The World’s GAM - A Major League Soccer Podcast

It is a special episode of The World's GAM as it is all about the Club World Cup! The tournament had a cloud of controversy going into it, and yet it appears to have come out the other side looking like a great idea. The execution could use some work though. Looking at how the tournament has gone through the first week, how MLS teams have looked, and who we find ourselves rooting for is all a part of the fun. Then it's a look ahead to the weekend matches that have caught our eye in the Club World Cup. 

A very, very busy week off the field for MLS has so much to talk about in this one. The USMNT had two rough games in their tune-up match before the Gold Cup, but does it look worse for MLS that a team full of MLS-ers couldn't get it done? LAFC, the club and the fans, take a stand against the federal government while the Club World Cup looks to add ICE and Boarder Patrol to stadium security, where does this go from here? Vancouver Whitecaps continue their insane story with a very weird 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders and USSF and the NCAA are holding talks about how to incorporate college soccer in the broader soccer umbrella in the United States, what happens next? PLUS what to watch this weekend. 

Timestamps: 

(1:35) - USMNT vs MLS

(14:36) - LAFC vs the feds

(25:54) - Vancouver vs Seattle

(36:51) - Chicago Fire new stadium soon?

(38:09) - USSF and NCAA to merge? The future of college soccer

(57:24) - What to watch this weekend

International competitions dominated the MLS storylines this past week with LAFC punching a ticket to the Club World Cup, Seattle Sounders players protesting how bonuses are being divided, and the Vancouver Whitecaps fail at the finish-line in CONCACAF Champions Cup. MLS National Writer Charles Boehm joins to talk about MLS at the half-way point. What storylines are being overlooked and who do we credit for the Philly academy success? Finally what to watch this weekend is a little lacking as most of the league is off for international duty. 

Timestamps: 

(8:01) - LAFC is in the Club World Cup

(27:07) - Seattle Sounders player protest

(42:34) - Conversation with Charles Boehm

(1:12:26) - What to Watch this Weekend

Another exciting week of MLS action has the lead story being Olof Mellberg is out after just 15 matches in charge in St Louis. How much time is left for St Louis's General Manager, and how is Philly's success factoring in. Many listeners wanted The Chief and Grayson to weigh in on a call in the Charlotte-Columbus match, but what are ways we can make refereeing better in MLS? Maybe start with answering some questions. FC Cincinnati are at the top of the table, but are they pretending? And CR7 will probably be coming to the United States this summer, but playing for whom? 

(8:41) - Olof Mellberg OUT

(22:02) - Referee decisions make headlines 

(44:32) - FC Cincinnati 

(50:45) - Ronaldo to Miami!? 

(56:37) - What to Watch this Weekend (and Wednesday)

It was a rivalry week for the history books! Very, very boring history books. Mid-week matches take the steam out of intense rivalries and might have contributed to weak results. Greg Vanney signs a contract extension on the eve of his team going winless yet again this season. And the seats in St Louis are heating up. Part Two is all about Miami, and asking if they're bad now after an awful two months of performances. Part Three is all about which matches are worth your time this weekend!

Timestamps:

(6:25) - Special 10 days transfer window 

(10:23) - Rivalry Week Reactions

(19:04) - El Traffico and Greg Vanney

(28:26) - Hot seats in St Louis

(38:16) - Is Miami bad now?

(56:44) - What to watch this weekend

A very interesting week in MLS both on and off the field. In Part Two Ben Wright of 615 soccer, MLS, and GIVE ME SPORT joins to talk about the fan situation in Nashville and ICE detentions making fans feel unsafe to attend matches, as well as the season on the pitch. In Part One it's Minnesota whooping Miami and making Beckham cry on instagram, the LA Galaxy might have signed their doomed manager to a new secret contract, and Orlando have quietly put together an impressive season so far. Finally Part Three is all Rivalry Week, which matches are worth your time?

Timestamps: 

(3:22) - Minnesota vs Miami vs Beckham 

(15:59) - The doomed LA Galaxy continue to be doomed

(30:42) - The sneak good Orlando run 

(37:13) - Interview with Ben Wright 

(1:03:26) - What to Watch this Weekend

Read more of Ben's work at https://www.sixonefivesoccer.com/

It's a full episode on The World's GAM covering the top stories in and around MLS. The Open Cup this weekend exposed, once again, a critical weakness is the sport, getting people to care about cup matches. SKC records a no-shooter against LA Galaxy. LAFC is in a playoff that may or may not be legitimate depending on who you ask. EA FC is putting MLS in weird places and the New England Revolution are back. 

Timestamps: 

(0:58) - Open Cup

(10:29) - SKC's Weird Win over LA Galaxy 

(24:27) - LAFC - Club America playoff

(33:25) - New England Revolution are Back 

(37:01) - EA FC Mobile did what?

(45:28) - Double Secret Transfer Window

(1:04:06) - What to Watch This Weekend 

The World's GAM is lucky enough to be joined by the Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle to talk the theory behind power rankings, how much xDAWG vs Vibes is important, and are LA Galaxy or NYRB fans hurting more. Part One is a rundown of the top stories including the world's best team Vancouver Whitecaps, Jullian Gressel going to Minnesota in a very cool, very legal way, Wilfred Zaha clapping back, and so much more. Part Three are your matches to watch this weekend!

Timestamps: 

(4:36) - Vancouver Whitecaps beat Miami!

(16:53) - Jullian Gressel moves to Minnesota 

(21:52) - Wilfred Zaha takes to Snapchat 

(31:18) - Johnny Russell betrays SKC

(32:42) - Pablo Mauer leaves The Athletic 

(41:50) - A conversation with Matt Doyle

(1:11:29) - What to watch this weekend

Links: 

Tactics Free Zone Subtack from Matt Doyle

Phil Neville goes OFF on referees in MLS, is he off base? not was a rough look for the Third Team this past weekend, maybe he has a point. Steve Cherundolo says goodbye to LAFC... in like 8 months. He decides to leave the team for personal reasons, just as the season gets started, but won't leave until the end of the season. How weird is that? Bruce Arena takes a shot at the USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, is it unfair? In Part Two it's all about Transfer Deadline Day and ask the question, should team still be doing business with Boavista? Then finally it's what to watch for this weekend! 

Timestamps:

(3:25) - Phil Neville's comments on PRO 

(12:56) - Steve Cherundolo's decision to leave LAFC

(24:55) - Bruce Arena takes a shot at Mauricio Pochettino

(30:48) - Transfer Deadline Day 

(44:50) - What to Watch For This Weekend

It's the Vancouver Whitecaps's world and we're just livin in it. An incredible CCL run, a crushing 5-1 victory over Austin, and all without their best player means The World's GAM had to talk to Michael McColl from AFTN about the start to the season in Vancouver. In Part One it's a run through topics like MLS not adopting the winter schedule, more teams adopting local tape delays, the wild result in Atlanta, Miami and Columbus playing in Cleveland, and so much more. Part Three is a look at the matches to watch this weekend!

Timestamps: 

(0:56) - MLS does not adopt a Winter Schedule

(11:18) - Columbus and Miami play in Cleveland

(19:29) - New England gets a win in Atlanta

(26:14) - MLS Coaching Hot Seats 

(29:30) - MLS teams adopting tape delay 

(36:12) - Interview with AFTN's Michael McColl about Vancouver Whitecaps

(59:08) - What to Watch For This Weekend

Check out AFTN's coverage of the Whitecaps, Canadian soccer, and BC soccer at https://aftn.ca/