Sam's Army

HOT TOPICS f/t cheating in soccer vs baseball; UEFAs latest dumbassery; The Babyjesus’ burrito and whether it’s time to fire up The Babyjesus Jr hypetrain. INTERVIEW with Matt Turner, who is embedded at USMNT’s January camp in Florida, about how things are going, who has scored on him most and which of the kids is impressing. WEEKEND PREVIEW f/t preps and predictions for Liverpool vs United, Arsenal vs mighty Sheffield Utd and the other big games in EPL, plus what’s what around rest of Europe.

Hot topics (including WWC every two years, USMNT moving January camp due to possible WWIII and transfer gossip/news rundown). Interview with Larry Nance Jr of the Cleveland Cavaliers about his love for Chelsea, why he was forced to quit playing the beautiful game, who the best soccer player in the NBA is, which sport is bigger on flopping and his [BREAKING MOOS] interest in buying a stake in a lower-tier club. Finally a weekend preview featuring an overmatched and outgunned Tottenham vs Liverpool, the rest of EPL and a huge slate in Serie A.

Sam, Mike Magee and Dax McCarty discuss this week's hot topics, including: best/worst Champions League matchups, FIFA Club World Cup and US Soccer's POYs. Sam then sits down with Watford's Troy Deeney [starts at 29:00] to discuss his incredible career, which has run the gamut from talented but troubled youth impressing scouts while nursing a hangover to eventually finding himself in jail, yet less than a year later scoring the UK's goal of the decade in the Championship playoff semifinal and going onto establish himself as a top striker in the Premiership. We also discuss which of his teammates is most obsessed with social media, where he ranks Messi vs Ronaldo vs Pulisic, if MLS is in his future and whether England or the US will win more World Cups in our lifetime. Finally, Sam and Dax [starts at 01:18:01] offer previews and predictions for the must-watch games this weekend, starting with Arsenal/Everton (under new coaches), Man City/Lester and Tottenham/Chelsea, plus what's what in the rest of Europe.

Sam and Mikey discuss this week's hot topics, including: implications of Champions League results, Club World Cup, soccer flexing on Twitter, Cruzeiro and Sporting KC's new BIG money signing. Sam and Mike Magee chat with Jeff Larentowicz [starts at 20:09] about his new deal with Atlanta Utd, if/when Miles Robinson will head to Europe, what the big sticking points are in the CBA negotiations that will heat up this winter, and finally we get to the bottom of how the MLS Cup ended up at Magic City on that fateful night. Finally, Sam and Mikey [01:00:27] run through the big games to watch this weekend, featuring Arsenal/City and Wolves/Spurs, and include some predictions to get filthy rich fading.   

Sam and Mikey discuss this week's hot topics, including: what Balon d'Or got right/wrong, and whether Messi or Ronny will even win another one; Ansu Fati's insane 400M euro buyout clause and what it means for soccer; impact of IFAB's plan to allow temporary subs for head injuries; and breaking news regarding Chelsea's transfer ban. Sam chats with Matt Turner [starts at 22:19] about what (poor) life decisions led to him becoming a GK, path from Fairfied to the NE Revolution, his first Sportscenter highlight, what playing for Brad Friedel and Bruce Arena has been like, what it was like murdering Wayne Rooney in broad daylight, and whether he can beat Christian Pulisic at Fortnite. Finally, Sam and Mikey [01:18:32] touch on what games are worth watching this (and why) plus some predictions to get filthy rich fading.

Sam and Mikey discuss ramifications and expectations from craziest day in Tottenham history. Postmortem of USMNT vs Canada/Cuba. Interview with Jay DeMerit about how a kid from Green Bay -- ignored by MLS -- ended up playing against Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard at Watford, which striker was his absolute nightmare, and memories of 2010 World Cup. A look at the weekend ahead featuring previews + predictions for City/Chelsea, West Ham/Tottenham and upset special(s), and best games in rest of Europe.

Sam finally corrals Mike Magee and Dax McCarty at discuss Dax's trade to Nashville and Fire firing (coach) Veljko Paunovic. Also, makes Sounders great. Quality & controversy of Liverpool/City + Sam's love for Sterling vs Gomez. Arsenal telling Aubameyang who he can be friends with. Chelsea's code of conduct. Ode to Robert Lewandowski. More racism in European soccer. USMNT vs Canada — should Gregggg be coaching for his job?

Come for the weekend review and preview with long-time Liverpool fan John Feitelberg as he and Sam discuss soccer's evolution at Barstool, Sam's blind faith in The Babyjesus, John fixes VAR and finally a quick and dirty look at Sunday's monumental Liverpool/City game. Stay for Mike and Sam's interview with Omar Gonzalez about playing (and partying) with Beckham/Gerrard/Keane/Donovan, how much money Michael Bradley should offer teammates to help him win this weekend's $6.5-million game, and Omar's meatspin-related MLS Cup celebrations.

Sam is joined by Mike (Magee) and Mikey (Podcasts) to discuss the importance of Christian Pulisic's big day, some 1v1 therapy for Spurs and Arsenal fans, a special shoutout to Sheffield Utd; a first-hand breakdown of LA Dærby and MLS conference finals; and finally a rapid rundown of all the games worth watching this weekend in EPL, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 -- with all the [fade-able] picks, including several upset specials, to enrich your mind and wallet.

Sam and Dax McCarty -- who officially joins the crew as part-time D.P. (Designated Podcaster) -- start with hits and misses from the Balon d'Or short list. EPL weekend results featuring United holding Liverpool and pseudo-shoutout to Everton. Whether Bundesliga's newfound parity will last. Thoughts on MLS expanding to Sacramento, the possibility of promotion/relegation and new playoff format. LigaMX's nightmare week and second-hand stories from teammates about what playing in Mexico is really like. Sam also sits down with Brendan Perlini (Chicago Blackhawks Winger and loud/proud footy fan) to discuss where his love for the beautiful game came about, who the best soccer player in the NHL, and what hopes/dreams/aspirations he has for his beloved Manchester United, and also a quick and dirty weekend preview with predictions.  

USMNT group therapy session as Sam, Mike and special guest Kyle Martino discuss wtf is wrong with USMNT, whether Gregg Berhalter deserves more time and who is REALLY to blame for the problems at US Soccer. (Spoiler: Kyle pulled zero punches and goes IN on some people.) Also, prediction for United/Liverpool and MLS and NWSL playoff previews.

Sam, Mike and Clint reminisce about the 2002 World Cup, Torsten Fucking Frings, the time MLS sabotaged a big-money transfer to Bayern Munich for one of us, and memories of Tim Howard and DeMarcus Beasley f/t the nightclub in Clint's basement. Sam fixes Tottenham and we discuss the ridiculousness WAG drama involving Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy. Finally we wrap up with what (and who) we do and do NOT want to see from the USMNT vs Cuba and Canada over the next five days.

Champions League post-morten including thoughts on Bayern's mind-bottling demolition of Tottenham, along with Liverpool vs Jesse Marsch's Salzburg and Barcelona/Inter. Rapid reactions to Greggggg's new USMNT roster tough on all the big talking points (Dest, MLS-centric, Trapp/Zardes + Aaronson). Behind the scenes look at what happens in the locker room on MLS salary dump day. Finally a preview of this weekend f/t Liverpool/Lester, bold prediction on Juventus/Inter and MLS Decision Day.

Sam sits down with Chicago Fire's Dax McCarty to discuss what's what with EPL (Chelsea/Liverpool, Pulisic, dumpster fires at United and Tottenham); Barcelona and Messi's mortality; hits and misses in FIFPro XI and POYs; plus he breaks down the Fire's season and names his darkhorse to win MLS Cup (on the off chance Chicago doesn't win it)

Norwich/City insanity & Watford/Arsenal implications. Champions League highlights + lowlights, including PSG's bittersweet win for Neymar, kudos for Jesse Marsch's RB Salzburg (plus crazy stories about playing with/against him) & Napoli's revenge. Weekend preview ft Liverpool/Chelsea + Sam's Lock of the Week, and what new ownership means Chicago Fire fans can expect in 2020 & beyond.