The last Zee Soccer Pod Episode of the year starts starts with some questions for Fabi to see if he would pass the civics test of the naturalization interview Julian just had to answer.
Obviously we cover some MLS playoff action, talk about the post season training plans for the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps (and how we respectively feel about that), and to finish up give our Best XI of the MLS Season.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to all listeners for a fun year here and especially to all who donated to Zee Soccer Fund! We appreciate your support and will try and make it even better next year.. Ciao Ciao!

You can continue to follow and support the Michael Azira Youth Foundation here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

Out and over - no post-season play for ZeeSoccerPod. For the second year neither Fabi nor Jules were able to make the playoffs. In Minnesota, Vancouver couldn’t beat the “wonderwall”, and missed their last chance. The Fire played for the “golden pineapple” against New England in a 1:1 tie. 
Fabi explains why Gazdag should have been the winner of the Golden Boot. We also pick our predictions for the MLS Cup and give a quick recap of Der Klassiker. 
Non-soccer related, Gressel is on his way to becoming an American. He describes the process and how he studies for the test! 
Lastly: thanks to everyone that donated to ZeeSoccerFund. Joe Ziemer you’re the lucky winner of a signed GaGa jersey. Enjoy!

The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

The Whitecaps are still alive and have everything to play for next week in Decision Day!! We recap how they got that chance and how Chicago put a bit of a dent in Cincinnati’s playoff hopes with a Win there. Congrats to LAFC on winning the supporters shield, we discuss how Philly’s season could turn sour really quick, and wish Gonzalo Higuain happy retirement! On a quite shocking note, we also discuss the newly released report of the findings regarding the abuse and sexual misconduct in the NWSL and USSF.

P.S. Donate to Zee Soccer Fund to win a signed Gaga Slonina jersey!!

The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

It’s international break, so we decided to do something different. Instead of us doing all the talk, we let you guys ask questions on social medial and we answered them on the Pod. Thanks to the listeners for all the spicy questions. Among the questions: What would Fabi change as a GM for the Chicago Fire next season? What do the players look out for when watching from the bench? And what is Jules‘ high/low point of the season…
These and many more will be answered!

P.S. Fabi‘s favorite Netflix show is "Selling Sunset"

The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

Successful surgery, 2 wins for the Whitecaps and a goal and an assist for Jules sounds like a pretty good week for our two pod hosts. Unfortunately, the Fabiless Chicago Fire couldn’t keep winning in order stay in the playoff race and are now eliminated from playoff contention. With 2 wins, Vancouver lives to fight another day and stays in the playoff races for now.
Besides winners and losers, we also discuss an incident including Taxi Fountas (DCU) and Damion Lowe (Inter Miami) that doesn’t have any place in sports or this world in general.
Jules’ opening story about him and his daughter is probably the best thing about this episode though!!

The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

With 30 games played the Fire (6pts behind playoff line) and the Whitecaps (9pts behind) only remain with small playoff chances. While the Fire beat Inter Miami 3:1 without Fabi (no he was not scared of Higuain), Jules and the Whitecaps lost 3:1 at Colorado including a questionable PK call. Jules gives some update about his contract situation and Fabi provides an injury update on his adductor. Don’t miss the winners and losers, and the difficult situation of Josef Martinez in Atlanta.
 
The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

Happy Labor Day! What does building a paper airplane and Fantasy Football have in common? Listen and find out for yourself.. of course we also speak about soccer and our respective games. An unbeaten but winless week for the Fire and a loss in San Jose for the Whitecaps make the playoffs look more unlikely by each game for both teams. Houston fires their coach, Nashville is on fire, Chicharito misses a Panenka and a few more topics around MLS conclude another episodes. Good luck to all fantasy football players out there!
 
The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

Fabi opens this week’s episode with a story about his frustrating process of getting passport pictures. Definitely worth a listen alone, but obviously we also speak about the Whitecaps’ loss to Nashville and the Fire’s loss to Montreal. As the playoff race is heating up, both teams are currently on the outside looking in, but hope to stay in the mix as the weeks progress. It’s certainly crunch time now!
Besides winners and losers of the week, we discuss the heated press conference of Cincinnati’s head coach Pat Noonan, where he is very critical about the referring not just in their past game, but throughout the whole league.
Internationally, Bayern had a million shots and could only score 1 goal, while Liverpool’s season seems to start now after a 9-0 win over the weekend.

The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

Fabi‘s birthday week didn’t turn out so well enduring a disappointing loss against an NYCFC team that missed a lot of key players. However, Julian (aka Miroslav Klose) got a birthday present for Fabi with his first goal for the Whitecaps. Gressel blending in nicely with the Canadian side talks about DC‘s struggles (6:0 loss) and how he has moved on from the past.
A big topic is also Leeds United who beat Chelsea over the weekend with 4 MLS products (including coach Jesse Marsch). Congratulations go out to Josef Martinez and Brendan Vasquez.
 
The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org

Back down to earth again. Both teams were humbled this weekend against superior opponents. After recent highs the Fire lost at conference leader Philly & the Whitecaps fell short to a very strong Galaxy side. Both teams find themselves 3 points outside the playoff line with each 9 games to go.
Beside MLS winners and losers, we also talk about Kai Wagner (Philly Union‘s left-back) and whether he could compete in the Premier League after recent rumors about a potential transfer to Leeds United.
Lastly, we break down Man Udt‘s rough start and what they need to do to get back on track. Also, who would win in a fist fight? Conte or Tuchel??
 
The ZeeSoccerFund 2.0 2022 fundraiser is for the Azira Michael Youth Foundation: https://gofund.me/4f70180a

More info on the foundation can be found here: https://www.aziramichealyouthfoundation.org