It's the first episode of 2025 and Matt, Ted, and Travis talk about the first win of 2025, a gritty - if not pretty - win over Swabian neighbors FC Augsburg!

Talking points include Demi's struggles, Deniz's comeback, Derek's food commentary, coming's and going's like Bruun and Franz, and finally, the upcoming Englische Woche as VfB hosts both RBL and SCF.

We promised it would be a short episode as it's a busy week but after an hour of chatting we realized we're just giddy to get 2025 up and rolling again!

Audio courtesy of Peter Schilling and Bundesliga. Episode art courtesy of VfB.de

The winter break is upon us, which means it's time for our Holiday Hinrunde Review ... and who better to chat about the year that was - the year that is to come - than ESPN's very own Derek Rae!

Derek joins the program to review last seasons' Champions League finish as well as the amazing summer of "VfB Deutschland" and then provides some context on how the fellas in the brustring are doing this season, a season that has seen numerous injuries and three major competitions. Mid-season awards, presented by OFC VfB Americana, are then considered as are predictions for the rest of the season, a season that could just end in a trophy run if things go right. Episode 143 then wraps up with the really, really, REALLY big questions of the day that are first and foremost on most of our minds - pink kits, Major Tom, and, of course, Stuttgart-based culinary delicacies!

Pop by for a holiday episode that only Santa Rae and his elf Travis can provide!

Opening songs courtesy of Peter Schilling and VfB.aep.

It's the semi-last episode of 2024 and the guys try to reign in their disappointment with the end of Hinrunde loss by breaking down the final match of 2024. In doing so, Matt, Ted, and Travis try to break the match down into "A's" - Arrogance, Anto & Anrie, Ata, Attack, and Attitude - and come away feeling disappointed.

But in the end, we'll always have 2024 and the memories that came with it! Just like the holiday memories the fellas share along the way!

Song courtesy of the Standing Stones!

It's episode 141 and the boys are giddy with excitement as the jungundwild have won three in a row over three different competitions to keep the good VfB times rolling!

The guys chat Hugo Boss shirts, a UCL win over Young boys, and an expectedly tough match versus Swabian neighbors Heidenheim as well as answer questions regarding future additions, whether they think VfB will be going forward in both the UCL and the Pokal, and if Nick Woltemade is the greatest player in the history of football.

The answer? YES TO EVERYTHING!

It's episode 140 and it's a double-serving of VfB victories!

Ted and Travis chat the Pokal win over Jahn and the come-from-behind victory over Union, a "get right" win and a much needed "mentality win" to hopefully start the jungundwild's holiday season on the right path! Along the way the fellas chat cakes, Pokal and Champions League money, benching Jeff, playing Yannik, Alex's mishaps, and, of course, Nick Freaking Woltemade!

In episode 139 (part 2) the guys remember to hit the record button and chat (briefly) about Red Star and then dive into what's what with VfB and the offense, the defense, and the coaching as the club ends November on a rough run.

But never fear, with December here, hope springs eternal, and the guys are hoping that with Jahn and Union on the docket that the jungundwild can get their act together and end 2024 on a positive note!

All that and a new platform that either makes the sound better or makes it as bad as it's always been. Which is saying something!

In episode 138, Hannes joins us to break down the last two home matches, matches, unfortunately, that didn't end the way the fellas had hoped.

Part One is some shout outs to the Frauen who held on to extend their lead on the table while also explaining our Twitter embargo that we'll no doubt back down from in the coming weeks. Oh well.

Part Two looks at two home matches in two weeks, where Fortress MHP Arena was breached by both a Champions League team and a Bundesliga team. The guys talk the ugly - the losses - the bad - the play of Demi - and the good - the play of some of the kids - and end on a positive note as the schedule from here until Christmas is looking - fingers crossed - pretty friendly (famous last words).

Part Three are some News & Q's as the guys celebrate VfB Deutschland and try to say the name of particular VfB II player. Yikes!

Part Four wraps up with some positive thoughts on the future of VfB ... if not America.

Enjoy!

Doug and David join the pod to break down the recent Buli, Pokal, and Champions League matches!

Part two of our episode (because we stink at technology) covers some News & Q's - like exit clauses - as well as the upcoming matches against old foes Bayer and new foes Atalanta!

Part 1 of episode 136 dives into some shout outs celebrating the Frauen, the team shop, and boy howdy, three big wins in three big competitions over the course of what seemed like only three short days! The guys break down the big Champions League win over Juventus, the important Bundesliga win over a spirited Kiel, and the nervy win in the Pokal!