Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard

Episode Summary: "Messi Chases MLS Cup & Brian Schmetzer's Toughest Loss of His Career"

Release Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Landon Donovan, Tim Howard
Special Guest: Brian Schmetzer, Seattle Sounders Head Coach

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the high-stakes world of Major League Soccer as Landon Donovan and Tim Howard break down Inter Miami’s dominant playoff run, led by Lionel Messi, and preview the MLS Cup Final versus Vancouver. The duo delves deep into the tactical nuances of Miami’s "mental monster" status, the psychology of big games, Vancouver’s underrated strengths, and the league's evolving landscape. The second half features a candid, insightful interview with Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer, discussing how to stop Messi, his toughest playoff defeat, the rise of Christian Roldan, and broader reflections on MLS culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inter Miami’s Dominance & Messi's Impact

• Miami’s Playoff Form (02:00–04:24)

  • Miami has outscored opponents by huge margins (last three games: 4-0, 4-0, 5-1).
  • Discussion on Miami's shift to "mental monsters"—a team opponents fear once they go down a goal.
  • Quote – Tim Howard (02:26):
    "Inter Miami have entered the realm now of mental monsters... if it went one nil night night."
  • Miami’s lethal transition play and why the first goal in soccer is so crucial.
  • Donovan credits Miami and especially Messi for peaking at the right time and targeting the MLS Cup from the start.

• Strategy and Management (04:24–06:19)

  • Miami’s tactical approach: prioritize winning MLS Cup over other competitions, manage star minutes.
  • Quote – Tim Howard (06:19):
    "The best thing they could have done was win the Supporter Shield last year... then this season doesn’t matter. The regular season doesn’t matter. We can manage minutes, which they did."
  • The rise of a “villain” team in MLS making the league more compelling.

• Not Just Messi (08:39)

  • Players like Allende (8 goals in 5 postseason games) and rising star Silvetti (2 goals, 3 assists in 3 games) contributing deeply.
  • Miami are "not a one man show"—multiple attacking threats.

2. Vancouver's Path and Strengths

• Vancouver’s Masterclass (09:37–12:21)

  • Vancouver’s tactical discipline and grit highlighted; comparisons to top MLS sides.
  • Stand-out players named: Sebastian Berhalter (“tenacious”), Tomas Müller, Brian White (“pure goal scorer”), Ryan Gauld as X-factor off the bench.
  • Strategic breakdown of how Vancouver beats higher-profile teams.

• Key Players in Focus (12:21–14:32)

  • Müller’s unrelenting style and how White changes Vancouver’s offensive game.
  • Quote – Tim Howard (14:32):
    "If you got a bag of money, put it on... I think [Berhalter]’ll get to grips with Lionel Messi, I don’t know why, because he’s a little rat and he wants to get under people’s skin..."

3. MLS Cup Final Preview & Predictions

• Unfiltered Refresh: Player of the Week (14:49–16:14)

  • Brian White awarded for his return and two goals in Vancouver’s semifinal.
  • Comparison to classic MLS target men: “He’s a little bit of a throwback...holds the ball, fights, battles.”

• Matchup Analysis (16:12–18:50)

  • Hosts remain confident in Miami’s edge, but see Vancouver as a credible threat.
  • Quote – Landon Donovan (16:12):
    "They (Vancouver) match up well against Miami...Gonna be a great game."
  • Predictions: Miami favored, but expect a close match (2–1 or 3–1 scoreline).
  • Müller’s strong track record against Messi noted (7 wins in 10 matches).

4. The Brian Schmetzer Interview (25:18–56:08)

Culture & Atmosphere in Seattle (29:09–31:17)

• Deep roots: Sounders' 50-year legacy, history of packed crowds even in the USL days.
• Building tradition and fan culture—parade, colors, and authentic atmosphere.
• Quote – Brian Schmetzer (29:09):
  "There was a lot of history here before it changed to the MLS...there was 18,000 people stuffed into an old stadium."

On Facing Messi (31:41–34:42)

• Tactics for defending Messi: ultra-compact shape, double-teaming, denying turn-and-face, prioritizing defending in numbers.
• Quote – Brian Schmetzer (34:42):
  "We didn’t want him to face forward...let Messi face forward, ball at his feet, dribbling at you, you’re in for a long night."
• Specifics: Avoiding overload on Jordi Alba’s side, collective effort rather than individual marking.

Vancouver’s Strengths (35:27–36:53)

• Trio of players to watch: Kubas, Berhalter, White.
• Brian White compared to Brian Ching: strong, relentless, key in breaking pressure and extending possession.
• Quote – Schmetzer (35:27):
  "That guy is such a tough mother...inside the 18 reminds me of Brian Ching..."

Schmetzer's Toughest Loss (37:00–40:26)

• Playoff defeat vs. Minnesota after being up a man—a rare breakdown for Seattle.
• Emotional reflection on losing in penalties, high-stakes decisions about keeper selection.
• Quote – Schmetzer (37:12):
  "That stuff doesn’t happen to us...going up a man having the lead and having a team fight back..."

Juggling Competitions & Squad Rotation (41:20–43:19)

• Schmetzer’s philosophy: “Every game matters,” regardless of fixture congestion.
• Deep roster allowed for rotation across Club World Cup, Leagues Cup, and regular season, emphasizing unity and confidence gained from international tournaments.

The Rise of Christian Roldan (44:05–46:44)

• Positional switch to central midfield reinvigorated Roldan’s game and national team prospects.
• Roldan’s humility, tactical intelligence, and “DNA” of national pride.
• Quote – Schmetzer (46:44):
  "He would work his [butt] off to do whatever it takes...team wins games...the national team is the most important thing."

Club vs. Country: National Team Call-Ups (49:29–50:46)

• Sounders’ long-standing policy: proud for players to represent their countries, despite roster strain.
• Value in promoting international opportunities for their players.

MLS Schedule Change: Winter Play (50:55–53:29)

• New calendar aligning with world football brings pros (“matches up with the rest of the world”) and cons (weather challenges, e.g., in Minnesota or Kansas City).
• Seattle positioned to handle rain but not snow; Schmetzer ready for the shift, optimistic but practical.

MLS Cup Final Outlook (53:54–55:22)

• Sees this final as one of the most evenly-matched in recent years.
• "Mueller vs Messi, Vancouver’s Pacific Northwest grit vs Miami’s South Beach superstars..."
• Gives Miami the edge due to home field, but acknowledges both teams’ paths and strengths.

5. Listener Q&A (60:27–77:25)

• Fan Engagement: Listeners share first-game experiences, praise for MLS atmosphere, and supporting USMNT at Lumen Field.
• Lighthearted Banter: Debates over who would make a better role swap (Howard as striker, Donovan as goalkeeper).
• USMNT Captaincy: (64:47–66:39) Consensus leans toward Tim Ream (“on the field, he’s going to be your captain, your leader, your father figure…arband or not”).
• Behind-the-Scenes: Tim Howard discusses unique dynamics of goalkeeper rivalries.
• Rule Innovations: Debate on whether a stop-start clock would improve soccer and address casual fans’ complaints about time-wasting.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Tim Howard on Inter Miami’s Transformation (02:26)
"Inter Miami have entered the realm now of mental monsters. Right? So what that means is... you knew if it went one nil night night."

Landon Donovan on Miami’s Season Planning (04:24)
"They saw this coming, right? They were putting all their eggs in this basket... Now they get to host a final."

Schmetzer on Defending Messi (34:42)
"You let Messi face forward, ball at his feet, dribbling at you—I mean, you're in for a long night."

Schmetzer on Brian White (35:27)
"That guy is such a tough mother...inside the 18 reminds me of Brian Ching..."

Schmetzer on the Toughest Loss of His Career (37:12)
"That stuff doesn’t happen to us...going up a man having the lead and having a team fight back…"

Schmetzer on Roldan & USMNT Mentality (46:44)
"…in your DNA that the national team is the most important thing...and Christian has that."

Howard on Goalie Rivalries (69:02)
"I wanted them to be so horrifically bad in their games...but all that being said, you always walk the line."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Inter Miami Playoff Domination: 02:00–04:24
• Miami’s Mentality & Tactics: 04:24–06:19
• Vancouver’s Rise & Style: 09:37–14:32
• MLS Cup Preview/Predictions: 16:12–18:50
• Brian Schmetzer Interview: 25:18–56:08
  • Seattle soccer culture: 29:09–31:17
  • Defending Messi: 31:41–34:42
  • Vancouver analysis: 35:27–36:53
  • Toughest Loss: 37:00–40:26
  • Rotation/philosophy: 41:20–43:19
  • Roldan’s story: 44:05–46:44
  • Club vs country: 49:29–50:46
  • Winter schedule: 50:55–53:29
  • MLS Cup Final prediction: 53:54–55:22
• Listener Q&A: 60:27–77:25

Summary

This episode of Unfiltered Soccer delivers a comprehensive, unvarnished look at the MLS Cup Final, with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard’s mix of expert analysis, player insight, and banter. Inter Miami’s transformation into MLS’s superpower, the nuanced threat Vancouver presents, plus Brian Schmetzer’s hard-earned wisdom—especially on defending greats like Messi and the ethos of playing for club and country—take center stage. Listeners come away with a clear sense of the tactical battles to watch, the emotional stakes behind every playoff run, and the inner workings of top-level soccer in the U.S.—all in the original candid, passionate style that defines the show.