Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
Episode: MLS Mid-Season Review, USMNT Finish Top of Gold Cup Group & Club World Cup Impresses
Release Date: June 24, 2025

1. MLS Mid-Season Review

Standings and Surprises

Landon Donovan and Tim Howard kick off the episode by reviewing the current standings of Major League Soccer at the mid-season mark. Predictions made earlier in the season are scrutinized for accuracy.

• Vancouver’s Performance:
  Timestamp [34:31]:
  Tim Howard: “Brian White's got 10 goals at nearly the halfway point. We didn’t see that coming.”
  Despite initial predictions by Tim that Vancouver would finish at the bottom, they are surprisingly at the top of the standings with 18 games played, securing 8 points and moving ahead of expectations.

• LA Galaxy’s Struggles:
  Timestamp [35:09]:
  Landon Donovan: “The Galaxy or second half.”
  The LA Galaxy have underperformed, trailing significantly with only one win from 18 games, making them an unexpected disappointment in the league.

• Performance of Other Teams:

  • Columbus Crew are fourth in the East, six points behind the leader.
  • Montreal is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference as predicted.
  • Inter Miami has shown surprising competitiveness, currently holding four points with strong potential to advance.

Key Players and MVP Candidates

The hosts discuss standout players who are prime candidates for the MLS MVP award:

• Tyrell Baribo: Leading the league with 13 goals for Union Estudiantes.
• Brian White: Scoring 10 goals for Vancouver, exceeding expectations.
• Andres Dreyer: With nine assists, Dreyer is highlighted for his exceptional playmaking abilities.
• Lionel Messi: Despite limited appearances, Messi has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 13 games, making a strong case for MVP consideration.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Howard: “Messi is going to be the MVP. He gets to 20 goals, and then the six assists go up to what, 10? I think he's won it.” [39:48]

2. USMNT Finish Top of Gold Cup Group

Group Stage Performance

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) has successfully topped their group in the Gold Cup, setting the stage for the knockout rounds.

• Key Matches and Performances:
  The USMNT’s victory over Saudi Arabia (1-0) and their tense match against Haiti demonstrate their maturity and ability to secure crucial points. Malik Tannen emerges as a standout star, contributing significantly to the team's success.

• Goalkeeper Debate: Matt Freeze vs. Matt Turner
  A heated discussion ensues about whether Matt Freeze should continue as the starting goalkeeper or if Matt Turner deserves the spot due to recent mistakes.

  Timestamp [09:07]
  Landon Donovan: “I think Matt Turner should start going forward.”

  Timestamp [14:42]:
  Tim Howard: “Show me another US9 who's dangerous. And by the way, he’s available. He’s not injured.”

  The conversation highlights the need for a reliable goalkeeper as the team progresses, ultimately leaning towards giving Matt Turner more opportunities to prove himself.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Howard: “If you want to be a naysayer, he’s got five goals in nine games. He missed a bunch of chances.” [07:25]
• Landon Donovan: “In his first nine US Men's national team appearances, he scored five goals.” [06:56]

3. Club World Cup Impresses

Positive Reception and Highlights

Donovan and Howard express their surprise and satisfaction with the performance of teams in the Club World Cup, defying initial skepticism about its appeal.

• Tournament Atmosphere:
  The hosts commend FIFA’s decision to reduce ticket prices, making the Club World Cup more accessible and enjoyable for fans. With electrifying matches and passionate supporters, the tournament has exceeded expectations.

Notable Quotes:

• Landon Donovan: “The tournament’s been fantastic. Every time I’m sitting at Fox every day, prepping. We’re doing the Gold Cup, which has been great, too.” [26:14]
• Tim Howard: “We have the screens there and we’re watching and every. The Rose Bowl, 80,000 people. It’s been amazing.” [26:14]

4. Controversial Moments and Rants

Offside Decision Against Costa Rica

A significant moment of frustration arises from an offside decision that nullified a spectacular goal by Santiago Jimenez during a match against Costa Rica.

Timestamp [20:02]:
Landon Donovan: “I was so mad. I mean, you cannot take… It looked like a goal. It was a goal.”

The hosts delve into the contentious nature of the offside call, questioning the consistency and clarity of refereeing decisions during crucial moments.

Substitute Strategies Critique

Tim Howard vents his irritation over Dortmund’s unconventional substitute strategy during a match in Cincinnati, where players opted to stay in the locker room to avoid the intense heat, sharing his disbelief and frustration.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Howard: “There’s so many other ways to do that. Like, you can literally... the substitutes go... It was a bit of a piss take.” [32:14]
• Landon Donovan: “I just can’t. It’s crazy, dude. It’s crazy.” [32:35]

5. Listener Questions and Engagement

Audience Interaction

The episode incorporates listener questions, addressing topics ranging from streaming app frustrations to personal experiences with coaching decisions.

• FIFA Club Games Streaming Issues:
  Listeners express concerns over the fragmentation of streaming platforms for club games. Donovan and Howard acknowledge the inconvenience but highlight that the games are available on Dazone for free.

Player Chemistry and Team Dynamics

Donovan shares insights on having the best on-field chemistry with players like Demarcus Beasley and Brian Ching, emphasizing the importance of understanding and timing in successful collaborations.

Follow-Up on 2014 World Cup Relations

A personal question about Landon Donovan's relationship with former coach Jurgen Klinsmann reveals a reconciliatory discussion where both parties acknowledged past tensions but chose to move forward amicably.

Notable Quotes:

• Landon Donovan: “We sat in a bar and we just talked because it was… but we sat in a bar and we just talked.” [51:03]
• Tim Howard: “Sometimes hatchets need to stay where they.” [54:58]

6. Other Sports Events Commentary

NBA Finals Game 7 – Tyrese Halliburton’s Injury

The hosts briefly shift focus to the NBA Finals, discussing Tyrese Halliburton’s unfortunate Achilles injury during Game 7, drawing parallels to their own injury experiences and debating the wisdom of playing through significant injuries for championship aspirations.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Howard: “Should he have played? My opinion is that they are about an hour, give or take, from immortalizing themselves and championship as champions.” [57:35]
• Landon Donovan: “If you and I were in that position… there’s zero doubt we’re playing that game.” [57:37]

7. Closing Remarks

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Topics

As the episode wraps up, Donovan and Howard express excitement for the upcoming knockout stages of the Club World Cup and Gold Cup, promising more in-depth analysis and discussions in future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Landon Donovan: “Appreciate you guys. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Podcast, Spotify, anywhere you get your pods.” [40:36]
• Tim Howard: “There’s nothing better than feeling like someone has your back and that things are going to get done without you even having to ask.” [41:16]

Key Takeaways:

• The MLS season has mid-way surprises, notably Vancouver’s strong performance and LA Galaxy’s struggles.
• USMNT tops their Gold Cup group with emerging talents like Malik Tannen, amidst debates on goalkeeper selections.
• The Club World Cup surpasses expectations with positive fan engagement and competitive matches.
• Controversial refereeing decisions and questionable substitute tactics spark heated discussions.
• Engaged listener interaction adds depth to the podcast’s dynamic conversation.

Stay Connected:
Follow Unfiltered Soccer on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. For bonus content, follow @UnfilteredSoccr on X and @UnfilteredSoccer on all other social media channels.