Last Word FC Media

Episode 102: NYCFC released the roster of players attending pre-season training in Jacksonville, FL.  Two players not on the list, Mix Diskerud and Josh Saunders.  Both players who are very much foundational pieces of the club's history were unceremoniously not invited to the team's training camp. Jon and Mike talk about the rest of the roster including NYCFC Academy player James Sands, the first academy player to attend a first team camp. In the second segment, Chris Magalee from NYCFC Nation joins the show to continue the conversation.

We're back for 2017! Joe and Anthony discuss a wide range of preseason news with team signings, draft picks and much more. Senior Manager, Digital & Social Media for the New York Red Bulls Andrew Vazzano stopped by for an enlightening interview. The show wraps up with a discussion based on OaM's article on RBII progress and questions from a fan. 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.

Happy Inauguration Week (kind of?) fam. This week on Last Word SC, Matt Pollard is joined by Joe Hojnacki and Joe Goldstein.  In the first segment, Matt and Joe Goldstein discuss all things New York Red Bulls. Matt and Joe discuss the trade of Dax McCarty to the Chicago Fire. They talk about the timing of the move, who could step in for him, and what RBNY could do with the money.  Then Joe Hojnacki joins the desk and we talk about all things MLS SuperDraft. They guys review the highlights of the draft and talk about what the teams they cover did in the draft. In the Round Table, we talk about the Chargers moving to LA and playing at the StubHub Center. The guys try and play the positive side of the story. Matt rants about how the Chargers didn't have any other options playing in LA. The guys do the schedule math to show the Galaxy and Chargers can be roommates without football lines on the Galaxy's pitch.  Then the guys talk about the USL AND the NASL getting Provisional Division II status and how it isn't really resolving any issues. Lastly, the guys go back and forth on FIFA going to a 48 team World Cup and how it affects CONCACAF. Share this pod with your friend who's itching for some soccer to help them get through the rest of this off season. 

Happy Draft Week y'all! This week on Last Word SC Radio, we've got a full 2017 MLS SuperDraft Preview. Matt Pollard sits down with Jeff Rueter of Fifty Five One, Jason Longshore of Dirty South Soccer, and our very own Benny Lafortune.  First, Matt and Jeff talk about Minnesota United FC's draft prosects. Jeff gives his take on the team's off-season so far and Adrian Heath's style of play. The two go back and forth on Minnesota having the first overall pick and wheter it will be UCLA's Abu Danladi or Duke's Jeremy Ebobisse. In the second segment, Jason sits down with Matt to talk about the Atlanta United FC side of things. The guys discuss who Atlanta could be taking with the 2nd overall pick or if they could trade it. Jason also gives his take on what the club could do with the 8th pick. The guys also discuss Tata Martino's general style of play and how it could be something fresh for MLS.  Lastly, Benny jumps in to talk about the players side of things. Matt and Benny discuss the game tape vs. combine performance issue. The two discuss their favorite Generatio Adidas players and potential steals for the later rounds. Benny also gives his take on the players who've already been signed with the league.  Share this episode with your friends from Minnesota or A-Town to get the all ready for Friday!

Happy New Year internet! This week on Last Word Soccer Club Radio, Matt Pollard and Joe Hojnacki are doing a full break down of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft! In segment one, Matt is joined by Benny Lefortune to talk about the draft from a player's prespective. Benny plays college soccer at St. John's University. He talks about how seriously players are taking the combine and what to look for in later rounds now that MLS teams have USL affiliates. Matt and Benny break down the Generation Adidas players and talk about who they think the future stars are. In the second stanza, Matt is joined by Jeff Reuter of FiftyFive.One to talk about Minnesota United FC's draft prosects. Jeff gives his take on the team's off-season so far and Adrian Heath's style of play. The two go back and forth on Minnesota having the first overall pick and wheter it will be UCLA's Abu Danladi or Duke's Jeremy Ebobisse. In the Round Table, Joe jumps in. The guys talk briefly on Bob Bradley getting sacked and whether it was fair or not. We do an indepth break down of Bruce Arena's USMNT roster for January Camp. The guys finish off with some rants about the SuperDraft.

Happy Holidays American Soccer Fam! This week on Last Word SC Radio, Matt Pollard sits down with Joe Goldstein and Daniel Sperry.  In the first block, Matt and Joe sit down and pick Christmas presents for the entire Eastern Conference. We pick things for Atlanta United FC and the existing EC MLS teams. Joe gives a few player ideas for a few teams. Matt picks Ethan Finlay and CJ Sapong to improve. Joe tries to not give New York City FC a baseball stadium filled with coal and gives a few ideas for what the New York Red Bulls need. In the second segment, Dan and Matt sit down and do the same thing for the Western Conference. We talk about how Minnesota United FC have a lot of leg work to do building their roster. Dan goes on an epic rant about the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting KC. Matt talks about the LA Galaxy needing to fully embrace the youth movement. Spoiler altert, we're sending Seattle Sounders a bionic heart for Clint Dempsey.  Share this episode with a fellow MLS fan to spread some Holiday chear and get the conversation going about your MLS team's New Year's Resolution. 

Episode 100 Recorded live from Ryan's Daughter, the 100th episode is a loose and fun look at the MLS Cup and NYCFC's 2016 season.  Mike and Jon were joined by Martin Bihl of Last Word on Sports and Nick Chavez from Soccer Newsday and some great fans to talk NYCFC. Together the guys look at the highs and lows of 2016.  They also talk about the new acquisitions, the two Seans. They also take advantage of the fans that came out and get their thoughts on the team. We look forward to seeing all of you at next year's event and during the 2017 season.  The next episode will be out right around MLS Superdraft.  From Jon and Mike, thanks to all of the listeners.  This has been a great year of podcasting for us and we are both so humbled by your enjoyment of the show.  Thanks to the guests.  It means so much to us that you take time out of your schedules to call in to the show.  Last but not least, thanks to the club, team staff and players.  None of this would be possible without the partnership.  It is greatly appreciated.

Happy Monday MLS Fans! Today on Last Word SC Radio, Matt Pollard and Joe Hojnacki are joined by John Bava to discuss MLS Cup and the MLS Expasion Draft. The guys do a full review of the Seattle Sounders PK MLS Cup win over Toronto FC. We talk about the halves, how Seattle's defense got it done, and that awesome save by Stefan Frei. The lads talk about Sebastian Giovinco coming out of the game, TFC's future, and Greg Vanney. We've also got post-game audio from Brian Schmetzer, Frie, and Vanney.  Then the guys go through the full MLS Expansion Draft protected roster. Joe goes through his Mock Draft article. The guys pick possible players to go from the teams they cover. They also predict players who they'd pick.  Share this pod with your Atlanta and Twin City friends to get them ready for the draft!

What's up MLS fan? This week on Last Word SC Radio, we're joined by Mitchell Tierney from Waking the Red, Ari Liljenwall from MLSSoccer.com, and John Bava from Last Word on Soccer to break down everything with MLS Cup 2016.  In segment one, we're joined by Mitch to talk all things Toronto FC. He discusses the metioric rise to the front of everyone's minds in Ontario. We discuss Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. Mitch gives his take on how TFC could come out a bit more caution to off set what Nicholas Lodiero and Jordan Morris will do. He tried to play weather man, then gives a 2-1 victory prediction for the Reds.  Next we're joined by Ari from MLSSoccer.com. He talks about the roller coaster path the Seattle Sounders FC took getting to MLS Cup. We talk about Seattle's health and how they've prepared for the field and temperature conditions on Saturday. Ari talks about Roman Torres and Chad Marshall and what they'll need to do on set pieces. He talks about Ozzie Alonso meaning everything for the Sounders defense. He also talks about the Lodiero-Morris connection and whether Seattle are a one-dimensional offensively.  In the round table, John jumps on with Matt Pollard and Joe Hojnacki to discuss everything MLS Cup. John is on location. We preview the game tactically and give predictions. The boys finish off the show doing a brief and incomplete preview of the MLS Expansion Draft.  Share this pod with your Toronto/Seattle friends and get JACKED for Saturday night cause it's going to LIT.

Checking in this week, Anthony and Joe discuss the USL end of season awards, RBII roster moves, and the death of the Cosmos and perhaps NASL. 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.

Episode 99: This week Mike and Jon start on the somber note as they discuss the unfortunate loss of life in the Colombia plane crash from last week.  The conversation transitions to the story from Empire of Soccer on the New York Cosmos and their release of all their players. In the second segment the guys discuss newcomer Sean Okoli who joins NYCFC from USL's FC Cincinnati.  Following that they discuss the chaos that was the Eastern Conference Final that ended in a 7-5 Aggregate. Last but certainly not least, Calen Carr from MLSSoccer.com joins the show to share his thoughts on the MLS Cup Final, playing in the league, and talks about walkmans and pre-game music.

Oh Canada! It's another episode of Last Word SC Radio. Today we're recapping that crazy Eastern Conference second leg between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact. Matt Pollard and Joe Hojnacki sit down to talk about Toronto's epic victory over Montreal that takes them to their first MLS Cup Final. Matt argues that this was the greatest two leg MLS playoff series in history. The two talk about the poor defensive efforts by both sides. Joe discusses what Steven Beitashour and Justin Morrow did well and poor. Matt talks about Jozy Altidore going full beast mode.  The two discuss how impactful the substitute players were for both sides and the almost mythical goal Benoit Cheyrou scored. We wrap up MLS Cup Playoff talk by picking out what Montreal needs to do to improve this off-season with their old midfield and Didier Drogba leaving.  Joe wraps everything up with some NASL talk. Apparently some other martkets are looking to jump in to try and save the league for 2017. There's still a group that's fully on team #NASLexit though. Share this with your Canadian friends so they can get PUMPED UP!

Episode 98: NYCFC announced the departure of six players from the club bringing the 2016 post-season number to nine.  Two of the players were NYCFC originals, Tony Taylor and Jason Hernandez.  Mike and Jon discuss the roster moves and look ahead at a younger team in 2017. In the middle segment, JJ Devaney from the ESPN Podcast, Caught Offside, joins the show.  Together the guys talk about MLS Cup Playoffs, NYCFC, USMNT and the pending demise of the NASL and NY Cosmos.

What's up Taco Tuesday fanatics! Today on Last Word SC Radio, Matt Pollard, Joe Hojnacki, and Blayne Riffle are talking all things MLS Cup Conference Finals. First off, Matt and the boys talk about the Seattle Sounders defeating the Colorado Rapids. We talk about what Seattle has going for them going into the final and what the Rapids need to change and keep in 2017.  Then Matt and Joe ask Blayne about the Montreal Impact's second leg match against Toronto FC. We talk about what the two sides did well and what will change in the second leg. They discuss Toronto's three man back line and the Impact's counter attack. The boys end by making predictions for the match. Lastly, we discuss the New York Cosmos and their financial issues. We talk about what this means and if this is the NASL as we know it. We also discuss how this affects the USL, the American Soccer landscape, and MLS Expansion.  Share this pod with your friends north of the border to get them PUMPED for the match at BMO Field.

Episode 97: NYCFC has lost three players already this offseason.  Andoni Iraola and Mehdi Ballouchy announced their retirement from professional soccer.  Mike and Jon discuss the implications of the turnover. In the second segment, the guys talk about the news of the week as Thomas Rongen from BEIN Sports calls in to talk about US Soccer firing Jurgen Klinsmann. The show wraps with a conversation about the MLS Conference Finals that started with the firs legs last night.