Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard

Episode: Pepi’s Out, Sargent’s Tantrum, Palace Rocked, Heaps Returns
Date: January 13, 2026

1. Episode Overview & Main Theme

This week’s episode dives deep into the challenges and storylines surrounding U.S. soccer stars Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent, examines the implications for the 2026 USMNT roster, highlights Lindsey Heaps’ NWSL return, and recaps a wild FA Cup upset. Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, in their candid, banter-filled style, explore not just the headline injuries and transfers but further analyze the culture of team dynamics and transitions both in the U.S. and abroad.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Ricardo Pepi’s Injury and USMNT Striker Dilemma

[01:48-08:12]

• Pepi’s Fractured Arm: Broke his arm after a “weird, unathletic” fall in a recent match, likely missing critical USMNT friendlies versus Belgium and Portugal and up to two months out.
  • Donovan: “He’s logged 16 minutes from the beginning of 2025 when he got injured till if he doesn’t play in March, he’ll have played 16 minutes.” [02:58]
  • Howard: “Is he the number two striker? He’s played 16 minutes. I get injuries. He’s played 16 minutes.” [03:57]
• Larger Theme of USMNT Injuries: Repeatedly referencing the “curse” or bad run of injuries plaguing the men’s team.
  • Donovan criticizes overspecialization: “When you watch kids who play one sport their whole life, they don’t learn how to use their body in all different ways and situations… it didn’t seem athletic, the way he fell.” [05:31]
• Status in National Team: Both hosts agree: “We talk about him, but he’s not really a national team player [right now].” [07:10]
• Roster Implications: Sargent’s and Ajimang’s form will put Pepi’s default selection at risk, unless others truly falter.

B. Josh Sargent’s Transfer Drama & Professionalism

[08:12-15:21]

• Sargent “Refuses” to Play in FA Cup: Sargent texted manager—citing “transfer things in his head”—and didn’t play. Toronto FC rumored to have bid $18 million.
• Texting the Manager—Bad Form:
  • Howard: “You don’t text. Get all the adults in the room... That’s how you handle it. You don’t send a text and say, if that’s true, and say my head’s not in the right position.” [09:00]
  • Shares personal stories (asking to leave Man United & Everton) to emphasize the importance of mature, face-to-face discussions.
• On “Broken Relationships”:
  • Donovan: “I want to just remind people… you build relationships with all the people… so that when these moments come, you can have an honest, real conversation.” [13:01]
• Sargent’s Future: Both agree sitting for six months would be disastrous — hope for an amicable solution.
  • “The last thing he needs is to be sitting on the bench for six months, not going anywhere.” [14:51]

C. USMNT Roster “On the Team, On the Bubble, On the Outs”

[15:21-23:17]

• Patrick Ajimang:
  • On the team, likely benefits from Pepi’s injury. “Game on here… this is my opportunity.” [15:50]
• Miles Robinson:
  • On the bubble. “He’s had enough time to sort of solidify himself.” [18:20]
• Christian Roldan:
  • On the team. Lauded for intangibles and leadership:
    • Donovan quoting Pochettino: “Christian is a good example of how you need to be involved and defend and fight for your place...” [20:51]
• Joe Scally:
  • Firmly on the bubble but versatility may help his chances.

D. Lindsey Heaps’ NWSL Homecoming to Denver

[23:40-25:43]

• Celebrated for winning everywhere—from NWSL titles to Olympic gold.
  • Donovan: “She’s a winner. She just wins… She’s going home, and she’s gonna… fill a stadium… That was never even a thought for her. Now she can tie a bow on what’s been a brilliant career.” [24:43]
• Hosts get heartfelt, reflecting on how much the game has grown to allow such stories.

E. Major MLS Transfers and The DP Problem

[28:50-34:14]

• Chucky Lozano’s San Diego Exit:
  • Donovan details front-office overreach: “People who started San Diego FC who are not technical people… said we need a Mexican player…” [29:38]
  • Howard warns: “You cannot miss on big DPs because when you miss… the player basically has the power, right? 7.6 million a year...” [31:00]
• Espinoza’s Free Agency Fluke:
  • Shocking administrative mistake in San Jose allowed a top player to walk for free to Nashville. “Talk about fireable offenses, like, this is unacceptable.” [34:14]
• Interleague Moves Key for MLS Growth:
  • Howard: “The best players in the MLS are already in the MLS… Go get one of the top 10 players in the league versus going outside.” [35:26]

F. Inter Miami’s Recruitment Power & “Beckham Pull”

[35:41-38:12]

• Miami attracting top talents, creative deals, and benefitting from “no state income tax, playing with Messi, winning trophies, living in Miami.”
  • Howard (joking): “You saying, Sir David’s cooking the books down there, no chance.” [35:52]
  • Both agree—the “pull” is real and “location, players, successful club” factors are stacking up.

G. Coaching Carousel & FA Cup Magic: Palace Shocked by Macclesfield

[38:12-45:23]

• Eric Ramsey leaves Minnesota for West Brom:
  • Both skeptical: “I just don’t get it… What are you doing?” [38:37]
• FA Cup “Magic”:
  • Macclesfield Town’s 6th Division upset over Crystal Palace:
    • Howard’s personal story about Everton’s visit to Macclesfield: “He got us off the bus and it was so surreal… entire town… frantically making preparations to cover the pitch… People had, like, their curtains that they laid out.” [44:21]
  • Howard on FA Cup’s impact: “That type of money… may keep people in jobs. And I don’t just mean the players… the cooks and the janitors and the people around the club.” [41:13]

H. Premier League News & Player Incidents

[45:52-50:05]

• Xabi Alonso/Rumors: Possible move to Man United; speculation about whether his Liverpool past would bar such a move.
• Managerial updates: Chelsea’s new director-led approach; Michael Carrick likely to finish the season.
• Martinelli/Connor Bradley Incident:
  • Howard on Martinelli’s aggressive injury incident:
    • “We wouldn’t even be talking about this at all if the guy took a knock… It’s because it’s serious. What I think is Gabriel Martinelli, any day of the week, would never have done that if he knew how serious it was.” [48:23]

I. AT&T Fan Connection: Listener Q&A

[54:15-68:19]

• On NCAA regulations restricting summer training groups:
  • “I don’t think they want soccer to be very good… You don’t get time to train your players.” [56:44]
• Refereeing & Perceived Bias:
  • Donovan: “The funny thing about it is… they remember everything the person didn’t… It’s not like, just stop.” [57:44]
• Rapids Coaching Turmoil:
  • Likely a combination of contract/value dispute and miscommunication.
• Can pros succeed in another sport?
  • Tim jokes about waiting for an NBA contract. Both agree that had they specialized young, maybe, but acknowledge the rarity.
• VAR & Offside Rules:
  • Both advocate for giving attackers “the benefit of the doubt”, referencing the ‘clear daylight’/Wenger proposal.
  • Donovan: “Make it more feasible to score more goals.” [67:22]
  • Lamentation of lost celebrations due to VAR.

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tim Howard on Professionalism in Transfers:

  “You don’t text. Get all the adults in the room, the manager, director of football, your agent and you say, guys, I get paid to score goals… But please, with respect, I’ve given everything to Norwich Football Club…I’m now asking you to do this. That’s how you handle it.” — Tim Howard [09:00]

• Landon Donovan on Youth Specialization and Injuries:

  “When you watch kids who play one sport their whole life, they don’t learn how to use their body in all different ways…It didn’t seem athletic, the way he fell. It was bizarre.” — Landon Donovan [05:31]

• Tim Howard on FA Cup Magic:

  “That type of money…may keep people in jobs. And I don’t just mean the players…I mean the cooks and the janitors and the people around the club. This is so interesting to me.” [41:13]

• Howard on DPs & MLS:

  “You cannot miss on big DPs because when you miss, the player basically has the power…” [31:00]

4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:48 – Pepi’s injury and roster fallout
• 08:18 – Josh Sargent’s “tantrum” and transfer standoff
• 15:21 – USMNT Roster “on the bubble” game: Ajimang, Robinson, Roldan, Scally
• 23:40 – Lindsey Heaps returns to NWSL/Denver
• 28:50 – Chucky Lozano/San Diego FC drama
• 34:14 – Espinoza’s free agency mishap
• 35:41 – Inter Miami’s transfer magnetism
• 38:12 – Eric Ramsey jumps to West Brom
• 41:13 – FA Cup “magic” and Macclesfield’s upset
• 45:52 – Premier League managerial moves, Martinelli/Bradley incident
• 54:15 – AT&T Fan Connection: listener questions
• 65:36 – The “Arsene Wenger Rule”/offside debate

5. Tone & Style

Genuine, irreverent but insightful—Landon and Tim mix light banter (“The key to life is a friend with a private [jet]”) with candid and practical perspectives, sometimes referencing their own playing careers. The mood is honest and occasionally nostalgic, especially regarding the growth of soccer in America and the quirks of club operations abroad.

6. Listener Takeaway

• USMNT’s striker depth for 2026 is in flux, with Pepi’s injury and Sargent’s missteps opening opportunities for others.
• Transfer drama and professionalism remain core challenges for US stars abroad.
• MLS, despite its growing stature, must avoid DP flops and administrative blunders to thrive.
• The “magic” of cup competitions lies not only in results but the communities and dreams they support.
• Off-the-field, the importance of human relationships and honest communication is as vital as technical skill.

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(Ad reads, intro banter, and sponsor mentions omitted from above content synopsis.)