Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard

Episode: EPL Season Preview and Matt Freese Joins to Talk Penalty Strategy
Release Date: August 13, 2025

In this episode of Unfiltered Soccer, Hosts Landon Donovan and Tim Howard delve deep into the upcoming Premier League (EPL) season, analyze team performances, and explore the dynamics shaping the league. The episode also features a special guest, Matt Freese, who discusses his expertise in penalty strategies following his standout performance in the Gold Cup.

Premier League Season Preview

Recap of Last Season

Landon Donovan opens the discussion by revisiting last season's outcomes, highlighting Liverpool's dominance in winning the league title. The conversation touches upon the fluctuating performances of various teams, setting the stage for the upcoming season's expectations.

Landon Donovan:
"Liverpool destroyed the league, won the title. Liverpool, Arsenal, City, Chelsea, and fifth-place Newcastle all got into the Champions League." ([05:20])

Managerial Changes and Team Strategies

The hosts analyze recent managerial changes and their potential impact on team performances. They specifically mention Thomas Frank's appointment at Tottenham and Ruben ÅÂÂÃÂÂmram's tenure at Manchester United, discussing how these changes might influence the clubs' aspirations for the Champions League.

Landon Donovan:
"Thomas Frank knows how to manage a team flexibly, adapting tactics based on the opponent." ([07:40])

Challenges for Newly Promoted Teams

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the struggles of newly promoted teams to maintain their Premier League status. Donovan and Howard examine financial constraints, squad depth, and the competitive nature of the league as primary factors contributing to these challenges.

Tim Howard:
"Championship clubs can't compete due to inflated transfer fees, forcing them to rely on second and third-choice players." ([10:15])

Crossroads Segment

Each host identifies a Premier League team at a critical juncture in the season, exploring the implications of their current form and future prospects.

Landon’s Crossroad: Manchester City

Landon expresses unwavering confidence in Pep Guardiola's leadership despite a dip in performance last year. He emphasizes Guardiola's ability to maintain high standards and motivate the team to rebound.

Landon Donovan:
"Manchester City is built to do hard things. I wouldn't bet against them." ([16:30])

Tim’s Crossroad: Manchester United and Tottenham

Tim highlights the precarious situation of Manchester United and Tottenham, stressing the necessity for these teams to avoid lower-table finishes and aim for top-tier placements to secure Champions League spots.

Tim Howard:
"United and Spurs are at a turning point. They must avoid bottom half finishes." ([16:30])

Predictions

The hosts engage in a lively exchange of predictions for the EPL season, covering surprise teams, disappointments, and overall league outcomes.

Biggest Surprise Team: Tottenham

Both Landon and Tim predict Tottenham will surpass expectations under Thomas Frank's management, aiming for a place in European competitions.

Landon Donovan:
"Tottenham, under Thomas Frank, will be in the hunt for a European place." ([18:46])

Biggest Disappointment: Brentford

Anticipating Brentford's potential underperformance, Landon expresses concern over possible declines due to key player departures and managerial inexperience.

Landon Donovan:
"I think Brentford is going to fall off the cliff a little bit." ([20:02])

League Title Winner: Liverpool

Both hosts concur that Liverpool, with their strengthened squad, are frontrunners to clinch the EPL title once again.

Tim Howard:
"I think Liverpool will win the league." ([21:33])

Golden Boot Winner: Dejan Kulusevski

Predicting individual brilliance, both hosts nominate Dejan Kulusevski as the likely recipient of the Golden Boot, citing his goal-scoring prowess and form.

Landon Donovan:
"If he can get 20, 22 goals, they could win." ([22:11])

Top Four Finishers

The hosts outline their vision for the top four, listing Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea as the expected qualifiers for the Champions League.

Jordan:
"Liverpool, Arsenal, City, Chelsea." ([22:21])

Special Guest: Matt Freese on Penalty Strategy

Introduction to Matt Freese

The episode shifts focus to Matt Freese, a Harvard grad and standout goalkeeper who played a pivotal role in the Gold Cup. His expertise in penalty strategies became a focal point of his acclaim during the tournament.

Landon Donovan:
"Matt Freese, Ivy League legend, penalty kick expert all around. Great guy. Thank you for sharing your insights." ([73:19])

Journey to the National Team

Matt shares his unconventional path to becoming a national team goalkeeper, balancing academic pursuits at Harvard with his athletic career. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and mental resilience in achieving his goals.

Matt Freese:
"I wanted to go out there and show what I can do. I wanted to be a rock and be steady because that is a very underappreciated part of goalkeeping." ([35:58])

Penalty Kick Expertise

Discussing his approach to penalty kicks, Matt highlights the strategic elements he employs to increase his chances of making decisive saves. He views penalty kicks as the essence of competition, focusing on studying opponents' tendencies and psychological warfare.

Matt Freese:
"I do my homework and I'm ready for him because I want to be ready. This increases my chances of making a save." ([37:51])

Emotional Reflections on the Gold Cup Final

Matt reflects on the emotional toll of losing in the Gold Cup final, emphasizing the bonds formed within the team and the collective disappointment. He acknowledges the bittersweet nature of competition and the personal growth stemming from such experiences.

Matt Freese:
"We were sitting there, saw them go up on the stage, and I was pissed. It was a really special group that we had in terms of the chemistry that we built." ([43:36])

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Matt expresses optimism about his role in the national team and his aspirations for the upcoming World Cup, underscoring his commitment to continuous improvement and team success.

Matt Freese:
"I'm ready for it. I want to show that the prep was worth it." ([34:57])

Conclusion

Landon and Tim wrap up the episode by reiterating their excitement for the Premier League season and Matt Freese’s contributions to the national team. They encourage listeners to stay engaged with the podcast through various platforms and express their gratitude to sponsors for supporting the show.

Landon Donovan:
"Thanks to our presenting sponsor, VW, our Fan Connection sponsor AT&T, NHTSA, our Crossroads sponsor, and our unfiltered refresh sponsor, Coors Light. Have an amazing week." ([73:19])

Stay tuned to Unfiltered Soccer every Tuesday for more in-depth discussions, expert insights, and exclusive interviews as Landon Donovan and Tim Howard navigate the vibrant world of soccer.