Beyond The Pitch

Given its now the end of the international break and the dust has settled on the summer transfer window, these two major factors provide a chance to examine where US Soccer and MLS are at a key point as well as a checkpoint to know fully examine where each of the top five domestic European leagues and UEFA Champions League stand in terms of predictions. In segment one, Sports Illustrated and FOX Sports correspondent and commentator Grant Wahl helps us explain both the political fallout of the Blatter re-election, a look into new allegations involving the Cayman Island federation and its important Treasurer, where CONCACAF resides in terms of the club game, and our first look into the second cycle for the United States with Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm. We examine the player pool, a bold semi-final goal set by the US National Team manager for 2018 as well as what lurks ahead for Major League Soccer in terms of club momentum, the upcoming CBA and how the Jermaine Jones arrival may have tilted the balance in the weaker yet more volatile Eastern Conference. In part two, Nicolino Di Benedetto of STATS and SiriusXM joins Anto to dig into some predictions for top-four in England, what could happen in La Liga a year removed from the revolution inspired by Diego Simeone and the battle for a Serie A title that seems to have far more turns in it than expectations. We also glance into the clubs who stand as favorites and one dark horse in the UEFA Champions League and offer some key factors and players who could shape the silverware chase come May.

More than the top end of any transfer market, the deals that shape a successful campaign have now become increasingly linked to the value moves and some of the under the radar buys that the top sporting directors make in preparation for a new season, particularly as many clubs are looking for alternatives to Financial Fair Play regulations that have begun to drive new ways to minimize cost and maximize return. David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com joins to examine several of the leagues for some of the best deals where upside and value drive the discussion, whether that involves younger players with resale value, low cost alternatives that may have been overlooked and some key arrivals for clubs who uncovered replacements after being raided by the top market buyers exercising their financial supremacy. Here is a whirlwind tour of England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France where we look at the top deals, value found for very little money, impact signings at a reasonable cost and some of the best transfer campaigns where either the players, the market performance as well as sporting directors are highlighted. In segment one, we look at value and key arrivals in the Premier League in Serie A, where we identify the kinds of deals that should provide return for their clubs and some of the market figures that shaped this entire marketplace. In the break we look at some of the lesser leagues for arrivals, which in turn opens the discussion into Spain, Germany and France where player movement and investment varied greatly, yet still reveals how each of these leagues used their available tools and resources to find transactions that have either sporting or financial considerations worth our attention. We close on the matter of some clubs who have issues in their transfer dealings this summer, using the barometer of lack of fulfilling important requirements or collections of players with little attention placed on overall strategy.

In this episode we reach across to Japan for two special guests who bring a unique and fresh perspective on a new revolution in youth development and grassroots football that is spreading to established federations, as well as the most competitive league in the world where salary caps are not accepted and parity is often reached in a single table. In segment one, Anto reunites with Tom Byer before he heads off to the Tomsan Tournament after having spent more time with the Chinese School Football program and CNN to discuss what elite means in sport, how several federations continue to fail their attempts to address youth development and what are some of the disturbing trends that emerged from the World Cup for some nations who failed to deliver fresh faces to their national teams. This is a lengthy conversation into the mistakes that are being made at federation level with national curriculums, outdated belief systems that fail to introduce the required technical skills at the right age, and how countries continue to miss with developing elite players. We also dig deep into how Australia and the United States continue to struggle in a multi-sport landscape where the development cycle relies more on the physical tools, and federations still have yet to figure out why parents and football culture begins not with coaches or systems, but with focus and discipline found in the family unit. In part two, commentator and correspondent Cesare Polenghi joins Anto once again from Sapporo to examine another crazy ride in the J.League where often the domestic first division is often settled in the last week of the season, and how this season has some similar revelations and some surprising notes including the collapse at Cerezo Osaka and a bizarre twist of fortune for Sagan Tosu who fired its coach while in first place. We also examine the frustrations for Shinji Kagawa at United, a second chance for Keisuke Honda at AC Milan and the less than certain future for Antonio Conte as national team manager for Italy. From the shores of Japan, a bold look into the spectacle that is world football.

With week one of the Premier League season already in the books, two more fabulous guests help us dig into the big stories that have emerged not only in England, but also in La Liga where Luis Suarez was finally unveiled to much fanfare and another Madrid battle seems to underscore once again the power of three in Spanish football and more concerns for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. In segment one, football correspondent and commentator Ben Lyttleton joins to help us determine whether Barcelona have a case of Pep 2.0 in the shape of Luis Enrique or whether, in fact, the arrival of Luis Suarez might just suggest a Dream Team 2.0 with the controversial man from Uruguay invoking memories of Hristo Stoichkov. We examine what this arrival may mean in a context of two defending champions based in Madrid, how Atletico has rejuvenated and how James Rodriguez might just prove more useful to an ailing Ronaldo who can be rotated and left at the ready for the biggest matches later in the season. We also examine the issues at Arsenal who continue to make life difficult for themselves, the race to the top of the Premier League and how the title might be shaped by a change in priorities for Manchester City who will be expected to go deep into the Champions League. In segment two, digital and social media expert Doron Salomon joins to discuss the big issues facing Manchester United in the midst of yet another troubling summer transfer window as a very important transition is underway at Old Trafford, and how social media and a constant and pervasive digital landscape shapes opinion throughout football. We also examine the fortunes for Tottenham in the wake of a largely tumultuous year under Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood to gauge whether the lack of real movement there signals patience for first year manager Mauricio Pochettino at last, and if he can deliver on the promise of Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen who will be expected to improve and develop if Spurs hope to reach top four this season in the Premier League. Manchester City are expected to go deep in Europe, but it is just as significant that Chelsea and Jose Mourinho closes in on some silverware in year two.

Heading into the final stretch before the Premier League season kicks into high gear this Saturday, not only does the top four seem totally in flux, but so do a number of key questions facing some of the favorites and even a few of the contenders who will look to shape and define the 2014-15 season as new managers, new arrivals and some anticipated departures will likely fill out the remaining weeks of the transfer window. In segment one, Phil Brown joins his SiriusXM broadcast partner Anto to dig deeper into the top four with particular focus into Chelsea, Arsenal and Project Van Gaal at Old Trafford where Jose Mourinho has certainly filled the most holes and should be handed preferred favorite status, but with a question or two left to be sorted in the midfield and perhaps even in defence as rumors linger about a Mehdi Benatia arrival late in the window. We also examine Arsenal and Manchester City who each have their own questions too, and key to that discussion is the question about the striker position at the Emirates and whether the torch has been finally passed from Yaya Toure to David Silva as he is handed another contract extenuation while the Ivorian has spent much of his energy devoted to feeling snubbed as age is likely creeping in. We also examine the situation at Manchester United and this first year under a new manager without Champions League football to gauge whether Louis Van Gaal will have enough to set out on a top four target and whether AS Roma could be a sleeper team in European football under Rudi Garcia, who was able to deliver Lille OSC to the Champions League, but did not progress past the group stage. In segment two deputy news editor for The Guardian sports pages Ed Aarons joins to take up the mantle for even more deep dive into the Premier League and we dig into the matter of two clubs on Merseyside who were the feel-good story of the 2013-14 season with two key factors in Ross Barkley and Daniel Sturridge who both must answer the bell for their respective clubs. We also examine the potential at Tottenham and whether the real focus at Manchester City might exist beyond the Premier League and into European football where ownership truly will be measuring Manuel Pellegrini, and if that narrative about Jose Mourinho in year two has real prospects. We also venture into the matter of the Championship where new characters at Leeds United and Nottingham Forest might be just as compelling as who might be the favorites for promotion. We close on the matter of Hervé Renard landing the national team coach job at Ivory Coast in the wake of international retirement for Didier Drogba and the ongoing saga for Stephen Keshi with Nigeria.

If there is one clear theme to be gleaned from the preseason, it has been the emergence of a cult of personality amongst Premier League managers that has seemed to form with the arrival of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United along the likes of Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers, while Manuel Pellegrini continues his work largely overlooked as he continues to put his finishing touches on a squad that appears even better than what won the title a season ago. Broadcaster and commentator Paul Sarahs joins us once again for a whirlwind summer preview of those factors in England where the managers are expected to not only deliver results, but offer a dramatic counterweight to a class of players who are often buoyed by their earning potential and celebrity status, while those who cannot sell their ideas or instill fear simply fall by the wayside. Of particular note in this episode are the expectations at Manchester City and PSG in the Champions League by their rich owners while navigating a number of UEFA sanctions for Financial Fair Play breaches, and how the moves may not yet be done in this transfer window. We also take a look at Turkish football as the season now rounds into view, along with a look at a couple of young emerging players who now enter new important phases in their careers, along with a look at the AFC Champions League which resumes later this month. We examine the questions of whether Edinson Cavani needs to escape the inescapable force that is Zlatan Ibrahimovich, the arrival of Turkish prodigy Salih Ucan at AS Roma and the jewel of UAE and AFC Football Omar Abdulrahman, who now has a team behind him that is worthy of a Champions League conquest.

Another week into the summer transfer window and the moves and speculation endures with several player transactions that have arrived with a number of key questions while in South America the Copa Libertadores semi-final rounds played out while two icons of world football overshadowed a tournament lacking clear star-power, raising even further concerns about the tournament itself and revealing yet even deeper issues for the game inside Brazil and Argentina. In segment one, football commentator and pundit Janusz Michallik joins us midstream as the summer tours crisscross the United States with some of the biggest names in the club game, but yet focused again on the player moves and questions surrounding many of the top Premier League sides as well as early questions about Barcelona in the wake of a number of changes including the arrival of Luis Enrique. We begin with a number of issues being raised at Manchester United as Louis van Gaal seems to be a number of players short while trying to turn the page on what he describes as a broken squad, as well as the moves made by Arsenal and Liverpool where there remains deep concerns as to whether the arrivals will be enough to improve their league fortunes of a season ago. At Chelsea the issues are simpler now that Romelu Lukaku has moved permanently to Everton, but there is the matter of goalkeeper rotation and whether the late season schism between Mourinho and Eden Hazard has been put to bed at last. We also examine what Manchester City has done in the market and whether the deeper concerns about productive depth have been addressed by Manuel Pelligrini and the braintrust. In segment two, South American correspondent and commentator Juan Arango takes us through the madness as Dunga has been tagged to succeed Felipe Scolari in the wake of a disastrous World Cup, then we examine not only the Copa Libertadores in the shadow of two South American icons who once again steal center stage, as both Juan Roman Riquelme and Ronaldinho have parted with their clubs and search for new opportunities both defined and not so defined in the case of the Brazilian who never fails to reinvent himself once his bold sense for showmanship is met with new challenges.

Once the World Cup came to a close, the shockwaves on the summer transfer window soon followed as Real Madrid have come out with two prized moves to acquire James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, perhaps setting off what may be a chain of events that could ripple across Europe as several conditional moves appear certain to unfold. In the first part of the show, football correspondent Graham Ruthven joins from Scotland to help us unpack the events at the Bernabeu and Camp Nou where the big money continues to be spent each summer, amid transformations for both Madrid and Barcelona under first year manager Luis Enrique. We examine some potential moves involving big names and big clubs with spending power and then return to the Premier League for a deeper dive into the early dealings for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United where the questions are only beginning for Louis van Gaal as he assumes the mantle at Old Trafford. In our second segment, David Amoyal of GianlucaDimarzio.com arrives to look at the market from a different perspective from the continent where Serie A clubs and PSG seem to struggle this off-season given the concert of FFP implications and new powers in the league who have their own Champions League and domestic aspirations to consider in the haze of a landscape-altering decision which saw Juventus manager Antonio Conte resign with immediate effect. At the epicenter of the discussion is the changing of the guard at the top of the Serie A food chain and how two Milan giants without UEFA TV money have in many ways affected the market place both in terms of spending and internal efforts to retool and reset their plans going forward. We close with a quick fire round on some of the more pressing transfers that could find resolution later in the summer window, transfers which may not be seen as blockbusters, but surely have impact on their individual clubs.

In this edition of the show we take an in-depth look at the host nation in the aftermath of a second massive disappointment on the world stage where politics, social fabric and football itself will be on examination as the nation seeks to reassess with an election bisecting what will be an unprecedented move to host the Summer Olympics in 2016. First up is author and educator Jules Boykoff, who teaches political science at Pacific University and delivers a deep dive level of insight into the culture of mega-sporting events that involve the IOC and FIFA, where we examine the reality on the ground in Brazil and what we have learned about the protest movement and how it was met by massive enforcement personnel after the 2013 Confederations Cup. We discuss the politics and methods used by FIFA which ensured further enrichment through targeted efforts to campaign for legal reform and how this World Cup could influence further mega-events as the host nations become more and more autocratic and football governance resists transparency and calls for reform. Also covered is the unresolved issues of dissidence as Brazil heads for an election in October and what the future could present the Brazilian people and its government come 2016. In part two, TV Globo commentator Bira Brasil joins us from São Paulo to dig into the many questions already being directed at the CBF now that Felipe Scolari has resigned and much soul searching will now ensue as a result of expectations that were not met by the national team after two harsh defeats to round out the tournament. We examine whether there is a level of political will to reform, whether Brazil will continue to resist foreign managers and ideas to resurrect its style and image as football power, and if Tite is the right fit for a Seleção Brasileira that has taken a serious hit around the world in terms of its reputation. We discuss what Brazil could do to address its lengthy domestic season, what it should do politically to put its youth into focus, and how the national team could be shaped heading for Copa America and the Olympic games in 2016.

In the episode, we feature two important guests who help us examine the fallout from the World Cup semi-finals where Lionel Messi now reaches his own theatre of dreams on the biggest stage, and we are reminded once again how supporters are the energy from which this sport finds its soul and innovations as new breakthroughs in crowd-funding have returned Portsmouth from the brink of disaster, making it the largest supporter-owned club in the UK. In the first segment, BeIN Sports in-studio analyst Andres Cordero arrives fresh from Brazil to offer his insight into the colossal failures by Brazil against Germany, evaluate some of the trends and emerging themes that have been in evidence throughout the tournament and how the defenders and systems may have turned this World Cup into a paradise for goalkeepers and a stage where so many assumptions and cliches were finally destroyed on the pitches of Brazil. We examine many of the vanquished for some winners and losers, gauge the impact of referee directives by FIFA on physical play, whether the German route of the host nation may be overestimated against the likes of Lionel Messi, and a thoughtful examination of Alfredo Di Stéfano and whether he serves as the example for Lionel Messi and a legacy that need not be shaped by a World Cup victory. For our second segment, Fausto Zanetton of Tifosy.com delivers a powerful message to supporters of all football clubs who find themselves on the outside looking in as globalization continues to widen the chasm between the elite and community enterprises in the sport. At the epicenter is the real resurrection of Portsmouth Football Club which has been rescued from administration and the brink of elimination, as local supporters and the Pompey Trust reclaimed the club from disaster and has now turned to Tifosy and crowd-funding to address long-standing issues that were left untended in the name of youth development and training pitches to help secure a vibrant future for the club. We take a deeper look into a new fundraising effort underway at Portsmouth, the hope it will give to the institution and how fans around the world can provide assistance and perhaps take use this example as a pathfinder for more supporter-owned football clubs in the future as a best practice.

In this edition we are joined by two guests who will help us examine the performance for the ages turned in by Tim Howard in Salvador against a Belgian tide that took added extra time to complete the damage, as well as discuss the very uncertain futures for two national teams in Japan and Italy who entered the World Cup with dreams beyond the group stage, but fell apart once the matches arrived and leave their federations with major questions to be answered. In segment one, Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC joined us live in the post-match of a remarkable match in which the US fought defiantly to overcome a 2-0 deficit in extra time against Brazil, but a match that highlighted both the best and the worst of the Jurgen Klinsmann reign with the US National Team. We not only explore the superhuman effort turned in by US goalkeeper Tim Howard, but also the many questions and factors now facing this program both in terms of the match itself and the undetermined future as the cycle moves to 2018 in earnest. This includes the questions as to whether progress is actual or that the trailing indicators are inconclusive, and what next for MLS as the league will seek to cash in on this success. In the second part, commentator and Editor-in-Chief for Goal/Japan, Cesare Polenghi offers his insight into two of the biggest failures in this World Cup, which happens to be the Samurai Blue of Japan and the Azzurri of Italy who not only did not live up to pre-tournament expectations, but face even bigger questions of themselves from a federation level if they are to return to loftier results in tournaments ahead, and deep within that analysis lies some key questions about identity and whether the future is assured given the many shortcomings exploited during the World Cup. At the core is how Japanese professional players overseas continue to develop and find club success overseas, and how Mario Balotelli appears symptomatic of a generation of Italian player who proved not ready nor focused enough for this tournament when needed the most.

Another week into the World Cup and the knockout rounds have nearly finished its initial shape as both the heavyweights and surprising emergence of several national teams from the Americas have altered the playing field in terms of who will actually raise the trophy in the weeks ahead with many of the European elite already sent packing with more questions. In the first segment international football commentator Paul Sarahs joins us from Brazil to take a deeper look into what has happened at this World Cup to many of the established nations as teams from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have begun to define the style and elements of success in 2014, borne from not only their preparation but also their identity in the region. For many of the elite in Europe, this World Cup has been a massive wake up call in the face of a style of football that operates best in these conditions and continues to present clear danger with respect to a physical, team-centric style of defending that is unique in the Americas, built upon a nationalist pride and determination that was perhaps once overlooked. We take a look at these elements, but also the South American sides who look to define the final rounds of this tournament. In segment two, Nicolino DiBenedetto takes us back to those fateful 30 seconds in Manaus that were punctured by Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal fought back for a last second draw against the United States. We examine the many factors that went into that result, but more importantly look to a federation in CONCACAF that is growing in stature and consider what could be the path forward for international club football in the region, and whether that is the next step for MLS clubs seeking to replicate tournament experience in the future. As a former member of the New York MetroStars and Chicago Fire, we revisit the conditions that players face in the league and how the months following this World Cup could prove to be vital for the club football in the United States.

In this episode we examine the first days of the 2014 World Cup for a look at a number of emerging trends and evolutions which make it very different from the base approach many national teams have taken over the last couple of world tournaments, revealing a new offensive verve and an overwhelming sense that attack and athleticism seems to be overtaking what had been a generally defensive international game. In the first segment Graham Ruthven joins to help examine some of the early trends where the first eleven matches produced increased goals, no draws and trailing teams going for equalizers and match winners with a frequency not seen since in more than a few World Cup tournaments. We consider where the favorites really do lie in this competition and if the South American threat from Colombia will produce the darkhorse that many have predicted to be Belgium, then we take another look at the Balkan teams as they look to rebound in their second matches in the group stage. In part two, digital media contributor Doron Salomon joins from London to consider the lessons learned for England after the Italy match and whether the reasons for optimism are deserved and if there are even deeper concerns for a number of key players such as Wayne Rooney, Jack Wilshire and a future class of internationals lacking perhaps one or two components in defense. We also reflect on the performance of the Dutch against Spain under Louis van Gaal in advance of his move to Old Trafford this summer, where he faces a number of challenges least of which is an evolving transfer priority list and the striker upon whom the changes will be built.

Joining Anto for this last look at the contenders, pretenders and some very interesting national teams who could spoil the party as the matches are set to begin on Thursday, featuring international broadcaster Tim Caple with a deeper look at the favorites and not-so favorites, then we follow up with Kristopher Karlsson on some of the smaller factors which could shape this tournament. In part one, Tim Caple helps us gauge the German threat after losing Marco Reus to consider whether the same shortcomings still exist in the aftermath of Euro 2012, and if Jogi Löw must deliver his team past the semi-finals given expectations. We also examine the dual threat in Group E where the loss of Franck Ribery could alter the group in favor of a Swiss side led by Ottmar Hitzfeld who takes a youthful yet experienced blend of surprising talent into Brazil. We also examine the fortunes for Italy, Argentina, Spain and, of course, the United States and it always arrives with a touch of irony and comedic references in the matter of England who will hope to capitalize on the land of near-zero expectations. In part two Swedish sports journalist Kristopher Karlsson weighs in on some of the more esoteric elements of this World Cup and that begins in the Balkans with Bosnia and Croatia who are clearly headed in different directions if their pre-tournament form holds true. We also evaluate the threat that Russia presents competition favorites Belgium as well as pick out a couple of serious threats who may not win the World Cup, but could easily alter the balance in the Group Stage.

Joining for a special edition to preview the entire field for Brazil 2014 is commentator Paul Sarahs who helps us break down each of the groups in a whirlwind session to bring you up to speed on many of the key battles and truly important human stories inside this World Cup only a week away from the first match as host nation Brazil prepares to face Croatia on June 12 in São Paulo. We examine each of the groups with an eye towards what makes each of them fascinating or appealing to the experience, starting with the two figures who will largely be judged by the outcome - Barcelona teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi, as South America looks to assert its dominance on home soil. Among the topics we dig into is the very significant issue for the Dutch under Louis van Gaal, the darkhorses who could emerge, the real impact of injuries and omissions to some of the challengers and whether England fans are rounding into a genuine appreciation for a national team once left without hope after Euro 2012. Other topics include the special story behind the Bosnian national team, whether a colorful cast of odd characters in the Italian attack will come together, if Spain may have made a mistake or two in the player selection and if some of the pre-tournament form is being analyzed much too deeply as managers have adjusted to the serious environmental conditions that Brazil will pose. Also in focus are the African teams who each have a huge part to play in this World Cup and whether Belgium and France will find all they can handle from national teams such as Russia and Switzerland should expectations consume their progress. There is a whole lot more to this episode including the chances for the US National team in Group G, whether Mexico may have rebounded in form just in time to take second spot in Group A, and if Chile has the real potential to knockout one of the finalists from 2010.