October 21, 2025

The Sunset Lounge Soccer Club | Tyler Kern

1 hour 1 minute

Mike Rhyner and gang unveil a new wing of the the Sunset Lounge: The Sunset Soccer Club with Tyler Kern—a show built to make the world’s game make sense before the 2026 World Cup steamrolls America like a well-timed counterattack. Rob Ervin tags in to talk fandom, promotion/relegation, and why Bundesliga is the most fun word to say out loud.

From Dallas hosting more Cup action than anyone, to how MLS grew up without face-planting, to why the U.S. men might finally be good on paper (our favorite American surface), this one’s a crash course wrapped in a hangout. Rhyner plays curious convert, Tyler speaks fluent footy, and Rob swings the supporter’s hammer. Come for the Rush detour and transfer-fee nerdery; stay for the plan to turn soccer snobs into soccer sherpas.

Chapters

00:00 – Rhyner Kicks Off: “Podcasts live forever—kind of like my Rush regret.”

01:34 – Meet Tyler Kern: Ticket alum, WBAP survivor, soccer lifer.

06:55 – Sunset Soccer Club 101: The show that preps America for 2026 without gatekeeping.

07:21 – World Cup on Home Soil: Why Dallas is basically Tournament HQ.

09:50 – How We Won the Bid: FIFA votes, super-bids, and not-so-subtle course corrections.

11:14 – From ’94 to MLS: The league that learned to grow up slow (on purpose).

12:37 – U.S. Sports Appetite: WNBA proof, Messi mania, and “yes, there’s room for one more sport.”

13:44 – No Snobs Allowed: Making the game accessible (and keeping the weirdos fun).

19:56 – Pick a Team, Coward: Tyler chooses Borussia Dortmund and explains tifos like a proud dad.

23:57 – Rhyner’s Conversion Arc: Hockey hooked him; soccer’s next.

25:35 – Is MLS Here to Stay? Why slow and steady beat NASL’s rocket-sled.

27:08 – Academies vs. Hope & Dreams: FC Dallas as a talent factory.

31:32 – Lamar Hunt Appreciation Minute: The man who named the Super Bowl and propped up soccer.

33:42 – What the New Show Will Do: News, guests, evergreen explainers—no EU passport required.

38:24 – USMNT Lens: Why “on paper” is our favorite American tactic.

46:24 – 48-Team World Cup: New nations, new chaos, same beautiful game.

49:09 – Who’s Best Right Now? Haaland the hammer, Mbappé the jet, Messi the myth.

51:36 – Transfers, Fees & Loans: Soccer’s trade system, but weirder (and richer).

54:11 – Sunderland ’Til It Hurts: Relegation’s civic hangover—required viewing.

58:53 – Launch Time: Sunset Soccer Club records Tuesdays, drops Wednesdays—send your love (and hate) to [email protected]

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By Mike Rhyner

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