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

We answer seven listener questions:

1. What is the UEFA Nations League, and is it actually important?

2. What is the purpose of UEFA Nations League pro/rel?

3 .Will the UEFA Nations League make it harder for young players to get international debuts?

4. How far down the pyramid in England and Germany are players still full-time professionals?

5. How seriously should we take the reported lack of progress in the hiring of a USMNT coach?

6. How would the MLS All-Stars fare in the Premier League?

7. How can soccer fans watch the 2022 World Cup without feeling like a hypocrite? Is a boycott practical or is it naive?

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We review all the weekend's action that we saw, from Adama Traore's unstoppable acceleration to Watford's win over Tottenham, pls Usain Bolt's soccer debut and some classic Leo Messi magic.

Starting at 57:10, we review the USMNT roster for the games against Brazil and Mexico. Roster is passted at bottom o show notes, if you'd like to take a look

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VIDEOS!

That Quagliarealla goal --> https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/9cf4c6/sampdoria_30_napoli_fabio_quagliarella/

That Leo Messi goal where one move beats either four or five defenders: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/9cdi24/barcelona_11_huesca_lionel_messi_16/

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USMNT ROSTER:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 3/0)

DEFENDERS (9): John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 33/3), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City/WAL; 4/0), Eric Lichaj (Hull City/ENG; 15/1), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Matt Miazga (Nantes/FRA; 7/1), Shaq Moore (Reus Deportiu/ESP; 2/0), Tim Parker (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic/ENG; 2/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 52/0)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 17/1), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 5/0), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 16/2), Julian Green (Greuther Fürth/GER; 10/4), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 3/1), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 4/1), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 3/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 6/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain; 3/1)

Added: Marky Delgado

FORWARDS (3): Andrija Novakovich (Fortuna Sittard/NED; 2/0), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96/GER; 39/12), Gyasi Zardes (37/6; Columbus Crew SC)

Taylor talks to Drew Chafetz, CEO and Co-Founder of love.fútbol, a non-profit that mobilizes and engages communities around the world to plan, build, manage and maintain safe soccer fields around the world.

Thus far, they've worked with 29 communities in 8 countries to help grow the beautiful game at a (sometimes literally) grassroots level. He explains how the organization started, how they've managed to bring their message to new communities, and what their plans are for the future (looking in your direction, America).

You can learn more about the work love.fútbol is doing by checking out their website http://www.lovefutbol.org

At the top of the show, we pay tribute to the retiring Clint Dempsey by each naming our favorite Deuce moment.

Starting at 4:00, we go through all (and we maybe do mean ALL) the possible US roster options for the upcoming games versus Brazil and Mexico.

At 1:00:05, we give our quick reactions to the Champions League draw

Today's show is sponsored by The Athletic. Get 40% off your subscription and get access to all the great Athletic content by going to http://theathletic.com/tssaugust

To hear our Athletic ad, discussing playing conditions in the USL, go to 18:45 in today's show.

Today's show is sponsored by Ruffneck Scarves. To hear today's Ruffneck ad, in which we read listener suggestions for Dempsey-themed scarves, go to 57:15. Use code "TOTALSOCCERSHOW" to get 20% off any scarf you want to buy at http://RuffneckScarves.com

We answer five listener questions, including:

How would a strong national team (say, France or Brazil) fare in the Premier League?

What do we think of NPSL PRO?

How would we brand our own MLS teams?

How do Chelsea keep their shape?

How should La Liga market itself in the US?

Today's show is sponsored by The Athletic — get 40% off a subscription at http://theathletic.com/tssaugust

Today's show is sponsored — for the final time, for now at least — by Liverpool Jeans. Get 30% off at http://liverpooljeans/com by using code TSS at checkout.

Daryl and Taylor are still in studio to discuss Manchester United's crucial match against Tottenham. Spoilers to follow...

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Wow, did that go poorly for Jose Mourinho's side. How did Spurs turn the tables after looking troubled in the opening minutes? What happened on that second goal and do the United defenders understand the offside rule? How clever is Harry Kane when it comes to shoving people? Will Jose Mourinho have a shaved head next week? All that and much, much more!

Today's show is brought to you by SIMPLE CONTACTS, who allowed us to have the debate: who is the manager most likely to blame a bad result on not having good contacts?

You can order your lenses at http://simplecontacts.com/TSS20 or use code "TSS20" at checkout for $20 off the cost of your lenses. Need to renew your prescription? No problem, you can do a five-minute vision test via the Simple Contacts app or website.

We round up all the weekend action.Starting with the Premier League, movie to Brooks, McKennie, Pulisic in the Bundesliga, and then an analysis of Josef Martinez' cord-breaking goal.

Today's show sponsored by SeatGeek. Download the app and enter promo code TSS for $20 off your first ticket purchase.

Today's show is sponsored by HIMS. Go to http://forhims.com/totalsoccer and get a trial month for $5.

Our old Goalmouth friend Ryan Bailey joins Taylor to discuss Manchester City's season so far, with particular emphasis on their documentary "All or Nothing" (which is available on Amazon Prime). What does the future hold, how can they be stopped, and why is the kit man so beloved?

All that, plus we revisit the Wimbledon-MK Dons saga/travesty with an eye on how it applies to the current situation with the Columbus Crew.

TODAY'S SHOW IS SPONSORED BY...

RUFFNECK SCARVES! They've got so many scarves that your neck will never go cold again! Use discount code "TOTALSOCCERSHOW" for 20% off at http://ruffneckscarves.com

THE ATHLETIC! Support great writing... and Ryan Bailey too! Get a 40% discount on a subscription when you go to http://theathletic.com/tssaugust

Taylor called up Carl Anka to discuss the current situation at Manchester United, as well as what the future may hold for the team. Carl also gets into what he thinks has gone wrong with the club, how the ship could be righted, and why Mourinho might not be back next season.

On a personal note, I don't always enjoy discussing individual teams for a whole show, as things tend to get emotional/ranty. But Carl keeps it academic, and there's an incredible amount of information available for United fans, but neutrals as well. And, obviously, Man United haters will enjoy the schadenfreude.

Today's show is brought to you by... LIVERPOOL JEANS! Use code "TSS" for 30% off at http://liverpooljeans.com If you submitted a pair of your Ugly Jeans in hopes of winning a new pair, you'll definitely want to give this episode a listen!

—Which USMNT players missed out on their one and only shot at playing in a World Cup in 2018?

—Would a dog on defense (yes, a real canine) help or hurt a team?

—Can you explain how the visa system works and why some Americans seem to go to Europe early while others can't.

—What is/was Fulhamerica?

—How does MLS scheduling work? Is there a formula? What's the formula?

—Why is Accrington Stanley's rise funny to the English?

Today's show is sponsored by ...

THE ATHLETIC! Support the ecosystem! Get a 40% discount on a subscription when you go to http://theathletic.com/tssaugust

GRIP6! Grip6 belts ruuuuuule! Go to http://grip6.com and use code "TSS" for a 20% discount.

The Milk ad we talked about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPFrTBppRfw

"Exactly!"