Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard: Chelsea are Club World Cup Champions and Messi's On a Tear in MLS

Release Date: July 15, 2025

In this engaging episode of Unfiltered Soccer, hosts Landon Donovan and Tim Howard delve into the latest triumphs in the soccer world, focusing on Chelsea's remarkable victory in the Club World Cup and Lionel Messi's sensational performance in Major League Soccer (MLS). The conversation seamlessly transitions from personal anecdotes to in-depth analysis, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into these significant events.

Chelsea’s Triumph in the Club World Cup

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about Chelsea’s unexpected success in the Club World Cup. Both hosts express surprise and admiration for the team’s performance against the formidable Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Tim Howard reflects on the shocking result:

“[06:17] I was not expecting that. And we'll get into Cole Palmer in a sec. But just. How did you digest that? I was not expecting that.”

Landon Donovan elaborates on Chelsea's strategic management under Todd Bowley:

“[06:49] Everything he's doing, people in hindsight are going, oh my God, he got it right. And so he's found a manager who knew how to balance the squads...”

They commend Bowley for his innovative approach in managing a large squad effectively, ensuring that the team remains competitive across multiple competitions. The duo highlights Bowley’s ability to balance the Premier League and Europa League squads by training them at different times, a strategy that has paid off handsomely.

Key Players: Cole Palmer and J. Pedro

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Chelsea’s young talents, particularly Cole Palmer and Javier “J. Pedro” da Silva Silva.

Tim Howard praises Palmer's composure and skill:

“[10:23] Cole Palmer is special because he's unflappable, man. The kid is just. He’s ice cold, man. He just is.”

Landon Donovan adds to the accolades, emphasizing Palmer’s strategic gameplay and creativity:

“[12:18] He was playing from the goalkeeper to the center backer to the fullback. Messi presses it looked to me semi half hearted until he felt like he could bite on the ball.”

Both hosts agree that Palmer’s ability to remain calm under pressure and make decisive plays is a game-changer for Chelsea, positioning him as a key player to watch in the upcoming seasons.

Future Implications for Chelsea and the Club World Cup

As the conversation shifts to the broader implications of Chelsea’s success, Landon and Tim speculate on the future of the Club World Cup and how the tournament might evolve.

Tim Howard discusses the potential changes in team qualification:

“[24:20] Repeat that this was a dry run. This was a chemistry test, by the way, to see if it could work on many levels.”

They contemplate whether FIFA will adjust the qualification criteria to include more top-tier teams, ensuring the tournament's prestige and competitiveness. Both hosts express optimism that the Club World Cup will continue to grow in prominence, attracting the world's best clubs in future editions.

MLS Weekend Highlights: Hell is Real Derby

Shifting focus to MLS, Donovan and Howard highlight the intense Hell is Real derby between Cincinnati and Columbus. The match, characterized by a dramatic comeback from Columbus, exemplifies the growing competitiveness and excitement within the league.

Landon Donovan recounts the thrilling comeback:

“[37:26] So, I. I agree with you regarding Columbus, but you got to give a shout out to these MLS teams who’ve created these Darbies, right?”

Tim Howard echoes the sentiment, praising the league's ability to foster passionate rivalries:

“[38:28] I love the Darbies, and it's two good teams, too, so that's what made it fun.”

The hosts commend MLS for cultivating such intense rivalries, which contribute to the league's increasing popularity and fan engagement.

Messi’s Sensational Run in MLS

A standout topic of the episode is Lionel Messi's extraordinary performance in MLS, where he has scored multiple goals in consecutive games, drawing parallels to his legendary status.

Tim Howard marvels at Messi’s consistency:

“[40:05] I do remember ld and you've seen Messi, if Messi goes up and over the wall, that ball is going up and over the wall into the corner.”

Landon Donovan shares his admiration for Messi’s ability to perform under pressure:

“[41:02] So he was leading, I hated the guy. Whatever. I was like, he is not scoring. Yeah, we got that. Of course he'd probably score.”

Both hosts acknowledge Messi's unparalleled talent and its significant impact on MLS, elevating the league's global profile and inspiring younger players.

Club World Cup’s Reception and Future Prospects

The conversation returns to the Club World Cup, where Landon and Tim assess whether the tournament was taken seriously by teams and fans alike.

Tim Howard emphasizes the tournament's growing legitimacy:

“[18:05] The players definitely took it seriously. It definitely felt. I mean, the spectacle that was the final felt huge...”

Landon Donovan concurs, highlighting the passionate fan turnout and the quality of play:

“[19:23] It was really fun. I thought the whole tournament was good. One thing I've said over and over is, you know, people ask me, I think America is the only place you can have it for it to be successful. I think that's right.”

They conclude that the tournament's success in this edition bodes well for its future, especially with comments suggesting that the U.S. is an ideal host for such a global event due to its diverse and passionate soccer community.

Player Transfers and MLS Implications

Towards the end of the discussion, the hosts touch upon recent player transfers within MLS and their implications for the national team.

Tim Howard addresses the challenges MLS faces in retaining top talent:

“[30:03] As long as they're playing. As long as they're playing significant minutes, it's the only thing that matters.”

Landon Donovan explores potential solutions to retain key players by balancing salaries and transfer opportunities:

“[32:32] But are you going to be on a home World Cup roster? Tim? This, this is actually an easy answer.”

They discuss the delicate balance MLS clubs must maintain to keep their stars while also providing opportunities for growth and increased salaries, ensuring that the national team remains competitive on the world stage.

Fan Questions and Unwritten Sports Rules

In the latter part of the episode, Landon and Tim engage with fan-submitted questions, delving into topics beyond just soccer, such as unwritten rules in various sports and their personal experiences.

Landon Donovan shares his frustrations with certain unwritten rules in baseball:

“[69:25] This is the case where. Can you not just look at the guy and say, my bad, dude. Like, I didn't mean.”

Tim Howard humorously contrasts this with the direct and protective nature of hockey’s unwritten rules:

“[74:37] The unwritten rule in hockey is if you touch my best player, I've got a goon that's 6 foot 7, 230, skates like a ballerina.”

Their lighthearted banter offers a relatable and entertaining look into the complexities and sometimes absurdities of sports etiquette across different disciplines.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Howard [10:23]: “Cole Palmer is special because he's unflappable, man. The kid is just. He’s ice cold, man. He just is.”

• Landon Donovan [12:18]: “He was playing from the goalkeeper to the center backer to the fullback. Messi presses it looked to me semi half hearted until he felt like he could bite on the ball.”

• Tim Howard [24:20]: “Repeat that this was a dry run. This was a chemistry test, by the way, to see if it could work on many levels.”

• Landon Donovan [37:26]: “So, I. I agree with you regarding Columbus, but you got to give a shout out to these MLS teams who’ve created these Darbies, right?”

• Tim Howard [40:05]: “I do remember ld and you've seen Messi, if Messi goes up and over the wall, that ball is going up and over the wall into the corner.”

Conclusion

This episode of Unfiltered Soccer offers a rich and dynamic exploration of recent soccer events, blending personal stories with expert analysis. Landon Donovan and Tim Howard provide listeners with an in-depth understanding of Chelsea's strategic success, Messi's extraordinary performances, and the evolving landscape of MLS. Their candid discussions and insightful commentary make for a compelling listen, whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or someone looking to stay informed about the beautiful game's latest developments.