Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ...

Your intrepid hosts begin by discussing the latest results in the MLS is Back tournament, as well as the reality of European scouts hungrily waiting to take every fit player away from the Philadelphia Union. But with the knockout rounds in full swing and many young players performing well, why aren't the TV ratings improving? What the low viewership means for MLS in its present incarnation, and what the league can do moving forward to get more eyes on screens.

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Joe Lowery of MLS Assist returns to the show to preview the tournament quarterfinals by taking a look at each team, what they've done well and where they might be vulnerable. There's also plenty of conversation about the teams that have already been eliminated, emerging USMNT prospects, most tactically adept coaches in the league... and DC United is somewhere in there as well. Sigh.

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It's a listener question special, where we get into [deep breath ... ] the USMNT's new schedule, whether or not Gio Reyna should start right now, the new Diego Chara, assembling an international team in Europe, fringe USWNT players who impressed at the NWSL Challenge Cup, how to name MLS teams, the best center-back pairing in USMNT history, why Ligue 1 isn't a popular destination for Americans, Ayo Akinola's international future, and how to spend a million dollars on the future of American soccer.

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Ryan and Taylor discuss their 20 biggest takeaways from the Premier League season that was, including Frank Lampard getting it mostly right at Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola utilizing stability to get results, Bruno Fernandes being the hero that we all deserve, and Watford's "let's hire a new manager every few weeks" approach not quite working out.

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Big show! For the first hour or so, we answer multiple quick-fire questions about the final day of the Premier League. What happened to Leicester? What next for Aston Villa? Who benefited most from the break before Project Restart? Did Jose over-celebrate? Why is there such a gap between the top two and everyone else?  Can Christian Pulisic improve? You know, those kind of questions.

Then, starting at precisely 1:19:58, we review the NWSL Challenge Cup Final, detailing how Houston Dashed the hopes of the Chicago Red Stars.

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3:50 - What's going wrong with Atlanta United and the LA Galaxy, and can their respective current coaches fix the issues?

19:12 - Commiserations to the the New York Red Bulls, who have been eliminated, and credit to Jaap Stam and FC Cincinnati, who have not.

27:00 - Let's talk positives! Columbus are good, and so are Portland

28:48 - Breaking down the bracket with longer looks at San Jose, Seattle, LAFC, and more

50:22 - Mailbag time! Answering your MLS is Back-related questions.

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Lori Lindsey joins the show to discuss the NWSL Challenge Cup Final, including the key players for both Houston and Chicago, as well as the likely approaches both teams will take in the Final. We also review the individual semifinals to figure out what happened (goals were scored!) and what we learned heading into the tournament's final weekend.

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Taylor talks to Sam Tighe (BR Live) about all things Premier League: why have Southampton been so strong since the start and how will they keep it going, what to expect from Bielsa's Leeds, and which clubs will still be splashing (and on which players) in the coming window. All that and more!

Sponsors! Today's show is brought to you by...

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Gregg Berhalter gave a recent press conference in which he discussed many, many national team topics. We discuss some of the most interesting aspects at the top of today's show.

Read this SOCCER AMERICA email for longer Berhalter quotes

Also read this piece by Paul Tenorio of The Athletic

We also review Liverpool vs Chelsea, with a focus in Christian Pulisic's off-the-bench awesomeness. If you're looking for just the Pulisic part, skip to 43:10

Last but not completely least, we analyze Man Utd's 1-1 draw with West Ham and then Aston Villa's goal against Arsenal

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Meg Linehan returns to the show to discuss Angel City, the newest expansion team in NWSL. How many people are involved, where will the team play, and how quickly will Alex Morgan be on the roster (not as quickly as you might think, if Meg's reasoning is correct).

After that, there's a look back at the Challenge Cup quarterfinals before a look ahead to the semifinals, which are happening this Wednesday. Portland v Houston at 12:30 followed much later by Sky Blue v Red Stars at 10. 

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