Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howard

Episode Summary: Tom Bogert on Breaking Soccer News, and the USMNT Give Fans the Soccer Blues

Date: September 9, 2025
Guests: Tom Bogert (Reporter, Give Me Sport Soccerwise/CBS Sports)

Overview

In this episode, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard dive deep into the simmering anxieties surrounding the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) following a disheartening 0-2 loss to South Korea, dissect the broader trajectory leading up to the 2026 World Cup, and then shift gears with special guest Tom Bogert—one of American soccer’s top journalists—for an inside look at breaking soccer news in the U.S. and honest opinions on the current state of the national program.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. Dissecting the USMNT’s Latest Struggles [02:18 – 29:48]

Context:

• USMNT's 0-2 Loss to South Korea at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey.
• Michael Bradley honored pre-game for his career and leadership.

Key Discussion Points:

• Troubling Run of Results:

  • 6 losses and 5 wins in last 11 games; last time with similar form was post-2014 World Cup—but against much tougher opposition then.
  • USMNT has lost 5 straight against FIFA Top 25 teams, winless in 7, outscored 17-3 (Paul Carr stat, [04:00]).
  • Last win vs top-25 (excluding Mexico): Iran, 2022 World Cup.

• Leadership Vacuum & Team Identity:

  • The generational transition post-2018 World Cup qualifying failure led to young players thrown in without enough veteran guidance.
  • Donovan: “When I was 20, going into my World Cup year... Greg Berhalter was there, Jeff Agoos was there... these guys kicked the shit out of me, dude. ...This group has had none of that. They've had nobody hold them accountable internally...” [11:02]
  • Tim Ream and Tyler Adams seen as possible leaders, but more “nastiness” and accountability needed across the group.

• Lack of “Moxie” in Big Games:

  • Tim Howard: “There’s something with this team that they don’t have. I don’t know, the moxie. They don’t have something to win the big games. That’s not an opinion. That’s what they’re showing us.” [05:17]
  • Donovan: “It’s the blind leading the blind... chaos ensues.” [11:06]

• Clinical Edge & Striker Dilemma:

  • South Korea’s top talent, Son, took his chances; US’s finishing remains lacking, with striker issues persisting post-Jozy Altidore.
  • Comparison of Josh Sargent and Folarin Balogun (Flo):
    Balogun clearly the best option, Sargent’s club form not translating to international stage—a “levels” issue.

Notable Quote:

• Landon Donovan: “This is just where we are... I hate to say it that bluntly, but we have to be honest.” [17:10]

2. Guest Segment: Tom Bogert on Soccer Journalism & the State of the USMNT [34:23 – 57:18]

Tom Bogert’s Journey:

• Started as a D3 player, early realization he wouldn’t go pro. Found his calling in soccer journalism, especially breaking news and building relationships with sources ([36:33]).
• Emphasizes accuracy and trust: “If you’re wrong once, it is irreparable damage.” ([39:55])

Inside Soccer Newsbreaking:

• Relies on multiple, trusted sources and relationship-building rather than clout.
• Explains why clubs leak info: visibility, marketing, spin, and relationships.

View on US Men’s Soccer (Fan and Analyst Perspective):

• Mood: “Sometimes it’s ambivalence, sometimes it’s apathy. It is rarely optimistic and positive at the moment.” ([49:07])
• Disappointing competitive record (Pochettino era: 7 losses in 15 FIFA-window games outside January camp).
• Lack of identity: “You guys tell me, what is one defining stylistic feature that this team is trying to accomplish? ...I can't see one defining thing.” ([49:54])
• Most damning: Recent US teams rarely play “beyond the sum of their parts.” ([50:44])

Listener Confirmation:

• Bogert confirms that amongst “friends and fans,” the consensus is similar frustration about lack of fight, style, and optimism.

Coaching/Personnel Questions:

• Ongoing experimentation and lack of continuity with starting XI, especially center-back pairings and midfield roles; repeated calls for Weston McKennie’s recall as a core piece ([55:03]).

Notable Quote:

• Tom Bogert: “When was the last time the national team has played beyond the sum of his parts?” [50:44]

3. Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tim Howard on Leadership: “Certain players within that team need to step up and be counted and stand out. Because, by the way, you will stand out in a very good, positive way.” [17:10]
• Landon Donovan on Experiments: “Why would we waste an opportunity against a good team... Why would we experiment?” [24:13]
• On Pochettino’s Optimism:
  • “He’s basically saying, I ain't had my best team together... But when we get to that World Cup, I'm going to have my best team. And I believe him. Here's the problem. I don’t know what that best team can do. ...Because we haven't had our best team together.” – Tim Howard [26:22]
• Tom Bogert’s Journalism Ethos: “A healthy amount of anxiety is what I try to operate with.” [39:55]

4. Fan Questions & Listener Mailbag [62:35 – 77:59]

Topics Covered:

• Travel-Fatigue Myths: Both Landon and Tim debunk travel as an excuse for sluggishness. Elite athletes must adapt; global standard is to recover, not just Americans ([66:33]).
• Crowd Support & Ticket Prices:
  • Korean fans dominated at the stadium; USSF ultimately cares about attendance, not demographics ([71:34]).
• Youth System & Pay-to-Play:
  • Both hosts passionately argue the US youth soccer model is “flat broke”; rampant pay-to-play and coddling destroy the pipeline for talented, gritty players ([75:35]).
• Optimistic Notes:
  • Even given the negativity, the hosts hope for a turnaround. “Sports are funny, man. One good result, one good performance can turn things around.” – Landon Donovan [78:04]

5. Notable Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:18 – Full dissection of USMNT performance vs. South Korea
• 10:14 – Generational leadership void and its effects
• 16:26 – South Korea’s clinical finishing vs. USMNT’s inefficiency
• 18:45 – Deep dive: USMNT striker dilemma
• 24:13 – Frustration with ongoing “experimentation” in friendlies
• 34:23 – Tom Bogert joins the show, breaks down the art of soccer reporting
• 49:07 – Tom Bogert’s honest state-of-the-program assessment
• 62:35 – Listener mailbag: travel, home support, and the US youth system

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Honest, Unfiltered Critique: The episode lives up to its title—Donovan and Howard, both alumni and fans, offer a blunt if empathetic assessment: the USMNT is running out of time, inspiration, and identity as the World Cup approaches.
• Passion & Accountability: The absence of veteran leadership and that famous USMNT “chip on the shoulder” is repeatedly lamented.
• Expert Insider Perspective: Bogert’s segment is a highlight—valuable both for aspiring journalists and curious fans.
• Call to Action: The central plea is for players to step up and for those in charge—from Pochettino to U.S. Soccer HQ—to put the best team forward, foster accountability, and, above all, stop making excuses.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Tim Howard:

  • “They don’t have something to win the big games. ...That’s not an opinion. That’s what they’re showing us.” [05:17]
  • “Certain players within that team need to step up and be counted…” [17:10]

• Landon Donovan:

  • “This group has had none of that. They’ve had nobody hold them accountable internally…” [11:02]
  • “We just need a good response and a good performance and a result.” [30:12]

• Tom Bogert:

  • “Sometimes it’s ambivalence, sometimes it’s apathy. It is rarely optimistic and positive at the moment.” [49:07]
  • “When was the last time the national team has played beyond the sum of his parts.” [50:44]

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is essential listening for anyone invested in the fate of U.S. soccer heading into a home World Cup. Donovan and Howard lay bare the issues on and off the pitch: a lost identity, leadership vacuum, roster uncertainty, and a system still letting down its most committed players and fans. Tom Bogert adds expert context and transparency on how news about the USMNT really gets made.

Whether you’re frustrated, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this installment tells you exactly where the conversation stands—and why the next several months could define American soccer for the next decade.