Last Word FC Media

What's up Internet? This week on Last Word SC Radio, we're talking Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the NASL's anti-trust lawsuit against the USSF and MLS. Let's get to it. We start with Dan breaking down his experience attending and covering the U.S. Open Cup Final. We talk about the game and what went down tactically. Matt McCarthy laments the Red Bulls mistakes and their <em>Oh So Metro</em> legacy. We also talk about how this was icing on the cake for the Sporting KC core and how they've got a new core growing into the system. In segment two, the Matts have some hot takes on the NASL's anti-trust lawsuit against the USSF and MLS. We talk about the standards for Division I and II in America. The guys go over the NASL's ignominious history and how we got here. We discuss what could go down and whether or not the NASL has an argument. The guys finish off talking about what this could mean for the pyramid and American Soccer in the long term. In the Round Table, Matt Pollard, Dan, and Robert talk about a bunch of different news topics. We finish off with some Nationa TV game Pick 'Ems for the weekend.

What's up Internet? Today on Last Word SC Radio, we're talking everything Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final 2017. Here's everything you need to know going into Wednesday night's final.  Matt and Dan sit down to talk about Sporting KC and New York Red Bulls are going to do in the match. We talk about how the Head Coaches approached their weekend matches and why we'll see first choice Staring XIs on Wednesday. We discuss the tactics of the game and why this final will be more about execution than wrinkles or one side trying to out-fox the other. The guys also discuss legacy: one team is looking to add to theirs while the other is looking for a referendum on previous failures.  We finish off making predictions and telling you how you can follow the action all night long. 

What's up Internet? This week on Last Word SC Radio, we're talking about a bunch of different news items. Let's get to it.  Matt and Robert start off talking about Alexi Lalas and his comments where he put the United States Men's National Team on blast. We break down what he got right and how the USMNT players could clap back. We then discuss Bob Bradley calling out the Atlanta United FC hype train as he defends his 1998 Chicago Fire.  In segment two, Dan jumps in to talk about Erik Palmer-Brown's transfer to Manchester City. We discuss how we got to this point, what it means for the player, and why it isn't that bad for Sporting KC or MLS. We then talk about Atlanta being on fire.  In the Round Table, the guys discuss Toronto FC possibly being the best team in league history. We then talk Vancouver Whitecaps and do some Weekend Pick 'Ems. 

What's up Internt? This week on Last Word SC Radio, we've got a bunch of talking points on Soccer in America. Let's get to it.  In the first segment, Matt and Robert sit down and recap the hot mess that was the United States Men's National Team this week. We discuss the loss to Costa Rica and the draw at Honduras. The guys look ahead to the October fixtures and make the argument that everything is going to be ok. Seriously guys, chill. Just win the Panama game.  Then Dan hops on to talk about the 41 cities listed to be part of the joint bid for the 2026 World Cup. The guys talk about the cities/stadiums included. We talk about which Canadian and Mexican venues could make the final cut. We provide some predictions for which American venues could host the final few games.  In the Round Table, Matt McCarthy has some firey opinions on the NASL getting denied Division II status. They guys discuss what this means for the league and the USL's bid as well.  We finish the episode off with some Weekend Pick 'Ems of the nationally televised weekend games.

What's up Internet? Today on Last Word SC Radio, we are formally introducing our new hosts for the podcast. Long time contributor Daniel Sperry is in and past guests Robert Kerr and Matt McCarthy have joined on as well. Led by Matt Pollard, we discuss the United States Men's National Team, World Cup Qualifying, the National Independent Soccer Association, some MLS teams who are in trouble. Enjoy the show!

What's up Internet? Today on Last Word SC Radio, Matt Pollard sits down with Mark 'Rapids Rabbi' Goodman of the Burgundy Wave. The guys dive into the 2017 Colorado Rapids. We discuss how this season went pear-shaped. We try to diagnose the main issues and look into how they could go about fixing them in the off-season. The guys throw out some ideas for who the new Head Coach is and we discuss our initial takes on 'The Rapids Way' manifesto from the front office. 

What's up Internet? This week on Last Word SC Radio, Matt and Dan sit down to talk about a bunch of topics in MLS. Let's get to it.  We start off talking about MLS Heineken Rivalry Week. The guys talk about how they did a better job with the schedule this week than the one in the earlier part of the season. We then move on to New York City FC and their home game that got moved to freaking Conneticut. The guys talk about how this happened, why it sucks for NYCFC, and the big picture issue of MLS teams not owning/being the primary tenant of their stadium.  The guys then move on to talking about the San Jose Earthquakes and being declared 'toast.' Dan gives his ideas on what's gone wrong in recent weeks and what needs to happen for the club to make the playoffs. Matt shares his opinions on how the Video Assisted Replay (VAR) process could be improved. The guys finish off with some rivlary themed Weekend Pick 'Ems. 

What's up Internt? This week on Last Word SC Radio, Matt, Dan, and Robert are talking a bunch of MLS action and USL news! Let's get to it.  We start off talking about the Western Conference. Pablo Mastroeni is out and Matt has opinions on that. Dan and Robert give their take on the long jam at the top of the conference with Houston Dynamo, Seattle Sounders FC, and Sporting KC. We also talk about some west teams that are toast for 2017. In segment two, we're talking Eastern Conference. Toronto FC and New York City FC are going strong. While they haven't been great on the road, the Chicago Fire are there too. We try to separate out these teams. We then talk about some Nashville soccer-specific stadium renderings and USL expansion.  In the Round Table, we talk about the StubHub Center being a playable stadium in FIFA 18. Dan gives us the deets an extra sub coming up in MLS Cup Playoff extra time. We finish the pod off with some weekend highlight Pick 'Ems. 

What's up Internet? Today on Last Word SC Radio, we're changing this up from our normal show. Matt Pollard sits down with Steve Bernasconi of The Soccer Tour for an interview pod special.  Steve has embarked on a season-long soccer roadtrip across North America. He will be attending at least one home game for every MLS team and a bunch of lower division and womens games. We caught up with Steve after 12 days in Colorado, his first soccer stop in the Mountain Time Zone.  We talk about how he came up with the idea for The Soccer Tour and how he planned it out. He explains some roadtrip, Starbucks, and 'Urban Camping' hacks to his journey. We discuss how he goes from stop to stop, how he gets by without 24/7 access to Wifi, and couch crashing with members of the Soccer Community. Steve goes in depth on how he's been embraced by the Soccer Community, how he's experienced the grass roots movement The Soccer Tour has attracted, and what he hopes to get out of it in the end.  The guys talk about the journey so far, his Colorado Experience, and what thinks of the current state of the Colorado Rapids, Denver, and the C38 Supporters Group experience.  We then go into some rapid fire stats questions to get a sense of how big his adventure is. We then have some fun with some 'Mid-Tour Awards.' (As of recording, these awards have not been officially endorsed by The Soccer Tour).  Enjoy the conversation and find out where you can learn more about Steve's journey and how you can get involved. 

What's up Internt? This week on Last Word SC Radio Matt, Dan, and Robert do a full recap of the insane MLS Transfer Window week.  We start off by talking about the late blockbuster moves MLS teams made. We talk about Paul Arriola's move to D.C. United and the shenanigans that happend through it. We talk about the Colorado Rapids and Orlando City SC shaking it up in the Dillon Powers trade. We finish off talking about Carlos Vela becoming the first DP in Los Angeles FC history.  In the second segment, we focus on the bigger picture. Seattle Sounders, Orlando, and the San Jose Earthquakes all made several moves during the window. We talk about the moves they made, where they improved, and what it means for their playoff hopes.  In the Round Table, we do a rapid fire round of transfer news reactions. We talk about Sporting KC getting a big win in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. We finish the pod off with some MLS Weekend Pick 'Ems. 

On this episode of Soccer 2 the MAX, Sean Garmer, Erik Watkins and Rachael McKriger analyze the U.S. Open Cup Semi-Final between Sporting KC and the San Jose Earthquakes. Should MLS go the way of Europe and adopt the ABBA Penalties? Are Sporting KC now the team to beat in the Open Cup Final? Or are they lacking a little something? Then, the crew goes through the transfers that just crossed the deadline. Specifically looking at the three big moves D.C. United made, and why Erik feels they weren't the right ones. Orlando possibly could make another move. Carlos Vela becomes the first signing for LAFC, but Sean wonders why Mexico is upset he didn't sign with a Liga MX club. Plus, even more on what each team did at the deadline. Finally, the trio end the show by discussing the Orlando Pride's 3-0 win. Alex Morgan scores once again, and should Ashlyn Harris be starting at Goalkeeper when she returns? Rachael doesn't think so.

On this episode of Soccer 2 the MAX, Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins go through the MLS Games from the weekend. What's going on with FC Dallas? Have Seattle flipped the switch? Are we surprised by the run from Vancouver? Did they get it right with the first VAR decisions? We discuss all of this and more. In-between some of those games, we also discuss some transfers like Yoshimar Yotun to Orlando City, Zoltan Steiber emminently going to D.C. United, and a few more. Finally, the guys discuss the happenings of NWSL for the week. Can we take anything out of the Washington Spirit's 4-1 win over Sky Blue? Alex Morgan scores a goal for Orlando, and the North Carolina Courage are in first place again. We end the show by talking about the UEFA Women's EURO 2017 Final. How great the game was, and what the win means for Netherlands. Plus, the new penalty shootout system was unveiled in the FA Community Shield this weekend. Is it better than the original system?

On this episode of Soccer 2 the MAX, Sean Garmer, Erik Watkins and Rachael McKriger discuss the final Tournament of Nations game for the U.S. Women's National Team. A 3-0 win over Japan, which wasn't as easy as it looked. Who stood out? Did anyone's stock rise or fall going forward for the national team? Why does Rachael still have a bone to pick with Jill Ellis? After that, Rachael heads out, and the boys stick around to discuss the MLS All-Star game. What did we think of the festivities, the game, and is it a big deal that MLS took Real Madrid to penalties? Finally, the guys discuss some MLS transfer news, and have a conversation on Promotion and Relegation in U.S. Soccer.

What's up Internet? This week on Last Word SC Radio, Matt Pollard and Dan Sperry talk MLS All Star Game and a bunch of other stuff. Let's get to it! We start be recaping the 2017 MLS All Star Game. The guys talk about the week as a whole and the festivities around it. We discuss the game and how it was kind of a hot mess. Then we talk about VAR (Video Assisted Refereeing) and why it's a great move for the league. We then recap the U.S. Open Cup action from this week. Dan also implores ESPN to broadcast both semifinal matches.  The guys then discuss the new deal between MLS and Adidas and why it's a good move for both parties. (We're also super excited to see what the new kits will be coming out since Adidas is way better than Nike on that). We finish the episode off with ideas for every MLS team in the remaining transfer window and season and we do some weekend Pick 'Ems.  Share this pod with your friend in Chicago to help them digest and cool down from the 2017 MLS All Star week that was. 

On this episode of Soccer 2 the MAX, Sean Garmer, Erik Watkins and Rachael McKriger are a bit more jovial than usual. Especially, since the U.S. Women's National team came back from 3-1 down and in nine minutes recovered to beat Brazil 4-3. However, it wasn't all roses for USWNT. Rachael explains and has a few choice words for Jill Ellis' tactics before that fated nine minute stretch. Who stood out? Who needs to be starting? We discuss that and more. After that, Rachael bids us adieu, as Erik and Sean talk MLS Week 21. How was Dom Dwyer's debut for Orlando City? Should Kaka still play 90 minutes? Do we make anything of the domination by Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps? There's also transfer news, and Curt Onalfo puts out a statement too. Finally, the guys examine the presentation given on VAR by Howard Webb. Are the guys excited about VAR coming into the league? And is everything understandable, compared to how it was done in the Confederations Cup? Trust us, it is.