Podcast Summary: Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard Episode: LA Galaxy Wins 6th MLS Cup, Pulisic Injured, and Chelsea's EPL Chase
Release Date: December 10, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Unfiltered Soccer, hosts Landon Donovan and Tim Howard delve into the recent triumph of the LA Galaxy securing their 6th MLS Cup, the unfortunate injury of Christian Pulisic, and Chelsea's ongoing pursuit in the English Premier League (EPL). The discussion is further enriched by the presence of special guest Stu Holden, a Bolton and Houston Dynamo legend.

LA Galaxy's 6th MLS Cup Victory

The podcast kicks off with a celebration of the LA Galaxy's latest achievement.

• Landon Donovan (00:00): "He's the best player in the league. That doesn't default you into winning the Landon Donovan MVP Award."
  Donovan sets the tone by highlighting individual excellence doesn't guarantee team success.

• Tim Howard (04:30): Discusses the Galaxy's strategic gameplay and the impact of early goals, emphasizing their strong defensive substitutions led by Greg (Gregg Berhalter).

• Stu Holden (06:09): Praises the Galaxy's organizational structure and their ability to rebound from recent setbacks, crediting Greg Vanny's leadership and the club's commitment to excellence.

• Landon Donovan (10:46): Reflects on the Galaxy's historical success and their significant role in elevating MLS's profile, noting their balanced approach between attracting star players and cultivating team cohesion.

Notable Quote:
Stu Holden (06:09): "They took it personally that LAFC had built something great, and they decided to get back to their standards and raise it." (06:09)

Christian Pulisic's Injury

A significant portion of the episode addresses the injury concerns surrounding USMNT star Christian Pulisic.

• Stu Holden (30:43): Emphasizes the challenges athletes face in advocating for their health amidst demanding schedules and high expectations.
  "You need three more months. Your knee hasn't healed inside. Instead, I was like, yeah, these doctors are telling me I'm good." (35:38)

• Landon Donovan (32:48): Shares his personal experience with ACL injuries, underscoring the emotional and physical toll such setbacks can have on professional athletes.

Notable Quote:
Landon Donovan (35:38): "I believe that's the challenge for Mauricio Pochettino is to empower some of these guys, but also push them at their club level." (35:38)

Chelsea's EPL Chase

The hosts analyze Chelsea's performance in the EPL under new management.

• Stu Holden (48:26): Highlights Chelsea's strategic changes under Mareska, noting the successful integration of young talent and tactical adjustments.

• Tim Howard (55:39): Observes Chelsea's ability to remain under the radar while making significant strides in the title race, commending their consistency and focus.

Notable Quote:
Stu Holden (53:40): "Todd Boehly comes in, they sign a ton of young players... and Mareska right now has the magic wand. He's doing so many things right with this team." (53:40)

Tim Howard MVP Award Naming

A lighthearted yet meaningful discussion unfolds about the possibility of naming the MVP award after Tim Howard.

• Tim Howard (27:54): Playfully asserts his reluctance to have an MVP award named in his honor unless he does something to warrant it.
  "Until I do something to get canceled on the show. Then I'll be the Tim Howard MVP award." (00:05)

• Landon Donovan (26:14): Expresses support for recognizing outstanding players, though humorously defers naming rights away from himself and Stu Holden.

Notable Quote:
Tim Howard (28:47): "I love this league. I get a lot of crap for sticking up for this league... that's something you don't want to see too high." (28:47)

Role of USL in U.S. Soccer

The conversation shifts to the United Soccer League's (USL) impact and potential in shaping U.S. soccer's future.

• Tim Howard (63:18): Stresses the critical role of USL in representing diverse markets and providing professional environments vital for player development.
  "Having real professional environments... is crucial from a player standpoint and then also off the field." (63:18)

• Stu Holden (66:38): Advocates for MLS teams to actively scout and integrate top USL talent, asserting that many USL players surpass college graduates in readiness and skill.

Notable Quote:
Stu Holden (66:38): "The top 10 best players in the USL are better prepared to compete and contribute in the MLS than any kid coming out of college." (66:38)

MLS Schedule Alignment with Europe

A debated topic is whether MLS should adopt a seasonal schedule consistent with European leagues.

• Tim Howard (66:52): Supports the idea, citing improved alignment for players and international breaks, while addressing concerns about adverse weather conditions.
  "I would guess now, my guess is now MLS is mature enough, the fans care enough, or if it's 17 degrees in Toronto, they're still coming to the game." (66:52)

• Stu Holden (67:56): Agrees, emphasizing the benefits of international alignment and suggesting clever scheduling solutions to mitigate weather issues.

Notable Quote:
Tim Howard (66:52): "I would love to see it [MLS aligning with Europe]." (66:52)

Financial Regulations in Professional Leagues

Listener questions explore the sustainability and fairness of financial regulations in MLS compared to the EPL.

• Stu Holden (68:53): Praises the EPL's profit and sustainability rules for promoting responsible financial management and preventing monopolistic dominance by wealthy clubs. Praises MLS's cautious approach in its early years and supports balanced spending to foster league-wide competitiveness.

• Tim Howard (70:37): Critiques MLS's financial restrictions, advocating for more autonomy and relaxed caps to allow clubs greater flexibility in acquiring top talent without unintended negative impacts on American players.

Notable Quote:
Tim Howard (72:09): "I would like to see almost all of those restrictions lifted, have some version of a cap, like a really a hard cap." (72:09)

Premier League Ticket Prices

The discussion addresses the soaring ticket prices in the EPL and compares them to American sports.

• Stu Holden (56:55): Compares EPL ticket prices to those of the NFL and NBA, highlighting the extravagance and questioning the sustainability of such high costs for fans.

• Tim Howard (59:22): Analyzes the economic factors driving ticket prices, suggesting that while understandable from a business standpoint, they pose accessibility challenges for average fans.

Notable Quote:
Stu Holden (57:07): "For a Knicks game and like have like not have to bring my binoculars, I pay $500 for like one seat." (57:07)

Mailbag Highlights

Listeners' questions provide additional insights into key soccer topics.

1. USL's Role in U.S. Soccer:
   Both hosts emphasize the importance of USL in nurturing talent and expanding MLS's geographical footprint.

2. MLS vs. European Calendar:
   Consensus leans towards aligning MLS with Europe to benefit players and facilitate international play, despite logistical challenges.

3. Financial Regulation:
   Debate centers on balancing MLS's sustainability with the need to attract top-tier talent, with suggestions for more flexible salary caps.

Notable Quotes:
Stu Holden (70:28): "The model right now... spending is good in the right areas, but you can't go, you know, you can't go top heavy." (70:28)
Tim Howard (70:37): "If you want to pay Messi, whatever the hell, who knows what Inter Miami paid him. Great. That's your decision, your choice, and that's great and that's good for the league." (70:37)

Conclusion

Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, alongside guest Stu Holden, provide a comprehensive analysis of current soccer dynamics, emphasizing the importance of strategic management, balanced financial practices, and the nurturing of local talent to foster a robust U.S. soccer landscape. The episode concludes with a light-hearted interaction during the mailbag segment, reinforcing the hosts' camaraderie and commitment to delivering insightful soccer discussions.

Notable Closing Quote:
Landon Donovan (77:18): "What an absolute gent and legend. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, VW. Have a great week. We'll be back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer." (77:18)

Key Takeaways:

• LA Galaxy's Success: Demonstrates the effectiveness of cohesive team strategy and strong leadership.
• Christian Pulisic's Injury: Highlights the precarious balance between player health and demanding schedules.
• Chelsea's EPL Performance: Underlines the impact of managerial changes and strategic team building.
• Financial Sustainability: Debates the merits of MLS's current financial regulations versus more flexible models.
• USL's Vital Role: Recognizes USL as a crucial pipeline for MLS talent and league expansion.
• Ticket Pricing Concerns: Critiques the escalating costs in the EPL, drawing parallels with American sports leagues.

For more insights and discussions, subscribe to Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Follow them on social media at @UnfilteredSoccer for bonus content.