Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard

Episode: LAFC Stun Miami, Love is Blind vs Tim Howard, Matt Turner Talks Being U.S. GK #2
Release Date: February 24, 2026

Main Theme

This episode dives into the highs and lows of MLS opening weekend, with standout discussions on LAFC’s dominant win over Miami and Nashville’s explosive attack. The heart of the episode is an in-depth interview with U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Matt Turner, touching on his club journey, the complexities of being a national team #2, and the unique pressures as the 2026 World Cup approaches. Listeners also get Howard's colorful takedown of his “Love is Blind” reality TV nemesis and fan questions ranging from FIFA ticket prices to NFL player loans.

Key Discussion Points

1. MLS Opening Weekend: Major Takeaways

(03:05–17:38)

• Record-setting attendance, LAFC’s Impressive Performance

  • 75,673 fans filled the LA Coliseum—a new opening weekend record.
    • Landon: “...made history as the highest attended opening weekend game in MLS history. And boy, did LAFC not disappoint. Absolutely smacked around Miami. It was impressive, man.” (03:30)
  • LAFC “smacked around” Miami, impressing with new coach Mark Dos Santos and key players.

• The Impact of Jordi Alba’s Absence on Miami

  • Diego Valeri, via Landon, underscores Alba’s underrated influence: “Guys, people have no idea how important Jordi Alba was to that team ... And so he gets overshadowed. He was so good for that team.” (04:58)

• Nashville’s New Look Attack

  • Sam Surridge, Honey Mukhtar, and new signing Warren Madrigal all score; Nashville hammers New England 4-1.
    • “They are really nasty. They pounded New England 4-1. It could have been worse.” – Landon (07:01)

• Red Bulls' Youth Movement and Michael Bradley’s Coaching Debut

  • Three teenagers started; 17-year-old Julian Hall netting twice.
    • Howard: “If Michael coached these players, then nobody knows better than Michael Bradley that these players can perform at this level...” (07:53)

• Houston Dynamo's Sneaky Strong Start

  • New DP Guillerme Augusto, age 30, scores twice.
    • Howard: “I have to say, Pat Onset and Asher Mendelssohn ... put together a sneaky good roster.” (09:17)

• Bad First Impressions

  • Philadelphia’s record signing Ezekiel Alado sent off for abusive language.
    • Howard (on today's stricter standards): “Offensive, insulting, abusive language. That was like my regular vernacular when I was on the field ... But again, I don’t know what was said.” (10:59)
  • Montreal and Kansas City called out as "awful" after disastrous openers.

• Josh Sargent’s Potential Move to Toronto FC

  • Donovan and Howard cite his goal record (1 goal every 3 games) and agree he’s a “20-goal per year” scorer if surrounded by talent.

2. The Unfiltered Refresh: Who's Chilled?

(18:03-19:42)

• Focus on in-form Americans abroad.
  • Folarin Balogun: 3 goals in 2 games (including a Champions League brace)
  • Ricardo Pepi: Scored on return from injury
  • Haji Wright: 4 in last 7, recently had a hat-trick
  • Howard names Haji Wright as the most chilled striker: “The way that Coventry is flying ... could very well be in the Premier League next year ... Haji Wright for me.” (19:42)

3. Interview: Matt Turner on Club Madness, National Team, and Mindset

(23:26–56:39)

a) Life After England: Dealing with Unexpected Setbacks

• OL Transfer Collapse:

  • Turner gives rare insight into his failed move to Olympique Lyonnais, blocked by financial fair play rules—a saga that played out on his birthday.
    • “When the news dropped that the club was going to be relegated financially, it was actually ... I think it was on my birthday ... and everyone's kind of looking at me on the bus ... The last thing I ever wanted… was to put a club in a difficult situation financially.” (00:00 / 31:11)
    • “If you are that person that puts that club in a position, no matter ... you could play worldie every single week… you still wouldn’t be able to make that up.” (32:26)

• Return to New England, Focus on Playing Time

  • “It made sense for me to go to a place where I knew I was going to play week in, week out…” (33:16)

b) Navigating Change and Seniority

• Adjusting to New Coaches

  • “In football it's just ever changing ... For me, as a senior player, it's showing that I'm open to being coachable ... Instead of saying, well, oh, man, I really liked when we did it this other way...” (27:18)

• On Being USMNT #2

  • Regarding not starting for the national team: “It was obviously really difficult because I've always used the national team as my North Star ... But I've always really appreciated that the gaffer ... him and I have a really clear communication line ... It's not about me… How can you do [your role] to the best of your ability and make the team better for it and make soccer in America better for it in the long run?” (40:38–42:34)

• Deep Love for the USMNT

  • “The national team ... changed my life, Landon ... It's just something that I've ... it's given me the most pride, the most goosebumps. The best feelings I ever had on the pitch were when I have the crest on.” (43:28)

• 2022 World Cup Memories & Lessons

  • “It’s just so nice ... I remember some of my favorite memories from the World cup are the times where we were just all, like, watching the other games, playing pool together... The level of intensity is unlike anything you've ever seen. No matter all the good that we did [against Netherlands], they were more lethal in our box than we were in their box. And that is what, ultimately ... the result wasn't great.” (47:22–49:20)

• Mindset on Competition

  • “I'll say all these things, but I think you guys know I'm gonna keep pushing, you know, because in the end ... No, I want the responsibility, you know, and I don’t think there’s any secret of that. But with grace and respect as always.” (56:10)

c) Notable Quotes & Light Moments

• On the notorious “goalkeeper’s union”:
  • Howard: “He always said to me, good luck, clean sheet. And I thought, you're full of shit. ... He wanted me to concede five. It's a lie.” (51:56)
  • Turner (on Ramsdale calling him the funniest player at Arsenal): “I guess I have to say, I'm a card carrying... it's ... I love goalkeeping. I love goalkeepers. I just ... yeah, it's who I am, I guess." (55:11)

4. Fan Connection and Listener Q&A

(61:59-78:49)

a) FIFA World Cup Ticket Prices & Accessibility

• Listener Bob challenges Landon on his statements regarding FIFA and ticketing.
  • Landon clarifies: “FIFA technically [is] a non for-profit, but their mission ... it's not their mission [to] make tickets affordable for all fans. ... I'm sympathetic... but big sporting events cost a lot of money in this country particularly, and it sucks.” (65:56)

b) “Love is Blind” Celebrity Sighting Smoke

• A “Love is Blind” participant calls Tim Howard a “weirdo” while trying to impress his fiancée.
  • Howard responds with good humor: “All I'll say is ... you can issue a public apology on whatever platform...If not, then I'll have more things to say about you.” (71:00)
  • Landon and producer Jordan pile on, defending Howard and Beckham: “Let's put it very clearly. Alan, keep Tim Howard ... and David Beckham, Sir David Beckham, names out of your mouth.” (72:36)

c) Predictions & Rule Changes for 2026 World Cup

• Listener Nick proposes rules focused on improving flow and audience enjoyment:
  • Timewasting/injury rules, captain-only ref communication, speedy VAR.
  • Donovan enthusiastic about stronger enforcement; Howard doubts practicalities.

d) NFL Player Loan Proposal

• Listener Robbie imagines NFL adopting soccer-style player loans.
  • Landon loves the idea for QB development: “I love it ... why not loan them out?” (78:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LAFC’s organizational excellence:

  • “They're never really bad ... they're a very good organization.” – Tim Howard (04:15)

• On Leipzig’s Jordi Alba departure:

  • “You could tell there was a lack of, like, leadership and bite because of that.” – Landon (05:25)

• On the ‘keeper’s union’:

  • “I think you’re an anomaly and you just don’t like anyone.” – Landon to Tim (53:02)

• On the USMNT crest:

  • “The best feelings I ever had on the pitch were when I'm ... [wearing] the crest.” – Matt Turner (44:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:05 — MLS opening weekend highlights
• 10:55 — Philadelphia’s transfer flop red-card
• 17:38 — Josh Sargent to Toronto FC debate
• 18:03 — US strikers abroad/“Who chose chill?”
• 23:26 — Matt Turner interview
• 31:11 — Turner on OL transfer collapse
• 33:16 — Turner on returning to the Revs
• 40:38 — Turner on losing the USMNT #1 job
• 44:20 — Turner on the meaning of the US crest
• 47:22 — Turner on World Cup 2022 memories
• 51:38 — Arsenal & the “keeper’s union” banter
• 61:59 — Fan Connection begins
• 65:17 — FIFA ticket pricing discussion
• 71:00 — Love is Blind/Tim Howard segment
• 74:30 — New rules, VAR, and NFL player loan debate

Summary Tone

The episode blends enthusiastic soccer nerding, behind-the-scenes honesty (especially from Matt Turner), and the banter only two Hall-of-Fame teammates can share. Listeners get a true “locker room” feel—unvarnished, sometimes irreverent, but full of the mutual respect that comes with loving the game.