Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard: Detailed Episode Summary

Episode Title: Galaxy's 4th Straight Loss, Forest Upset City, Sergino Dest is Back, and the 2025 NWSL Preview
Hosts: Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Presented by: Volkswagen

1. Introduction and Personal Updates

The episode begins with a casual exchange between hosts Tim Howard and Landon Donovan. Tim opens with thoughts on the NWSL's reputation, emphasizing the need to shed negative stigmas surrounding the league. Landon shares personal anecdotes about his recent trip to Las Vegas, highlighting the fatigue from jet lag and a late-night celebration.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (00:00): "Nwsl, as you rightfully mentioned, has to get away from that stigma of, like, I don't like it here, so I'm off."

2. Tony Miola's Health Update

Tim expresses concern and sends well-wishes to Tony Miola, a close friend and respected figure in U.S. soccer, who recently suffered a massive heart attack. The hosts reflect on Tony's resilience and share fond memories of their early days in national team camps.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (01:58): "Very, I spoke to him this morning. Recently, he had a massive heart attack and it was scary for all involved... he's strong. He just had a checkup. Doctor gave him the all clear."

3. MLS Weekend Breakdown

a. LA Galaxy's Struggles

The hosts discuss the LA Galaxy's ongoing difficulties, marking their fourth straight loss. They delve into the challenges the team faces, including the departure of key players like Jovalich and Ricky, and the impact of losing Marquis Delgado. The conversation highlights the complexities of maintaining team performance amidst roster changes.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (10:59): "The Galaxy are struggling, man, and without Ricky, it's, it's. the struggle's very real."

b. Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC

Tim praises the Seattle Sounders' performance against LAFC, commending Jordan Morris for becoming Seattle's all-time leading goal scorer with 87 goals and nearing the 100-goal milestone. The discussion underscores Seattle's strong atmosphere and strategic gameplay under Jordan’s leadership.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (04:21): "Big credit to Jordan Morris. He's a former teammate of ours... Couldn't happen to a better guy, better player."

c. Jordan Morris and Top Scorers

A light-hearted debate arises over MLS top scorers, with Landon humorously contending that he isn't the all-time leading scorer, despite having over 140 goals. The conversation transitions to commend Jordan Morris's impressive scoring record and consistency.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (10:47): "All time leading? Is that Wando?"
• Landon (06:36): "How many goals did you score in MLS? I don't know exact. I think in the 1:30 range, 140 range."

d. Miami's Performance and Messi's Role

The hosts analyze Miami FC’s recent performance, noting their resilience despite being without Lionel Messi, who was benched for the game against Charlotte. They speculate on Messi’s future with the team, considering his contract and upcoming World Cup preparations.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (08:29): "We're trying and we're... I have a feeling, LD this might be a weekly segment. Miami won a Supporter Shield last year... They are going to try and win the MLS Cup."

4. Premier League Highlights

a. Nottingham Forest Upset Manchester City

Tim discusses Nottingham Forest's surprising 1-0 victory over Manchester City at home, praising the historic City Ground and the tactical prowess of Forest's manager, Nuno Espirito Santo. The victory is highlighted as a testament to Forest's resurgence in European football.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (15:21): "Probably the best game of the weekend actually was forest. Manchester City 1 nil."

b. Nuno Espirito Santo's Management at Wolves

The conversation shifts to Nuno Espirito Santo’s positive impact on Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves), highlighting his strategic approach and the team's defensive solidity. Tim commends the goalkeeper Matt Sells and the defensive partnership of Murillo and Milankovic.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (16:25): "They have a fantastic goalkeeper. Matt Sells, they got the most clean sheets in the league."

c. Liverpool’s Champions League Campaign

Landon and Tim reflect on Liverpool's dominant performance in the Champions League, particularly their narrow win against PSG. They express confidence in Liverpool's ability to maintain their lead and emphasize the significance of their home advantage at Anfield.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (21:07): "Anfield under the lights is formidable. It's a special place."

d. Premier League Standings: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea

The hosts discuss the current standings and performances of top Premier League teams. Tim expresses disappointment with Manchester United and Arsenal’s waning influence, while Landon commends Chelsea’s progression under their new manager despite mid-season struggles.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (23:35): "Probably the biggest talking point was there's this massive, you know, couple thousand people protest outside Old Trafford."

5. NWSL Preview

a. Naomi Girma’s Transfer to Chelsea

Landon provides insights on Naomi Girma's record $1.1 million transfer from San Diego Wave to Chelsea. Despite admiration for Girma’s talents, he expresses disappointment over her departure, underscoring the impact on the NWSL's competitiveness.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (32:38): "She's going to be fine. She's still a top player. But there's been a number."

b. League Stability and Player Contracts

The discussion moves to the NWSL's volatile contract structures, where short-term deals lead to frequent player movements. Both hosts agree on the necessity for the league to adopt more stable, long-term contracts to enhance sustainability and talent retention.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (36:24): "Nwsl, as you rightfully mentioned, has to get away from that stigma of like, I don't like you here. So teams are starting to build and move away from that."

c. Bay FC's Turmoil

Landon addresses recent controversies surrounding Bay FC, including the investigation of head coach Albertine Montoya following formal complaints from players. He emphasizes the importance of withholding judgment until all facts emerge.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (37:38): "We don't know what happened here and so let's be careful."

d. Angel City's Coaching Situation

The hosts analyze Angel City's ongoing struggles with coaching stability, highlighting the absence of a permanent head coach since Becky Tweed's departure. They stress the need for sustainable leadership to guide the club forward.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (39:44): "We've struggled to find a permanent head coach since Becky Tweed was let go."

e. Houston Dash’s Improvement

Tim shares optimism about Houston Dash’s recent performance turnaround under new head coach Fabrice Gautraut and sporting director Angela Mangano. Their strategic player acquisitions are credited with rebuilding the team's foundation and fostering a winning culture.

Notable Quote:

• Tim (41:27): "She has hit the ground running, and Fabrice was a fantastic hire also."

f. Sophia Smith Wilson’s Pregnancy

Landon congratulates Sophia Smith Wilson on her pregnancy, acknowledging her phenomenal career and the challenges of balancing motherhood with professional athletics. The hosts express excitement for her anticipated return to the field.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (43:13): "They just need to relax, press, and re-emerge stronger."

g. Gotham FC’s Roster Changes

The conversation touches on Gotham FC’s significant player departures, including Lynn Williams and Crystal Dunn, and their subsequent transfers to European clubs. The hosts ponder the implications for Gotham FC's strategy and future performance.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (43:54): "They lost a lot of pieces. And so now how do you reshape that? Revamp that."

6. FIFA World Cup 2030 Expansion Proposal

One of the most engaging discussions revolves around FIFA's proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams to celebrate its centenary in 2030. Landon expresses strong support for the expansion, highlighting the cultural and global unity the tournament fosters. Tim weighs in with considerations about competitive balance and logistical challenges, ultimately acknowledging the potential benefits of greater representation.

Notable Quotes:

• Landon (45:23): "I actually love the idea of having 64 teams. Love it."
• Tim (47:53): "If you expand, then you get the best of the best."

7. Fan Connection Q&A

a. New England Revolution’s Attendance

Listeners voiced concerns about New England Revolution’s reported attendance figures. Landon defends the team's fan base, addressing discrepancies between reported numbers and televised views. Tim echoes the need for better stadium management to enhance fan experience.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (53:29): "Sort that out, New England. I'm not saying that's your fault as fans, but sort that out."

b. European Fans' Influence on Club Decisions

A question from Ryan addresses the significant influence European fans have on club decisions, particularly in coaching changes. Landon and Tim discuss the passionate nature of European supporters and the delicate balance club management must maintain between fan expectations and long-term strategy.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (60:40): "The person who makes the decision is the person that either gets influenced or doesn't."

c. Everton’s Goodison Park and Women's Teams

Steve inquires about the future of Goodison Park as a home for Everton Women and their underage teams. The hosts express support for maintaining historical stadiums while acknowledging the financial and logistical challenges involved.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (62:16): "I think it'd be incredible. Love it."

d. Soccer Players' Fashion

Mimi asks why there's no organized platform for soccer players to showcase their fashion sense beyond individual social media posts. The hosts humorously discuss the growing trend of players embracing fashion, likening it to practices in other sports leagues like the NBA.

Notable Quote:

• Landon (66:10): "It's like 4:30. The game's at 7:30. I said, what the hell are you guys doing here?"

Conclusion

Landon and Tim wrap up the episode by reflecting on the diverse topics discussed, from MLS struggles and Premier League highlights to NWSL developments and World Cup expansions. They encourage listeners to engage through social media and subscribe across various platforms. The hosts emphasize the importance of passion, resilience, and strategic management in advancing soccer in the United States and globally.

Final Remarks:

• Landon (72:26): "Remember, always subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Podcast, Spotify, wherever you get your pods. Follow us across all of our social media at Unfiltered Soccer for lots more content."
• Tim (72:44): "Have an amazing week. Miss you all. We'll be back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a coherent narrative for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.