Last Word FC Media

This week on Last Word SC Radio, we're talk about a bunch of news! Let's get to it.  First, Roy Emmanuel stops by to talk to Matt Pollard about Phoenix Rising FC. We talk about Didier Drogba joining the club. Roy gives his take on the direction the club is headed and what it means for the USL to reach provisional Division II status. The guys talk about the pop up stadium that is the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.  Then Joe Hojnakci and John Bava jump in to talk about Columbus Crew SC. We talk about the block bust trade that sent Kakuta Manneh to Columbus in exchange for Tony Tchani and some cash. John talks about the ground work that made both clubs make this decision. The guys talk about what this means for both clubs and how the new players could fit into their new environments. John wraps things up by talking about the Crew's match against Orlando City and a projected lineup.  In the Round Table, LWSC OG Russ McKenzie jumps in. The guys review the USA-Panama match. We talk coaching moves with Mike Petke joining Real Salt Lake and Oscar Pareja re-upping with FC Dallas. Lastly, the guys poke fun at the media in Chicago and do some Weekend Pick 'Ems. 

Raising Bulls returns this week with a real game recap! New York Red Bulls II season opener against Pittsburgh Riverhounds was a bit of a disappointment. New York took the lead three times only to allow Pittsburgh to equalize each time. Vincent Bezecourt stopped by and talked about the team’s feelings after the game. We also got to find out if he is comfortable with the new formation, and when he first started paying attention to the New York Red Bulls. Finally, we close out this week’s show previewing the game this weekend. NY will open their home slate in a new venue. The Richmond Kickers are coming off a workman-like victory of Harrisburg City Islanders.  Lastly, the Raising Bulls team offers their deepest condolences to the Richmond Kicker family. They lost their Community Director of Youth Soccer, Kofi Nti. Raising Bulls is a podcast dedicated to the New York Red Bulls II of the USL. Each week, Joe Goldstein, Bill Twomey and Anthony Merced will be recapping the week that was. They will also be previewing each of the team’s upcoming matches and occasionally joined by guests from all levels of the NYRBII organization. If you care about the future of the New York Red Bulls, you’re listening to Raising Bulls.

On this first mid-week Soccer 2 the MAX, Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins discuss the USA vs. Panama game right after it ended. The guys breakdown the game. Who stood out? How great is Christian Pulisic? Are they happy with the draw? What about the overall play on the pitch? They discuss it all. Shortly after the game, Real Salt Lake announced that they expect to name their coach on Wednesday. Reports are already out stating that it's going to be former New York Redbulls manager, Mike Petke. Sean and Erik give their opinions on the decision. Finally, they give thoughts and predictions on the rest of the MLS Week 4 slate happening on the weekend.

Episode 110: NYCFC had four key misses in their home game versus Montreal on Saturday. Those missed chances cost the club 2 points as Montreal drew NYCFC 1-1.  Mike and Jon discuss the game and some of the post game comments from some of the key players. In the second segment the guys are joined by Charlie Boehm from Four Four Two and SoccerWire.com.  They talk about what it takes to succeed in Yankee Stadium and touch on the USMNT.

On this episode of Soccer 2 the MAX, Sean Garmer, Erik Watkins and Rachael McKriger look back at the United States Men's National Team's 6-0 victory of Honduras in their World Cup Qualifier. The crew breakdown the game. Assess some of the standout performances and look ahead to the game against Panama on Tuesday as well. After that, the guys examine the small Major League Soccer slate from Saturday. Are the New England Revolution going to start rolling after notching their first win of the season? Can Minnesota United doing anything to stop their glut of allowing goals? How seriously do we need to start taking the Columbus Crew? Plus, did Real Salt Lake make the right decision in firing Jeff Cassar? Finally, Sean, Erk and Rachael discuss the big signing by the Chicago Fire of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Is he the missing ingredient in the midfield? Or is he going to make things a little too crowded?

That's right folks, Last Word Soccer Club Radio is crazy and did an After Dark episode following the United States drubbing of Honduras. Daniel Sperry joins Matt Pollard on location from Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA.  The guys talk about the fantastic performance the US had and how much it was needed. We recap the Hexagonal standings and how the US changed from a terrible loss in Costa Rica in November to what they were against Honduras. Dan gives his take on what the Americans did tactically. We also discuss the three headed monster that is Christan Pulisic, Clint Dempsey, and Jozy Atlidore. The guys give some kudos to Michael Bradley for doing his job well. Lastly, we talk injuries and the back line in the context of the Panama game.  Share this pod with your casual soccer fan friend to get them psyched for USA vs. Panama next Tuesday. 

Happy International Break fam! This week on Last Word SC Radio, Robert Kerr stops by to talk about the Chicago Fire. Then Matt Pollard and Joe Hojnacki talk about USA vs. Honduras.  Robert sits down with Matt to talk about the Bastian Schweinsteiger signing. The two discuss what this means for the club and how this changes the expectation. Robert gives his take on how the midfield will shape up with the German International along with Juninho and Dax McCarty. The boys discuss the back line and how far the Fire are in their rebuild.  Joe jumps in in the Roud Table to talk about Real Salt Lake sacking Jeff Cassar. The guys talk about the decision and what this means for the club going forward. Then they guys preview the USA vs. Honduras match in San Jose, CA. The guys talk roster, tactics, and how the game will shape up. Lastly, we do weekend pick 'ems for a very brief weekend of MLS play.  Share this pod with your German American friends to get them pumped for Schweisteiger joining the Men in Red!

The 2017 USL Season is upon us, and the Raising Bulls team could not be more grateful. Finally, we have something real to talk about. It’s time for the teams to show up or shut up, and the results will start to paint the picture of the season.   This week, we discuss new signings and the final game of the preseason. Then we sit down with Kevin Stoke to discuss the Rampage Supporter's Group. Finally, we preview the game against Pittsburgh and give our predictions for the game and season. Raising Bulls is a podcast dedicated to the New York Red Bulls of the USL. Each week, Joe Goldstein, Bill Twomey and Anthony Merced will be recapping the week that was. They will also be previewing each of the team’s upcoming matches and occasionally joined by guests from all levels of the NYRBII organization. If you care about the future of the New York Red Bulls, you’re listening to Raising Bulls.

This week on Last Word SC Radio, we speak with Daniel Sperry about the U.S. Soccer National Training Center and Harrison Hamm about the Houston Dynamo.  In the first segment Matt Pollard is joined by Dan to talk about his tour of the National Training Center in Kansas City. Dan talks about what he learned on the tour about the facility and the plans for it. The guys discuss the new 'super fields' as well as the indoor amenities to the training facility. Dan gives some details on the coaching education plans for the project. This is extremely exciting for Sporting Kansas City and American Soccer.  Then Harrison joins the crew to talk about the Houston Dynamo. The guys discuss the new look attack and Wilmer Cabrera's coaching system. Harrison complements Alex and the rest of the midfield and gives some ideas as to why this isn't the same team as last year. The guys do discuss some concerns about the defense for the Dynamo.  In the Round Table, Matt and Joe Hojnacki discuss the MLS teams participating in CONCACAF Champions League. FC Dallas has a chance but it doesn't look great for the Vancouver Whitecaps. They discuss the Disciplinary Committee and MLS being ant-twitter fun. Lastly, the guys talk U.S. National Team roster and do weekend pick 'ems. 

Episode 109: On the Thursday before the NYCFC Home Opening Game at Yankee Stadium, the club assembled a few of their players for the annual Media Day.  Mike and Jon begin the show discussing some of the key points from the day and listen to interviews from some of the guys including newcomers, Alex Ring and Rodney Wallace. In the second segment Mike and Jon are joined by an old fan favorite, former NYCFC defender, Jeb Brovsky.  Together they discuss Jeb's time with not only NYCFC but also Montreal Impact, the opponent for this Saturday's game. Finally, in the last segment the guys breakdown the NYCFC 4-0 victory over DC United.  They might heap the praise on pretty thick, but then again, it was a dominant performance.

The guys recap preseason friendlies, discuss some trialists still with the team, talk about the goalkeeper situation, and how Aaron Long and Derrick Etienne have fared thus far in MLS. Florian Valot joins the show for a great interview with a fantastic player. Raising Bulls is a podcast dedicated to the New York Red Bulls of the USL. Each week, Joe Goldstein, Bill Twomey and Anthony Merced will be recapping the week that was. They will also be previewing each of the team’s upcoming matches and occasionally joined by guests from all levels of the NYRBII organization. If you care about the future of the New York Red Bulls, you’re listening to Raising Bulls.

This week on Last Word Soccer Club Radio we talk with USL President Jake Edwards and Gavin Ewbank of The Mane Land.  First Matt Pollard sits down with Gavin Ewbank to talk about Orlando City SC's brand new stadium and Sunday's win over New York City FC. Gavin talks about how amazing the new venue is and the win. The guy discuss injury concerns with Kaka and Cyle Larin both with hamstring issues. Gavin gives his take on Orlando's rebuilding of the back line. The guys also talk about the big picture and Jason Kreis's plan for City in the long term.  In the secod block Joe Hojnacki is lucky enough to sit down with the USL President, Jake Edwards. The two discuss the USL gaining second division status. President Edwards discusses expansion, both at the USL and MLS level. He gives his hopeful vision for the future of the USL. He and Joe also discuss the future of USL stadium development.  In the Round Table, Matt and Joe discuss U.S. Soccer's new National Anthem policy. The guys talk about the expansion teams making their debut in Major League Soccer. Lastly, we do a full weekend prediction. 

Episode 108: When Kaka went down with the hamstring injury, NYCFC became the favorite to win this game and if nothing else, should have walked away with a point.  Enter Joe Bednick.  Sometimes a hot keeper is enough to keep a team in a game and with NYCFC's defense (and midfield; Andrea - cough, cough) providing Cyle Larin with a great opportunity, the should be's became should have been's. Mike and Jon discuss the first game from 2017.  They also give out the first Bronx Bomber and Bronx Cheer awards of the season.  Then in the second segment welcome Matt Reed from NBC Sports Soccer on the show to get his thoughts on the game and how he thinks the Eastern Conference will flesh out.  All that and some fun MLS Fantasy talk.

On this episode of Soccer 2 the MAX, finally some Major League Soccer that matters to talk about. Sean Garmer, Erik Watkins and Rachael McKriger discuss the big storylines of MLS Week 1, while also recapping the games as well. How big is the Kaka injury? Could FC Dallas be the best team in MLS? Is the Minnesota United blowout a sign of things to come? Plus Rachael talks the return of Clint Dempsey too. The trio also talk about the latest on Mix Diskerud and if he should try to sign with another MLS team this season. Also on this show, Rachael gives her thoughts on the US Women's National Team after the first two games of She Believes Cup. Who's stood out? What about their performance? She gets into those topics. Then, we look at the CONCACAF Champions League Semi-Final match-ups. We give way too early predictions for the two legs. Who advances to the final? And we examine another big failure when it counts for the New York Redbulls too. Finally, Sean and Erik discuss the impact of Soccer on television going forward, after Turner Sports won the rights to the UEFA Champions League starting in Fall 2018.

It's here, it's finally here! The 2017 MLS season is upon us fam! Matt Pollard, Joe Hojnacki, and John Bava are here to break it all down.  In the first segment, the guys do a full playoff prediction. We pick who we think is going to make the playoffs and who won't. We talk about why our non-playoff teams will miss out. The guys also give their playoff seeding predicitions. Spoiler alert, FC Dallas and Toronto FC might roll.  In the second segment, the guys talk trophies and individual awards. We talk about the current CONCACAF Champions League taking place. We then pick our Supporter's Shield, U.S. Open Cup, and MLS Cup champions. Then the guys roll through individual awards.  In the Round Table, we make absolute fools of ourselves. We pick serious upsets for the U.S. Open Cup. Matt has Cozmo driving a taco truck around the StubHub Center. Joe has Wayne Rooney coming to MLS in the summer and killing it. And John's got a bold personnel prediction.  Share this pod with your office friends to get them excited for the first Super Soccer Sunday of the MLS season!