Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howard

Episode Summary: MLS Playoff Picture, USMNT vs AC Milan, and Liverpool Lose 4 in a Row
Date: October 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In the season one finale, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard dive deep into a pivotal moment in the soccer calendar: the MLS Decision Day and playoff matchups, key USMNT updates, the club-vs-country debate surrounding Christian Pulisic’s latest injury, major coaching changes in MLS and the Premier League, and a stunning four-game losing streak for Liverpool. The duo unpacks insightful listener questions, discusses the importance of captaincy, and wraps up with gratitude for their team and fans heading into season two.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. USMNT: Pulisic’s Injury & The Club vs. Country Battle

Timestamps: 02:03–07:41

• Christian Pulisic Injury:

  • Suffered a low-grade hamstring tear, out for 2–4 weeks.
  • Milan manager Max Allegri criticized Pulisic’s inclusion in a perceived "meaningless" USMNT match, arguing club interests should prevail.

• Donovan’s Take:
  "Allegri, do me a favor, like, have some context of the big picture. Coaches are so focused on this day, this weekend, this result themselves... It happens. It's part of the game. Just stop, dude. Like, just enough of that." (05:36)

• Howard’s Perspective:

  • Counters that all games matter for the US since there's no CONCACAF qualifying due to the US hosting the 2026 World Cup.
  • Pulisic has enough "clout" and should not be pressured to skip internationals due to minor injuries.
  • "He puts in performances. He has to be able to say, guess what? This might upset you, but, like, I'm going in." (05:26)

• Coach–Player Communication:

  • Pochettino and other top managers (like Tuchel, Emery) have adopted more hands-off, less communicative approaches, especially during international breaks.
  • Howard: "Not everybody should be treated equally... when I look at Pochettino and Pulisic, when I look at Tuchel and Bellingham, you're talking about two of the better players on each of those teams." (07:41)

2. MLS Decision Day & Playoff Preview

Timestamps: 11:00–21:27

• Standout Results:

  • Orlando City’s 4-2 loss to Toronto dropped them to 9th, now facing the play-in game.
  • Columbus vs. Cincy ("Hell is Real" Derby) is an early playoff highlight.
  • Pedro De la Vega (Seattle) leaves injured—a possible blow for their playoff hopes.
  • Messi scores a hat trick; Miami finish 3rd.
  • Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha sent off for a punch—will miss crucial playoffs game.
  • San Diego breaks expansion team records and finish atop the West.

• Analytical Nuggets:

  • Tim: "That's the challenge at the end of the season when you're fighting for positioning." (12:00)
  • Landon: "I was pushing so hard... There's no possible way you can name anybody [else]. I mean, this is just ridiculous" [re: Messi for MVP] (13:35)

• Zaha Red Card Discussion:

  • Landon laments both player naivety and coach Dean Smith’s management.
  • Tim: "Sometimes you can't get out of your own way. You need someone to help you... there's a trust factor as well." (14:22)

• Playoff Predictions:

  • Both host predict Orlando to beat Chicago in the play-in game; Landon gives a slight nod to Cincy over Columbus.
  • Tim backs Miami: "I'm almost pulling for Miami to win the entire thing because... it'd be a watershed moment for the league." (17:42)

3. Player Milestones & Noteworthy Incidents

Timestamps: 21:28–23:59

• Brad Guzan’s Retirement:

  • Tim: "41 years old. It's an incredible, incredible career... He's a warrior, a leader, super dependable and talented." (21:40)
  • Landon: "If someone on this show hadn't been in their prime... he probably would have been a starting national team keeper for a long time, too." (22:43)

• Trinity Rodman Injury:

  • Suffered an MCL sprain, but expected to recover.

4. Coaching Carousel: MLS & Premier League

Timestamps: 27:12–39:31

• Atlanta United Fire Ronnie Deila:

  • Atlanta spent more than any club in MLS history over two windows, finished second from bottom.
  • Howard on trigger-happy clubs: "These ownership groups... put these expectations on the wall... then when something dips below that standard, that expectation, it's like, throw the baby out with the bathwater." (29:03)
  • Landon: "You now have Garth Lagerway there. He will figure it out... You have everything at their fingertips. So figure it out with your next hire. Has to hit." (27:55)

• Almirón & Player Motivation:

  • Tim & Landon caution on re-signing former stars, noting waning ambition after return.

• Nottingham Forest Sack Postecoglu after 39 Days:

  • Tim: "If you take that job, you're getting sacked soon, later, I don't know, but you know, that's how it's going to go down." (34:12)
  • Landon: "From Ange's standpoint, it was stupid, it was a dumb thing to do... I don't believe he'll ever coach in the Premier League again." (37:48)
  • Tim refers to David Moyes choosing fit over prestige in job selection as a better long-term strategy.

5. Liverpool's Stunning Slump & Premier League Rundown

Timestamps: 42:09–49:29

• Liverpool Lose Four in a Row:

  • If they lose again midweek, first time that's happened since 1953.
  • Defensive frailties, unsettled roles for signings, and lack of chemistry cited.
  • Tim on squad shuffling: "Partnerships and understanding are so key...with Robertson and Trent...there was a [click]." (44:23)

• City & Haaland:

  • Haaland scores 11 in his first 8 league games—hosts note it’s so routine it’s almost unremarkable.
  • Landon: "Can you imagine if Ekatike or Gyokres or Sesko had scored 11 in 8 right now? It'd be like always lighting the league on fire. This is a man with Haaland, you're like, that's crazy." (47:54)

• Pickford Signs New Everton Deal:

  • Tim: "I'm disappointed. I wish he would leave Everton because he's getting really close to my records...Jordan Pickford is going to beat all those records." (48:43)

6. Listener Q&A: Fan Connection

Timestamps: 53:01–65:45

• USMNT Captaincy:

  • Debunked idea that Pulisic was given armband as inducement to play while injured.
  • Tim: "The captain is not always your best player... It has nothing to do with ability. It's about accountability." (55:01)
  • Discussion of modern captaincy traditions (e.g., Milan’s seniority rule).

• "Enforcer" Roles:

  • Chris Richards as USMNT’s on-field enforcer, balancing aggression and discipline.

• Miles Robinson’s Steady Contributions:

  • Gets praise for quiet consistency; Landon: "...if you play well and you work and you fight, you're going to play again." (61:50)

• Coaching Impact on Team Struggles:

  • Landon: "It's easier to fire one person than 25... national team management is extra challenging because you only get players for a few days at a time." (63:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Club vs. Country:
  Tim: "He has to be able to say, guess what? This might upset you, but, like, I'm going in." (05:26)

• On Overactive Ownership:
  Tim: "These ownership groups... put these expectations on the wall... then when something dips below that standard... it's like, throw the baby out with the bathwater." (29:03)

• On Captaincy:
  Tim: "The captain is not always your best player... it's about accountability." (55:01)

• On MLS and Expansion Success:
  Landon: "San Diego leapfrog Vancouver. They set a new MLS record for points and wins by an expansion team." (15:47)

• On Trust and Player Management:
  Landon: "...you can never break that trust. Ever." (14:51)

Season One Finale: Reflections & Thanks

Timestamps: 66:05–70:07

• Appreciation for the production team and fans.
• Jordan ("Junior") gets a special shout-out as the breakout addition to the show.
• Season two confirmed to launch November 11, 2025.
  • Landon: "Thank you guys for making this show the number one soccer podcast in the country." (69:32)

Quick Reference: Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Pulisic/USMNT Injury & Club vs. Country | 02:03–07:41 | | MLS Decision Day & Playoff Preview | 11:00–21:27 | | Guzan Retirement, Rodman Injury | 21:28–23:59 | | MLS/PL Coaching Carousel | 27:12–39:31 | | Liverpool’s 4-Game Skid & Premier League | 42:09–49:29 | | Listener Q&A | 53:01–65:45 | | Finale Reflections & Thanks | 66:05–70:07 |

Tone & Vibe

The episode is candid, energetic, and reflective of two friends and insiders who love the sport, aren’t afraid of tough opinions, and engage their audience with both humor and honesty. As ever, Landon and Tim balance expert analysis with human moments—concluding the season on notes of gratitude, ambition, and anticipation for even bigger things in season two.

For more Unfiltered Soccer:
Follow @UnfilteredSoccer on social, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Season two begins November 11, 2025.