Sam's Army

Recurring guest Julian Gressel -- newly crowned MLS champion with Atlanta Utd -- stops by to discuss the game, the celebration [wink wink] and the team's outlook for next year, and also dishes on how he sees the season playing out for his beloved Bayern Munich. Next up is a quick recap of the final games of the Champions League group stage [23:58], including a discussion of EPL vs Serie A and a power rankings of the strongest/weakest #1 and #2 seeds ahead of the knockouts draw on December 17. This is followed by a preview (plus predictions) for all this weekend's EPL action, featuring the big one at Anfield at Liverpool welcome "Mighty Mighty" United along with some lower key great games like Fulham/West Ham [42:15] and Wolves/Bournemouth [45:18], plus Sam gives beloved listeners a LOCK OF THE WEEK -- for anybody who likes money. Finally we do a quick Lap Around the World [1:00:03]  touching on the biggest games in Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga, plus some MLS transfer talk thrown in free of charge.    

Crossover episode featuring Mickstape's Trill Withers who joined us in attending and later discussing a remarkable MLS Cup [3:18], plus a special guest interview with Atlanta United superfan Waka Flocka [50:09]. We then get back to business with a recap of the weekend EPL action, starting with an exciting Chelsea/City game [52:35] and all the implications thereof, plus Everton/Watford [1:00:43], Bournemouth/Liverpool [1:03:11] and all the rest of the results. Next up is a quick Lap Around the World, touching on interesting scores in Germany [1:17:58], Spain, Italy and the Copa Libertadores Superfiasico [1:25:20]. Finally, we offer up a preview (plus predictions!) for the final week of the Champions League group stage [1:28:00], focusing on all the most compelling matchups, including Barcelona/Tottenham and Liverpool/Napoli.

Couple top stories to keep you abreast of the goings on in the soccer universe, including Zac Steffen's official move abroad and an extremely important PSA about transfer rumors. Next up is a recap of what went down on Tuesday and Wednesday, highlighted (some might say lowlighted) by United/Arsenal [4:55] but also Wolves/Chelsea and Watford/City [9:41], among others. We then move right along to a preview of the weekend EPL slate dead ahead, starting with Chelsea hosting City [28:55] and Bournemouth vs Liverpool -- hint: down goes one of the undefeateds -- as well as all eight other games. Finally we do a Lap Around the World filling you in on the glut of YOUGE continental rivalries, including Dærby D'Italia between Juve/Inter [56:54], Dærbi Barceloni with Espanyol/Barcelona and Schalke/Dortmund in the Revierdærby. Last but not least we preview Saturday's all-important MLS Cup game between Atlanta and Portland [1:01:04]. 

Start out with a discussion of the biggest stories hot in the soccer streets, namely this week's Ballon d'Or awards and VAR coming to Champions League. Next is a recap of the big ass weekend that was in EPL, featuring thots on Arsenal/Spurs [11:55], Chelsea/Fulham, Liverpool/Everton and United/Southampton [36:00]. After a brief Lap Around the World touching on Spain [54:15], Germany and Italy we talk Red Bull fans off the ledge [1:01:21]. Finally, we finish up with a rundown of the big midweek EPL slate on deck [1:03:45], including preview and predictions for all 10 games -- the headliner being Jozay's United welcoming Unai's Arsenal to Old Trafford.   

We drop in guns blazing this week discussing the "Gregg Berhalter to USMNT" situation [2:18] and Copa Libertadores Superfiasico [7:30]. Next up is a rapid-fire recap of the midweek Champions League games [11:34] followed by a preview of the mighty titillating weekend of EPL action [18:45], highlighted by Sunday's back-to-back-to-back North London Dærby, West London Dærby and Merseyside Dærby. We finish up with a Lap Around the World [47:12] featuring the best games on tap in Spain, Germany, Italy and our immediate reaction to what promises to be a pretty dang sexy MLS Cup matchup.

Fresh off a YOUGE weekend, we start off by discussing a couple top stories -- Copa Libertadores Superfiasco [01:32] and cast our votes for US Male Soccer Player of the Year [05:27] -- before turning first to the EPL where there is plenty to talk about, starting with Spurs/Chelsea [08:28] and winding our way through United/success, Bournemouth/Arsenal and Watford/Liverpool. Next up is a quick Lap Around the World  [39:46], including the highlights (and lowlights) from Spain, Germany, Italy and MLS playoffs. Last but not least is a comprehensive preview of Champions League Matchday five [56:21], complete with the best previews and worst predictions for all the most interesting and compelling games coming up this midweek (notably PSG/Liverpool and Spurs/Inter).     

SOCCER IS BACK and so is Sam's Army as we start out by running through the biggest and best games in EPL, highlighted by Spurs/Chelsea [3:10], Watford/Liverpool and Bournemouth/Arsenal. Next up is a quick Lap Around the World, focusing on Barcelona visiting Atletico Madrid [43:03}, plus the best of the rest in Germany and Italy, along with what to watch for in MLS conference finals and the Copa Libertadores Superclasico. Last but maybe least we touch on the USMNT/Italy game while reinforcing some notable positives that came out of the wreckage that was 2017 and 2018 for soccer in the US.

Before turning to the USMNT's overseas friendly, we first shine a light on soccer here at home, and specifically Sam's hometown of Madison (Wis.) where the latest addition to the USL was just unveiled. We sit down with Peter Wilt (aka the "Johnny Appleseed of Grassroots Soccer") and discuss his experiences with getting fledgling clubs -- including Indy Eleven and what is now Minnesota United -- up and running, and how that process has changed over the past few decades. We also discuss our difference of opinion about whether Sam will eventually lace 'em up and starts up top for Forward Madison, and Peter's thoughts on when/how Promotion/Relegation happens. Finally, it is on to our beloved USMNT (23:22) . Last week's spanking by England painted a bleak picture but it is always darkest before the dawn. Sam and Mikey pull some more positives from the wreckage of that game and (frankly) the last 12 months before highlighting what to watch for in this week's game against Italy, including preferred starting XIs and a sure-fire, can't-miss, never-wrong prediction. Last but not least we run through what turned out to be a pretty damn entertaining week of Nations League games in Europe (42:37), and debate whether Memphis Depay is in fact the next Messi.    

Finding some silver linings ain't easy after the kind of spanking USMNT just took but by golly we gave it our best shot. Before that though we start out with an interview with Matt Miazga [5:02], Chelsea's on-loan CB with Nantes (and USMNT stalwart), who discuss who he hates more between Arsenal and Tottenham, life in Holland and France, his reaction to "that game" against T&T, and how it feels to be persona non grata in Mexico these days. Finally, we try our best not to bitch and moan about the USMNT's performance against England [30:14], search the post-game rubble for some silver linings and come away more optimistic for the future than ever before -- perhaps because the alcohol finally started kicking in. 

We start out with the debut of our first "Football Guys Talking Futbol" segment with Jaguars' kicker Josh Lambo [6:01] wherein we discuss his metamorphosis from damn good soccer player to even better placekicker, that time he and Sam almost played against one another in high school, his initiation into the 'real' football fraternity, whether there is a handshake to get into the clandestine club of NFL guys who love soccer, and much, much more. Then a recap of the weekend that was in EPL [25:03], starting with the big'un in Manchester between City and United followed by a thriller between Cardiff/Brighton, what we learned about Chelsea and Alvaro Morata on Sunday [48:10] and finally how to judge Moussa Sissoko's recent performances [57:01]. That is followed by a quick 'Lap Around the World' touching on the importantest results in Spain [1:09:09], Germany and France, as well as Gonzalo Higuain's emotional break from reality [1:19:20], the Copa Libertadores Superclasico madness and MLS playoffs. Finally, we finish up with a preview of this week's USMNT game -- featuring preferred starting XIs -- in what is certain to be an extremely crucial and not at all watered down match-up at Wembley against England on Thursday [1:30:24]. 

Champions League results and a HUGE weekend of games to preview but we start with an interview with NYCFC/USMNT defender Ben Sweat [2:10] who discusses his journey from Columbus to Tampa (USL) before being given his chance by Patrick Vieira, the emotional experience of getting the call last month to play for the US against Colombia and Peru, his secret hatred for strikers and how NYCFC will overturn a 0-1 deficit at Atlanta in Sunday's second leg. Next is a brief recap of all the results from an insane midweek matchday in Champions League [29:18], featuring Red Star/Liverpool, Napoli/PSG, Spurs/PSV, Inter/Barça and Juventus/United. We then run through all the games to look forward to this weekend in the EPL [49:30], most notably the Manchester Dærby, followed by a quick Lap Around the World [1:17:00] touching on HUGE matchups in Germany, France and the Copa Libertadores, as well as the MLS playoffs.    

EPL and Champions League coming in hot but first we start with an interview with RBNY/Jamaican defender Kemar Lawrence [XXX] who discusses the challenges coming up through the island's youth development system (hint: it ain't pay-to-play), whether he considered bob-sledding instead, which EPL team is rooted for, his emotional game-winner vs Mexico in 2017 Gold Cup, who he sees as Jamaica's biggest rival, and how Red Bulls will overturn the 0-1 deficit on Columbus in the second leg. Next is a brief recap of all the results from last weekend in EPL, with a focus on lessons from Arsenal/Liverpool [30:00], as well as Bournemouth/United and Wolves/Tottenham, plus a brand spanking new Top 4 / Bottom 3 Power Rankings [1:06:14]. After a quick Lap Around the World touching on La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and MLS playoffs [1:08:30], we finish up with a preview (+ predictions) for all the Champions League action coming up on Tuesday [1:14:55] and Wednesday [1:31:36], featuring some incredible match-ups such as Napoli/PSG, Atletico/Dortmund, Barcelona/Inter and Juventus/United). 

Start out with a brief discussion of MLS's newly unveiled MVP short list focusing on who does and does not deserve it, and who Don Garber is going to stuff the ballot box to prevent from winning (and why) [3:25] . Next up is a rundown of the full EPL slate on deck this weekend starting with a Big Six showdown between Arsenal and Liverpool [9:45], and what we can expect to learn from it, followed by a crucial Europa eliminator between Bournemouth and United [18:50], and all previews/predictions for all the rest of the action. Finally we take a Lap Around the World [44:40] highlighting any and all games worth keeping an eye on in Spain, Germany, Italy, France and of course MLS where the playoff brackets are now official set with the first home-and-home on deck this weekend [48:45]. 

Before getting into the crazy (and unfortunately tragic) weekend that was, we jump right in with an interview with Atlanta United winger (and MLS 2017 Rookie of the Year) Julian Gressel [2:16]. Next up is a postmortem of EPL games, featuring Spurs/City, United/Everton and what the Palace result says about Arsenal's "title hopes" [25:01]. After a quick Lap Around the World, including a dissection of Barcelona's dismantling of Real Madrid and a drunken final weekend in MLS [55:46], we close it out with a highly lubricated discussion of Le Classique (and the pageantry surrounding it) with Julian Stein, the founder of PSG's New York Supporter's Group [1:03:24].     

Champions League never disappoints and this week was no different so we start by breaking down all the action, highlighted by compelling results from United/Juventus, PSV/Tottenham, PSG/Napoli and Barcelona/Inter, and finished off by dueling UCL Top 5 Power Rankings [36:13]. Next up is a preview (with predictions) for the weekend ahead starting with the EPL where Spurs will try to keep up with City [40:02], United and Everton battle for on a Europa League slot [43:11], and Arsenal look to just keep on keepin' on [54:25]. Finally, we close things out with a Lap Around the World [1:09;19], including a look at El Clasico in Spain, tasty match-ups in Italy and Germany, big news about Le Classique in France [1:13:03], and finally a breakdown of what's at stake in the final weekend of the MLS season.