Zee Soccer Podcast

After a week off, ZeeSoccerPod is back and what a great few weeks  it was with two wins and a Canadian Championship! The Chicago Fire are on fire (pun intended) and above the playoff line for the first time in quite some time after being investing for 5 games in a row. Jules’ move to Vancouver is going pretty well as his family was finally able to join him last week. On the field the Whitecaps are just outside the playoff line, but right in the mix after a late come from behind win agains Houston. We also wrap up the MLS transfer window and finally get to talk Bundesliga again. Spoiler alert: Fabi is nervous already!

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

This week’s episode will be canceled due to the move of Julian and his family to Vancouver. A regular episode will come out next week. Thanks for understanding!

ZeePodDerby 3.0 (or should we say ZeeClasico?) is in the books and Fabi & the Fire win for the third time this season. Julian describes his experience as he wore the Whitecaps jersey for the first time. Despite the loss, the Whitecaps have a big week ahead as they face a revived Toronto side in the Canadian Championship final. Not an easy task with the recent big signings of Bernadeschi and Insigne. 
Moreover, Jules gives his personal impression of the city and the club and what challenges he will face being in a different country.

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

Zee Soccer Pod is going international! Two days after finding out he’s been traded from DC to Vancouver, Julian talks about all the details.
How he got told about the trade, his initial feelings, and what the process since then has been like. His wife’s reaction, what the plan is in the coming days/weeks, and even how his first interactions with Vancouver staff/players went. Certainly a great insight into how this trade unfolded and all the challenges that come up when a player gets told he has to move 3000 miles across to a new country within a few days.

After two devastating losses with their respective clubs, the players don’t shy away to talk about the games and analyze what went wrong.
Before that however, we talk about the Azira Michael Youth Foundation which will be the charity for ZeeSoccerFund. Thanks to Michael for taking the time, and please support his cause! Most excitingly, we discuss the breaking news of Wayne Rooney appointed as new DCU manager, and Gaga Slonina’s verbal agreement with FC Chelsea.
Lastly, don’t miss Josef Martinez’ quote bashing his teammates at Atlanta United.

The Azira Michael Youth Foundation: To use sports as a vehicle to give kids in Uganda access to education, nutrition and character development.

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Happy 4th of July everybody! Safe to say Jules had a better holiday than Fabi after DCU (finally!) picked up 3 points again in Orlando. Jules even overcame a bird attack and a some not very original heckling from Orlando fans. The Fire’s trip to California didn’t go as planned but they have a big home stretch coming up with a family visit for Fabi, too. We also discuss our winners & losers of the week and talk a bit more serious about America’s gun laws sparked by the sad shooting in Highland Park, Illinois that happened on July 4th. Have a great week everybody!

A big THANK YOU to the community for all the donations to ZeeSoccerFund. In total we came up to $1700 and the winner of the jerseys are Cecelia Stephens and Matthew Daversa. 
To the negative: both DC and the Fire lost their respective games.
The players break down their games, and talk MLS: Philly vs NYCFC and their creation of an authentic rivalry. In addition, we talk about Gareth Bale’s move to LAFC and how Jules is doing extra sprint training to keep up with him in their matchup in August. 
At the end, Fabi has some roommate rules and suggestions for a pleasant rooming experience on a road trip with the team.

ZeePodDerby is behind us and Fabi is over the moon as the Fire beat DC 1-0 and he actually scored the game winning goal. We discuss the game in some good detail and Jules is trying to find some answers to what is missing for DC to start winning games again. We also finally talk about Julian’s new vegan lifestyle and how the change has affected him so far. Other topics include MLS’ new TV deal with Apple, 2026 World Cup Stadium announcements, and Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich. 
Lastly, make sure to donate to Zee Soccer Fund for your chance to win the match worn parley jerseys the guys wore a few weeks ago. Good luck!

Another great guest for Zee Soccer Pod. Brandt Bronico (aka BB13) from Charlotte FC and a former Fire teammate of Fabi. Incorporating the “grindset” lifestyle BB talks about defeating the odds and establishing himself as a Pro in MLS. He is a role model of how far hard work can really take you. He also talks about his commitment to the city of Charlotte and his experience with the expansion team. Also, don’t miss his exciting insights about Charlotte FC’s firing of Miguel Ramirez and his difficult relationship with the players. 
Lastly, the hosts give a preview of the upcoming #zeepodderby and upcoming topics: Vegan-Jules, Covid-Fabi etc…
Stay safe and keep grinding! 

The first guest who doesn’t play in MLS joins the guys for this weeks pod. Kevin Paredes, the former DC United and current VFL Wolfsburg player, hoped on during his summer break to reminisce about old times at DCU and talk about the last six months in Germany. His transition to life in a different country away from home, on the field differences, his changed attitude, and his outlook on the new season were all big talking points. Some good stories of Kevin and Jules certainly made it in the episode, as well, so make sure to give this one a listen!