Davies' record setting transfer to Bayern Munich, and Mike shares his stories about attending Chicago vs. TFC.

Specifically, the hosts break down the final four teams of the USOC and their picks to win. They also take a detailed look at why Portland Timbers filed a protest against LAFC for using too many international players in their quarterfinal match-up. Will Bob Bradley take another expansion team to the finals? You know the press would love to write that story line! Also, the hosts still think the Canadian Championship is Toronto FC's to lose. With their starters getting healthy, they could be poised for a surprising second half of the MLS season.

Did you see how MNUFC dismantled LAFC? Our hosts did, but they don't want to make too much of a big deal about beating a depleted LAFC team, especially when 4 of the next 5 games are against Western Conference playoff teams. However, the Loons have all the pieces, starting with Superman Quintero, to make a playoff push.

Finally, Mike shares his experience at Toyota Park in Bridgeview as he and his wife (who is a big fan of Alex Bono) saw the Fire host TFC. When he was not exchanging pleasantries with Jordan Hamilton, Mike was learning information concerning the health of TFC's starting goal keeper. Make sure to tune in to the entire episode to hear what might keep Bono from playing at 100%.

 

Let us know what you think about these, or any MLS topics, in the comments below. Thanks again for listening!

The new show format continues! More content, more discussion, more analysis ... and more mispronouncing of player names.

The hosts recap the results from Week 20 of Major League Soccer, where Columbus and Kansas City keep losing, the Red Bulls beat another good team, and D.C. United unveil their new stadium and new hit signing, Wayne Rooney. RSL Coach Petke goes on another rant, but the hosts think he's justified and makes some good points about the referees in the league.

Speaking of officiating...

Nick and Mike also attempt to solve the officiating crisis, offer some advice to PRO Referees, and break down their interpretation of "what is a hand ball?" Nick explains why the Portland Timbers are a legitimate contender for the MLS Cup - they just signed another young Argentine! He also gets worried about Atlanta United after their recent slide (.500 over last 5 games), but Mike reassures him that the Five Stripes are still the favorite to win the Eastern Conference and the MLS Cup (and maybe even the Supporters' Shield).

 

Mike, such a good co-host, calming things down, keeping Nick grounded.

Sons of a Pitch takes on a new format, giving you more content, more discussion, and more story lines from around Major League Soccer. This week's topics include:

* A mini-slump for Sporting Kansas City

* What's causing the Columbus Crew collapse? (1W, 3L, 4D in last eight!)

* Nick and Mike compare the Eastern Conference vs. the Western Conference: Does the East still have the edge?

* The hosts review the recent transfers (Geoff Cameron to MLS?) and a big coaching change in New York ... again!

Also, Nick and Mike review their pre-season playoff predictions. See how they're fairing at the mid-point of the MLS season.

Eastern Conference

 

Predictions

Currently

1

Toronto FC

Atlanta United

2

NYCFC

NYCFC

3

Atlanta United

Red Bulls

4

Chicago

Columbus

5

Orlando City

New England

6

Red Bulls (Nick) / Union (Mike)

Montreal

Western Conference

 

Predictions

Currently

1

Sporting KC

FC Dallas

2

Seattle

LAFC

3

Real Salt Lake

SKC

4

Portland

Real Salt Lake

5

Dallas (Nick) / Vancouver (Mike)

Portland

6

LA Galaxy

Vancouver

 

Happy Independence Day! We hope you're enjoying your July 4th festivities and enjoying all the Major League Soccer action taking place. In this episode we recap Week 18, a mini-rivalry week that saw Portland beat Seattle, New England defeat DC, and Atlanta thrash Orlando City. Also, is SKC in danger of losing the top spot in the West?

The hosts also discussed several league trends, including the signing of Wayne Rooney and whether the trending bunker-and-counter tactics are good for the league and for the game. Tune in to join the discussion and leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

What a week for the MLS! The hosts cover all the scores and stories from Week 17.

Eastern Conference

Is Atlanta showing cracks in its armor?

How can Orlando City get back on track?

Philadelphia keeps rolling! DOOP! DOOP! DOOP!

Western Conference

When will teams figure out Ciman's free kick powers?!

Colorado wins! (no typo)

Is Houston in danger of missing the playoffs?

Tune in and hear Nick and Mike's take on these topics and all things MLS. Listen to the end to hear their picks for next week's games. You might even learn something.

Mike and Nick recap all the action of Week 16 in Major League Soccer. Just because it was a short week (6 games only!) doesn't mean they're short on things to say.

Nick asks "Who can beat Atlanta?" Mike tries to solve Orlando City's troubles. And both hosts wonder what it going on in Chicago.

Out West, Colorado outscores Chicago in a 2-2 draw. San Jose still struggles scoring, with Wondo no closer to breaking the all-time scoring record, and Seattle drops points against a quality NYRB teams.

What are you seeing around the league? Can anyone stop Atlanta? Are you also on a World Cup break? Let us know in the comments below.